Question:

Are there any good books that go into detail about the life cycle of midges with fly patterns for the various stages?  I am starting to wonder if maybe the cold water temps had the fish keying off larvae or pupae since they probably could have obtained these with less effort than the adults or emergers.

Try "Western Hatches" by Rick Hafele and David Hughes.  

Response:

Our rivers do occasionally freeze to an extent , but it is quite rare. Midges are my most important flies in winter. Trout are out of season here in winter, but they are still often caught when fishing for grayling.  In winter it is common to find trout and grayling in such places, in summer you will rarely find grayling there, and nowhere near as many trout either. There are one or two pools on my home stream that are full of fish in winter, simply because of the midges, and perhaps because of one other linked phenomenon ( see below ). In summer the fish redistribute themselves, as more insects become available.  In winter, midges are practically the only things moving at all. One other point which might be of interest, although it is difficult to check. The water flowing over silt/mud, and rotting detritus generally, is warmer than the other water in the area.  This is presumably because of the heat generated by the decomposition, and the insulating properties of the mud.  All the chironomid larvae I have found have been found in such conditions.  The temperature difference can be appreciable.  You need special equipment to check this, but we have measured a steadily decreasing water temperature gradient above such mud, the mud itself sometimes being ten or more degrees warmer than the water. As such deposits are only found in relatively slow moving areas, the water directly above the mud warms up. The water three feet above the mud ( in the water column), and ten feet below it ( in stream flow direction ), was up to four degrees warmer than the rest of the water flowing past, which in this particular stream is otherwise a fairly constant 8

Question:

I’d like to find a nice, animated loop of fly-fishing or trout-feeding for a screensaver on Windows.  I don’t want just a succession of fish pictures, or pretty mountain scenes. I once saw a cool cartoon of a guy casting into a river and a fish jumping over his line, but I was told it was made for  DOS machines and couldn’t be used on Windows.   Any suggestions?

Response:

I’d like to find a nice, animated loop of fly-fishing or trout-feeding for a screensaver on Windows.  I don’t want just a succession of fish pictures, or pretty mountain scenes. I once saw a cool cartoon of a guy casting into a river and a fish jumping over his line, but I was told it was made for  DOS machines and couldn’t be used on Windows.   Any suggestions?

No suggestions, but if you find one can you pass the info on?  I would like something like that as well. Warren X#-[

Trout Dwellers Unite! Western Conclave Guru For info: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/sp_ROFF_people/wclave/wclave.html

Response:

The Sierra game, Trophy Rivers has a free download at their site that I enjoy.  I don’t play the game that much but I love the screen saver. http://www.sierra.com/sierrasports/outdoor/trivers/     Frank Reid

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’d like to find a nice, animated loop of fly-fishing or trout-feeding for a screensaver on Windows.  I don’t want just a succession of fish pictures, or pretty mountain scenes. I once saw a cool cartoon of a guy casting into a river and a fish jumping over his line, but I was told it was made for  DOS machines and couldn’t be used on Windows. Any suggestions?

Response:

I’ll post my emergent mayfly SS on alt.binaries.pictures.fishing. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…" B.M.P.I.A.

Response:

The best is Webshots at www.webshots.com. You can select from many different scenes and best of all it is free. Enjoy — Philippians 2:13, this is our get-go to serve you.      www.asapshirt.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’d like to find a nice, animated loop of fly-fishing or trout-feeding for a screensaver on Windows.  I don’t want just a succession of fish pictures, or pretty mountain scenes. I once saw a cool cartoon of a guy casting into a river and a fish jumping over his line, but I was told it was made for DOS machines and couldn’t be used on Windows. Any suggestions?

Response:

Question:

Anyone have any experience flyfishing in PR or Vieques? We’re headed there shortly and need any info you guys & ladies might have. Thanks, Bill Way

Response:

Im told that Vieques can be quite a blast. Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone have any experience flyfishing in PR or Vieques? We’re headed there shortly and need any info you guys & ladies might have. Thanks, Bill Way

Response:

I spent a couple of months down there in the US Navy and I had a blast with the baracuda, gar, croaker, and tarpon. All over the area. You will love it. make sure you have some braided leaders or wire of some sorts. ‘Cudas bite right through it. Also need som 10-20 pound leaders and tippet material. The best colors were blue/white and chartreuse/white. Others worked but not as well. I caught many other species of fish, but I couldn’t tell you what they were. Hope you enjoy the fishing. There are some flats to chose from as well as some good accessible deeper areas. Good fishing Gordo When in doubt, toss ‘em a fly. Who knows, may be your day. Gordo

Response:

Interested in fly fishing and fishing Puerto Rico? See www.fishinginpuertorico.com for more information. Mark V. <’< – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I spent a couple of months down there in the US Navy and I had a blast with the baracuda, gar, croaker, and tarpon. All over the area. You will love it. make sure you have some braided leaders or wire of some sorts. ‘Cudas bite right through it. Also need som 10-20 pound leaders and tippet material. The best colors were blue/white and chartreuse/white. Others worked but not as well. I caught many other species of fish, but I couldn’t tell you what they were. Hope you enjoy the fishing. There are some flats to chose from as well as some good accessible deeper areas. Good fishing Gordo When in doubt, toss ‘em a fly. Who knows, may be your day. Gordo

Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

father/son stuff snipped, unfortunately I contacted Don Bastien and arranged a weekend of fishing on Spring Creek

story of average size Spring Creek brown trout snipped (just kidding folks) Peter:  good guy and guide (I know him),  and a tribute to the stream as well. Lot’s of us are working to keep it that way. Mark Faulkner (counting the days till the end of March……)

Response:

My son Scott, was an avid spin fisherman but he didn’t seem really enthusiastic about taking to the fly.  His biggest problem was lack of success.  Unwittingly, I had compounded matters.  When we went fishing on a really tough bit of water, from his perspective, I seemed to be able to sniff out and take fish at will while he came up empty handed. Later on, I decided that a day in PA would be in order.  I contacted Don Bastien and arranged a weekend of fishing on Spring Creek Donny met us promptly at the Bush Hotel and after the usually introductions, we headed off for the creek.  Donny had promised to take us to some spots that usually did not attract  many other fishermen.  But when we arrived at a part of the creek lined with cottages, I had my doubts.  After suiting up and walking over to the stream bank, I could see fish rising steadily and the doubts faded. Trust the guide, trust the guide. I started off with a sulpher dry while Donny had Scott nymph a deeper run.  Gradually, his technique started to improve and he began to catch fish.  With each fish, his confidence kept rising.  Later we moved further up stream and Donny put Scott onto a 17" brown which he landed and a much bigger one that broke him off.  A flyfisherman was born. Thanks Donny Peter

Response:

question, What was your best day fishing?   I’ll preface this by saying that it wasn’t trout and it wasn’t a flyrod. This was before I started throwing expensive clotheslines into the trees.

I’m no gear bigot, a good day fishing is a good day fishing, regardless of what type of rod you are using. Later,      - Ken — "Time is but the stream I go a-fishin in. I drink at it, but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. It’s thin current slides away, but eternity remains."     – H.D. Thoreau

Response:

Boy this is a tough one to answer.  I have had so many wonderful days that have envoked so many great feelings. From a technical standpoint, it would have to be the day that my casting and ability to read the water all came together at once and I was able to put the fly 2 inches from the log along the bank of my favorite river on the first cast.  The wild bow came right out and nailed in textbook fashion. Big fish day would have to be the 20 pound rainbow taken up in British Columbia last summer. All in all though, I would have say that the days spent out with my 5 year old son fishing in our tiny 7 foot boat are the best.  He screams with joy when he gets a fish on his fly rod.  Good stuff to remember and I hope to spend many more years pursing trout with him.

Response:

—–BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE—– While in non-compliance with local decency ordinances the world over, With all the negativity on this group as of late (I’ve done my share) I thought a positive thread might help with these winter blues so many of us seem to be experiencing.  So, I ask the question, What was your best day fishing?  

I’ll preface this by saying that it wasn’t trout and it wasn’t a flyrod. This was before I started throwing expensive clotheslines into the trees. Last summer, when I took my spinning rig to go after trout. Everybody said that my bass rig would never catch trout. Yeah, right. I like to do things just because they’re supposed to be impossible. Anyway, the weather was cloudy and dripping on and off. Not sunny enough to go out and shoot gophers, but I took my .22 with me just the same and almost dropped it in the river. I sat on the bank, popped open a beer, and tied on a 3" crankbait. One beer, a few casts, nothing. I got up, went to a bend in the river, and threw a few more casts. Hooked something. Couldn’t see what it was but it fought pretty good-about like a good-sized smallmouth or spot. I brought it in-it turned out to be my first ever rainbow. I didn’t measure it, but it looked to be about 16" standard length (snout to the base of the caudal fin). Released it. Finished my beer. Opened another one. Threw another few casts into that same slackwater at the bend. Nothing. I got up and moved upstream a little more. Started casting downstream, and caught another bow behind a huge rock. Brought it almost all the way in. Picked it up to try and unhook it and get a picture before I released it, but it broke off and ran off with one of my favorite crankbaits. Oh, well, I guess that’s the breaks of the game. Beautiful scenery and fishing with a cousin that I don’t see all that often… I think that qualifies as a pretty durn good day. —–BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE—– Version: 2.6.2 iQEVAwUBNruUi5diUzdLFqlpAQE4mwf/RrzaBPK/OPVM3Ky16dsN0ybat4VqtXjy 5RyoGBhB8+nJVxHVFgniCTqbmaKpbyGFXF80cZdhnqCV9kwP0eW7VNZvlINvuijd Myq2EHR7Phzw+9PkRFlT/E8k3OdmjAPWDZkyGMmvQcEShiKFZNCSYf6RWNFEB/m6 ud3M78qAFlY+AquSBvewbIsRzCLaxxgPf8V+INMVPFa6WtIICkbNhHt2aefq+TDm gLLyWyeDx4aV3zNoLXNnNzx6XlmFECpe3GAdQ0EXh2hJIgxkHV4xqL6XO7b9Uk7J zIM49Y2hsjkr+PAH/s0blCNncOPWB0pkoPWQPLfk4d5e48bxz+3Tcg== =Upmc —–END PGP SIGNATURE—– Mike S. Medintz, http://www.grapevine.net/~medintz "I’m a liberal conservative. I believe in keeping things the way that  they should have been in the first place." -anon.

Response:

Great story, Ken.  At least you didn’t show up for dinner with your clothes in disarray.

 No, that’s a story for another day.  (-: My best day?

[Wonderful story about introducing grandkids to fly-fishing snipped] It always amazes me the diversity this group has (probably the source of half our troubles).  Your grandkids are only about 10 years younger than I am.  I only hope to someday have what you have.  Savor it. Later,       – Ken — "Time is but the stream I go a-fishin in. I drink at it, but while I drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. It’s thin current slides away, but eternity remains."     – H.D. Thoreau

Response:

With all the negativity on this group as of late (I’ve done my share) I thought a positive thread might help with these winter blues so many of us seem to be experiencing.  So, I ask the question, What was your best day fishing?  It doesn’t have to be the time you caught the most or the biggest fish, just what was the most pleasant and enjoyable day you have spent on the water.

 <Ken’s story snipped but not unappreciated I don’t want to answer your question Ken.  I love to fish and cherish every opportunity on the water.  You might ask Michael Jordan what his highest scoring game was – that question has an answer.  Let me ask you this, what was the day that you felt you were the best possible man/lover/friend/human being in your relationship with your aforementioned   girlfriend?  Would you want to live your life or conduct your relationship in such a way so that an answer to such a question could exist?  I wouldn’t, nor would I want to fish like that either.  Not trying to pretend to be some sort of mystic, or wierdo or take on the aura of wisdom of some old guy looking back on his life with tinted lenses (I believe I am the same age as you in fact).  Just how I feel about fishin’ that’s all. Later dude, Mu Young Lee         ann arbor, mi, usa

Response:

Great story, Ken.  At least you didn’t show up for dinner with your clothes in disarray. My best day?  I’ve had a few, but the most memorable occurred last July in Labrador.   For the past two years I have been coaching my two grandsons. They are becoming good fly fishermen and I believe the bug may stick with the oldest, Jeff.  I took Jeff with me to Labrador. His eyes were bulging when the bush pilot told him to sit in the front seat of the Beaver on our flight to the river.  When we landed, his eyes got even bigger at the sight of such virgin, untouched country.  We quickly set up our rods, and we were off with a guide in a 40 hp Honda 4 stroke.  He brought us up- river to a spot I had fished the year before.  BIG brookies were rising about 30 feet from the boat, very close to shore.  I let Jeff have the first go.  The guide, Peter, directed Jeff where to cast, and Jeff did it perfectly.  His cast was just above the rising fish and exactly in the feeding lane.  I said "Now" to myself, and a big brookie came up and snatched Jeff’s Goddard Caddis.  He set the hook and away we go!  What a trip.  Jeff performed flawlessly listening to his grandpa but paying more attention to what Peter was saying. After about a five minute fight, Peter picked up the fish with his bare hand (no net),  took the hook out and released the 6 pound brookie.  I just sat there with tears in my eyes knowing that I had passed on to my grandson a very special moment. There were more fish that day and during the week, but Jeff still talks about that first fish and how he did it.  Jeff is only 15. This year, his brother Brian, 14, will go with me to Labrador. I hope we get Peter right off the plane! Dave "Pop Pop" LaCourse PS:  Oh yeah, almost forgot.  They have a sister, Danielle who is 9. I taught her to shoot this past fall and she too wants to fly fish.  It can’t get any better than this!

Response:

Great story Ken. I wish I had a tale to tell about flyfishing with my wife. Years ago I built her a nice 8′ x 5 wt. graphite. Taught her to cast ( she wasn’t bad). But she didn’t take to it. Oh well my loss. As far as my best fishing day…there all best. Joel Axelrad

Response:

With all the negativity on this group as of late (I’ve done my share) I thought a positive thread might help with these winter blues so many of us seem to be experiencing.  So, I ask the question, What was your best day fishing?  It doesn’t have to be the time you caught the most or the biggest fish, just what was the most pleasant and enjoyable day you have spent on the water. I’ll start… My best day of fishing was probably late last fall.  My girlfriend and I were heading to the coast to visit her mother (no, that’s not the good part).  It was one of those beautiful fall days when the leaves are in the middle of changing colors, but it’s sunny and warm enough to not need a jacket.  We were driving along the highway through the coast mountains and she suggests that the water looks perfect for fishing and that we can be a little late (god I love her).  The water was relatively low and crystal clear, perfect dry-fly water. We pulled off the road and took the rods out of the trunk.  My trusty handmade 5 weight and "her" slow action 4 weight (it’s actully mine, but I’ve long since lost it).  We found a nice little stretch with a long slow riffle.  I gave her first choice on where to start, she chose the head of the rapids.  First cast, WHAM, a 12" cutt hits my stimulator.  I bring it to hand and smile because she’s glaring at me since she doesn’t even have her fly tied on yet. [For future reference, do not repeat these actions if you wish SO's to fish with you again] I think better about returning fishing and talk a bit waiting for her to finish.  She finally finished and we returned to fishing.  A couple more casts and I’ve got another cutt.  She’s starting to look a little down.  I tell her that they are feeding along the opposite bank just outside the faster moving water.  She suggests that maybe she’d rather fish at the tail end of the rapids instead, to which I happily agree.  Some time passes with no action when I get another cutt.  Now I know I’m in trouble, so I quickly release the fish, take apart my rod and head over to her.  She, thinking that I’m wanting to leave, starts to take apart her rod. I tell her, no, I’m done fishing, you just keep right ahead.  We talked about everything and nothing much at all, I made little suggestions on how she might improve her drift, but mostly we just enjoyed the time.  She forgot all about "trying" to catch a fish, and just fished.  Trying to make the fly drop softly onto the water, trying not to introduce drag, and that’s when it happened. A silver flash and then the sound of her reel’s drag.  It was beautiful (not the fish) and I wish to this day that I had had a camera.  After a bit of a fight, she brought in a NICE 15-16" cutt.  Had we not been heading to her mother’s we would most certainly have brought him home for supper.  Oh yeah, we arrived at her mother’s house dirty and sweaty, smelling like fish and three hours late!!! All in all, probably the best day fishing I’ve ever had.  :-)      - Ken

Response:

Question:

Thomas and Thomas makes an 11′ 6/7 wt with an in between length handle.

Response:

I use the 13.5′ 7/8.  A small fish’s effort applied at the tip of this long lever arm applies more torque to my arms than the same fish on a smaller rod.  Large trout over 20" feel good and sprightly on it and can put a good bend in it. SNIP About that $560 – I think the blank is only about $250 for a build it yourself cost around $325.

Thanks for the info Mark.  Sounds like you enjoy the rod, and would… ahem… one day will.  Where I would use it there are simultaneous runs of Half Pounders and Adults to 9 lbs, the half pounders outnumbering the big boys about 12 to 1 (in my fishing log anyway).  I’ve tried building rods.  They come out fine, but the cost is always way more than what you stated (Okay!  I confess, I bought the components in my fly shop, not from a catalogue!), and took so much time for me to get it the way I wanted that it just wasn’t worth it to me.  Plus on a super light spey rod I’d be concerned about Warranty.  I agree that Car Door warranties are going too far, but if in the middle of a big single spey (within the limits of performance), if the Mid Section implodes for no reason other than the cast, I want a replacement! Phil

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have fished beside a few folks with the long, two handed rods and the only problem that I see is that they really overpower an 8-10 lb steelhead…the rods seem much better suited to a 20 lb salmon. Depends on the spey rod…  For some applications, like I use the 13.5′ 7/8.  A small fish’s effort applied at the tip of this long lever arm applies more torque to my arms than the same fish on a smaller rod.  Large trout over 20" feel good and sprightly on it and can put a good bend in it. I haven’t caught 8-10 pounders on it but a 12 and a 20 lber both took all it had to move them.  The long rod goves a big advantage in the end game as you can turn the fish back and forth and the rod will absorb any abrupt actions, but I would say that this rod overpowers them any more than another 8 weight. To me any eight weight overpowers trout under 20". This 7/8 wt.is just light enough for me to cast one handed with great

I my book anything over 4 wt. is too much for trout under 20"! Just my 0.02 cents, -Burton — L. Burton Hawley           2330 NW Hummingbird Dr. Corvallis, OR

Response:

I have fished beside a few folks with the long, two handed rods and the only problem that I see is that they really overpower an 8-10 lb steelhead…the rods seem much better suited to a 20 lb salmon.   Depends on the spey rod…  For some applications, like half-pounders though that 7/8 would be a ton of fun!  Would love one for summer and fall steelhead, and fall browns, but at $560 bucks it ain’t gonna’ happen…

I use the 13.5′ 7/8.  A small fish’s effort applied at the tip of this long lever arm applies more torque to my arms than the same fish on a smaller rod.  Large trout over 20" feel good and sprightly on it and can put a good bend in it. I haven’t caught 8-10 pounders on it but a 12 and a 20 lber both took all it had to move them.  The long rod goves a big advantage in the end game as you can turn the fish back and forth and the rod will absorb any abrupt actions, but I would say that this rod overpowers them any more than another 8 weight. To me any eight weight overpowers trout under 20". This 7/8 wt.is just light enough for me to cast one handed with great effort.   I would be curious to find a six weight, not necessarily with the big two handed handle but longer than 10′ and tapered for spey casting. Something you could use two or one handed but mostly for spey casting. The rhythm and grace and line control and the easier two hand motion would be desireable in a lighter rod too. Once you know spey casts you’ll want better spey abilities in a trout rod, but I don’t think this is compatible with delicate casting action. That would really be a hoot for the juvenile delinquent half pounders. I’ll try some experiments with just the upper three sections and see how it works. If any rod builders want to build one I’d test it very well for you. About that $560 – I think the blank is only about $250 for a build it yourself cost around $325.   Mark VInsel — http://www.lanminds.com/local/vinnie/gallery.html

Response:

I have fished beside a few folks with the long, two handed rods and the only problem that I see is that they really overpower an 8-10 lb steelhead…the rods seem much better suited to a 20 lb salmon.  Yet I know it is best to play and release quickly….so it seem the question is between having a little fun by having to really play the fish, or getting them in in a hurry and thereby helping the fish.  I guess I don’t really see an answer to this "problem."  Any help? Fred Rickson

A good spey rod is *really* soft, and they used to say you should have time to light up and smoke a pipe while you were making the cast. In these terms, most modern sticks that call themselves spey rods are too stiff and these do cut down playing times on fish weighing less than ten pounds. I guess it is like the difference between landing a salmon on a Sage RPL and on a 4 weight bamboo – you’ll get the fish in eventually with the bamboo, but you’ll bank it in five minutes with the Sage. I have about thirty rods, because I have no sense of self-control, and I use them all! I tend to use spey rods on rivers where I can’t make a long backcast because of banks or trees or whatever, or on big rivers where I would have to double-haul into the future. I am not the world’s best distance caster with a shooting head, although I am working on it. I also find that the longer rod gives greater line control, letting me mend a double taper almost down to the fly at thirty yards. I guess it boils down to what your aims are in fishing. I have caught (and released) two big steelhead, one on the Bulckley (hope I spelled that OK) and the other on the Kispiox. The Kispiox fish I hooked on a nine foot Sage, and took me twenty five minutes. The Bulckely fish I hooked, after a double spey in a tight corner, on a fifteen foot rod, and I banked it in fifteen minutes. Both the fish were pretty fit afterwards, although I wasn’t too keen to catch another one too soon after the Kispiox fish! I got talking to one of the guides, and we used a spring balance to check the maximum pull the rods could exert on a fish. The fifteen foot rod actually pulled half a pound less than the Sage with the rods vertical, near as we could judge. So why did the long rod bank a fish faster? Probably because you have more line out of the water and can pull the fish’s head *up* more of the time – I don’t know. Of course, this doesn’t apply to salt water, where using a long rod on a big fish would be pretty stupid! So, if it is any help, I’d use a long rod where you can’t use a short one, or where it would help to be able to mend the line on a larger river, or when you just feel it would be a pleasant thing to do. The other thing you have to watch in some places is the politics! There is something about spey rods which gives some fishermen a problem, why I have no idea. I once got pursued by a guy for three days who had his head up his ass about catching fish with a rod longer than nine feet. In the end I pulled out my midge rod and fished that for the remainder of the week – all the while wingeing about grown men like him using rods twice as long as mine to catch salmon (man, you should have seen me generating line speed with that one.) Rods are just rods, they aren’t worth losing sleep over! Andrew (-:

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Spey rods are best. Single handed rods are jokes! (as is this don’t bother to reply – fake email address) DH

Response:

Spey rods are best. Single handed rods are jokes! (as is this don’t bother to reply – fake email address) DH

OK, we know that. If you have more experience than that tell us all about it. (if you like even by email). Just got my first Spey rod and am eager to hear more. Thomas — Thomas Urbig

Response:

Spey rods are best. Single handed rods are jokes!

I guess you mean two-handed rods when saying Spey rod. (Spey rod are two handed rods specially designed for Spey casts) Two-handed rods are certainly superior to single handed rods in many situations. But I wouldn’t count 1-handed out… It’s a matter of how large the river is, how heavy flies you are casting, if regular overhead casts are possible or not etc… I fish with both, depending on the situation and I’m happy with that.  - Tord

Response:

Spey rods are best. Single handed rods are jokes!

I sometimes fish 6 ft wide, fast running freestone streams, targeting wild trout of about 8 inches.  I fish with a 7.6 2#.  I will admit that I have never tried it, but I think that a spey rod may just not be the optimal rod for this situation. Bruce….

Response:

Spey rods are best. Single handed rods are jokes! I sometimes fish 6 ft wide, fast running freestone streams, targeting wild trout of about 8 inches.  I fish with a 7.6 2#.  I will admit that I have never tried it, but I think that a spey rod may just not be the optimal rod for this situation. Bruce….

you’re little trout would be transformed into might flying fish when you set up… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

Spey rods are best. Single handed rods are jokes! (as is this don’t bother to reply – fake email address) DH

I have to say that over the years I have discovered that my fifteen foot double-hander, while great fun for salmon, is not quite the optimal weapon for dry fly fishing on our local beck. Andrew

Response:

I have fished beside a few folks with the long, two handed rods and the only problem that I see is that they really overpower an 8-10 lb steelhead…the rods seem much better suited to a 20 lb salmon.  Yet I know it is best to play and release quickly….so it seem the question is between having a little fun by having to really play the fish, or getting them in in a hurry and thereby helping the fish.  I guess I don’t really see an answer to this "problem."  Any help? Fred Rickson

Response:

I have fished beside a few folks with the long, two handed rods and the only problem that I see is that they really overpower an 8-10 lb steelhead…the rods seem much better suited to a 20 lb salmon.  

Depends on the spey rod.  I have the Sage 14 foot four piece for 9/10. It only weighs seven ounces, and one look at the grip tells you it ain’t the telephone pole you might expect it to be.  Very light, very sensitive.  I can cast it one handed up to 45 feet (I’m 6′ 4", 250), and can feel when I pick up a small leaf on my fly on the swing.  Picked up a seven pound (29" by 14.5") steelhead last wednesday and it was great fun.   Sage now makes a 15 foot four piece 8/9 (that sounds like it would be a hoot!) to go along with their 13.5 foot 7/8 model (also softer than you’d think).  Personally, I wouldn’t trade my 9140-4 for the 7/8 model, because my ability to throw a line with interchangeable heads (up to a type six 10 wt!  No not Rio),  is why I catch winter steelhead while others practice casting.  For some applications, like half-pounders though that 7/8 would be a ton of fun!  Would love one for summer and fall steelhead, and fall browns, but at $560 bucks it ain’t gonna’ happen while I still own my 8 year old 10 foot seven one hander. Haven’t seen or tried the new 15 foot 8/9 yet.  The moral of the story is No two companies spey rods are alike, and you have to find one that is designed for the size and type of fish you want to catch.  I can’t recommend the Sage 4 piece rods highly enough.  Wouldn’t touch the three piecers if you paid me. Phil

Response:

Question:

The Atlantic FLy Fishing School, Brookfield, Nova Scotia,  is sponsoring a BASIC fly tying course — Instructor Joie Coe owner of "The Fly Box" Beginning  January 12th. 1997 for 7 Sundays.   2 pm to 4:30 pm Cost $45.00 per person Register early  - 902 673-2590

Response:

: Just a thought – anybody thought of an on-line course, via Webs and : e-mail? : Again just a thought from someone too far away and too poor to fly to the : Nova Scotia site. I don’t know what could be done via the Web that is not already beign done with books and video tape. It would be just as effective (or not?) I have learned from my students that there is nothing like first hand instruction to clear up the problems that they are having trying to learn to tie or cast. Jon Porter

Response:

Just a thought – anybody thought of an on-line course, via Webs and e-mail? Again just a thought from someone too far away and too poor to fly to the Nova Scotia site. B. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Atlantic FLy Fishing School, Brookfield, Nova Scotia,  is sponsoring a BASIC fly tying course — Instructor Joie Coe owner of "The Fly Box" Beginning  January 12th. 1997 for 7 Sundays.   2 pm to 4:30 pm Cost $45.00 per person Register early  - 902 673-2590

Response:

I agree Jon. Someone asked me about this recently as well. Al Beatty’s VFS article on Wonder Wings is an excellent example of what can be done for an individual pattern but I don’t think a course including such things as basic thread handling procedures would work very well. Paul Marriner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Just a thought – anybody thought of an on-line course, via Webs and : e-mail? : Again just a thought from someone too far away and too poor to fly to the : Nova Scotia site. I don’t know what could be done via the Web that is not already beign done with books and video tape. It would be just as effective (or not?) I have learned from my students that there is nothing like first hand instruction to clear up the problems that they are having trying to learn to tie or cast. Jon Porter

Response:

Then again, Jon, maybe we just need to think outside the box.  I heard an ‘expert’ on computer learning speaking on Public Radio the other night.  His pitch was that the www and computer based instructional materials will only be effective if they DO NOT try to recreate traditional methods of teaching, just on a computer. The idea seemed to be along the lines of folks (particularly kids) learn best when they are free to follow their interests to natural conclusion.  With appropriate links and without attempts to ‘route’ the user, the computer lends itself to this paradigm.  Just make sure one link is to the ‘thread control’ module!  :^) Charley – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Just a thought – anybody thought of an on-line course, via Webs and : e-mail? : Again just a thought from someone too far away and too poor to fly to the : Nova Scotia site. I don’t know what could be done via the Web that is not already beign done with books and video tape. It would be just as effective (or not?) I have learned from my students that there is nothing like first hand instruction to clear up the problems that they are having trying to learn to tie or cast. Jon Porter

Response:

: Then again, Jon, maybe we just need to think outside the box.  I : heard an ‘expert’ on computer learning speaking on Public Radio : the other night.  His pitch was that the www and computer based : instructional materials will only be effective if they DO NOT : try to recreate traditional methods of teaching, just on a computer. : The idea seemed to be along the lines of folks (particularly kids) : learn best when they are free to follow their interests to natural : conclusion.  With appropriate links and without attempts to ‘route’ : the user, the computer lends itself to this paradigm.  Just make : sure one link is to the ‘thread control’ module!  :^) Pushing buttons on a keyboard is different from the manipulations required to tie a decent, long lasting fly. Yes, it could be learned by trial and error, but I think that it is cheaper to get instruction, than to pay for wasted materials. Could just let em learn to drive from a book. Why have the other gut sitting in the seat next to em?  Less screaming that way. Jon Porter

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : : a good definition of the term bifluorescence : I’m not an entomologist, but I do make my living observing : fluorescence.  I : don’t believe I’ve ever heard the term… is it specific to insects? : I would be interested in knowing about fish perception … : Are trout more sensitive to UV, vis or IR radiation? : What exactly, do fish "see?" : As one might guess based on the fact that Rick hasn’t heard of this, it is : indeed a highly obscure term.  I ran it by a few of my colleagues who use : fluorescent tags in their work and some others who work on vision. : Several of : us could loosely be referred to as entomologists.  None were familiar : with it, : although we did manage to dig up a few recent references that use the : adjective : bifluorescent, in each case referring to things (not insects or any other : kind : of fish food) that fluoresce at two different wavelengths.  This may not be : very satisfying, but it does make sense. Could be, but everything fluoresces at multiple wavelengths except the very expensive lasers or the much less expensive diode lasers.  I thinbk you refer to organism or compounds that fluoresce with two discernible *peak* intensities.  In any case, another thread indicates the original poster meant "biofluorescence".  But lets ignore that for now and talk about the rest of your post. : Of perhaps more significance is the skepticism with which the vision types : greeted the possibility that fluorescence could be significant with : regard to : surface feeding.  There’s so much ambient light that fluorescence would : not be : likely to be important.  In contrast, at depths where light becomes more : monochromatic, fluorescence could indeed become significant. Excellent point, and rephrased, it is simialr to the fact that stars in the sky cannot be seen at night even though they are there.  Only when ambient light levels drop at night can the stars be seen against the background.  A fish looking up at the sky will see high amounts of ambient UV. I know that water begins to absorb light strongly near 200 nanometers. The UV is usually defined as wavelengths shorter than 400 nanometers or so.  This leaves a window from approximately 220 nm – 400 nm of UV open for transmission through water. : As for what fish see, there was a decent article in Fly Fisherman (?) a few : years back on how trout see.  As I recall, it dealt mostly with the : windows of : visibility and visual acuity, but there was also some stuff about color : vision. :  I don’t have the info on spectral sensitivity for trout specifically, : but many : fish are known to be sensitive to UV. Specifics are always good. : As an aside, for what it’s worth, I’ve never paid much attention to the : information on trout spectral sensitivities.  While I know that there are : many : who swear by exacting attention to colors, it’s been my experience that color : isn’t all that important.  I’m not quite ready for the "Adams for everything" : approach (although I know it works well for some, at least), but light, : medium : and dark has usually worked just fine. I would say that specific colors, like green or orange, will work well on specific days.  BTW, I would guess that most of the synthetic materials fluoresce in around 250 nm. :  My experience, which may not be : typical, has likely been colored by my propensity for fishing small : dries, but : I had a little chuckle when a colleague who works on vision suggested : that most : likely all the fish usually see is a silhouette. Especially the ones down deep.  Scattering would be a real hindrance to correct color perception for fish that are deep.  (Except of course on Idaho streams, where the water is so clear one must get out of the rivers to pee in their waders.) : Bummer, Rick.  Maybe it would look better under UV. Bring out the black lights… it’s time to party! — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

Who said that?

Response:

: : a good definition of the term bifluorescence : I’m not an entomologist, but I do make my living observing : fluorescence.  I : don’t believe I’ve ever heard the term… is it specific to insects? : I would be interested in knowing about fish perception … : Are trout more sensitive to UV, vis or IR radiation? : What exactly, do fish "see?" : As one might guess based on the fact that Rick hasn’t heard of this, it is : indeed a highly obscure term.  I ran it by a few of my colleagues who use : fluorescent tags in their work and some others who work on vision.   : Several of : us could loosely be referred to as entomologists.  None were familiar : with it, : although we did manage to dig up a few recent references that use the : adjective : bifluorescent, in each case referring to things (not insects or any other : kind : of fish food) that fluoresce at two different wavelengths.  This may not be : very satisfying, but it does make sense. Could be, but everything fluoresces at multiple wavelengths except the very expensive lasers or the much less expensive diode lasers.  I thinbk you refer to organism or compounds that fluoresce with two discernible *peak* intensities.  In any case, another thread indicates the original poster meant "biofluorescence".  But lets ignore that for now and talk about the rest of your post.   : Of perhaps more significance is the skepticism with which the vision types : greeted the possibility that fluorescence could be significant with : regard to : surface feeding.  There’s so much ambient light that fluorescence would : not be : likely to be important.  In contrast, at depths where light becomes more : monochromatic, fluorescence could indeed become significant. Excellent point, and rephrased, it is simialr to the fact that stars in the sky cannot be seen at night even though they are there.  Only when ambient light levels drop at night can the stars be seen against the background.  A fish looking up at the sky will see high amounts of ambient UV. I know that water begins to absorb light strongly near 200 nanometers. The UV is usually defined as wavelengths shorter than 400 nanometers or so.  This leaves a window from approximately 220 nm – 400 nm of UV open for transmission through water. : As for what fish see, there was a decent article in Fly Fisherman (?) a few : years back on how trout see.  As I recall, it dealt mostly with the : windows of : visibility and visual acuity, but there was also some stuff about color : vision. :  I don’t have the info on spectral sensitivity for trout specifically, : but many : fish are known to be sensitive to UV. Specifics are always good. : As an aside, for what it’s worth, I’ve never paid much attention to the : information on trout spectral sensitivities.  While I know that there are : many : who swear by exacting attention to colors, it’s been my experience that color : isn’t all that important.  I’m not quite ready for the "Adams for everything" : approach (although I know it works well for some, at least), but light, : medium : and dark has usually worked just fine.   I would say that specific colors, like green or orange, will work well on specific days.  BTW, I would guess that most of the synthetic materials fluoresce in around 250 nm. :  My experience, which may not be : typical, has likely been colored by my propensity for fishing small : dries, but : I had a little chuckle when a colleague who works on vision suggested : that most : likely all the fish usually see is a silhouette. Especially the ones down deep.  Scattering would be a real hindrance to correct color perception for fish that are deep.  (Except of course on Idaho streams, where the water is so clear one must get out of the rivers to pee in their waders.) : Bummer, Rick.  Maybe it would look better under UV. Bring out the black lights… it’s time to party! — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

Response:

: a good definition of the term bifluorescence I’m not an entomologist, but I do make my living observing fluorescence.  I

don’t believe I’ve ever heard the term… is it specific to insects? I would be interested in knowing about fish perception … Are trout more sensitive to UV, vis or IR radiation? What exactly, do fish "see?"

As one might guess based on the fact that Rick hasn’t heard of this, it is indeed a highly obscure term.  I ran it by a few of my colleagues who use fluorescent tags in their work and some others who work on vision.   Several of us could loosely be referred to as entomologists.  None were familiar with it, although we did manage to dig up a few recent references that use the adjective bifluorescent, in each case referring to things (not insects or any other kind of fish food) that fluoresce at two different wavelengths.  This may not be very satisfying, but it does make sense. Of perhaps more significance is the skepticism with which the vision types greeted the possibility that fluorescence could be significant with regard to surface feeding.  There’s so much ambient light that fluorescence would not be likely to be important.  In contrast, at depths where light becomes more monochromatic, fluorescence could indeed become significant. As for what fish see, there was a decent article in Fly Fisherman (?) a few years back on how trout see.  As I recall, it dealt mostly with the windows of visibility and visual acuity, but there was also some stuff about color vision.  I don’t have the info on spectral sensitivity for trout specifically, but many fish are known to be sensitive to UV. As an aside, for what it’s worth, I’ve never paid much attention to the information on trout spectral sensitivities.  While I know that there are many who swear by exacting attention to colors, it’s been my experience that color isn’t all that important.  I’m not quite ready for the "Adams for everything" approach (although I know it works well for some, at least), but light, medium and dark has usually worked just fine.  My experience, which may not be typical, has likely been colored by my propensity for fishing small dries, but I had a little chuckle when a colleague who works on vision suggested that most likely all the fish usually see is a silhouette. I just painted my living room and it turned out pink!!

Bummer, Rick.  Maybe it would look better under UV. Bill S.

Response:

Question:

Whats the best model/brand fly line? (wf5-floating)

Response:

Whats the best model/brand fly line? (wf5-floating)

My vote is for the Ultra 3 by Scientific Anglers. Take Care,

Response:

Whats the best model/brand fly line? (wf5-floating) My vote is for the Ultra 3 by Scientific Anglers.

Considering price as well, Cortland 333 (2nd choice 444) — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

I don’t know what the best line is but I can tell you to stay away from Courtlands Lazer Line.  I’ve got a DT5F that casts great….unfortunately it floats like a brick.  If I wanted a sinking line I would have bought one.  

Response:

: Whats the best model/brand fly line? (wf5-floating) I am about to try out a WF6-F Mastery XPS.  Several fishing buddies and acquaintances think it is "the best". Cortland 444 lines last forever.  Cortland 444 SL lines tend to get sticky.  The Masterline series from Great Britain is not bad. — Burnaby, BC

Response:

Whats the best model/brand fly line? (wf5-floating)

Hello William,         There are many good fly lines available to the angler today.  All of them have attributes that may or may not be what you are looking for. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the cortland lines.  The SL lines float well and sag very little in the eyes of your rod.  The Lazer lines have small dimples in the texture,(much like a golfball) to give you the maximum distance.  My favorite line is by Scientific Anglers.  It is the Mastery XPS.  It  is a supple line allowing great control.  Not a distance line, but I am not a distance guy.  You should go into your local shop and have them explain these subtleties. They may even haave these lines available for you to cast.  Good Luck. Paul J.

Response:

Question:

I’m planning a trip to Colorado May 24-31, and would like to know what the river conditions are for the Blue River, and any suggestions for fly patterns and techniques.  Any info on the Colorado River or the Eagle would be appreciated as well. Mike Fair

Response:

Mike, Like every place In the Rockies that i have heard of, ther are record snow depths this year. Count on high water condition in all of the rivers well into June. We’ve had three days of record heat in the foothills which may accelerate things, bu Memorial day will surely be It will also surely be crowded that weekend in the area west of Metro Denver. But those things are all part of the deal when it comes to camping and fishing in the 90s on Memoria Day weekend, I plan things down here most years, If you go, you’ll have a good time figuring how to fish  the high water. Larry ESA,Inc. "I always think there is a band, kid."  Professor Harold Hill. The Music Man – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m planning a trip to Colorado May 24-31, and would like to know what the river conditions are for the Blue River, and any suggestions for fly patterns and techniques.  Any info on the Colorado River or the Eagle would be appreciated as well. Mike Fair

Response:

Question:

Hi all, are there any flyfishing related shows coming up in Seattle in the next few weeks? Al.

Response:

Yes, there is a show this week in the Kingdome.  It is not a fly fish only show.  However it will feature presentation casting, fly shops, etc.  Most of the major manufacturers should be there too. SAGE, etc. It is the International Sportsman Exhib.  Usually a very good show, one of my favourites. Best Fishes, Marilyn Murphy Murphy’s Sportfishing Vancouver Island, BC "Your West Coast Fishing Information Source"

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