Question:

I was probably coming into the conversation late – what’s new?! I usually use a duncan loop to tie tippet to fly. I usually start with a fairly loose knot in the hope that the fly will move in a more natural manner (and that that will make a difference), but it usually tightens up after a few casts. If I can ever get to the point that I can tell that my choice of fly-to-tippet connection makes a difference I’ll stop being a banker and become a guide. Bob

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – bob, i think they’re talking about a loop, instead of clinch, uni, or other knot, connection of tippet to fly.  anyway, on that assumption, several experienced and knowledgeable folks in the nc mountains suggest the loop allows wets, nymphs, and streamers to move about in the water better and allow more realistic presentation.  i use the surgeon’s loop at times.  i haven’t been able to tell if there’s much difference in the fish’s appreciation of my effort though… jeff //snip// Bill, do you have any sense of whether a loop makes a difference ?  I’ve gone back and forth with loop vs non-loop connections to clousers (read: am I too tired/ cold/etc to bother) and haven’t noticed a difference. I’m going through the same debate. Nail knots are a pain in the ass to tie. I’ve been upset enough with loop connectors (they get jammed in the guides) that I swear never to use them again, but then when it’s cold and I want to get a new leader on quickly I capitulate. Have never tried leader links, but Wolfgang was using one on our Hazel trip and it seemed to be a good compact connection. — http://rwpatton.home.netcom.com/

Response:

 Try the "non-slip loop", which is the Rapala loop without the final  step.  Both are supposed to be stronger than the Duncan.

Thanks. The main need I have for strength is for pulling flies out of brush. Bob Wondering if it’s better to break the line at the tippet-to-fly connection or at the tippet-to-leader . . .

Response:

I use a no-slip loop knot whenever I want a loop in tippet. It’s easy to tie and very strong.

Like Bill says below I’ve used it as a loop knot on a fly works great and very strong. Good idea to use as a tippet connector I’ll have to try.

Response:

I’ll stop being a banker and become a guide. Bob

    liar, liar, pants on fire.  we all know you’re an accountant! yfitons wayno

Response:

Wayne Knight suggested that Leader Loops are for those people who’s fingers are too arthritic or disabled to tie a knot, otherwise one should use a damn bloodknot for a leader connection. I have been having problems tying small flies on to tippet (especially dry flies), so I now pre-snell/tie them, at my tying table with plenty of light and magnification, to about 16" – 18" of tippet and store them in a thing called a "Pip’s Box" made by Mack’s Lure of Leavenworth, Washington State US (You can hold better than a dozen flies or so with this thing without tangling the tippet, and it comes in colors with a see thru lid.  I organize my flies by the color of the box.)  My eyesight, especially at twilight or later, is not so good even with a flashlight.  I just can’t seem to get the tippet thru then I have a hell of a time tying the knot IF I get it threaded.  I am using Fluorocarbon tippet, these days, and I feel that a blood knot is not adequate for this material.  I then use a Tie-Fast Knot Tying tippet to the leader with their double splicing knot or double nail knot as some have described it, which I believe is considerably stronger than the blood knot, or at least my blood knots anyway…be curious to see if anyone else has the same experience. Just my two cents worth, anyway Padishar Creel

Response:

  we all know you’re an accountant! Always prospecting for business, huh? Bob

Response:

I think I will, Wayne. I made a leader, per Lefty Kreh’s directions, for casting big bugs. However, I used uni to uni knots. I think I will make another one with blood knots and attach it. I mastered nail knots a long time ago. Now, I am trying to expand my knot repertoire. I still maintain that the perfection loop is a myth… Bug, et al. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – cut the fly line, tie the nail and then tie the blood knot, you’ll feel much better

Response:

Hi All, Connecting the smaller tippet material to the leader we sometimes use a surgeons loop because it is stronger than a perfection loop.

it is but not by much.(perhaps 3 to 5%). Perfections should give a strength of 90 to 95% of the line vs 95% plus for a surgeon. The surgeons is a bit easier to tie though. An attribute of the perfection is that it is perfectly straight while a surgeon loop may put a bit of an angle in the line. The strongest loop you can tie is the bimini or some of the variants of this loop. It’s complicated and not usually used for a tippet loop in most applications

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, Connecting the smaller tippet material to the leader we sometimes use a surgeons loop because it is stronger than a perfection loop. it is but not by much.(perhaps 3 to 5%). Perfections should give a strength of 90 to 95% of the line vs 95% plus for a surgeon. The surgeons is a bit easier to tie though. An attribute of the perfection is that it is perfectly straight while a surgeon loop may put a bit of an angle in the line.

I use a no-slip loop knot whenever I want a loop in tippet. It’s easy to tie and very strong.

Response:

Ralph, — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, Connecting the smaller tippet material to the leader we sometimes use a surgeons loop because it is stronger than a perfection loop. it is but not by much.(perhaps 3 to 5%). Perfections should give a strength of 90 to 95% of the line vs 95% plus for a surgeon. The surgeons is a bit easier to tie though. An attribute of the perfection is that it is perfectly straight while a surgeon loop may put a bit of an angle in the line. The strongest loop you can tie is the bimini or some of the variants of this loop. It’s complicated and not usually used for a tippet loop in most applications

Response:

Steve, Lefty really promoted the non-slip loop knot and now I see most of all using it with flies we want to move freely like a Clouser minnow. Thanks. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, Connecting the smaller tippet material to the leader we sometimes use a surgeons loop because it is stronger than a perfection loop. it is but not by much.(perhaps 3 to 5%). Perfections should give a strength of 90 to 95% of the line vs 95% plus for a surgeon. The surgeons is a bit easier to tie though. An attribute of the perfection is that it is perfectly straight while a surgeon loop may put a bit of an angle in the line. I use a no-slip loop knot whenever I want a loop in tippet. It’s easy to tie and very strong.

Response:

Nice contribution. Very helpful. I hope you continue to foster goodwill in this group and for the sport of fly fishing. Bugged – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – cut the fly line, tie the nail and then tie the blood knot, you’ll feel much better Better strength-test it on your dick first, Collier.

Response:

//snip//  Bill, do you have any sense of whether a loop makes a  difference ?  I’ve gone back and forth with loop vs  non-loop connections to clousers (read: am I too tired/  cold/etc to bother) and haven’t noticed a difference.

I’m going through the same debate. Nail knots are a pain in the ass to tie. I’ve been upset enough with loop connectors (they get jammed in the guides) that I swear never to use them again, but then when it’s cold and I want to get a new leader on quickly I capitulate. Have never tried leader links, but Wolfgang was using one on our Hazel trip and it seemed to be a good compact connection. — http://rwpatton.home.netcom.com/

Response:

bob, i think they’re talking about a loop, instead of clinch, uni, or other knot, connection of tippet to fly.  anyway, on that assumption, several experienced and knowledgeable folks in the nc mountains suggest the loop allows wets, nymphs, and streamers to move about in the water better and allow more realistic presentation.  i use the surgeon’s loop at times.  i haven’t been able to tell if there’s much difference in the fish’s appreciation of my effort though… jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – //snip// Bill, do you have any sense of whether a loop makes a difference ?  I’ve gone back and forth with loop vs non-loop connections to clousers (read: am I too tired/ cold/etc to bother) and haven’t noticed a difference. I’m going through the same debate. Nail knots are a pain in the ass to tie. I’ve been upset enough with loop connectors (they get jammed in the guides) that I swear never to use them again, but then when it’s cold and I want to get a new leader on quickly I capitulate. Have never tried leader links, but Wolfgang was using one on our Hazel trip and it seemed to be a good compact connection. — http://rwpatton.home.netcom.com/

Response:

cut the fly line, tie the nail and then tie the blood knot, you’ll feel much better

Better strength-test it on your dick first, Collier.

Response:

I’ve found its hard to beat a perfection loop for most leader connections. The perfection (if tied properly) stands straight out from the standing line with no offset, and the knot strength is near 100%. I use it on all leader butts (with a whipped loop on the fly line), & on all tippet connections down to 4x.  5x & smaller I use a doubled surgeons knot.  I think its easier to tie than a surgeons loop, and, well….. it looks cool! B.J.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I personally think the perfection loop is something of a myth or some type of black magic. For leader loops, is it any better than a surgeon’s loop? Bug

Response:

Hi All, In larger diameter mono like attaching leader to a butt section we use perfection loops because they are a smaller, cleaner knot and strength is not an issue. Connecting the smaller tippet material to the leader we sometimes use a surgeons loop because it is stronger than a perfection loop. In larger diameter mono like attaching a leader to a butt section we also use a blood knot because it is a smaller, cleaner knot. Connecting the smaller tippet material to the leader we also use a triple surgeons knot because it is stronger. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I personally think the perfection loop is something of a myth or some type of black magic. For leader loops, is it any better than a surgeon’s loop? Bug

Response:

Can someone direct me to a site that will show how to tie the perfection loop and the surgeon’s loop?? Tony – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I personally think the perfection loop is something of a myth or some type of black magic. For leader loops, is it any better than a surgeon’s loop? Bug

Response:

Can someone direct me to a site that will show how to tie the perfection loop and the surgeon’s loop?? Tony

Hi Tony, Go here for any knot you’re apt to use: http://www.flyanglersonline.com/begin/knots/ Frank Sr.

Response:

I personally think the perfection loop is something of a myth or some type of black magic. For leader loops, is it any better than a surgeon’s loop? Bug

Response:

I personally think the perfection loop is something of a myth or some type of black magic. For leader loops, is it any better than a surgeon’s loop?

Leader Loops are for those people who’s fingers are too arthritic or disabled to tie a knot, otherwise one should use a damn bloodknot for a leader connection.

Response:

Leader Loops are for those people who’s fingers are too arthritic or disabled to tie a knot, otherwise one should use a damn bloodknot for a leader connection.

Actually, leader loops are used between the flyline and the butt section, where you aren’t likely to tie a blood knot. You could use a nail knot, a "nailless" nail knot, a needle knot, or a Zap-a-Gap connection, but not a blood knot, unless you’re either crazy or desperate or stupid. I’ve even heard of one person using two clinch knots, incredibly enough, but I don’t recommend it. I’d rather use a blood knot. I usually tie a new leader onto the butt section (attached to the flyline with a leader link) with a blood knot. After quite a few leader changes I eventually need a new leader link and butt section, but that takes quite awhile — maybe once a year on my workhorse rig.

Response:

I speaking only from the leader end, agree blood knot to attach a butt section to a leader.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Leader Loops are for those people who’s fingers are too arthritic or disabled to tie a knot, otherwise one should use a damn bloodknot for a leader connection. Actually, leader loops are used between the flyline and the butt section, where you aren’t likely to tie a blood knot. You could use a nail knot, a "nailless" nail knot, a needle knot, or a Zap-a-Gap connection, but not a blood knot, unless you’re either crazy or desperate or stupid. I’ve even heard of one person using two clinch knots, incredibly enough, but I don’t recommend it. I’d rather use a blood knot. I usually tie a new leader onto the butt section (attached to the flyline with a leader link) with a blood knot. After quite a few leader changes I eventually need a new leader link and butt section, but that takes quite awhile — maybe once a year on my workhorse rig.

Response:

You’re talking about a blood knot to connect the leader to the fly line?? I wanted to use a nail knot to connect the leader, but the line came with a loop, and I justed couldn’t get myself to cut the flyline. Anyway, I’m not arthritic or disabled, but I am confused and thick-headed. Are you saying a loop to loop leader to flyline is bad? Sorry. Sometimes I am profoundly obtuse Bug, et al. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I personally think the perfection loop is something of a myth or some type of black magic. For leader loops, is it any better than a surgeon’s loop? Leader Loops are for those people who’s fingers are too arthritic or disabled to tie a knot, otherwise one should use a damn bloodknot for a leader connection.

Response:

cut the fly line, tie the nail and then tie the blood knot, you’ll feel much better

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You’re talking about a blood knot to connect the leader to the fly line?? I wanted to use a nail knot to connect the leader, but the line came with a loop, and I justed couldn’t get myself to cut the flyline. Anyway, I’m not arthritic or disabled, but I am confused and thick-headed. Are you saying a loop to loop leader to flyline is bad? Sorry. Sometimes I am profoundly obtuse Bug, et al. I personally think the perfection loop is something of a myth or some type of black magic. For leader loops, is it any better than a surgeon’s loop? Leader Loops are for those people who’s fingers are too arthritic or disabled to tie a knot, otherwise one should use a damn bloodknot for a leader connection.

Response:

Question:

That’s a pretty little fish from a lovely looking stream!   Ian Scott http://www.about-flyfishing.com/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For anyone that’s interested take a look at my first fish of the year. Here is the baby that started that inspired the post. www.thefigs.net

Response:

For anyone that’s interested take a look at my first fish of the year. Here is the baby that started that inspired the post. www.thefigs.net

Response:

…..Valley Creek…….flows through Valley Forge National Park…….a perfect breeding ground for the Brownies, and they thrived, even in the shadow of the Philadelphia metropolis……

Damn!  I looked at that creek one time, about six or seven years ago. My sister’s back yard borders the park.  When I went to visit her I looked at the stream rather closely and thought that it might be an adequate habitat but…..nah, WAY too urban.  Damn! Wolfgang who hadn’t bothered to bring any fishing gear      :(

Response:

Carlos!! First fish on a fly, on Valley Creek!!  Quite an accomplishment! My first trout came on an Olive Caddis Pupa (didn’t have a clue what it was then) on the Tulpehocken in Reading.  I was fortunate enough to be on that creek, which is quite wide, so I didn’t have to worry as much about catching the trees.  I did my share of churning up the water behind me, but would suggest the same approach to any new flyfisherman (just make sure to give yourself plenty of room between yourself and the trainee). As for Valley Creek, although I caught my first trout on the Tulpehocken, Valley Creek was my training ground (before and after).  For those of you who don’t know this creek,  The bottom section (the most productive) flows through Valley Forge National Park.  It’s a catch and release section of water due to PCB pollution from a train spill.  Although this event was unfortunate, it did force the DER to take this stream off of the stocking list.  Because of it’s limestone character, Valley Creek turned out to be a perfect breeding ground for the Brownies, and they thrived, even in the shadow of the Philadelphia metropolis.  These fish are quite "smart" though, because of the regs, and significant fishing pressure, they have been caught & released several, if not numerous, times.  The stream is not too wide (guessing an AVERAGE of 7-8 feet, but my comrade may correct me) and usually quite clear, so the approach can be quite tough.  There is a good population of midges on this creek, and the most prolific mayfly hatch is the Sulphur in May/June. Valley Forge Park itself is a nice place to take the family to learn about history, and to just take in the sites.  It is a very large park for it’s location close to the city, and there is a large contingent of deer in the park that can easily be seen in the morning and evenings (of course they are protected).  There’s plenty of room to spread out the picnic blanket, a paved recreation/walking trail flows throughout the park, but you can wander wherever you choose.  There’s also a nice bike trail along the Schuylkill River (Valley Creek empties into this river in the Park) that can lead you right into Center City Philadelphia if you have the energy (it’s 15-20 miles to Center City).   There is also a nice population of Smallmouth (in the River only) but it’s tough to fish ‘em unless you have a boat or float tube (guessing 200+ feet wide and cannot be crossed by foot). Although the average fish in this creek is probably 10-14 inches at best,  I’ve caught 20+ inch Browns in this creek, and have seen a few 25+, at the right time of year.  If you plan on visiting the Park make sure to pack the fly gear. A basic pair of hippers should get you by, remember to keep in the shadows, and tread softly, The Finn

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got my brand new fly fishing gear as a gift from my wife for Christmas in the way of an Orvis gift certificate. Eager to get out on the water, not haveing fly fished before, I took my gear to the local pond to practice my casting. Went well, nice open space after several cast seemed to have the hang of it. A couple of weeks later went to fish at Valley Creek here in PA. This stream is a class A Wild Trout stream that is very difficult to fish. Spent the afternoon untageling my line from trees and loosing several nymph flies. But today, 2 days after the first snow storm in the Philadelphia area, I had the urge to get out and try my rod again. Went back to the same stream because I know at this time of year this was my best shot to catch something. Within minutes of getting to the stream I found a "honey hole" 4 feet deep and filled with trout, after an hour of casting a hares ear nymph, I guessed that I had spooked all the fish because of my line slapping the water, or getting caught in fallen leaves, or snaging rocks, so I decided to move upstream and hope to find another hole like this one. 3 hours later, after a mile of walking upstream and not seeing a single fish, I decided it was time to call it a day. With my tail between my legs I walked back towards the honey hole where my car was parked. I decided before I go in I would just make a couple more casts hopeing the fish came back. As I lifted my line a felt a tug, prepared to lose another fly, I lifted my rod tip a lo and behold "FISH ON". A beutiful 10 inch brown, not a big fish, but a fish that will stay in my mind forever. The first fish of the year, and on a fly, it just doesn’t get much better than that. I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

Response:

Yes, this is all true. The creek from what I was told is extremly hard to fish. I felt very lucky to catch one on my second visit there. I am actually moving in the summer about 15 min. from Tuplehocken, I have not fished there yet but have heard some great things about it. Valley Creek and French Creek are currently my home waters until June. Are there any tips about Tuplehocken that I can use, especially since it will be my new home waters.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Carlos!! First fish on a fly, on Valley Creek!!  Quite an accomplishment! My first trout came on an Olive Caddis Pupa (didn’t have a clue what it was then) on the Tulpehocken in Reading.  I was fortunate enough to be on that creek, which is quite wide, so I didn’t have to worry as much about catching the trees.  I did my share of churning up the water behind me, but would suggest the same approach to any new flyfisherman (just make sure to give yourself plenty of room between yourself and the trainee). As for Valley Creek, although I caught my first trout on the Tulpehocken, Valley Creek was my training ground (before and after).  For those of you who don’t know this creek,  The bottom section (the most productive) flows through Valley Forge National Park.  It’s a catch and release section of water due to PCB pollution from a train spill.  Although this event was unfortunate, it did force the DER to take this stream off of the stocking list.  Because of it’s limestone character, Valley Creek turned out to be a perfect breeding ground for the Brownies, and they thrived, even in the shadow of the Philadelphia metropolis.  These fish are quite "smart" though, because of the regs, and significant fishing pressure, they have been caught & released several, if not numerous, times.  The stream is not too wide (guessing an AVERAGE of 7-8 feet, but my comrade may correct me) and usually quite clear, so the approach can be quite tough.  There is a good population of midges on this creek, and the most prolific mayfly hatch is the Sulphur in May/June. Valley Forge Park itself is a nice place to take the family to learn about history, and to just take in the sites.  It is a very large park for it’s location close to the city, and there is a large contingent of deer in the park that can easily be seen in the morning and evenings (of course they are protected).  There’s plenty of room to spread out the picnic blanket, a paved recreation/walking trail flows throughout the park, but you can wander wherever you choose.  There’s also a nice bike trail along the Schuylkill River (Valley Creek empties into this river in the Park) that can lead you right into Center City Philadelphia if you have the energy (it’s 15-20 miles to Center City).   There is also a nice population of Smallmouth (in the River only) but it’s tough to fish ‘em unless you have a boat or float tube (guessing 200+ feet wide and cannot be crossed by foot). Although the average fish in this creek is probably 10-14 inches at best,  I’ve caught 20+ inch Browns in this creek, and have seen a few 25+, at the right time of year.  If you plan on visiting the Park make sure to pack the fly gear. A basic pair of hippers should get you by, remember to keep in the shadows, and tread softly, The Finn I got my brand new fly fishing gear as a gift from my wife for Christmas in the way of an Orvis gift certificate. Eager to get out on the water, not haveing fly fished before, I took my gear to the local pond to practice my casting. Went well, nice open space after several cast seemed to have the hang of it. A couple of weeks later went to fish at Valley Creek here in PA. This stream is a class A Wild Trout stream that is very difficult to fish. Spent the afternoon untageling my line from trees and loosing several nymph flies. But today, 2 days after the first snow storm in the Philadelphia area, I had the urge to get out and try my rod again. Went back to the same stream because I know at this time of year this was my best shot to catch something. Within minutes of getting to the stream I found a "honey hole" 4 feet deep and filled with trout, after an hour of casting a hares ear nymph, I guessed that I had spooked all the fish because of my line slapping the water, or getting caught in fallen leaves, or snaging rocks, so I decided to move upstream and hope to find another hole like this one. 3 hours later, after a mile of walking upstream and not seeing a single fish, I decided it was time to call it a day. With my tail between my legs I walked back towards the honey hole where my car was parked. I decided before I go in I would just make a couple more casts hopeing the fish came back. As I lifted my line a felt a tug, prepared to lose another fly, I lifted my rod tip a lo and behold "FISH ON". A beutiful 10 inch brown, not a big fish, but a fish that will stay in my mind forever. The first fish of the year, and on a fly, it just doesn’t get much better than that. I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

Response:

nice’un matt… my first was discovered in lost cove creek.  i continue to this day to be the recipient of the meager crumbs offered by ol pj, who for some misguided reason carted my ass along on one of his wayno-less forays into lost cove creek in 1979 or 1980. on our way through morganton, i bought a fenwick fiberglass rod and a martin reel.  back then you could drive the goat trail to the creek…if you didn’t care about the underbody.  as i recall, jim showed me a knot, gave me 2 yellow humpies, and said – "there’s the stream, the fish are in it, good luck"… leaving me to flog about in lonely but uncriticized desperation, he then went way upstream to the sassafrass area.  i waded, slid into the water with my rubber-sole hip boots (yeah, he thought that was funny too – jim’s got a dangerous sense of funny – i soon discovered the humor, painfully so).  but, i caught a trout in a riffle right in front of me.    don’t have any idea what it was, but it hooked me and i’ve been wigglin happy on the hook ever since. to this day, i consider pj’s gift of the stream second only to the grace of marriage to my wife rachel. jeff (who’s formal education in trout streams didn’t begin until i matriculated with wally and some of this crowd) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     Although, not my first fish on a fly, there is one trout that sticks out in my mind as a defining moment in my fishing career. My freshman year at Appalachian State found me far from friends and family, "trapped" in the mountains of N.C., with no drivers license and only my mountain bike to get around. The state of PA had decided that it would be safer for my fellow citizens if I went without a license for a few years, so I pedaled my ass everywhere. This sounds pretty healthy, until you’re faced with a two mile ride home after last call. Anyway, I had studied up on Boone for a few years while living in Chapel Hill and had a long list of streams scoped out well before I was able to move there. I had dog eared guide books, a pile of coffee stained topos and a long overdue North Carolina coffee table book (sorry Chapel Hill Public Library) that would ultimately lead me to some North Carolina Brookies.     I arrived in time for the spring semester and waited out the winter for my first Carolina Mountain spring. It did arrive eventually, but by that time I was hellbent on catching some trout. Over the winter I had made ‘friends’ with a neighbor of mine whose dad had exiled him to the mountains for an out of control cocaine and hooker habit, which he financed with his dad’s Visa. True story, nice guy, but a little "troubled". The gist of  the story is that the guy’s grandfather had given him a few cane rods. First time I laid eyes on that Abercrombie and Fitch ( he wouldn’t part with the Orvis, even after months of badgering) a deal was struck. I was out one Yamaha receiver and the proud owner of my first bamboo rod. This was a really big deal at the time and could only mean good things in my quest for Brookies.      By the blue lines on my topo, the nearest stream to my hole-in-the-wall basement apt. was Winklers Creek. In the heat of the summer, this stream plays host to naked hippy chicks who sun themselves on the rocks. My first trip there was far too chilly for that type of thing but later in the year I had quite a few pleasant days out. Hippy chicks are not shy about their love of the sun, and rarely turn down a cold beer. Oh yeah, so on a sunny April afternoon, I strapped the rod to the bike, made a quick stop at Peabody’s to grab a few pints for the event, and hit the stream. I put in at the "swimming pool" where I cast the A&F on water for the first time. She was heavy, but had a nice feel, and I soon had the rhythm down enough to get moving and catch some fish. Not twenty feet upstream from the "swimming pool" was a smaller pool, banked by huge boulders on all sides and covered by a canopy of spring greenery. I had sense enough at the time to sneak up on my quarry and managed to find a spot hidden from the pool where I could sit with a pint and relax while I scanned for risers. I barely had a gulp of beer down before I saw my first sign of life. A trout rose in a flash from the bottom, swirled, and engulfed a small sulfur. It was the type of rise that says, "throw me your sloppiest, splashiest cast and I’ll still eat the fly". I sat there for maybe a minute or two, slammed half my beer and then slinked down the the tail of the pool. I took position where could peer over a boulder and pick my victim. The fish were rising sporadically but persistently and before too long I let loose with my cast. The 9 foot cane rod was huge for this stream but handled the line beautifully. My cast dropped perfectly on the water. Of course, like in any good fishing story, the fish rose from the bottom gnashed down on the fly and headed for deeper water. I heaved back, set the hook, and proceeded to land my first North Carolina Brookie. I have since felt similiar emotions, but only rarely, and only when something happens that makes me think "it could *never*  get any better than this". McCray It took me a while to remember the first one, even tho it was less than 3 years ago.  I had to refer back to old messages & posts to finally pin it down.  The first one for me also represented another milestone, of sorts: it was without any ambiguity the smallest striped bass I have ever seen, somewhere around 9 inches or so.  It took a 10 and a half foot 9 weight to tame him  :-) I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

Response:

    Although, not my first fish on a fly, there is one trout that sticks out in my mind

Good story Matt. Willi

Response:

That must have been an epic battle on that 7 weight. Touch and go the whole time, eh?

BTW, Jeff, sometimes to add excitement to the fish-landing activity I’ll loosen my reel seat just enough while fishing so that hooking a fish causes the reel to fall off into the water. Makes an otherwise average fish seem like a *monster*. Just another of those tricks I learned from a fellow ROFFian. ‘Course seeing as you are the one who *taught* me that trick I guess you already know it. –Steve

Response:

Yeah – I ’bout died of exhaustion. Must have had to fight the monster for 30 seconds, but time went by so slow it seemed like a whole minute or two. — Bob Patton

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Welcome to this perfidious hobby! Your family and friends have my sympathy. My first ever fish on a fly was a rainbow caught on an orange cow dung fly beside the picnic area at Snowbird creek almost seventeen years ago. I had a $60 Daiwa 7-weight fly rod and some kind of Cortland reel. That must have been an epic battle on that 7 weight.  Touch and go the whole time, eh?

Response:

That must have been an epic battle on that 7 weight. Touch and go the whole time, eh? BTW, Jeff, sometimes to add excitement to the fish-landing activity I’ll loosen my reel seat just enough while fishing so that hooking a fish causes the reel to fall off into the water. Makes an otherwise average fish seem like a

*monster*. alright, alright….

Response:

Congratulations! My first fish on a fly was a chub.  I hated chub.  This stupid chub, which was sitting in a pool with a few brook trout, took my wooley bugger that I was told would catch me lots of brook trout.  The chub dang near devoured the whole fly.   I really dislike fish that make squeaking noises when you’re trying to dislodge a hook from it’s mouth.  I can never get over that. Spooks me too much to hear this ugly looking thing make noises while I’ve got the forceps in its mouth.  Gives me the shivers. I almost gave up on fly fishing after that.  I was about 15 years old, and had the impression that the only fish I could catch on a fly were beautiful trout.   Thankfully, I’ve discovered that’s not true.  I still can’t deal with the freakin squeeks of a chub though. Ian Scott http://www.about-flyfishing.com/

Response:

nice story matt…… i crossed winkler’s yesterday on a trip into boone. the ice has melted and i thought about the times when we used to fish that lil ole feeder stream that flows into winklers….. mebbe i’ll go back there this year. we’re getting rain today…. unbelievable, maybe 6 inches of snow this season total. i’m gonna head out somewhere today if the rains let up…. thinkin’ about high up on the watauga. see ya in pa, –walt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     Although, not my first fish on a fly, there is one trout that sticks out in my mind as a defining moment in my fishing career. My freshman year at Appalachian State found me far from friends and family, "trapped" in the mountains of N.C., with no drivers license and only my mountain bike to get around. The state of PA had decided that it would be safer for my fellow citizens if I went without a license for a few years, so I pedaled my ass everywhere. This sounds pretty healthy, until you’re faced with a two mile ride home after last call. Anyway, I had studied up on Boone for a few years while living in Chapel Hill and had a long list of streams scoped out well before I was able to move there. I had dog eared guide books, a pile of coffee stained topos and a long overdue North Carolina coffee table book (sorry Chapel Hill Public Library) that would ultimately lead me to some North Carolina Brookies.     I arrived in time for the spring semester and waited out the winter for my first Carolina Mountain spring. It did arrive eventually, but by that time I was hellbent on catching some trout. Over the winter I had made ‘friends’ with a neighbor of mine whose dad had exiled him to the mountains for an out of control cocaine and hooker habit, which he financed with his dad’s Visa. True story, nice guy, but a little "troubled". The gist of  the story is that the guy’s grandfather had given him a few cane rods. First time I laid eyes on that Abercrombie and Fitch ( he wouldn’t part with the Orvis, even after months of badgering) a deal was struck. I was out one Yamaha receiver and the proud owner of my first bamboo rod. This was a really big deal at the time and could only mean good things in my quest for Brookies.      By the blue lines on my topo, the nearest stream to my hole-in-the-wall basement apt. was Winklers Creek. In the heat of the summer, this stream plays host to naked hippy chicks who sun themselves on the rocks. My first trip there was far too chilly for that type of thing but later in the year I had quite a few pleasant days out. Hippy chicks are not shy about their love of the sun, and rarely turn down a cold beer. Oh yeah, so on a sunny April afternoon, I strapped the rod to the bike, made a quick stop at Peabody’s to grab a few pints for the event, and hit the stream. I put in at the "swimming pool" where I cast the A&F on water for the first time. She was heavy, but had a nice feel, and I soon had the rhythm down enough to get moving and catch some fish. Not twenty feet upstream from the "swimming pool" was a smaller pool, banked by huge boulders on all sides and covered by a canopy of spring greenery. I had sense enough at the time to sneak up on my quarry and managed to find a spot hidden from the pool where I could sit with a pint and relax while I scanned for risers. I barely had a gulp of beer down before I saw my first sign of life. A trout rose in a flash from the bottom, swirled, and engulfed a small sulfur. It was the type of rise that says, "throw me your sloppiest, splashiest cast and I’ll still eat the fly". I sat there for maybe a minute or two, slammed half my beer and then slinked down the the tail of the pool. I took position where could peer over a boulder and pick my victim. The fish were rising sporadically but persistently and before too long I let loose with my cast. The 9 foot cane rod was huge for this stream but handled the line beautifully. My cast dropped perfectly on the water. Of course, like in any good fishing story, the fish rose from the bottom gnashed down on the fly and headed for deeper water. I heaved back, set the hook, and proceeded to land my first North Carolina Brookie. I have since felt similiar emotions, but only rarely, and only when something happens that makes me think "it could *never*  get any better than this". McCray It took me a while to remember the first one, even tho it was less than 3 years ago.  I had to refer back to old messages & posts to finally pin it down.  The first one for me also represented another milestone, of sorts: it was without any ambiguity the smallest striped bass I have ever seen, somewhere around 9 inches or so.  It took a 10 and a half foot 9 weight to tame him  :-) I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

– Tight Lines, –Walt Fly Fishing NC & more… http://www.ezflyfish.com http://www.wilsoncreekoutfitters.com

Response:

Welcome to this perfidious hobby! Your family and friends have my sympathy. My first ever fish on a fly was a rainbow caught on an orange cow dung fly beside the picnic area at Snowbird creek almost seventeen years ago. I had a $60 Daiwa 7-weight fly rod and some kind of Cortland reel. The really neat thing was that I caught it on a dry fly and got to see the fish rise and take the fly. I don’t know why I picked Snowbird instead of a more convenient stream, but that was it. — Bob Patton

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got my brand new fly fishing gear as a gift from my wife for Christmas in the way of an Orvis gift certificate. Eager to get out on the water, not haveing fly fished before, I took my gear to the local pond to practice my casting. Went well, nice open space after several cast seemed to have the hang of it. A couple of weeks later went to fish at Valley Creek here in PA. This stream is a class A Wild Trout stream that is very difficult to fish. Spent the afternoon untageling my line from trees and loosing several nymph flies. But today, 2 days after the first snow storm in the Philadelphia area, I had the urge to get out and try my rod again. Went back to the same stream because I know at this time of year this was my best shot to catch something. Within minutes of getting to the stream I found a "honey hole" 4 feet deep and filled with trout, after an hour of casting a hares ear nymph, I guessed that I had spooked all the fish because of my line slapping the water, or getting caught in fallen leaves, or snaging rocks, so I decided to move upstream and hope to find another hole like this one. 3 hours later, after a mile of walking upstream and not seeing a single fish, I decided it was time to call it a day. With my tail between my legs I walked back towards the honey hole where my car was parked. I decided before I go in I would just make a couple more casts hopeing the fish came back. As I lifted my line a felt a tug, prepared to lose another fly, I lifted my rod tip a lo and behold "FISH ON". A beutiful 10 inch brown, not a big fish, but a fish that will stay in my mind forever. The first fish of the year, and on a fly, it just doesn’t get much better than that. I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

Response:

I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

I was bullied into trying a fly rod by my fishing partner one day about 12 years ago and my first fish as a brightly spotted brookie about 4" long, caught on what I think was a little bloody butcher. All of which sounds fine, until you realize I was using a 10′ 7wt rod and fishing for steelhead (lake run rainbows?) at the time…… Things have improved a little since. It was a pretty fish though, and it remains the only brookie I have ever caught on a fly. Vaughan

Response:

I started fly-fishing with a two-handed European-style salmon rod. (Most of the guys in our unofficial fishing club prefer salmon fishing nowadays.) The first catch was a 4" salmon parr from river Gaula in Norway. — Jarmo Hurri address or apply rot13 to header email address.

Response:

Welcome to this perfidious hobby! Your family and friends have my sympathy. My first ever fish on a fly was a rainbow caught on an orange cow dung fly beside the picnic area at Snowbird creek almost seventeen years ago. I had a $60 Daiwa 7-weight fly rod and some kind of Cortland reel.

That must have been an epic battle on that 7 weight.  Touch and go the whole time, eh?

Response:

I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories. I was bullied into trying a fly rod by my fishing partner one day about 12 years ago and my first fish as a brightly spotted brookie about 4" long, caught on what I think was a little bloody butcher. All of which sounds fine, until you realize I was using a 10′ 7wt rod…

Well that puts RWP’s fish battle to shame, doesn’t it?

Response:

Lissen here – that was an epic battle. Me and my stick versus the cunning slimy carnivorous predator! — Bob Patton

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories. I was bullied into trying a fly rod by my fishing partner one day about 12 years ago and my first fish as a brightly spotted brookie about 4" long, caught on what I think was a little bloody butcher. All of which sounds fine, until you realize I was using a 10′ 7wt rod… Well that puts RWP’s fish battle to shame, doesn’t it?

Response:

    Although, not my first fish on a fly, there is one trout that sticks out in my mind as a defining moment in my fishing career. My freshman year at Appalachian State found me far from friends and family, "trapped" in the mountains of N.C., with no drivers license and only my mountain bike to get around. The state of PA had decided that it would be safer for my fellow citizens if I went without a license for a few years, so I pedaled my ass everywhere. This sounds pretty healthy, until you’re faced with a two mile ride home after last call. Anyway, I had studied up on Boone for a few years while living in Chapel Hill and had a long list of streams scoped out well before I was able to move there. I had dog eared guide books, a pile of coffee stained topos and a long overdue North Carolina coffee table book (sorry Chapel Hill Public Library) that would ultimately lead me to some North Carolina Brookies.     I arrived in time for the spring semester and waited out the winter for my first Carolina Mountain spring. It did arrive eventually, but by that time I was hellbent on catching some trout. Over the winter I had made ‘friends’ with a neighbor of mine whose dad had exiled him to the mountains for an out of control cocaine and hooker habit, which he financed with his dad’s Visa. True story, nice guy, but a little "troubled". The gist of  the story is that the guy’s grandfather had given him a few cane rods. First time I laid eyes on that Abercrombie and Fitch ( he wouldn’t part with the Orvis, even after months of badgering) a deal was struck. I was out one Yamaha receiver and the proud owner of my first bamboo rod. This was a really big deal at the time and could only mean good things in my quest for Brookies.      By the blue lines on my topo, the nearest stream to my hole-in-the-wall basement apt. was Winklers Creek. In the heat of the summer, this stream plays host to naked hippy chicks who sun themselves on the rocks. My first trip there was far too chilly for that type of thing but later in the year I had quite a few pleasant days out. Hippy chicks are not shy about their love of the sun, and rarely turn down a cold beer. Oh yeah, so on a sunny April afternoon, I strapped the rod to the bike, made a quick stop at Peabody’s to grab a few pints for the event, and hit the stream. I put in at the "swimming pool" where I cast the A&F on water for the first time. She was heavy, but had a nice feel, and I soon had the rhythm down enough to get moving and catch some fish. Not twenty feet upstream from the "swimming pool" was a smaller pool, banked by huge boulders on all sides and covered by a canopy of spring greenery. I had sense enough at the time to sneak up on my quarry and managed to find a spot hidden from the pool where I could sit with a pint and relax while I scanned for risers. I barely had a gulp of beer down before I saw my first sign of life. A trout rose in a flash from the bottom, swirled, and engulfed a small sulfur. It was the type of rise that says, "throw me your sloppiest, splashiest cast and I’ll still eat the fly". I sat there for maybe a minute or two, slammed half my beer and then slinked down the the tail of the pool. I took position where could peer over a boulder and pick my victim. The fish were rising sporadically but persistently and before too long I let loose with my cast. The 9 foot cane rod was huge for this stream but handled the line beautifully. My cast dropped perfectly on the water. Of course, like in any good fishing story, the fish rose from the bottom gnashed down on the fly and headed for deeper water. I heaved back, set the hook, and proceeded to land my first North Carolina Brookie. I have since felt similiar emotions, but only rarely, and only when something happens that makes me think "it could *never*  get any better than this". McCray

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It took me a while to remember the first one, even tho it was less than 3 years ago.  I had to refer back to old messages & posts to finally pin it down.  The first one for me also represented another milestone, of sorts: it was without any ambiguity the smallest striped bass I have ever seen, somewhere around 9 inches or so.  It took a 10 and a half foot 9 weight to tame him  :-) I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

Response:

Hippy chicks are not shy about their love of the sun, and rarely turn down a cold beer. Oh yeah, so on a sunny April afternoon, I strapped the rod to the bike…

Yeah, I hear dat….

Response:

   Although, not my first fish on a fly, there is one trout that sticks out in my mind as a defining moment in my fishing career.

        boys, i have fished for thirty years in the blue ridge, and i have seen exactly three folks who can do it as well as this guy. thanks for pulling back the veil on your first time, mccrayfish.         the down side is, it will get much tougher the older you get. the blue ridge is not a gentle partner. your friend in the old north state wayno

Response:

I got my brand new fly fishing gear as a gift from my wife for Christmas in the way of an Orvis gift certificate. Eager to get out on the water, not haveing fly fished before, I took my gear to the local pond to practice my casting. Went well, nice open space after several cast seemed to have the hang of it. A couple of weeks later went to fish at Valley Creek here in PA. This stream is a class A Wild Trout stream that is very difficult to fish. Spent the afternoon untageling my line from trees and loosing several nymph flies. But today, 2 days after the first snow storm in the Philadelphia area, I had the urge to get out and try my rod again. Went back to the same stream because I know at this time of year this was my best shot to catch something. Within minutes of getting to the stream I found a "honey hole" 4 feet deep and filled with trout, after an hour of casting a hares ear nymph, I guessed that I had spooked all the fish because of my line slapping the water, or getting caught in fallen leaves, or snaging rocks, so I decided to move upstream and hope to find another hole like this one. 3 hours later, after a mile of walking upstream and not seeing a single fish, I decided it was time to call it a day. With my tail between my legs I walked back towards the honey hole where my car was parked. I decided before I go in I would just make a couple more casts hopeing the fish came back. As I lifted my line a felt a tug, prepared to lose another fly, I lifted my rod tip a lo and behold "FISH ON". A beutiful 10 inch brown, not a big fish, but a fish that will stay in my mind forever. The first fish of the year, and on a fly, it just doesn’t get much better than that. I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

Response:

 With my tail between my legs I walked back towards the honey hole where my car was parked. I decided before I go in I would just make a couple more casts hopeing the fish came back. As I lifted my line a felt a tug, prepared to lose another fly, I lifted my rod tip a lo and behold "FISH ON". A beutiful 10 inch brown, not a big fish, but a fish that will stay in my mind forever. The first fish of the year, and on a fly, it just doesn’t get much better than that. I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

        well, with deepest regret i must admit that your story is far more heroic than mine.         i signed up to work for a law firm in greensboro, nc, in the fall of 1969.  one of the partners was a guy who is still one of my best friends, a yankee from uptstate new york, around the roscoe area. i had fished with a fly rod since i was 9 or 10, but only for warm water fish.  he suggested a trip to the catskills, and there we were: the beaverkill, the willowemoc, harry darby, walt dette, all that yankee folklore…and it was really neat.  but the first fish i caught was a 6 inch brown, hauled in on the end of a muddler minnow, on the east branch of the delaware, a long way from the crystal waters that would become my home, just a year or so from then.  but that’s another story, with another friend. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

"Carlos Figueroa" wrote… I thought maybe this story would inspire a thread of stories about everyones first fish caught on a fly. I’m sure there are many stories out there that stick in peoples memories.

Your story is better than mine.  The first fish I caught on a fly was a 3" Bluegill 23 years ago.  But I can safely say it’s been all up hill from there. Joel Axelrad **DFD**

Response:

    My first was a ten inch brook trout on a size 8 hopper. I was lucky enough to spend my younger years in a town with many good trout streams within biking distance, and caught this one on a little spring creek that ran behind the IGA.     It was great growing up with 3 trout streams within 15min bike ride of my house, and once I got the hang of the fly rod, there were some dandy Bull trout to be had. With the ban on bulls in Alberta, I’d bet some of my old fishin’ grounds have some dandy bulls (Although I once found a dead 34" bull under the bridge, so even then there were some hogs).     Robbie

Response:

Question:

I store it all in Clear Creek tube I purchased from Zimbo, one of the regulars of this group…

Ahem. More like we went in together on a group order. –Steve

Response:

Sorry Steve should have mentioned the ‘gang’ thing…yes indeed I got it with a group order…but my main point was it was perfect for my 3 piece, cuz it had 3 compartments and keeps my 3 forks all snug and safe Padishar Creel

Response:

Has anyone fished with a Cabela’s Three Forks Fly Rod?  I was thinking about getting one.  they are going for $40.00 in their new catalog.  Good, Bad, feels like a broomstick?

Frank Church, John Popp and I believe Jon Cook have all stated several times over in the past few years that they highly recommend it.  I have a Browning Medallion 7′ 5wt that’s within that price range that I would recommend.  Quite a fun rod that has bested many a smallmouth bass. Moderately slow action. Mu

Response:

I have a Cabela’s Stowaway 5 pc. 5 wt.  I love the action on this rod. However, the other day I left the rod in my truck.  It was inside the green canvas bag, inside an aluminum tube.  I went to fish with it and on the third section at the ferrule there was a whitish color to the dope used on the wrapping.  The eye closest to the ferrule also had the soft white dope. The stuff was soft to the touch. I fished with it and by the end of the day the dope was almost dry, but with a cloudy haze on the finish.  I traded emails with Cabela’s and I’m sending the rod back.  I don’t think the dope cured correctly when it was applied. I’ve never had this problem with another make.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have the 7′6" 3 piece 3wt 3 forks rod.  It is a wonderful rod, and I am quite pleased with the fit and finish of the entire rod.  It is a medium to stiffer action.  I put an orvis reel and line on it and I have taken nice trout with no issues at all.  It even has a hook keeper that many lightweight rods seem not to have (Redington are you paying attention?).  I store it all in Clear Creek tube I purchased from Zimbo, one of the regulars of this group, and it fit perfectly.  All in all it is one of my favorite sticks…I think you will be pleased with one…I fish a lot of small streams so I am not familar with their bigger rods, but if the workmanship is the same, I think they would be worth a look… Padishar Creel – I also love my Cabela’s stowaway as well.  Frank Church, I believe, is also quite please with his Cabela’s rods.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone fished with a Cabela’s Three Forks Fly Rod?  I was thinking about getting one.  they are going for $40.00 in their new catalog.  Good, Bad, feels like a broomstick? Frank Church, John Popp and I believe Jon Cook have all stated several times over in the past few years that they highly recommend it.  I have a Browning Medallion 7′ 5wt that’s within that price range that I would recommend.  Quite a fun rod that has bested many a smallmouth bass. Moderately slow action. Mu

These are the rods I chose to keep in my Toyota Rice Burner 24/7/365.  The big reason was that at 40 bucks apiece, if someone steals them, then I’m not bankrupted in getting them replaced.  I have both the 3 Forks 3pc 3 wt. and the 8′ 2pc 5 wt. which should cover any fishing situation I’m apt to find myself into.  For the money, they are hard to beat, and thus far have held up very well.  No broomsticks here either, both have a moderate action (maybe just a tad on the slow side of moderate, especially the 5 wt) With Cabela’s return policy, you can hardly go wrong with the 3 Forks series. Frank Church in Elkhart, IN bassbugr AT yahoo dot com

Response:

Yeepers, I use the 3X3X7.5 for brim, trout to 3+lb (when traveling). small to average size bass. It travels with me more than my wife and is quieter. A pretty good rod, for the price a great rod. I use the reel for despooling and the line is so-so. put the rod together with a small bass pro reel and a decent line and you’ll have a combo that will look and perform like a much higher priced set-up. — John Popp in Sanford Fl.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone fished with a Cabela’s Three Forks Fly Rod?  I was thinking about getting one.  they are going for $40.00 in their new catalog.  Good, Bad, feels like a broomstick? Thanks Rob

Response:

Has anyone fished with a Cabela’s Three Forks Fly Rod?  I was thinking about getting one.  they are going for $40.00 in their new catalog.  Good, Bad, feels like a broomstick? Thanks Rob

Good choice. My Cabela’s 3wt Three Forks has a very similar (fast) action to my Sage 5wt SP, at less than 10% of the cost. I recently used it exclusively on a three-day float of the Middle Fork of the Salmon, partly because I didn’t want to risk an expensive rod in a raft. It was a joy to use. (It’s outfitted with a good reel and line. The reel costs three times the price of the rod. Even the line is more expensive than the rod.) The only problem I see is that the reel seat is a cheap piece of junk, but what can you expect for forty bucks? — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Agreed, it’s thin aluminum. On the other hand my 6′ 4wt Fenwick has a robust silver nickel real seat. Problem is the reel is easily removed at the end of the day with the Cabellas, where as with the Fenwick I have to beat the reel loose. I’m not sure which I prefer, cheap easy on-off or reel won’t fall off. — John Popp in Sanford Fl.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone fished with a Cabela’s Three Forks Fly Rod?  I was thinking about getting one.  they are going for $40.00 in their new catalog.  Good, Bad, feels like a broomstick? Thanks Rob Good choice. My Cabela’s 3wt Three Forks has a very similar (fast) action to my Sage 5wt SP, at less than 10% of the cost. I recently used it exclusively on a three-day float of the Middle Fork of the Salmon, partly because I didn’t want to risk an expensive rod in a raft. It was a joy to use. (It’s outfitted with a good reel and line. The reel costs three times the price of the rod. Even the line is more expensive than the rod.) The only problem I see is that the reel seat is a cheap piece of junk, but what can you expect for forty bucks? — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Has anyone fished with a Cabela’s Three Forks Fly Rod?  I was thinking about getting one.  they are going for $40.00 in their new catalog.  Good, Bad, feels like a broomstick? Thanks Rob

Response:

Can Only speak for the 3 wt 3 piece….cosmetics fair….workmanship fair….fish-a-bility excellent. My favorite dry fly rod. Very good rod for the price. Durability….the jury is still out. jim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone fished with a Cabela’s Three Forks Fly Rod?  I was thinking about getting one.  they are going for $40.00 in their new catalog.  Good, Bad, feels like a broomstick? Thanks Rob

Response:

I have the 7′6" 3 piece 3wt 3 forks rod.  It is a wonderful rod, and I am quite pleased with the fit and finish of the entire rod.  It is a medium to stiffer action.  I put an orvis reel and line on it and I have taken nice trout with no issues at all.  It even has a hook keeper that many lightweight rods seem not to have (Redington are you paying attention?).  I store it all in Clear Creek tube I purchased from Zimbo, one of the regulars of this group, and it fit perfectly.  All in all it is one of my favorite sticks…I think you will be pleased with one…I fish a lot of small streams so I am not familar with their bigger rods, but if the workmanship is the same, I think they would be worth a look… Padishar Creel – I also love my Cabela’s stowaway as well.  Frank Church, I believe, is also quite please with his Cabela’s rods.

Response:

I have the Cabela’s Three Forks in 6wt with the Prestige (Okuma Sierra) reel. I agree 100% with Jim Bennett’s review with the following addition on durability….excellent.  The rod & reel have been blown off the top of my truck onto pavement, canopy door closed on it and all the hell a newbie can do to a rod.  It’s still fishing! Jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can Only speak for the 3 wt 3 piece….cosmetics fair….workmanship fair….fish-a-bility excellent. My favorite dry fly rod. Very good rod for the price. Durability….the jury is still out. jim Has anyone fished with a Cabela’s Three Forks Fly Rod?  I was thinking about getting one.  they are going for $40.00 in their new catalog.  Good, Bad, feels like a broomstick? Thanks Rob

Response:

Question:

I have followed this newsgroup for quite awhile now and some of you guys that complain the most about spaming always promote your own web site, now what is this??? Is this spaming???  When I post something here or anywhere else I do not put my web address down and I have not told anybody here or any other board that I am selling Bastard Bamboo, St.Croix , GLoomis, Eastbranch rods, Phillipson, Goodwin & Grangers Heddons, Southbends, H&I, Montagues, Orvis, or any other product I sell… When I posted that I really liked the Black Raven I was telling the truth about the rod.. I was really impressed with this rod.. AIt casted real smooth..When I go fly fishing it is adventure for me because I am in a wheelchair and I always have a hand full of rods to fish with and I usually fish with all the rods I take fishing with me, and I have to admit Banboo Flyrods are the funniest to fish with..  Actually I just started flyfishing and I caught my first trout on an Bamboo Flyrod, Whoops it was a Bastard  flyrod maybe this is an ilegal word here, but I really dont care what is an ilegal word..   I am really sorry if I am spaming about my Heddons,Phillipsons,Southbends,ETC..   Come on guys forget the past and lets jsut talk about fishing and if that Word Bastard come up just let it go, because a Bastard can catch fish just like an Orvis rod can catch fish..  Come on Guys lets just caych some fish on your favorite rod and your favorite fly…   Later dave

Response:

        (blah blah blah)  Come on Guys lets just caych some fish on your favorite rod and your favorite fly…   Later dave

        dave, just go mix another drink, and forget about it.         wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

[snipped] Dave, it’s been explained to you already, but once more for emphasis: you’d never been seen here before, and suddenly a post from out of nowhere appears, overflowing with ebullient praise for a rod built by someone that had thoroughly worn out his welcome here. And adding the bit about "buying ten of them" was like waving a red flag in the face of many folks here. Thus the reaction. But it appears that those same folks might owe you an apology… [el snippo] I have to admit Banboo Flyrods are the funniest to fish with..

LOL! Welll…..No comment ;^) Stick around, Dave. /daytripper

Response:

I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else. Thank You

Response:

I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else. Thank You

Phooey. It’s an election year, politics is on our minds and we speak our minds. (Those of us that actually HAVE minds, anyway.:-) Tell that large, hairy, mustachioed man wearing the fishnet stockings and high heels who forces you to read political posts to put down the cat-o’-nine-tails and get back to work on the heirheads debate strategy. (Unless you really like that sort of thing.) — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else.

I wish I was young, rich and attractive. Thank *you*. — Charlie…

Response:

I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else. Thank You

Yeah, wish in one hand and shit in the other.  Let us know which one fills up faster. Wolfgang Director, ROFF Office of Research

Response:

I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else. Thank You

I wish people would quit reading what they don’t want to, so there you go…  I think we are about equal in our chances of getting our wishes. HTH? You’re Welcome R (who knows Slim just stole None’s horse, and is border-bound…)

Response:

I like your new word, spaming. Maybe spame is a good name for off topic posts! Personnally, I’ve been very pleased that recently people have put "off topic" posts under appropriate headers.  They are very easy to ignore if you’re not interested. What bothers me is when you click on a fishing related subject line and you get garbage. Willi – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else. Thank You

Response:

Yeah, wish in one hand and shit in the other.  Let us know which one fills up faster.

My grandma always said wish in one hand, shit in the other… and see which weighs more. — Tight Lines! Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters, Missoula, Montana http://www.montana.com/dno/dno.htm 406-626-4022

Response:

I wish people would stop wishing, as it is very difficult to prove whether one’s wish actually came to fruition or not! — Opie  –I *hope* this doesn’t piss the wrong people off– – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I like your new word, spaming. Maybe spame is a good name for off topic posts! Personnally, I’ve been very pleased that recently people have put "off topic" posts under appropriate headers.  They are very easy to ignore if you’re not interested. What bothers me is when you click on a fishing related subject line and you get garbage. Willi I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else. Thank You

Response:

I wish people would stop wishing, as it is very difficult to prove whether one’s wish actually came to fruition or not!

I can tell you I keep closing my eyes and clicking my heels but somehow I keep getting stuck in Kansas. — Wayne Knight Expert in creating tailing loops and windknots Otherwise Fishless in Kansas Before you buy.

Response:

I can tell you I keep closing my eyes and clicking my heels but somehow I keep getting stuck in Kansas.

Ah, that’s the problem: that only works to get you back *to* Kansas, you need a tornado to get you out<g. — Charlie…

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else. Thank You Phooey. It’s an election year, politics is on our minds and we speak our minds. (Those of us that actually HAVE minds, anyway.:-) Tell that large, hairy, mustachioed man wearing the fishnet stockings and high heels who forces you to read political posts to put down the cat-o’-nine-tails and get back to work on the heirheads debate strategy. (Unless you really like that sort of thing.)

When did Louie grow a mustache? /daytripper (OK, now I gotta run and hide. Buh byeeeeeee! ;^)

Response:

R wrote snip::I wish people would quit reading what they don’t want to, so there you go…

The only way to get the damn thing to go away is to hit read msg. Big Dale

Response:

It is about fishing.  If big oil get’s their empty suit in the White House look forward to clear cuts,  cynaide leach mines,  oil spills in ANWF and all imaginable kinds of hell loosed upon the earth.  The forces of greed want your fishing hole. BJC – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else. Thank You

Response:

Yeah, wish in one hand and shit in the other.  Let us know which one fills up faster. My grandma always said wish in one hand, shit in the other… and see which weighs more.

My kinda grandma!  Never got to know any of my own.  Can I borrow yours some time? Wolfgang over the river and through the woods

Response:

I wish that people in this newsgroup would keep their political spaming somewhere else.

I wish I had a better benefits package, a bigger apartment, three redheaded Tri-Delt mistresses, and a beer. We all got needs, pal. You’re welcome. "My father said to be strong, that a good man could never do wrong  in a dream I had last night in America" -Los Lobos

Response:

Why, do they not make Tri-Delts anymore, or was there only one window in time when they were universally considered desirable?  I know in my undergraduate days (69-73) they were thought (and I believe thought themselves) hotter than heat. Me, I never saw it:  preferred hippy girls in peasant shirts and jeans. BTW, are we allowed to talk about women here, or only politics? JR — To reply, remove the Qs from the address above – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     "Tri-Delts" gives your approximate age away. [an assumption, but held until informed.] (MC’s comment snipped for space) I wish I had a better benefits package, a bigger apartment, three redheaded Tri-Delt mistresses, and a beer. We all got needs, pal.

Response:

     I don’t know, it seems odd to be fixated on redheads, but even more outr

Question:

I don’t know why the thought of asking the group this question didn’t occur to me until now, but I’m supremely confident that you all (that would be y’all) can set me straight. I’m not sure, but I seem to be putting too much power into my casts.   On my forward cast, the line & leader will occasionally straighten out then recoil into a less than beautiful wiggle on the surface.   When I concentrate (admittedly my weak point), I can lower my rod tip as the line goes forward and that seems to take the jerk out of it (at the other end, that is). This is difficult to control, though; and sometimes I take away too much and the leader never straightens.   Still, I think this is only coping with the symptom, not the cause. Am I in fact overpowering the cast?   Do I just need to ease up a little on the forward stroke?   What else could I be doing wrong?   At present, this is my major flaw in presentation.   I have no problem with practice, practice, practice; but I fear I may develop worse habits if I continue to practice a bad motion. Joe F.

Response:

Could be your line is one weight too light for the rod or your leader is too short OR the leader(tippet) is too light for the fly you’re casting…. Without seeing you cast, it’s tough to diagnose….kinda like tellin a mechanic "every time I drive my car it makes a sound like WHIRR WHIRR CLICK CLAK…do you know what it is????" I’d try by process of elimination to determine if any of the above work for you. Larry #:)#

Response:

Joe F. writes:

<<I’m not sure, but I seem to be putting too much power into my casts.   On my forward cast, the line & leader will occasionally straighten out then recoil into a less than beautiful wiggle on the surface. Could be you *are* overpowering your casts.  I had (and still do a lot of time) the same problem,  I believe it was Peter Charles that told me to try putting my extended index finger on the grip instead of my thumb.  It worked wonderfully.  It seems it is difficult to overpower your cast with your hand so placed. Give it a try and come back and report, or else wait for Peter to chime in.  <g  He’ll have the answer for sure. Dave LaCourse

Response:

I don’t know why the thought of asking the group this question didn’t occur to me until now, but I’m supremely confident that you all (that would be y’all) can set me straight. I’m not sure, but I seem to be putting too much power into my casts.   On my forward cast, the line & leader will occasionally straighten out then recoil into a less than beautiful wiggle on the surface.  

You are "over powering" your cast but if you’re fishing dries, "over powering" is one technique to help get a drag free drift. That "wiggle" on the surface is good (as long as it isn’t too excessive) because it will allow for a longer drag free float than with a perfectly straight leader. Willi

Response:

I also cast with my index finger on the grip and this works nicely for me.  One of the easiest things to do when trying to make that little extra further cast is to apply too much power to the rod.  Good timing seems more important to me when making these "longer" casts.  And as you mentioned; Practice, practice, practice, and listen to what many of the regular posters suggest here~~They really know their stuff. Jeff Boks Fly Fishing~~~~~Just Do It

Response:

Joe: You’re getting some good advice.  I’ll add that even a perfect cast will have leader recoil if you check up on the rod tip hard at the end of the forward stroke.  That’s why it doesn’t happen when you lower the rod tip.  But as Willi has noted, that is exactly what you want to do if you want all those curves on the water to give you a better dry fly float. Mark Faulkner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know why the thought of asking the group this question didn’t occur to me until now, but I’m supremely confident that you all (that would be y’all) can set me straight. I’m not sure, but I seem to be putting too much power into my casts.   On my forward cast, the line & leader will occasionally straighten out then recoil into a less than beautiful wiggle on the surface.   When I concentrate (admittedly my weak point), I can lower my rod tip as the line goes forward and that seems to take the jerk out of it (at the other end, that is). This is difficult to control, though; and sometimes I take away too much and the leader never straightens.   Still, I think this is only coping with the symptom, not the cause. Am I in fact overpowering the cast?   Do I just need to ease up a little on the forward stroke?   What else could I be doing wrong?   At present, this is my major flaw in presentation.   I have no problem with practice, practice, practice; but I fear I may develop worse habits if I continue to practice a bad motion. Joe F.

Response:

Could be you *are* overpowering your casts.  I had (and still do a lot of time) the same problem,  I believe it was Peter Charles that told me to try putting my extended index finger on the grip instead of my thumb.  It worked wonderfully.  It seems it is difficult to overpower your cast with your hand so placed.

Dave (and Pete): that is indeed a sure way to under-power a casting stroke. Unfortunately, it’s also a sure way to develop RSI in your wrist and forearm. There are less injurious ways to deal with a power & timing problem… As for the resulting wiggles providing a benefit: better to learn the proper, bread-and-butter wiggle-free cast, then learn a proper "pile" cast for when it’s needed. A good "pile" will one hell of a lot of wiggles into the line and provide a much longer drag-free drift than an overpowered cast ever will. /daytripper

Response:

No wonder he doesn’t fish anymore.  He’s gone blind. – Mu – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <<I had this problem until I started wanking with the other hand to compensate….hell I was getting a 22 inch forearm. Is that why they call you "Stubby"?  <g Dave & co., I don’t understand T-Bonics.  Please explain using clinical terms. It’s what he became a master at before becoming a master angler. — Charlie…

Response:

Mu: <<No wonder he doesn’t fish anymore.  He’s gone blind. Brings new meaning to the term "catch and kill". <g Dave LaCourse

Response:

Al:  is it really you?  man it’s good to see you back.  If you get a chance, drop me a note as to your whereabouts these days. And to the newer ROFFians, Al has been a great help to many of us with advice on all topics.  Not to worry, Al – that stretch of the _____ you put me on a couple years ago in M_____ will always be safe with me! Mark Faulkner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Joe, For years I had trouble with my casting and practice did not seem fix it because I was doing exactly like you were concerned about – practicing my mistakes. One day I was testing rods at a fly fishing show and a gentleman walked over and offered a bit of advise. In ten minutes I knew what I was doing wrong (it took a couple of years to permanently correct the problem). That man was Mel Kreiger. I suggest you invest one hour with a competent professional. If you don’t know of one in your area call the Federation of Fly Fishers at 406-585-7592 and ask them for the name of a Certified Instructor near you. Good luck & … Tight Lines – Al Beatty http://www.btsflyfishing.com

Response:

Aww…..TBone… So it’s not true?  In the past you used to boast about being able to switch hands without dropping a stroke…..or were you talking about GOLF then, too???? =8^)

Response:

T-Bone: <<I had this problem until I started wanking with the other hand to compensate….hell I was getting a 22 inch forearm. Is that why they call you "Stubby"?  <g Dave LaCourse

Response:

T-Bone: <<I had this problem until I started wanking with the other hand to compensate….hell I was getting a 22 inch forearm. Is that why they call you "Stubby"?  <g

Dave & co., I don’t understand T-Bonics.  Please explain using clinical terms. Mu

Response:

T-Bone: <<I had this problem until I started wanking with the other hand to compensate….hell I was getting a 22 inch forearm. Is that why they call you "Stubby"?  <g Dave & co., I don’t understand T-Bonics.  Please explain using clinical terms.

Man, am I ashamed of starting the thread that led down this road!    d:-o Joe F.

Response:

I’m not sure, but I seem to be putting too much power into my casts.

I had this problem until I started wanking with the other hand to compensate….hell I was getting a 22 inch forearm. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

Response:

Hi Joe, For years I had trouble with my casting and practice did not seem fix it because I was doing exactly like you were concerned about – practicing my mistakes. One day I was testing rods at a fly fishing show and a gentleman walked over and offered a bit of advise. In ten minutes I knew what I was doing wrong (it took a couple of years to permanently correct the problem). That man was Mel Kreiger. I suggest you invest one hour with a competent professional. If you don’t know of one in your area call the Federation of Fly Fishers at 406-585-7592 and ask them for the name of a Certified Instructor near you. Good luck & … Tight Lines – Al Beatty http://www.btsflyfishing.com

Response:

For years I had trouble with my casting and practice did not seem fix it because I was doing exactly like you were concerned about – practicing my mistakes. One day I was testing rods at a fly fishing show and a gentleman walked over and offered a bit of advise. In ten minutes I knew what I was doing wrong (it took a couple of years to permanently correct the problem). That man was Mel Kreiger.

I concur.  I recently got a free casting class with the Becks and found out a couple of problems with my casting.  I always had a hook in my line when I cast and found out it was because I was twisting my wrist.  I also learned how to double haul, ect.  An hour class and a little practice makes all of the difference in the world. Warren

Response:

I don’t know why the thought of asking the group this question didn’t occur to me until now, but I’m supremely confident that you all (that would be y’all) can set me straight. I’m not sure, but I seem to be putting too much power into my casts.   On my forward cast, the line & leader will occasionally straighten out then recoil into a less than beautiful wiggle on the surface.

Thanks to all for the advice; all of which sounds pretty good.   I’ll add that my overall problem is probably consistency.   I can cast pretty well on occasion, using roll casts, reach casts, and even throwing a nice straight line.   Sometimes, though, it just ain’t working; and finesse and delicacy act as if they don’t know me.   With my relative inexperience, I have difficulty figuring out why.   For one thing, I just need to fish more often. I’ve been "in the groove" a few times when my touch and timing were right on, and it was a beautiful thing. I’d have posted this thanks sooner, but too much good advice was pouring in. Thanks again. Joe F.

Response:

A natural hook? And I’ve been trying to learn how to fish around corners?

Response:

May not be the root of the problem but try releasing a loop of line in front of the reel toward the end of your forward cast. That will prevent some recoil. Steve

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know why the thought of asking the group this question didn’t occur to me until now, but I’m supremely confident that you all (that would be y’all) can set me straight. I’m not sure, but I seem to be putting too much power into my casts.   On my forward cast, the line & leader will occasionally straighten out then recoil into a less than beautiful wiggle on the surface.   When I concentrate (admittedly my weak point), I can lower my rod tip as the line goes forward and that seems to take the jerk out of it (at the other end, that is). This is difficult to control, though; and sometimes I take away too much and the leader never straightens.   Still, I think this is only coping with the symptom, not the cause. Am I in fact overpowering the cast?   Do I just need to ease up a little on the forward stroke?   What else could I be doing wrong?   At present, this is my major flaw in presentation.   I have no problem with practice, practice, practice; but I fear I may develop worse habits if I continue to practice a bad motion. Joe F.

Response:

Joe, I’m not the expert but here are two things that have helped me. First, taking out a whole day and fly fishing for hours on end helped me find a groove. Consistency is my problem too as I typically only fish for short periods of time when I can get away here and there.  Next, have your wife photograph (hi-speed) or videotape your stroke.  There are plenty of things which become apparent when you are watching from outside of your own body. For example, I found out that instead of drifting the rod backwards with the line after the power stroke, I was letting the tip drop below the fly line.   Of course you’ll need the discipline to consciously adjust your motions based on what you see in the video.  This is not so easy to do because unless you are used to interacting with yourself, it quickly gets boring.  I suppose having a casting instructor by your side, who engages you on a one-to-one level is of great benefit in that regard. Mu, waiting for the risers – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks to all for the advice; all of which sounds pretty good.   I’ll add that my overall problem is probably consistency.   I can cast pretty well on occasion, using roll casts, reach casts, and even throwing a nice straight line.   Sometimes, though, it just ain’t working; and finesse and delicacy act as if they don’t know me.   With my relative inexperience, I have difficulty figuring out why.   For one thing, I just need to fish more often. I’ve been "in the groove" a few times when my touch and timing were right on, and it was a beautiful thing.

Response:

The best thing to do is to take a casting lesson from someone you know who is good, or from a good pro. The postal diagnosis of casting faults may be likened to correspondence courses in brain surgery, and the results are likely to be similarly catastrophic. An absolutely brilliant caster and fly-fisher ( the two are not necessarily synonymous ) once told me that one should practice until one could cast a perfectly straight line and leader, and having achieved this, to never ever do it again.  This applies to dry fly fishing of course, where a slack wavy leader is far better than a straight  tight one. Practising is only of use if you are practising correctly, practising incorrectly will usually result in you acquiring muscle memory for bad habits, which are then extremely difficult to get rid of.  Take a lesson and save yourself a lot of grief. TL MC

Response:

Response:

        which leads me to ponder:  what is the sound of one fish flopping? wayno the zen master – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

wayno writes:

<<which leads me to ponder:  what is the sound of one fish flopping? It goes sorta like this: "I didn’t do it, counselor.  I *swear* I didn’t do it.  I was in church.  They’re out to get me." davo

Response:

Question:

Hi everybody:         Where i can see more information about the fly fishing in New Zealand????,   ….please, help me!!!!

Response:

Go to http://www.davisbrown.com/fflnk.html and follow the Geographical links to New Zealand where you should find a number of resources.  Tight lines. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi everybody:         Where i can see more information about the fly fishing in New Zealand????,   ….please, help me!!!!

Response:

Hi everybody:         Where i can see more information about the fly fishing in New Zealand????,   ….please, help me!!!!

Check out the sites below. Handy general info licenses etc. http://www.fishnhunt.co.nz/ A good resource for Fly Fishing in the lower South Island http://www.frontierfishing.co.nz/ —                             Cheers PK                   Remove NOSPAM when replying     If you’re not living on the edge you’re just taking up space

Response:

Hi everybody:         Where i can see more information about the fly fishing in New Zealand????,   ….please, help me!!!! I can

Question:

– Now booking Cape Cod, MA inshore fly fishing wading trips for stripers for the 97 season. I supply all tackle and flies as well as casting instructions if needed. If you don’t score stripers, I don’t get paid. Fair enough? $125/single $200/two anglers for a full day wading trip. Email me http://www.flyfishing-the-salt.com. Email references given upon request. Good fishing…Ted Bobetsky

Response:

– Now booking Cape Cod, MA inshore fly fishing wading trips for stripers for the 97 season. I supply all tackle and flies as well as casting instructions if needed. If you don’t score stripers, I don’t get paid. Fair enough? $125/single $200/two anglers for a full day wading trip. Email me http://www.flyfishing-the-salt.com. Good fishing…Ted Bobetsky

Response:

Question:

Question: while in Victoria, BC, I purchased an antique Wheatly box with about 50 wet flys (mostly Peter Ross and Montreal). Is anyone on the west coast (esp California) still using wet flys with any results or have they been wiped out by nymphs?

Response:

Question: while in Victoria, BC, I purchased an antique Wheatly box with about 50 wet flys (mostly Peter Ross and Montreal). Is anyone on the west coast (esp California) still using wet flys with any results or have they been wiped out by nymphs?

I am still using wet flies (I live in Montana).  My favorite flies are Peter Ross, Grizzly King, Silver March Brown, Soft Hackles etc.  I ususally use them when I can’t see dry flies in late evening and when fish are taking something at subsurface (I use either emerger flies or wet flies in this case).  Wet flies work very well.  Therefore, I always carry dry, nimph, and wet fly boxes in my vest. NK

Response:

Is anyone on the west coast (esp California) still using wet flys with any results or have they been wiped out by nymphs?

I tie and fish traditional winged wets and soft hackles all the time, and they still work on the Oregon coast streams.  –Roger

Response:

 Is anyone on the west coast (esp California) still using wet flys with any results or have they been wiped out by nymphs?

Hi Doug, Fish the traditional wet fly is still one of my favorite fishing methods. The only real change I’ve made over the years is my wet flies are much smaller than they used to be.  In years past my average wet fly was a #8 or #10.  Today they are mostly #14 or #16.  I think they are more deadly today than years past especially when fished over "hard pressed" fish.   These fish have seen everything ten times a day and a wet fly is something different. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

Do you fish a wet fly like a nymph? i.e. split shot 6-8" above the fly? I am new to this, have gotten pretty good at tying my own flys, and like to tie many of the wet fly patterns, but honestly don’t know how to fish them. Someone let me know please? DLowe

Response:

Dear DLowe,     The traditional way of fishing wets was to cast across and downstream and let the line and leader swing around in a large, slow arc, take a step downstream, cast again, etc covering as much water as possible.  Flies were unweighted and usually fished two or three at a time.  Twitching the flies as they swung around and/or mending to slow the swing were common additions to the technique.  This method has been declared extinct several times over the last hundred years, first by the dry fly purists of the turn of the century, more recently by nymph specialists.  It still works, it is a very relaxing and pleasant way to fish, and it is a good way for a novice to learn to read water.      I highly recommend the book Wet Flies by Dave Hughes.  –  Roger

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -(KilchsGray) writes: Dear DLowe,    The traditional way of fishing wets was to cast across and downstream and let the line and leader swing around in a large, slow arc, take a step downstream, cast again, etc covering as much water as possible.  Flies were unweighted and usually fished two or three at a time.  Twitching the flies as they swung around and/or mending to slow the swing were common additions to the technique.  This method has been declared extinct several times over the last hundred years, first by the dry fly purists of the turn of the century, more recently by nymph specialists.  It still works, it is a very relaxing and pleasant way to fish, and it is a good way for a novice to learn to read water.     I highly recommend the book Wet Flies by Dave Hughes. —  Roger

Ditto on the Dave Hughes book. Dave just did a presentation to our club on wet flies. Don Burns

Response:

Question:

Hi all! Wants anyone tell me what kind of rod is suitable for streamer? I mean, must it be rapid and powerful or not? And how much long? I specify that I usually fish in mountain streams.

Response:

I assume you are asking about a rod for fishing streamers?  I am also assuming that you are fishing some relatively small streams in the mountains, too?  Get yourself a 7-7 1/2′ rod for 6 weight line.  The heavier line weight will carry the streamers more easily.  If you are going to fish on bigger water, I’d recommend going to a 7 or 8 weight in a faster action 9′ fly rod.  There are lots of choices.  Good luck.  Dave Kumlien, Montana Troutfittes Orvis Shop, Bozeman, MT  

Response:

Question:

The best outfitters, Kaufman Streamborn in downtown Seattle and Bellevue. Warshalls at First Ave and Madison. Would like to fish with you but I live in NSW Australia. Try Mountain Lake on Orcas Island. Brooks, cutthroat anf Kokanee. Tight lines Dick Willis

Response:

Hey!  If everyone is not completely burned out on "I’m going to be …Where can I fish posts?", I have a serious post to post. I am moving to Washington state.  Bellvue to be exact.  

Actually Mark, you need a new atlas.  Bellvue is no longer in Washington State.  It is about dead center of the northern most county of the newly annexed portion of California.  The county name is "Eyefivia", and includes roughly everything thirty miles either side of Interstate 5. i would love to hear where the good spots are, as long as you don’t mind divulging your local hotspot.

I wouldn’t mind, if there were any.  Actually, I can’t fairly say that.  Even though I have to make business trips there often, talk to the locals about their water, and basically, if it aint a salmon, they don’t care about it.   Being a trout man myself, Eyefivia has little appeal. If you do prefer trout, head east to the real Washington, or better yet, Idaho. I am also going to need to find a new fly fishing store.  The one I go to now is impecable.  The Fly Angler, in Fridley Minnesota.  I highly recomend them.  However, they are not good enough to warrant travel from Washington to get outfitted when I run low on things.  So… Any good fly shops in Bellvue?

Don’t be too quick to abandon your shop.  It might just beat the prices anyway.  Valet parking and required Tux’s for Bellvue shops can get spendy, and they’re a hassle.  Besides, if you go with a shop in Yakima, Spokane, or anywhere else to the East of Eyefivia, you have an excuse to get to where the fishing is. Also, I HATE fishing alone all the time.  I have a few friends who flyfish here in Minnesota, but alas, they are staying in this land of ten thousand lakes.  I have no problem with wetting a line by myself on a regular basis, but everybody needs fishin’ buddies.  Is there anyone in the Bellvue/Seattle/Issaquah area who is looking for someone to drown some flies with.  I am house broken (according to my wife), educated (according to my student loans), and way too obsessed with fishing (according to my friends).  So if anyone wants to fish with the nicest guy my wife has ever lived with, let me know.  Any info will be appreciated, and all responses will receive a friendly thankyou from me.   Thanks in advance.

Sorry I’m not from there (thankfully , ‘cuz you sound like you’ld be fun to fish with.  I am often on the lakes of Eastern Washington, so don’t be afraid to holler howdy.  I’ll be the guy in a blue Super Cat (a small pontoon craft sold by Clearwater Anglers in Auburn – about an hour south of where you’re moving to), in the center of a gordian wind knot.  Bring a knife.  You may have to cut me free from the effects of my famous casting ability. – Dick

Response:

Hey!  If everyone is not completely burned out on "I’m going to be ..Where can I fish posts?", I have a serious post to post. I am moving to Washington state.  Bellvue to be exact.  i would love to hear wheere the good spots are, as long as you don’t mind divulging your local hotspot. I am also going to need to find a new fly fishing store.  The one I go to now is impecable.  The Fly Angler, in Fridley Minnesota.  I highly recomend them.  However, they are not good enough to warrant travel from Washington to get outfitted when I run low on things.  So… Any good fly shops in Bellvue? Also, I HATE fishing alone all the time.  I have a few friends who flyfish here in Minnesota, but alas, they are staying in this land of ten thousand lakes.  I have no problem with wetting a line by myself on a regular basis, but everybody needs fishin’ buddies.  Is there anyone in the Bellvue/Seattle/Issaquah area who is looking for someone to drown some flies with.  I am house broken (according to my wife), educated (according to my student loans), and way too obsessed with fishing (according to my friends).  So if anyone wants to fish with the nicest guy my wife has ever lived with, let me know.  Any info will be appreciated, and all responses will receive a friendly thankyou from me.   Thanks in advance.

Response:

There is also "Avid Angler" and "Swallow’s Nest" in Seattle. The Yakima River is just over the hill; in the early Spring Pass Lake at Deception Pass is good.  Then there are the Stillaguamish and Skykomish Rivers.  Or, if you’re into trying the saltwater, there are numerous places to fish for salmon in Puget Sound.  And the good part is – that is only the beginning. Also in the Spring, plan on making trips to the Eastern side of the state for Lenice and Dry Falls Lakes and Rocky Ford Creek.  Many of these are flyfishing only. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response: