Question:

Hi, Anyone out there ever done a walking/hiking trip on the south island. I’m looking to go for 10-14 days of hiking and fishing. Any advice, resources, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks, Rodrigo

Response:

Rodrigo, Don’t know a thing about fishing New Zealand.  However, it’s something I will do someday.  How about letting us know how it was when you get back? Thanks, Eric

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Anyone out there ever done a walking/hiking trip on the south island. I’m looking to go for 10-14 days of hiking and fishing. Any advice, resources, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks, Rodrigo

Response:

Anyone out there ever done a walking/hiking trip on the south island. I’m looking to go for 10-14 days of hiking and fishing. Any advice, resources, etc. would be appreciated.

Rodrigo: you want to do one of the State Forest / National Parks, though at any time of the year anyone of them will have weather that is predictable only to the extent that it will be highly changeable. To give you the best chance of settled weather (ie fishable water) I’d suggest the North West (Nelson Province) – a trek along the Karamea and Wangapeka systems would fit your timescale well and, water permitting, provide wonderful fishing opportunities for browns that average over 4lb. Maps etc can be had from the Department of Conservation’s (but no doubt they’ve recently changed their name to something unpronounceable to me) Motueka Field Centre, 406 High Street, PO Box 97, Motueka. Let me know if you’d like more info about this, accommodation possibilities etc. Roger www.wildtrout.org (in dire need of an update)

Response:

Question:

Hi Dale, The lower Sacramento river is getting better every year. The area is mostly between Redding and Anderson. A special system was installed on the dam above Redding so they can control the water temperature out of Shasta for the salmon mostly, but it is helping the trout and steelhead too. Also, a reduced limit has helped too. It has a large population of big wild rainbow trout and in the fall get a ton of King salmon and some steelhead. It fishes good almost year round, but October is one of the top months. There are a lot of caddis in the river and then with the salmon spawning, there are lots of salmon eggs available too. Like an alaskan river, the salmon spawn and die so the trout eat the eggs, then the they eat the salmon fry and they also eat the decaying salmon flesh. It is a great life cycle going on up there. You need size #14 caddis pupa, emergers and dries to deal with the thousand of caddis in the river and you need some salmon egg imitations like Glo Bugs, that were invented in that part of the country. I fish up there a few time a year with veteran Redding guide, George Durand. The main system is a 9′ or longer #6 or 7 weight outfit with a floating line. Then a yarn or wool indicator up high on the leader. Then a bunch (4′ to 8′) of ~4x tippet. The longer and lighter the tippet, the deeper you can go in this big river. Some split shot will give you more depth. George has some of his own special flies, but many anglers use the #14 Bird’s Net or a #14 caddis pupa like a Z-Wing Caddis. A new thing for George the last few years is to hang something like a #16 Flashback PT below the large nymph to imitate the smaller mayflies (Baetis?) that are in the river. PS: This ‘Right Angel’ system of nyphing was developed by Dean Schubert and Dave Hickson of Northern California. It is now used world wide for trout and steelhead and is a standard on the big rivers that flow into Lake Taupo in New Zealand. Going with a guide on the river at first is the best way for most of us. The Fly Shop in Redding has a large staff of good guides and there are some top indepentent guides like George Durand, Art Teeters and Dave Simmons. If you have any questions, feel free to email or call my toll free(USA) number. 800/4000FLY

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Good Evening, All, I wanted to say thanks to everyone who responded to my request for info on where to fish in San Jose or Sacramento.  Several of you e-mailed me and several others responded to my post.  Thanks for taking the time to help me out… I really appreciate it. I have decided to head up to Redding and fish the lower Sac.  I called the Flyshop in Redding and have a tentative booking for a half day float trip on Sunday, 3 Oct.  I plan on fishing the Sac all day Saturday. Anybody care to hook up with an out of towner and enjoy a day of dipping? One last question… looking for fly reccomendations and patterns as I tie (really enjoy it!)  Rachel at the Flyshop recommended a Bird’s Nest and a glo something (salmon egg I presume.)  Anything else to ty up and bring?  Any pattern help would be most appreciated. If any of you are ever in the central Texas area, let me know… be glad show our trout stream (yes, we actually have one!) — Regards, Dale Neidhammer Synchronicity Inc. Field Applications Engineer http://www.syncinc.com 512/515-6466

Response:

Good Evening, All, I wanted to say thanks to everyone who responded to my request for info on where to fish in San Jose or Sacramento.  Several of you e-mailed me and several others responded to my post.  Thanks for taking the time to help me out… I really appreciate it. I have decided to head up to Redding and fish the lower Sac.  I called the Flyshop in Redding and have a tentative booking for a half day float trip on Sunday, 3 Oct.  I plan on fishing the Sac all day Saturday. Anybody care to hook up with an out of towner and enjoy a day of dipping? One last question… looking for fly reccomendations and patterns as I tie (really enjoy it!)  Rachel at the Flyshop recommended a Bird’s Nest and a glo something (salmon egg I presume.)  Anything else to ty up and bring?  Any pattern help would be most appreciated. If any of you are ever in the central Texas area, let me know… be glad show our trout stream (yes, we actually have one!) — Regards, Dale Neidhammer Synchronicity Inc. Field Applications Engineer http://www.syncinc.com 512/515-6466

Response:

Question:

Question:

THIS IS MARK GIBSON FROM COQUITLAM. I HAVE LIVED IN THE LOWER MAINLAND OF B.C. FOR 20 YEARS AND FISHED LOTS OF PLACES. THE END OF JULY IS THE BEST TIME TO FISH IN THE LOWER MAINLAND. I READ THE MESSAGE THAT THE OTHER GUY SENT (DIDN’T GET THE NAME) BUT HE DID NOT TELL YOU THE HOT SPOTS. THE FRASER RIVER IS TEEMING WITH SALMON. THERE ARE 50 POUND CHINOOK AND 20 POUND COHO BUT THE BIG ATTRACTION IS THE HUGE RUN OF SOCKEY. THESE FISH CAN GET TO BE 10 POUNDS AND PUT UP A GREAT SCRAP. THE RUN THIS YEAR WILL BE BIGGER THAN EVER. 20 MILLION ARE EXPECTED. LAST YEAR WE HAD 4 MILLION AND I CAUGHT FISH EVERY OUTTING. USE A PEACE OF LIGHT GREEN WOOL IN THE LOOP OF A BAIT KNOT, 3 FOOT LEADER, SWIVEL, AND SOME PENCIL LEAD. AN 8 FOOT ROD AND A LEVEL WIND REAL, (I USE A DIAWA MILLIONAIRE) IS THE BEST EQUIPMENT TO USE. THIS YEAR I AM GOING TO USE A WET LINE, FEW SPLITSHOTS AND A GREEN FLY. A SOCKEY ON A FLY ROD WILL BE WICKED. OH, AND WHAT THE OTHER GUY SAID IS TRUE BUT THE BEST FISHING IS NOT IN THE CAPILANO; THE VEDDER (CHILLIWACK), CHEHALIS, AND BEST OF ALL THE FRASER. IF YOU COULD, WRITE BACK AND TELL ME ABOUT THE FISHING WHERE YOU ARE. PS      CHECK THE REGS BEFORE YOU GO OUT AND USE A BARBLESS HOOK; CATCH AND RELEASE IS THE BEST WAY TO FISH. TIGHT LINES MARK GIBSON

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – THIS IS MARK GIBSON FROM COQUITLAM. I HAVE LIVED IN THE LOWER MAINLAND OF B.C. FOR 20 YEARS AND FISHED LOTS OF PLACES. THE END OF JULY IS THE BEST TIME TO FISH IN THE LOWER MAINLAND. I READ THE MESSAGE THAT THE OTHER GUY SENT (DIDN’T GET THE NAME) BUT HE DID NOT TELL YOU THE HOT SPOTS. THE FRASER RIVER IS TEEMING WITH SALMON. THERE ARE 50 POUND CHINOOK AND 20 POUND COHO BUT THE BIG ATTRACTION IS THE HUGE RUN OF SOCKEY. THESE FISH CAN GET TO BE 10 POUNDS AND PUT UP A GREAT SCRAP. THE RUN THIS YEAR WILL BE BIGGER THAN EVER. 20 MILLION ARE EXPECTED. LAST YEAR WE HAD 4 MILLION AND I CAUGHT FISH EVERY OUTTING. USE A PEACE OF LIGHT GREEN WOOL IN THE LOOP OF A BAIT KNOT, 3 FOOT LEADER, SWIVEL, AND SOME PENCIL LEAD. AN 8 FOOT ROD AND A LEVEL WIND REAL, (I USE A DIAWA MILLIONAIRE) IS THE BEST EQUIPMENT TO USE. THIS YEAR I AM GOING TO USE A WET LINE, FEW SPLITSHOTS AND A GREEN FLY. A SOCKEY ON A FLY ROD WILL BE WICKED. OH, AND WHAT THE OTHER GUY SAID IS TRUE BUT THE BEST FISHING IS NOT IN THE CAPILANO; THE VEDDER (CHILLIWACK), CHEHALIS, AND BEST OF ALL THE FRASER. IF YOU COULD, WRITE BACK AND TELL ME ABOUT THE FISHING WHERE YOU ARE. PS      CHECK THE REGS BEFORE YOU GO OUT AND USE A BARBLESS HOOK; CATCH AND RELEASE IS THE BEST WAY TO FISH. TIGHT LINES MARK GIBSON

I think Ralph’s answer was based on the the original post requesting for fishing spots within mountain biking distance from Vancouver.  I agree Chehalis and Vedder are hot spots but they are a little far for biking.  Good post though. — The views expressed are my own and does not represent those of my employer.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – THIS IS MARK GIBSON FROM COQUITLAM. I HAVE LIVED IN THE LOWER MAINLAND OF B.C. FOR 20 YEARS AND FISHED LOTS OF PLACES. THE END OF JULY IS THE BEST TIME TO FISH IN THE LOWER MAINLAND. I READ THE MESSAGE THAT THE OTHER GUY SENT (DIDN’T GET THE NAME) BUT HE DID NOT TELL YOU THE HOT SPOTS. THE FRASER RIVER IS TEEMING WITH SALMON. THERE ARE 50 POUND CHINOOK AND 20 POUND COHO BUT THE BIG ATTRACTION IS THE HUGE RUN OF SOCKEY. THESE FISH CAN GET TO BE 10 POUNDS AND PUT UP A GREAT SCRAP. THE RUN THIS YEAR WILL BE BIGGER THAN EVER. 20 MILLION ARE EXPECTED. LAST YEAR WE HAD 4 MILLION AND I CAUGHT FISH EVERY OUTTING. USE A PEACE OF LIGHT GREEN WOOL IN THE LOOP OF A BAIT KNOT, 3 FOOT LEADER, SWIVEL, AND SOME PENCIL LEAD. AN 8 FOOT ROD AND A LEVEL WIND REAL, (I USE A DIAWA MILLIONAIRE) IS THE BEST EQUIPMENT TO USE. THIS YEAR I AM GOING TO USE A WET LINE, FEW SPLITSHOTS AND A GREEN FLY. A SOCKEY ON A FLY ROD WILL BE WICKED. OH, AND WHAT THE OTHER GUY SAID IS TRUE BUT THE BEST FISHING IS NOT IN THE CAPILANO; THE VEDDER (CHILLIWACK), CHEHALIS, AND BEST OF ALL THE FRASER. IF YOU COULD, WRITE BACK AND TELL ME ABOUT THE FISHING WHERE YOU ARE. PS      CHECK THE REGS BEFORE YOU GO OUT AND USE A BARBLESS HOOK; CATCH AND RELEASE IS THE BEST WAY TO FISH. TIGHT LINES MARK GIBSON I think Ralph’s answer was based on the the original post requesting for fishing spots within mountain biking distance from Vancouver.  I agree Chehalis and Vedder are hot spots but they are a little far for biking.  Good post though. — The views expressed are my own and does not represent those of my employer.

I believe I’ve blabbed excessively about the "50 million" salmon returning to the Fraser previously. This years sockeye run is hoped to be 500% bigger than last year. Unfortunately if it proves true it virtually guarentees 10 times the number of anglers will go after them. While large numbers of salmon return to the Chehalis and Vedder rivers each summer and fall so do equally large numbers of fishermen (and women). Anyone who is travelling to this area and hopes to sample those fisheries while here, I strongly urge that you arrange your fishing time to fall during the week days to avoid the worst of the crowds Ralph H replace "spamsucks" with direct for email reply.

Response:

Question:

anyone interested in motorized bellyboats

Response:

anyone interested in motorized bellyboats

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

Response:

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

Response:

Question:

I am spending a week in the Jackson Tenn. area.  Anyone know of any good flyfishing to be had within an hours drive? Thanks for your reply.   Dee

Response:

I don’t really know of anything near Jackson, however if you are willing to drive about 6 hours you can fish some of the finest fly fishing waters in the world in NorthEast Tennessee.   The tailwaters of the S. Holston has been rated in the top ten trout streams in the nation, and if you are looking for the mountain stream experience the Doe Creek which runs through Roan Mountain State Park is great.  Also Laurel Fork, etc.  There are also some great spots in the Smoky’s, but I have never fished them. If you want to come up here, I can guide you or I can recommend a guide. Joe Byrd – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am spending a week in the Jackson Tenn. area.  Anyone know of any good flyfishing to be had within an hours drive? Thanks for your reply.   Dee

Response:

You are closer to the White River area of Arkansas than East Tenessee. Call Gaston’s near Mountain Home Ark. or Ozark Anglers in Heber Springs, Ark.If you want to fish for small mouth try Buffalo River near Flatwoods Tn. Its about 1 hour southeast of Jackson. Try and find a book, Home Waters, written by the Mid -South Flyfishers of Memphis, Tn. It gives you good advice about the Ark. area and also about Buffalo River in Tn. Best wishes. Jack.

Response:

One hour east of Nashville is the Caney Fork River.  It has fished excellent this year.  The Caney is a tailwater.  One to two hours south of Nashville are the Elk and the Duck rivers.  They are both excellent tailwaters.  Closer to you is the Little Buffallo River.  It has a section of trout water, but I have not fished it.  Lots of smallmouth and largemouth water all over middle Tennessee.   Some of the colder smallmouth streams are stocked with trout in the spring.  Maybe some summer survivors. Maybe this will help. If you decide on a tailwater in Tennessee, please-please, call the TVA generation schedule for that particular dam.  1-800-238-2264 and follow their instructions.  The generation schedules have been pretty good for the three tailwaters I listed.  Sometimes. Michael

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Question:

Hey all – I am just starting fly fishing.  If you were starting – and were still in college – what would you buy to start out with?

Response:

Hey all – I am just starting fly fishing.  If you were starting – and were still in college – what would you buy to start out with?

Several manufacturers have "kits" available.  These kits include a good quality rod, reel, line, and other stuff.  This other stuff may include leader, tippet, some flies, instruction manual, and FFishing guide.   These manufacturers include Cortland, Sage, Fenwick, St Croix, Loomis, Orvis and others.  Many can be purchased for under $100, others under $150.  The greater the price (in some cases) the better the rod.  These kits can be purchased ad fly shops in your area or from fly fishing catalogs.  Welcome to a great new world.  Remember, in Fly Fishing, the difference between want and need is irrelevant.

Response:

Hey all – I am just starting fly fishing.  If you were starting – and were still in college – what would you buy to start out with?

Find a good fly shop, especially one that will deal in trade-ins and listen closely to what they tell you and watch what they show you. To tell if its a good shop – hang arouns a little, if every customer comming in knows the owner/clerk/guide – you’ve found one.  No shops around?  Find a news shop and pick up a copy of American Angler or Fly Fisherman, and call some of the advertisers.  Research until you are comfortable.   Or buy a RedStart, Sage DS, or a Cortland 444 "Just add water kit" jg

Response:

Hey all – I am just starting fly fishing.  If you were starting – and were still in college – what would you buy to start out with?

Hi If I were just starting out and wanted to know a little about the sport before I started buying stuff (which can be quite expensive).  Call the Federation of Fly Fishers and request their educational booklets.  They are $2.00 each plus S&H.  I recommend the following four: Introduction to Fly Fishing Introduction to Fly Tying Beginning Entomology Learning to Fly Cast Good luck and Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

I started out 20 years ago with a k-mart special (though I did get a better DT fly line for it). Still occasionally use that old rod, taught my kids, and friends who wanted to try fly fishing with it. I would suspect that’s about as an inexpensive way as possable to start out. Lolo Mt.

Response:

Hey all – I am just starting fly fishing.  If you were starting – and were still in college – what would you buy to start out with?

Get the Bass Pro Shops catalog that has white river fly fishing in it call 800-227-7776 and ask for it. Pick out the best rod setup you can afford and then go buy Lefty Krey’s casting method at a book store. Read and practice, practice and read, soon you will hit what you aim at then you are ready to go to the stream. Bryant, BJC’s Custom Rod & Tackle

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Question:

A thirteen week break from the UK will do nicely thank you. Just send the return tickets for two. I’m undecided as to who to bring along, the queen mother is an excellent flyfisher but is not as sprightly as she used to be. An excellent talker though. I’ll ask Diana if she’s free.                                                       Dave Tait. writes I’m interested in producing a fly fishing T.V. Show and  I need a female and male co-hosts.  Can anyone recommend a couple to  host a 13 week program that will be shot in a 13 days of fly fishing adventure that will cross the U.S and Canada?

– dave tait

Response:

I will be humble but I would still have to recommend me and Cindy Crawford to host the show. I can fish and she can look good in front of the camera. Afterwards, well…..

Response:

Look pal. If I cant get Lady Diana to come along I’ll be taking Cindy. Sorry to disapoint you! Dream on!! writes I will be humble but I would still have to recommend me and Cindy Crawford to host the show. I can fish and she can look good in front of the camera. Afterwards, well…..

– dave tait

Response:

Crow) writes: How much do I have to pay you  for this gig??   8^)

Cindy Crawford and I will do it!!!  :)

Response:

I’m interested in producing a fly fishing T.V. Show and  I need a female and male co-hosts.  Can anyone recommend a couple to  host a 13 week program that will be shot in a 13 days of fly fishing adventure that will cross the U.S and Canada?

Serious reply here: John Gierach and Joan Wulff. — Richard Nelson Spokane, Wa. "Its not that life is so short, its that death is sooo long."  

Question:

Is there such a thing?  I’d love to drive into the mountains, meet a bunch of other homebrewers at about 10000′ (ASL), pitch a tent, stoke a fire, and swap homebrew, fly fish, lie about our SO’s, and forget about work for 48 hours.  Who’s in?  I’d suggest late-June to mid-July just because it’s going to take time to get this thing going.   email me.   — | 12459 W. Atlantic Ave | 303/763-8118 (Home) | 4725 Independence Street | | Lakewood, CO 80228    | 303/467-8352 (Work) | Wheat Ridge,  CO 80033   |

Response:

Are you seriously opposed to bait fishermen?  I might be in.

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Question:

I just finished John Judy’s book on slack line presentation. It was reviewed in the lastest Fly Fisherman.  He talks about hinged nymphing and uses a 4′ft leader that he cuts from old tapered leaders.  Does anyone have a formula for putting one of these things together?  I build all my leaders and don’t have any old knotless leaders hanging around. Any comments on this type of nymphing?  Sounds interesting and I’m an awful nymph fisherman. dennis aebersold

Response:

: Any comments on this type of nymphing?  Sounds interesting : and I’m an awful nymph fisherman.         I haven’t used the type of nymphing that you are talking about, but if you are really a horrible nymph fisherman, you might try a short-line technique like we typically use on teh the South Platte here in CO.         The line is weighted about a foot above the fly with a small piece of lead and the rod is held straight out. You can use strike indicators on the leader to increase the probability of detecting a strike.  This makes its a lot easier to detect the little nibbles, and you end up catching a lot more fish…

Response:

Briefly, the leader is tapered similarly to the normal leader but the tippet is fairly long.  The real issue here is the technique for working the fly.  It involves stacking.  After you cast the fly you ’snap’ what I call a micro mend that sends a small loop up your fly line and jerks indicator up stream.  This insures that the fly and weight are directly down stream from the indicator and line to insure that the drift is effected as little as possible by cross currents.  Then you shoot another series of two or three mends which should drop down right around the indicator.  This works similar to a birds nest in that it protects the indicator from dragging.  You then continue to shoot these mends to keep several with the indicator. This system is absolutely deadly when you are fishing water like the Big Horn or the Missouri where there are long glides.  Using this technique you can fish very small flies with relatively little weight.  You can fish these flies well away from you under high visibility conditions where a short line won’t work.  You can also get seventy foot plus drifts.  This is also important when fishing small flies where the current is not terribly fast.  Under these conditions short lining is a problem because aside from the problem of crowding the fish, you cannot get a long drift. I learned this technique from John Beard who is a master of this technique.  The secret is really all involved with sending those special mends.  It is really hard to describe and the best way to learn is to watch someone.  Also it is much easier to do this with heavier lines.  The heavier the easier having something to do with the lack of mass in smaller lines and air resistance. This is deadly on steelhead as well as trout.

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