Question:

Where are the Delaware River Shad? I have yet to get a report of any shad being caught. If you hear of any catches please report to my shad website at www.homestead.com/woofish/shad.html. Thanks.

Response:

Hi Peter.  Please refrain from making your shad posts to the Rec.outdoors.fishing.bass newsgroup.  It’s not considered "on-topic" to post about other kinds of fish on the bass group.  Much appreciated, and tight lines to ya! Regards, Warren Wolk (emailed to Mr Groves on 2/12)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Where are the Delaware River Shad? I have yet to get a report of any shad being caught. If you hear of any catches please report to my shad website at www.homestead.com/woofish/shad.html. Thanks.

Response:

Is that you Bob? — Craig Baugher www.yessssports.com

Response:

Nope, but someone’s gotta do it  Mr Groves has courteously replied to my email, and has apologized for the off-topic posts. WW

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is that you Bob? — Craig Baugher www.yessssports.com

Response:

Whats funny, is I love shad fishing.  Go for Bass in the morning and evening and shad during the day.  same area. Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nope, but someone’s gotta do it  Mr Groves has courteously replied to my email, and has apologized for the off-topic posts. WW Is that you Bob? — Craig Baugher www.yessssports.com

Response:

I wonder if we’re talking about the same type of shad Bill?  The American Shad? Warren2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Whats funny, is I love shad fishing.  Go for Bass in the morning and evening and shad during the day.  same area. Bill Nope, but someone’s gotta do it  Mr Groves has courteously replied to my email, and has apologized for the off-topic posts. WW Is that you Bob? — Craig Baugher www.yessssports.com

Response:

Yes we are.  Big run of American shad up the Sacramento and Feather Rivers as well as the American River in Sacramento.  They were transplanted in the the early 1900’s along with Striped Bass.  Is a fun day when you catch 30-50 2-5# shad on an 8 weight fly rod.  Do not even have to cast the fly as I fish from a boat at Verona, the confluence of the Sac and the Feather.  Just feed out a 30′ shooting head and Amnesia line to the backing.  As to bassing, lots of bass in both rivers, both large and smallies.  The Feather is fed by the drop-shotting king lake, Oroville and the Sacramento is fed by Lake Shasta.  Went by Shasta last Friday and Sunday.  Sunday was raining and had snowed earlier in the day as was some pushed up in the middle of the road.  Was some people out fishing the lake by Bridge Bay Resort.  Wanted to stop and fish, but since the purpose of the trip was dropping the boat off in Medford, OR for a paint job and new T-8 kicker and bracket plus a mounting plate for the new MK 65 – AP I was returning with no boat.  Figure I will fish the lake mid April when I can go reclaim the boat.  Will be done earlier, but doing a trip to Cary, N.C. for a wedding and see friends in Martinsville, VA the 6 of April.  So not boating till mid April at a minimum. Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I wonder if we’re talking about the same type of shad Bill?  The American Shad? Warren2 Whats funny, is I love shad fishing.  Go for Bass in the morning and evening and shad during the day.  same area. Bill Nope, but someone’s gotta do it  Mr Groves has courteously replied to my email, and has apologized for the off-topic posts. WW Is that you Bob? — Craig Baugher www.yessssports.com

Response:

But, if you are a bait fisherman, you would be able to find Bass easier if you knew where the shad were. — Mike..   A true fisherman approaches the first day of fishing much as a child approaches Christmas, with the eager   anticipation, sleepless nights, making of lists, and the anticipating of pleasure.

Response:

Different shad.  Here in California the shad the bass eat are Threadfin Shad.  maybe 3" long.  And all the predators munch them.  The American Shad is the largest member of the Herring family and come to the river from salt to spawn.  The males are about 2# while the ladies are up to 5#. Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But, if you are a bait fisherman, you would be able to find Bass easier if you knew where the shad were. — Mike.. A true fisherman approaches the first day of fishing much as a child approaches Christmas, with the eager anticipation, sleepless nights, making of lists, and the anticipating of pleasure.

Response:

Question:

This reel seems to have left the market. Anyone have any info about what, where and how I could find another?

Response:

This reel seems to have left the market. Anyone have any info about what, where and how I could find another?

Todd Vivian at Lamiglas is a good guy.  Drop him a line, he might know of someone who still has some in stock.  His email address is: Ian Scott http://www.about-flyfishing.com/

Response:

Question:

        more better:  absolut and tonic, no lime, at twilight.         wayno         sulphur creek

OK  Wayne, what’s this more better coming from you? Unless you’ve had a few. Try this; SOBE Lizard Fuel with that Absolute, but then again this could be a Lady’s drink.;-) Missed the hatch. Doug Knight Snake River

Response:

Drys at twilight. Doug Knight Snake River

        more better:  absolut and tonic, no lime, at twilight.         wayno         sulphur creek – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

[snippped] Last fall fishing on the Trinity required about  90% of the day roll casting a weighted fly with a sink tip. Weighted fly?!? Hey Doug: did George read that over your shoulder? Is he still alive?

Nope! I’m free, white and single aand I can speak for myself. George doesn’t know all my tricks. I keep my indicators out of sight when he’s around. George alive? The heat has worked him hard today. He wasn’t in the shop past noon. When the weather cools off he’ll  be in better spirits. Drys at twilight. Doug Knight Snake River

Response:

[snippped] Last fall fishing on the Trinity required about  90% of the day roll casting a weighted fly with a sink tip.

Weighted fly?!? Hey Doug: did George read that over your shoulder? Is he still alive? /daytripper

Response:

0] : I’m getting tired of pulling my flies out of the brush.. and never : getting enough distance on my cast (in spite of countless but : fruitless false casts) to get my fly where I want it to be. : Does anyone know of a local instructor they would recommend?  Yea, I : do know of some local shops to ask around at, but I’d rather have a : first hand recommendation if you’ve got one. : -Mark You might want to check out the Peninsula Fly Fishers Club. We do a casting clinic once a month. The next one will be on Aug 21 at Erckenbrack Park in Foster City. See our web site http://www.geocities.com/~mpff .  Another possibility is the San Jose Fly Fishers who have clinics on some Thursday evenings down at the casting ponds in Campbell, but I am not sure of the details. Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories  (remove x’s from email if not      Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971   a spammer) Phone: (650)-857-5491              

Response:

I’m getting tired of pulling my flies out of the brush.. and never getting enough distance on my cast (in spite of countless but fruitless false casts) to get my fly where I want it to be. Does anyone know of a local instructor they would recommend?  Yea, I do know of some local shops to ask around at, but I’d rather have a first hand recommendation if you’ve got one. -Mark — Particle Salad/ Noom Room Studio http://home.earthlink.net/~psalad

Response:

I’m getting tired of pulling my flies out of the brush.. and never getting enough distance on my cast (in spite of countless but fruitless false casts) to get my fly where I want it to be. Does anyone know of a local instructor they would recommend?  Yea, I do know of some local shops to ask around at, but I’d rather have a first hand recommendation if you’ve got one.

Mark, It’s goes back to this presentation thing. Back cast in the trees? It sounds like you need to master one valuable casting ability, the roll cast. Once you learn it, you won’t need the trees anymore. You’ll spend more time fishing instead of digging and tearing at the flora. You’ll need to be on the water or a casting pond to really learn this. Golden Gate Park or Maceran(sp) Park in the east bay are good locations with casting ponds. Last fall fishing on the Trinity required about  90% of the day roll casting a weighted fly with a sink tip. The only flies that I lost on that trip were on the bottom where I needed to be. Roll away. The roll cast is only the front end of the cast. Doug Knight Snake River

Response:

Question:

I need some help finding information on spin fishing in Wyoming (Yellowstone area).  All the books and sites that I visit are for fly fishing.  If anyone has some information on this subject I would appreciate it.

Response:

Don’t be intimidated.  Tiny 1/8 to 1/16 ounce spoons in brass, silver, and copper will take all trout in all rivers (and all but the biggest lakes) in Wyoming.   Check the regulations, however.  Sometimes, when it says "…single hook artificial only…" you think it means fly fishing only.  If tiey mean fly only, they will say so. Try to use bait anywhere, and you will probably be shot, burried, and your car pushed into a canyon. Fishing in the park isn’t much good, and the crowds are horrible.  Try the Shoshone River just west of Cody, or the Green, north of Pinedale.  Few tourists fish either place. good luck oz

Response:

I lived in West Yellowstone( west enterance to Yellowstone. There are several rivers west of the park that are great for spin fishing. Also there is a lake naned Quake lake that has BIG trout. Henry’s lake is also great.  There are lots of beaver ponds. the choises are there.

Response:

View Wyoming’s new lure for trout at http://www.fishcatchwy.qpg.com

Response:

Question:

I am not sure about loading the boat solo.  Its not so much the weight but

I’ve just switched canoes from an Old Town to a handmade wooden one. The wooden one weighs at least 20 pounds less, but is too hard to handle completely well alone in getting it off the truck and back on the sawhorses, so I’ve been paddling for overnights in the tiny Otter, with stuff strapped on deck.  Otter fits in my truck bed on a diagonal.  The new canoe is 18 feet and the fore/aft wobble and so forth and need to try to keep the wood safe is just more work than the weight loss is worth.  I’ll probably be selling it next year. The Old Towns are wonderful.  You don’t have to worry about dents.  I used to take that thing off my car (lousy arm strength) by looking over to my right to be sure there was nothing pointy and tip/flipping it off.  As people would stare, I’d smile and say, "It’s a Old Town." and go get the rest of my gear out of my trunk.  I even used to be able to get it on top of my truck by doing the crawl under, lift bow, set bow on top of truck and shove until it was in the right position. I did that on a well used Old Town for 10 years and it was in about the same shape when I handed it on as it was when I bought it.  Faded more, though, and one long nasty scratch that has to be fixed by the new owner. So go for the Old Town, even a bit heavy, if you don’t mind some unconventional on and off vehicle moves.  I’m 5′4" and out of shape and if I could do it, darn near anyone can.  Oh, yeah, middlel-aged, too.  However, if I could find a 40 pound kevlar at a price I could afford, I’d be on it like a shot. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -the size could get tough.  I carry it myself but its helpful having my son guide the back as I load it on and off.  But that may just be me…your coleman seemed to be heavier. I’m now back in the market and looking for an all-purpose boat to cover the following usage: 65% fishing (with electric or tiny outboard) 30% flatwater paddling (maybe day trips or overnights) 5% "whitewater" (certainly ning more than a class 2+) ty. er) It seems to me that Old Town makes more general purpose boats than the other manufacturers, let me know if I am wrong. Woodbury, MN

—– I only answer my email every few months, on average.   Patience helps.   http://www.visi.com/~cyli

Response:

If I bought a Discovery I’d buy the 169.  Its patterned on their "tripper" which is a great boat.  A friend has the 169 and it seems decent. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Old Town Discovery 160K Old Town Discovery 133K Old Town Discovery 147 (current front runner)

Response:

Try before you buy…saying that… I had the same requirements you had except I also have a requirement of bringing my son along with me.  I went with the Mad River Revelation.  It does everything you want.  Its about 78 pounds, 17ft, and very stable also its expensive.  I fly fish out of it and its very comfortable to have my son in the front and me in the back.  It is amazingly comfortable to paddle over the lakes we fish.  It easily fits four for day trip though I have not tried camping out of it yet.  The electric motor is nice but because we enjoyed paddling it so much we use it only for trolling. I have not tried white water but have heard of others having no problems. I am not sure about loading the boat solo.  Its not so much the weight but the size could get tough.  I carry it myself but its helpful having my son guide the back as I load it on and off.  But that may just be me…your coleman seemed to be heavier. Good luck. John – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Back in the early 80’s I canoed quite a bit.  Yes, I was a teenager, broke and naive, and bought a 15′ Coleman.  (Yada, yada, yada).  I enjoyed that, fished the heck out of it, camped out of it some and ran a few rapids I probably shouldn’t have. I’m now back in the market and looking for an all-purpose boat to cover the following usage: 65% fishing (with electric or tiny outboard) 30% flatwater paddling (maybe day trips or overnights) 5% "whitewater" (certainly ning more than a class 2+) Now I certainly don’t expect to find something that shines at everything. I had originally decided to do something square-sterned but decided that a double-ended boat would be more versatile.  I want to favor fishing since that will be my heaviest usage.  Tracking well under power would be important so I’m assuming a flat or slightly rockeredboat would be appropriate.  I might also row when fishing solo.  I will fish out of it a lot solo so ease of car topping is also important ( I used to do my Coleman alone and I think the 15′ I had was about 85 lbs).  But I want the ability to hold two for fishing comfortably, or hold three on a day or overnight paddle.  I favor plastic boats for cost and durability. I’m hoping the experts here can help. What have I come up with?  My best guesses so far are: Old Town Discovery 160K Old Town Discovery 133K Old Town Discovery 147 (current front runner) It seems to me that Old Town makes more general purpose boats than the other manufacturers, let me know if I am wrong. Let me know what you think. Thanks a lot, Keith Hatfull Woodbury, MN

Response:

Back in the early 80’s I canoed quite a bit.  Yes, I was a teenager, broke and naive, and bought a 15′ Coleman.  (Yada, yada, yada).  I enjoyed that, fished the heck out of it, camped out of it some and ran a few rapids I probably shouldn’t have. I’m now back in the market and looking for an all-purpose boat to cover the following usage: 65% fishing (with electric or tiny outboard) 30% flatwater paddling (maybe day trips or overnights) 5% "whitewater" (certainly ning more than a class 2+) Now I certainly don’t expect to find something that shines at everything.  I had originally decided to do something square-sterned but decided that a double-ended boat would be more versatile.  I want to favor fishing since that will be my heaviest usage.  Tracking well under power would be important so I’m assuming a flat or slightly rockeredboat would be appropriate.  I might also row when fishing solo.  I will fish out of it a lot solo so ease of car topping is also important ( I used to do my Coleman alone and I think the 15′ I had was about 85 lbs).  But I want the ability to hold two for fishing comfortably, or hold three on a day or overnight paddle.  I favor plastic boats for cost and durability. I’m hoping the experts here can help. What have I come up with?  My best guesses so far are: Old Town Discovery 160K Old Town Discovery 133K Old Town Discovery 147 (current front runner) It seems to me that Old Town makes more general purpose boats than the other manufacturers, let me know if I am wrong. Let me know what you think. Thanks a lot, Keith Hatfull Woodbury, MN

Response:

Old Town is OK but consider a Mad River Explorer in Royalex.  They cost a bit more, but have more stability, and load carrying capacity.  They can handle any reasonable whitewater. (The first  open canoe down the Grand Canyon was Jim Shelander’s explorer. )

Response:

If you can take the time paddle every boat that is recommended to you. I am totally biased but I don’t think you will find a better boat for your described purpose than a Dagger Sewannee. 15 feet, reasonably light, and paddles better than you will believe until you try it. Go with the three seat version and venture  into only very mild whitewater in any of this type of  boat. There should be a description at www.Dagger.com Steve Scarborough

Response:

Question:

My wife and I recently went on a 1 week trip to a river in the southern interior of B.C. Since I had recently returned from a week long fishing retreat in William’s Lake (got skunked), camping and quality time were the priorities. Now I should say that I’ve only recently taken up fly fishing (after a few not too subtle hints to unglue my butt from the sofa), and I’ve begun to develop a deep passion for the serenity it brings me, the beauty it takes me to and the opportunity it provides for moments of heart stopping, finger tingling excitement. In B.C., (with native species including Gerrard and Kamloops Trout) the majority of fly anglers seem to focus on still water fly fishing the many productive trophy lakes of the region. Therefore, it was that my own introduction to the Art was in the anatomy of lake fishing had done some reading on the strategy and tactics of stream fishing, with its drag free drift and line mending, it’s variety of pools, riffles and runs, but why pursue them when the"real anglers" stalked 10lb monsters in lakes as easily reached as any river?. So it was with little or no expectations that I brought along my 9′ 6-7wt, my waders and some flies. Just prior to our arriving I discovered to my dismay that I had left my somewhat meager selection of "river flys" at home but fortunately I was able to stop at a local fly shop where I picked up four Tom Thumbs and four nymphs (Pheasant Tail). When we reached the large provincial campsite the weather was hot and dry and the river clear and warm. After a quick dip to wash off the road my wife retired to the campsite and left me at the swimming hole with my rod and eight flies (with the 80+ weather the waders were banished to storage for the duration of our trip). It was mid evening as I made my first cast onto the smooth waters of the pool, using a Tom Thumb and nymph dropper. I’m not sure who was more startled, the fish at finding his evening meal biting back or me at having a fish take my first cast onto a river. After a short fight the river offered up a beautiful 12 in Rainbow which I kept for next mornings breakfast. A few more casts and a few missed strikes had it getting dark and I reluctantly returned to camp. Over the course of three days, and fishing only 2hrs per day I was fortunate enough to catch 20 trout all between 8-12in, and all but 4 on the Tom Thumbs. To say this was a revelation would be an understatement. Now I’m not saying I’ve given up my pursuit of the lunkers lurking in the lakes, but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed trying to read the water and how I anticipated discovering what lay beyond that next bend. I realize now I had let a desire for catching only the largest of fish influence my fishing, that large fish were the only true goal of any angler. I won’t argue the relative merits of catching a 6 pound Kamloops or 12in river Rainbow, but I will say; that serenity, that beauty, that excitement. I found them on that river as well. Any suggestions on fly rod and reel combos $200-$300 Cnd that would be appropriate for river/stream would be appreciated

Response:

I thought it was Left…across and down…drift….right…up and accross drift…lift left….mend right…forward cast left…mend left and THEN lift right…drift…up left.  No wonder I keep getting them tangled!

Excuse me, but is this fishing or knitting? Bill

Response:

Hi, just a word to the wise. Fishing two flies on the same line is illegal in BC. I’m not chastising, just making you aware.  If you’d like to see some BC flyfishing pics,  take a look at my amateur site. http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/freeman                         Don – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  My wife and I recently went on a 1 week trip to a river in the southern interior of B.C. Since I had recently returned from a week long fishing retreat in William’s Lake (got skunked), camping and quality time were the priorities. Now I should say that I’ve only recently taken up fly fishing (after a few not too subtle hints to unglue my butt from the sofa), and I’ve begun to develop a deep passion for the serenity it brings me, the beauty it takes me to and the opportunity it provides for moments of heart stopping, finger tingling excitement. In B.C., (with native species including Gerrard and Kamloops Trout) the majority of fly anglers seem to focus on still water fly fishing the many productive trophy lakes of the region. Therefore, it was that my own introduction to the Art was in the anatomy of lake fishing had done some reading on the strategy and tactics of stream fishing, with its drag free drift and line mending, it’s variety of pools, riffles and runs, but why pursue them when the"real anglers" stalked 10lb monsters in lakes as easily reached as any river?. So it was with little or no expectations that I brought along my 9′ 6-7wt, my waders and some flies. Just prior to our arriving I discovered to my dismay that I had left my somewhat meager selection of "river flys" at home but fortunately I was able to stop at a local fly shop where I picked up four Tom Thumbs and four nymphs (Pheasant Tail). When we reached the large provincial campsite the weather was hot and dry and the river clear and warm. After a quick dip to wash off the road my wife retired to the campsite and left me at the swimming hole with my rod and eight flies (with the 80+ weather the waders were banished to storage for the duration of our trip). It was mid evening as I made my first cast onto the smooth waters of the pool, using a Tom Thumb and nymph dropper. I’m not sure who was more startled, the fish at finding his evening meal biting back or me at having a fish take my first cast onto a river. After a short fight the river offered up a beautiful 12 in Rainbow which I kept for next mornings breakfast. A few more casts and a few missed strikes had it getting dark and I reluctantly returned to camp. Over the course of three days, and fishing only 2hrs per day I was fortunate enough to catch 20 trout all between 8-12in, and all but 4 on the Tom Thumbs. To say this was a revelation would be an understatement. Now I’m not saying I’ve given up my pursuit of the lunkers lurking in the lakes, but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed trying to read the water and how I anticipated discovering what lay beyond that next bend. I realize now I had let a desire for catching only the largest of fish influence my fishing, that large fish were the only true goal of any angler. I won’t argue the relative merits of catching a 6 pound Kamloops or 12in river Rainbow, but I will say; that serenity, that beauty, that excitement. I found them on that river as well. Any suggestions on fly rod and reel combos $200-$300 Cnd that would be appropriate for river/stream would be appreciated

Response:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi, just a word to the wise. Fishing two flies on the same line is illegal in BC.

        oh, come on…you gotta be kidding!  what’s next:  30 days active time for using a strike detector?  20 lashes for possession of gink?  banishment to montana if caught wearing felt bottom wading shoes?         oh, well, the bureaucrats have gotta eat, just like everybody else, i reckon.         a. wayne harrison

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi, just a word to the wise. Fishing two flies on the same line is illegal in BC.    oh, come on…you gotta be kidding!  what’s next:  30 days active time for using a strike detector?  20 lashes for possession of gink?  banishment to montana if caught wearing felt bottom wading shoes?    oh, well, the bureaucrats have gotta eat, just like everybody else, i reckon.    a. wayne harrison

I can only imagine the penalty for using bait! <g Dennis Haftel

Response:

Nevertheless, he is correct.

20:00:13 -0700, "Don(River Rat)" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi, just a word to the wise. Fishing two flies on the same line is illegal in BC. oh, come on…you gotta be kidding!  what’s next:  30 days active time for using a strike detector?  20 lashes for possession of gink?  banishment to montana if caught wearing felt bottom wading shoes? oh, well, the bureaucrats have gotta eat, just like everybody else, i reckon. a. wayne harrison I can only imagine the penalty for using bait! <g Dennis Haftel

Response:

See for yourself.  The BC Fishing Regulations are online at http://monday.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Nevertheless, he is correct. : : Hi, just a word to the wise. Fishing two flies on the same line is : illegal in BC. : : oh, come on…you gotta be kidding!  what’s next:  30 days My guess is (someone tell me I’m wrong or right) is that using two flies is *only* illegal in flyfishing-only water. Is that right? If so, then it’s entirely reasonable. They wanted restrictive regs based on equipment (unfairly discriminatory, IMO), and they got it. If not, then it’s probably in line with regs for other types of fishing; i.e., they probably don’t allow two bait hooks, or two lures either. So, that seems OK as well. Down here, you can use two rods *except* on trout waters. Then it’s only one rod per person. JonCook.

Response:

: Nevertheless, he is correct. : : Hi, just a word to the wise. Fishing two flies on the same line is : illegal in BC. : : oh, come on…you gotta be kidding!  what’s next:  30 days My guess is (someone tell me I’m wrong or right) is that using two flies is *only* illegal in flyfishing-only water. Is that right?

No it is not right. The exact reg is that no one can use tackle that could possibly catch more than one fish at the same time. Some years back there was an exception for flyfishing that allowed the use of two flies on one leader. However it was revoked due "confusion". Many people did not understand exactly what flyfishing was and used 2 flies. 2 hunks of yarn on 2 trebles along with weights, gang trolls, trolling planars etc etc. . Ralph H note spurious hyperbole, insults and ‘personal attacks’ made by the author are meant to honour "the Soul of Cicero" and are not intended as personal slights. Please don’t take offense as none is intended. remove "(take_this_out)" for email reply.

Response:

[deleted] Down here, you can use two rods

[deleted] It’s not that hard either once you get the timing down… Left…across and down…drift….right…up and accross drift…lift left….mend right…forward cast left…lift right…mend left… What’s really tough is when you hook one… — TimW – Halfordian Golfer Guilt replaced the creel…

Response:

I thought it was Left…across and down…drift….right…up and accross drift…lift left….mend right…forward cast left…mend left and THEN lift right…drift…up left.  No wonder I keep getting them tangled! Joe – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – [deleted] Down here, you can use two rods [deleted] It’s not that hard either once you get the timing down… Left…across and down…drift….right…up and accross drift…lift left….mend right…forward cast left…lift right…mend left… What’s really tough is when you hook one… — TimW – Halfordian Golfer Guilt replaced the creel…

Response:

Question:

I have a 14ft 9/10 wt. Spey rod and I’m looking for information as to the availability of a good sink tip Spey line. Hopefully someone can point me to the right source. Thanks, MJR

Response:

I have a 14ft 9/10 wt. Spey rod and I’m looking for information as to the availability of a good sink tip Spey line. Hopefully someone can point me to the right source. Thanks, MJR

The RIO Windcutter is expensive but comes with interchangeable floating and two weights of sinking tips that match to the taper for decent spey casting. It is a shorter belly than his other line, the Accelerator.  I am not sure if the Accelerator has the removeable tips but that is a longer belly line specifically for spey casting, but not appropriate for shooting or overhand.  I think the belly on the windcutter is about 45 or 50 feet so you end up shooting your spey cast and retrieving a bit back near the belly before casting. Thw windcutter also has a removeable floating mid section and I have found that by removing this and the tip I am able to add about 25′ of leadcore, just for overhand not spey casting, but it throws it pretty good and this really gets deep. Your tackle dealer may be able to tell you more, or look RIO up – I think they are in Blackfoot, Idaho or Montana, one of the two. You could also make your own in the time-honored tradition. Cut up an 8 wt. shooting head into 5, 10, and fifteen foot pieces and put stiff mono loops on the ends, and cut off the front taper of a DT-10 line and put another loop there and this should turn over fairly decently. You need to use very heavy mono like Maxima 80 lb. or so, or strip off the plastic and make a loop with the braided core and coat with pliobond.  Going a couple of sizes lighter in the sink tips allows it to kick over easier and will work much better than trying it with 9 or 10 wt. shooting head pieces. This info is from Trey Combs big Steelhead book. Happy Steelheading, mark Vinsel — http://www.lanminds.com/local/vinnie/gallery.html

Response:

I have a 14ft 9/10 wt. Spey rod and I’m looking for information as to the availability of a good sink tip Spey line. Hopefully someone can point me to the right source. Thanks, MJR

You don’t say if you want a line for overhead, switch or speycasting… Anyway, check out http://www.teleport.com/~flyfish/speyline.html (A nice page with comprehensive info) Good luck and… /Tord Andreasson, Sweden

[ speyline.html 13K ]

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This document was last edited: January 25, 1996SteelheadquartersQuest for the Perfect Spey Lineby Mark Bachmann, for The Fly Fishing Shop, Welches, Oregon, USA

The first thing that you will notice when listening to a gathering of two hand fly rod advocates is there are a lot of different ideas about which is the best fly line configuration. At present there are at least(8) different full floating spey line taper configurations manufaured in the USA.

At present three configurations for sinking tip lines are commonly used. We will try to make some sense of these differing approaches to fly line taper design, knowing and welcoming in advance that there will be some disagreement on some points. We will pass on the more interesting e-mail discussions and ask only that these discussions be limited to subjects thoroughly tested for several long days on-stream.

The perfect spey line would fish long, fish close, fish calm, fish wind and throw large and small flies. For the purpose of these discussions the words spey and two-hand will be used interchangeably. The lines listed in the following text are specially designed for spey or change-of-direction-roll-casting. They may not be appropriate for over head casting.Double Taper Floating Spey Lines. Double taper is the traditional fly line design for two hand fly rods. There are some obvious reasons why. A double taper is the easiest to mend at long distance. A double taper turns over smoothly. Since the belly of the line is a constant diameter there is little need to strip, coil or shoot line. Theoretically turn around time is quicker and the angler is more efficient. Besides when spey casts were first developed, the equipment of the time was more difficult to shoot line with. However double tapers often need long back loops to load the rod for long casts. These loops can get blown by the wind or get tangled in the stream side brush.Cortland or S.A. Traditional 90′ Double TaperThe traditional 90′ double taper fly line has about 76′ of belly with about 7′ of taper on each end. Taper design is dependent on the size of the line and the maufacurer who made it. I’ve met a number of anglers packing around the 120′ spey double tapers that couldn’t cast the first 90′. It takes a fair amount of practice to cast consistently 90′ and stay under control. The extra thirty feet of bulk of the 120′ spey line needs a heavier and often more expensive reel to hold it. Use the 90′ lin if it fits your conditions.Cortland or S.A., Specially designed 120′ Double Taper Spey LinesThese lines are designed for really good fly casters who fish big rivers with rods that are longer than those commonly used for steelhead fishing. However if you’re fishing a very large river and have the skill, it’s hard to cast 120′ with a 90′ fly line.Custom made, Double taper, tickler-tip spey lines. This type of double taper fly line has had part of the tip taper removed from one end andis joined to 15′ to 20′ of a smaller diameter double taper fly line. The tip is often joined to the main line with a loop to loop system. The floating tip can be removed and a sinking one added. This makes it the most adaptable spey line out there. The problem is for me that it doesn’t do anything very well. (I know I’ll get the E-mails for this one.) I have fished with anglers who can cast very well with this system however.Cortland, Step taper Double Taper Spey Line This fly line has a short belly with very long front taper on each end which descends in steps. The taper is desinged to magnify the energy flowing down the line and increase line speed at long distance. The double taper design makes long distance mending comfortable. I used one of these lines on the Deschutes River last fall for about two weeks and caught several steelhead with it. It preformed well enough during calm days but gave me fits in the wind. The test line may have been a little heavy for the rod I was using it on. I think that next fall I will try the same rod with the next size smaller line and see what happens. (I’ll keep you posted.)Weight Forward Floating Spey Lines, Royal Wulff Triangle Taper Spey LinesThis line has a continuous taper for 65′ to 80′. It has a short rear taper and then enough running line to reach a full 120′ length. The rear of the tapered head is larger than a double taper of the same weight designation. The design theory is that as the loop unrolls, a larger diameter line is forcing energy into a smaller diameter line. This helps maintan line speed. The triangle taper fly line was invented by Lee Wulff. I will make no unbiased bones about it , this is my favorite full floating fly line. If the design was good enough its good enough for me. Besides, I met Joan Wullf for the first time last fall. She sure seemed like a nice lady. I’d just as soon put the money in her pocket. This line casts long, is controllable long, casts well enough in the wind and lays the fly down delicately. Keep yours real clean with the new Scientific Anglers Fly Line Dressing.Cortland Step Taper Weight Forward Spey LinesStep tapers have a short level belly and a long front taper which is graduated in steps. It is desingned to condence energy much like the triangle taper. I’ve spent a limited amount of time on the water with this line. My partner, Mark Sensland used a weight foreward step taper line extensively on the Deschutes last fall and came back singing its praises. If you’ve seen him cover the water, it doesn’t take long to realize that he’s a man of vast steelhead experience.Rio Wind Cutter Spey Lines These 120′ lines are specifically designed for windy conditions. They have comparatively short heavy heads that are designed to turn around quickly with a shallow back loop and load the rod deeply for maximum line speed. The running line is small diameter for minimum wind resistance. I fished a couple of evenings on the Deschutes when the wind was blowing so hard that it would have been impossible for me to cast with any other line. One evening I hooked three steelhead and landed two. Beats sitting around camp. I recommend that you have one of these lines in your arsonal for those really bad days. Rio fly lines are designed by Jim Vincent of Blackfoot, Idaho. Jim is aknowlged as one of the better spey casters in the U.S. and has produced a very good video on the subject. We of course have them…$29.95. Rio Accelerator Spey Lines These lines are designed to give and extra kick at the end of the tip turn-over. They are a long belly weight forward configuration which tapers down and then once again enlarges to create extra mass near the tip.Sinking Tip Spey LinesThere are many conditions when steelhead will take a fly but they won’t rise to the surface for it. A sinking tip fly line takes the fly down to the fish’s level. The only problem is that there are many different depths and current speeds that will hold steelhead. Several sink rates are neccasary to cover all the conditions you may encounter. Carrying and changing extra fly lines can be cumbersome and time consuming. A floating line with changable sinking tips is more streamlined than carrying extra spools with different lines. It is a system that is readily adapted to the spey rod. The extra length of the spey rod gives the advantage that this loop system doesn’t have to enter the guides when stripping or casting. Since the line isn’t aerolized during the back cast any hinging effect caused by the loop conection isn’t a factor. Lines that are designed with a front taper to blend the energy flow for a specific weight of sinking tip, do turn over more controlably than a level drop conection. Staying in your casting rythem is easier if all of your sinking tips are the same weight and length and the density is varied for different sink rates.Custom, Double Taper Sinking Tip Spey LinesThis system is simply a double taper floating fly line with all or part of the tip taper chopped off and a loop installed for adding sinkingtips. Like its full floating counterpart, it doesn’t have to be stripped back to be recast. It can be mended to very long distances. It does have some design disadvantages however. If the line has enough mass to turn over a tip that is heavy enough to have an effective sink rate, the line becomes heavy enough to bog the rod down at longer casting ranges. Pulling a sunk tip to the top of the water so it can be recast, is fatiuging and more difficult to time at longer distances. Often the line must be stripped back so that the tip can be pulled to the top of the water. Because of the larger diameter of the line remaining in the guides, double taper lines don’t shoot as … read more »

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writes:  Can someone give me a guide to estimating the weight of trout in  the 12-24 inch range. Just a guestimate chart would do. I know  there are a lot of variables. Many thanks.  –  Scott Branyan  Rogers, AR

<grin NZ limits restrict us to fish over 13" down here, so I ain’t gonna be of much assistance I am afraid. One of the more important factors down here is taken by a Condition factor variable, taking into account weight, length and girth. So most *Serious* kiwi anglers don’t like to take those fish below anything less than say 4-5lb. We have an extremely active conservation movement in most areas considered "Trophy" catchments, whereby one can donate the fish for hatchery purposes when exceeding Condition factors of in excess 80-85. This is achieved by way of permanent nets suspended below rubber tyre tubes anchored near the more popular spots, that or the many hatchery traps found a short distance upstream from a lake outlet. The movement towards catch and release in NZ has found great support in recent years, with only the minimum being taken for domestic purposes. You may be interested to know, that it is illegal to sell, buy or market Trout in NZ, other than by specific virtue of the Internal Affairs department, mainly for Tourism purposes. Back to your question however, ummmmm … no sorry <grin Just thought you might be interested in a different perspective . <smile. Regards .. Tim.D Wellington, New Zealand.

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 <<Can someone give me a guide to estimating the weight of trout in the 12-24 inch range. … Hi Scott- I have a chart that will figure the weight of any trout you’ll ever catch. *it’s free for the asking* On the back it has a lot of equally cool info. We include it in our student handouts…. *don’t be bashful, I encourage you to use them (rather than weigh the fish till its dead)*

I just guesstimate the length of the fish (relative to a mark on the rod) then (length in inches)cubed/1870 ~ pounds…. crude but works ok for typical stream/river trout this puts 12" at 1lb and 24inch at 7lb (perhaps high unless the fishery is rich and the trout are heavy- )    If you have a club and want a bunch just ask! (don’t worry. it’s free and we won’t put you on our perpetual mailing list of fly fishing junk mail unless you specifically request it!)    Tight Lines, Ralph —

our page at http://www.insideout.com/current/s_fish.htm) BTW Ralph, I really like your book! Mike

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Kumlien) writes: I have been told by fisheries biologists that the following formula works well for computing weight of any species of fish.  I once met British Columbia steelhead biologist who told me they use this formula for weight estimates for biological work.  I have tried it a lot, and it seems pretty reliable.  Here it is.  Lenght x (girth squared) divided by 800=weight in pounds.  i.e.  20 inch trout with 10 inch girth would figure out to 2000/ 800=2 1/2 pounds and so on.  Try it out.  Dave That’s great for streamside, but when hearing about it from the angler, you must reduce it .167823% for each oz. of alcohol consumed prior to the recounting of the catch.

And what about a nice formula to calculate with the Metric system: Meter, Kilo etc. (so it becomes a global tool). == The Flyfishing Dutchman ==

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<<Can someone give me a guide to estimating the weight of trout in the 12-24 inch range. Just a guestimate chart would do. I know there are a lot of variables. Many thanks.

Hi Scott- I have a chart that will figure the weight of any trout you’ll ever catch. *it’s free for the asking* On the back it has a lot of equally cool info. We include it in our student handouts.    If you (or anyone else out there) would like one, send me your snail mail address and I’ll be happy to get it to you. *don’t be bashful, I encourage you to use them (rather than weigh the fish till its dead)*    If you have a club and want a bunch just ask! (don’t worry. it’s free and we won’t put you on our perpetual mailing list of fly fishing junk mail unless you specifically request it!)    Tight Lines, Ralph —

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Kumlien) writes: I have been told by fisheries biologists that the following formula works well for computing weight of any species of fish.  I once met British Columbia steelhead biologist who told me they use this formula for weight estimates for biological work.  I have tried it a lot, and it seems pretty reliable.  Here it is.  Lenght x (girth squared) divided by 800=weight in pounds.  i.e.  20 inch trout with 10 inch girth would figure out to 2000/ 800=2 1/2 pounds and so on.  Try it out.  Dave

That’s great for streamside, but when hearing about it from the angler, you must reduce it .167823% for each oz. of alcohol consumed prior to the recounting of the catch.

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Can someone give me a guide to estimating the weight of trout in the 12-24 inch range. Just a guestimate chart would do. I know there are a lot of variables. Many thanks. — Scott Branyan Rogers, AR

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I have been told by fisheries biologists that the following formula works well for computing weight of any species of fish.  I once met British Columbia steelhead biologist who told me they use this formula for weight estimates for biological work.  I have tried it a lot, and it seems pretty reliable.  Here it is.  Lenght x (girth squared) divided by 800=weight in pounds.  i.e.  20 inch trout with 10 inch girth would figure out to 2000/ 800=2 1/2 pounds and so on.  Try it out.  Dave

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Within San Francisco city limits is Lake Merced.   Dont Waste ypur time even considering Lake Merced in the Summer.  The fishing is KILLER in the winter though. Across the Bay Bridge is San Pablo Reservoir. A MUCH better prospect. Lots more water and the algae isn’t the same problem that it is at Lake Merced in the summer.  By the Way….. I am told that San Pablo is managed by "That Dam Co.",the same folks that manage Lake Merced.  They stock with the standard state planters as well as the Lassen Broodstock fish. The big slugs are the Lassen fish. But in July, the fishing is great in the Sierra, so I’ll be there. Happy fishing. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My fiance and I will be honeymooning in the S.F. area between July 4 and July 16, 1994.  We would like to do some fishing (maybe 1 or 2 days) while there.  I fly fish, she doesn’t (but she’s willing to learn).  We’d prefer to not spend a fortune, but if a guide is the only way to insure a fairly successful outing then we’ll certainly consider one.  We are looking for fresh water, trout or possibly bass. Within San Francisco city limits is Lake Merced.  It is stocked with Rainbows and catches in the 3 to 8 pound range are not uncommon.  The fishing is usually good to very good and the price is right.  Across the Bay Bridge is San Pablo Reservoir.  It is stocked with trout and small mouth bass.  Fishing from shore is usually productive, especially around the dam, but fishing from boat is definitely better.  Boats are available for rent but, if you go on the weekend, get their early. If you want to get away from the urban areas, take a trip north to the little town of Anderson.  Rent a rowboat and fish the river just south of Anderson for Rainbows in the 8-12 pound range.

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My fiance and I will be honeymooning in the S.F. area between July 4 and July 16, 1994.  We would like to do some fishing (maybe 1 or 2 days) while there.  I fly fish, she doesn’t (but she’s willing to learn).  We’d prefer to not spend a fortune, but if a guide is the only way to insure a fairly successful outing then we’ll certainly consider one.  We are looking for fresh water, trout or possibly bass.  Any help would be appreciated.  Please respond by e-mail if possible.  Thanks. —

The other posting is correct.  If you are around for a few days, suggest you go outside of SF to the Sierras.  Remarkably I have just published a Guide to the Desolation Wilderness which is near Lake Tahoe and makes a nice stop with a fiance.  Guide available from Frank Amato pub 1-800-541-9498

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My fiance and I will be honeymooning in the S.F. area between July 4 and July 16, 1994.  We would like to do some fishing (maybe 1 or 2 days) while there.  I fly fish, she doesn’t (but she’s willing to learn).  We’d prefer to not spend a fortune, but if a guide is the only way to insure a fairly successful outing then we’ll certainly consider one.  We are looking for fresh water, trout or possibly bass.  Any help would be appreciated.  Please respond by e-mail if possible.  Thanks. —

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Could someone please give me the subscription address (or phone #) to fly fisherman magazine? Also any other fly fishing publications that can be recommended would be appreciated. And as a final request, I would like the address or phone for some good mail order fly fishing companies.  Thanks a lot in advance, Brian D. Hadley            

Fly Fisherman PO Box 3474 Mount Morris Il 61054-9937 If you live in California a fairly recent publication that is very good is the California Fly Fisher. The subscription address is: California Fly Fisher PO Box 40429 San Francisco, Ca 94140 John

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 Could someone please give me the subscription address (or phone #) to fly fisherman magazine? Also any other fly fishing publications that can  be recommended would be appreciated. And as a final request, I would like  the address or phone for some good mail order fly fishing companies.   Thanks a lot in advance, Brian D. Hadley            

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