Question:

Bob Have you tried really small baits??   I use 3" twisty tails on a very light jig with 6lb test on tough days.  Just a thought. Merry Christmas and catch one for me cause all the water up here is hard. Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I may have mentioend once or twice before that I like to play around fishing the canals when I only have a few hours to fish.  During warm weather its great.  I have found where to catch a few, and they are always there.  Not many keepers, but lots of fun on light tackle with an occassional nice fish. Since the weather turned cooler they have all disappeared.  I know the bass still have to be there somewhere.  But I can’t find them.  I have heard that when the weather turns cold they head for deeper water, but I’m talking about canals here.  What deeper water? — Bob La Londe The Security Consultant http://www.diycomponents.com 849 S Ave C Yuma, Az 85364 (928)782-9765 ofc (928)782-7873 fax ROC 103044, C-12 ROC 103047, L-67

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Bob Have you tried really small baits??   I use 3" twisty tails on a very light jig with 6lb test on tough days.  Just a thought. Merry Christmas and catch one for me cause all the water up here is hard.

You have my condolences.  Down here we only have to deal with hard water in our plumbing. I’ll try some smaller stuff like that for probing the bottom.  I usually use small stuff like1/8 oz spinners when it gets tough, but I forgot about using smaller bottom probing stuff. I even just picked up some small jigs because I want to try some float and fly next weekend floating a couple miles of the Colorado river. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Steve I may have mentioend once or twice before that I like to play around fishing the canals when I only have a few hours to fish.  During warm weather its great.  I have found where to catch a few, and they are always there.  Not many keepers, but lots of fun on light tackle with an occassional nice fish. Since the weather turned cooler they have all disappeared.  I know the bass still have to be there somewhere.  But I can’t find them.  I have heard that when the weather turns cold they head for deeper water, but I’m talking about canals here.  What deeper water? — Bob La Londe The Security Consultant http://www.diycomponents.com 849 S Ave C Yuma, Az 85364 (928)782-9765 ofc (928)782-7873 fax ROC 103044, C-12 ROC 103047, L-67

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I may have mentioend once or twice before that I like to play around fishing the canals when I only have a few hours to fish.  During warm weather its great.  I have found where to catch a few, and they are always there.  Not many keepers, but lots of fun on light tackle with an occassional nice fish. Since the weather turned cooler they have all disappeared.  I know the bass still have to be there somewhere.  But I can’t find them.  I have heard that when the weather turns cold they head for deeper water, but I’m talking about canals here.  What deeper water? — Bob La Londe The Security Consultant http://www.diycomponents.com 849 S Ave C Yuma, Az 85364 (928)782-9765 ofc (928)782-7873 fax ROC 103044, C-12 ROC 103047, L-67

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Question:

My friend Michael had some unusual interest a couple of years ago while fishing a P&O it was taken on his backcast by a dragonfly. Later while he was telling his fishing partner about this it happened again and it was witnessed. Each yearwhile at the Southern Conclave in Mountain Home i tie a dozen for the kids who fish togeather in a kids only section of the Norfolk River and only last year did they not take a bunch of fish for them. Last year was real different cause I have a friend that said that it was the first year in the last seventeen years that soft hackles did not work for him in that river during the conclave. This is another of the many things that I find that I do not pretend to understand. Soft hackles and bamboo rods seem to go togeather very well. You might want to tie up a few of the old Arkansas pattern called the Red Ass which is simply a partridge and peacock hurl tied with a red thread abdomen. Big Dale

You had sent me the recipe on the Red Ass before and I had forgotten it, thanks for the reminder.  I’m sure I can cook up some steelhead friendly versions of it too. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

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My friend Michael had some unusual interest a couple of years ago while fishing a P&O it was taken on his backcast by a dragonfly. Later while he was telling his fishing partner about this it happened again and it was witnessed

This happened to a buddy of mine two years ago! The dragonfly was actually trying to fly off with his fly. He pulled it in and cast the dragonfly into the creek (still gnawing his fly) which was immediately attacked and mostly consumed by a trout, leaving him with a dragonfly-head-on-a-fly to cast about. He caught no fish with just the head. Sean

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Tying the old north country style of wet flies is very addictive. Big Dale

Okay Dale, define that for me, please? — (C) George Gehrke 2001 http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html     fine bamboo flyrods & blanks

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Here you go George: http://www.people.cornell.edu/pages/emt3/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tying the old north country style of wet flies is very addictive. Big Dale Okay Dale, define that for me, please? —

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Funny how great minds think alike. About a year ago while tying at a weekly meeting of The Roadkill Roundtable my mind started wandering and I put a size 14 wet fly hook in the vise and started with about 5 fibers of zelon as a trailing shuck. I had a 12 pack of superfine dubbing with me so I then dubbed a body of chartreuse. Then I added a collar of bobwhite quail tied like you said with the fibers stripped from one side of the feather. I am sorry that I did not think of the read head. Mine worked very well last summer for my beloved bluegills and last fall for a few rainbows over in Arkansas. I am looking forward to hearing how they work for you. Tying the old north country style of wet flies is very addictive. Big Dale

These old wets were the first flies I tied and used. My first fish on my own fly was a half pound largemouth on a Partridge and Orange that a had fished on a slow pulse retrieve.  All of my early trout were either taken on a P&O or an EHC.  A few months ago, I picked up some Pearsall’s silk and a starling skin – they’re still sitting on the bench.  Perhaps this weekend. I’ll let you know how they work for ‘gills too, once the warm weather arrives. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

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my own fly was a half pound largemouth on a Partridge and Orange that a had fished on a slow pulse retrieve.  All of my early trout were either taken on a P&O or an EHC.  

My friend Michael had some unusual interest a couple of years ago while fishing a P&O it was taken on his backcast by a dragonfly. Later while he was telling his fishing partner about this it happened again and it was witnessed. Each yearwhile at the Southern Conclave in Mountain Home i tie a dozen for the kids who fish togeather in a kids only section of the Norfolk River and only last year did they not take a bunch of fish for them. Last year was real different cause I have a friend that said that it was the first year in the last seventeen years that soft hackles did not work for him in that river during the conclave. This is another of the many things that I find that I do not pretend to understand. Soft hackles and bamboo rods seem to go togeather very well. You might want to tie up a few of the old Arkansas pattern called the Red Ass which is simply a partridge and peacock hurl tied with a red thread abdomen. Big Dale

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the bug making business.  On Friday, my big steelie took a plain old Partridge & Orange yet the float rodder who ended up with seven on the day, swears by anything chartreuse.  So add 2 + 2 and I’m tying up size 12 Partridge & Flos on a Kamasan B175 (same as a Mustad 3906) in fluorescent green, chartreuse, or yellow using Uni’s Neon 1/0 braided thread plus a flo red 6/0 head .

Funny how great minds think alike. About a year ago while tying at a weekly meeting of The Roadkill Roundtable my mind started wandering and I put a size 14 wet fly hook in the vise and started with about 5 fibers of zelon as a trailing shuck. I had a 12 pack of superfine dubbing with me so I then dubbed a body of chartreuse. Then I added a collar of bobwhite quail tied like you said with the fibers stripped from one side of the feather. I am sorry that I did not think of the read head. Mine worked very well last summer for my beloved bluegills and last fall for a few rainbows over in Arkansas. I am looking forward to hearing how they work for you. Tying the old north country style of wet flies is very addictive. Big Dale

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The fishing season will start in a couple of weeks and so I was doing some preparations. I decided to dress some basic flypatterns. After  sitting in front of my tying vise and having tied some nice Buck caddis and GRHE goldhead I had been bored of these. So I asked myself a question; which other patterns should I dress and are there any other useful things to do with my fishing gear? I start with my results and hope of some other ROFF(T) hints: Do some pheasant tail nymphs and Adams. Exchange your leaders, which means for me make some new furled leaders. Best Regards and tight lines Wim

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Well, if guys could see what I’m tying now, I’d be drummed out of the bug making business.  On Friday, my big steelie took a plain old Partridge & Orange yet the float rodder who ended up with seven on the day, swears by anything chartreuse.  So add 2 + 2 and I’m tying up size 12 Partridge & Flos on a Kamasan B175 (same as a Mustad 3906) in fluorescent green, chartreuse, or yellow using Uni’s Neon 1/0 braided thread plus a flo red 6/0 head .  Tie on the 1/0 flo, and wrap over a few strands of mallard for the tail, wrap back and tie off.  Tie on the red flo and add two turns of partridge spider style (one side trimmed off.)  It actually doesn’t look all that bad and I think it just might work.   Picture to follow on ABPF.  Field tests due this week.  Stay tuned. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

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 on the contrary:  posts such as yours often transform banality into a worthwhile subject for ridicule.

Who else has a motorcycle with 3 fly tying vices on it (except maybe Dig Dale<g)? — Charlie…

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(except maybe Dig Dale<g)?

Or Big Dale, too… — Charlie…

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however, you must not consider my response to be an effort to take  the keyboard from your hands.  on the contrary:  posts such as yours often transform banality into a worthwhile subject for ridicule.

Almost makes me feel bad I missed it. If you hear a distant scream from the East later this morning, you’ll know all those missing posts showed up at once when I fired up ROFF from my office PC. –Steve

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(snip ramblings from the king of babble-on)         george, it is a pity that you are so bereft of literacy; otherwise, the world of psychiatry would be afforded a marvelous insight into the world of the egomaniac, at no cost, here at roff.         however, you must not consider my response to be an effort to take  the keyboard from your hands.  on the contrary:  posts such as yours often transform banality into a worthwhile subject for ridicule.         "wayne"

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What I like about my place is that it reeks with the outdoors/indoors. The unusual objects that grace this place of quiet solitude are really signatures of my life.  To the right of me, as I write this is a motorcycle, right next to my desk – a library of outdoor literature that would keep any man busy reading for several years and in fact, most of them are valuable collector items.  The pictures that adorn my walls began years ago which include art works along with my own.  A River Runs Through It, given to me by Redford, tons of inventory and boxes in the upper lofts which we use to ship in to customers all over the world and to my right, my Studio Upright Balwin piano which I tickle, now and then in moments of reverie. A Setter, usually lays at my feet no matter where I sit each day.  Such companionship is one of osmosis, I suppose.  Love unconditional is the best kind of love, which often is more real from animals whose senses are keener than words.  If you want to know that man, I’ve always said, look at his animals.  Are his horse shy from abuse?  Do his dogs cower and does the cat slink away to hide?  Thing is, I marvel that most new people who show up must be warned that they may be licked to death around here. I have serveral com sites that have not been developed yet and I suppose this winter I and David Ion may start doing something about that. Mainly because the bamboo blanks are in great demand and growing. Burning the night oil, late at night, pondering the next decimals on the lathe while listening to Barbara Cook or the Four Freshmen on the Studio Sound System – waxes the hours away.  I’ve always loved working with my hands.  The creation of things that take form for others is a joy for me.  I am good at the things that I do.  A rare gift, I’m told but it makes me smile.  Often, when I work, I have a specific man’s name in mind and although I may not know what they look like, I know the heart. For me, that is what matters. I have a second motorcycle setting by a well used and equiped fly tying center and table.  It has three fly tying vises on it and the finest material money can buy.  The finest refreshments that money can buy is not far away and often, the finest company dwell on life in soft whispers and laughter while pretty things are plucked and stored in fly boxes.  Steelhead season is on and it has been better this year.  The river banks are lined here and there with vehicles, empty of the driver.  One cannot help but look to the river for them. Harmonics has been my bane for three weeks now.  I have hunted this bitch for all this time, trying hard to find the harmony long since lost.  The mill has been eating tips like M & M’s and it tends to piss me off because its been so difficult.  Tonight, finally, the dial indicator needle is setting vibration free for the first time in months, if not nearly a year. I’ve tired of the politics on ROFF and the nonsense of subject matters not dealing with fly fishing.  There is so much to think about regarding the subject and there are so many facets as found on a diamond, yet to be explored.  We used to talk about those a couple years ago all the time.  It used to be as fun as what is enjoyed in the fly tying section.  No darwinian nonsense there.  Just pure fly tying and gentlemen of the first realm. Well, I had to take a break and this computer and hook up is different from the other.  Old friends still write on the side and the letters are warm and caring.  The kind of people that make this world a nice place are often singular minds enjoying and trusting the minutes spent with friends.  Nothing worse in life than bores who only hawk and take inventory of others.  Such a waste of valuable time. I sometimes think of that long line of camels on the horizon in a far away desert.  Mirage like they seem . . . shimmering in the heat of the sun, almost unreal.  If you walk toward them, you notice the camels are in a long, thin line and as you get closer and closer, as in ROFF, you notice they are tied together with singular lines, halter to tail, halter to tail and should you follow with your eye to the front, the lead animal is always a donkey.  ROFFIANS, like the donkey have to figure out why it is always a donkey that leads and if that is good or a bad thing. Right Wayne? — Mr.G. http://www.gink.com "the sage continues"

  gink.vcf

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Question:

(Sandy’s observations snipped) — /* Sandy Pittendrigh                  –oO0

I think we’ve been down these threads before Sandy, but they are worth repeating.  I asked the question once before and never got a definitive answer (like you ever do in this group); What about crushing ants and rolling your ant pattern around in a bottle of crushed ants?  Work? Ethical?  I was stopped and questioned at length once by a game warden because he thought my Bio-Strike looked like Power Bait!  I might try the ant thing this summer though.  Mossy Creek Browns are notoriously pickey! Just an additional note here about the scent thing.  A Wildlife Biologist/Fraternity Brother always swore by Oil of Anise.  Said fish and small game couldn’t resist the smell.  What if some enterprising floatant maker developed Anise scented floatant?  Ant scented, Mayfly scented floatant lines? — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

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Just an additional note here about the scent thing.  A Wildlife Biologist/Fraternity Brother always swore by Oil of Anise.  Said fish and small game couldn’t resist the smell.  What if some enterprising floatant maker developed Anise scented floatant?  Ant scented, Mayfly scented floatant lines?

I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F.

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I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F.

If your gonna smear dead ants all over your fly then why not just hook a dead ant on the thing.  For that matter, why not dispense with the extra furry junk and just use the ant?  Let’s see, worms will hang on a hook easier than ants.  How about just using a worm and a big ball of strike indicater about 2 feet up the line?  Add to that a one piece bamboo "fly" rod and you have something which sounds familiar. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

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Dear Chief the extra chili last night and they really enjoyed it. They howled alot during the night but seemed fine this A.M.  You forgot to take the extra set of underware I washed for you.  Perhaps you can borrow a pair from DEave, use your suspenders to keep them up.   Try to stay away from that Fontenberry guy, last time you went fishing with him you came home with alot of new dirty words and some screwed up opinions.  Take your celostral pill each  morning.your metamusal each night and don"t forget you should have one Manhatten each night. Your side of the tribe has never been able to handle firewater,

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"Wayne Hart" wrote <snip Just an additional note here about the scent thing.  A Wildlife Biologist/Fraternity Brother always swore by Oil of Anise.  Said fish and small game couldn’t resist the smell.  What if some enterprising floatant maker developed Anise scented floatant?  Ant scented, Mayfly scented floatant lines? Wayne

How about giving the whole area a rotten egg scent after one of Dave LaCourse’s clave breakfasts?  It isn’t from Anise but that’s close. Ernie

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Knowledge is power.

Excellent post Sandy. Mu, who spent the morning alternating between spinnerbaits and wooly buggers.  Didn’t bring my minoow trap though.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F. If your gonna smear dead ants all over your fly then why not just hook a dead ant on the thing.  For that matter, why not dispense with the extra furry junk and just use the ant?  Let’s see, worms will hang on a hook easier than ants.  How about just using a worm and a big ball of strike indicater about 2 feet up the line?  Add to that a one piece bamboo "fly" rod and you have something which sounds familiar. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine!

Man, y’all gotta complicate thangs…get a old field phone and a bucket…or for you wacky types, Nitromon S and a good defense lawyer…you can fish and check fer erl… R To crank is exercise…. To blast Dangerous!

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Joe Fleischman writes: I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F.

Well hell, Joe!  I guess I can’t fish in my favorite waders.   Hmmmmm, come to think of it, they don’t smell like bait, they smell Dave

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Ernie Harrison writes: How about giving the whole area a rotten egg scent after one of Dave LaCourse’s clave breakfasts?  It isn’t from Anise but that’s close. Ernie

Ernie, damn it, I resent that!  My breakfasts at the clave are eaten by all with much gusto and no complaints.  If you ever get your scrawny ass to one of these claves, I will prove it to you, if I have to force feed the %&# eggs to ya!  <g And then I will get my buddy Jeffy to deep fry you an egg in bacon grease and we will force you to eat it.  Then, we’ll seal you in your waders, and send you on your way.   And people will shun you, forever and ever. Dave

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Indian Joe sends a smoke signal: Dear Chief the extra chili last night and they really enjoyed it. They howled alot during the night but seemed fine this A.M. You forgot to take the extra set of underware I washed for you.  Perhaps you can borrow a pair from DEave, use your suspenders to keep them up.   Try to stay away from that Fontenberry guy, last time you went fishing with him you came home with alot of new dirty words and some screwed up opinions. Take your celostral pill each  morning.your metamusal each night and don"t forget you should have one Manhatten each night. Your side of the tribe has never been able to handle firewater,

Golly, Forty, only you and I made IJ’s celebrity  list this time around.  That underware stuff — is that like Tupper-ware? Your Pal, DEave

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Charlie Choc: My breakfasts at the clave are eaten by all with much gusto and no complaints.   Never knew you were the cook at Tooties (where I ate *my* clave breakfasts)<g. — Charlie…

That’s right, you never stay at clave central.  Put it this way, if you liked Tooties, you will love the breakfast IJ and I will fix you.  (pssst, don’t eat Jeffy’s eggs). Dave LaCourse

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Charlie Choc: My breakfasts at the clave are eaten by all with much gusto and no complaints. Never knew you were the cook at Tooties (where I ate *my* clave breakfasts)<g. — Charlie… That’s right, you never stay at clave central.  Put it this way, if you liked Tooties, you will love the breakfast IJ and I will fix you.  (pssst, don’t eat Jeffy’s eggs). Dave LaCourse

i’m workin on lasagna this year…hmmm…now, lemmesee, where’s the bacon grease… jeff

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In the Great State of North Carolina, it is unlawful to desecrate the body of the dead.  Furthermore, anyone who *smears* the dead aunt onto a fly pattern is just plain sick!!

Umm, Rosanne Rosannadanna, that’s "ant".  Not "aunt", "ant". Regards, Jeff

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My God man, don’t unbuckle that wader belt up wind! Fishing tip for the day:  A fisherman in neoprenes with a tight wader belt can be used to replace a punctured pontoon if you feed him enuf Burro Chilli.  Hint: ensure he is secured with a slip knot for easy release and to allow for expansion.                                     Frank Reid

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Joe Fleischman writes: I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F. Well hell, Joe!  I guess I can’t fish in my favorite waders.   Hmmmmm, come to think of it, they don’t smell like bait, they smell Dave

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Folks, In the Great State of North Carolina, it is unlawful to desecrate the body of the dead.  Furthermore, anyone who *smears* the dead aunt onto a fly pattern is just plain sick!!

If you just hold it close to aunt Bea, though, it’ll pick up some of that gravy smell and that should work. — Charlie…

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Folks, In the Great State of North Carolina, it is unlawful to desecrate the body of the dead.  Furthermore, anyone who *smears* the dead aunt onto a fly pattern is just plain sick!! Op

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F. If your gonna smear dead ants all over your fly then why not just hook a dead ant on the thing.  For that matter, why not dispense with the extra furry junk and just use the ant?  Let’s see, worms will hang on a hook easier than ants.  How about just using a worm and a big ball of strike indicater about 2 feet up the line?  Add to that a one piece bamboo "fly" rod and you have something which sounds familiar. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

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You’ll have to ask Al for sure, but I think Tupper just wears big ol’ cotton panties…

Gee thanks.   That’s a visual I could have done without.  :-) Joe F.

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Nice post.  The only thing I would question is the part about lateral lines left out of the fly fishing definition – I think everyone agrees a muddler minnow is a fly, and part of its appeal is supposedly that it gives off enough vibration to get a trout’s interest. Anyway, I think part of the reason some people are attracted to fly fishing is to challenge themselves to fool trout.  The less real the "bait/fly" is, the more challenge there is in the deception.  The more real it is, the less challenge.  How much people care to challenge themselves in this respect seems to be a very personal thing.  The more natural the whole *scenario* is, the more challenge.  Some people will set up a chum line of real beetles to be followed by their own beetle imitation.  I don’t know how legal that is, but it’s not entirely natural. Knowledge is power.

– Regards, Jeff Before you buy.

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Golly, Forty, only you and I made IJ’s celebrity  list this time around.  That underware stuff — is that like Tupper-ware?

You’ll have to ask Al for sure, but I think Tupper just wears big ol’ cotton panties… — Charlie…

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My breakfasts at the clave are eaten by all with much gusto and no complaints.  

Never knew you were the cook at Tooties (where I ate *my* clave breakfasts)<g. — Charlie…

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Knowledge is power. I like to know things about fish behavior. I often try things just to see what will happen. Once my experiment is finished, my new experimental technique may or may not become a steady habit. But I seldom regret trying something once. There is a lot to be learned from bait fishing for instance. Years ago–when it was still legal to fish with sculpins in Montana–I used to go sculpin fishing once every two or three years. If you use barbless hooks and set the hook when you first detect the strike, you get to return the fish unharmed, if you choose to do so. More important, in a few short hours of sculpin fishing you can learn about large brown trout behavior what might take a lifetime of fishing with flies. I used bait fishing to make myself a better streamer fisherman. You can learn a lot about riffle feeding behavior too–by fishing with live nymphs. The feedback rate (the number of fish you catch) is so great you learn more in a very short period of time (when you fish with live nymphs). When fishing with live nymphs doesn’t work, for instance, you know the fish are asleep. You learn to recognize those times, and not to waste your time. When the fish *are* on the feed, you can catch so many more fish in such a short period of time, you don’t have to work with hunches anymore. You quickly learn how to size up a riffle: to know where the big ones lie and how the little ones line up behind. You learn how much weight to use, how much slack to throw, and how and when to wait for the strike. You can learn all of those things from fly fishing too, of course. But you learn it slower, over a much longer time period, and you reach conclusions with far less confidence when fly fishing—-because the feedback rate is so slow. We do what we want. I choose to bait fish occasionally because I learn from it. I fly fish frequently because I prefer to fish that way. PUNCHLINE:    The line between bait fishing and fly fishing can be substantially obscured.  I’ve been making soft-bodied, open-cell foam nymphs for years. They’re good looking nymphs. Because they’re soft, fish don’t spit them out. They swim around chewing on soft nymphs, which makes it easier to detect the strikes. With soft foam nymphs, you don’t necessarily get more strikes, but you definately feel more of them happen.   Then, the other day, while fishing in the Madison canyon, I found a fat golden stonefly nymph under a rock. I killed it on a whim: I crushed it up and squeezed the resulting paste into the body of a soft foam nymph. I rolled the soft foam nymph back and forth in the palm of my hand, in a puddle of bug paste. That (open-cell foam) nymph, at that point, became equally effective as a live bait. But I could cast it as far as my fly rod would reach. I caught one fish after another in a riffle I had been working steadily and unsuccessfully foam nymph, but without the bug paste. Now I’m not suggesting anybody else should do anything like this at all. But this is interesting information. Fish detect their prey by: 1) eye sight 2) by detecting vibrations with their lateral line 3) by smell. And smell, I think, is the most powerful attractant of all. Now that I think of it, perhaps fly fishing (for those who worry about categories and definitions) means fishing with a fly rod in a way that only targets the piscatorial visual cortex: IE with no help from the lateral line, nor from the (fishes) olfactory system. For those of us who enjoy breaking the rules occasionally (but still like casting with a fly rod), you can also target the lateral line–with lightweight fly rod wigglers. And you can target the olfactory system too (and still do long distance fly rod casting) by fishing with soft foam nymphs……and bug paste. — /* Sandy Pittendrigh                  –oO0  * http://nervana.montana.edu/~sandy  */

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Question:

Jim Benenson wrote How about the worst fly fishing abuse in this forum?

Back in ‘78 I visited Wisconsin and a guy there introduced me to using a 9ft. flyrod to worm fish for brookies.  Ironically, when you’re fishing in streams with lots of canopy and brush, the long flexible rod is the ideal weapon for gently dropping the worm right in the little eddy or undercut. If you were flyfishing one of these streams, you’d probably be using no more than a 7ft or less. —                                                       -dnc-

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I was part of a discussion on a coffee newsgroup about the worst coffee ever made.  How about the worst fly fishing abuse in this forum?  I once trolled for pickerel in Connecticut with a Daredevil spoon and my Orvis 8 wt. bamboo rod.  Caught some too! How about you?

I was fishing the Gunpowder River north of Baltimore last July, right below Prettyboy Dam. The state was in the middle of the worst drought and heat spell in years, but the water authorities were dumping water from the Prettyboy Reservoir at maximum rate, presumably to water the partched lawns in Baltimore. Anyway, I wasn’t doing much good with my Woolly Buggers, and no one was around (on this artificial-only water), so I turned over some boards and logs, found some nice, juicy worms, and just cleaned up on the brown trout. One cast, one trout. Repeat. I justified it to myself by rationalizing that I was trying to get the monster carp I saw hanging below the dropoff. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

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A ten foot six four weight with a nice small free running centrepin takes an awful lot of beating. Upstream worming is rapidly becoming a lost art.  lthough a not inconsiderable measure of excitement is also possible with a number six hook, a can of sweetcorn, and a nice clear, peaceful still-water, where carp of ten pounds and upwards are known to abound.  Even more satisfying, when one of the club members reports you to the comittee for "fly-fishing" on the lake reserved for coarse anglers. ( Or was that coarse fish ? ). Whatever, excellent sport, and not a whit less exciting than any  other method. Oh how hard it must be to forego the pleasures of diversity. Oh and I object to the word "abuse" in this context. TL MC — "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jim Benenson wrote How about the worst fly fishing abuse in this forum?

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Honesty is good for the soul, confession even more so, but I defy even the most honorable angler to remain so in the face of nonchalant five pound browns ignoring every fly in the box. And the moral is, where there

Question:

Natural populations tend to be cyclic in nature.  The factors governing this are also affected by a host of variables, not the least of which are weather, pollution, ( "natural" pollution is meant here ), food availability, fishing pressure, predator abundance etc.   Even after fairly exhaustive studies, over long periods of time on small waters, of all the factors and trends, ( or at least as many as possible ),they are so complex, that it is more or less impossible to give any single main cause for fluctuations of the type you mention. Major pollution ( it does not have to be much to cause "major" pollution in a small stream ), or severe climactic conditions ( and the factors which these then introduce ) may wipe out large portions of any particular year group of fish, and these fish are consequently missing in the population pyramid.  Severe flooding for instance may destroy large portions of spawn, especially if spawning areas are limited , as is often the case on small streams. In other years the spawning is more or less successful as the gravel forms new areas for the fish to use, or the original beds regenerate. It may however take several years or longer for a spawning population to recover, and in some cases it never does without external  ( human ) assistance, as the viability of the population drops below the level required for its continued existence. The growth of wild fish is also subject to considerable variation.  Rough cycles of between three and seven years have been observed on many  small streams, even without any known major external unnatural influences.  In some cases fishing pressure is heavily responsible for the selective removal of the larger fish, and as there are less of these than any others, the result is smaller average sized fish.  Once a place is known to contain only small fish many people avoid it, and the small fish again get the chance to grow on somewhat, before somebody once again discovers that there are larger ones to be caught, and the whole business starts again. Small stillwaters ( the pond in the original question for instance ), are much easier to diagnose, especially as they are not subject to many  of the vagaries to which running water is subjected, and much more information is available on the population dynamics and other effects to which  such waters are subjected. It is fairly common on many small streams to have a relatively good season after two or three, rarely four or five, bad ones, then the system declines again. This assumes that no single major factor ( or a combination of such), is in operation, which might cause a permanent decline. Permanent declines ( permanent is usually taken to mean no hope of recovery within the next ten years, nothing is really permanent in nature),of some small streams have also been noted as a result of the following causes  these are not exhaustive examples, just a few known causes ),  road pollution after a tarred road was built nearby, insecticide and herbicide seepage from a golf course,  agricultural changes in the immediate vicinity, water extraction from the local water table, gravel removal ( destruction of spawning beds and fly-life ), long term pollution, ( in one case this was caused by seepage from building rubble, and even after this was removed the stream did not recover as most of the fly-life etc had been destroyed).  One small stream was more or less destroyed by farmers washing there tractors in a ford. The oils and detergents used for this caused havoc, and it was some time before the cause was discovered, as the people doing it did not exactly advertise their behaviour. Leakage from dairy farms ( milk producers ) is also a major cause of damage to many small streams. A major spill is not necessary, the constant seepage is sufficient. These systems are extremely dynamic and sensitive to even relatively minor changes. Quite small events can change the dynamics of such a stream literally within hours, and the effects last a very long time. To sum up.  I don’t know ! TL MC — "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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Just a guess…  When I lived in your so-fair state (mid-80’s), I had a NC fisheries biologist tell me that by far the major inhibitor of recruitment in the streams in the National Forests as well as in GSMNP was cyclical anchor ice and subsequent scour of redds. If you can match observed fish abundance by size over the years up with winters with particularly bad hard freeze/fast melt cycles, you might have part  of the answer.  

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The size of a fish is determined by the amount of food not the number of years.  More food they eat the more they grow.  Our local fish hatchery claims to get 4 years growth in 1 year just by over feeding them.  After the fish have reached a desired size, they stop feed them as much which slows their growth. — Vern My ROFF page: http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/v_deloy/ROFFintro.html Before you buy.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a small pond behind my house and it has been for about 30 years. Lately i’ve been fishing it.  The only fish i’ve caught is small perch. Can anyone tell me why that is.  A few years ago when I fished it the fish were a little bit bigger.  I’m the only one that fishes it. Thanks. ike0921         which leads me to another, similar query.  i have fished hazel creek, in the great smoky mountains of north carolina, for thirty years.  during that time, i have observed substantial cyclical changes in the size and number of fish, usually on about a five year basis. note bene:  that estimate is *very* uncertain; could be as little as three years between "changes" (you will pardon the pun), or as many as seven.  in short, in year 1 through 5, we caught a large number of really outstanding, fat, healthy fish.  years 6 through 9, let’s say, we began to catch dozens more fish per day, but they were smaller on the average.  then, about five years transpired wherein few fish were caught, and even then were not very nice; followed by a return to really lovely fish of respectful numbers within the next few years. oh, well, you begin to understand the scenario; but why?         any amateur fisheries biologists, or simply dudes with opinions, who want to help solve this mystery? wayno

yeah, the first years you were fishin with a different colored line. waldo

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –    which leads me to another, similar query.  i have fished hazel creek, in the great smoky mountains of north carolina, for thirty years.  during that time, i have observed substantial cyclical changes in the size and number of fish, usually on about a five year basis. note bene:  that estimate is *very* uncertain; could be as little as three years between "changes" (you will pardon the pun), or as many as seven.  in short, in year 1 through 5, we caught a large number of really outstanding, fat, healthy fish.  years 6 through 9, let’s say, we began to catch dozens more fish per day, but they were smaller on the average.  then, about five years transpired wherein few fish were caught, and even then were not very nice; followed by a return to really lovely fish of respectful numbers within the next few years. oh, well, you begin to understand the scenario; but why?    any amateur fisheries biologists, or simply dudes with opinions, who want to help solve this mystery?

Wild populations _ARE_ cyclical, it’s not your imagination or is it "unnatural." As the prey dwindles, the predators dwindle, thus allowing the prey to flourish again, which lets the predators flourish, etc.*  Of course, other influences, including but not limited to man, can "vary the pitch."  For example, if we (in the South/Southwest) get a really wet spring, followed by a basically dry scorcher of a summer, quail populations go way down, and it somewhat effects some "varmint" populations.  Winters like this one effect localized ("native") dove populations because it effects migration.  A banner crop/vegetation year means a banner year, in size and health, for next year’s fawn crop. *I realize "predator," "prey," and "flourish" are generalizations, but they are accurate enough for the discussion. In much of Texas, coyotes are overrunning things, just like deer in parts of the central Northeast.  Nature will eventually kill them back, either using something, like man, or simple over-population will do it.  Even domesticated herds (bovine/ovine, not so much hogs, chickens, etc.) are somewhat cyclical due to weather factors, which affect feed factors. HTH? R – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -wayno

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brookies are always kept for frying.  The gene pool is reduced to the smallest common denominator Wayne.  What does remain are the few big ones who have learned to hide better.  These are the meat eaters who survive on the stunned brookies.  There is also natural prededation on the remaining, small-sized numerous stock.  The pressure is reduced due to lack of interest and there is a quiet, remote healing period.  Then one day, everyone realizes there are some nice fish to be had again and so it goes. gg – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a small pond behind my house and it has been for about 30 years. Lately i’ve been fishing it.  The only fish i’ve caught is small perch. Can anyone tell me why that is.  A few years ago when I fished it the fish were a little bit bigger.  I’m the only one that fishes it. Thanks. ike0921         which leads me to another, similar query.  i have fished hazel creek, in the great smoky mountains of north carolina, for thirty years.  during that time, i have observed substantial cyclical changes in the size and number of fish, usually on about a five year basis. note bene:  that estimate is *very* uncertain; could be as little as three years between "changes" (you will pardon the pun), or as many as seven.  in short, in year 1 through 5, we caught a large number of really outstanding, fat, healthy fish.  years 6 through 9, let’s say, we began to catch dozens more fish per day, but they were smaller on the average.  then, about five years transpired wherein few fish were caught, and even then were not very nice; followed by a return to really lovely fish of respectful numbers within the next few years. oh, well, you begin to understand the scenario; but why?         any amateur fisheries biologists, or simply dudes with opinions, who want to help solve this mystery? wayno

– Mr.G http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html

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I have a small pond behind my house and it has been for about 30 years. Lately i’ve been fishing it.  The only fish i’ve caught is small perch. Can anyone tell me why that is.  A few years ago when I fished it the fish were a little bit bigger.  I’m the only one that fishes it. Thanks. ike0921

        which leads me to another, similar query.  i have fished hazel creek, in the great smoky mountains of north carolina, for thirty years.  during that time, i have observed substantial cyclical changes in the size and number of fish, usually on about a five year basis. note bene:  that estimate is *very* uncertain; could be as little as three years between "changes" (you will pardon the pun), or as many as seven.  in short, in year 1 through 5, we caught a large number of really outstanding, fat, healthy fish.  years 6 through 9, let’s say, we began to catch dozens more fish per day, but they were smaller on the average.  then, about five years transpired wherein few fish were caught, and even then were not very nice; followed by a return to really lovely fish of respectful numbers within the next few years. oh, well, you begin to understand the scenario; but why?         any amateur fisheries biologists, or simply dudes with opinions, who want to help solve this mystery? wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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I have a small pond behind my house and it has been for about 30 years. Lately i’ve been fishing it.  The only fish i’ve caught is small perch. Can anyone tell me why that is.  A few years ago when I fished it the fish were a little bit bigger.  I’m the only one that fishes it. Thanks. ike0921

My first thought is your catch may not be representitive of the population.  If it is, and it’s just the larger, older fish missing, my next thought is Snapping Turtles, but that is for my areas, and I don’t know where you are.  If the fish are all simply smaller in size, it would seem a feed issue. HTH? R

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In small waters with limited food,  fish populations tend to become stunted. Perch are especially prone to this. Taking out a number of the fish may ease the problem. Feeding extra food or nutrients may also help. The fish support capacity of the pond should be calculated, ( local fisheries board or similar will provide you with typical figures for your area ), and this level of stock should not be exceeded, If the stunting has been prevalent for some time, then the stock is best removed completely, and the pond replanted, as it may take a long time for the genes and other mechanisms responsible for the stunting to cease operation, even when the cause of the problem has been removed. In some cases placing a carefully calculated number of predators in the pond ( usually pike ) will also help, this must be done with care, may not be legal everywhere, and may result in hardly any perch and a smaller population of stunted pike ! Are you referring to yellow perch here, or are they sunfish ? TL MC — "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

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I have a small pond behind my house and it has been for about 30 years. Lately i’ve been fishing it.  The only fish i’ve caught is small perch. Can anyone tell me why that is.  A few years ago when I fished it the fish were a little bit bigger.  I’m the only one that fishes it. Thanks. ike0921

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Question:

Anyone here every made a vest? None of the vests I’ve owned have the right sized pockets in the right places.  The one I have now is close to what I want. I was thinking about taking it apart and using it as a pattern and then making the changes I want. I’ve made a tent, sleeping bag and a down vest in the past, but they were made from kits. Willi

My wife Kate, is currently making one for my son Brandon.  She got a pattern from the sewing shop, and is using my Colombia as an inspiration for modifications to the pattern (like mesh and grommet on the pockets, etc.). She is also using Supplex instead of the cotton material the pattern spec’d.  I thought it would be a better idea for drying. HTH, Brian

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They don’t scream as loud as flies do. Hm…..sort of makes me wonder about the ethics of amputating limbs from captive trees.  I don’t suppose anyone out there has an opinion on this do they?

– Mike in PDX "When the trout are lost, smash the state."                          Tom McGuane

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Willi, I have designed several fly fishing vests/shirts (not commercially, but for myself). I did the "engineering", my poor wife the sewing. One tip I have is to carefully consider how the load will be carried and distributed after the pockets are filled. If there is too much weight in the pockets in the front, the vest pulls down in front around your neck…very uncomfortable.

I have struggled for years to find a vest I liked. Bob’s point about a loaded vest digging into the back of your neck is quite true. Why do the makers invariably cut the necks of vests so high? Why do they put collars on the bloody things? Vest are supposed to be load carrying. It’s what they’re for. Moreover, the front bottom pockets are where most people want to carry stuff. It seems that very few vest manufacturers have grasped this fundamental design requirement. Some years ago I bought a Columbia Henry’s Fork vest (remember those bloody irritating adverts about ‘Ma’ knowing best and kicking arse if things weren’t just right, etc.). It cost a fortune having it shipped from the US, paying VAT and duty, etc. That bastard always left me with a sore, stiff neck. The Velcro on the pocket flaps matched nicely when the vest was hanging flat and empty in the closet, but didn’t when anything even slightly fat was put into the pockets. The following are my tips to any would be vest designer/maker, based on years of disappointment. 1. Go for fewer, better designed pockets, especially the big ones on the front bottom. Resist the temptation to include as many pockets as possible. More is NOT better! 2. Cut the neck low. 3. Make sure the pocket closures are designed for FILLED pockets. 4. Choose a material that is light, tough and strong and QUICK DRYING, rather than waterproof. 5. Use all plastic zippers (A friend recently gave me his old Sage ‘Strap vest’. It had been used in the sea and the YKK metal zippers had corroded badly). 6. Unless you really spend a lot of time wading very deep,  longer vests are more comfortable to wear: you feel less like Dolly Parton wearing them. My penny’orth Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

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6. Unless you really spend a lot of time wading very deep,  longer vests are more comfortable to wear: you feel less like Dolly Parton wearing them.

I have no choice about what kind of vest I get.  I have to get the short vest or it will go past my massive ass.  I’m sorter than the other guy. However, I’m sure short men or ladies also need the short vest due to physical stature.  Very unlike sex, longer is not always better. Vern

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…I don’t remember the pattern number but if you have trouble finding it I believe I still have it around somewhere and can look it up….

Just did an on line search and came up with the following.  This is the pattern I used.  #2198- men’s sport vest. http://www.kwiksew.com/Patterns/_Cat_North/Frame.htm Good luck!

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What has ROFF turned into!?!?  Some sort of girly-man group?  Let’s all get out our needles and thread now!

It’s a balance thing Jon.  This Saturday I plan to take Becky out in the fields and teach her to kick shit.  Sunday we bake bread and do the Trick or Treat thing.  The next weekend is devoted to killing things and then we move on to bonsai.  :)

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: What has ROFF turned into!?!?  Some sort of girly-man group?  Let’s all : get out our needles and thread now! : : : It’s a balance thing Jon.  This Saturday I plan to take Becky out in the fields and teach her to : kick shit.  Sunday we bake bread and do the Trick or Treat thing.  The next weekend is devoted to : killing things and then we move on to bonsai.  :) In my case: bonsai = killing things (poor little tree never had a fighting chance we me wielding the clippers)

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In my case: bonsai = killing things (poor little tree never had a fighting chance we me wielding the clippers)

Hm…..sort of makes me wonder about the ethics of amputating limbs from captive trees.  I don’t suppose anyone out there has an opinion on this do they?

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Hm…..sort of makes me wonder about the ethics of amputating limbs from captive trees.  I don’t suppose anyone out there has an opinion on this do they?

Depends on if you eat the limb or not. — Charlie…

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: What has ROFF turned into!?!?  Some sort of girly-man group?  Let’s all : get out our needles and thread now!

Really…we gonna fish or we gonna sew ? (Mine has darts !) — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

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Anyone here every made a vest? None of the vests I’ve owned have the right sized pockets in the right places.  The one I have now is close to what I want. I was thinking about taking it apart and using it as a pattern and then making the changes I want. I’ve made a tent, sleeping bag and a down vest in the past, but they were made from kits. Willi

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Willi, I made a vest.  I always wanted one made from Blue Denim, sort of like a Levi Denim Jacket without sleeves.  I just used a vest I had and drew a pattern on some paper.  Then I laid out the things I wanted to carry and figured out the places and size for the pockets. The pockets all have Velcro closures.  It came out good and I have worn it for years.  I also made a tent, it was a lot of fun. Ernie Harrison Have you tried a Blood Knot Machine?  http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Anyone here every made a vest? None of the vests I’ve owned have the right sized pockets in the right places.  The one I have now is close to what I want. I was thinking about taking it apart and using it as a pattern and then making the changes I want. I’ve made a tent, sleeping bag and a down vest in the past, but they were made from kits. Willi

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Somehow I had a feeling Ernie was going to answer saying he’d made his own vest. My hat goes off to you. Steve Zimmerman

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Willi, I made a vest Ernie Harrison

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Anyone here every made a vest? None of the vests I’ve owned have the right sized pockets in the right places.  The one I have now is close to what I want. I was thinking about taking it apart and using it as a pattern and then making the changes I want. I’ve made a tent, sleeping bag and a down vest in the past, but they were made from kits. Willi

I made several vests. I was ultimately satisfied with none of them  although my brother and a couple of other people still use them ). I went back to a custom made fishing jacket. With far too many pockets ! TL MC

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Anyone here every made a vest? None of the vests I’ve owned have the right sized pockets in the right places.

I made a vest while a grad student; I was too poor to buy one.  That was about 1956.  I used it till 1996.   It was still in good condition but I decided to treat myself to a new one. The trick is to plan ahead very carefully, so that you can sew the pockets on the inside the and outside without  interference. vince norris  The one I have now is close to – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -what I want. I was thinking about taking it apart and using it as a pattern and then making the changes I want. I’ve made a tent, sleeping bag and a down vest in the past, but they were made from kits. Willi

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Willi, I have designed several fly fishing vests/shirts (not commercially, but for myself). I did the "engineering", my poor wife the sewing. One tip I have is to carefully consider how the load will be carried and distributed after the pockets are filled. If there is too much weight in the pockets in the front, the vest pulls down in front around your neck…very uncomfortable. Also, it can be a challenge getting the best waterproof materials. Good luck. Bob Elliott

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Anyone here every made a vest? None of the vests I’ve owned have the right sized pockets in the right places.  The one I have now is close to what I want. I was thinking about taking it apart and using it as a pattern and then making the changes I want. I’ve made a tent, sleeping bag and a down vest in the past, but they were made from kits. Willi

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Anyone here every made a vest? None of the vests I’ve owned have the right sized pockets in the right places.  The one I have now is close to what I want. I was thinking about taking it apart and using it as a pattern and then making the changes I want. I’ve made a tent, sleeping bag and a down vest in the past, but they were made from kits.

Willi; I have made several vests using a Kwik Sew pattern.  The pattern is for a general purpose vest, not specifically for fishing.  But if you’re good enough with a sewing machine to make your own you won’t have any trouble modifying it to suit your needs.  I use my vest for hunting so the pockets outlined in the pattern are sufficient for my needs.  It won’t be much trouble to add a few more if you like.  this pattern is also too long for a good fishing vest but again, it should be easy enough to shorten.  I don’t remember the pattern number but if you have trouble finding it I believe I still have it around somewhere and can look it up.

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Yeah Charlie, but it was before she was famous. Ernie Harrison Have you tried a Blood Knot Machine?  http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Somehow I had a feeling Ernie was going to answer saying he’d made his own vest. My hat goes off to you. Hell, Ernie made Martha Stewart once<g. — Charlie…

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Question:

IMHO it is worth fly fishing in any water that you think might hold fish. Jack.

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Anyone know if it is worth trying to flyfish in the upper mississippi? just wonderin’

Most definently.  The Mississippi above Minneapolis is a terrific smallmouth fishery.  In addition, throughout the entire upper sections there are plenty of fish willing to take dry and wet flies. Jon Russell FlyFish Minnesota

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Anyone know if it is worth trying to flyfish in the upper mississippi? just wonderin’

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Question:

I have recently moved to Durham, NC to pursue a Ph.D. in economics at Duke University and would be interested in hooking up (no pun intended) with fellow angler(s) to fish some of the wild trout water in the western part of the state.  I have a little knowledge of the streams out that way and my time is extremely flexible between now and the beginning of September.  If you are interested, drop me a note at: Tight Lines! Randy Walsh

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Randy: There’s an Orvis shop on 9th street that should be able to help.  My favorite places to fish in NC were in Stone Mountain State Park (Bullhead Creek?),Sparta on the Little River, a small stream in Whitehead nearby, and Laurel Creek (cannot remember name of town).  I understand the Davidson River near Asheville is also doing well.  You may also consider a drive to the Smith River in Virginia, which has improved drastically since I was last there.  Sorry this is so sketchy.   Have fun, Manuel Monasterio Trinity 1988

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Question:

I will be travelling in Europe this Spring and have thought to do a little fly fishing.  If there is anyone out there with knowlede of freshwater fishing in Norway or Spain/Portugal (Pyrenes) I would be greatful.  Please post publicaly so others might benefit.  Thanks Grant C. Hughes Portland, OR  (Home of the Deschutes Red Side)

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I will be travelling in Europe this Spring and have thought to do a little fly fishing.  If there is anyone out there with knowlede of freshwater fishing in Norway or Spain/Portugal (Pyrenes) I would be greatful.  Please post publicaly so others might benefit.  Thanks Grant C. Hughes Portland, OR  (Home of the Deschutes Red Side)

Grant! Being a norwegian….I’ll be more than happy to give you some advice and info., but I do need a little more details from you…..especially when you are planning to go, where in Norway (if you are on business) and how much time you got to spend. Spring is a pretty broad term, especially in a country like Norway where we can have spring down south when they still got 6 weeks of winter left further north. In general, I can say that trout season would start sometime in April (a littel dependant where you are) while the salmon season starts mid-May in some rivers and June 1 in most. There is little guided fishing for trout, although opportunities are plenty. Guided salmon fishing is available on most of the bigger rivers (if you can afford the cost). Although I’ve been to Spain and Portugal on a few occasions, I’ve never flyfished and can’t offer any help, but maybe someone else can. Tight lines! Inge Solberg Houston, TX

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