Question:

This past week I received in the mail a new book from Mark Jeffrey Volk, I believe it was his fourth book "Pages from a Mountain Journal" previously he had written three books known as the Winding Ridge Trilogy. His first, The Upland Way, hooked, if you will, me hard. He writes of the people, fish, and birds  found in Appalachians of PA, WV, and MD in a way that sometimes reminds me of Harry Middleton’s love of the Smokys.

Wayne — Just the other day I was told that the books "Homesick" which I guess is the third book of the Winding Ridge Trilogy and  "Pages from a Mountain Journal"  both include Smallmouth Bass.  I was wondering if the first two books in the Trilogy also included something on Smallmouth? Clyde Drury Books of the Black Bass. http://members.aol.com/BassBks/index.html

Response:

Most of the *regulars* know that I ‘ve gone from Atlanta to Chicago to now Dodge City Kansas since I first logged on to ROFF. What I thought was going to be a short term stint is now past two years and no real hope of moving on anytime soon. Work has been a pain due to changes and I’ve had to cancel two trips to the Juan. When i can find time to drive the 5 hours to Colorado, if only to fish a heavily pounded tailwater for the day, the weather turns to crap as it did this past weekend. I read of the gatherings I missed and long to hit some water, at some point soon, I will probably get up and drive the 350 miles just to fish for an hour or two and drive back here to the Sunflower State. "Home" is really Louisiana, but I’ve come to call the waters of the Appalachians my home. There you will find the most beautiful of nature’s creations, the Brookie. I long to fish for them again, but for now I must be content to read. Since January I’ve read books by Tapply, Leeson, Fulmer, Gaines, and re-read some favorites by Middleton, Lyons, Haig-Brown, Babb and Voelker (aka Traver). Enjoyed a couple of compilations and imagined the rivers as they fished them. This past week I received in the mail a new book from Mark Jeffrey Volk, I believe it was his fourth book "Pages from a Mountain Journal" previously he had written three books known as the Winding Ridge Trilogy. His first, The Upland Way, hooked, if you will, me hard. He writes of the people, fish, and birds  found in Appalachians of PA, WV, and MD in a way that sometimes reminds me of Harry Middleton’s love of the Smokys. This quote from the 1st chapter of "Pages" really hits home to what I miss, I just wanted to share it. "I love wild brookies; those incomparable, true originals in every sense in these Appalachian mountains. They’re an icon of the way things should be, rather than how they are, and remain a symbol of a mountain’s purity and grace. The next time you catch one, hold him in the water for just a moment longer before releasing him. There’s a masterpiece cradled in your hand; feel his flawless form and his wild strength, his instinctive struggle to return to that frigid world he is an inseparable part of."     quoted ver batim, by mark volk. Wayne

Response:

… This quote from the 1st chapter of "Pages" really hits home to what I miss, I just wanted to share it. "I love wild brookies; those incomparable, true originals in every sense in these Appalachian mountains. …

Sheesh. Sounds like that guy’s one of those "creationists" about whom Choc was cracking wise. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Oh bite me you cynical SOB

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – … This quote from the 1st chapter of "Pages" really hits home to what I miss, I just wanted to share it. "I love wild brookies; those incomparable, true originals in every sense in these Appalachian mountains. … Sheesh. Sounds like that guy’s one of those "creationists" about whom Choc was cracking wise. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

"I love wild brookies; those incomparable, true originals in every sense in these Appalachian mountains. They’re an icon of the way things should be, rather than how they are, and remain a symbol of a mountain’s purity and grace. The next time you catch one, hold him in the water for just a moment longer before releasing him. There’s a masterpiece cradled in your hand; feel his flawless form and his wild strength, his instinctive struggle to return to that frigid world he is an inseparable part of."    quoted ver batim, by mark volk. Wayne

        well, that’s pretty to read, in my view.  and all of us know that to get to where they live requires more than a little energy, sacrifice, and love.         your friend in the old north state         wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Wayne Knight wrote… good stuff snipped.

God Wayne you’re making me cry. Joel Axelrad **DFD**

Response:

Wayne, ’nuff bs. you name the time buddy, stay at the house here, we’ll go chasin’ some of them jewels you love so much. –walt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Most of the *regulars* know that I ‘ve gone from Atlanta to Chicago to now Dodge City Kansas since I first logged on to ROFF. What I thought was going to be a short term stint is now past two years and no real hope of moving on anytime soon. Work has been a pain due to changes and I’ve had to cancel two trips to the Juan. When i can find time to drive the 5 hours to Colorado, if only to fish a heavily pounded tailwater for the day, the weather turns to crap as it did this past weekend. I read of the gatherings I missed and long to hit some water, at some point soon, I will probably get up and drive the 350 miles just to fish for an hour or two and drive back here to the Sunflower State. "Home" is really Louisiana, but I’ve come to call the waters of the Appalachians my home. There you will find the most beautiful of nature’s creations, the Brookie. I long to fish for them again, but for now I must be content to read. Since January I’ve read books by Tapply, Leeson, Fulmer, Gaines, and re-read some favorites by Middleton, Lyons, Haig-Brown, Babb and Voelker (aka Traver). Enjoyed a couple of compilations and imagined the rivers as they fished them. This past week I received in the mail a new book from Mark Jeffrey Volk, I believe it was his fourth book "Pages from a Mountain Journal" previously he had written three books known as the Winding Ridge Trilogy. His first, The Upland Way, hooked, if you will, me hard. He writes of the people, fish, and birds  found in Appalachians of PA, WV, and MD in a way that sometimes reminds me of Harry Middleton’s love of the Smokys. This quote from the 1st chapter of "Pages" really hits home to what I miss, I just wanted to share it. "I love wild brookies; those incomparable, true originals in every sense in these Appalachian mountains. They’re an icon of the way things should be, rather than how they are, and remain a symbol of a mountain’s purity and grace. The next time you catch one, hold him in the water for just a moment longer before releasing him. There’s a masterpiece cradled in your hand; feel his flawless form and his wild strength, his instinctive struggle to return to that frigid world he is an inseparable part of."     quoted ver batim, by mark volk. Wayne

– Tight Lines, –Walt Fly Fishing NC & more… http://www.ezflyfish.com http://www.wilsoncreekoutfitters.com

Response:

Question:

Tim, Bad move guy.  PLEASE, never send a picture to a newsgroup. Huh ? alt.flyfishing accepts binaries in its charter.

He said ‘newsgroup’<g. — Charlie…

Response:

alt.flyfishing accepts binaries in its charter.

as does alt.binaries.pictures.fishing. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…" B.M.P.I.A.

Response:

Wayne reprimands in message: Tim, Bad move guy.  PLEASE, never send a picture to a newsgroup…

- Hmmmm….. and *I* was thinking about sending a few photos of Sharon Stone on the Upper Delaware River on a hot muggy August afternoon when the mercury hit 95 wearing a *wet* ROFF t-shirt and a big smile. – Oh well…. Tony Ritter Narrowsburg, New York

Response:

Tim, Bad move guy.  PLEASE, never send a picture to a newsgroup. Huh ? alt.flyfishing accepts binaries in its charter. He said ‘newsgroup’<g.

Ouch! That’s gonna leave a mark…

Response:

Wayne reprimands in message: Tim, Bad move guy.  PLEASE, never send a picture to a newsgroup… – Hmmmm….. and *I* was thinking about sending a few photos of Sharon Stone on the Upper Delaware River on a hot muggy August afternoon when the mercury hit 95 wearing a *wet* ROFF t-shirt and a big smile. – Oh well….

Send ‘em to George. He could use the company…

Response:

Wayne reprimands in message: Tim, Bad move guy.  PLEASE, never send a picture to a newsgroup… – Hmmmm….. and *I* was thinking about sending a few photos of Sharon Stone on the Upper Delaware River on a hot muggy August afternoon when the mercury hit 95 wearing a *wet* ROFF t-shirt and a big smile. – Oh well…. Tony Ritter Narrowsburg, New York

        post or die, yankee devil! wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Forget it Wayno!  You wouldn’t like her.  She just lays there! — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – post or die, yankee devil! wayno

Response:

Forget it Wayno!  You wouldn’t like her.  She just lays there!

Ever seen Basic Instinct?  Michael Douglas called her "the fuck of the century".  And he get’s around, from what I hear. — Levi Life is anything that dies when you stomp on it.                                                         — Dave Barry

Response:

Forget it Wayno!  You wouldn’t like her.  She just lays there!

        in a display of courage that has been a lifetime hallmark, i am willing to give her a shot. wayno

Response:

– Hmmmm….. and *I* was thinking about sending a few photos of Sharon Stone on the Upper Delaware River on a hot muggy August afternoon when the mercury hit 95 wearing a *wet* ROFF t-shirt and a big smile.

What, who, huh? BTW, I once mistakenly looked up www.teeny.com thinking it was Jim Teeny’s web site.  For the record, it’s www.teeny-nymph.com. Mu

Response:

Mu Young Lee sets us straight: What, who, huh? BTW, I once mistakenly looked up www.teeny.com thinking it was Jim Teeny’s web site.  For the record, it’s www.teeny-nymph.com.

- Which shouldn’t be confused with: alt.teeny.nymphs 8)* – Sorry….couldn’t resist.

Response:

Tim, Bad move guy.  PLEASE, never send a picture to a newsgroup.  Ask any who wish to view it to contact you directly and ship it individually.  Some of our members pay per usage on the connection.  If my Queensland buddy in Brisbane gets wind of this he may take a break from "swimming the bar" and hunt you down just for the sport.  Damn near declared ‘roos endangered in parts of Australia because of his over-eagerness! — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

Response:

Tim, Bad move guy.  PLEASE, never send a picture to a newsgroup.

Huh ? alt.flyfishing accepts binaries in its charter. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…" B.M.P.I.A.

Response:

Question:

After carefully weighing all the evidence, and hours of heart wrenching deliberation, I have come to the conclusion, that Walt just tripped over his "tackle" and was too modest/ashamed/proud/disgusted/afraid of incredulity, to admit it. TL MC

Response:

After carefully weighing all the evidence, and hours of heart wrenching deliberation, I have come to the conclusion, that Walt just tripped over his "tackle" and was too modest/ashamed/proud/disgusted/afraid of incredulity, to admit it. TL MC

jeez mike…don’t encourage ‘em. waldo the anaconda — Ezflyfish.com http://www.ezflyfish.com BRBG http://www.abebooks.com/home/BLUEBOOKS P.O. Box 5112  Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828)963-5001

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This reminded me of an extremely puerile school rhyme I heard a long time ago, I don’t know who wrote it.  It is short, in contrast to it

Question:

Hello Ken, This is something I’ve been doing quite a bit in the last couple of years. I’m certainly no expert, but here are a few thoughts.. For tackle I recommend a fairly stiff 8 weight rod with a Lamson reel.  You can get away with Pfleuger or a Scientific Angler but they’ll require more care and aren’t as smooth.  Use 20 lb. dacron backing.  Nothing your going to hook is going to run that far.  Even a big red usually stays within 100 yds of where he was hooked so you don’t need Bonefish gear. This rig will handle bass, redfish, speckled trout and the occasional flounder.  You’ll have to deal with wind.  Just the way it goes.  Try the Scientific Anglers Mastery series Wind Cheater line.  Helps a bit.  I also use a slow sinking line a lot and it’s a bit easier to cast into the wind.  I’d go with the Wind Cheater to start with.  Takes some of the edge off of being a beginner. The single most effective lure for me is a chartreuse/white Clouser minnow. Works on Reds and Specks under most circumstances.  Later you can go with some crab patterns for Reds and some Seaducers and Leftys Deceivers for Specks. Don’t discount Crazy Charlies either.. great under the lights for Specks. There are other patterns.. Roadkills, different shrimp imitations, but if you head out with half-a-dozen Clousers and a couple or lighter streamers, you’ll handle most of what you encounter. Is this what you wanted to know? Andy Schreckenghost Houston TX – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am new to fly fishing and in need of information for fishing in the coastal bend.  For instance reel and rod recommendations.  I hear that the wind is a consideration when fishing in the bay. I would appreciate any information. Thank you, Ken Clay

Response:

I am new to fly fishing and in need of information for fishing in the coastal bend.  For instance reel and rod recommendations.  I hear that the wind is a consideration when fishing in the bay. I would appreciate any information. Thank you, Ken Clay

Response:

Question:

I am selling an old bamboo fly rod, which was most likely made in occupied Japan.  I bought it about 8 months ago or so, and have fished with it 3 times since.  The rod is 9′ and 3 pieces with an extra tip.  I would refer to the rod’s condition as very good; fishable if you have alot of arm strength. I am no bamboo expert, so here are a few more details; all wraps intact, both tips same length, all ferrules seat well, varnish discolored but intact, rod passes the "twist test" without producing any cracking sounds, grip dirty, but intact.  Both tips have some set, one is worse than the other. The rod has one decal on it, it is red and reads "Water Riffle". As people told me, the rod is very heavy compared to modern bamboo, and wears the arm out after twenty minutes of casting.  I considered refinishing it and turning it into a 6′ banty, but have decided instead to part with it in order to buy a new reel for the three weight I am building.  My wife has severely degraded my fly fishing gear budget, as I went overboard last year. I don’t want the new rod to go without a reel, so this rod is the first thing to sacrifice.. I have a few .jpg pictures I can send as attachments privately to anyone interested in the rod. I can also privately mail you my asking price if you message me privately.  I will not post asking price or the pictures to the group, so if you are interested, mail me at one of the addresses listed below please. — Matt Blickensderfer * A Grouchy German is a Sour Kraut! *

Response:

I am selling an old bamboo fly rod, which was most likely made in occupied Japan.  I bought it about 8 months ago or so, and have fished with it 3 times since.  The rod is 9′ and 3 pieces with an extra tip.  I would refer to the rod’s condition as very good; fishable if you have alot of arm strength. . . I will not post asking price or the pictures to the group, so if you are interested, mail me at one of the addresses listed

MB should be advised this sounds like the bamboo rods mass-produced in Japan for the US market approx. 1970 which sold for about $25. (They were good value overall.  Two out of three were junk, but one in three fished very nicely.  I could show you to within 6 inches where I caught my first trout on a fly on such an outfit….) — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

Question:

Hi, I missed the original post, but if it’s tailing loops, Dan is right on – the timings the thing. I would just add that you might also check that ou are indeed throwing the line "up and over". I find that many problems originate when a caster is just whipping the rod, rather than concentrating on putting the fly line up and over the shoulder, this ensures a straight take away, and does a lot to prevent side loops, which most people confuse with tailing loops. Just a thought…. Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dan, I have to say that your recent series of posts has been one of the most helpful things I have ever seen in this newsgroup. I’m sure a lot of us have learned from it, even those of us who have been fishing for a while (I can still tail the odd loop just fine after twenty years with a fly rod). We might even have to stop bitching about Orivs for a while… (-: Andrew Andrew N. Herd Associate Editor, Waterlog Magazine http://www.demon.co.uk/medlarpress/ writes: If the timing is bad, the line drops well below the plane on the forward cast before you bring it forward and it can hit the line.  Practicing your casting at times other than just when you’re fishing can go a long way to develop the sense of timing needed to correct this.  A practical exercise to allow you to see the cast without swiveling your shoulders (swiveling shoulders causes you to throw hooks in your cast) is to either use a side-arm cast, or angle your body at about 60 degrees to the target so you can move your head to watch the back cast extend without moving your shoulders. Snip                        Hope this helps,                                Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

– Bill Curry Tight Lines Guide Service Lockeport, Nova Scotia, Canada http://www.tightlines.ns.ca

Response:

This is one of the best explanations/techniques I have heard for identifying this problem!!!  A couple years ago I was throwing tailing loop after tailing loop.  Since it was the end of the day and I had gotten up at 4:00am I just figured I was tired and decided to call it a day.  Just then (of course) a big brown noisily slurped a hopper and I decided on "just a couple more casts". I promptly threw a tailing loop AND tangled in an overhanging branch.  I snapped off the leader.  When preparing to tie on a new one I noticed a crack in the flyline about 2 or 3" up from the leader.  I trimmed the line, tied on a new leader and proceeded to make several casts that were better than most I had thrown all afternoon.  Now I have a technique for identifying the problem rather than lucking out.  Thanks! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – writes: If anyone can help me I could really use some advice (and I really don’t want to hear anything about my socks not matching my shoes).  I consider myself an intermediate fly caster, but I occassionally will get a closing loop where the leader will actually wrap itself around the loop.  I read in a book that it can be caused by accelerating into the foreward cast too soon and not smoothly accelerating. Does anyone else have some advice? All opinions are appreciated. Hi Dana, Before you start worrying about your casting technique, take a quick look at the junction of the leader to the fly line.  If it is cracked so that it hinges instead of transferring energy smoothly, no amount of casting modification will make it work. Perfectly executed casts with this mechanical problem will throw tailing loops. If you’re not sure whether or not the junction causes a hinge, here’s a simple test: 1.  Hold the fly line in one hand and the leader in the other with the junction in the middle and about 6" of material on each side of it. 2.  Push your hands together until they are about 6" apart.  This should form an upside down "U"  in the line. 3.  Raise one hand while lowering the other.  This will roll the junction over the upside down "U" in the line. 4.  If it rolls over smoothly then your casting technique is the problem. If one side collapses instead of rolling over, then you have a mechanical "hinging" problem.  If you use too fine of a diameter monofilament for the butt section of your leader, that will cause hinging on the leader side – If you use too heavy of a diameter mono for the butt section it will cause the fly line to collapse.  Any crack that is serious enough to cause casting problems becomes immediately apparent with this test.  In any case the answer is to cut off the old junction and replace it with one of the right size.  You will often have to cut off a few inches of the fly line if it’s badly cracked. I’ll address some casting options in another post.                            Hope this helps,                                      Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

Response:

Dan, I have to say that your recent series of posts has been one of the most helpful things I have ever seen in this newsgroup. I’m sure a lot of us have learned from it, even those of us who have been fishing for a while (I can still tail the odd loop just fine after twenty years with a fly rod). We might even have to stop bitching about Orivs for a while… (-: Andrew Andrew N. Herd Associate Editor, Waterlog Magazine http://www.demon.co.uk/medlarpress/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – writes: If the timing is bad, the line drops well below the plane on the forward cast before you bring it forward and it can hit the line.  Practicing your casting at times other than just when you’re fishing can go a long way to develop the sense of timing needed to correct this.  A practical exercise to allow you to see the cast without swiveling your shoulders (swiveling shoulders causes you to throw hooks in your cast) is to either use a side-arm cast, or angle your body at about 60 degrees to the target so you can move your head to watch the back cast extend without moving your shoulders.

Snip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –                        Hope this helps,                                Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

Response:

Hi Dana, It sounds like the old trailing loop syndrome.  We all start off with it as a throw back to the spinning rod. Your book is correct. I’ve taught many people how to cast and they all go through this problem.  Most seem to correct the problem once they’ve heard the problem explained in a way that makes sense to them. So I’ll explain it in a different way. Hold your rod out directly straight from you and push down. Notice the Tip of the rod goes up before it goes down with the rest of the rod. When you start a cast the same thing happens. If you apply too much power too soon the rod tip goes down before it goes forward. The line simply follows along going down before it comes up. Sometimes catching itself on the way back up. Any power applied before the tip of the rod reaches the 12:00 position will cause the rod tip to go down before forward. Therefore the majority of power must be applied after the tip of the rod has past the butt. Good Luck — William Endicott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If anyone can help me I could really use some advice (and I really don’t want to hear anything about my socks not matching my shoes).  I consider myself an intermediate fly caster, but I occassionally will get a closing loop where the leader will actually wrap itself around the loop.  I read in a book that it can be caused by accelerating into the foreward cast too soon and not smoothly accelerating. Does anyone else have some advice? All opinions are appreciated. Thanks, Dana

Response:

Something that improved my casting was to convince myself there was no difference between the back and forward cast.  I started false casting 30′ of line and slowly rotated while keeping the line going in the same direction until I was facing what was my back cast.  When I could rotate 360 degrees under the cast and keep it going smoothly with tight loops and not shock the line or have tailing loops, my attitude toward the mechanics of casting changed and my casting improved. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-mail – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If anyone can help me I could really use some advice (and I really don’t want to hear anything about my socks not matching my shoes).  I consider myself an intermediate fly caster, but I occassionally will get a closing loop where the leader will actually wrap itself around the loop.  I read in a book that it can be caused by accelerating into the foreward cast too soon and not smoothly accelerating. Does anyone else have some advice? All opinions are appreciated. Thanks, Dana

Response:

writes: If anyone can help me I could really use some advice (and I really don’t want to hear anything about my socks not matching my shoes).  I consider myself an intermediate fly caster, but I occassionally will get a closing loop where the leader will actually wrap itself around the loop.  I read in a book that it can be caused by accelerating into the foreward cast too soon and not smoothly accelerating. Does anyone else have some advice? All opinions are appreciated.

Hi Dana, Before you start worrying about your casting technique, take a quick look at the junction of the leader to the fly line.  If it is cracked so that it hinges instead of transferring energy smoothly, no amount of casting modification will make it work. Perfectly executed casts with this mechanical problem will throw tailing loops. If you’re not sure whether or not the junction causes a hinge, here’s a simple test: 1.  Hold the fly line in one hand and the leader in the other with the junction in the middle and about 6" of material on each side of it. 2.  Push your hands together until they are about 6" apart.  This should form an upside down "U"  in the line. 3.  Raise one hand while lowering the other.  This will roll the junction over the upside down "U" in the line. 4.  If it rolls over smoothly then your casting technique is the problem.  If one side collapses instead of rolling over, then you have a mechanical "hinging" problem.  If you use too fine of a diameter monofilament for the butt section of your leader, that will cause hinging on the leader side – If you use too heavy of a diameter mono for the butt section it will cause the fly line to collapse.  Any crack that is serious enough to cause casting problems becomes immediately apparent with this test.  In any case the answer is to cut off the old junction and replace it with one of the right size.  You will often have to cut off a few inches of the fly line if it’s badly cracked. I’ll address some casting options in another post.                             Hope this helps,                                       Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

Response:

writes: If anyone can help me I could really use some advice (and I really don’t want to hear anything about my socks not matching my shoes).  I consider myself an intermediate fly caster, but I occassionally will get a closing loop where the leader will actually wrap itself around the loop.  I read in a book that it can be caused by accelerating into the foreward cast too soon and not smoothly accelerating. Does anyone else have some advice? All opinions are appreciated.

Besides the mechanical problems addressed in another post, your casting technique can certainly cause this problem. The two most common causes are bad timing, and the afore-mentioned jerky accelleration.  If the timing is bad, the line drops well below the plane on the forward cast before you bring it forward and it can hit the line.  Practicing your casting at times other than just when you’re fishing can go a long way to develop the sense of timing needed to correct this.  A practical exercise to allow you to see the cast without swiveling your shoulders (swiveling shoulders causes you to throw hooks in your cast) is to either use a side-arm cast, or angle your body at about 60 degrees to the target so you can move your head to watch the back cast extend without moving your shoulders.   For the side-arm cast, lay the rod out directly in front of you with the reel pointed in the direction of the target (not pointed down at the ground *very important*).  Use a slicing motion, not a scooping motion to make the cast while keeping your shoulders perfectly still.  You can watch the loop travel in both directions and you can easily see the width of the casting arc you’re using.  By changing the width of this casting arc you can widen or tighten your loops.  *Dont wait for the line to straighten out entirely* before you start your forward cast.  It takes a split second reaction time to initiate the forward cast and if you wait until it straightens out entirely it will fall considerably and bleed off energy before you actually start your forward cast. Reaction time is different for everyone and you have to find out just when is right by trial and error.  For starters pick a spot a foot or two back from the end of the fly line, and when the unrolling loop reaches that point, start your forward cast.  Adjust this distance farther back from the end of the fly line or closer to it as needed.  When you hit it "spot on" the fly will just sort of stop for a split second in mid-air.  That’s perfect.  The good news is that it doesn’t have to be perfect, but the closer you can get to it the more efficient your casting will be. Bad accelleration is a more common problem with tailing loops and it becomes particularly noticeable when making longer casts or when casting in windy conditions.  The tendency is to put a lot more force into the rod and that usually results in jerking it forward.  This sudden jerk causes the rod to load (flex) suddenly and then unload (straighten) slightly because less energy is used to finish the stroke than start it.  This causes the rod tip to travel in a concave or U shape and will always throw a tailing loop.   Extra power can be added to a casting stroke, but it must be at the very end – "Accellerate to a Stop".  If this is the problem, try stopping the rod more suddenly at the end of the stroke instead of hitting it harder at the start. Another option that will result in the same thing is to start the beginning of your cast by pulling on the rod, not jerking it.  With proper accelleration and the right casting arc, your rod tip will travel in a straight line "—-" from start through the flexing and to the finish which will throw a tight efficient loop.                         Hope this helps,                                 Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

Response:

If anyone can help me I could really use some advice (and I really don’t want to hear anything about my socks not matching my shoes).  I consider myself an intermediate fly caster, but I occassionally will get a closing loop where the leader will actually wrap itself around the loop.  I read in a book that it can be caused by accelerating into the foreward cast too soon and not smoothly accelerating. Does anyone else have some advice? All opinions are appreciated. Thanks, Dana

Response:

Question:

anyone interested in motorized bellyboats

Response:

anyone interested in motorized bellyboats

I would be interested to see one, just for the heck of it.  I don’t know if I’d ever actually use it.  That would just depend on the top speed.

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yes!!   One difference, tho-   i use 2 ea  5′ peices of 15" lo-head irrigation pipe for pontoons and the frame allows me to be down in the water just over my legs.  the rear of the "system" has a mount for a small elec motor and a place for a big deep cycle battery.  Im close to 300# and belly boats are not made for guys my size!!!    However motorizing a "U" tube or regular floater has been done and a catalogue was available some 3 years ago.  Check with one of the local fly shops, or inquire to guides-  they have the exposure to things like that…..  if they are not too busy fishing!!! .

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Question:

Ole Ralph Garlalnd used to say, You never go fishing for striped bass untill the "Shad Bush" is in full bloom. Shad bush, (Forsythia), blooms in early spring, bright yellow blossoms!

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Sorry, forgot to say: check out my web page for some pics of the beasts weve caught in the past: www.nh.ultranet.com/~mikec/mikec – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Could any one tell me when the stripers start running in NH. coastal area. I don’ know about NH, but the stripers are almost always running at the mouth of the Merrimack River by the first week in May. But, judging by reports I’ve already heard of schoolies hitting in Rhode Island, I think it’s going to be an early year. Get your rods ready, it won’t be long now… -bd

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Ive heard of divers seeing big cows just laying on the bottom during the winter months, I can imagine if you could stand the cold and drop a bait right in front of their big puss, one could catch them all year. (piscataqua river) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Could any one tell me when the stripers start running in NH. coastal area. I don’ know about NH, but the stripers are almost always running at the mouth of the Merrimack River by the first week in May. But, judging by reports I’ve already heard of schoolies hitting in Rhode Island, I think it’s going to be an early year. Get your rods ready, it won’t be long now… -bd

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Would that be the phorthisia (spelling) bush? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Ole Ralph Garlalnd used to say, You never go fishing for striped bass untill the "Shad Bush" is in full bloom. Shad bush, (Forsythia), blooms in early spring, bright yellow blossoms!

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Ayuh, those ah nice bass. New Hampsha, Eh? Why’ve I been drivin’ down the Cape?

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Ive heard of divers seeing big cows just laying on the bottom during the winter months, I can imagine if you could stand the cold and drop a bait right in front of their big puss, one could catch them all year. (piscataqua river) Could any one tell me when the stripers start running in NH. coastal area. I don’ know about NH, but the stripers are almost always running at the mouth of the Merrimack River by the first week in May. But, judging by reports I’ve already heard of schoolies hitting in Rhode Island, I think it’s going to be an early year. Get your rods ready, it won’t be long now… -bd

I’ve heard a good early spot is out by Adams Point near the lab. Plan on going there in the next week or so if the weather gets nice.                                                                 jc

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Could any one tell me when the stripers start running in NH. coastal area.

Over the past several (6) years I’ve always got into them in the first 2 weeks of May at the trestle at the Hampton R. I was there about an hour ago, in fact. Been fishing it a little for the past few weeks, nothing doing right yet, though a small baitfish followed my fly in once :- Gotta take encouragement where ya find it ! Today was windier than it looked and colder than it looked, but it beats working through lunch….                                                         jc

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Ayuh, those ah nice bass. New Hampsha, Eh? Why’ve I been drivin’ down the Cape?

Probably to fish, then go to a bah and swill down some wicked pisssah bee_ahs with the boys from Sumuville ?

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John , keep us posted, too cold for me still…( think ive got bass in my basement, there enought water…) – mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Could any one tell me when the stripers start running in NH. coastal area. Over the past several (6) years I’ve always got into them in the first 2 weeks of May at the trestle at the Hampton R. I was there about an hour ago, in fact. Been fishing it a little for the past few weeks, nothing doing right yet, though a small baitfish followed my fly in once :- Gotta take encouragement where ya find it ! Today was windier than it looked and colder than it looked, but it beats working through lunch….                                                    jc

Response:

Could any one tell me when the stripers start running in NH. coastal area.

Response:

Could any one tell me when the stripers start running in NH. coastal area.

I don’ know about NH, but the stripers are almost always running at the mouth of the Merrimack River by the first week in May. But, judging by reports I’ve already heard of schoolies hitting in Rhode Island, I think it’s going to be an early year. Get your rods ready, it won’t be long now… -bd

Response:

In CT. we get holdovers all winter. What we consider a run also starts early may. Schoolies in Rhode Island? I heard it too. TW – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – says… Could any one tell me when the stripers start running in NH. coastal area. I don’ know about NH, but the stripers are almost always running at the mouth of the Merrimack River by the first week in May. But, judging by reports I’ve already heard of schoolies hitting in Rhode Island, I think it’s going to be an early year. Get your rods ready, it won’t be long now… -bd

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Question:

I hate to burst anyones bubble, but yuppification is passe, out, history. The term is now about as happening as preppies. The real trend in flyfishing, as in life and especially music, is alternative. While we obsess about the coming invasion of Eddie Bauer Explorers to our secret spots our sport is slowly being infiltrated and destroyed by the angst generation.         It happened quietly, on streams most flyfishers would never frequent, but that’s just the thing with alternative. Bored with their pierced noses and pawn shop Sears guitars these lost souls now prowl the carp fisheries of the world dressed in oversized waders they wear backwards, torn flannel shirts and stocking caps. Kicking aside old shopping carts they cast their alternative flies to the bottom feeders of the piscatorial world because they see it as a projection of their own bleak so called life. One of the pioneers in alternative flyfishing is known as "Mr. Black". His anti-innovation sets the pace for the movement. Mr. Black has modified many of Joe Brooks’ Blonde patterns for use by his followers, coming up with such patterns as Suicide Blonde, Throat Slashed Blonde, No Reason To Even Bother Blonde and Black Blonde (a Dennis Rodman tribute fly). "Yeah, I cast them out on this old Philipson parabolic glass rod I found at the dump, sometimes I catch a fish. I guess the ultimate would be to snag a carp, pierce it’s anal fin, then slash my wrists" he told me when I met him in the outflow of a local tannery.         Much of what the alternative flyfishers indulge in; casting without rhythm, using 10 weight lines on 4 weight rods, using butt sections lighter than the tippet, doesn’t really bother anyone, but the practice of piercing may become an issue. The Charles River in Boston is rumored to have a huge population of carp boasting pentangle studs in ther anal fins. There is much concern that these impromtu piercings will result in infections that will endanger other populations. Mr. Black doesn’t see this as a big problem, however, "Well like everything is pretty much doomed anyways so at least the carp get to feel pretty while descending into the inevitable depths of hell." Thus far the alternative flyfishers have ignored such species as trout, salmon, etc., but it’s only a matter of time before we start pulling in fish wearing earrings. When this happens we’ll see the yuppies as ‘the good old days’. Be afraid, be very afraid.                                                                 jc

Response:

Frikken Preppies, ruinin’ flyfishin… TimW – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I hate to burst anyones bubble, but yuppification is passe, out, history. The term is now about as happening as preppies. The real trend in flyfishing, as in life and especially music, is alternative. While we obsess about the coming invasion of Eddie Bauer Explorers to our secret spots our sport is slowly being infiltrated and destroyed by the angst generation.         It happened quietly, on streams most flyfishers would never frequent, but that’s just the thing with alternative. Bored with their pierced noses and pawn shop Sears guitars these lost souls now prowl the carp fisheries of the world dressed in oversized waders they wear backwards, torn flannel shirts and stocking caps. Kicking aside old shopping carts they cast their alternative flies to the bottom feeders of the piscatorial world because they see it as a projection of their own bleak so called life. One of the pioneers in alternative flyfishing is known as "Mr. Black". His anti-innovation sets the pace for the movement. Mr. Black has modified many of Joe Brooks’ Blonde patterns for use by his followers, coming up with such patterns as Suicide Blonde, Throat Slashed Blonde, No Reason To Even Bother Blonde and Black Blonde (a Dennis Rodman tribute fly). "Yeah, I cast them out on this old Philipson parabolic glass rod I found at the dump, sometimes I catch a fish. I guess the ultimate would be to snag a carp, pierce it’s anal fin, then slash my wrists" he told me when I met him in the outflow of a local tannery.         Much of what the alternative flyfishers indulge in; casting without rhythm, using 10 weight lines on 4 weight rods, using butt sections lighter than the tippet, doesn’t really bother anyone, but the practice of piercing may become an issue. The Charles River in Boston is rumored to have a huge population of carp boasting pentangle studs in ther anal fins. There is much concern that these impromtu piercings will result in infections that will endanger other populations. Mr. Black doesn’t see this as a big problem, however, "Well like everything is pretty much doomed anyways so at least the carp get to feel pretty while descending into the inevitable depths of hell." Thus far the alternative flyfishers have ignored such species as trout, salmon, etc., but it’s only a matter of time before we start pulling in fish wearing earrings. When this happens we’ll see the yuppies as ‘the good old days’. Be afraid, be very afraid.                                                                 jc

– TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

I hate to burst anyones bubble, but yuppification is passe, out, history. The term is now about as happening as preppies. The real trend in flyfishing, as in life and especially music, is alternative. While we obsess about the coming invasion of Eddie Bauer Explorers to our secret spots our sport is slowly being infiltrated and destroyed by the angst generation….

Busted! Ya nailed us, dude! "Get the hell out of my drift, you BOOMER sonofabitch, or I’ll send Trent Reznor to your house to collect your pets!" Piercing carp….I’ll be laughing about that for days. Maybe now that style is a factor, I won’t bother getting the guides replaced on my old Simpsons-Sears fibreglass POLE after all… As a proud member of Generation X (Douglas Coupland’s definition — he’s 36 now), I salute you Mr. Cloyd for accurately identifying the next big fishing demographic! — K.G. (Kat) Cruickshank, Slacker. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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more snip Not to worry about the GenXers.  They aren’t going to have time to fish or the money to do it.  They are all going to be too busy scrambling to keep their jobs at McDonalds and Burger Chef.  Yuppie as a "hip" term in popular culture may be passe’, but their sure as hell are a lot of ‘em showing up at my favorite fishing holes these days.  I prefer the GenXers, earrings or no.   — Indy http://realindy.com

I almost never see "yuppies" fishing, and wonder how one identifies them in the field. A "Field Guide to Yuppies" thereya go. I see people out there who are my age (41) and people older and younger, but have never seen any blatantly obnoxious behavior from any of them, so tell me Indy how I can tell. Anyways, IMO earrings are cool but my faith in the GenXers was shaken when I heard Slash playing on "adult contemporary radio (muzak)". What the hell is this world coming to….

Response:

I hate to burst anyones bubble, but yuppification is passe, out, history. The term is now about as happening as preppies. The real trend in flyfishing, as in life and especially music, is alternative. While we obsess about the coming invasion of Eddie Bauer Explorers to our secret spots our sport is slowly being infiltrated and destroyed by the angst generation.

snip,snip,snip  Thus far the alternative flyfishers have ignored such species as trout, salmon, etc., but it’s only a matter of time before we start pulling in fish wearing earrings. When this happens we’ll see the yuppies as ‘the good old days’. Be afraid, be very afraid.                                                                 jc

Not to worry about the GenXers.  They aren’t going to have time to fish or the money to do it.  They are all going to be too busy scrambling to keep their jobs at McDonalds and Burger Chef.  Yuppie as a "hip" term in popular culture may be passe’, but their sure as hell are a lot of ‘em showing up at my favorite fishing holes these days.  I prefer the GenXers, earrings or no.   — Indy http://realindy.com

Response:

Question:

To "a flyfisher" RE:  A Cross Between Benny Hill and Babe Winkleman  Starring Penthouse Pets of the Year.  Lots of Babes and Jokes.  The funniest video for fish camp to share with your fishing buddies.  A great fishing gift item.  Order Now for only $19.95   Call 1-800-347-4069  1-800-FISH 069

You wanna stick this in yur big ol’ ice chest and tote it on out ta da monster truck long wid yur beer, good buddy?!?  Then, perhaps you could locate a more appropriate newsgroup to address your wares. Lighten up flyfisher . . . you’re sounding too tight and setting to hard. bob vorel

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 A Cross Between Benny Hill and Babe Winkleman  Starring Penthouse Pets of the Year.

You could call it "Balls Deep in Montana’s Rivers".

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:  A Cross Between Benny Hill and Babe Winkleman :  Starring Penthouse Pets of the Year. : You could call it "Balls Deep in Montana’s Rivers". Yeah, but that is a fluctuating level with temperature.  Ta-dump! — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Assistant professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    |  These University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    |  opinions Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. |  are mine.

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or you could call it a waste of money…why does anyone think we(men) need to see fabulous penthouse "babes" to be happy?…it’s like every beer comercial has to have a babe in it…or a guy wearing dockers….oh well….sex has been used to sell everything else…now fishing? craig

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I agree with Craig.  I though a lot of men went fishing to get away from women anyway!!

Response:

I agree with Craig.  I though a lot of men went fishing to get away from women anyway!!

Some men actually prefer fishing with thier wives—go figure!!  Carolyn

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Some men actually prefer fishing with thier wives—go figure!!  Carolyn

Hey guess what?  Some women actually like to fish.    Tight lines, Lisa Cutter

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(Ralph Cutter) writes: Some men actually prefer fishing with thier wives—go figure!!  Carolyn Hey guess what?  Some women actually like to fish.   Tight lines, Lisa Cutter

I do, I do! Where’s your school of flyfishing??

Response:

 Carolyn Hey guess what?  Some women actually like to fish.   Tight lines, Lisa Cutter I do, I do! Where’s your school of flyfishing??

hi Carolyn    We’re in Truckee just north of Lake Tahoe, I’d love to send you a brochure send me your address.    Tight lines, Lisa

Response:

Award Winning Best New Adult Fishing Comedy Video 50 Minutes A Cross Between Benny Hill and Babe Winkleman Starring Penthouse Pets of the Year.  Lots of Babes and Jokes. The funniest video for fish camp to share with your fishing buddies. A great fishing gift item. Order Now for only $19.95   Call 1-800-347-4069  1-800-FISH 069

Response:

 Award Winning Best New Adult Fishing Comedy Video  50 Minutes  A Cross Between Benny Hill and Babe Winkleman  Starring Penthouse Pets of the Year.  Lots of Babes and Jokes.  The funniest video for fish camp to share with your fishing buddies.  A great fishing gift item.  Order Now for only $19.95   Call 1-800-347-4069  1-800-FISH 069

You wanna stick this in yur big ol’ ice chest and tote it on out ta da monster truck long wid yur beer, good buddy?!?  Then, perhaps you could locate a more appropriate newsgroup to address your wares.

Response: