Question:

Hi folks, Just wondered if someone can comment on the choice of an outboard engine vs. an I/O on a 23-25′ boat, to be used in the coastal waters of west central Florida.  Combination of use will be both bay & off-shore fishing, off-shore diving, and short-medium range cruising with at least two couples. I’m a long-time fan of Mercruiser I/Os, having owned several and had very little trouble with them.  A few questions about outboards: 1) I’ve heard that outboard technology has come a long way, and the newer engines are quieter and more fuel effecient, correct? 2) Are the outboards more expensive to maintain? 3) Is the net-net performance about the same given the same hosepower on an outboard and I/O? 4 Is there a clear advantage with any particular brand of outboard nowadays? 5) Should we look for any specific year models, i.e. 1997 or newer for example? All thoughts appreciated.  Thanks. Patrick

Response:

Just wondered if someone can comment on the choice of an outboard engine vs. an I/O on a 23-25′ boat, to be used in the coastal waters of west central Florida. A few questions about outboards: 1) I’ve heard that outboard technology has come a long way, and the newer engines are quieter and more fuel effecient, correct?

That is correct, especially with the 4 stroke motors. 2) Are the outboards more expensive to maintain?

Probably even or cheaper. 3) Is the net-net performance about the same given the same hosepower on an outboard and I/O?

Net is higher since you have a higher power to weight ratio. 4 Is there a clear advantage with any particular brand of outboard nowadays?

I don’t see any clear advantages, all the manufacturers have their thing that only they do.  Personnally my best experiences for reliability have been with Yamaha and performance wih Mercury, thou Honda has some interesting cam technology and Suzuki has the best Warrantee.  Never been an OMC fan myself but that doesn’t really mean much. 5) Should we look for any specific year models, i.e. 1997 or newer for example?

Can’t help you there, but I’m sure there will be someone to tell you what not to buy. http://hometown.aol.com/hlaviation/

Response:

Hi Patrick, With a boat that size I guess that the outboard choices would be the new Yamaha and Honda 200-225hp 4 strokes? In a Mercruiser they use mostly GM V8s now for 200hp+? I know that fisherman like the outboards because there is more room in the rear of the boat for fishing? The ultimate power is a diesel in a boat that size, but it is $$$$. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi folks, Just wondered if someone can comment on the choice of an outboard engine vs. an I/O on a 23-25′ boat, to be used in the coastal waters of west central Florida.  Combination of use will be both bay & off-shore fishing, off-shore diving, and short-medium range cruising with at least two couples. I’m a long-time fan of Mercruiser I/Os, having owned several and had very little trouble with them.  A few questions about outboards: 1) I’ve heard that outboard technology has come a long way, and the newer engines are quieter and more fuel effecient, correct? 2) Are the outboards more expensive to maintain? 3) Is the net-net performance about the same given the same hosepower on an outboard and I/O? 4 Is there a clear advantage with any particular brand of outboard nowadays? 5) Should we look for any specific year models, i.e. 1997 or newer for example? All thoughts appreciated.  Thanks. Patrick

Response:

Question:

My 17 year old son and I day tripped into a sub-alpine lake in the sapphires. We hauled in a hobbie cat pontoon boat and went fly-fishing for arctic grayling.  Between the two of us we caught & released about 50 of the little things in about 5 hours of fishing. Basically they hit anything that floated in a 14 or smaller.  most were 10" or so but we caught a few up to 14" and one 16".    lake is at about 8200′ elevation and still ringed with snow on the adjacent north facing slopes (i.e. water is bloody cold) I must have been pre-occupied during my turn on the pontoon- my son tells me there was a black bear taking a drink from the shore line about 100′ from where I was fishing & I didn’t see it. (lake is about 13 acres and I was on the far side under a shale slide.) The grayling do not fight like a trout- they tended to stay down and run- but not with a lot of power.  Unfortunately I only have a 9′  6 wt which is definitely too much rod for these fellas – I think a 4 wt might be more fun–hmm, I wonder what the finance dept would say to that. Sunday I had a little time to kill so I ran up the Blackfoot river (base river in ARRTI) and fished for a few hours- only managed 5 or 6 small ‘bows of about 10".  the water is still high, fast and turbid and I was using a small wulff pattern.  I think a "big ugly" would be better. Looks like a really dry year coming- I’m worried about water levels in the major streams/rivers.

Response:

Rivers are below normal and the snowpack is basically gone. We need timely rains if the rivers are going to stay cool enough for trout. — Tight Lines! Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters, Missoula, Montana http://www.montana.com/dno/dno.htm 406-626-4022

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Looks like a really dry year coming- I’m worried about water levels in the major streams/rivers.

Response:

Question:

Good story Mike, I often wondered how you got your expertise. Ernie Harrison

<snipped an good fish tail – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Apparently as soon as I had left the table the gentleman who had been standing there watching all the time had asked him who I was, and whether I was one of the more well known dressers there.  My friend had told him that this was indeed the case, and that I would be back later to continue the demo. "Oh, I don’t need the demo", the gent replied, " I don’t know who the bloke is, but he must be a genius, I only showed him how to tie some of these patterns at my stall in the flea-market shortly before the show started, and he sat and tied them here even better and faster than I can, I was just amazed that someone can learn so fast", and he then left the scene. Mike Connor

Response:

says… <Snipped for berevity Very heartening story… I spent the better half of the evening trying to tie a variant of the yellow stimulator pattern that looks a lot like the one a friend from work showed me. I now have a new foe to vanquish and elk hair is thy name!!! http://www.troutflies.com/flies/yellowstimulator.htm I also need to work on gauging how much to cut and put on. Also keeping it from sliding around is a real challenge! Needless to say I got tow four tied. Two abortive and two looking like frankenstiens brides… I need to start building up a good collection of good quality hackles. Trying to tie dry hackles with saddle feathers is making me mental. I am also deathly afraid of going into fly shops as I am spending altogether too much on gather supplies! Tonight I managed to improvise a dubbing twister from a garbage bag tie. It works but it aint pretty! I think I shall prevail upon Tom at work to show me that pattern again at lunch! I’d love to visit one of those shows. I’ll have to keep my eyes open when one comes around my area. — Michael Era

Question:

Well, for all those who have followed my insipid malarkey about buying a new boat, well, I did.  I bought a Jive 8-10! I haven’t seen it (it’s coming from Portland today), I haven’t paddled it– but living in N. Idaho, I wouldn’t be able to do that kind of thing anyway.  I told Young Scott that he was lucky being able to put all those different cool boats in one spot and paddle away– and, ya know, I do miss that warm SE whitewater (I lived in Durham before I moved out here).  Paddling w/out dry gear is the exception– not the rule.

You did manage to pick one of the very few boats I have not paddled.   I would think that you made an excellent choice though.   A souped up bigger Jive should be a very good river running play boat.  They had an excellent hull already and I am assuming they have improved it. Am I correct in what I am thinking this boat is? Scott Bristow

Response:

Well, for all those who have followed my insipid malarkey about buying a new boat, well, I did.  I bought a Jive 8-10!

Great! But as with every situation, there are disadvantages (no demo days unless you want to go to Portland!) — but there are also advantages.

Ummm, you need to check out Mountain Gear more often.  Two days from now, saturday the 16th, Mad River is having a demo days on the Spokane river in conjunction with Mountain Gear.  M.G. also bring a lot of kayaks. Additionally, M.G. makes a weekly trip to the river to demo their boats…it must be tough being an employee there.  Get their schedule. Call them if you want a particular boat brought for you to try.  We are less than an hour from you; how have you missed this?

Response:

Well, I got home from Stanley to see my new Jive 8-10 sitting in my shop. Haven’t paddled it, but it looks like a great boat for a big person.  Similar to the Hammer (and about as roomy), similar kind of forward rocker, but more balanced bow and stern volume.  Doesn’t look like a squirter, but I’ll take it out and get back to folks. Thanks for all the input– though I ended up doing what I did, reading about all the different boats helped.  Looks like the 8-10 will be good for other big folks, and we can start having the fun without the misery that smaller folks have been having in some of the cooler boats. DISCLAIMER:  I have not! paddled either the Jive 8-10 or the Hammer, just sat in them.  I’ll file an update after I get out this week. Chuck You did manage to pick one of the very few boats I have not paddled.   I would think that you made an excellent choice though.   A souped up bigger Jive should be a very good river running play boat.  They had an excellent hull already and I am assuming they have improved it. Am I correct in what I am thinking this boat is? Scott Bristow

– Charles Pezeshki, Director Clearwater Biodiversity Project 1031 Spring Valley Rd. Troy, ID 83871 208-835-2999 (Voice and FAX) Call before sending FAX To check out my new book, "Wild to the Last: Environmental Conflict in the Clearwater Country", go to http://publications.urel.wsu.edu:80/Press/WildtoLast.html

Response:

<<DISCLAIMER:  I have not! paddled either the Jive 8-10 or the Hammer, just sat in them.  I’ll file an update after I get out this week.  Chuck New boats, before you paddle them, are just like the next generation of computer operating systems:  they will solve ALL the problems with what you are using now.  That is, until you actually start using them. -Ray

Response:

    After fifteen years of  K-1 white-water paddling, I’ve gone over…..Gone over to the Dark Side.  To please the Lady, the Light and Love of my life (but…hey that’s another thread) I took an Orvis fly-fishing course this weekend. There I was… standing STILL in a river that I have paddled many times. I couldn’t help but think about my boating-self sliding by my new found fishing-self and how both of us felt. I (boating) have always tried to be silent and circumspect when passing anglers. Courtesy and etiquette (yet another thread?) seem to demand nothing less. Tis a lesson to be learned tho…. to walk a mile in another man’s uh….hip boots.  Fishing for trout is as incredible complex as learning linked cartwheels and mystery moves. And, I found out this weekend, as addictive. It came as a small revelation when our instructor informed us that trout can be spooked by the shadow of a fly-line passing overhead. Made me wonder what the shadow of a nine foot boat must do. I asked our instructor what he thought of  kayakers. I was expecting a diatribe but he turned to me and said, "Sure looks like fun…. and most of um try to be real quiet, too."  Maybe there is hope for us yet!

Response:

Well, for all those who have followed my insipid malarkey about buying a new boat, well, I did.  I bought a Jive 8-10! I haven’t seen it (it’s coming from Portland today), I haven’t paddled it– but living in N. Idaho, I wouldn’t be able to do that kind of thing anyway.  I told Young Scott that he was lucky being able to put all those different cool boats in one spot and paddle away– and, ya know, I do miss that warm SE whitewater (I lived in Durham before I moved out here).  Paddling w/out dry gear is the exception– not the rule. But as with every situation, there are disadvantages (no demo days unless you want to go to Portland!) — but there are also advantages. We floated Lolo Ck., a classic Class IV-V run, 18 miles, one hour from my house, last weekend.  There was only one other party on the river– another group of friends (gloat). Gotta do the enviro thing this weekend (keep those rivers running free with actual trees next to them), but hopefully, I’ll be up on that big ole Lochsa wave, 360-ing away next week!  Stay tuned. Chuck — Charles Pezeshki, Director Clearwater Biodiversity Project To check out my new book, "Wild to the Last: Environmental Conflict in the Clearwater Country", go to http://publications.urel.wsu.edu:80/Press/WildtoLast.html

Response:

Question:

[rip...] Boulder: A prime reason to resume above-ground nuclear weapons testing.

What do you think Rocky Flats is there for ? — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

I have a good friend who is going to the Boulder, CO, area around Labor Day and would like to know what’s available for fly fishing.  Do you have any information on rivers/streams and guide services?  Any information would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Response:

I have a good friend who is going to the Boulder, CO, area around Labor Day and would like to know what’s available for fly fishing.  Do you have any information on rivers/streams and guide services?  Any information would be appreciated.  Thanks.

if you read john gierach, you would get a pretty good idea of what the area is like…it is his haunt and he does talk about it a lot… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

I have a good friend who is going to the Boulder, CO, area around Labor Day and would like to know what’s available for fly fishing.  Do you have any information on rivers/streams and guide services?  Any information would be appreciated.  Thanks. Saw Hill Ponds, off 75th st. in Boulder.  Big bluegill and lots of bass, some very large.  I know it ain’t trout, but the panfish action will be great this time of year.  Tell him to walk to the back ponds. JE

Response:

: I have a good friend who is going to the Boulder, CO, area around Labor : Day and would like to know what’s available for fly fishing.  Do you have : any information on rivers/streams and guide services?  Any information : would be appreciated.  Thanks. Right under the library downtown.  I believe I’ve seen that big fish from Vail there… I guess it makes road trips.  (Will I ever stop flogging this horse?) — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

Response:

: I have a good friend who is going to the Boulder, CO, area around Labor : Day and would like to know what’s available for fly fishing.  Do you have : any information on rivers/streams and guide services?  Any information : would be appreciated.  Thanks. Right under the library downtown.  I believe I’ve seen that big fish from Vail there… I guess it makes road trips.  (Will I ever stop flogging this horse?)

If you go under the library, or downstream at the observatory, make sure it is well after midnight…those literary types get all bent out of shape when you creel a couple for dinner in front of them… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

: I have a good friend who is going to the Boulder, CO, area around Labor : Day and would like to know what’s available for fly fishing.  Do you have : any information on rivers/streams and guide services?  Any information : would be appreciated.  Thanks. Right under the library downtown.  I believe I’ve seen that big fish from Vail there… I guess it makes road trips.  (Will I ever stop flogging this horse?) If you go under the library, or downstream at the observatory, make sure it is well after midnight…those literary types get all bent out of shape when you creel a couple for dinner in front of them…

I would not try to smoke any tobacco products either.  They get pretty testy about that shit.  Noone will bug you if you decide to spark up a Fat One:-) though, in fact they may want to join you. I would also avoid taking dumpsters, lighting them on fire, and then rolling them down The Hill at policemen. You can, however, get away with murder in that town.  If you do kill someone, the police will posture for months and then bust some poor homeless guy on drugs instead. Boulder: A prime reason to resume above-ground nuclear weapons testing. </chaz

Response:

Question:

I am curious if Boeing Jets like those of 747s can do a landing or take-off using auto-pilot? How about military jets?  Are they able to do auto landing and take-offs? Thank you.

Response:

    I am curious if Boeing Jets like those of 747s can do a landing or     take-off using auto-pilot? Landings, yes.  The aircraft and pilots have to be specially certified, though. The takeoff may be a capability of the aircraft, but I don’t know if it is commonly used.     How about military jets?  Are they able to do auto landing and     take-offs? Landings, yes.  I know of no automatic takeoff capability. — John Weiss Seattle, WA

Response:

    I am curious if Boeing Jets like those of 747s can do a landing or     take-off using auto-pilot? Landings, yes.  The aircraft and pilots have to be specially certified,

though. I’ve been (as a passenger) on a couple of auto landings in 757s. Fog was so thick I only saw the runway inches from touchdown. Pilots are required to do a number of those every so often (don’t remember how many in how many months). If you don’t see a youth in the right front seat and the aircraft goes bumpy on approach (power, then brakes, then more power…) odds are they are doing a practice auto landing. Pilot has to take the plane between the two outer side beacons and more or less on the center beacon at something like 7 miles, and then engage the contraption. The takeoff may be a capability of the aircraft, but I don’t know if it is commonly used.     How about military jets?  Are they able to do auto landing and     take-offs? Landings, yes.  I know of no automatic takeoff capability.

Auto take-offs make no sense… you are on the runway. You see it’s lights at least up to VR speed, after that normal instruments flight. What’s the point? IIRC, first USN bird capable of auto traps was the F-4G back in ‘Nam time. Auto throttles came before. — Jos

Question:

Harrison, You may be right.  I believe I observed Jim and Kelly Watt on the tele one Sat. morning years ago.  For the life of me I can’t remember what ol’ Jimbo looks like BUT I have a vivid picture of Kelly, lips and all.   "Epoxylips", I need to remember that one.  Thank you for correcting me. Stephen Hiner

Stephen:         Just to set you straight, Jimbo is the one who laughs all the time – every nightclub comedians dream. His vocabulary also seems to consist of a single phrase, "oooooooh, NICE FISH". The other member of the dynamic duo squeals a lot and also has a limited vocabulary, i.e., "ooooooooh, THANK YOU FISH". Sometimes they get confused and say things like "THANK YOU, oooooooooh, NICE FISH", or even "NICE, ooooooh, YOU FISH THANK which isn’t in the script. Then they are difficult to tell apart. I think the double XX member of duo wears pink neoprenes, but I haven’t watched the show in years, so maybe I am mistaken.                                 Harrison

Response:

A sure sign – the apocalypse is near!!!! Stephen Hiner

I’m not sure you meant "apocalypse". Didn’t you mean "epoxylips?"                                                 HRS

Response:

Harrison, You may be right.  I believe I observed Jim and Kelly Watt on the tele one Sat. morning years ago.  For the life of me I can’t remember what ol’ Jimbo looks like BUT I have a vivid picture of Kelly, lips and all.  "Epoxylips", I need to remember that one.  Thank you for correcting me. Stephen Hiner

Response:

Folks, most of you are probably aware of the Forum over at the Virtual Flyshop, (chat room, message boards, etc), but our ‘Experts’ board has been down for some time. We’re pleased to announce tha it is back up again, and we have some excellent fly fishermen willing to field your questions, including Gary LaFontaine, Jim Teeny, Jim & Kelly Watt, Dan Wright, Ian Martin and others. Please feel free to make use of this service! The URL for the VFS Forum is http://www.flyshop.com/Forum Thanks, — Mike Tucker-  The Virtual Flyshop Web: http://www.flyshop.com Phone: 970/225-6445

Response:

A sure sign – the apocalypse is near!!!! Stephen Hiner

Response:

Question:

I am new to the newsgroup and seem to be having a problem. I use Flash Sessions on AOL then read the posts from Personal Filing Cabinet. The problem I have is I seem to be losing the original posts and only have the replies (Re…xxx).  Sometimes I can "read between the lines" and figure out the original message, but not always. Am I doing something wrong? Anyone form AOL to help? BTW I am really enjoying the discussions! Thanks, J Lynn Wright

Response:

I am new to the newsgroup and seem to be having a problem. I use Flash Sessions on AOL then read the posts from Personal Filing Cabinet. The problem I have is I seem to be losing the original posts and only have the replies (Re…xxx).  Sometimes I can "read between the lines" and figure out the original message, but not always. Am I doing something wrong? Anyone form AOL to help? BTW I am really enjoying the discussions! Thanks, J Lynn Wright

 Dont’ know the answer but I’m on internet and the postings change very rapidly. I’d guess the newsgroup server is small and old messages are overwritten by newer ones. I think the definition of old is about 2 days. I have no idea what the number in parns is either. Maybe hits?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am new to the newsgroup and seem to be having a problem. I use Flash Sessions on AOL then read the posts from Personal Filing Cabinet. The problem I have is I seem to be losing the original posts and only have the replies (Re…xxx).  Sometimes I can "read between the lines" and figure out the original message, but not always. Am I doing something wrong? Anyone form AOL to help? BTW I am really enjoying the discussions! Thanks, J Lynn Wright Dont’ know the answer but I’m on internet and the postings change very rapidly. I’d guess the newsgroup server is small and old messages are overwritten by newer ones. I think the definition of old is about 2 days. I have no idea what the number in parns is either. Maybe hits?

   I use netscape on the internet and I’ve noticed many articles are delayed a week or more (the posting date is usually included on the original post).   If you are responding to a post and want the original poster to see it in a timely manner, then you might consider mailing a copy to the poster.    I knew Tim W. gave it long before I read his post because I got everybodies response to it.  (Tim, you’re taking this group too seriously.) Rob Gregoire Dallas, Tx

Response:

writes: I am new to the newsgroup and seem to be having a problem. I use Flash Sessions on AOL then read the posts from Personal Filing Cabinet. The problem I have is I seem to be losing the original posts and only have the replies (Re…xxx).  Sometimes I can "read between the lines" and figure out the original message, but not always. Am I doing something wrong? Anyone form AOL to help?

I use the same system to flash mail and newsgroups and sometimes the replies show up before the original post.  That’s usually no big deal as many of the replies copy the original part of the message.  This happens on all systems (I also have a netcom account) so don’t worry about it. You’re not doing anything wrong.                                         Welcome to the neighborhood,                                                                  Dan Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am new to the newsgroup and seem to be having a problem. I use Flash Sessions on AOL then read the posts from Personal Filing Cabinet. The problem I have is I seem to be losing the original posts and only have the replies (Re…xxx).  Sometimes I can "read between the lines" and figure out the original message, but not always. Am I doing something wrong? Anyone form AOL to help? BTW I am really enjoying the discussions! Thanks, J Lynn Wright Dont’ know the answer but I’m on internet and the postings change very rapidly. I’d guess the newsgroup server is small and old messages are overwritten by newer ones. I think the definition of old is about 2 days. I have no idea what the number in parns is either. Maybe hits?   I use netscape on the internet and I’ve noticed many articles are delayed a week or more (the posting date is usually included on the original post).   If you are responding to a post and want the original poster to see it in a timely manner, then you might consider mailing a copy to the poster.

The newsreader that you use has nothing to do with the amount of propogation delay encountered on your system.  Actually, you’re talking about two different things here.  The propogation delay an article has from the time it is posted until the time it appears on your system is the result of the number of systems it has to pass through, the bandwidth of the networks they are on, and how each system is configured to pass on article onto the system it is feeding.  Some system will queue articles and send as a batch.  If any intermediate system between the posting host and the system on which you’re running your newsreader is experience problems (such as a disc space shortage) the propogation delay might be high. The other issue is related to expire times.  Each news site can be configure to "expire" articles after a certain time.  If a site has a disc space shortage that time might be real short (like 2 days).  If the article isn’t read from the time that it appears on your system until it’s expire time you won’t see it (except maybe as part of a response). I know this has nothing to do with fishing but I thought some might appreciate an explanation about how the articles you post and read make their way around the Internet. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

Response:

Question:

I am new to fly fishing and need advice on what type and brand of rod is best to buy. I will probably be doing most of my fishing on the rivers and streams of New Zealand,

Why don’t you try an E-mail to Simon Lusk who maintains the New Zealand flyfishing web page.  I don’t have his email address right now but I’m sure you can get it on the Web. Mike Ray Atlanta, GA Cashiers, NC

Response:

(John Birnbaum) writes: I am new to fly fishing and need advice on what type and brand of rod is best to buy. I will probably be doing most of my fishing on the rivers and streams of New Zealand, I don’t know whether this has any affect on the rod I buy.

Personally I fish with the Orvis PM-10 865-4 ($485) which is an 8 1/2 ft 5wt. 4 piece rod.  There is now a 9 foot version of this rod available which will give you a little better mending, but I like the one I have. This is a great fast action rod with a delicate tip for the South Island and many of the streams & rivers of the north.  If you’re going to be fishing the rainbow runs up the feeder streams from the big lakes in the North Island, you might want a 9′ 7wt for some of the big streamers used there.  The gentleman I teach our schools with, Dean Schubert, has spent 12 months out of the last 5 years fishing the South Island of New Zealand and he prefers the PM-10 906-4 (9′ 6wt.4 piece $485).  A 4 piece rod in  8 1/2  to 9 ft. length is a good choice especially if you’re trekking though the country.  I wouldn’t suggest a rod lighter than a 5 due to the size of the trout and the need to be able to pressure the fish authoritatively at times (tough to do with a 2, 3, or 4 wt.).  Another rod that works well and is a medium fast action is the Orvis HLS RM "Spring Creek Traveler ($300 – 9ft. 5wt. that really casts a 6 wt. line).The 25 yr. "any way you can break it" guarantee doesn’t hurt either. As always you should try to cast the rods before you buy if at all possible.                 Good Luck, and I’ll try not to be too jealous of your fishing opportunities,                                                                Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Schools Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

Response:

I am new to fly fishing and need advice on what type and brand of rod is best to buy. I will probably be doing most of my fishing on the rivers and streams of New Zealand, I don’t know whether this has any affect on the rod I buy. Thanks, Dylan. I would think about Orvis fly rods. I know they are a bit uppyish but the product is very good. You can’t beat the 25 year return policy. I own an Orvis Henry’s Fork with a Battenkill 5/6 reel it’s great.

I would think about a SAGE 389-3LL (lifetime warranty!), 3piece for better transport which might be great for longer hikes or helico= pter transports in NZ. The 3 wt line is delicate enough not to spook the fish but is heavy enough to carry a trout fly well (except = very heavy streamers). The 8ft9inch length is great for roll-casting. It has a medium fast action with lots of power and delivers fl= ies on long leaders with ease and will protect your tippet if you get the real big ones which are native to NZ. You can feel the loa= ding of the rod very nicely, which does not mean that the rod is whippy or slow. I fish it with a 3wtDT/F line (Cortland, of course)=

Response:

I am new to fly fishing and need advice on what type and brand of rod is best to buy. I will probably be doing most of my fishing on the rivers and streams of New Zealand, I don’t know whether this has any affect on the rod I buy. Thanks, Dylan.

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I am new to fly fishing and need advice on what type and brand of rod is best to buy. I will probably be doing most of my fishing on the rivers and streams of New Zealand, I don’t know whether this has any affect on the rod I buy. Thanks, Dylan.

I would think about Orvis fly rods. I know they are a bit uppyish but the product is very good. You can’t beat the 25 year return policy. I own an Orvis Henry’s Fork with a Battenkill 5/6 reel it’s great.

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Dylan,     I have never fished NZ before but I would say that your best bet for the trout that I have read about is a 3 – 7 wt rod ( ah heck, get one of each ). Use the lighter rods on the spring creeks and the heavier rods for big water and windy conditions. I’d say either a 3, 6 or a 4, 7 combo would be nice and I would lean to the 3, 6 end. If you could only have one rod I would choose a 5 wt with 8-9 ft length.   As far as brands go, I would look to the British Commonwealth if NZ is a member because a rod imported from the US is going to be very expensive. Hardy and Partridge make bamboo and graphite fly rods and of course Hardy makes wonerful reels that are advertised as lifetime guaranteed. Partridge also makes great hooks. They are expensive here in the US but I pay for them because I like them.   From the US Orvis, Sage, Thomas and Thomas, Loomis, Scott et al all make great products. I personally use Orvis and Sage products. Good Luck Chuck Abbott

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writes: Can anyone give me some good advice on flyfishing in CentralNorth Jersey.  I’m new to the area and have fished on the south branch of the Raritan (Califon), but it’s incredibly crowded.  Would appreciate any pointers E-mail me back! Thanks Paul Amatangelo

Paul, Along with the Musconetcong River, you may want to try the Pequest, Paulinskill, and Big Flatbrook in New Jersey.  However, you may want to drive the extra distance and fish such rivers as the Bushkill and Lackawaxen in Pennsylvania, as well as the Beaverkill, Esopus, and the East & West branches of the Delaware River in New York. All these rivers are within two hours driving time from northern New Jersey.     Good Luck!

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I am 15 years old and live in Princeton NJ. I just started Fly Fishing a year ago and have tried many a spots in this area. Right in Princeton is the Stoney Brook which is stocked with trout and other fish and is known to produce bass and perch. The Assunpink River (not lake) has alot of perch and Shad and has produced a few trout and bass for me. The Pequest and Flatbrook rivers are also very good for trout. But for bass fly I would recomend a spot that I found two years ago when I was a spin fisher. It is in the Delaware Raritan canal. IT is right by the main entrance to the Bulls Island Campground on the Delaware River. Its on the New Jersey side in case your confused. Thats all I can THink of but if you would like advice on other spots feel free to write. Matt

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Saturday, May6 I went to the North branch of the Raritan at Rte 206 and 287. Very little crowd.  I didn’t catch any trout but another fellow had 3 on a stringer.

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Can anyone give me some good advice on flyfishing in CentralNorth Jersey.  I’m new to the area and have fished on the south branch of the Raritan (Califon), but it’s incredibly crowded.  Would appreciate any pointers E-mail me back! Thanks Paul Amatangelo

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Try the Musky west of the route 24 bridge just pass the fly stretch. This area has produced some 8 lb fish. I know, from first hand experience I didnt catch it, put a witnessed the fight and landing of the monster. The person who caught it was a rookie, only his third time out. Some people have all the luck. Good Luck.

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