Question:

*** post for FREE via your newsreader at post.newsfeed.com *** Hi, I’m new to fly fishing and just purchased a Fenwick Highlander HLF906 9′      6 weight in Australia. I checked Fenwick’s site but this rod isn’t mentioned. I’ve been told that it is a medium action rod, but as this is my first rod I have no idea. Any comments would be appreciated. ta, Gary  —–= Posted via Newsfeed.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeed.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–== 100,000 Groups! – 19 Servers! – Unlimited Download! =—–

Response:

"Gary, but as this is my first rod I have no idea.

….then, that rod is anything you want it to be……

Response:

says… *** post for FREE via your newsreader at post.newsfeed.com *** Hi, I’m new to fly fishing and just purchased a Fenwick Highlander HLF906 9′      6 weight in Australia. I checked Fenwick’s site but this rod isn’t mentioned. I’ve been told that it is a medium action rod, but as this is my first rod I have no idea. Any comments would be appreciated.

Hi Gary, I have an HighLander in an #8 for fishing saltwater and like its very firm action.  Impressed enough with the action (the hardware is a littly chintzy on the #8) to find out if they had smaller sizes especially a #4.  Where did you score your #6?  Sorry I can’t comment on the action of the lower weights, haven’t seen one yet. Steve

Response:

"Gary, but as this is my first rod I have no idea. ….then, that rod is anything you want it to be……

Wow. So deep (really deep), so fast. — TL, Tim I’d want mine to be a Hardy 7′9" 4wt.

Response:

"Gary, but as this is my first rod I have no idea. ….then, that rod is anything you want it to be…… Wow. So deep (really deep), so fast. — TL, Tim I’d want mine to be a Hardy 7′9" 4wt.

I wanted mine to be about 14 inches and praised by all women, but all I got was a broken Popcicle stick. Op

Response:

"Gary, but as this is my first rod I have no idea. ….then, that rod is anything you want it to be……

You write good words, John.  You write words to live by. "The moving finger writes; and, having writ, moves Wolfgang hey, why’s everybody pointing at ME?!      :(

Response:

You write good words, John.  You write words to live by. "The moving finger writes; and, having writ, moves

I’ve been sitting on variations on _that_ for days and you go and waste it in this thread! Steve (I did wonder just _who_ would crack first

Response:

You write good words, John.  You write words to live by. "The moving finger writes; and, having writ, moves I’ve been sitting on variations on _that_ for days and you go and waste it in this thread!

Ya takes yer opportunities where ya finds ‘em. Steve (I did wonder just _who_ would crack first

O.K., I’m easy.      :) Wolfgang

Response:

O.K., I’m easy.      :)

Naw, just cheap…

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "Gary, but as this is my first rod I have no idea. ….then, that rod is anything you want it to be…… Wow. So deep (really deep), so fast. — TL, Tim I’d want mine to be a Hardy 7′9" 4wt. I wanted mine to be about 14 inches and praised by all women,

She, glad… but all I got was a broken Popcicle stick.

Wee, bad Op

Not e-gad? Signed, Daysed and cunfoosed

Response:

says… Hi, I’m new to fly fishing and just purchased a Fenwick Highlander HLF906 9′      6 weight in Australia. I checked Fenwick’s site but this rod isn’t mentioned. I’ve been told that it is a medium action rod, but as this is my first rod I have no idea. Any comments would be appreciated.

Gary, While out looking for a spare SW outfit this morning I came across a 6wt in a shop I rarely visit.  Didn’t cast it but felt good in the hand – fast action by the feel, single foot guides of sufficient size and a half-decent looking reel seat (better than the 8wt). You could do a lot lot worse for the $s.   Steve (who has another $50 worth of tying materials for his trouble and no spare outfit … Next Shop – Lilydale

Response:

Question:

flyfish writes: Passing this along to Muddie, we’ll probably do just an overnighter to whet our whistles etc. maybe even fish Flyfish

If you plan on staying at Lakewood, you’ll have to make reservations with Sue. Info is on the clave web site.  There are ways to walk in, however, and I’m sure you are aware of them.  <g   Hope to see you there, as well as Mudfish…… Dave

Response:

flyfish writes: Passing this along to Muddie, we’ll probably do just an overnighter to whet our whistles etc. maybe even fish Flyfish If you plan on staying at Lakewood, you’ll have to make reservations with Sue. Info is on the clave web site.  There are ways to walk in, however, and I’m sure you are aware of them.  <g   Hope to see you there, as well as Mudfish……

Knowing Ed and Dave, they’ll probably sleep in the truck…if they haven’t gotten it stuck somewhere. Dave B: if you come in from Wilson’s, use the NEW road. There’s a bridge missing on the Old Middledam Road… /daytripper (whose Pathfinder nearly "found" Sturtevant Stream one night)

Response:

Having never been myself I’ll have to let Mud navigate. Lemme see, if we leave early the 10th we should be there for the camp breaking exercises. Flyfish

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – flyfish writes: Passing this along to Muddie, we’ll probably do just an overnighter to whet our whistles etc. maybe even fish Flyfish If you plan on staying at Lakewood, you’ll have to make reservations with Sue. Info is on the clave web site.  There are ways to walk in, however, and I’m sure you are aware of them.  <g   Hope to see you there, as well as Mudfish…… Knowing Ed and Dave, they’ll probably sleep in the truck…if they haven’t gotten it stuck somewhere. Dave B: if you come in from Wilson’s, use the NEW road. There’s a bridge missing on the Old Middledam Road… /daytripper (whose Pathfinder nearly "found" Sturtevant Stream one night)

Response:

Is there one? Where might it be? Mudfish and I may attend after all being as it’s all of an hour and a bit drive from my place Flyfish — dave’s homepage madness http://www.ctel.net/~brooktrout flyfishing in Maine and more http://members.xoom.com/lokiskinder JG13 A proud Red Baron 2 squadron

Response:

Passing this along to Muddie, we’ll probably do just an overnighter to whet our whistles etc. maybe even fish Flyfish

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Go to Paul Goodwin’s site: http://www.paul.goodwinweb.com/maineclave2000.html Hope to see you and Mudfish there. Dave Dave LaCourse

Response:

flyfish writes: Is there one? Where might it be? Mudfish and I may attend after all being as it’s all of an hour and a bit drive from my place Flyfish

Go to Paul Goodwin’s site: http://www.paul.goodwinweb.com/maineclave2000.html Hope to see you and Mudfish there. Dave Dave LaCourse

Response:

The thread I started a month or so back to announce the web page went off topic and down hill fast. You can find the site at: http://www.paul.goodwinweb.com/maineclave2000.html Day_tripper supplied most of the photos for the flies. The one pattern I need a good photo of is a strawman. If anyone has one please email it to me. Paul

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is there one? Where might it be? Mudfish and I may attend after all being as it’s all of an hour and a bit drive from my place Flyfish — dave’s homepage madness http://www.ctel.net/~brooktrout flyfishing in Maine and more http://members.xoom.com/lokiskinder JG13 A proud Red Baron 2 squadron

Response:

Question:

In response to a recommendation from someone on this NG, I am planning a trip to Tulpehocken Creek near Reading, PA. A local flyshop told me that they just stocked it with fingerlings so I "am bound to hook plenty of 4"ers". I’m not planning to hook 4"ers, although those of you that have seen my posts here thus far may remember that I haven’t caught a single fish in the 2 weeks I’ve been flyfishing, so at this point ANY trout would be cool! Anyway, anyone out there know anything about this creek? Any good spots? Any hints/tips? Thanks! Mark

Response:

In response to a recommendation from someone on this NG, I am planning a trip to Tulpehocken Creek near Reading, PA. A local flyshop told me that they just stocked it with fingerlings so I "am bound to hook plenty of 4"ers". I’m not planning to hook 4"ers, although those of you that have seen my posts here thus far may remember that I haven’t caught a single fish in the 2 weeks I’ve been flyfishing, so at this point ANY trout would be cool! Anyway, anyone out there know anything about this creek? Any good spots? Any hints/tips? Thanks!

Mark: It’s been a couple years since I’ve been up there, but I’d recommend three things: 1.   Check with Tulpehocken Creek Outfitters in West Reading. 2.   Go farther upstream toward Blue somethin-or-other Lake.   The lower portions are really low, slow, and full of carp. 3.   Forget the Tully and drive up to the Little Schuykill.   It’s pretty close, and the FFO stretch is pretty.   Green weenies. Joe F.

Response:

Question:

And who is Hairy Trout?

Response:

Wolfgang,    It was a trade off for a well running Assembly Line.  Nothing upsets the tranquillity and the rods are constructed in a serene environment. Ernie Harrison Like to make fly-fishing stuff?  See: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – No Glue Lines & Extraordinary Quality.  Assembly Line Running Very Well. Uh oh!!  No glue lines?  Seems to me I just read somewhere quite recently that visible glue lines are the very hallmark of quality.  What has happened to quality control?

Response:

Wolfgang,    It was a trade off for a well running Assembly Line.  Nothing upsets the tranquillity and the rods are constructed in a serene environment.

Thanks for the reassurance Ernie.  Good to know that nothing is disturbing the Bastard’s Wa!

Response:

And who is Hairy Trout?

I am the the new manager of the Bastard Bamboo Rod Company. When I returned here a few weeks ago we had the ability to produce rods. In the beginning George is making the very first few rods himself. My current responsibility is to insure that all of the equipment is running in a smooth order and to insure that machinery is producing quality items! Some of the equipment that is here  had a very limited purpose, i.e.. the ability to do only ones and twos. I am talking production here, I want the ability to deliver to the UPS driver at least 6 rods per day, eventually 8 to 10 rods per day. Monday a 12 segment stretching/straighting  rack was built. I feel this is a start,  plans are to add at least 12 to 24 slots to meet future demands. Today  all the parts to build a 16 rod segment rotating/drying rack to handle the  rod guide drying station where procured to meet production demands, now and into the future.  What’s next? I don’t know.  I ‘can" build it the need arises. Everyone around here is on their toes doing the  ’Boo Shuffle’ and several work station are now in a backlog of work in progress. That’s just the way I like seeing things happen. If I sound like George, believe me, this is not George. The mill is running so well that there are no glue lines. An occasional minor (minuscule)  glue line will be exceptable. The idea is to be able to fish a bamboo that is a quality fishing tool irreguadless of the minor cosmetics. Each rod is unique and different in surface character, and so, no two are "exactly" the same. There is no mistaking the fact that George is going against a tidal wave of differences of opinion.  He sees the beauty in bamboo and he is not hiding any of it.  What others think is ugly, he sees beauty.  Everyone will have to wait and see for themselves. The fishing quality will be there. How can a guy as ‘perfect’ as George, build a Bastard Bamboo?  Now I understand.  I see what he means when we leave ‘the character of China’ in the bamboo.  They are stunning. Doug Knight aka Hairy Trout Bastard Bamboo Manger. Snake River – Hell’s Canyon 110+ Degree bastard heat day, not much of a hatch this evening!

Response:

Wolfgang,    It was a trade off for a well running Assembly Line.  Nothing upsets the tranquillity and the rods are constructed in a serene environment.

Ernie, George listens to Mozart, which requires extra coffee for me. On the other hand when he’s not in ear shot I jamming in the Goo goo Dolls or Radio Head. The elves here love the up beat tunes. Cap with two bills! Doug Knight Snake River

Response:

Daytripper wrote A bit more seriously: George had noted that the tips on the first rod were way too soft for a 3-4. I’m wondering whether Dougie was fishing with a revised taper or not… /daytripper

‘Daytripper, Regardless of the taper, I was fishing Bamboo for the first time. The line I had on the rod was one line size to small for the first time. It was a line of an know quality as I inadvertently left the line that should have used back in Calif.. Now, ’soft’? Compared to what? Even under lined the rod would roll cast 30+ feet and  45+ total. The desired action was for a medium action. It was all of that. We did eventually find a  line to try and the rod felt perfect. The ideal is to find the perfect line for the rod, weight numbers irrespective. One brand might be better than another brand for a particular weight over another. We felt the true line weight could have been around 3.6 wt and and corrected our forms more closer to a true 4wt.  But what is the true 4 wt benchmark? Remember not to compare Bamboo against Graphite. I even wonder if the true line ratings are even relative, rod length and action, and a line weight that feels comfortable with both. Doug Knight Snake River

Response:

No Glue Lines & Extraordinary Quality.  Assembly Line Running Very Well. Uh oh!!  No glue lines?  Seems to me I just read somewhere quite recently that visible glue lines are the very hallmark of quality.  What has happened to quality control?

LOL! Sounds like another Petard Hoisting in progress, eh? ;^) A bit more seriously: George had noted that the tips on the first rod were way too soft for a 3-4. I’m wondering whether Dougie was fishing with a revised taper or not… /daytripper

Response:

Um, I wasn’t comparing anything – I was only relating what George has said about the first rod he cast being too soft in the tip, and wondering whether he’d gotten around to changing the taper yet or not… It sounds like he is indeed changing the taper. /daytripper – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Daytripper wrote A bit more seriously: George had noted that the tips on the first rod were way too soft for a 3-4. I’m wondering whether Dougie was fishing with a revised taper or not… Regardless of the taper, I was fishing Bamboo for the first time. The line I had on the rod was one line size to small for the first time. It was a line of an know quality as I inadvertently left the line that should have used back in Calif.. Now, ’soft’? Compared to what? Even under lined the rod would roll cast 30+ feet and  45+ total. The desired action was for a medium action. It was all of that. We did eventually find a  line to try and the rod felt perfect. The ideal is to find the perfect line for the rod, weight numbers irrespective. One brand might be better than another brand for a particular weight over another. We felt the true line weight could have been around 3.6 wt and and corrected our forms more closer to a true 4wt.  But what is the true 4 wt benchmark? Remember not to compare Bamboo against Graphite. I even wonder if the true line ratings are even relative, rod length and action, and a line weight that feels comfortable with both.

Response:

What ? You mean that now they’re free  *AND* they last forever *AND* they cast exactly where you want them every time ? PERFECT ! — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

Response:

they

cast exactly where you want them every time ?< All my rods do.  Hell, almost every time I hit water!  <g

Response:

From the looks of his post I would say it was George or his clone.  Perhaps George has a mold he puts his employees in and squeezes them till they come out just like him. Ernie. And who is Hairy Trout?

Hairy Trout wrote <sliced off a typical chunk of SPAM

Response:

From the looks of his post I would say it was George or his clone.  Perhaps George has a mold he puts his employees in and squeezes them till they come out just like him. Ernie. And who is Hairy Trout? Hairy Trout wrote <sliced off a typical chunk of SPAM

Ernie, You must be hurt that that I have a professional relationship with him and I’m having fun to boot. Must be the fog you hang around in. In fact dear ole George has not been here for several weeks. George has been burning the candle pretty hard lately, try 12-14 hour days on average doing cane. Ernie if that was your best cast you missed the hatch. Doug Knight formerly Alameda Snake River

Response:

After, so many years in both Payne shop and Leonard shop and having learned so much on Bamboo rods, I,m very much inclined that this myth on these rods that are been manufactured by you guys, could be?. It stands like this, lets see the finish product, let people that have knowledge and experience, with metal(reel seats) bamboo, tolerance, etc. etc.. All this could be possible. Lets see it. Thanks My best to George. Paul

+AD4-No Glue Lines +ACY- Extraordinary Quality.  Assembly Line Running Very Well. +AD4-

Response:

No Glue Lines & Extraordinary Quality.  Assembly Line Running Very Well.

Response:

No Glue Lines & Extraordinary Quality.  Assembly Line Running Very Well.

Uh oh!!  No glue lines?  Seems to me I just read somewhere quite recently that visible glue lines are the very hallmark of quality.  What has happened to quality control?

Response:

Question:

A big "thanks"to the guys who have so readily replied to my request for help with some very sound advice. I really appreciate your words of wisdom and will be endeavouring to put them into practice. I’m also impressed with this forum – so much response so quickly! Regards, Brian Meredith Nelson New Zealand — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway.

Response:

Brian: Two other thoughts on the situation. 1.  Another common way to spook fish in NZ is with your line itself.  You need to make sure that your leader is long enough — generally we fished with 12-15 foot leaders.  They’re a bitch to cast, but necessary.  Ideally, you want to put the fly 6 feet in front of the fish (though depending on depth, you may need more), so you still have 6 or 8 feet of leader behind the fish before it attaches to your fly line. 2.  Generally NZ fish aren’t particularly "leader shy", but in slow moving, crystal clear water they may see your tippet.  Generally we would fish with 3x fluorocarbon tippet, but in the situation you describe, I might be tempted to put on a 4x or even 5x fluorocarbon.  That’s only a 4 lbs. breaking strength, but might be necessary. Keep in mind that the deeper the fish, in smooth water, the wider his angle of view.  This is counter intuitive:  the fish sees MORE from a deep lie than from a shallow lie.  So if you’d been approaching fish successfully in shallow water, and judged how close you could get from that, you may get too close.  I made that mistake myself stalking a 10 lbs.+ brown cruising a regular beat in a deep hole, to my everlasting regret.  I got where I thought it would be safe, but he had stopped cruising. Also, you’ve got to stay much further back from a fish in smooth water than in roily water.  A fish lying deep in smooth water may be literally impossible to catch.  E.g. if you have to cast well in front, in order to give time for the nymph to sink, any cast that would present the fly properly would "line" the fish.  Your only hope in that kind of situation would be to wait for the wind to riffle the surface of the water.  Then you might just get a cast in. Michael — www.geocities.com/yosemite/falls/3363

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Some advice for a novice please? I am fortunate to live in New Zealand’s South Island where there are some of theworld’s most renowned trout waters. They are populated mostly by brown trout which are notoriously difficult to catch. This pat weekend I was fishing the source of the Gowan River as it emerges from lake Rotoiti in the Nelson lakes national Park. I spotted my fish, a beautiful looking brown sitting on station in crystal clear and slow moving water. I stalked him with great care and there followed an hour of some of my most careful casting, some of which (not all by any means!) placed my size 6 pheasant tail nymph gently upstream of his mouth before drifting majestically over him. And nothing. He did not move. He did not strike. He just stayed on station and ignored that nymph and the four other varieties I tried. So what was I doing wrong? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. BrianM — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway.

Response:

<< stalked him with great care and there followed an hour of some of my most careful casting, some of which (not all by any means!) placed my size 6 pheasant tail nymph gently upstream Egads, Brian!  A size *6* pheasant tail

        i figured (fugured?) that size 6 was a typo. wayno

Response:

brianm wrote Some advice for a novice please?

[wily trout story snipped] Next time you see a big fish on station in ultra clear, smooth water, try observing him (without him observing you) for a while to see how he is feeding.  Is he on the bottom?  Just below the surface but never breaking it?  Occasionally sipping? Also, try taking a little mesh net with you to see what’s in the water. Those little nets they sell for tropical fish aquariums work pretty good, but for faster results, try 2-3 square feet of nylon mesh (you can get at any hardware store).  It’s a little cumbersome but at worst, you’ll get an interesting cross section of some of the insects in the water and at best, you just might have a pattern in your box. —                                                       -dnc-

Response:

<<even peter charles has failed to catch a fish; or, at least, legend would have it that way. It is true.  I have witnessed it.  Of course Peter had gotten into the Sleeman’s and had mistaken the broom in the cabin for his fly rod. Dave LaCourse

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This pat weekend I was fishing the source of the Gowan River as it emerges from lake Rotoiti in the Nelson lakes national Park. I spotted my fish, a beautiful looking brown sitting on station in crystal clear and slow moving water. I stalked him with great care and there followed an hour of some of my most careful casting, some of which (not all by any means!) placed my size 6 pheasant tail nymph gently upstream of his mouth before drifting majestically over him. And nothing. He did not move. He did not strike. He just stayed on station and ignored that nymph and the four other varieties I tried. So what was I doing wrong? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve had the good fortune to fish the South Island in two trips, and I envy your location. I agree with Dave that a size six may be too big.  However NZ nymphs do tend to the larger sizes — mostly 10-14 in my experience (rarely as small as 16, but 6 is HUGE).  You should check with local anglers/shops for advice. Several other points: Often, if the fish is in a comfortable, deep lie, it will not move even if spooked.  So you could easily have spooked it and not realized it.   Besides actually seeing you, if it was a bright sunny day, you could have spooked it with a reflection or a shadow.  Do you have a silver or gold reel?  Other silver metal that might flash?  Even black or dark colors, if glossy, can send a reflection on a bright sunny day that will put off a wary NZ trout. Shadows are especially treacherous if the sun is low and behind you.  Your body and  rod will then cast a shadow upstream. It’s actually very hard to cast lines near a wild NZ trout for an hour without spooking it.  So my guess would be the trout was spooked and was just holding its lie. Also, were there other fishermen around?  YOU might not have spooked it, but someone could have fished to it before you showed up.  This is particularly likely if the fish is in an obvious lie (as this one seems to be). Also, NZ fish will rarely go for a fly pattern once refused.  So, for example, if it saw the PT and decided not to take it (say because you dragged it) you MUST change patterns.  The fish may not have been spooked, simply keyed into some other fly. In general, if you’re pretty sure you covered a NZ fish with a fly once, and it doesn’t take, you should change flies immediately.  (The art is to be sure you’ve covered the fish — that comes with experience.  I had a day on a small stream in NZ where the fish would only take if the fly was DIRECTLY on their nose.  I mean six inches off, which normally is fine, would not induce a strike.  You had to keep casting until you got it right). But generally, there’s no point in chucking the same fly over and over again.  If you’re sure you’ve covered a fish, you should change flies. Again, check with your local shop.  But cased caddis, brassies, etc. might draw a strike that a PT wouldn’t.  It’s not unusual to try 4 or 5 different patterns, and occasionally you can draw a strike on the 5th pattern.  Keep in mind that every time you cast to a NZ fish, you risk spooking him.  So try to make very cast count.  If you think you’ve covered the fish, change flies.  Don’t screw around. If you’re working a fish without any luck, stop after a few casts and watch it.  If it hasn’t been spooked, you should be able to see it nymphing — occasional left or right swings to take a fly.  If it’s glued to a spot without moving, it’s likely spooked.  Waiting a few minutes may let the fish go back on the feed, assuming it wasn’t badly spooked. When all else fails, chuck a Wooly Bugger upstream and across, and strip it by his nose.  I’ve never actually had it work, but I have had totally unresponsive fish at least follow the fly before refusing it.  One of these days, I’m sure, it will work. Michael — www.geocities.com/yosemite/falls/3363 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

<< stalked him with great care and there followed an hour of some of my most careful casting, some of which (not all by any means!) placed my size 6 pheasant tail nymph gently upstream Egads, Brian!  A size *6* pheasant tail?  I should think the fish would be more comfortable ingesting a size 14 -18 ptail.  I may be missing something here, but I have never seen a ptail tied larger than a size 12.  What size tippet did you have? A #6 hook would equate to a 1X or 2X tippet. Big is not necessarily always "better", Brian. Try smaller nymphs, smaller tippet (maybe even fluorocarbon). Of course a size 2X tippet with a #6 pheasant tail would make a wonderful trolling machine.   d;0)  You ain’t trollin’, are you, Brian?     <G Dave LaCourse

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Some advice for a novice please? I stalked him with great care and there followed an hour of some of my most careful casting, some of which (not all by any means!) placed my size 6 pheasant tail nymph gently upstream of his mouth before drifting majestically over him. And nothing. He did not move. He did not strike. He just stayed on station and ignored that nymph and the four other varieties I tried. So what was I doing wrong? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. BrianM

    *assuming you didn’t actually spook him*…let me repeat that: *assuming you didn’t actually spook him*, then you were doing *nothing* wrong.  you were offering fake food to an animal that didn’t want to eat. in short, you were "fishing".  while the same anomaly will continue to occur throughout your fishing career, take heart:  it is a noble endeavor, and your occassional failures make you part of an ever-growing club.     even peter charles has failed to catch a fish; or, at least, legend would have it that way. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway.

Response:

Some advice for a novice please? I am fortunate to live in New Zealand’s South Island where there are some of theworld’s most renowned trout waters. They are populated mostly by brown trout which are notoriously difficult to catch. This pat weekend I was fishing the source of the Gowan River as it emerges from lake Rotoiti in the Nelson lakes national Park. I spotted my fish, a beautiful looking brown sitting on station in crystal clear and slow moving water. I stalked him with great care and there followed an hour of some of my most careful casting, some of which (not all by any means!) placed my size 6 pheasant tail nymph gently upstream of his mouth before drifting majestically over him. And nothing. He did not move. He did not strike. He just stayed on station and ignored that nymph and the four other varieties I tried. So what was I doing wrong? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. BrianM — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway.

Response:

Question:

Anyone know good spots in the Utica / Rome /Herkimer area?? Thanks Dave

Response:

Dave, West Canada Creek is pretty good, as is Fly Creek between Cooperstown and Index on Rte 28.  If you head a little farther down into the Oneonta – Morris area both Otego Creek (Rte 205 & Cty Rte 11) and Butternut Creek in Morris right next to the Fairgrounds are also pretty good for small steam fishing. Hope this helps C. Segina

Response:

Question:

Path: (trim) If you are looking for an inexpensive fly foatant go to any drug store and buy a product called Aboline. Get the unscented. For about $5.00 you’ll get a many year supply.

Al: you are right about Albolene. The stuff works exactly like Gink.   But…once you’ve got that $5 lifetime supply, have you been able to figure out how to put into a usable container? I tried melting the stuff once, then pouring it into an old Gink tube. When it set, it was too thick to squeeze out, and I’m not so sure melting doesn’t cause it to lose some of its floating quality.  Would appreciate any suggestions. John

Response:

That powder in the tub stuff is dessicant! It absorbs the water on the fly so you can use more flotant. My favorite flotant is the Orvis stuff which is a liquid. You dump your dry fly in ther, give it a few false casts and away you go. Don’t know what it is or why it works, just that it works better for me than the silicon pastes.      Speaking about the paste types flotants, I have heard two ways of using them. One is to apply the paste sparingly to the feather barbules, the other to coat the body of the fly with it. Which way do you other flyfishers use it?      Trey Monroe

Response:

    Speaking about the paste types flotants, I have heard two ways of using them. One is to apply the paste sparingly to the feather barbules, the other to coat the body of the fly with it. Which way do you other flyfishers use it?     Trey Monroe

With Gink, I usually take a microscopic amount and rub into both the body and the hackle.  It seems to work pretty well…I notice my dries definitely don’t get waterlogged as quickly when I use it. Scott W.

Response:

That powder in the tub stuff is dessicant! It absorbs the water on the fly so you can use more flotant. My favorite flotant is the Orvis stuff which is a liquid. You dump your dry fly in ther, give it a few false casts and away you go. Don’t know what it is or why it works, just that it works better for me than the silicon pastes.     Speaking about the paste types flotants, I have heard two ways of using them. One is to apply the paste sparingly to the feather barbules, the other to coat the body of the fly with it. Which way do you other flyfishers use it?     Trey Monroe

Hi Trey I apply it sparingly to the complete fly. All the paste does is provide a water barrier to keep the fly from soaking up water. Even at that after catching several fish a fly can be come water logged. The fly floatant my company manufacturers also helps keep hands soft. For me the constant wetting and drying of my hands makes them real dry after a few days fishing. I use the dessicant powder to quickly dry a watter logged fly and the Orvis liquid I believe is a sylicone based floatant. If you are looking for an inexpensive fly foatant go to any drug store and buy a product called Aboline. Get the unscented. For about $5.00 you’ll get a many year supply. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

Here are some questions for the experts in this group: Should flotant be applied only to a completely dry fly?  If not, what degree of dampness is ok (real easy to describe, I know!)? What type and brand is best liked, and why?  Do the flys so treated need to be kept separate from the rest (are they messy)? Thanks for the advice!

Check "Tips and Techniques" at    http://www.flyline.com   there is a whole thing about treating wet dry and soggy flies!    -Ralph —

Response:

: : Here are some questions for the experts in this group: : Should flotant be applied only to a completely dry fly?   : Yes it should, if it is a dryfly you are using and not a : nymph or wet fly. : If not, : what degree of dampness is ok (real easy to describe, I know!)? : What type and brand is best liked, and why?   : I use dessicant crytals to completely dry the fly before reapplying : floatant if my fly gets soggy. Most of the floatants are pretty much : the same thing, so brand doesn’t matter much. : Do the flys so : treated need to be kept separate from the rest (are they messy)? : Not if it is stored with other dryflies. : Darryl Hayashida : This is a good thread…because I’ve always wondered about floatants. : There are obviously many kinds on the market, from the spray-can : variety to Gerkhe’s Gink.  I’ve used the Gink alot and I honestly : think it makes a difference.  What do others think? : Also…what about these dessicants as mentioned above?  How is this : accomplished?  And what about this powder-in-a-tub stuff that you roll : your fly around in? : Curious Scott Most of the "crystals" are silica gel which is a hygroscopic (water loving) material.  I like to keep mine in an empty film case.  I put the fly in, lid on, give it a shake and if time permits, leave it inside for a few minutes.  I don’t even bother to clip off the tippet, as the plastic case doesn’t hurt it.  After a few minutes, remove the fly, blow off any clinging particles and you’re ready to go.  If you can, get "indicating" desicants that change color when wet.  Mine change from dark blue (dry) to pink (wet).    After a few trips (maybe 20 flies) the gel is starting to turn pink, so I throw it in a dry frying pan and cook the gel on medium heat for a few minutes until it turns dark blue again. Pour it onto some foil and let it cool for a minute before sealing back in the film case.  (Wash the frying pan well after use!).   Remember, these are powerful drying agents that can suck the moisture out of the air, so if they aren’t kept sealed, they’ll turn pink overnight. Pete

Response:

Here are some questions for the experts in this group: Should flotant be applied only to a completely dry fly?  If not, what degree of dampness is ok (real easy to describe, I know!)? What type and brand is best liked, and why?  Do the flys so treated need to be kept separate from the rest (are they messy)? Thanks for the advice! —   David B. Perry   P.O. Box 808 L-419              phone:  (510) 423-7034

Response:

Here are some questions for the experts in this group: Should flotant be applied only to a completely dry fly?  If not, what degree of dampness is ok (real easy to describe, I know!)? What type and brand is best liked, and why?  Do the flys so treated need to be kept separate from the rest (are they messy)? Thanks for the advice!

use so much that a little oil slick forms around the bug in the water. the theory here is that the fish think the Exxon Valdez captain is on the bottle again and they come looking around for dead seagulls. thus, you’ll want to tie on a #2 adams, and twitch it. TimW

Response:

Here are some questions for the experts in this group: Should flotant be applied only to a completely dry fly?  

Yes it should, if it is a dryfly you are using and not a nymph or wet fly. If not, what degree of dampness is ok (real easy to describe, I know!)? What type and brand is best liked, and why?  

I use dessicant crytals to completely dry the fly before reapplying floatant if my fly gets soggy. Most of the floatants are pretty much the same thing, so brand doesn’t matter much. Do the flys so treated need to be kept separate from the rest (are they messy)?

Not if it is stored with other dryflies. Darryl Hayashida

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Here are some questions for the experts in this group: Should flotant be applied only to a completely dry fly?   Yes it should, if it is a dryfly you are using and not a nymph or wet fly. If not, what degree of dampness is ok (real easy to describe, I know!)? What type and brand is best liked, and why?   I use dessicant crytals to completely dry the fly before reapplying floatant if my fly gets soggy. Most of the floatants are pretty much the same thing, so brand doesn’t matter much. Do the flys so treated need to be kept separate from the rest (are they messy)? Not if it is stored with other dryflies. Darryl Hayashida

This is a good thread…because I’ve always wondered about floatants. There are obviously many kinds on the market, from the spray-can variety to Gerkhe’s Gink.  I’ve used the Gink alot and I honestly think it makes a difference.  What do others think? Also…what about these dessicants as mentioned above?  How is this accomplished?  And what about this powder-in-a-tub stuff that you roll your fly around in? Curious Scott

Response:

Question:

I will be in Italy for 3 weeks. Venice, Rome, Florence. Any thoughts?

Response:

There was an article in the Travel section of the New York Times just 2 or 3 weeks ago about fly fihsing (and eating) your way through Italy.  It was very informative about working your way through the postal system to get local licenses.  I’d look there.

-0400 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I will be in Italy for 3 weeks. Venice, Rome, Florence. Any thoughts?

Response:

I have spent a fair amount of time in Italy, and despite fact I’m a lifetime flyfishing addict, I wouldn’t take time to flyfish.  I have seen a lot of tempting streams and rivers, but I’m not sure the fishing would be good (trout rarely shows up on the menu).  Pick up a good book on wine country and really enjoy Italy!!!! Tight Lines IBFISHN

Response:

Don’t drink the Water.

Response:

Question:

Heading down to SC for Xmas to see sis.  Is there still fishing there at that time of year?  If so, where, and any suggested patterns?  Reply here or to email.  Thanks. Martin Rooney

Response:

(MartinR100) writes:

""Heading down to SC for Xmas to see sis.  Is there still fishing there at that time of year?  If so, where, and any suggested patterns?  Reply here or to email.  Thanks."" Martin, You can secure expert, friendly advice at "Foothills Fly Fishing" shop, 1908 N. Pleasantburg in Greenville, 803-292-2406.  Good luck, Steve S.

Response:

Question:

I have been fly fishing for about 14 years now and unfortunately live in southern California.  When I can’t get to the Eastern Sierra, Idaho or Montana I’m forced to try our sometimes barrren offerings here.   My question is this …… without revealing too much, does anyone out there have any experience on waters other than the W.F San Gabriel, Deep Creek, Bear Creek, E.F San Gabriel etc….. If so please reply to: Thanks

Response:

I have been fly fishing for about 14 years now and unfortunately live in southern California.  When I can’t get to the Eastern Sierra, Idaho or Montana I’m forced to try our sometimes barrren offerings here.   My question is this …… without revealing too much, does anyone out there have any experience on waters other than the W.F San Gabriel, Deep Creek, Bear Creek, E.F San Gabriel etc….. If so please reply to: Thanks

How about Sespe Creek? For details email me at: Darryl

Response:

writes: To: Motorcty Have fished in King Harbor for Bonita and Mackeral. Very exciting, hard fighting fish. Rent skiff from Rocky Harbor Marina/Redondo Beach. They sell flies etc. Costs about $20.00 per half day. You need a 7/8/9 rod with sinking line like Teeny 200. Guys at Marriotts Fly Shop in L.A. know all about this.Good Luck. AK100.aol.com

Response: