Question:

riverman, try this site if you get access to internet http://scandicangler.com/ it has virtually no delay when it comes to posts on R.O.F.F.

Thanks Roger, but, uh, I have absolutely no idea how to use that site!! Its in some furrin’ language! <g riverman

Response:

Damn! I saw the English flag but never tried it since I have no problem reading Norwegian, or Danish for that matter. You can always keep the adress in mind, maybe they will come up with the English version soon (at least they have prepared for it). Yours/ Roger Taking things for granted will eventually cause problems.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – riverman, try this site if you get access to internet http://scandicangler.com/ it has virtually no delay when it comes to posts on R.O.F.F. Thanks Roger, but, uh, I have absolutely no idea how to use that site!! Its in some furrin’ language! <g riverman

Response:

(snip)

Yee Ha! At least I’ve got you on age!  40 coming up shortly. bruce h

Response:

Yee Ha! At least I’ve got you on age!  40 coming up shortly.

Old fart in training!  Old fart in training!!!!!  Bawahahahaha!!!!!! — Warren (who isn’t the youngest on ROFF, but is younger than you!!:-) change addy to yahoo for email Henry’s Fork Clave info and Bozeman, MT fishing info http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt3/HFclave.html

Response:

I don’t know if I’ll have newsgroup access in SA, or in Congo. If not, be assured I’ll be lurking via google.com, (someone say hello to me sometime; I’ll see it) and if possible, look forward to a progress report from the other side of the world once I find usenet access. Without usenet access, I’ll post some TRs via emails to another ROFFian.

riverman, try this site if you get access to internet http://scandicangler.com/ it has virtually no delay when it comes to posts on R.O.F.F. — Tight lines! / Roger Ohlund Daytime engineer Lifetime flyfisherman For info on flyfishing in northern Sweden visit http://home.bip.net/angler/

Response:

riverman said: Maybe my posts are excellent, but my JUDGEMENT leaves something to be desired… Then it’s *gotta* be for the big bucks! It can’t be for the scenery.  :( — TL, Tim

The bucks are OK, but nothing to write home about. I guess mostly I’m doing it for the experience. That, and my partner threatened to leave me if I spent another day gawking at the women in Riga. In retrospect, it was a pretty risky play on her part.   :-/ riverman

Response:

(snip) Man, the youth, the travel, the free time, the Russian women. Your posts are excellent Riverman. bruce h

Response:

(snip) Man, the youth, the travel, the free time, the Russian women. Your posts are excellent Riverman.

Why, thank you Bruiser! But maybe you missed the gist of that post….see, I’m LEAVING this region (with the beautiful Russian women) and going to the middle of AIDs and malaria-mosquito infested Dark Africa, for 2 or 3 years, where there are no good trout streams, no political or social infrastructure, its 100 degrees in the shade, but there ain’t no shade, 99% humidity on the dry days, and my ‘youth’ (sneaking up on 45) is fading as rapidly as my prospects of scoring one of those Russian thong-mamas in the 2.5 days I have left here. Maybe my posts are excellent, but my JUDGEMENT leaves something to be desired… riverman

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (snip) Man, the youth, the travel, the free time, the Russian women. Your posts are excellent Riverman. Why, thank you Bruiser! But maybe you missed the gist of that post….see, I’m LEAVING this region (with the beautiful Russian women) and going to the middle of AIDs and malaria-mosquito infested Dark Africa, for 2 or 3 years, where there are no good trout streams, no political or social infrastructure, its 100 degrees in the shade, but there ain’t no shade, 99% humidity on the dry days, and my ‘youth’ (sneaking up on 45) is fading as rapidly as my prospects of scoring one of those Russian thong-mamas in the 2.5 days I have left here. Maybe my posts are excellent, but my JUDGEMENT leaves something to be desired…

Then it’s *gotta* be for the big bucks! It can’t be for the scenery.  :( — TL, Tim

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – And the women in this part of the world are the most beautiful anywhere I have ever been, and thats a lot of places. Stop you in your tracks beautiful. what is your line of work, riverman?  do you need an english-speaking assistant?  free legal service?  do the process servers in riga take bribes?  is schwepps tonic water readily available? a rapid response will be much appreciated by

wayno: I teach school, and sure I could use an english-speaking assistant  Let me warn you, though, once you visit a place like this, your freaking life is ruined forever. Check out this article: http://www.csica.com/selyanka/newreports.htm And, yes they take bribes, schwepps is available, and I leave on Sunday. Like I said, Stupid Plan… riverman (who is impressed that you are the only roffian to notice the lowercase ‘r’)

Response:

<snip Here in Riga, the days are currently 23 hours long, the weather clear and bright, and as you move northwards through Estonia and Finland (as some recent TRs have exposed), the trout/greyling fishing becomes world-class at this time of year. You can basically follow the ‘early spring’ conditions north to your hearts desire, and there are hundreds of thousands of spots to fish.

<snip <snip And at this moment, I have 3 months pay in my pocket, 11 weeks vacation,

.. <snip Look at it this way, the days won’t be as long and your your cash supply a little smaller, but the grayling fishing will be even better when you get back in the autumn. Have a safe journey /Roger

Response:

And the women in this part of the world are the most beautiful anywhere I have ever been, and thats a lot of places. Stop you in your tracks beautiful.

        what is your line of work, riverman?  do you need an english-speaking assistant?  free legal service?  do the process servers in riga take bribes?  is schwepps tonic water readily available?         a rapid response will be much appreciated by your friend in the old north state wayno  (have lust, will travel)

Response:

I don’t know if I’ll have newsgroup access in SA, or in Congo. If not, be assured I’ll be lurking via google.com, (someone say hello to me sometime; I’ll see it) and if possible, look forward to a progress report from the other side of the world once I find usenet access. Without usenet access, I’ll post some TRs via emails to another ROFFian.

By the way, you can get a google account, based upon a hotmail account, and post to your hearts content.  It does take a few hours to catch up, google is not instant posting, but hey, its free access.  I am truely interested in the flies you use on hippos.  Goodluck on the Summer to Winter thing (once flew from Clark AB in the Philipines to Minot AFB, ND). — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

In a day or two, I’m off for the summer and I don’t know if or when I can get back to ROFF. The Czechs have a word for ‘pretrip anxiety/blues’ and although I cannot remember what it is, I certainly have it. Cutting the cord to this wacky group certainly doesn’t help. Tight Lines, and good summer (to the Northern Hemisphere folks) riverman

Enjoy your *Holiday*, and travel safely Riverman! Op

Response:

In a day or two, I’m off for the summer and I don’t know if or when I can get back to ROFF. The Czechs have a word for ‘pretrip anxiety/blues’ and although I cannot remember what it is, I certainly have it. Cutting the cord to this wacky group certainly doesn’t help. Here in Riga, the days are currently 23 hours long, the weather clear and bright, and as you move northwards through Estonia and Finland (as some recent TRs have exposed), the trout/greyling fishing becomes world-class at this time of year. You can basically follow the ‘early spring’ conditions north to your hearts desire, and there are hundreds of thousands of spots to fish. And the women in this part of the world are the most beautiful anywhere I have ever been, and thats a lot of places. Stop you in your tracks beautiful. And at this moment, I have 3 months pay in my pocket, 11 weeks vacation, an apartment all rented, a solid 4WD truck, camping gear, fishing gear, and nothing on my datebook….except for a flight this sunday to Cape Town. South Africa. …..where its winter, dreary, days are 10 hours long, and trout streams are few, far between, and not heavily populated with fish. And its the off-season. Why am I doing this? Got to. Got important things to do in SA that will take time. Visas, shipments, travel arrangement to my next destination in Congo. Got a girlfriend to meet in 2 weeks, got a place to stay and friends to see. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to hook up with Ari Bert, maybe find an elusive trout or two. Possibly spend a few days dodging hippos and crocs on a river, we’ll see. Also have plans to do some surf casting on both coasts with different friends; a Professor Emeritus that I met in Kruger a few years back, and an Italian Chef that I know through my partner. Should be interesting. I don’t know if I’ll have newsgroup access in SA, or in Congo. If not, be assured I’ll be lurking via google.com, (someone say hello to me sometime; I’ll see it) and if possible, look forward to a progress report from the other side of the world once I find usenet access. Without usenet access, I’ll post some TRs via emails to another ROFFian. Take care, all, and its been great fun meeting you, both IRL (Stan, Jarmo, Charlie, Mike, Hermann, Marcel) and online (everyone else). Tight Lines, and good summer (to the Northern Hemisphere folks) riverman

Response:

Question:

I’m planning a 9 day flyfishing trip to the northern Calif area and plan to visit areas like  Hat Creek, McCloud, Truckee, Owens, etc. When would be the best time to do this between early August and October? Thanks.

Response:

Skiroc,    Any time after school starts. Ernie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m planning a 9 day flyfishing trip to the northern Calif area and plan to visit areas like  Hat Creek, McCloud, Truckee, Owens, etc. When would be the best time to do this between early August and October? Thanks.

Response:

To minimize backroad travel. I would checkout deer hunting seasons on the places you are going. FWIW, if you are going to fish Hat Creek, and maybe wonder on East and fish Fall River, then I suggest you head on East to Alturas in California’s most Northeast county then go South on 395 to Likely California and go East into the Warner Mountains Wilderness area.  They have a Red Band strain of the McCloud Rainbow that is truly a magnificent fish to catch and release. There are a number of lakes and streams in the area that are an easy hike in with float tube.  Due to the sensitive nature of the habitat of these very special animals, this is all of the info I’ll post but for more info e-mail me. Compared to the hordes of folk at Hat Creek, Truckee and Walker, this area will knock your socks off at the lack of people.  I think Alturas, the county seat of Lompoc county has, uh 3 stoplights?  This beautiful part of the West (NW Nevada, SCentral Oregon NE California) is remote 4×4, tent camping off the road fishing on small high mountain streams and high country lakes. Unlike those other places, when the jokers run out of Powerbait here, there aint no 7/11 nearby! Enjoy! John – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m planning a 9 day flyfishing trip to the northern Calif area and plan to visit areas like  Hat Creek, McCloud, Truckee, Owens, etc. When would be the best time to do this between early August and October? Thanks.

Response:

Question:

If you fish lakes for trout and other species, this is for you. Whether a pro or a beginner the articles will be welcomed. Fly patterns techniques, how-to and all the pitfalls when selecting equipment and where to use it and when. Best of all it’s FREE!

Response:

Ok it’s free, but where the heck is the site? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you fish lakes for trout and other species, this is for you. Whether a pro or a beginner the articles will be welcomed. Fly patterns techniques, how-to and all the pitfalls when selecting equipment and where to use it and when. Best of all it’s FREE!

Response:

Ok it’s free, but where the heck is the site?

I can’t help you with the URL for the original poster’s magazine (can’t find it myself), but there is a decent on line magazine at http://www.fishandfly.co.uk , if you’re interested. Brian Cass

Response:

Ok it’s free, but where the heck is the site? If you fish lakes for trout and other species, this is for you. Whether a pro or a beginner the articles will be welcomed. Fly patterns techniques, how-to and all the pitfalls when selecting equipment and where to use it and when. Best of all it’s FREE!

Try http://www.rural.escape.ca/angling_north/ and click on "fly fishing".

Response:

Try http://www.rural.escape.ca/angling_north/ and click on "fly fishing".

And it will be well worth your time — set aside an evening for it. Bob Sheedy knows more about flyfishing for trout in lakes than all the rest of us put together, and I suspect he catches more 20+ inch trout before lunch on the average weekend than I have caught in my life. Be sure to get a towel to wipe the drool off your keyboard when you see the pictures of the trout he catches.  Bob, if you’re listening, you want to set up a Prairie Clave sometime? Kevin

Response:

What’s the address dude?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you fish lakes for trout and other species, this is for you. Whether a pro or a beginner the articles will be welcomed. Fly patterns techniques, how-to and all the pitfalls when selecting equipment and where to use it and when. Best of all it’s FREE!

Response:

Question:

What do you guys think of the Orvis Clearwater floating line? I just bought a 6 WF and I’ll tell you, I like it a lot, but since my only other line I ever used was a $15 Scientific Angler line I started out with from KMart.

Once any initial spools coils have straightened out, ALL new lines are going to cast nicely, compared with old ones. That’s why some of us spend some time and effort in trying to keep our old lines feeling like new lines! Anyways, I’ll tell you, it makes a huge difference not having any strike indicator or split shot on the leader when casting! I could cast the dry fly about 30-40 feet with ease and pretty accurately (I did have to false cast twice each cast though). The Orvis line just shot out, but when I have split shot on there and some strike indicator putty when I fish nymphs I’m lucky to get out 10 feet without splashing all over the place.

ANYTHING on the leader that affects the balance of the set up; the turnover; the air resistance (such as heavy flies; fat, air-resistant flies; multiple flies; very long leaders; strike indicators, etc., etc.) will have an adverse effect on the cast. The better the caster you become, the better you will cope with these impediments. Another question: I;m a little tired of seeing my Orvis Strike Putty (green stuff) not staying afloat in running water. For those of you that use indicators, which type/brand do you recommend? Thanks

If you’re using really heavy flies, or attached split shot, strike putty or a bit of proofed fluff just ain’t going to be buoyant enough to stay up. You will have to go to a more buoyant indicator. There are some purpose made foam indicators on the market. A tip taught me by Hans van Klinken (ace Dutch FFer) is to use the self-adhesive polyethylene foam sheet used for lining fly boxes. He cuts this into little narrow rectangles of varying sizes. These are scored, part through, down the centre line of the rectangle wit a sharp blade. When you want to attach the indicator, just peel off the backing paper and fold over wherever you want it on the leader. Works very well and cheap too! Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

Response:

Recently stocked fish often behave differently to wild fish. It takes time for them to recognise fly hatches as food for instance.  If you want to catch such fish a largish attractor fly is usually better.  After they have "settled" in, you can then go back to "matching the hatch".

I agree, except I look at it sort of opposite – seems to me it takes awhile for stocked fish to recognize half of what they go for is NOT food.  My strike indicator, for instance. Regards, Jeff

Response:

Recently stocked fish often behave differently to wild fish. It takes time for them to recognise fly hatches as food for instance.  If you want to catch such fish a largish attractor fly is usually better.  After they have "settled" in, you can then go back to "matching the hatch". Try using a weighted nymph instead of the split shot, and use a longer piece of thin tippet to make sure it sinks well. You might try using a piece of polypropylene yarn.   One thing you can do is to mark the end of your line with a bright orange marker or similar, and watch this. It works as well as an indicator, and does not affect your casting. TL MC — "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

Response:

What do you guys think of the Orvis Clearwater floating line? I just bought a 6 WF and I’ll tell you, I like it a lot, but since my only other line I ever used was a $15 Scientific Angler line I started out with from KMart. I’ve been nymphing exclusively since starting flyfishing last September. Today, for the first time, I tried a dry fly (BWO). There was a BWO hatch on my local stream that had recently been stocked, but not a single rise anywhere. Anyways, I’ll tell you, it makes a huge difference not having any strike indicator or split shot on the leader when casting! I could cast the dry fly about 30-40 feet with ease and pretty accurately (I did have to false cast twice each cast though). The Orvis line just shot out, but when I have split shot on there and some strike indicator putty when I fish nymphs I’m lucky to get out 10 feet without splashing all over the place. Another question: I;m a little tired of seeing my Orvis Strike Putty (green stuff) not staying afloat in running water. For those of you that use indicators, which type/brand do you recommend? Thanks

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –         if* we’re* goin up the headwaters of wilson, *we* had better bring a couple native bearers and  a wagon.         it was all i could do to make the hike out from upper wilson when i was 35 and racin dirt bikes.  now that i’m 56 and a bad drunk, the brookies can relax.         wayno Wayne, how do you get a wagon into the headwaters of the Wilson?  Every trail I have ever used for the mainstem and tribs was a best suited for Sherpas, mountain goats and/or llamas to pack in the equipment — and still no easy task. Last time I fished the upper Wilson headwaters (late 1997) I started off near Edgemont Road/FR 192 and went down…the first time I have done that…and probaby the last — after a day of hard fishing I barely had enough energy left to climb back out.  Most of the time I go on down to Brown Mtn Beach and come up through the gorge to Edgemont/Mortimer and then take my pick of Lost Cove, Harpers/North Harpers, Rockhouse, or the main Wilson…at least it is fish upstream while I am fresh and then walk downhill/downstream back at the end of the day.

Wayno & Michael, I’m good for any stretch you guys feel like. Upper, middle, or lower stretches suit me just fine. I do agree with you Wayne…upper-upper is tough and challenging not to mention just plain dangerous in felt shoes. I did it from edgemont up to 221 about a month ago…talk about mountain climbing. It was a rewarding trip….brookies ;^) Just give me a call/e-mail if you guys want to get together and fish sometime… preferably during/after leaf season…. –Walt

Response:

I        come on, now, walter; surely you are numbered among the wealthy in watauga county!  hell, man, i have it on reliable information that you flush your own kaka!

Just recently so Wayne…. Back in December when the floods came through I managed to snag a renegade sparklin’ white 2.5 gallon American Standard on my 4 wt. It probably washed out of some floridiot’s, hmm, floron’s, hmm, Floridians vacation home. It did give me a bit of a tussle, what with the flood waters and all. But hell, I had #3 tippet on and managed to drag that thing on shore with a bit of wranglin. It was the first time my wife ever smiled when I brought my catch home, she didn’t mind cleanin’ that fish at all. Next day I installed it in the privvy and now have the extreme satisfaction of flushin my kaka directly downstream into Tennessee Ain’t ‘Merica wunnerful’ ?        later  ( when the temps drop below 90 in the piedmont, i think i’ll come up to wilson creek.

give me a holler…one of my favorite streams…. –Flushin’ Wataugan Walt

Response:

For anyone interested, the Watauga (my homewater) is having its regulations changed. The former delayed harvest section along 105 between Taylor’s store bridge and Hound’s Ear is becoming a private fishery for the wealthy along with the Boones Fork up to the parkway land. The new Delayed Harvest portion will be from Hound’s Ear down through the gorge and into Valle Crucis somewhere. See ya, Walt

Please, oh, please say it ain’t so Joe (oops, Walt)…. I just got my updated fishin’ regs from the NC WRC in the mail yesterday — they are kind of draggin for us lifetime license holders since they already have all the money they are going to get out of us customer service isn’t high on the list — and the Watauga and Boones Fork sections were still listed, respectively, Delayed Harvest and C&R, FF-only. What’s the deal on closing these fine fisheries — did somebody just get a burr up their butt? Nonetheless, if what you have shared is (has?) come to pass that is a real pisser for fishing in the Boone area and really makes me want to break down and have a good tear-fest. My uncle has a vacation home just above Taylor’s Store in Foscoe that our family uses quite frequently and my dad and I have enjoyed fishing these two sections of stream for years.  I guess we’ll just head down to Wilson’s Creek with you and Wayno — and all the other disgruntled poor folks …. These local jewels will be truly missed.             | /              |/    (         /|     —     / | C. Michael Bullard The Yellar Hammer

Response:

I – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Please, oh, please say it ain’t so Joe (oops, Walt)…. I just got my updated fishin’ regs from the NC WRC in the mail yesterday — they are kind of draggin for us lifetime license holders since they already have all the money they are going to get out of us customer service isn’t high on the list — and the Watauga and Boones Fork sections were still listed, respectively, Delayed Harvest and C&R, FF-only. What’s the deal on closing these fine fisheries — did somebody just get a burr up their butt? Nonetheless, if what you have shared is (has?) come to pass that is a real pisser for fishing in the Boone area and really makes me want to break down and have a good tear-fest. My uncle has a vacation home just above Taylor’s Store in Foscoe that our family uses quite frequently and my dad and I have enjoyed fishing these two sections of stream for years.  I guess we’ll just head down to Wilson’s Creek with you and Wayno — and all the other disgruntled poor folks …. These local jewels will be truly missed.

Hi Michael, I need to clarify it a little…. The section that is becoming private is from the old green metal rr bridge downstream to the south end of hounds ears. The section above the green bridge up to Taylor’s (including Keller’s sippin’ pool) will change from delayed harvest to wild trout water. so…. from somewhere in valle crucis (i heard broadstone) up to the church at hounds ear will be designated delayed harvest. from the church (actually a little upstream from the church) up to the green bridge will be private posted waters with rangers runnin’ us poach..ooops, po’ folk off. from the green bridge up to the headwaters will be wild trout water with no further stocking. hope that helps put you at ease a little… wilsons with you and wayno sounds like a winner to me….fantastic stream up on the spine of grandfather… –Walt

Response:

I don’t like to be out on a stream flyfishing during deer hunting season either.  There is a river I fish during  hunting season which is on a game preserve.  Deer hunters don’t even camp in the area. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-Mail Selling my Fly Fishing Books Go to: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m glad I’m not the only guy that considers the upper Wilson to be a challenge: I love that part of God’s earth, but MAN is it tough travelin’ On a serious note: does anyone ever feel uneasy about fishing those waters during deer hunting season?  I’d hate to wind up shot and mounted on some guys hunting cabin wall, just because they couldn’t resist the temptation to shoot at things moving in the woods. I’m more uneasy during "deliverance" season –Walt —    oink, oink.    wayno

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m glad I’m not the only guy that considers the upper Wilson to be a challenge: I love that part of God’s earth, but MAN is it tough travelin’ On a serious note: does anyone ever feel uneasy about fishing those waters during deer hunting season?  I’d hate to wind up shot and mounted on some guys hunting cabin wall, just because they couldn’t resist the temptation to shoot at things moving in the woods. I’m more uneasy during "deliverance" season –Walt —

        oink, oink.         wayno

Response:

I’m glad I’m not the only guy that considers the upper Wilson to be a challenge: I love that part of God’s earth, but MAN is it tough travelin’ in and out!  I have some good fly-fishing friends that I don’t invite to go there with me because they’re over weight and out of shape:  I can just imagine them hiking in with me, having a coronary 4 miles up stream, dying in the middle of a little pool filled with trout, and that’d screw up the remainder of a good day by having to somehow haul their dead butts out to the road.  

I know what you mean…it’s tough enough hauling my own ass outta’ there. On a serious note: does anyone ever feel uneasy about fishing those waters during deer hunting season?  I’d hate to wind up shot and mounted on some guys hunting cabin wall, just because they couldn’t resist the temptation to shoot at things moving in the woods.

I’m more uneasy during "deliverance" season –Walt —

Response:

Hi Walt, I’m a little confused….I  seen the posted signs at the golf course, but, are you saying that up stream of it is going to be posted to ?

yes…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – from the church (actually a little upstream from the church) up to the green bridge will be private posted waters with rangers runnin’ us poach..ooops, po’ folk off.

Response:

I’m glad I’m not the only guy that considers the upper Wilson to be a challenge: I love that part of God’s earth, but MAN is it tough travelin’ in and out!  I have some good fly-fishing friends that I don’t invite to go there with me because they’re over weight and out of shape:  I can just imagine them hiking in with me, having a coronary 4 miles up stream, dying in the middle of a little pool filled with trout, and that’d screw up the remainder of a good day by having to somehow haul their dead butts out to the road.   On a serious note: does anyone ever feel uneasy about fishing those waters during deer hunting season?  I’d hate to wind up shot and mounted on some guys hunting cabin wall, just because they couldn’t resist the temptation to shoot at things moving in the woods.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Michael, I need to clarify it a little…. The section that is becoming private is from the old green metal rr bridge downstream to the south end of hounds ears. The section above the green bridge up to Taylor’s (including Keller’s sippin’ pool) will change from delayed harvest to wild trout water. so…. from somewhere in valle crucis (i heard broadstone) up to the church at hounds ear will be designated delayed harvest. from the church (actually a little upstream from the church) up to the green bridge will be private posted waters with rangers runnin’ us poach..ooops, po’ folk off. from the green bridge up to the headwaters will be wild trout water with no further stocking. hope that helps put you at ease a little… wilsons with you and wayno sounds like a winner to me….fantastic stream up on the spine of grandfather… –Walt

Walt, thanks for the clarification….not the best of news, but not quite as bad as I orginally thought.  Given the wild trout status on the upper,upper section and the amount of fishing pressure it is likely to receive combined with a lack of ‘migration’ up from the now closed section — it may not be able to sustain a large fishable population. It will probably decline until it gets so poor that the fishing pressure drops and a happy (unhappy?) equilibrium is reached at a low population of both trout and trout fishermen. Still not greatly excited over the delayed harvest section along Shulls Mill down into Valle Crucis from a habitat standpoint — but better this than wild trout — I don’t think this section would sustain a wild popolation from season-to-season from both a seasonal temperature and reproduction standpoint.  Not to mention the contributions from the ‘poop’ treatment plants.             | /              |/    (         /|     —     / | C. Michael Bullard The Yellar Hammer

Response:

For anyone interested, the Watauga (my homewater) is having its regulations changed. The former delayed harvest section along 105 between Taylor’s store bridge and Hound’s Ear is becoming a private fishery for the wealthy along with the Boones Fork up to the parkway land.

Oh! No!, Damn, Damn, and Damn!  How’d that happen without consulting the rest of us who fish that water!?  Reckon they’ll turn the "native" part above SR#1580 into catch and release or what?  I have caught many fish from the now "exclusive" waters but not a thing which had eyes on it below the 105 Bridge toward Valle Crucis.  Next thing they’ll do is to ban spitting Red Man in the water to chum the browns, while allowing the elite to continue to drop ashes from their Macanudos to draw rainbows . Mac McCaskill

Response:

Howdy All…. Creeks, streams, and rivers are still running warm and low, but not as bad as they were a few weeks ago. The streams on the higher mountains are ok temp wise, but are low. Managed to catch a nice brownie on a headwater this past weekend and missed a few others…japanese beetle pattern. For anyone interested, the Watauga (my homewater) is having its regulations changed. The former delayed harvest section along 105 between Taylor’s store bridge and Hound’s Ear is becoming a private fishery for the wealthy along with the Boones Fork up to the parkway land.

        come on, now, walter; surely you are numbered among the wealthy in watauga county!  hell, man, i have it on reliable information that you flush your own kaka!         later  ( when the temps drop below 90 in the piedmont, i think i’ll come up to wilson creek.         a. wayne harrison

Response:

        if* we’re* goin up the headwaters of wilson, *we* had better bring a couple native bearers and  a wagon.         it was all i could do to make the hike out from upper wilson when i was 35 and racin dirt bikes.  now that i’m 56 and a bad drunk, the brookies can relax.         wayno

Wayne, how do you get a wagon into the headwaters of the Wilson?  Every trail I have ever used for the mainstem and tribs was a best suited for Sherpas, mountain goats and/or llamas to pack in the equipment — and still no easy task. Last time I fished the upper Wilson headwaters (late 1997) I started off near Edgemont Road/FR 192 and went down…the first time I have done that…and probaby the last — after a day of hard fishing I barely had enough energy left to climb back out.  Most of the time I go on down to Brown Mtn Beach and come up through the gorge to Edgemont/Mortimer and then take my pick of Lost Cove, Harpers/North Harpers, Rockhouse, or the main Wilson…at least it is fish upstream while I am fresh and then walk downhill/downstream back at the end of the day.             | /              |/    (         /|     —     / | C. Michael Bullard The Yellar Hammer

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 (big spip) wilsons with you and wayno sounds like a winner to me….fantastic stream up on the spine of grandfather… –Walt

        if* we’re* goin up the headwaters of wilson, *we* had better bring a couple native bearers and  a wagon.         it was all i could do to make the hike out from upper wilson when i was 35 and racin dirt bikes.  now that i’m 56 and a bad drunk, the brookies can relax.         wayno

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Hi Walt, I’m a little confused….I  seen the posted signs at the golf course, but, are – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Michael, I need to clarify it a little…. The section that is becoming private is from the old green metal rr bridge downstream to the south end of hounds ears. The section above the green bridge up to Taylor’s (including Keller’s sippin’ pool) will change from delayed harvest to wild trout water. so…. from somewhere in valle crucis (i heard broadstone) up to the church at hounds ear will be designated delayed harvest. from the church (actually a little upstream from the church) up to the green bridge will be private posted waters with rangers runnin’ us poach..ooops, po’ folk off. from the green bridge up to the headwaters will be wild trout water with no further stocking. hope that helps put you at ease a little… wilsons with you and wayno sounds like a winner to me….fantastic stream up on the spine of grandfather… –Walt

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Howdy All…. Creeks, streams, and rivers are still running warm and low, but not as bad as they were a few weeks ago. The streams on the higher mountains are ok temp wise, but are low. Managed to catch a nice brownie on a headwater this past weekend and missed a few others…japanese beetle pattern. For anyone interested, the Watauga (my homewater) is having its regulations changed. The former delayed harvest section along 105 between Taylor’s store bridge and Hound’s Ear is becoming a private fishery for the wealthy along with the Boones Fork up to the parkway land. The new Delayed Harvest portion will be from Hound’s Ear down through the gorge and into Valle Crucis somewhere. See ya, Walt

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Question:

Unless your really going to be using the pack rod for hiking, camping, etc where the small size makes a difference I would stay away from the 4 pc rod. they tend to be very stiff due to the large number of ferrules. I looked at quite a few before i found one that i liked (not stiff). If your just starting out, get a two piece, as the quality is usually much better for the same cost. pack rods req much more engineering to equal the same action of a two piece rod and that extra engineering is usually lacking in lower priced rods and they end up being very stiff. IMO

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I am looking for a beginner’s outfit.  I live in Northern California and will be fishing for trout in rivers and streams.  There are also steelhead, bass and salmon in my area, but I assume (and let me know if I am wrong) that I will need a heavier rod/reel for steelhead, bass and salmon. I was thinking of a 5 weight, 8 1/2 foot rod.  LL Bean has an 2 piece rod  outfit, with a guarentee, for $100    Cabellas has a 4 piece rod outfit  (which may be handy for hiking), with no lifetime guarentee, for about $90.00.  Any thoughts on LL Bean vs. Cabellas?  And if the rods are equal, any thoughts on trading the guarentee (LLBean) for the convience of a  four piece rod (Cabellas)?  Any additional imput would be great. Thanks in advance.

Anthony:         I’d second the advice you got from the other responder to your post I’ve seen and go for the 2 piece unless that kind of small carrying size is really really important to you. As he said, it takes a lot of technology to still give a rod life and yet pack four ferrules on it. Besides, for hiking, you just use the rod case for the 2 piece as a staff. (And they even make a little rubber shoe that fits over standard rod cases to make such a thing even handier.)         As to the weight of your rod, sounds good, and yet, salmon and steelhead would require a significantly heavier rod. BUT, you might want to think about going up one size

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : : We canoed the Quetico the 9th thru the 13th of this month and I remember : : before going reading some posts by other folks that were to be going that : : week too.  I’d like to compare notes on what your trip was like (fishing, : : Northern Lights, Wolves, Bears, weather, etc).  Anyone care to swap lies? I canoed the Boundary Waters from Sept. 13th – 20th, pretty close to Quetico. Fishing was pretty good (we caught some decent bass), and the weather was outstanding, except for a little rain on Sunday the 15th.  We didn’t see any bears, although we were careful to hang our packs just in case (we saw bear tracks and scat at several of our portages).  We did see moose, bald eagles, beavers, and a lot of other wildlife. The skies were very clear for most of our trip, and I did see the Northern Lights (which was a thrill for me, because I’m from NJ), as well as more stars than I’ve ever seen before. How was Quetico?  This was our first time at BWCA, and we’re trying to think of an equally spectacular place to go next year…. – Scot R.

We had lots of windy, rainy and cool weather so that limited how much messing around in our canoe we did.  We fished from it some one afternoon below a rapid.  Aside from that, we just used the canoe to get in and out.  We took a float plane to and from the ranger sta. at Lac LaCroix and canoed over to McAree Lake.  We camped at 2 places on the north end of the lake.  We heard no wolves, saw no Northern Lights, Moose, Beaver, otters or Deer.  We did see lots of Bald Eagles (15 or so at least), one Grouse and some Loons.  We caught a total of 8 fish (3 Northerns, I Walleye and 4 Smallmouths) and lost about as many.  We lost a ton of tackle bank fishing as close to the bottom as possible (that’s where the book said they are…..on the bottom).  The wind died down one night out of 4 and we had one pretty spectacular sunset.  We averaged seeing about one party a day and saw motorboats everyday on McAree.  That was a little more crowded than I was expecting.  We didn’t paddle down to Rebecca Falls because we heard thru the portage grapevine that the campsites were taken.  We did get to fly over them on the plane trip out and they (2 of them side by side!) looked pretty spectacular and the campsitse were still taken.  I’m glad we went during the "off" season.  I have a feeling that we’d have seen lots more folks 2 or 3 weeks earlier.  You can never predict the weather but I think we’d've caught more fish and seen more wildlife if the weather would’ve been decent.  We would’ve seen the N. Lights on Tues. night too (we compared notes with some other paddlers on the plane to St. Paul afterwords and they saw them on Tues. night, it was clear for them further into Quetico.  They also heard wolves.  Sounds like you guys hit the weather pretty good.  It was still a kick in spite of the shit-o weather. Dave

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: : We canoed the Quetico the 9th thru the 13th of this month and I remember : : before going reading some posts by other folks that were to be going that : : week too.  I’d like to compare notes on what your trip was like (fishing, : : Northern Lights, Wolves, Bears, weather, etc).  Anyone care to swap lies? I canoed the Boundary Waters from Sept. 13th – 20th, pretty close to Quetico. Fishing was pretty good (we caught some decent bass), and the weather was outstanding, except for a little rain on Sunday the 15th.  We didn’t see any bears, although we were careful to hang our packs just in case (we saw bear tracks and scat at several of our portages).  We did see moose, bald eagles, beavers, and a lot of other wildlife. The skies were very clear for most of our trip, and I did see the Northern Lights (which was a thrill for me, because I’m from NJ), as well as more stars than I’ve ever seen before. How was Quetico?  This was our first time at BWCA, and we’re trying to think of an equally spectacular place to go next year…. – Scot R.

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We canoed the Quetico the 9th thru the 13th of this month and I remember before going reading some posts by other folks that were to be going that week too.  I’d like to compare notes on what your trip was like (fishing, Northern Lights, Wolves, Bears, weather, etc).  Anyone care to swap lies? Dave

Response:

: We canoed the Quetico the 9th thru the 13th of this month and I remember : before going reading some posts by other folks that were to be going that : week too.  I’d like to compare notes on what your trip was like (fishing, : Northern Lights, Wolves, Bears, weather, etc).  Anyone care to swap lies? I don’t see any reason why you cannot post your lies right here.  :-) —       .                      *        .    +          .  o        B. Michael Wick      .             ‘     .    +        Carnivorous Vulgarus      .   .     o                http://www.visi.com/~wick/   *   .    ’         +  *            .          *                        *        

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Question:

I’v had the top section of my Winston 3-piece 8 1/2 – 4wt. come off twice during casts. I’m real careful to push it onto the ferrule at a 90 degree and firmly twist it on. Is this common with 3-piece rods or am I just not putting the rod together properly. The bottom ferrule has never separated on me….but one of these times I’m going to get unlucky and lose the tip…. any advice???? Thanks in advance…..tight lines!!! John Applegate

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I’v had the top section of my Winston 3-piece 8 1/2 – 4wt. come off twice during casts. I’m real careful to push it onto the ferrule at a 90 degree and firmly twist it on. Is this common with 3-piece rods or am I just not putting the rod together properly. The bottom ferrule has never separated on me….but one of these times I’m going to get unlucky and lose the tip…. any advice???? Thanks in advance…..tight lines!!! John Applegate

Why not give Winston a shout?  They are on the Web at http://flyfishers.com/winston.html They ought to be able to give some good recommendations. Regards          Rx F Fish "For Your Good Health, Fly Fish" URL=http://www.xnet.com/~rxffish

Response:

I’v had the top section of my Winston 3-piece 8 1/2 – 4wt. come off twice during casts. I’m real careful to push it onto the ferrule at a 90 degree and firmly twist it on. Is this common with 3-piece rods or am I just not putting the rod together properly. The bottom ferrule has never separated on me….but one of these times I’m going to get unlucky and lose the tip…. any advice???? Thanks in advance…..tight lines!!! John Applegate

I would occasionally have a tip section loosen up on me too (different brand rod though). When I started waxing my ferrules to keep them in good shape and the loosening problem went away as a bonus.  Good luck! August Kristoferson http://www.eskimo.com/~augustk

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I’v had the top section of my Winston 3-piece 8 1/2 – 4wt. come off twice during casts…

John — Wash the ferrules with a dishwashing detergent.  Rinse well and dry with paper towels.  After that try not to touch them with your fingers.   Good luck. -Ande Rychter

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I’v had the top section of my Winston 3-piece 8 1/2 – 4wt. come off twice during casts. I’m real careful to push it onto the ferrule at a 90 degree and firmly twist it on. Is this common with 3-piece rods or am I just not putting the rod together properly. The bottom ferrule has never separated on me….but one of these times I’m going to get unlucky and lose the tip…. any advice???? Thanks in advance…..tight lines!!! John Applegate

Try some paraffin or candle wax to lubricate the ferrule. If that doesn’t work I would send it back to Winston with a note. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’v had the top section of my Winston 3-piece 8 1/2 – 4wt. come off twice during casts. I’m real careful to push it onto the ferrule at a 90 degree and firmly twist it on. Is this common with 3-piece rods or am I just not putting the rod together properly. The bottom ferrule has never separated on me….but one of these times I’m going to get unlucky and lose the tip…. any advice???? Thanks in advance…..tight lines!!! John Applegate Try some paraffin or candle wax to lubricate the ferrule. If that doesn’t work I would send it back to Winston with a note. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

Even if it does work, send it back to Winston as soon as you can.  Damn thats a Winston, not a Cortland!  They’d be mortified to even hear about this thread on the net!!! jg

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Question:

I will be relocating to the Balt. area in July, probably NW of the city. Does anyone know how the fishing is in that area? Is there a TU group there? Also could use some info. on places to live. The only thing I’m locked into is the Balt. area, so I’m flexable as to where I can move. Preferably somewhere that has a great trout stream in my backyard! Thanks

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I will be relocating to the Balt. area in July, probably NW of the city. Does anyone know how the fishing is in that area? Is there a TU group there? Also could use some info. on places to live. The only thing I’m locked into is the Balt. area, so I’m flexable as to where I can move. Preferably somewhere that has a great trout stream in my backyard!

I attended my first meeting of the Gaithersburg, Md Chapter of TU last night. The guest speaker was a Professional Fly Casting Instructor whoes home waters are the Patapsco River which emptys into Baltimore Habor. He lives in Ellicott City, MD (on the Patapsco) and seemed very knowledgable. His name is Philip Krista (410-461-3007). — Alvin E. Crane 512 Suffield Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20878-2679 Voice: 301-208-8114  Fax: 301-208-8681

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The Patapsco above Ellicott City (more specifically RT. 40 bridge to the dam at Daniels) is a ball to fish for smallmouths and redeyes.  It’s a small stream, easy to wade and full of fish.  Favorite stretch?  The 100 yard stretch below the island at the steel bridge at Old Frederick Rd.   The stream bed is full of junk tires, and there’s a bass in the middle of every one.  Yellow marabou muddler minnows, #6 or 8.  Don’t forget the Potomac River, either.  It’s within an hour of Baltimore, and great to float or wade.  

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Question:

I’ll be in Arizona at the end of March and was wondering about the flyfishing.  Any info?  Thanks, Ed Parsonage.

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I’ll be visiting Arizona in March and was wondering about the flyfishing. Any suggestions? Thanks, Ed Parsonage

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I’ll be visiting Arizona in March and was wondering about the flyfishing. Any suggestions? Thanks, Ed Parsonage

It depends upon the weather. If the high country thaw has started, try some of the lakes in the White Mountains.  The lower lakes (around Show Low) may be available by then. Martin Hewlett Dept. of MCB Univ. of Arizona Tucson, AZ

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