Thanks for the report. I’ll have a few days in September to make it to Central Oregon and I’m looking forward to that. Speaking of theft, I’m still looking for my goretex wading jacket in the green waterbag from May. I think I’ll put a tag on my stuff with my email. Honest flyfisherman will know what to do, and the rest can go to ….
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Mid-Willamette Fly Fishers held their annual outing at East Lake (SE of Burns) this weekend. Fly fishing was good for rainbows and browns to the mid teens size wise. Morning and evening seemed to be the best, and there were many types of insects hatching. Despite being there 3 days, I invested all of 1 hour wading the NE corner, casting dries, and landing 2 nice rainbows. Otherwise I went x-country hiking and lounged around taking pictures. The partial bummer this year was the crowds. Evidently Davis Lake, Wickiup and many other traditional summer time lakes in the Cascades are showing severe signs of drought, so speculation is that everyone is rushing to the spring fed East Lake and Paulina Lake, where my guess is the water level is down all of 6" (six inches). The East Lake campgrounds were the fullest I have seen them in 5 years, and the NE beaches in the evening had dozens of motor boats and float tubes beached on them. Which brings me to a warning. I was surfing another forum, and saw a very recent posting from someone who had a raft stolen at one of the Century Lakes Drive (e.g. Lava Lake, Craine Prairie, Davis Lake, a zillion other lakes) campgrounds. When the police officer arrived to take a report, this individual learned that there has been a rash of thefts from many campgrounds. The speculation is that there is a "gang" making early morning (4 am) rounds. Everyone in our club has felt so safe at many of the mostly fly-fishing only lakes that we have been leaving our tubes on the beach rather than haul them back to camp. Thomas Gilg
has been a rash of thefts from many campgrounds. The speculation is that there is a "gang" making early morning (4 am) rounds. Everyone in our club has felt so safe at
My beloved 78 yr old father had his 9.9 Evinrude stolen off the back of his drift boat while at Cresant Lake last weekend. They cut the lock and hauled it off. They left the gas tank which was on the front porch of the cabin less than 20′ away… I’ll leave the assessment of the relative intelligence of said scumbags to your own imagination. Cos
The Mid-Willamette Fly Fishers held their annual outing at East Lake (SE of Burns) this weekend. Fly fishing was good for rainbows and browns to the mid teens size wise. Morning and evening seemed to be the best, and there were many types of insects hatching. Despite being there 3 days, I invested all of 1 hour wading the NE corner, casting dries, and landing 2 nice rainbows. Otherwise I went x-country hiking and lounged around taking pictures. The partial bummer this year was the crowds. Evidently Davis Lake, Wickiup and many other traditional summer time lakes in the Cascades are showing severe signs of drought, so speculation is that everyone is rushing to the spring fed East Lake and Paulina Lake, where my guess is the water level is down all of 6" (six inches). The East Lake campgrounds were the fullest I have seen them in 5 years, and the NE beaches in the evening had dozens of motor boats and float tubes beached on them. Which brings me to a warning. I was surfing another forum, and saw a very recent posting from someone who had a raft stolen at one of the Century Lakes Drive (e.g. Lava Lake, Craine Prairie, Davis Lake, a zillion other lakes) campgrounds. When the police officer arrived to take a report, this individual learned that there has been a rash of thefts from many campgrounds. The speculation is that there is a "gang" making early morning (4 am) rounds. Everyone in our club has felt so safe at many of the mostly fly-fishing only lakes that we have been leaving our tubes on the beach rather than haul them back to camp. Thomas Gilg
OK, I’m mostly a catch and release fisherman except for panfish, but I saw an article in an old flyfishing magazine that asked this question… What if you are fishing in a Gold Medal, C & R only trout stream and you catch a trout, bring it in, and it dies on you right in your hands? The author debates throwing it into the bushes or just letting it float down the river, but since it’s Gold Medal Water there is usually a crowd or wardens around and he’d get busted. He suggested making believe he was "reviving" the fish and digging a hole in the mud and putting some rocks on top of it. He also made an observation that there seems to be a lot more rockpiles on Catch & Release waters than there used to be. I didn’t get to see the next issue to find out what the readers responses were, but it makes you think…. Dan Dow here http://www.angelfire.com/mac/dandow/kingfisher/homepage is my homepage… PS—found in Fly Rod & Reel Nov/Dec 1997
OK, I’m mostly a catch and release fisherman except for panfish, but I saw an article in an old flyfishing magazine that asked this question…
Well, Dan the Man, this topic has been discussed ad nauseum here in the past, and I have no doubt that a Deja search of past ROFF posts for "C&R" will more than answer your question. My short opinion? If the law says C&R, you’d better R. There are, of course, more layers to be discussed, like why didn’t you bring it in fast enough to revive it? Is it a foolish waste of a good fish to not eat it? Blah, blah, blah, etc. We been there, we done that. HTH, Joe F.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK, I’m mostly a catch and release fisherman except for panfish, but I saw an article in an old flyfishing magazine that asked this question… What if you are fishing in a Gold Medal, C & R only trout stream and you catch a trout, bring it in, and it dies on you right in your hands? The author debates throwing it into the bushes or just letting it float down the river, but since it’s Gold Medal Water there is usually a crowd or wardens around and he’d get busted. He suggested making believe he was "reviving" the fish and digging a hole in the mud and putting some rocks on top of it. He also made an observation that there seems to be a lot more rockpiles on Catch & Release waters than there used to be. I didn’t get to see the next issue to find out what the readers responses were, but it makes you think…. Dan Dow here http://www.angelfire.com/mac/dandow/kingfisher/homepage is my homepage… PS—found in Fly Rod & Reel Nov/Dec 1997
_____ Japanese always carry a razor sharp knife. The rock piles are empty bottles of Soy Sauce. — Mr.Gink "the saga continues" http://www.gink.com/
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK, I’m mostly a catch and release fisherman except for panfish, but I saw an article in an old flyfishing magazine that asked this question… Well, Dan the Man, this topic has been discussed ad nauseum here in the past, and I have no doubt that a Deja search of past ROFF posts for "C&R" will more than answer your question. My short opinion? If the law says C&R, you’d better R. There are, of course, more layers to be discussed, like why didn’t you bring it in fast enough to revive it? Is it a foolish waste of a good fish to not eat it? Blah, blah, blah, etc. We been there, we done that. HTH, Joe F.
OTOH, you could ask the question in the political thread which candidate should be C&R’d and which one should be C&K’d. That way all the bullshit could be contained in one thread. Neat, eh? Peter = always striving to be helpful
Ice, rest and some sort of anti-inflamatory for the pain. As for why it is happening, well that is hard to say. Try to change your cast up a bit. Did it happen before you started to fish 4 days/week? If so than you may need to take some time off. I would suggest changing your cast, bring your arm in closer to your body and don’t try too hard for distance. Anyway, if the problem persists you should really rest otherwise it will become a cronic issue!! Good Luck! Forrest Arakawa FlyFishingREVIEW.com http://www.flyfishingreview.com I do a lot of flyfishing. Since April I’ve fished (a lot of blind casting for bass and pickerel) on average 4 hours/day, 4-5 days a week, and now I’ve got elbow (left) problems that feel just like tennis elbow. I’m a right handed caster and strip with my left hand. Any helpful suggestions are appreciated. Adam
Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.
Docs usually prescribe anti-inflamatories but I don’t find they work that great and the upset stomach, constipation and weight gain isn’t worth it.
Weight gain? Geez, Peter, how many of those were you eating?
the upset stomach, constipation and weight gain
That’s just middle age<g. — Charlie…
There is a band that you can put on your arm above the elbow that helps greatly for tendonitis. Ask a pharmacist about where to find one. The advice on ice and anti inflamatory is good, but the band also helps. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I do a lot of flyfishing. Since April I’ve fished (a lot of blind casting for bass and pickerel) on average 4 hours/day, 4-5 days a week, and now I’ve got elbow (left) problems that feel just like tennis elbow. I’m a right handed caster and strip with my left hand. Any helpful suggestions are appreciated. Adam
above or below the elbow?
I’ve been wearing the this type of band for several years now, I wear it below the elbow.
Adam, 4 hours/day, 4-5 days a week – A gruelling routine to have to stick to. I have no idea how old you are or what kind of shape your in, but I would suggest getting a job. Happy fishing John Knight Sydney Fly Rodders’ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I do a lot of flyfishing. Since April I’ve fished (a lot of blind casting for bass and pickerel) on average 4 hours/day, 4-5 days a week, and now I’ve got elbow (left) problems that feel just like tennis elbow. I’m a right handed caster and strip with my left hand. Any helpful suggestions are appreciated. Adam
I do a lot of flyfishing. Since April I’ve fished (a lot of blind casting for bass and pickerel) on average 4 hours/day, 4-5 days a week, and now I’ve got elbow (left) problems that feel just like tennis elbow. I’m a right handed caster and strip with my left hand. Any helpful suggestions are appreciated. Adam
Adam, Rest, then seriously *change* your casting mechanics….somewhere in there you’re doing a lot of tightening up/muscleing. After the rest…take it slow and easy…to RE-develop the casting stroke…I’ve done it..and if I can do it….I think anyone can…just takes a little thought BEFORE you start the pickup…and it needs to stay short & easy until you’ve gotten rid of the uptight muscular memory….Breathe!…and use leverage …use your larger muscles more let your lower arm simply carry out the accuracy part.. 
..sorry for the lonnng_winded sentence…read it again…and get the breathing happenning in between the run-on phrases;-);-) steve d.
Years ago, after spending a lot of days casting shooting heads into the wind while up to my eyeballs in water and trying to turn over large flies for Winter Steelhead, I started developing elbow and shoulder problems. I’m convinced that regardless of technique, after a certain amount of time, problems can develop…especially when casting distances with heavy lines for many hours at a time. I fish with a friend who is a neurosurgeon. He advised me that the only real cure was to spend less time fishing for Winter Steelhead. I now keep plenty of painkillers in my vest and just keep fishing…in spite of his advice. When the waters are too muddied to fish, then I rest. I guess it’s all a matter of priorities. Besides….if you don’t suffer a little and appease the fish gods, then you have no claim to the bigger fish <g Barry
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I do a lot of flyfishing. Since April I’ve fished (a lot of blind casting for bass and pickerel) on average 4 hours/day, 4-5 days a week, and now I’ve got elbow (left) problems that feel just like tennis elbow. I’m a right handed caster and strip with my left hand. Any helpful suggestions are appreciated. Adam Adam, Rest, then seriously *change* your casting mechanics….somewhere in there you’re doing a lot of tightening up/muscleing. After the rest…take it slow and easy…to RE-develop the casting stroke…I’ve done it..and if I can do it….I think anyone can…just takes a little thought BEFORE you start the pickup…and it needs to stay short & easy until you’ve gotten rid of the uptight muscular memory….Breathe!…and use leverage …use your larger muscles more let your lower arm simply carry out the accuracy part.. ..sorry for the lonnng_winded sentence…read it again…and get the breathing happenning in between the run-on phrases;-);-) steve d.
Thanks for the advice. Actually, I know that rest works, but I’m not going to stop fishing. My problem is most likely due to stripping technique, as you alluded to. Along these lines, your suggestion about using the rod tips is interesting. However, I’d like to find out just what I am doing wrong and what is the best way to strip without over stressing the tendons (the cause of tennis elbow). Adam
I do a lot of streamer fishing and I’m a medical textbook when it comes to tendonitis (and lately arthritis) yet stripping doesn’t bother me and I believe it’s because the arm motion actually is mostly in the shoulder and in one plane. You’re stripping down and to the side and placing stress on the elbow. Then when it gets to the end of the motion (straight arm) you’re creating more stress in stopping. Try keeping your arm in an ‘L’ position and just pull straight back. It duplicates the normal arm swing as we walk, a very stress free motion. Cheers Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.cgocable.net/~pcharles/index.html
Thanks for the advice. Actually, I know that rest works, but I’m not going to stop fishing. My problem is most likely due to stripping technique, as you alluded to. Along these lines, your suggestion about using the rod tips is interesting. However, I’d like to find out just what I am doing wrong and what is the best way to strip without over stressing the tendons (the cause of tennis elbow). Adam
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Like Peter said, the best cure is rest. I am also prone to this problem. Try to reduce your power stripping and use the rod tip to impart action to the fly/streamer. The more you aggravate the elbow the slower the healing process. jim I do a lot of flyfishing. Since April I’ve fished (a lot of blind casting for bass and pickerel) on average 4 hours/day, 4-5 days a week, and now I’ve got elbow (left) problems that feel just like tennis elbow. I’m a right handed caster and strip with my left hand. Any helpful suggestions are appreciated. Adam Tendonitis. Ultrasound and cortisone works great. For home therapy, try an ice pack. It’s an inflamation so rest and ice will help. Docs usually prescribe anti-inflamatories but I don’t find they work that great and the upset stomach, constipation and weight gain isn’t worth it. Good luck Peter
I do a lot of flyfishing. Since April I’ve fished (a lot of blind casting for bass and pickerel) on average 4 hours/day, 4-5 days a week, and now I’ve got elbow (left) problems that feel just like tennis elbow. I’m a right handed caster and strip with my left hand. Any helpful suggestions are appreciated. Adam
Tendonitis. Ultrasound and cortisone works great. For home therapy, try an ice pack. It’s an inflamation so rest and ice will help. Docs usually prescribe anti-inflamatories but I don’t find they work that great and the upset stomach, constipation and weight gain isn’t worth it. Good luck Peter
As long as you just doing this catch as catch can type of fishing, you are going to have these problems. They’ll disappear when you can start putting some serious hours in. In the meantime, Ibuprofen works pretty good for sore muscles…you want to get up there in the 800 – 1000 mg range. Also, quit casting blinds until duck season comes in to relieve the unnecessary stress. Switching back and forth between left and right hand casting helps keep both sides of your brain balanced….works for me…….john
Like Peter said, the best cure is rest. I am also prone to this problem. Try to reduce your power stripping and use the rod tip to impart action to the fly/streamer. The more you aggravate the elbow the slower the healing process. jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I do a lot of flyfishing. Since April I’ve fished (a lot of blind casting for bass and pickerel) on average 4 hours/day, 4-5 days a week, and now I’ve got elbow (left) problems that feel just like tennis elbow. I’m a right handed caster and strip with my left hand. Any helpful suggestions are appreciated. Adam Tendonitis. Ultrasound and cortisone works great. For home therapy, try an ice pack. It’s an inflamation so rest and ice will help. Docs usually prescribe anti-inflamatories but I don’t find they work that great and the upset stomach, constipation and weight gain isn’t worth it. Good luck Peter
I do a lot of flyfishing. Since April I’ve fished (a lot of blind casting for bass and pickerel) on average 4 hours/day, 4-5 days a week, and now I’ve got elbow (left) problems that feel just like tennis elbow. I’m a right handed caster and strip with my left hand. Any helpful suggestions are appreciated. Adam
I’ve been boating for over 20 years and fly fishing for half of that…while waders will not "sink" you, they will act as a sea anchor if not used with a belt…they should be great for keeping your feet warm when used with a dry suit…great idea. KA I can’t imagine seriously wearing waders with the remote possiblility of a swim. I’ve heard of several drownings resulting from waders filling up with water and sinking people like rocks. Sure wouldn’t want to try it myself. …Steve Baker
I can’t imagine seriously wearing waders with the remote possiblility of a swim. I’ve heard of several drownings resulting from waders filling up with water and sinking people like rocks. Sure wouldn’t want to try it myself. …Steve Baker
Most people who drown in waders are wearing the old style rubberized canvass waders, they are big an baggy and would hold allot of water. Additionally most people who drown while wearing waders are not wearing a PFD. Most modern waders are neoprene and have a snug fit. Still you should always wear a belt to keep water from going down into the legs, and always wear a PFD, especially in cold water!!!!!!! SYOTR John Sims – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I can’t imagine seriously wearing waders with the remote possiblility of a swim. I’ve heard of several drownings resulting from waders filling up with water and sinking people like rocks. Sure wouldn’t want to try it myself. …Steve Baker
If you wear waders in white water, or anywhere there is a chance of a swim, be sure to wear a good quality belt around the waist, and cinch it tight to keep water from getting into the bottoms. Neoprene waders work best, but be sure and get ones that fit pretty tight. From someone who has swam Double Z wearing waders, when he flipped a dory at 6′ in Late October, a few years back. SYOTR John Sims – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A couple of threads have mentioned wearing waders under paddling jacket. This sounds a little shakey (flooding etc), but I was thinking that I might try Gregg
I tried it myself a couple years ago when I was playing with the Buzz SOT, and stayed bone dry. I made a neoprene belt. i dunno about classIV+ swims. Those experiments ended when I found a nearly new Kokatat dry suit for $200. But this winter I’ll combine them for a real cold trip. Gregg – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -If you wear waders in white water, or anywhere there is a chance of a swim, be sure to wear a good quality belt around the waist, and cinch it tight to keep water from getting into the bottoms. Neoprene waders work best, but be sure and get ones that fit pretty tight. From someone who has swam Double Z wearing waders, when he flipped a dory at 6′ in Late October, a few years back. SYOTR John Sims A couple of threads have mentioned wearing waders under paddling jacket. This sounds a little shakey (flooding etc), but I was thinking that I might try Gregg
A couple of threads have mentioned wearing waders under paddling jacket. This sounds a little shakey (flooding etc), but I was thinking that I might try neoprene waders under the dry suit. This would add a little more bulk and not all boats would have space. But putting the wader into the dry suit then donning the whole thing would eliminate wrestling with the ankle gaskets. Feet would stay toasty dry, ass would also be warm and dry also and that alone should save lots of body heat. There might be excess air in the legs, but there wouldn’t be any reason not to walk out into 4′ feet of water for a quick burp out the neck gasket. This might actually be too warm for any padding when air temps aren’t below freezing, but that’s a risk I’d take. Risk of flooding would be exactly the same as the dry suit minus the waders . Maybe I should just get a thousand pair from China, slap on cool logos and sell them in Outside magazine for $200. Gregg
My sister in law is getting married. She lives in France. I’ve got to go. Cause that’s the only way they’re going to get me there! Ari Ari Bert Gaelle Bert +27 (0) 83 232 9903 +27 (0) 83 236 5308 Flyfishing Corner +27 (0) 11 447 7230 Shop 94, Admirals Court +27 (0) 11 882 8537 (fax) Cnr Craddock & Tyrwhitt www.troutfishing.co.za Street, Rosebank P.O.Box 79067 Senderwood 2145 South Africa
There is plenty of flyfishing in France Ari. It is quite complicated getting a licence etc. A web search will turn up plenty of info. TL MC – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My sister in law is getting married. She lives in France. I’ve got to go. Cause that’s the only way they’re going to get me there! Ari
My sister in law is getting married. She lives in France.
great fishing, great fishermen. Whereabouts in France~? Tony — Tony Knox remove the bit about not spamming
The French have a long tradition in flyfishing. The possibilities for (sea)trout depend largely on the region you’re going to, and when in case of seatrout. Be prepared for _very_, _very_ (and I’m holding back here), _very_ spooky trout. The mentioned long tradition combined with the fine French cuisine have made the bigger trout (i.e. edible size) quite hard to find. Even if you find them it will be hard to get withing casting range. The best chances are late in the evening or very early in the morning, there is no sense at all in fishing during daytime. Getting a license (permis de peche) is not so hard, although it must sound strange for Americans who are used to buy a license for an entire state. Lucky basterds. France is devided in regions, and each region sells license for their waters. Very often regions cooperate by allowing acces on certain waters for license holders for other regions, but check this carefully. Furthermore, the waters are divided in two categories, 1st and (duh) 2nd. From the top of my head 1st category (premier categorie in French) is potential(!) trout water, 2nd category anything else, like big rivers, lakes etcetera. When you buy a license, you’ll need the ‘trout stamp’ which allows you to fish the 1st category waters. Every fishing shop sells them, and if you can’t find any ask in a local ‘Tabac’. Since the French are just as avid smokers as they are fishermen they’ll most certainly be able to tell you where to buy one, or even sell you one right away. I’ve bought licenses in the most unexpected places. According to http://perso.libertysurf.fr/CANTON/ouverture/pech4.htm a holiday license (three weeks license, available from the 1st of June to 30th of Septembre) will set you back FF 150, which is about 25 USD. Outside that time slot you depend on the availability of day/week tickets, but you’ll have to figure that out with the local chaps. Don’t go out without one – you’ll have an expensive holiday if you get caught. Some tips: 1. Speaking French helps a lot. 2. Speaking French helps a lot. 3. ‘Reserve de peche’ signs in a river don’t mean reserved for fishermen. It means fish reserve – NO FISHING!! Certain areas of most rivers, mostly over a length of a hundred to a few hundred meters are kept void of fishermen in order to keep some fish in the river. You wonder where those big trout are? <g 4. Have a great time. France is a nice country outside the big cities. People are friendly, and there is some great food & wine and scenery to be enjoyed. Salut, Herman – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My sister in law is getting married. She lives in France. I’ve got to go. Cause that’s the only way they’re going to get me there! Ari Ari Bert Gaelle Bert +27 (0) 83 232 9903 +27 (0) 83 236 5308 Flyfishing Corner +27 (0) 11 447 7230 Shop 94, Admirals Court +27 (0) 11 882 8537 (fax) Cnr Craddock & Tyrwhitt www.troutfishing.co.za Street, Rosebank P.O.Box 79067 Senderwood 2145 South Africa
– Cheers, Herman Herman Nijland Daytime webmaster Lifetime flyfisher
Hi Ari, I live and fish in France and YES there is good flyfishing here. When and where are you going? I live in the eastern part (near Geneva, Switzerland) and there are plenty of trout streams within two hours drive. However, the other regions also have good trout streams and lakes. If you tell me where you are going I can help you to get some info. Cheers, Peter. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My sister in law is getting married. She lives in France. I’ve got to go. Cause that’s the only way they’re going to get me there! Ari
I will be in southern France (Bordeaux) in late September/early October. Does anyone have information on freshwater flyfishing in southern France or NOrthern Spain (Pyrenees mtns)? Thanks in advance. Alan Hanson
I will be in southern France (Bordeaux) in late September/early October. Does anyone have information on freshwater flyfishing in southern France or NOrthern Spain (Pyrenees mtns)? Thanks in advance. Alan Hanson
Hello, I’m french 
even If I don’t know this area pretty well, there are very fine spot to fly fish trout in this area of france the number of the "departements" (it s french versions of states) are 64 "pyrenes atlantiques" 65 "hautes pyrennees" 66 "pyrennes orientales". You ‘ll find streams named the "nives" exemple: nive de baiguorri, etc plus they are moutain lakes stocked with browns, brooks, and even cristivomers. You may try to contact the "ministere du tourisme" in paris and ask for the "relais St Pierre" It’s a directory of french hotels everywhere in france who have special accomadation for fishermen. Hope this helps regards Gh P.s at the moment you are coming ( September/early October ) the fish will probably be closed for trouts, so be sure to check that first, if it’s not recontact me later my fishing partner is gone with the river directory of france ( a book with all the rivers listed and quoted regarding how they are stocked). — http://www.cortosys.fr Paris FRANCE 01-46-38-06-93 "I have also seen children successfully surmounting the effects of "an evil inheritance. That is due to purity being an inherent "attribute of the soul." [Mahatma Gandhi]
Hi. I just moved to West Lafayette Indiana from Wyoming. I am here to finish my degree (Resort management) and will be here until June. Does anybody know of a place nearby where I can fly fish? I used to (well, 3 weeks ago) fish almost everyday and I desperately miss it. Thanks!! Shannon WYShan.aol.com
Just practice catch and release, and don’t eat the fish anyway. You are somewhat lucky in that you have a number of rivers and creeks up there that have some nice smallmouth fishing. You can float the Tippy or find some smaller streams for wading. Ask around, and check in at some bait shops. I don’t know of FFng clubs in the Purdue area, but there are further north. Also there is some good farm pond fishing for Largemouth and bluegill. As far as trout go, do as I do and go to Mich or out west. Kevin Williams
You ain’t that far from Missouri or Arkansas. A 3 day expedition to the Ozarks will help you get over your leaving Wyoming blues. I have fished both of these states pretty heavily in the last year (after moving here from Summit Co. Colorado) and have been smitten by the unspoiled beauty, the "pure strain McCloud Rainbows" (available nowhere else in the U.S.) and the relative lack of pressure in the Wild Trout management areas. If you would like some more information and/or would like to get together and see what there is in Missouri, feel free to e-mail me at: Tight Lines and Keep the Faith. Joe Sandone
HI SHANNON, YOU ARE NOT TOO FAR FROM SOME OF THE BEST FALL RUN GREAT LAKES FISHING IN THE MIDWEST. PROBALBLY ABOUT AN HOUR. IN THE TOWN OF PORTAGE IS THE LITTLE CALUMET RIVER AND SALT CREEK AND ABOUT A MONTH FROM NOW THE FISH WILL BEGIN TO MOVE IN. BRING YOUR 9WT. LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED FURTHER DETAILS.
Let me offer a few suggestions. Trail Creek (and Salt Creek and the Little Calumet River) in Michigan City, about 2 hours from West Lafayette, offers some good steelhead fishing pretty much year round. In the fall, chinooks, cohos, and browns are also available. Obviously, they’re all hatchery fish, so I never feel guilty about keeping one every now and then. I’ve taken steelhead up to 17 pounds, though bait fisherman get them over twenty pounds in the fall with some regularity. The chinooks may top 30 lbs. Careful, though, most of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and surrounding area reminds me of a toxic, industrial wasteland. Damn, it ain’t Wyoming. I gotta move. Let me also suggest the Pigeon River near Howe. It’s probably 3 hours from Lafayette. It’s a fairly pretty river with browns and rainbows, some of them pretty big, but all hatchery raised. Indiana has a problem getting its trout to reproduce in the wild. Anyway, for more info or suggestions, contact me. Bruce
Shannon – how far are you from South Bend? You can come up and fish for steelhead and salmon in the St. Joseph River right in Leper Park. Other spots in southwest Michigan too. email me for more info. Ann
: Hi. I just moved to West Lafayette Indiana from Wyoming. I am here to : finish my degree (Resort management) and will be here until June. Does : anybody know of a place nearby where I can fly fish? I used to (well, 3 : weeks ago) fish almost everyday and I desperately miss it. Thanks!! : Shannon : WYShan.aol.com Well, you are 30 (maybe less) miles from the Middle Fork Illinois State Fish and Game Reserve. It’s just north of Kick-a-poo state park and NW of Danville (Both Illinois) As a indiana resident, you’ll need a non-resident license, (i think it’s under $25 for a year or around $15 for 10 days) I think your 50+ miles from Lake Michigan, but you should be near Sugar Creek (which runs thru that section of indiana). You should call the Indiana DNR, they should have free information that they’ll mail you (I’m sure they have set-aside areas too) Chicago Area Paddling/Fishing Page: http://www.ripco.com/~jwn/
<snip : One warning: Get a copy of the regs and carefully read the consumption : advisories– there is *no* water in Indiana that is not under some level : of consumption advisory for toxins like heavy metals, pesticides, dioxin, : etc. On some waters you shouldn’t eat anything, on others it’s okay to : have 1-2 meals a week; pregnant women are advised not to eat any fish : caught here at all. I’ve got the full EPA data on these advisories and : think it’s actually worse than the state regs let on– I won’t eat any : fish caught in Indiana water. <snip On the Illinois DNR page, they have divided fish into 3 catagories, one that you can eat a few times a week, one that you can never eat, and my favorite catagory (group II) which shouldn’t be consumed by males under 16, females who ever anticipate giving birth, and there are a few other people who, depending on their health, can’t eat group II fish. (i just always liked the "ever anticpate" clause). Chicago Area Paddling/Fishing Page: http://www.ripco.com/~jwn/
You poor soul. I have pity on you. Wyoming to Indiana. That’s probably worse than what we did– Oregon/Idaho to Indiana. If you want to fish here it’ll be panfish, bass, and perhaps the hybrids they call "wipers." The best fishing is in farm ponds, though the large reserviors have produced a number of record bass and catfish. Down south (where I am) there are monster catfish in some of the old quarries (seen Breaking Away?). There are basically no salmonids at all though, with the exception of the Lake Michigan fishery and some stockers they put in a couple of creeks as sacrifices. It’s a whole ‘nuther ballgame out here, let me tell you. My steelhead gear and trout flies went into storage long ago, and only come out when I’m lucky enough to make it back West. One warning: Get a copy of the regs and carefully read the consumption advisories– there is *no* water in Indiana that is not under some level of consumption advisory for toxins like heavy metals, pesticides, dioxin, etc. On some waters you shouldn’t eat anything, on others it’s okay to have 1-2 meals a week; pregnant women are advised not to eat any fish caught here at all. I’ve got the full EPA data on these advisories and think it’s actually worse than the state regs let on– I won’t eat any fish caught in Indiana water. All that said, it’s good fun to learn to panfish, and I’ve found that bluegill or small bass on a #4 line can be a load of fun. You’ll want to check out Turkey Run State Park and the Willow Slough, Lasalle, Hillenbrand, Winamac, and Kanakee fish and wildlife areas up in your corner of the state. If you have time, drive up to Michigan for the real fishing; we did over Memmorial Day and it was well worth the 8 hour drive, if only to see running water that wasn’t brown. Good luck- — Derek R. Larson Indiana University Department of History "Eastward I go by force, but Westward I go free!" -H. D. Thoreau
Shannon, Depending on how close you are to Lake Michigan you are within a short drive of year-round steelhead fishing. Pick up a fly fishing mag and check the ads. I bet there is an outfitter close by.
Hi. I just moved to West Lafayette Indiana from Wyoming. I am here to finish my degree (Resort management) and will be here until June. Does anybody know of a place nearby where I can fly fish? I used to (well, 3 weeks ago) fish almost everyday and I desperately miss it. Thanks!! Shannon WYShan.aol.com
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Dutch government intends to forbid live bait fishing (i.e., fishing with living fish, minnows, etc.) starting January 1, 1997. If you think this is none of your business, please read on. Eventually, perhaps sooner than you think, this plan might restrict anyone’s freedom to fish. Not allowing live bait fishing is of course nothing new. It is in effect in several countries in Europe and, if I am correctly informed, also in some states in the US of A. Some fishing associations also allow only artificial bait in (some of) the waters they rent. The reasons vary from country tot country and from place to place. So what else is new, why should you care? What’s new is, that our government uses an ethical argument: the fish feel pain, suffer, etc. As you might expect, our government’s current viewpoint is the result of a protracted lobby of the Dutch Animal Rights movement, which have for years argued against fishing for ethical reasons, although the scientific basis for ‘the ethical argument’ seems to be weak. In fact, neurological evidence points in the opposite direction: fish don’t have the brain structures that are held responsible for feelings of pain and suffering in mammals. Forbidding life bait fishing for ethical reasons is alarming, because once you use an ethical argument against life bait fishing, it’s hard not to apply it to fishing in general and, consequently, forbid fishing entirely. Of course, the long-term goal of our Animal Rights movement is just that. If fishing is no longer allowed in one country, this will surely encourage Animal Rights movements in other countries to strive for something similar. It is for this reason that I think that fishermen in other countries should care. Lots of fishermen in The Netherlands have written letters of protest to the political parties that support the government’s intention. Letters from fishermen in other countries would also be most welcome and very much appreciated, the more the better. We have ridiculously many political parties, but four of them really matter here: PvdA, D66, VVD, and CDA (the latter two do not have a very strong opinion on the matter, but they are among the largest parties). If you would like to support us, please send an E-mail to them. They should be addressed as follows: E-mail address If you write a letter of protest, please be polite. It wouldn’t do any harm, however, when you pointed out that you would not feel terribly at ease in a country that forbids life bait fishing and that therefore … Because I would like to know whether a protest like this can be organized on the net, I would appreciate being informed by those who do send a letter of I’ll let you know what happens. This is the first posting of this letter. It will probably be posted by me two times more in the next two weeks. Leo Beem E-mail:
until it’s too late.We in America keep suupporting ,subconciously,politicians who have no balls to stand up to Amimal rights nonsense.Just like gun-ownership and hunting,we will become the fringe ,as the media and liberal politician will paint us .Then ultimately bans on bait will be seen as the middle ground,and then bans on hook barbs,thenbans on anything but fly fishing,then a total ban.And yes ,the fly fishermen will go along with all of this,as their exclusive sense of moral righteousness,and sportsmanship will encourage this type of political crap. If you don’t believe me,go talk to some members of trout unlimited,who will tell you they are ethically superior in their means of sportsmanship,Of course baitfishing is considered "unsporting" and fishing with barbed hooks is "deadly to the fish". The other example I have to offer is the so-called assault weapon.Go to a skeet match and speak to the elite shotgunners with Perazzi’s and Beretta’s.They will tell you what neanderthals those men are who own semi-auto rifles and large magazines.They will tell you they should be banned.So you see,Americans have no unity in their ranks.We will lose our outdoor heritage,as our membership continues to compromise on what they consider moral,and ethical
The Dutch government intends to forbid live bait fishing (i.e., fishing with living fish, minnows, etc.) starting January 1, 1997. If you think this is none of your business, please read on. Eventually, perhaps sooner than you think, this plan might restrict anyone’s freedom to fish. Not allowing live bait fishing is of course nothing new. It is in effect in several countries in Europe and, if I am correctly informed, also in some states in the US of A. Some fishing associations also allow only artificial bait in (some of) the waters they rent. The reasons vary from country tot country and from place to place. So what else is new, why should you care? What’s new is, that our government uses an ethical argument: the fish feel pain, suffer, etc. As you might expect, our government’s current viewpoint is the result of a protracted lobby of the Dutch Animal Rights movement, which have for years argued against fishing for ethical reasons, although the scientific basis for ‘the ethical argument’ seems to be weak. In fact, neurological evidence points in the opposite direction: fish don’t have the brain structures that are held responsible for feelings of pain and suffering in mammals. Forbidding life bait fishing for ethical reasons is alarming, because once you use an ethical argument against life bait fishing, it’s hard not to apply it to fishing in general and, consequently, forbid fishing entirely. Of course, the long-term goal of our Animal Rights movement is just that. If fishing is no longer allowed in one country, this will surely encourage Animal Rights movements in other countries to strive for something similar. It is for this reason that I think that fishermen in other countries should care. Lots of fishermen in The Netherlands have written letters of protest to the political parties that support the government’s intention. Letters from fishermen in other countries would also be most welcome and very much appreciated, the more the better. We have ridiculously many political parties, but four of them really matter here: PvdA, D66, VVD, and CDA (the latter two do not have a very strong opinion on the matter, but they are among the largest parties). If you would like to support us, please send an E-mail to them. They should be addressed as follows: E-mail address If you write a letter of protest, please be polite. It wouldn’t do any harm, however, when you pointed out that you would not feel terribly at ease in a country that forbids life bait fishing and that therefore … Because I would like to know whether a protest like this can be organized on the net, I would appreciate being informed by those who do send a letter I’ll let you know what happens. This is the first posting of this letter. It will probably be posted by me two times more in the next two weeks. Leo Beem
Please be aware that in many states in the good old USA live bait is restricted for reasons other than cruelty. Many fish species used for bait are not indigenous to the local ecology. Introducing foreign species to certain lakes and ponds can wreak havoc and destroy the local ecology. These introduced species can thrive in ares where natural competition is not present. Many states restrict live bait for these reasons. You would be amazed how many so called sportsmen have introduced fish species into local ecologies via bait and or intentionally trying to stock and improve their local fishery. A VERY bad idea.
So now you know you must either dress the hook with thread, or you must not. Hmmmmm. Well, I guess that eventually becomes a matter of personal preference. I prefer to have a thread base whether I’m spinning the hair (as with a Muddler head) or not (as with a Try-It or Caddis). It has been my experience that I get a bit more control. If the problem you are having is with the spinning of the hair to distribute around the hook shank, then practice is the best answer. Use a small clump of hair, warp the thread arond the hair and hook, all the way. Then continue over the top and down the far side. On your way down, tighten down on the thread, and release the hair from your (usually left) hand. This USUALLY will draw the hair around the hook. An important part of making a Muddler head is to pack the hair backwards – away from the eye of the hook, and build it up a little bunch at a time. It is generally sufficient to push it with your thunmbnail and index finger. Then you can trim it as you see fit after the head is all roughed in and the thread is tied off. G’Luck Bob Lundy IWFFC Mississauga
I’m a beginning tyer who has been having trouble with making muddlers. I’m hung up on the deer hair – have been having a hard time getting the hair to make that funky head. ANy suggestions? THanks, JOnathan Vlaming Duluth, Minnesota (woke up to -43 today, WITHOUT the windchill!!)
I think we’ve all been there. It really helps to watch someone who’s good at it. If you don’t know anyone, try getting a video. I have heard people suggest the Jimmy Nix bass bug video but I have not watched it. The Jack Dennis video, "Tying Western Trout Flys" has some good Information on different types of hair and what they are good for. Make sure you clean out all of the fuzz and any short hairs with a comb or your scissor points. I use larger bunches of hair than most people suggest. I also leave the hook shank bare under the head area. Good luck, Jay Whitworth
With all the good advice given, someone forgot to mention combing out the fuzz from the hair before you spin it. You don’t have to get it all, just use a comb or scissor points or even your fingers to get most of it out. This helps the spinning process considerably. Rob Gregoire Dallas, Tx
I’m a beginning tyer who has been having trouble with making muddlers. I’m hung up on the deer hair – have been having a hard time getting the hair to make that funky head. ANy suggestions? THanks, JOnathan Vlaming Duluth, Minnesota (woke up to -43 today, WITHOUT the windchill!!)
Hi Jonathan- A cool trick is to wet the deer hair the let it get *almost* dry. It will spin and flair with ease. OK, well almost. Trick #2 is to trim with a razor blade rather than scissors. Trick #3 is to hit the head with a butane lighter or propane torch (lightly). It will burn all the stray hair even with the base head. Trick #4, have your wife tie it. Tight heads, Ralph —
With all the good advice given, someone forgot to mention combing out the fuzz from the hair before you spin it. You don’t have to get it all, just use a comb or scissor points or even your fingers to get most of it out. This helps the spinning process considerably. Rob Gregoire Dallas, Tx
Take a run down to your local drug store, go to the cosmetics section and pick up an eyebrow comb… I got the one with metal teeth… real tight and does a great job on removing the fuzz from deer hair.
The hair you select is important. Choose hair that is not brittle, such as coastal hair. Spin it with a soft loop, then a tighter loop and finally a tight loop. The last loop should spin the hair. Pack it tight and start again until you get the head you are looking for. Spinning hair is not easy to learn. I suggest you rent a good video or take a leson. Good luck!
Take a run down to your local drug store, go to the cosmetics section and pick up an eyebrow comb… I got the one with metal teeth… real tight and does a great job on removing the fuzz from deer hair.
Might also show up under the moniker of "mustache comb". I use one (for fly tying) and am able to report it works quite well! Charley
With all the good advice given, someone forgot to mention combing out the fuzz from the hair before you spin it. You don’t have to get it all, just use a comb or scissor points or even your fingers to get most of it out. This helps the spinning process considerably. Rob Gregoire Dallas, Tx Take a run down to your local drug store, go to the cosmetics section and pick up an eyebrow comb… I got the one with metal teeth… real tight and does a great job on removing the fuzz from deer hair.
Static electricity is also a problem when working with any animal hair. I use Static Guard to remove that problem. You can find it in most super markets in the detergent/soap area. Good Luck Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (catalog avail)
Recently viewed two videos by Chris Helm (Hooked on Fly Tying series). Chris answers most questions one could have about stacking and spinning deer hair. Also, Dave Whitlock’s video on bass flies is quite a work. Between them, a tyer should have no trouble tying deer hair patterns for trout or bass. VA Angler
I’ve enjoyed reading about various techniques to improve spinning deer hair. Has anyone tried STACKING deer hair? I prefer this method over spinning. It allows me to segment the color of the bass bug I’m tying (white underneath, green on top). You can create a very realistic fly. Comments?
writes: Has anyone tried STACKING deer hair? I prefer this method over spinning. It allows me to segment the color of the bass bug I’m tying (white underneath, green on top). You can create a very realistic fly. Comments?
As the saying goes,"You Betcha!" You can see some good examples of the technique on Jimmy Nix’s Tying Bass Flies or Dave Whitlock’s 2 tape set. If you get a chance to see Mark Hoesner (sp?) at any of the shows, stop and watch as he is amazing. Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again. So what if they eat other fish? If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).
Just as a side note… Deer hair isn’t really hollow, its more a function of the number of air pockets that are in the hair. The hair on the back of the animal is less "hollow" than on the belly due to this feature of air pockets. I find that the belly hair is better for bass bug bodies and the back hair is better for collars. I really stay away from deer hair for caddis and use elk hair because even the worst deer hair still flares too much for my taste. Charles (Chuck) Abbott The MITRE Corporation "There is not a single blackfly in the Adirondacks. All are married and have large families." Henry Wells
Both of the other posters have given excellent advise. If however, you still have trouble, get this video- "Tying Bass flies with Jimmy Nix". The man REALLY knows how to teach it. Good luck. — Phil Koenig Manhattan Custom Tackle Ltd. http://fishdoc.com./ "I’m the boss,so WHATEVER I say is OK"
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a beginning tyer who has been having trouble with making muddlers. I’m hung up on the deer hair – have been having a hard time getting the hair to make that funky head. ANy suggestions? THanks, JOnathan Vlaming Duluth, Minnesota (woke up to -43 today, WITHOUT the windchill!!) OK, first pay close attention to the deer hair you’re using. The deer hair must be hollow, that crucial. You can try your deer hair when you push with your finger nail onto some deer hairs. If they spread very well -use it, if not- use it for deer hair caddis. BTW, the best hair for spinning is Caribou, try it (especially if you start tying Irresistibles). Another problem might be the thread – If you change from 8/0 to 6/0 you will less likely break the tread. I usually wind a base of thread before I spin the deer hair (before you start spinning the deer hair make one half hitch just in case you brake the tread). Take a small (!) bunch of deer hair, hold it onto the hook and make one tread turn and then pull it tight and make another turn exactly on top of the first- the deer hair will spread around the hook. Push the hair bach to the shank and make one half hitch (just in case you break the tread) and tie in the next bunch of Caribou. After you spinned enough deer hair whip finish (or make two half hitches- you can do the latter faster and it is equaly stable). Trim the hair with a razor blade. I don’t use a hair stacker for the deer hair (for the first bunch of deer hair you can if you like). I usually take a bunch and take out very long hairs, then I hold the bunch at the tip and pull out very short hairs and underfur. That is simply faster and it looks more natural to me. If you tie in the deer hair close to the base it spinns easier! Hope that helps Thomas
Forgot to mention two things: The best introduction how to work with deer hair is probably in the WESTERN FLY TYING MANUAL VOL. II b= y Jack Dennis (revised edition!). One tip of Jack is: tie at least on dozen of each fly, with tying only two or three you won’t get = it- don’t be frustrated (I can confirm by myself, it works only this way: tie at least one or two dozen- the only way to get real go= od flies and to improve speed). Thomas – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – —— / Harvard University / Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology / 16 Divinity Ave. / Cambridge, MA 02138 / Tel: (USA) 617 495 3716 / Fax: (USA) 617 495 9300 O / |_/o / | _______
I had the same hangup when I started. I found that the thread and packer were key to success with deer hair. First, a good strong thread (kevlar if you can afford the bulk) was critical for me as a beginner. A descent packer helped, too – especially when using the heavier threads. Lastly, try trimming with a razor if you’re not doing so already. I’ve found the razor yeilds a much better shape when all is said and done. — Ray Anderson Fall River MA USA "Imagination is more important than knowledge." – Albert Einstein
I’m a beginning tyer who has been having trouble with making muddlers. I’m hung up on the deer hair – have been having a hard time getting the hair to make that funky head. ANy suggestions? THanks, JOnathan Vlaming Duluth, Minnesota (woke up to -43 today, WITHOUT the windchill!!)
OK, first pay close attention to the deer hair you’re using. The deer hair must be hollow, that crucial. You can try your deer hair when you push with your finger nail onto some deer hairs. If they spread very well -use it, if not- use it for deer hair caddis. BTW, the best hair for spinning is Caribou, try it (especially if you start tying Irresistibles). Another problem might be the thread – If you change from 8/0 to 6/0 you will less likely break the tread. I usually wind a base of thread before I spin the deer hair (before you start spinning the deer hair make one half hitch just in case you brake the tread). Take a small (!) bunch of deer hair, hold it onto the hook and make one tread turn and then pull it tight and make another turn exactly on top of the first- the deer hair will spread around the hook. Push the hair bach to the shank and make one half hitch (just in case you break the tread) and tie in the next bunch of Caribou. After you spinned enough deer hair whip finish (or make two half hitches- you can do the latter faster and it is equaly stable). Trim the hair with a razor blade. I don’t use a hair stacker for the deer hair (for the first bunch of deer hair you can if you like). I usually take a bunch and take out very long hairs, then I hold the bunch at the tip and pull out very short hairs and underfur. That is simply faster and it looks more natural to me. If you tie in the deer hair close to the base it spinns easier! Hope that helps Thomas —— / Harvard University / Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology / 16 Divinity Ave. / Cambridge, MA 02138 / Tel: (USA) 617 495 3716 / Fax: (USA) 617 495 9300 O / |_/o / | _______
I’m a beginning tyer who has been having trouble with making muddlers. I’m hung up on the deer hair – have been having a hard time getting the hair to make that funky head. ANy suggestions? THanks, JOnathan Vlaming Duluth, Minnesota (woke up to -43 today, WITHOUT the windchill!!)
Try Fly & Field at http://www.flyfield.com. e-mail them and ask about Chris Helm’s deer hair products. He sorts the various hair from various species to get you just the stuff you need for the particular job. Todd
I’m a beginning tyer who has been having trouble with making muddlers. I’m hung up on the deer hair – have been having a hard time getting the hair to make that funky head. ANy suggestions?
Practice if necessary with thread strong enough never to break; and be sure to comb out all fluff from hair butts first. Place a pinch (no more than will fit in a .22 shell case) of aligned hair across the naked hook shank (i.e. no thread base at all) and secure with two loose turns of thread. Then pull gradually but quite hard, to spin thread around the hook while you tighten. If OK, keep tension on thread while you shove everything rearward with thumbnail(s) — not too much — and then spin on some more. Only experience will indicate how much hair to use. Sparse heads sink better, massive heads float better. — | Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs, | | Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734 |
Hi, I see another person steered you toward Chris Helm — he did you a real favour. Chris has some great hair and you can reach him at 419-474-2348. His business is called White Tail Supplies or something like that. Just tell Chris what you need the hair for and he will make sure you get the right stuff. A tip: If you decide to go to a fly shop instead of calling Chris be sure to look for hair (in the packages, of course) that is basically light grey rather than dark grey. The light grey hair will spin into a very nice muddler head BUT the dark grey hair will NOT. Good Luck! Al Beatty
donald thanks for the advise as I am haveing the same problem. I am new to fly tying, and fishing, I just started flyfishing here in northern alberta, some very good streams, just have to learn how to catch some fish keith wyman
I operate a Cortland Pro Shop and Stock over 300 DIFFERENT Cortland Fly Lines. I also build custom rods and have lots of other neat stuff. If I can help out anyone with anything let me know. George E. Hoskin/Hoskin Enterprises RFD 1, Box 841 West Bath, Maine 04530 1-207-443-6064 1-800-244-7744
writes: I am an advanced beginner fresh and saltwater flyfisherman. I will be in Miami in late May and was thinking of going tarpon fishing. However, as I can’t do a double-haul cast ….
Steve, You should practice the double haul before going. It’s not that hard. If you can do a single haul (which comes naturally after a couple of years of freshwater flyfishing), you can master the double haul. Despite the very complicated way that Mel K. and others try to explain the double haul, it really just comes down to this … shoot line on your back cast. It just takes a little up-down tug (about 6 inches) immediately after you lift the line from the water … move the line (tug) hand back with the rod hand … and give a forward tug (haul) after the line shoots on the back cast. YOU CAN DO IT. See Lefty Kreh’s or Ed Jaworowoski’s books on casting — they are the best. The doublke haul is essential for successful saltwater casting (especially into the wind). Hope this helps. Cordially, Rochester, NY
I am an advanced beginner fresh and saltwater flyfisherman. I will be in Miami in late May and was thinking of going tarpon fishing. However, as I can’t do a double-haul cast (yet) and am not that accurate, would I be wasting my time? I don’t want to just get yelled at by a frustrated guide. Also I called sevral guides who were recommended. They were all booked up. Anyone know someone who will be patient with a beginner in South Florida? The date I am looking for is Sunday May 21st. Steven Locke, M.D. Beth Israel Hospital/Harvard Medical School 617-667-2946 voice 617-527-3343 fax
A good guide will not yell at you, although you should remember that they put more effort into helping you catch fish than you put into it. I’m sure that it’s very frustrating for them to pole you all over the flat to give you the best opportunity for presentation and then have the cast bobbled or one of a hundred other things go wrong. Most of the better guides are booked years in advance, you would be better off if you could contact them for any available date and then make your schedule conform. Another way to work it is to find a good guide and see if he has any time available outside of the peak period . Book this time and if you work well together you can move into the primo months as time becomes available. Learn the double haul, It’s very important. For sure try tarpon fishing with a fly rod, there are no wasted days on the flats FISH MORE KEEP LESS Roccus