Question:

Not Bill McNeese, but Dave McNeese.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Adam, The clear intermediate slow sinking tropical lines are designed for fishing in the warm weather out of a boat. I would overline one size larger than your rod size so it will handle those larger flies better. I would use an SA/Mastery "Tarpon" monocore slow sinking clear WF10S on a #9 rod for your trip. I would also do the same thing with a WF10F Mastery "Tarpon" floater for poppers. Or you could put a WF11 on a #10 rod ? — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

Hi Marilyn, Your response brought up one more question: My 9 wt is a Sage 3-pc saltwater RPLX (I think, it’s about 6 years old), and I am a reasonable caster, do you still recommend overlining the rod.  I’ve had my rods built by Bill McNeese (steelhead fisherman out of Seattle) and he has always told me to use the same wt line. Regards, Adam

Response:

For that kind of fishing I have been using the intermediate tip lines. made by everybody now and I use Cortland.  Really helps to load the line and when fishing with big streamers is really a help, especially when blind casting all day.

What are the casting qualities of an intermediate tipped line?  Does it hinge?  Do they do well in warm water. Do I have to bring it all the way to the boat.  My concern here is that as I fish the shore, will I be able to pick the line up and get it back to the shore the way one can do it with a floating line (ie, will I be able to keep the distance from the boat to shore relatively constant)?  About how deep will it go, do they have the regular 1-2"/minute sink rates? Thanks, Adam

Response:

Hi Adam, The clear intermediate slow sinking tropical lines are designed for fishing in the warm weather out of a boat. I would overline one size larger than your rod size so it will handle those larger flies better. I would use an SA/Mastery "Tarpon" monocore slow sinking clear WF10S on a #9 rod for your trip. I would also do the same thing with a WF10F Mastery "Tarpon" floater for poppers. Or you could put a WF11 on a #10 rod ? — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Going to Amazon to fly fish for peacock bass.  It has been suggested to use an intermediate sinking monocore line.  I’ll be casting large, but hopefully not too wind resistant streamers (6-8", made from Kinky Fibre Deceiver type-no feathers and poppers (1/2 to 3/4" closed foam cell heads).  I’ve never used this line and before I get one, I’d like to know the characteristics (pluses and minuses, if you will) of this line when used in warm water and largish flies.  Thanks, Adam —

Response:

Going to Amazon to fly fish for peacock bass.  It has been suggested to use an intermediate sinking monocore line.  I’ll be casting large, but hopefully not too wind resistant streamers (6-8", made from Kinky Fibre Deceiver type-no feathers and poppers (1/2 to 3/4" closed foam cell heads).  I’ve never used this line and before I get one, I’d like to know the characteristics (pluses and minuses, if you will) of this line when used in warm water and largish flies.  Thanks, Adam —

Response:

For that kind of fishing I have been using the intermediate tip lines.   made by everybody now and I use Cortland.  Really helps to load the line and when fishing with big streamers is really a help, especially when blind casting all day. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Going to Amazon to fly fish for peacock bass.  It has been suggested to use an intermediate sinking monocore line.  I’ll be casting large, but hopefully not too wind resistant streamers (6-8", made from Kinky Fibre Deceiver type-no feathers and poppers (1/2 to 3/4" closed foam cell heads).  I’ve never used this line and before I get one, I’d like to know the characteristics (pluses and minuses, if you will) of this line when used in warm water and largish flies.  Thanks, Adam —

Response:

Question:

You said it twice, so, I can only guess that was a sincere *response*. Opie  **Hurt in Lenoir!**         isn’t that the town that inspired the famous axiom, to wit: "if you’re found here at night, you’ll be found here in the morning"? or was that "you can’t go home again"?         no, wait:  "stuck inside of lenoir with the ashville blues again"…ah, hell, forget it.

I knew a guy named Emil Lenoir many years ago.  Once told me that he bought a twelve year old Tuareg girl when he was in the foreign legion in Morocco.  Not sure what the connection is here. Wolfgang who has been to Lodi, WI but managed to escape

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wolfgang who has been to Lodi, WI but managed to escape         in the inimitable style of ol forty himself:  not to put too fine a line on it, or some similar shit, but wasn’t creedence clearwater making reference to lodi, california? anally retentively yours, wayno

No, no, NO!  What DO they teach in the schools these days?  Leopold squeezed the Congo with an iron hand from Belgium, WI. Hitler wrought havoc on the entire European continent (not to mention a whole heap of gypsies and other undesirables) from Berlin, WI.  Friday night witch frys are a lovely old tradition in Salem, WI.  And why on Earth would anyone suppose that an immensely popular rock band would sing a song about some nothing little burg in California?  And don’t even get me started on what goes on in Oconomowoc!! Wolfgang geographer nonpareil         p.s.:  and isn’t this just the kind of question that answers the question, "what the hell does wayno *do* all the time…

the answer IS the question grasshopper

Response:

…. wilson’s is always good…. Sure!  Never took ME there, sumbitch! Wolfgang who has created a monster.  Becky wants to go backpacking on the AT in NC in April.  Wanna go fishin Waldo?    :)

sure as shit i’ll go afishin’ with ya….. but *not* on wilsons <g walt

Response:

You said it twice, so, I can only guess that was a sincere *response*. Opie  **Hurt in Lenoir!**

        isn’t that the town that inspired the famous axiom, to wit: "if you’re found here at night, you’ll be found here in the morning"? or was that "you can’t go home again"?         no, wait:  "stuck inside of lenoir with the ashville blues again"…ah, hell, forget it.         wayno

Response:

Wolfgang who has been to Lodi, WI but managed to escape

        in the inimitable style of ol forty himself:  not to put too fine a line on it, or some similar shit, but wasn’t creedence clearwater making reference to lodi, california? anally retentively yours, wayno         p.s.:  and isn’t this just the kind of question that answers the question, "what the hell does wayno *do* all the time…

Response:

This past weekend I was visited by two gracious Southern gentlemen, Tom Brown and Jeff Miller. …

FIVE people fishing Wilson’s at the same time ? Sounds crowded. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

This past weekend I was visited by two gracious Southern gentlemen, Tom Brown and Jeff Miller. … FIVE people fishing Wilson’s at the same time ? Sounds crowded.

lol’s…. walt (couldn’t really call them drsob’s, at least when they’re not present)

Response:

Now looka here Walt, I don’t mind a little embelishment of detail to make a good story, but *nobody* will believe *that* introduction. It was a fun trip, though.  Wish I could remember what Tom — Tom Brown Wake Forest, NC Please don’t tell my mother that I hang out at ROFF; she thinks I play piano at a whorehouse.                                              Author’s name withheld This past weekend I was visited by two gracious Southern gentlemen, Tom Brown and Jeff Miller.

Response:

This past weekend I was visited by two gracious Southern gentlemen, Tom Brown and Jeff Miller.

<sniped I don’t know about anybody else, but the writing here is a good as the articles I read in my fly fishing magazines and I really like the annual subscription rate…

Response:

‘preciate the invite Walt! Opie  **No LDB’s in Walt’s future from me!**

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This past weekend I was visited by two gracious Southern gentlemen, Tom Brown and Jeff Miller. Tom stayed here at my home and Jeff stayed down at his cabin, the only roughing-it, aside from the stream, was cooking those big 16 ounce rib eyes on the grill friday evening. Saturday morning we headed out to Wilson’s Creek after stops at the flyshop and the grocery store for sandwiches and beer. We arrived at the trail head, rigged up, grabbed a walking brew, and headed down the trail to meet the stream. No encounters of the snake kind, a uneventful 30 minute hike. The stream was absolutely gorgeous. The water was running high and clear from the recent rains we have been enjoying here in the mountains. The usual rainbow in the first pool rejected my initial proffering, par for the course, I think he enjoys teasing me. We fished upstream with the usual ahhhs and reflections that a beautiful day on the water inspires deep within. Initially, the fishing was slow as we moved up. We each caught a fish or two with some misses. I was fishing a black beetle but switched to an adams para b/c in my haste to leave the house, I had forgotten my sunglasses and a low riding black meniscus beetle is tough to keep track of even with glasses. Both Tom & Jeff were fishing visible flies and the switchover made sense. We fished up through the timeless granite pools, each taking his turn, each watching the waters with anticipation of the next strike. We arrived at the junction of Little Wilsons and Jeff headed solo up that tiny water…. water that is infested with little feisty brownies in the 5 to 10 inch range. Tom and I continued up Wilson’s and it was like night and day. Whereas the fishing was somewhat slow before, we were now catching fish in nearly every pool or riffle, I think we even had a three fish pool, which is an accomplishment on these waters. On this day, I encountered a knot failure. I lost a fly in a rhodo when the line broke at the clinch knot. I usually don’t suffer that failure, the knot is a good one and I’ve been using it as long as I can remember. It’s usually my wind knot that fails. The secret to a good clinch is 5 turns, through the loops, wet with spittle, and gently cinch down by holding the fly in one hand and the tippet in the other, don’t tighten by pulling on the tag end of the tippet. Also, I believe that tippet needs to be similar in size to the eye of the hook for a clinch to perform properly. A size 6 wooly bugger on 6x will break at the knot….. just my experience. Anyway, Jeff, after much success on ‘lil wilsons, pulled out into a camp of beer-swillin, pig-lovin, banjo-playin rednecks. That must have been a sight. He hiked back to the truck and was kind enough to drive it up to where Tom & I would be pulling out so we would not suffer those gross indignities <g. It was great to see Jeff’s truck when we pulled out. The last 1/2 mile of river all I heard from Tom was "where’s the beer!" We lounged a bit enjoyin’ a beer or two, ate our lunches, and Jeff and I headed back up Wilson’s, leaving Tom with the beer. I think it made Jeff’s day when he caught one more fish than I on this side trip…. he being such a competitive cuss. Great day, great fish, and greater companions…… thanks guys, I needed it. Walt

Response:

I never saw that original post, thanks for the report, have been wondering about fishing Wilson’s sometime soon  Would you say the fishing generally stays good between now and, say, October?  Thanks, This past weekend I was visited by two gracious Southern gentlemen, Tom Brown and Jeff Miller. Tom stayed here at my home and Jeff stayed down at his cabin, the only roughing-it, aside from the stream, was cooking those big 16 ounce rib eyes on the grill friday evening. Saturday morning we headed out to Wilson’s Creek

Regards, Jeff

Response:

I never saw that original post, thanks for the report, have been wondering about fishing Wilson’s sometime soon  Would you say the fishing generally stays good between now and, say, October?  Thanks,

that’s whaccha get fer killfilin’ me <g sure jeff…. wilson’s is always good…. walt

Response:

‘preciate the invite Walt! Opie  **No LDB’s in Walt’s future from me!**

not my fault op. i swear, it was jeff’s fault. he was in charge of the invites… ldb’s…. shoot, i think we drank a bunch of them <g walt

Response:

You said it twice, so, I can only guess that was a sincere *response*. Opie  **Hurt in Lenoir!**

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ‘preciate the invite Walt! Opie  **No LDB’s in Walt’s future from me!** not my fault op. i swear, it was jeff’s fault. he was in charge of the invites… ldb’s…. shoot, i think we drank a bunch of them <g walt

Response:

…. wilson’s is always good….

Sure!  Never took ME there, sumbitch! Wolfgang who has created a monster.  Becky wants to go backpacking on the AT in NC in April.  Wanna go fishin Waldo?    :)

Response:

This past weekend I was visited by two gracious Southern gentlemen, Tom Brown and Jeff Miller. <sniped I don’t know about anybody else, but the writing here is a good as the articles I read in my fly fishing magazines and I really like the annual subscription rate…

Amen!  An English professor I knew in college was fond of saying that writing is the most difficult work that man has ever created for himself.  He never read this news group.  Never have so many made it look so easy. Wolfgang waiting for the day when some ambitious soul collects it all and turns it into a novel

Response:

This past weekend I was visited by two gracious Southern gentlemen, Tom Brown and Jeff Miller. Tom stayed here at my home and Jeff stayed down at his cabin, the only roughing-it, aside from the stream, was cooking those big 16 ounce rib eyes on the grill friday evening. Saturday morning we headed out to Wilson’s Creek after stops at the flyshop and the grocery store for sandwiches and beer. We arrived at the trail head, rigged up, grabbed a walking brew, and headed down the trail to meet the stream. No encounters of the snake kind, a uneventful 30 minute hike. The stream was absolutely gorgeous. The water was running high and clear from the recent rains we have been enjoying here in the mountains. The usual rainbow in the first pool rejected my initial proffering, par for the course, I think he enjoys teasing me. We fished upstream with the usual ahhhs and reflections that a beautiful day on the water inspires deep within. Initially, the fishing was slow as we moved up. We each caught a fish or two with some misses. I was fishing a black beetle but switched to an adams para b/c in my haste to leave the house, I had forgotten my sunglasses and a low riding black meniscus beetle is tough to keep track of even with glasses. Both Tom & Jeff were fishing visible flies and the switchover made sense. We fished up through the timeless granite pools, each taking his turn, each watching the waters with anticipation of the next strike. We arrived at the junction of Little Wilsons and Jeff headed solo up that tiny water…. water that is infested with little feisty brownies in the 5 to 10 inch range. Tom and I continued up Wilson’s and it was like night and day. Whereas the fishing was somewhat slow before, we were now catching fish in nearly every pool or riffle, I think we even had a three fish pool, which is an accomplishment on these waters. On this day, I encountered a knot failure. I lost a fly in a rhodo when the line broke at the clinch knot. I usually don’t suffer that failure, the knot is a good one and I’ve been using it as long as I can remember. It’s usually my wind knot that fails. The secret to a good clinch is 5 turns, through the loops, wet with spittle, and gently cinch down by holding the fly in one hand and the tippet in the other, don’t tighten by pulling on the tag end of the tippet. Also, I believe that tippet needs to be similar in size to the eye of the hook for a clinch to perform properly. A size 6 wooly bugger on 6x will break at the knot….. just my experience. Anyway, Jeff, after much success on ‘lil wilsons, pulled out into a camp of beer-swillin, pig-lovin, banjo-playin rednecks. That must have been a sight. He hiked back to the truck and was kind enough to drive it up to where Tom & I would be pulling out so we would not suffer those gross indignities <g. It was great to see Jeff’s truck when we pulled out. The last 1/2 mile of river all I heard from Tom was "where’s the beer!" We lounged a bit enjoyin’ a beer or two, ate our lunches, and Jeff and I headed back up Wilson’s, leaving Tom with the beer. I think it made Jeff’s day when he caught one more fish than I on this side trip…. he being such a competitive cuss. Great day, great fish, and greater companions…… thanks guys, I needed it. Walt

Response:

Question:

Carl, Check out Royal Gorge Anglers.. While I have not used them, they are very active on some of the fly fishing boards. http://www.royalgorgeanglers.com/ Paul

Response:

My Father-in-law will be in Pueblo, CO around the end of June,  Is there a good fly-shop to go to there?

The Wal-Mart is actually not half bad. The one in Canon City, that is. No, I’m not bs’ing you. Also, does anyone have an idea what will the fishing be like?   and where he should go (within an hour or so drive?)

Um…the Arkansas River is not too far west. But I’ve never had a hookup there except on streamers and Rapalas. Vegetables aren’t food. Vegetables are what the food eats.

Response:

My Father-in-law will be in Pueblo, CO around the end of June,  Is there a good fly-shop to go to there? Also, does anyone have an idea what will the fishing be like?   and where he should go (within an hour or so drive?) Carl

Response:

Question:

I’m looking for F/F classifieds. Used Rods, reels, etc. rgill

Response:

I’m looking for F/F classifieds. Used Rods, reels, etc. rgill

http://flyfish.com/cgibin/bin/ldisplay.cgi?forsale http://flyfishing.com/classifieds/ads/sale.shtml http://www.flyshop.com/Classified/index.html http://www.gorp.com/cl_angle/equipcat.htm http://www.flyanglersonline.com/exchangeboard/ http://cayman.ebay.com/aw/listings/endtoday/category384/index.html Good Luck! -Robert

Response:

Question:

I will be going to Glacier National Park in early July.  Any recommendations on locations inside the park to fish would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Response:

I will be going to Glacier National Park in early July.  Any recommendations on locations inside the park to fish would be greatly appreciated.

Lucky person.  Glacier National Park has some great places to fish. However, bear (sorry for the pun) in mind that most flyfishing opportunity is stillwater.  You also must look out for Grizz.  July is not a bad time for bears…just give em their space.  My favorite lake to fish is Upper Medicine Lake on the East Side.  Its a nasty hike but there are beautiful 18 West Slope Cutthroat in the lake. They often come to the shoreline in the afternoon.  However, a friend of mine told me that brook trout have invaded recently so we can imagine that the cutt population will be screwed up by the char. Yours, -John – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks.

Response:

Question:

I want to get into fly fishing in the surf off of Southern California. Plan to use an 8 wt…..what is a good line to use? I was thinking something like the Teeny T-300….any advice? Thanks in advance.

Response:

I want to get into fly fishing in the surf off of Southern California. Plan to use an 8 wt…..what is a good line to use? I was thinking something like the Teeny T-300….any advice? Thanks in advance.

The T-300 is a great line.  I have a HiD "big game" Triangle Taper that I like alot.  The biggest issue is that as a beginner you will probably fish better with a sinktip, as controlling a full sinking line in the surf is not exactly easy.  It gets under your boots and around your legs much more frequently, and until you learn to handle it you are out of touch with your flies alot of the time.  If you already own the T-300 just learn to use it.  But if you also own a 13 to 20 foot high speed sinktip, you might want to use that until you get better at line handling. Phil

Response:

I want to get into fly fishing in the surf off of Southern California. Plan to use an 8 wt…..what is a good line to use? I was thinking something like the Teeny T-300….any advice? Thanks in advance.

YOU WILL DO WELL with shooting heads.  In fact, better. Mr. G.

Response:

that is what I call an excellent response. Thank you for being specific about lines and how to. bill

Response:

that is what I call an excellent response. Thank you for being specific about lines and how to. bill

thorough indeed, but it is just one side of a very complex story.  If we are talking short (30 to 45 foot) casts PARALLEL to shore, which is what most beginners and many old timers will be doing in California (North and South), I would still contend that a beginner would be better served with a sinktip than a full sinking line or shooting taper.  As I stated earlier, I rely on full sinking lines, preferring them to Shooting Tapers, since changing line density isn’t important (fastest sink you have is all you need), and that and distance are the only advantages of the shooting taper over a full sinking line.  Line handling problems, the inability to make aerial mends, and finger cuts are all good arguments for avoiding shooting heads whenever possible.  By the way I do use shooting heads extensively for lakes, steelhead, shad, Jetties, rare occasions when I’m casting straight out, and rocky coastal shoreline so I don’t have a problem with them, I just restrict them to where they really shine.  I especially stand by my recommendation to stick with what you already own, rather than run out and buy the new rage thing. Phil

Response:

Perhaps I should explain myself a little better: thorough indeed, but it is just one side of a very complex story.  If we are talking short (30 to 45 foot) casts PARALLEL to shore, which is what most beginners and many old timers will be doing in California (North and South), I would still contend that a beginner would be better served with a sinktip than a full sinking line or shooting taper.

The biggest reason for using a lead head is precisely because so much of the casting is PARALLEL to shore.  When casting parallel to shore you are putting the greatest amount of line against the wave action of the surf.  This is like casting directly across a current.  The current (wave action in the surf) exihibits the greatest influence on the line pushing it sideways and causing a belly in the line.  And of course the waves not only go in, they also ebb back out.  Little time is spent without motion in the surf. Floating line is the fattest and most susceptible to this action.  The good news is you can mend it, the bad news is you can’t mend it fast enough or well enough to compensate satisfactorily for the action unless there is a lot of time between waves.  The sink-tip is only slightly better because at least part of it sinks into the strike zone (sometimes as shallow as 1 1/2 ft, sometimes as deep as 6 to 8 feet or more).  The full sinking line sinks along the entire line which prohibits mending but gets the fly down better than the other two.  The fastest sinking line you have will work the best.   It will be the thinnest and least susceptible to the movement of the surf and you have to remember that salt water is more bouyant than freshwater.  Sinking lines don’t sink as fast in the salt.   The lead head allows you to use 300+ grains of weight in 24 ft of line (as opposed to ~210 grains for 30 feet an 8 wt.) and is much thinner than any sinking line.  More weight and less surface area allows the line to get down quicker and stay in the zone longer especially when casting PARALLEL to shore.  Again, a casting basket makes a world of difference in the frustration factor. Now the news about the expense of one of these lines is that you can make your own for less than $10 or buy one for $12 to $14.  Amnesia for a shooting line will set you back around $3.50.  If you opt for the flat beam running line, it will cost you $7. No more than $21 at the most.   If you don’t want to invest in an extra spool and backing, just remove your floating line from your current 8 or 9 wt. rig and tie on the running line and shooting head.   Probably won’t break the bank and will save you the frustration I went through using all of the lines I have mentioned. As I stated earlier, I rely on full sinking lines, preferring them to Shooting Tapers, since changing line density isn’t important (fastest sink you have is all you need), and that and distance are the only advantages of the shooting taper over a full sinking line.

Even forgetting about the distance, the comparison is not even close.  Even the fastest sinking full line won’t sink or track as well as the lead head.  Their diameter is too large and their weight too little. Bear in mind that the first 30 feet of an 8 wt. floating line weighs exactly the same as the first 30 feet of an 8 wt. type V sinking line.  Higher density lines just have the same weight in less space.  That’s what *density* is all about. Line handling problems,

Casting basket eases the tangle problem and will still keep your fly in the zone longer than full sinking lines even with the occaisional tangle. the inability to make aerial mends, and finger cuts are all good arguments for avoiding shooting heads whenever possible.

Type of line has *nothing* to do with aerial mends.  How and where you move the tip of the rod *after* you make the stop on the forward cast determines where the aerial mend goes, not whether or not it is a full sinking line or a shooting head.  "Aerial mend" means repositioning the the line *while* it is in the air. Finger cuts can be avoided by using saltwater tape or stripping guards on your stripping fingers.  White adhesive tape works OK if you can’t find the specific saltwater stuff.  I also use tape or stripping guards when using a floating line for bonefish.  Part of the problem with line cuts comes from the abrasive nature of the salt in the water.  The thinner running line does aggravate it, but the greater fishing success helps compensate for this. *SNIP* I especially stand by my recommendation to stick with what you already own, rather than run out and buy the new rage thing.

Using whatever you can absolutely beats not fishing, but using the right tool for the job makes a big difference.   Lead core lines have been around longer than modern fly lines, so I wouldn’t call them the "new rage thing".  Casting is the biggest problem most people have with lead heads and if you like I will give some suggestions in another post because this one is already way too long. I don’t mean to sound rude, but I see no reason why someone should go through all the hoops I did to arrive at this solution.  Nonetheless, do whatever you like to do, because you are the only one you have to please to enjoy this sport and you may like to use a different method.  I just think you should give this a try.                                        Hope this clarifies my statements a bit,                                                     Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

Response:

I want to get into fly fishing in the surf off of Southern California. Plan to use an 8 wt…..what is a good line to use? I was thinking something like the Teeny T-300….any advice? Thanks in advance.

Up in N. Cal one of the most popular lines for surf fishing is a lead head. This sounds scary, but actually works really well.  You can make your own or buy one from Orvis for $14.  I snagged one of the Orvis heads and then cut it back from 30 ft. to 24 ft. and put a loop on the end I cut off.  Works well on my 8 wt.  I use amnesia for the running line, but am going to try the flat beam running line ($7) that we just got in at the Orvis SF store.  Casting basket is a big help to control the running line.   The reason this works so well is that the lead core tracks far better than anything else in the surf.  Floating lines are real tough because the floating section gets whipped back and forth by the wave action so badly.  Same thing with sink tips.  Sometimes the full sinking lines work ok, but usually their cross-section is too big and gets pushed around by the waves too.  The thin lead core (I believe this is the 13gr. per foot version) sinks quickly in the more bouyant saltwater and stays in the trough or channel longer than other lines.  More time in the target area means more fish.  Not the most fun to cast, but not bad with some practice and very effective.                       Hope this helps,                               Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

Response:

Question:

Hey fisherfolks! I will be going fishing for steelhead for the first time on the Pere Marquette River in Michigan in mid-November. I would like to tie some flies before I go. I realize that I can buy them from a local fly shop, but it is always more fun to catch a fish on fly that I have tied myself. Can anyone point me to a good source for tying instructions for great lakes steelhead flies? Thanks! Steve Rosenblum Ann Arbor, MI

Response:

Hey fisherfolks! I will be going fishing for steelhead for the first time on the Pere Marquette River in Michigan in mid-November. I would like to tie some flies before I go. I realize that I can buy them from a local fly shop, but it is always more fun to catch a fish on fly that I have tied myself. Can anyone point me to a good source for tying instructions for great lakes steelhead flies? Thanks! Steve Rosenblum Ann Arbor, MI

Purple yarn eggs.  They work sweet.

Response:

I’ve never seen anyone use anything but yarn.  Orange and/or chartreuse in small egg patterns.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey fisherfolks! I will be going fishing for steelhead for the first time on the Pere Marquette River in Michigan in mid-November. I would like to tie some flies before I go. I realize that I can buy them from a local fly shop, but it is always more fun to catch a fish on fly that I have tied myself. Can anyone point me to a good source for tying instructions for great lakes steelhead flies? Thanks! Steve Rosenblum Ann Arbor, MI Purple yarn eggs.  They work sweet.

PURCHASE "Flies for Steelhead" by Dick kStewart and Farrow Allen.  Full retail is a nickle short of $35.  It is an excellent book and exactly what you’re looking for Steve. Michigan Steelhead waters are usually very low and slow regarding current.  Concentrate on light wire Partidge Hooks.  And yes, they are also expensive but it beats spending your money in a bar. You don’t have much time left to get going on this fly tying business as Mid-November will be here before you know it.  You’re asking a lot, so I kid you not on EXACTLY what book to get.  Don’t be surprised, since the book is not over 3/8 inch thick or slightly over 1/4 inch.  It is packed with nothing but Steelhead patterns.  A must, for your library if you are a serious fly tyer.  (This is spelled two ways, ‘Tyer & Tier’) Again, don’t forget your GINK.  It will skate your flies with a vengence! George Gehrke/Mr. Gink

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If you want to buy a book check out Fly Fishing for Great Lakes Steelhead,  The fly patterns are not as good as a book on just flies but it’s got load of info on other places in other states to fish. I find that an egg with a Nymph Dropper works better than anything else. (ham and eggs as we call it).  Tie on an egg fly (size 6-10, if fish move out of the way of your fly drop down in size) and then 8-20 inches of tippet tied of eye or shank of egg hook to a PM Caddis or Greem Rock worm (Rycaphelia) (don’t flame my lack of correct spelling).  Or try Kaufmann Stones Black or Golden (6-10). Egg Sucking Leeches in black olive or purple,  Green Butt Skunks,  and just about anything buggy or nymph looking on a stout hook. Position yourself slightly upstream, quarter your cast slightly upstream, use enough weight to ‘tick’ along the bottom and hope they inhale your fly while they are yawining or something.  Good  Luck T. Frank BUFF – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hey fisherfolks! I will be going fishing for steelhead for the first time on the Pere Marquette River in Michigan in mid-November. I would like to tie some flies before I go. I realize that I can buy them from a local fly shop, but it is always more fun to catch a fish on fly that I have tied myself. Can anyone point me to a good source for tying instructions for great lakes steelhead flies? Thanks! Steve Rosenblum Ann Arbor, MI

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I’ve never seen anyone use anything but yarn.  Orange and/or chartreuse in small egg patterns.

Didn’t catch the first article here but I think I ge tthe jist of the question.  My adivce is to visit the salmon river homepage at http://www.salmon-river.com. Not only is it a great page for anyone who fly fishes the great lakes tribs it has an entire section on flys to use for salmon and trout.  My personal favorite for fresh run steelhead is a frammus pattern (orange body with chartruse wing or just the opposite).  This fly satisfies all the criteria ( ie.  easy to tie, cheap to tie and very effective fished on both a dead drift and a swing ). Easy and cheap are important because you tend to loose alot of flies.  Remember in the cold water if your not ticking the bottom your probably not fishing deep enough.   For steelhead who have been holding over in the stream a while ( Late Fall/Winter time )I try and use dark nymphs ( gray or brown are my favorites ) in around a size 10. Good Luck, PCR

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Hey fisherfolks! I will be going fishing for steelhead for the first time on the Pere Marquette River in Michigan in mid-November. I would like to tie some flies before I go. I realize that I can buy them from a local fly shop, but it is always more fun to catch a fish on fly that I have tied myself. Can anyone point me to a good source for tying instructions for great lakes steelhead flies? Thanks! Steve Rosenblum Ann Arbor, MI

Steve, Try tying Glow Bugs or Egg patterns in a variety of colors: I use a size 6 or 8 hook and try them pretty small, (a little larger that a real egg). I feel this is the best winter pattern. Colors to tie-up: white, pink salmon egg light orange orange pink red They are fast easy and effective. Try the little Manistee when you are in the area. Also contact Frank Lendzion at the Wellston Inn, Wellston, MI. 616-848-4163. Tell him I sent you. He is a guide in the area that could be a valuable source of information. Since it is your first time on new water, I suggest you hire someone to get you started and you help you get into fish. Tighten ‘em up, then release them Tom Steele

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey fisherfolks! I will be going fishing for steelhead for the first time on the Pere Marquette River in Michigan in mid-November. I would like to tie some flies before I go. I realize that I can buy them from a local fly shop, but it is always more fun to catch a fish on fly that I have tied myself. Can anyone point me to a good source for tying instructions for great lakes steelhead flies? Thanks! Steve Rosenblum Ann Arbor, MI Purple yarn eggs.  They work sweet.

If you can tie a wooley bugger, You’ve mastered the great lakes steelhead fly.  Black, Black, BLack…. Beyond the wooley bugger, egg sucking leeches are most likely my best fly.  THe type we (ontario) use is a black wooley buger with a colored head.  Chartreuse is the best in the fall, but also stock pink, orange, and some "milk" colours.  Size 8 and 10… Also stoneflies, I make a modified Kaufmann’s using raffia folded for the wingcase instead of turkey.  Pheasent Tails in traditional and black work welll, try varing the the color of the thorax..  Same for the stones.   Chartreuse or red works well. Some guys have been doing o.k. with eggs and double egg or spermflies lately.. As for rigging… You will need lots of lead!!!, and flies for that matter.  If your not loosing flies your not in the right spot.  I use a good size float indicator.  However, instead of buying those expensive ones, go to a walleye or hardware trout shop and by some rig floats, a few tooth picks and you set.. Ian

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Question:

I am attending a wedding in Asheville, NC next weekend and am trying to make the best of it.  Can anyone recommend a trout stream in the area? JK

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About twnety minutes from Asheville is the Pisgah National Forest outside of Brevard.  I have fished there a few times but the name of the river escapes me.  A muddler minnow works well.  There is an Orvis store in Asheville that may be able to give you some more ideas. Brad Traylor

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I am attending a wedding in Asheville, NC next weekend and am trying to make the best of it.  Can anyone recommend a trout stream in the area? JK

        Good places are the Davidson River at the junction of 280 & 276 in Brevard and the North Mills River off of 280 at the town (?) of Mills River.         Call the Hunter Banks Co. (Asheville fly shop) at 704-252-3005 for up to the minute fishing info. Also a great shop to visit as it is as good as any in North America bar none.

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The river is the Davidson.  Sorry I could not think of it earlier.  There are plenty of good rivers in the area but since you are not familiar with the area this is probably the best one. Good Luck

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About twnety minutes from Asheville is the Pisgah National Forest outside of Brevard.  I have fished there a few times but the name of the river escapes me.  A muddler minnow works well.  There is an Orvis store in Asheville that may be able to give you some more ideas. Brad Traylor

The name of the river is Davidson. It has Fly Fishing only stretches and a fish hatchery upstream. Ken Barry Ken Barry

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About twnety minutes from Asheville is the Pisgah National Forest outside of Brevard.  I have fished there a few times but the name of the river escapes me.  A muddler minnow works well.  There is an Orvis store in Asheville that may be able to give you some more ideas. Brad Traylor

The river you mention sounds like the Davidson River and the Orvis shop is Hunter-Banks.  Sorry but I don’t have the number.

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Asheville Orvis Shop is Hunter-Banks. Nice folks, worth a call and a visit. 1-800-227-6732.

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Asheville Orvis Shop is Hunter-Banks. Nice folks, worth a call and a visit. 1-800-227-6732.

        For your future information and planning pleasure, the Hunter Banks Co. in Asheville, NC sells Orvis fishing gear, but is NOT an Orivs only shop. They also carry G. Loomis, Sage, Scott, Winston, Powell, Cortland, 3M, Reddington, Diamondback, Ross, Lamson, FinNor, Able, Islander, Valentine, STS, Pate, Tibor, Barbour, Filson, Umpqua, 10X, Climax, Wheatley to name a few. Definitely worth checking out.

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I am attending a wedding in Asheville, NC next weekend and am trying to make the best of it.  Can anyone recommend a trout stream in the area? JK

There is an Orvis store in Asheville that can give you some suggestions.  There is fishing in the Smokey Mts Natl Park and on a TU maintained stream south of Asheville.  There are beautiful streams in the park, with few fish or small brookies, and some bigger streams with respectable fishing (Oconaluftee).  Overall, you’ll be enjoying the scenery as much as the fishing. Tom Large

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Question:

i learned to fly fish when i was a teenager – only for panfish.  now, my fiance and i are getting started into fly fishing.  any advice would be greatly appreciated.  i have seen videos and read a lot of articles but i am not relly sure that i understand how to fish nymphs and streamers.  i understand the theory but i am confused about how to present the fly, how deep do you want it, when do you use additional weight, do you fish fast or slow moving water, and how do you cast with weight on the line?   these are only a few of my questions, but any advice on wet flies would be helpful.  even though i live in new jersey and only fish for stocked fished, i really enjoy it and would like to figure out what i should be doing before i move somewhere with natural trout streams.  please send me                                                 peace – JA

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: understand the theory but i am confused about how to present the fly, how : deep do you want it, when do you use additional weight, do you fish : fast or slow moving water, and how do you cast with weight on the line?   You usually want to fish your nymphs dead drift, with no drag, right off the bottom.  An upstream cast or a quatering upstream cast give you the best opportunity to get a drag free drift.  The only exception to fishing your nymphs higher in the water column is when there is a hatch on and the nymphs are rising to the surface to transform into adults.  Nymphs fished this way can also use a little action.  For expample, mayflies rise to the surface with an ineffecient, undulating motion.  You should use weighted nymphs because when using lead on your leader you often end up with an unnatural action of the fly.  Use extra weight when the current is strong enough that your fly doesn’t get to the bottom during its drift.  Fishing slow or moving water depends on the species of nymph you are trying to imitate (where does it hang out in the stream?) and where the fish are.  A stream I have recently been fishing has a bunch of stockers in a slow side pool.  They have not spread out yet so I have to fish in this slow water.  If you are fishing primarily for stockers, then you may not have the need to imitate anything in particular.  Just make sure you have a bunch of different looking patterns.  The stockers will hit anything they haven’t seen before, generally.  Use Wooly worms, Hare’s ear nymphs, maybe some caddis larvae, and try a Hellagrammite or Stonefly nymph.  The latter two are big so the stockers can see them from further away.  Later in the year the stockers will smarten up and you may have to start matching the drift.

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Question:

I am new to fly fishing and would like to acquire some good quality equipment.  However, I am unable to mortgage the house for new gear.  I am interested in a 8 1/2′ to 9′ rod, 5-6 wt (Sage, Loomis, ect quality) and a reel (Abel, Ross, ect).  Please let me know of any  used gear that you would like to sell or any advice which you would like to pass along. I guarantee that the gear  will continue to see years of enjoyment!

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I am new to fly fishing and would like to acquire some good quality equipment.  However, I am unable to mortgage the house for new gear.  I am interested in a 8 1/2′ to 9′ rod, 5-6 wt (Sage, Loomis, ect quality) and a reel (Abel, Ross, ect).  Please let me know of any  used gear that you would like to sell or any advice which you would like to pass along.

You could save a small bundle by buying an SA System II or an Orvis Battenkill reel.  They are both very pleasant to use, and blessed with smooth, powerful drags.  You will not wear them out, and they can be purchased new for less than the price of a used Abel.   From what I can gather, there is something of a consensus on the net; given a limited budget you are better off investing the lion’s share of your money in your rod rather than in your reel. — Keep your stick on the ice.

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