Question:

My wife & I are looking forward to attending this show in February. Any Roffians planning to attend?  I would love to meet up and perhaps share a beverage or two. Seattle, Washington, Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Feb 22 – 23, 2003 www.flyfishingshow.com Let me know…and we can arrange a meeting time and place at the show???

Response:

My wife & I are looking forward to attending this show in February. Any Roffians planning to attend?  I would love to meet up and perhaps share a beverage or two. Seattle, Washington, Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Feb 22 – 23, 2003 www.flyfishingshow.com Let me know…and we can arrange a meeting time and place at the show???

I’d love to get over there, but at this time I can’t make any plan’s. I’ll let you know closer to the time if I’m going to make it. Darin

Response:

I’m going.  Don’t know the detail just yet.   Is that a three day weekend? If so we may go and see how the rich and famous in Bellevue live.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife & I are looking forward to attending this show in February. Any Roffians planning to attend?  I would love to meet up and perhaps share a beverage or two. Seattle, Washington, Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Feb 22 – 23, 2003 www.flyfishingshow.com Let me know…and we can arrange a meeting time and place at the show???

Response:

Question:

I just had an incredible bit of luck run into me. Yesterday one of my coworkers came into my office and said that he noticed from my office decorations that I enjoyed fly fishing. He had run across one of those fly fishing coffee table books for $1.00 in the local bargain bin and bought it for me. As I thanked him, one bit of conversation led to another and he mentioned he had an old fly rod in his garage collecting dust and asked if I’d like it. It turns out that this guy used to camp and hunt in Keene, NH about 15-20 years ago. One day while he was there, his hunting partner asked if he would mind helping the landowner pack a few things into a moving truck. Long story short, they ended up at Lee Wulff’s place in Surry. He said that Mr. Wulff was spending more time reminiscing about each thing he packed than actually packing the U-Haul for his move to New York on the Beaverkill. At the end of the day, Mr. Wulff gave my coworker his Cortland Model 502-A, 2-piece 7′6" 7WT rod, of which I am now the proud owner. Judging from the wear on the tip-top, this rod was used frequently. Although the rod itself may not be of much value (and of this I’m not sure – I can’t find any info on it), the fact that Mr. Wulff once fished with it makes it something I will cherish. When told of his death, Charles Kurault said, "Lee Wulff was to fly fishing what Einstein was to physics." As someone recently said here, life is good. — TL, Tim

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just had an incredible bit of luck run into me. Yesterday one of my coworkers came into my office and said that he noticed from my office decorations that I enjoyed fly fishing. He had run across one of those fly fishing coffee table books for $1.00 in the local bargain bin and bought it for me. As I thanked him, one bit of conversation led to another and he mentioned he had an old fly rod in his garage collecting dust and asked if I’d like it. It turns out that this guy used to camp and hunt in Keene, NH about 15-20 years ago. One day while he was there, his hunting partner asked if he would mind helping the landowner pack a few things into a moving truck. Long story short, they ended up at Lee Wulff’s place in Surry. He said that Mr. Wulff was spending more time reminiscing about each thing he packed than actually packing the U-Haul for his move to New York on the Beaverkill. At the end of the day, Mr. Wulff gave my coworker his Cortland Model 502-A, 2-piece 7′6" 7WT rod, of which I am now the proud owner. Judging from the wear on the tip-top, this rod was used frequently. Although the rod itself may not be of much value (and of this I’m not sure – I can’t find any info on it), the fact that Mr. Wulff once fished with it makes it something I will cherish. When told of his death, Charles Kurault said, "Lee Wulff was to fly fishing what Einstein was to physics." As someone recently said here, life is good. — TL, Tim

That is awesome Tim. Congrats Russell -Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

Response:

Awesome.  Write down the "provenance" with as many dates and names as you can get.  If you decide to just keep the rod and later sell it, this will definately increase its value. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

Awesome.  Write down the "provenance" with as many dates and names as you can get.  If you decide to just keep the rod and later sell it, this will definately increase its value.

Already working on it. I’ve written to Joan Wulff to see if she can verify the circumstance. Also, my coworker was keeping a diary during the time this happened, so he thinks he can give me some more exact timeframe. Even though it’s designated as a 7WT, the rod feels like it would handle a WF5F line pretty well, which is usually what I use. Has anyone out there fished with this kind of mismatch before? Any tips? — TL, Tim (excited like a kid in a candy store)

Response:

Already working on it. I’ve written to Joan Wulff to see if she can verify the circumstance.

OTOH, she might want her rod back.  :-) Joe F.

Response:

All I have to say is: we should have gone fishing yesterday.  You were destined to catch that once in a lifetime wild 30 inch Swift River brookie.

Response:

Awesome.  Write down the "provenance" with as many dates and names as you can get.  If you decide to just keep the rod and later sell it, this will definately increase its value.

Absolutely.  In fact, you might even wish to contact Joan Wulff and see about a letter.  While it may seem unimportant now, when and if it becomes important, it will be more difficult, if not impossible, to gather the needed information.  Also, make sure that your documentation/research is clearly spelled out and your family knows about it (or at least where to find your documentation).  Trust me on this – I speak from personal experience. You might also wish to check with the Catskill FFing Center: Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum 1031 Old Route 17, Livingston Manor, New York 12758 http://www.cffcm.org/cmc.html  or the Anglers’ Club of New York: The Anglers’ Club of New York 101 Broad St. New York, NY 10004 Voice: (212) 425-7333 Fax: (212) 809-9089 IIRC, they were involved in auction of Wulff items a couple of years ago, and might be able to give you a rough idea of value for insurance, etc.   Congrats on the "find." TC, R

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Awesome.  Write down the "provenance" with as many dates and names as you can get.  If you decide to just keep the rod and later sell it, this will definately increase its value. Absolutely.  In fact, you might even wish to contact Joan Wulff and see about a letter.  While it may seem unimportant now, when and if it becomes important, it will be more difficult, if not impossible, to gather the needed information.  Also, make sure that your documentation/research is clearly spelled out and your family knows about it (or at least where to find your documentation).  Trust me on this – I speak from personal experience. You might also wish to check with the Catskill FFing Center: Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum 1031 Old Route 17, Livingston Manor, New York 12758 http://www.cffcm.org/cmc.html  or the Anglers’ Club of New York: The Anglers’ Club of New York 101 Broad St. New York, NY 10004 Voice: (212) 425-7333 Fax: (212) 809-9089 IIRC, they were involved in auction of Wulff items a couple of years ago, and might be able to give you a rough idea of value for insurance, etc.

Thanks for the info — I’ve written both and will let you know the results. — TL, Tim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Congrats on the "find." TC, R

Response:

All I have to say is: we should have gone fishing yesterday.  You were destined to catch that once in a lifetime wild 30 inch Swift River

brookie. No kidding! And I probably wouldn’t have even minded the heat. <g — TL, Tim

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"Stan Gula" All I have to say is: we should have gone fishing yesterday.  You were destined to catch that once in a lifetime wild 30 inch Swift River brookie. No kidding! And I probably wouldn’t have even minded the heat. <g

While you wimps were enjoying your cold drinks, I actually fished. Caught 30" of brookie more or less equally divided into five fish. Comgrats on the rod, Tim…gonna bring it next week? BTW, this good fortune also enhanced your Kreh number, (Lee must have known Lefty, right?), not to mention what it did to your Wullf number. <G George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

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"Stan Gula" All I have to say is: we should have gone fishing yesterday.  You were destined to catch that once in a lifetime wild 30 inch Swift River brookie. No kidding! And I probably wouldn’t have even minded the heat. <g While you wimps were enjoying your cold drinks, I actually fished. Caught 30" of brookie more or less equally divided into five fish.

This takes counting to a whole new level. Comgrats on the rod, Tim…gonna bring it next week?

Yes. If you’re really nice to me I’ll let you hold it . . . just for a moment. BTW, this good fortune also enhanced your Kreh number, (Lee must have known Lefty, right?), not to mention what it did to your Wullf number. <G

Hey, anything that increases either of those is good. I’m almost at "1" now! — TL, Tim

Response:

Awesome.  Write down the "provenance" with as many dates and names as you can get.  If you decide to just keep the rod and later sell it, this will definately increase its value.

it’s a unique piece of luck and to be treasured. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

Question:

Man, that does sound like a fun technique! Here, fishy, fishy… john – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My kennel manager is on vacation, so lots of work for me, but I have been getting out for an hour or two after dinner. Fishing has been good and I’ve come across something I find interesting. At sunset, there are large numbers of spinners (I’m guessing they’re spinners but I haven’t been able to catch one) flying just over the surface occasionally skimming it. There are also some large Mayfly duns and a small Mayfly duns on the surface. There are a few splashy rises from fish chasing emergers but by far the majority of the "risers" are fish jumping clear out of the water to snag one of the spinners flying over the surface. I’ve seen this on an occasional basis, but some of the fish are doing this from a set feeding station and are jumping for the flies on a regular basis. This includes some decent fish. They totally ignore any of the duns that drift by. The flies are only about a size 16/18, so this jumping doesn’t seem "energy efficient" but me, but I’m no fish. I’ve been able to catch a few of them swinging soft hackles. I’ve also caught a some on a dry or emerger tied on an upper a bloodknot dropper with a weighted nymph below. The weighted nymph serves as an anchor and by holding the rod high, the fly on the dropper can be made to skim the surface, stay above it or bounce on the surface. It’s the closest I can come to imitating the hovering flies. It’s been moderately effective with lots of missed fish jumping at the fly but it’s a fun technique. Willi

Response:

……The flies are only about a size 16/18, so this jumping doesn’t seem "energy efficient" but me, but I’m no fish……

I suspect the energy expenditure is not as great as you might think. Fish are streamlined.  Putting on a short burst of speed which will carry them out of the water probably doesn’t cost them a great deal of effort.  The fact that they do so frequently for what seems a small reward bears suggests it is energy efficient. Wolfgang

Response:

Willi    Try dapping.  Get some unwaxed dental floss (or silk floss, I prefer sky blue, the fish seem to ignore it) and cut about six 8 foot pieces.  Lay ‘em out side-by-side and knot the ends together.  Put a 3 foot tippet on one end and tie the other end to your fly line.  Get the longest pole you have and wait for a little bit of a wind.  The floss works as sail and you can skitter the fly over the surface of just above the surface like a hovering insect.  I’ve only caught two fish with the fly in the air but its a trip (okay, I snagged a couple more).  You just let the fish set the hook on itself.  Your natural reaction is to pull it away, don’t move.  Bigger the fly, the more lines of floss and vice versa.  You can use this technique while hiding in bushes on the bank. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

Willi   Try dapping.  Get some unwaxed dental floss (or silk floss, I prefer sky blue, the fish seem to ignore it) and cut about six 8 foot pieces.  Lay ‘em out side-by-side and knot the ends together.  Put a 3 foot tippet on one end and tie the other end to your fly line.  Get the longest pole you have and wait for a little bit of a wind.  The floss works as sail and you can skitter the fly over the surface of just above the surface like a hovering insect.  I’ve only caught two fish with the fly in the air but its a trip (okay, I snagged a couple more).  You just let the fish set the hook on itself.  Your natural reaction is to pull it away, don’t move.  Bigger the fly, the more lines of floss and vice versa.  You can use this technique while hiding in bushes on the bank.

        this is the weirdest damn place i have ever been.         yfitons wayno

Response:

My kennel manager is on vacation, so lots of work for me, but I have been getting out for an hour or two after dinner. Fishing has been good and I’ve come across something I find interesting. At sunset, there are large numbers of spinners (I’m guessing they’re spinners but I haven’t been able to catch one) flying just over the surface occasionally skimming it. There are also some large Mayfly duns and a small Mayfly duns on the surface. There are a few splashy rises from fish chasing emergers but by far the majority of the "risers" are fish jumping clear out of the water to snag one of the spinners flying over the surface. I’ve seen this on an occasional basis, but some of the fish are doing this from a set feeding station and are jumping for the flies on a regular basis. This includes some decent fish. They totally ignore any of the duns that drift by. The flies are only about a size 16/18, so this jumping doesn’t seem "energy efficient" but me, but I’m no fish. I’ve been able to catch a few of them swinging soft hackles. I’ve also caught a some on a dry or emerger tied on an upper a bloodknot dropper with a weighted nymph below. The weighted nymph serves as an anchor and by holding the rod high, the fly on the dropper can be made to skim the surface, stay above it or bounce on the surface. It’s the closest I can come to imitating the hovering flies. It’s been moderately effective with lots of missed fish jumping at the fly but it’s a fun technique.   Willi

Response:

Question:

I have followed this newsgroup for quite awhile now and some of you guys that complain the most about spaming always promote your own web site, now what is this??? Is this spaming???  When I post something here or anywhere else I do not put my web address down and I have not told anybody here or any other board that I am selling Bastard Bamboo, St.Croix , GLoomis, Eastbranch rods, Phillipson, Goodwin & Grangers Heddons, Southbends, H&I, Montagues, Orvis, or any other product I sell… When I posted that I really liked the Black Raven I was telling the truth about the rod.. I was really impressed with this rod.. AIt casted real smooth..When I go fly fishing it is adventure for me because I am in a wheelchair and I always have a hand full of rods to fish with and I usually fish with all the rods I take fishing with me, and I have to admit Banboo Flyrods are the funniest to fish with..  Actually I just started flyfishing and I caught my first trout on an Bamboo Flyrod, Whoops it was a Bastard  flyrod maybe this is an ilegal word here, but I really dont care what is an ilegal word..   I am really sorry if I am spaming about my Heddons,Phillipsons,Southbends,ETC..   Come on guys forget the past and lets jsut talk about fishing and if that Word Bastard come up just let it go, because a Bastard can catch fish just like an Orvis rod can catch fish..  Come on Guys lets just caych some fish on your favorite rod and your favorite fly…   Later dave

Response:

        (blah blah blah)  Come on Guys lets just caych some fish on your favorite rod and your favorite fly…   Later dave

        dave, just go mix another drink, and forget about it.         wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

[snipped] Dave, it’s been explained to you already, but once more for emphasis: you’d never been seen here before, and suddenly a post from out of nowhere appears, overflowing with ebullient praise for a rod built by someone that had thoroughly worn out his welcome here. And adding the bit about "buying ten of them" was like waving a red flag in the face of many folks here. Thus the reaction. But it appears that those same folks might owe you an apology… [el snippo] I have to admit Banboo Flyrods are the funniest to fish with..

LOL! Welll…..No comment ;^) Stick around, Dave. /daytripper

Response:

I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else. Thank You

Response:

I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else. Thank You

Phooey. It’s an election year, politics is on our minds and we speak our minds. (Those of us that actually HAVE minds, anyway.:-) Tell that large, hairy, mustachioed man wearing the fishnet stockings and high heels who forces you to read political posts to put down the cat-o’-nine-tails and get back to work on the heirheads debate strategy. (Unless you really like that sort of thing.) — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else.

I wish I was young, rich and attractive. Thank *you*. — Charlie…

Response:

I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else. Thank You

Yeah, wish in one hand and shit in the other.  Let us know which one fills up faster. Wolfgang Director, ROFF Office of Research

Response:

I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else. Thank You

I wish people would quit reading what they don’t want to, so there you go…  I think we are about equal in our chances of getting our wishes. HTH? You’re Welcome R (who knows Slim just stole None’s horse, and is border-bound…)

Response:

I like your new word, spaming. Maybe spame is a good name for off topic posts! Personnally, I’ve been very pleased that recently people have put "off topic" posts under appropriate headers.  They are very easy to ignore if you’re not interested. What bothers me is when you click on a fishing related subject line and you get garbage. Willi – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else. Thank You

Response:

Yeah, wish in one hand and shit in the other.  Let us know which one fills up faster.

My grandma always said wish in one hand, shit in the other… and see which weighs more. — Tight Lines! Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters, Missoula, Montana http://www.montana.com/dno/dno.htm 406-626-4022

Response:

I wish people would stop wishing, as it is very difficult to prove whether one’s wish actually came to fruition or not! — Opie  –I *hope* this doesn’t piss the wrong people off– – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I like your new word, spaming. Maybe spame is a good name for off topic posts! Personnally, I’ve been very pleased that recently people have put "off topic" posts under appropriate headers.  They are very easy to ignore if you’re not interested. What bothers me is when you click on a fishing related subject line and you get garbage. Willi I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else. Thank You

Response:

I wish people would stop wishing, as it is very difficult to prove whether one’s wish actually came to fruition or not!

I can tell you I keep closing my eyes and clicking my heels but somehow I keep getting stuck in Kansas. — Wayne Knight Expert in creating tailing loops and windknots Otherwise Fishless in Kansas Before you buy.

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I can tell you I keep closing my eyes and clicking my heels but somehow I keep getting stuck in Kansas.

Ah, that’s the problem: that only works to get you back *to* Kansas, you need a tornado to get you out<g. — Charlie…

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else. Thank You Phooey. It’s an election year, politics is on our minds and we speak our minds. (Those of us that actually HAVE minds, anyway.:-) Tell that large, hairy, mustachioed man wearing the fishnet stockings and high heels who forces you to read political posts to put down the cat-o’-nine-tails and get back to work on the heirheads debate strategy. (Unless you really like that sort of thing.)

When did Louie grow a mustache? /daytripper (OK, now I gotta run and hide. Buh byeeeeeee! ;^)

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R wrote snip::I wish people would quit reading what they don’t want to, so there you go…

The only way to get the damn thing to go away is to hit read msg. Big Dale

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It is about fishing.  If big oil get’s their empty suit in the White House look forward to clear cuts,  cynaide leach mines,  oil spills in ANWF and all imaginable kinds of hell loosed upon the earth.  The forces of greed want your fishing hole. BJC – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else. Thank You

Response:

Yeah, wish in one hand and shit in the other.  Let us know which one fills up faster. My grandma always said wish in one hand, shit in the other… and see which weighs more.

My kinda grandma!  Never got to know any of my own.  Can I borrow yours some time? Wolfgang over the river and through the woods

Response:

I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else.

I wish I had a better benefits package, a bigger apartment, three redheaded Tri-Delt mistresses, and a beer. We all got needs, pal. You’re welcome. "My father said to be strong, that a good man could never do wrong  in a dream I had last night in America" -Los Lobos

Response:

Why, do they not make Tri-Delts anymore, or was there only one window in time when they were universally considered desirable?  I know in my undergraduate days (69-73) they were thought (and I believe thought themselves) hotter than heat. Me, I never saw it:  preferred hippy girls in peasant shirts and jeans. BTW, are we allowed to talk about women here, or only politics? JR — To reply, remove the Qs from the address above – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     "Tri-Delts" gives your approximate age away. [an assumption, but held until informed.] (MC’s comment snipped for space) I wish I had a better benefits package, a bigger apartment, three redheaded Tri-Delt mistresses, and a beer. We all got needs, pal.

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     I don’t know, it seems odd to be fixated on redheads, but even more outr

Question:

I have been an avid, die hard fly fisherman for many years now, and now my three sons are also addicted to the sport. I recently decided to try using barbless hooks on some of my mini leech and damselfly patterns. I seem to be betting the same hook set, but 90% of the fish are long line released and I see nothing wrong with what I am doing. Any Ideas??

Response:

I have been an avid, die hard fly fisherman for many years now, and now my three sons are also addicted to the sport. I recently decided to try using barbless hooks on some of my mini leech and damselfly patterns. I seem to be betting the same hook set, but 90% of the fish are long line released and I see nothing wrong with what I am doing. Any Ideas??

Just do more of the same Mike.  If you’re losing fish, you have been letting slack get in the line and when they jump, you’re not bowing to the fish.  Chances are you’re stripping in real fast to get the slack out but you must have too much slack laying on the ground.  Try fishing with less slack and get on the reel ASAP would be my advice.   Another thing you must remember is "which side of the fishes mouth" are you hooked up in?  You hook up with the fish FACING the current.  When they are fighting and turn away from the current, you need to go easy. Only pull harder when they are facing the current and the hook is on your side of the jaw. Hope this helps Mike, — MrG/American Sportsman "the saga continues"

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Keep a tight line! Ernie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been an avid, die hard fly fisherman for many years now, and now my three sons are also addicted to the sport. I recently decided to try using barbless hooks on some of my mini leech and damselfly patterns. I seem to be betting the same hook set, but 90% of the fish are long line released and I see nothing wrong with what I am doing. Any Ideas??

Response:

Don’t feel like the lone ranger! I had the same problem day before yesterday on the Conejos River in south central Colorado. Great fly fishing with 12 to 18 inch browns and some larger that I lost either with the  long line release (I like that) or a few cases of snap the 6X tippet. It was great fun nonetheless! Damn, now I’m back in Dallas… Graham – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been an avid, die hard fly fisherman for many years now, and now my three sons are also addicted to the sport. I recently decided to try using barbless hooks on some of my mini leech and damselfly patterns. I seem to be betting the same hook set, but 90% of the fish are long line released and I see nothing wrong with what I am doing. Any Ideas??

Response:

I have been an avid, die hard fly fisherman for many years now, and now my three sons are also addicted to the sport. I recently decided to try using barbless hooks on some of my mini leech and damselfly patterns. I seem to be betting the same hook set, but 90% of the fish are long line released and I see nothing wrong with what I am doing. Any Ideas??

I have days like that.  Other days, it doesn’t happen.  Could be any number of things going on.  Smaller hooks are made of thinner wire which necessarily equates with sharper hooks…..large hooks are more likely to fail to penetrate deeply.  Some days fish are more sluggish; others, more active.  A lot of line in or on the water is more difficult to control.  A long or light tippet stretches more.  There are a host of other factors which might come into play.  At any rate, barbless hooks suggest you are planning to release them anyway, no?  A little earlier is better than a little later for the fish.

Response:

I have been an avid, die hard fly fisherman for many years now, and now my three sons are also addicted to the sport. I recently decided to try using barbless hooks on some of my mini leech and damselfly patterns.

Is there a chance that in your anticipation of having to keep the pressure on the hook that you are setting up too quickly and not getting solid hookups? I’ve been crushing the barbs off my hooks for years now and it seems like at first, when I was concerned about the hook staying in place, that I may have done just that. It doesn’t seem to be a problem anymore. Flyfish

Response:

Mr. G. made some great points.  Like FlyFish, I’ve been using barbless hooks or flattening barbs for a few years now and when I lose a fish most times it’s due to having too much line on the water and not getting the fish on the real quickly enough. GL…and tight lines! Natty

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My home river has been alternating on a daily basis between running high and muddy and high and clear with an amber tinge. When it is running amber, the fishing is pretty good, but with the heavy flows, traditional dry techniques aren’t productive. In this heavy flowing, colored water, I’ve been having good success with a technique that was shown to me by an old rancher about twenty years ago. The technique is a fun one and is often productive when the trout are reluctant to come up for traditionally fished dries. It’s a technique geared for fishing fast, heavy water. I use it mainly in pocket water, but it also works on the streamside edges of heavy, deep water and in around any obstructions in deep strong runs. The flies I use are a high floating dry with a wet fly or soft hackle on a dropper of about 2 feet. I generally use a dry about two sizes bigger than I normally would and use a fly two sizes smaller than the dry as a dropper. The dropper is optional but will result in more hookups. I’ll describe the technique for a pocket water situation where I mainly use it. Casts can be short or long, but since you can approach fish closely in pocket water, often surprisingly close, and short casts give you much more control, I use casts of under fifteen feet 90% of the time. The only time I use longer casts is when the water is too deep or heavy to get to an area I want to fish. I try to fish an area thoroughly, even spots where there doesn’t appear to be any rocks that could break up the current, but I concentrate the casts to run through any visible areas where larger rocks provide calm water cushions. I generally a cast up and across stream and immediately raise the rod tip to lift all the fly line off the water and get direct contact with the fly.  I then begin dragging and skipping the fly across the current. I vary the action of the fly but the key is lots of action.  When the flies get in a position just below me, I begin maneuvering them through each small pocket I can find.  I skitter them upstream and down, back and forth through any pockets below. This technique will bring good fish to the surface that ignore more placid, traditional techniques. The quick moving flies result in strikes that are aggressive, vicious, slashing, fast, exciting etc. and you will get many more misses than hookups. Setting the hook at the strike usually results in pulling the fly away from the trout. Strikes need to be delayed but because of the tight line, the fish will usually hook themselves. Since there are a large percentage of missed fish with this technique, the feeding locations and holding areas that are revealed, need to be fished again. Since most of these missed strikes, refusals etc. are to the larger, more visible dry, the next thing I do is to try to maneuver the small dropper through the area trying to skip it across the surface. If this doesn’t work, I do a number of traditional drag free drifts through the area, paying close attention for hits on the dropper. This technique is definitely a kick when it’s working.  It elicits strikes from trout more akin to those of a bass or a pike to a popper than a typical sedate sip to a dry. I tend to ignore the technique when the fish are rising to more typical techniques but maybe I shouldn’t. Willi Interesting technique Willi.  I think most of us have used a similar

approach for pocket water, but not with a dropper, and not with a systematic plan.  For me its been an approach used out of necessity at times for fishing pocket water, especially casting over currents or boulders.  I’ll try it next opportunity. Pat K Before you buy.

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My home river has been alternating on a daily basis between running high and muddy and high and clear with an amber tinge. When it is running amber, the fishing is pretty good, but with the heavy flows, traditional dry techniques aren’t productive. In this heavy flowing, colored water, I’ve been having good success with a technique that was shown to me by an old rancher about twenty years ago. The technique is a fun one and is often productive when the trout are reluctant to come up for traditionally fished dries. It’s a technique geared for fishing fast, heavy water. I use it mainly in pocket water, but it also works on the streamside edges of heavy, deep water and in around any obstructions in deep strong runs. The flies I use are a high floating dry with a wet fly or soft hackle on a dropper of about 2 feet. I generally use a dry about two sizes bigger than I normally would and use a fly two sizes smaller than the dry as a dropper. The dropper is optional but will result in more hookups. I’ll describe the technique for a pocket water situation where I mainly use it. Casts can be short or long, but since you can approach fish closely in pocket water, often surprisingly close, and short casts give you much more control, I use casts of under fifteen feet 90% of the time. The only time I use longer casts is when the water is too deep or heavy to get to an area I want to fish. I try to fish an area thoroughly, even spots where there doesn’t appear to be any rocks that could break up the current, but I concentrate the casts to run through any visible areas where larger rocks provide calm water cushions. I generally a cast up and across stream and immediately raise the rod tip to lift all the fly line off the water and get direct contact with the fly.  I then begin dragging and skipping the fly across the current. I vary the action of the fly but the key is lots of action.  When the flies get in a position just below me, I begin maneuvering them through each small pocket I can find.  I skitter them upstream and down, back and forth through any pockets below. This technique will bring good fish to the surface that ignore more placid, traditional techniques. The quick moving flies result in strikes that are aggressive, vicious, slashing, fast, exciting etc. and you will get many more misses than hookups. Setting the hook at the strike usually results in pulling the fly away from the trout. Strikes need to be delayed but because of the tight line, the fish will usually hook themselves. Since there are a large percentage of missed fish with this technique, the feeding locations and holding areas that are revealed, need to be fished again. Since most of these missed strikes, refusals etc. are to the larger, more visible dry, the next thing I do is to try to maneuver the small dropper through the area trying to skip it across the surface. If this doesn’t work, I do a number of traditional drag free drifts through the area, paying close attention for hits on the dropper. This technique is definitely a kick when it’s working.  It elicits strikes from trout more akin to those of a bass or a pike to a popper than a typical sedate sip to a dry. I tend to ignore the technique when the fish are rising to more typical techniques but maybe I shouldn’t. Willi

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Michael, Give Fran Betters a call at 518 946 2605.  I’ll let you know about the Mettawee. Best regards, James Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings

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I’ll be in Crown Point, NY this Saturday morning on business, and am hoping to fish in the PM.  Any info on conditions and recommendations of rivers and/or guides will be greatly appreciated.  I’m particularly interested in the Bouquet, Schroon or WB Ausable Rivers for landlocked salmon (if the runs have begun) or trout.  Thanks in advance. MZ

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Question:

Hello All, Anyone ever hear of catching steelhead in any of the streams/rivers south of Santa Cruz?  

How far south you lookin’?  Ernie’s Casting Pond is a shop in Soquel that specializes in the steelhead fishing as far down as the monterey area at least.  They have a "web presence".  Don’t have the URL handy but you can find it with a search.   Phil

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Hello All, Anyone ever hear of catching steelhead in any of the streams/rivers south of Santa Cruz?  They have these areas listed in the punch card but I’ve never heard of it before.  Also any recs on a good wt rod for steelies?  Trying it for the first time this year so any advice is helpful.  Thinking of a 7 wt… Aaron

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Hello All, Anyone ever hear of catching steelhead in any of the streams/rivers south of Santa Cruz?  They have these areas listed in the punch card but I’ve never heard of it before.  Also any recs on a good wt rod for steelies?  Trying it for the first time this year so any advice is helpful.  Thinking of a 7 wt… Aaron

There are some steelhead in the little rivers around the Santa Cruz/Montery area. Jan/Feb is the prime time. Please don’t kill any if you are lucky enough to catch one. Call Ernie’s Casing Pond in Soquel. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

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I do alot of Steelhead fishing up here in Oregon and I would’nt try a 7wt, I would use a minimum of an 8 and if your looking to hook into anything bigger than 10-12lb you will want the backbone of a 9. I hope this helps. David Also any recs on a good wt rod for – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – steelies?  Trying it for the first time this year so any advice is helpful.  Thinking of a 7 wt…

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   Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly    I do alot of Steelhead fishing up here in Oregon and I would’nt try a 7wt,    I would use a minimum of an 8 and if your looking to hook into anything    bigger than 10-12lb you will want the backbone of a 9. I hope this helps.    David I’ve landed steelehad on a 6wt without problems.  Instead of worrying about the size of fish you are going to catch, you will be a lot better off worrying about the size of river you are going to fish, and the size of flies (and possibly sink tips) that you wish to cast.  For big flies and/or fast sinking tips, you will need a larger rod. I’ve lost plenty of steelhead that I’ve hooked on the fly, but none of them were because of an insufficient rod weight. cheers,         -tgades

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   I do alot of Steelhead fishing up here in Oregon and I would’nt try a 7wt, I’ve landed steelehad on a 6wt without problems.  Instead of worrying I’ve lost plenty of steelhead that I’ve hooked on the fly, but none of them were because of an insufficient rod weight.

I agree!  I have never had any problems with rod weight fishing for steelhead (down to 4 wt.), only with large chinook salmon. -Burton

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Over 30 years ago, I caught a steelhead in Rincon Creek near Ventura. The runs inthose small creeks are probably now history.  There were records of them running in the Los Angeles and Santa Ana rivers much further back. Jim Jim, Nevada Jim’s Outdoor Sports, Elko, NV

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Question:

I am looking for information on fishing the San Juan river in New Mexico during the month of November.  I,ve been told that it is a time to fish mostly nymphs, SJ worms and midges.  Looking for a guide and a place to stay.  Will mostl likely be there second weekend (Thur-Sun) in Nov.  How is the weather at that time of the year?  Do I need very warm clothing?  I indend to fish an Orvis Far & Fine 5wt., will that be enough rod, as I also have an Orvis Performer 6wt. Thanks Mike Recine

Mike, November is a great time to fish the San Juan.   Check out Abe’s for motel, and "Born and Raised" for a great guide (Abe’ son Tim). Phone #s are in the back of any fly fishing mag. Nymphs are the usual, however, a warm sunny day can give you a hatch in the early afternoon.  Again, check with the guide ahead of time to see what might be hatching in Nov. Weather will likely be cold in the mornings, and comfortable 50s/60s in the afternoons.  The river is in a canyon, so is protected from sun’s warming till mid-morning.  The wind following the canyons can be tough at times, especially if the temps are down.  Layers of clothing is key to being comfortable. A 5wt is fine and if you have an light touch, you can do it with a 4 wt. There are some large trout.  My biggest was 24" and I caught 6 22" in one afternoon – most on my 5, two on my 4. (I have not been able to repeat that outstanding afternoon yet, but the memory is still fresh) Enjoy ! Dee    

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I am looking for information on fishing the San Juan river in New Mexico during the month of November.  I,ve been told that it is a time to fish mostly nymphs, SJ worms and midges.  Looking for a guide and a place to stay.  Will mostl likely be there second weekend (Thur-Sun) in Nov.  How is the weather at that time of the year?  Do I need very warm clothing?  I indend to fish an Orvis Far & Fine 5wt., will that be enough rod, as I also have an Orvis Performer 6wt. Thanks Mike Recine

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You need waders year round in the San Juan. Water temp is around 50 degrees. 5mm neoprene.

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Some friends and I are going fishing on the San Juan the last week of June? Question: how cold is the San Juan at that time of year. I need to know to prepare  myself with waders, if necessary or just fish in shorts. And what is the ambient temp of the air during the day along the river? I need to decide on waders and what type, or just stick to shorts. Michael — Michael Paine Mit der Dummheit kampfen Gotter selbst vergebens.

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     I thought it might be fun if we could share some significant fishing experiences from childhood.  The following one is as vivid in my mind as the day it happened.      When I was about 8 years old my family was camping at Red Haw State Park near Chariton, Iowa.  I was a master at catching bluegill and bullheads by this time, but like most boys this age I wanted to catch a bass like a real man.  I had a Zebco 202 and a cheap fiberglass rod and a bullfrog pattern Heddon Lucky 13 surface lure.  I walked down the steeply sloping trail under huge overhanging oak trees to the waters edge and began making long casts out into a narrow cove of Red Haw Lake. After several casts the surface errupted around my lure.  I started cranking like mad against the drag as the fish pulled line off my reel.  Then the fish made a spectacular head shaking jump and the lure flew from his mouth.  Looking back I would guess the fish was 3-5 pounds.  I was left on the bank with my heart pounding and nothing to take back to camp but a story.   But from that day forth I was not just a fisherman.  I was a BASS FISHERMAN.     In the next couple of years I discovered the Mepps squirrel tail spinner, floating Rapala, Beetlespin, and Mister Twister grub, which were all a little easier to handle on light tackle.  I caught a lot of small bass on these, but was always hoping to hook another one like the one I lost on that Lucky 13.       What about you?  Got a story to tell?

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        [great story deleted]    What about you?  Got a story to tell?

Yep.  I was about 10 years old and a reasonably accomplished stream fisherman at the time.  We were fishing the St. Joe River in N. Idaho with my brother and his family.   All Denny could talk about was the big fish they catch in Lake Crowley (Calif) and was pretty cocky about fishing the next day. Denny is about 15 yrs. older and lived in Calif. at the time.  Early the next morning dad dropped us off to cover different stretches of the river and planned to meet later in the morning.   I had a great day catching and releasing cutthroat in the 12" to 14" range when I hooked what I thought was a monster.  I battled this fish for 20 minutes and finally landed him as the line broke.  He was spent and I was still able to get him on the bank.  The fish was a huge cutthroat that weighed about 3 lbs.  Biggest I ever saw in the St. Joe. We met later and Denny had 2 12" fish and he announced that fishing was terrible.  I held up my fish and politely disagreed.  He barely spoke to me the rest of his visit.  At least he wasn’t quite so cocky and rarely talked about the big fish in Crowley.  I remember this vividly because he usually outfishes me in any other visit I remember. Terry — Terry Turner              My body is mostly water so I fish.                   503-685-3649              by mowing the lawn. *****Opinions here are my own and not necessarily the views of Tektronix****

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   Back I guess about 1965 my brother Bob an I spent a lot of weekends fishing at my uncle’s cabin on Long lake located in northern Wisconsin. I remember one day when we were fishing from shore for bluegills when Bob decided to catch a frog and hook it thru the back and put on a big bobber. I remember watching the frog swimming and pulling this big bobber around. All of a sudden the bobber disappeared under the water, and Bob started reeling his zebco 202 like mad. This fish had his pole bent in a "u" and it seemed all he could do is hang on to it. Then his reel jammed up and he could’nt reel any more line in, so he starts backing up off the narrow shore into the woods in order to land this fish. I stayed next to the water and waited for him to get the fish to shore. After a little while he managed to pull this ~10lb northern pike into the shallows and I jumped on it pinning it down with our (small) net. I remember calling to Bob to come help and he was far enough back into the woods he couldn’t see what he had landed. I still don’t think my folks or Aunt and Uncle belived the story we told, but we had the fish to show.   8^)

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 When I was fifteen, my folks decided that we should leave Tennessee for a month and visit my grandparents in Oregon. Being a group of rabid anglers, we set off one day to fish the Williamson river during one of its famous salmon fly hatches. I had never seen a trout over 1 1/2 lbs before, but that day I hooked a 5-6 lb Rainbow on a Rooster Tail spinner. I fought him to exhaustion, lunged for him with my hands. Cradling him like a baby, I rolled onto the bank with my prize only to find myself staring at the boots of some Orvis clad goober from Californication.  He immediately  said, "Anybody can catch’em on those damn spinners; I hope you’re gonna let him go." This jackass with his misguided purism had burst the bubble of my greatest catch of all time. He has gone down in our family lore as "the preacher."  Today, I am a dedicated catch and release fly fisherman but, because of this experience I will never tell somebody else that he "ain’t fishing right." By the way, I took the fish home and boy was it tasty. Cal in troutless Indiana

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Cal in troutless Indiana

        TROUTLESS Indiana????   I just spent 8 weekends chasing         Skamania acrobats all over the Mich City area.  WOW.         THen there is the fall steel head run and the winter         steelhead run then the spring steelhead run, then the         even FROM Indiana (mostly to).

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Cal in troutless Indiana    TROUTLESS Indiana????   I just spent 8 weekends chasing    Skamania acrobats all over the Mich City area.  WOW.    THen there is the fall steel head run and the winter    steelhead run then the spring steelhead run, then the    even FROM Indiana (mostly to).

SCUSE ME, Cal in troutless Southern Indiana PS Actually I tried some winter steelie action on Trail creek but couldn’t make it work. Please drop me a line and tell me about your exploits

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As a young boy, growing up in the state of Vermont, I was fortunate enough to have a father that took me fishing with him. We often fished some of the larger rivers and lakes of the state, but more typically it was a trip to one of the local brooks to catch a limit of "brookies".  The brookies were usually caught by approaching the shallow brook on your hands and knees to avoid being spotted, by flipping your worm into the pool in the exact location to miss the alders, by watching the fish dart out from the cover of the bank to take your worm and then timing the "snap" at the right time to flip your trophy of 9 inches out of the water.  My most rememorable fish was a lunker of 13.5" that I flipped onto the shore and caught with my hands as I slid along the muddy shore of the brook face first. Today I live in an area where brook trout and most other native trout no longer exist.  It is not uncommon for people to have $25,000 worth of equipment to try to catch the biggest of the biggest fish. I love to fish and have caught fish of all sizes with all of the latest and greatest techniques and equipment.  But to this day, when asked about my most memorable fish, I will not refer to a 30 lb. Salmon, a 6 lb. Walleye, or a 5 lb. Bass.  I will refer to that brookie I caught with my dad in the hills of Vermont. — These views do not represent those of Eastman Kodak Co.

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