Question:

I’m about to replace my 15-year-old vest whose only remaining advantage is that it looks "seasoned." What’s the vote of the lodge as to chest packs, vests, etc? I’m looking at Filson because they use snaps instead of velcro, which I’ve found to be really awkward to handle one-handed. The main thing I want is to be able to carry my lunch/beverage/rain gear, etc., along with a big supply of tackle because I use the vest to store most of my gear (not that I have all that much to store, but I hate sorting it out before trips). And can you still get Prince Albert in a can? — Bob Patton

Response:

Hi All, It seems like there was a big push for chest packs the last 5 or more years, but lately traditional vests are selling better than ever? We sell mostly shorter vests in Nor Cal because we have larger streams to cross/wade and float tubing too. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m about to replace my 15-year-old vest whose only remaining advantage is that it looks "seasoned." What’s the vote of the lodge as to chest packs, vests, etc? I’m looking at Filson because they use snaps instead of velcro, which I’ve found to be really awkward to handle one-handed. The main thing I want is to be able to carry my lunch/beverage/rain gear, etc., along with a big supply of tackle because I use the vest to store most of my gear (not that I have all that much to store, but I hate sorting it out before trips). And can you still get Prince Albert in a can? — Bob Patton

Response:

And can you still get Prince Albert in a can? — Bob Patton

Yep. But you gotta get him really drunk first. Pete aka Pogo — You need only two tools. WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn’t move and it should, use WD-40. If it moves and shouldn’t, use the tape.     C.Webster

Response:

What’s the vote of the lodge as to chest packs, vests, etc? I’m looking at Filson because they use snaps instead of velcro, which I’ve found to be really awkward to handle one-handed.

There’s something nice about having a finely crafted piece of canvas, brass and leather hanging on your chest.  I vote for the Filson. The main thing I want is to be able to carry my lunch/beverage/rain gear, etc., along with a big supply of tackle because I use the vest to store most of my gear (not that I have all that much to store, but I hate sorting it out before trips).

Yep.  I keep all my trout gear in my chest pack and just leave it there. The rear compartment of the Filson will hold my Hodgeman wading jacket (their low-end nylon jacket) and a thermos (wide-mouth, soup thermos, not a coffee-dispenser style). Mu

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There’s something nice about having a finely crafted piece of canvas, brass and leather hanging on your chest.  

That sounds like a commercial for the Canadian version of Victoria’s Secret. <g — Charlie…

Response:

I’m about to replace my 15-year-old vest whose only remaining advantage is that it looks "seasoned." What’s the vote of the lodge as to chest packs, vests, etc? I’m looking at Filson because they use snaps instead of velcro, which I’ve found to be really awkward to handle one-handed. The main thing I want is to be able to carry my lunch/beverage/rain gear, etc., along with a big supply of tackle because I use the vest to store most of my gear (not that I have all that much to store, but I hate sorting it out before trips). And can you still get Prince Albert in a can?

Don’t know about ol’ Prince Albert but of late,  I’ve been using a satchel.  It’s a smallish bag designed for students with slots for pens, disks, etc.  Works great for all my paraphernalia – just clipped a zinger and a drying patch on it and I was in business. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://home.cogeco.ca/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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Ah, yes . . . reminds me of a gal I saw once in a bar in Okinawa. And the things she could do with a cigarette and a beer bottle . . . but that’s another story .  :-) Bob

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There’s something nice about having a finely crafted piece of canvas, brass and leather hanging on your chest. That sounds like a commercial for the Canadian version of Victoria’s Secret. <g — Charlie…

Response:

Thanks, Bill. Seems like the vest distributes weight a little better. I don’t have long legs and frequently manage to soak the bottom of my vest, but wonder how a loaded chest pack feels after a day of fishing. Expect I’ll go with the vest. Bob

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, It seems like there was a big push for chest packs the last 5 or more years, but lately traditional vests are selling better than ever? We sell mostly shorter vests in Nor Cal because we have larger streams to cross/wade and float tubing too. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com I’m about to replace my 15-year-old vest whose only remaining advantage is that it looks "seasoned." What’s the vote of the lodge as to chest packs, vests, etc? I’m looking at Filson because they use snaps instead of velcro, which I’ve found to be really awkward to handle one-handed. The main thing I want is to be able to carry my lunch/beverage/rain gear, etc., along with a big supply of tackle because I use the vest to store most of my gear (not that I have all that much to store, but I hate sorting it out before trips). And can you still get Prince Albert in a can? — Bob Patton

Response:

The first tackle box I ever had was a tobacco can. Can’t remember if it was Prince Albert or Half and Half, but those cans were great. And If you were eight years old you could sometimes find a few shreds of tobacco and really live dangerously. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – And can you still get Prince Albert in a can? — Bob Patton Yep. But you gotta get him really drunk first. Pete aka Pogo — You need only two tools. WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn’t move and it should, use WD-40. If it moves and shouldn’t, use the tape.     C.Webster

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Thanks for the info. The only trouble with the Filson is that it’s so expensive it needs a special section in my will! Bob – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What’s the vote of the lodge as to chest packs, vests, etc? I’m looking at Filson because they use snaps instead of velcro, which I’ve found to be really awkward to handle one-handed. There’s something nice about having a finely crafted piece of canvas, brass and leather hanging on your chest.  I vote for the Filson. The main thing I want is to be able to carry my lunch/beverage/rain gear, etc., along with a big supply of tackle because I use the vest to store most of my gear (not that I have all that much to store, but I hate sorting it out before trips). Yep.  I keep all my trout gear in my chest pack and just leave it there. The rear compartment of the Filson will hold my Hodgeman wading jacket (their low-end nylon jacket) and a thermos (wide-mouth, soup thermos, not a coffee-dispenser style). Mu

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I glue them together back to back.  I take two such assemblys and cut radial notches in them and fit them together so they fit 90 degrees to each other. Really cool on the Christmas tree, almost as much fun as watching a lava lamp.

. The CD, of course, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – was immediately introduced to Ms Trash Can, where it’s resting happily and awaiting its fate. — rbc:  vixen    Fairly harmless remove invalid or hit reply to email. Though I’m very slow to respond. http://www.visi.com/~cyli

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Really cool on the Christmas tree, almost as much fun as watching a lava lamp.

        …or watching paint dry, which i will speculate is one of your most challenging intellectual endeavors.         get it? wayno

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<RWP mused and asked:  What’s the vote of the lodge as to chest packs, vests, etc? Like most other things I usually want more than one solution to every problem.  I have this ordered from L.L. Bean but it won’t be available til March 18th.  I bought it for float tubing and deeper wading (I keep soaking my current vest although is it a "shorty" wading model — maybe cuz I stand only 5′8" tall in stilettos). TC21140 Olive Modular Fishing System Large Chest/Fanny Pack……$49.00 TC24057 Black Modular Fishing System Ultralight Chris Fanning — still trying to buy his way to fly fishing bliss…

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Thanks to everybody for the ideas. I still dunno what the hell I’m going to do. But you’un’s thoughts are helpful. Bob — Bob Patton

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <RWP mused and asked:  What’s the vote of the lodge as to chest packs, vests, etc? Like most other things I usually want more than one solution to every problem.  I have this ordered from L.L. Bean but it won’t be available til March 18th.  I bought it for float tubing and deeper wading (I keep soaking my current vest although is it a "shorty" wading model — maybe cuz I stand only 5′8" tall in stilettos). TC21140 Olive Modular Fishing System Large Chest/Fanny Pack……$49.00 TC24057 Black Modular Fishing System Ultralight Chris Fanning — still trying to buy his way to fly fishing bliss…

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I came home tonight and found that ‘resident’ had been sent an AOL CD. Nicely packaged in a thin metal container.  YeeHaw.  I’ve got a place other than my hat to keep those tiny flies now.  I grabbed a magnet off the ‘frig and found out it’ll work just fine. The CD, of course, was immediately introduced to Ms Trash Can, where it’s resting happily and awaiting its fate. — rbc:  vixen    Fairly harmless remove invalid or hit reply to email. Though I’m very slow to respond. http://www.visi.com/~cyli

Wait for a second one, put a spindle through them both, and a small bolt or similar on the rim of one, put this in a simple stand, and you have an excellent linewinder. You can make a nice tool stand for fly-tying tools etc, in a similar way. Just drill holes around the rim, and mount the disc on a heavy bolt or similar. Depending on the reflective material used, they also make excellent lamp reflectors. They should not be mounted too close to heat sources though. If you buy a cheap electric clock motor, mount it behind the disk, and then mount the hands, then you have a nice wall clock. Cutting notches around the rim of the disc, turns it into a very handy cast holder. These were very popular at one time. If you glue a raised rim to the disc, and partition the disc with further strips ( like an apple tart decoration with pastry) of strip cork for instance, then you have a very handy stackable hook store. There are lots of other uses for such high grade plastic discs.  If AOL and others want to give them away, then I see no reason not to use them. TL MC

Response:

The first tackle box I ever had was a tobacco can. Can’t remember if it was Prince Albert or Half and Half, but those cans were great. And If you were eight years old you could sometimes find a few shreds of tobacco and really live dangerously.

I came home tonight and found that ‘resident’ had been sent an AOL CD. Nicely packaged in a thin metal container.  YeeHaw.  I’ve got a place other than my hat to keep those tiny flies now.  I grabbed a magnet off the ‘frig and found out it’ll work just fine. The CD, of course, was immediately introduced to Ms Trash Can, where it’s resting happily and awaiting its fate. — rbc:  vixen    Fairly harmless remove invalid or hit reply to email. Though I’m very slow to respond. http://www.visi.com/~cyli

Response:

Check out the 2002 fly fishing cataloge from LL Bean they have some very nice roomy sized fanny packs for about$ 49.00 they hold lots of gear and have a great belt system  keep a tight line

I have the LL Bean large chest pack with cargo strap, and I can carry more stuff than I could in my shorty vest, and everything is better organized and easier to find. Also, the weight is more evenly distributed. I also got the mesh strap for hot weather. I have tried using the pack with the included belt as a fanny or hip pack, but it just doesn’t feel right for some reason. I really like it as a chest pack, though. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

Response:

What’s the vote of the lodge as to chest packs, vests, etc? I’m looking at Filson because they use snaps instead of velcro, which I’ve found to be really awkward to handle one-handed. The main thing I want is to be able to carry my lunch/beverage/rain gear, etc., along with a big supply of tackle because I use the vest to store most of my gear (not that I have all that much to store, but I hate sorting it out before trips). Bob Patton

Bob,   I used the same vest for many years, a Stearns inflatable model.  Because of the heavy cloth and the enclosed rubber bladders, it was very hot in the summer.  I bought a "Fishpond" ($60.00) chest pack/hip pack a couple of years ago.  You can wear it either way.  I needed to use the neck strap as I am "hip challenged" and I couldn’t keep the thing from sliding down to my knees.  The pack works pretty well but when fully loaded, sticks out quite a ways.  I used it mainly as a hip pack but used the shoulder strap to keep it from sliding down.  I didn’t like using it as a chest pack.  Just always seemed to be in the way.   On my way back home from the Yellowstone clave, I treated myself to a Simms mesh vest ($100.00).  I like this vest better than the chest pack.  The weight is spread out very comfortably across the shoulders and holds everything I need.  It’s cut short for deep wading and seems to be the best compromise for me.  I needed to remove the chest pack when I rowed my pontoon and there’s always a chance it will end up floating down the river. Snoop — —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Check out the 2002 fly fishing cataloge from LL Bean they have some very nice roomy sized fanny packs for about$ 49.00 they hold lots of gear and have a

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Thanks for the info. The only trouble with the Filson is that it’s so expensive it needs a special section in my will! Bob

I used to use a Filson vest that I bought because I love those old school Filson products; however, it was way to heavy and the snaps tended to stick shut in the cold….one cold day in Yellowstone park, I couldn’t open the snap on one of the pockets and ripped the pocket trying.  Same day I bought my Simms vest in West and haven’t used the Filson since. Eugene K.

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I just received a "FlyTrap" that I bought from ezflyfish.com. Looks like it will beat the hell out of fleece and styrofoam patches. Bob

//snip// pens, disks, etc.  Works great for all my paraphernalia – just clipped a zinger and a drying patch on it and I was in business. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at

http://home.cogeco.ca/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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Question:

I have a friend who’s been breaking my balls about how he’s been hooking up consistently with winter largemouths.(He’s a spin fisherman)The winters haven’t been very cold in the northeast lately so many lakes and ponds have yet to freeze over.I’ve tried a few different things with my flytackle but I haven’t been able to hook up.I did get a bass once two years ago,while fishing for hatcheries,using a large dry with a hares ear dropper size 12.If anyone out there is having sucess in this area I’d appreciate the info.I want to shove a nice size bass right in that smug bastards face.

Response:

Even if the water hasn’t frozen, you need to go deep and slow for these northern winter largemouths. Not really what you would call typical fly-fishing.  You might want to try a slow sinking line.  It would take forever to get your fly down into the strike zone but unlike a fast sink line you’ll be able to fish slowly and still keep the fly in the fish zone once it gets down there. A Carolina rigged plastic worm or salamander would be my recommendation. Mu

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I am in the south fishing in temps of the 40’s.Tp our bass thats the same as hanging out wit Ms. Pauls. I go to a pattern I tie called a Crystal Puff. It is White long cactus chanille head with X lg bead chain eyes, with a tail of whit bucktail and crystal flash with wide white hackle feathers (3 together on each side) or my favorite silver badger feathers. All of this on a mustad 2/0 – 3/0 hook #7766 Fish it slow with quick darts. On days that the temp does rise look for flats and shoals with dark bottoms with EZ access to deep drop offs. They will come up to warm up there. Good luck. It has been working for me.

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Question:

Since this is a forum of public opinion, let me state mine… With few exceptions, spammers don’t actually read newsgroups. That means they (follow closely now) *don’t read the followup posts*. My suggestion is that if you see a post that you feel is spam then–by all means–send a *private* informational email. I doubt most of these folks are initially aware that what they’re doing is considered inappropriate, so my recommendation would be to keep that first email polite and profanity free, but that’s just my own personal style. If the person inappropriately posts a second time, then flame away–but again in *private*. If the poster’s email address is bogus then grit and bear it or try to hunt him/her down–but *don’t post your flame here*. Either we agree with you (which means you don’t need to post a response) or we disagree with you (which means we don’t want you to post a response). But posting a newsgroup followup message in response to spam does absolutely no good, IMO. Reprimand in private, ignore in public. –Steve

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Since this is a forum of public opinion, let me state mine… With few exceptions, spammers don’t actually read newsgroups. That means they (follow closely now) *don’t read the followup posts*. My suggestion is that if you see a post that you feel is spam then–by all means–send a *private* informational email. I doubt most of these folks are initially aware that what they’re doing is considered inappropriate, so my recommendation would be to keep that first email polite and profanity free, but that’s just my own personal style. If the person inappropriately posts a second time, then flame away–but again in *private*. If the poster’s email address is bogus then grit and bear it or try to hunt him/her down–but *don’t post your flame here*. Either we agree with you (which means you don’t need to post a response) or we disagree with you (which means we don’t want you to post a response). But posting a newsgroup followup message in response to spam does absolutely no good, IMO. Reprimand in private, ignore in public. –Steve

_____  Excellent Steve.  This also applies to e-mailing IN PRIVATE your displeasure to those who Spam about Spamming all the time.  Your policy is what we have been doing for a long while now.  I think most of us (except new individuals) understand UserNet manners and among the gentlemen of the group I rate you pretty high on the pole. What comes to mind is the vast numbers of humanity that are starting to talk to each other.  The old saying, ‘Familiarity breeds contempt,’ flies more true then ever before.  The real dangers in the world getting to know itself more and more, has awesome possibilities for the nurturing of hatreds.  We must all guard against that by watching our demeanor, our writing style, by not getting personal as you say, and always disagreeing in a tactful manner.  There is nothing more dangerous in the W.W.W. today then a mental bully or those that will not listen in private to friendly advice.  Overall we all respond to those we like to read, yet in retrospect, there are many here who thrive on conflicts or who answer other posts in such a manner as to flame, demean, or to incite a response.  There are those here who still like to attack others for the littlest reason.  We should not respond to such attacks but I will be the first to admit that I have had the tendency fighting these style brats from time to time myself. Again, good post Steve. We can agree to disagree without malice and ROFF will improve a thousand fold if everyone adheres to that standard.  No Name Calling! Praise in public, condemn in private is the mark of leadership. Mr. G.   — http://www.gink.com/chat

Response:

Since this is a forum of public opinion, let me state mine…

        damn good idea, steve.  think i’ll do the same. With few exceptions, spammers don’t actually read newsgroups. That means they (follow closely now) *don’t read the followup posts*.

        i don’t know whether the spammers read the posts or not, and i doubt that you can document your assertion that they don’t; however, i sure as hell read them:  damn fine literature, some of them.  jesus, without fortenberry’s masterful hyperbole, or connor’s absolutely brutal rejoinders, we would be left with endless drivel about strike indicators,  or droning repetitions of saccarine wisdom from bill kiene, et. al.         jesus, next thing you know, you’ll be whining about wolfgang’s tendencies toward off-topic posts, or the lack of clarity in asadi’s, well…art.         shit, man, you’d think this was a flyfishing newsgroup! chill, baby; you need a little more dr. hunter thompson and a little less mr. rogers. wayno

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[The Big Snip]    shit, man, you’d think this was a flyfishing newsgroup! chill, baby; you need a little more dr. hunter thompson and a little less mr. rogers.

LMAO! That was priceless, counselor.

Response:

i don’t know whether the spammers read the posts or not, and i doubt that you can document your assertion that they don’t; however, i sure as hell read them:  damn fine literature, some of them.  jesus, without fortenberry’s masterful hyperbole, or connor’s absolutely brutal rejoinders, we would be left with endless drivel about strike indicators,  or droning repetitions of saccarine wisdom from bill kiene, et. al.

Well, then, HEY EVERYBODY, CHECK OUT WWW.CODEMARINE.COM!!! (just tryin’ to make ROFF more enjoyable for ya, counselor). And do say hi to the wagonmaster for me. –Steve Zimmerman

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_____  Excellent Steve.  This also applies to e-mailing IN PRIVATE your displeasure to those who Spam about Spamming all the time.  Your policy is what we have been doing for a long while now.  I think most of us (except new individuals) understand UserNet manners

I’ve been on usenet for over five years. I remember a time when spam was all-but-nonexistent. We didn’t need filters. ISP’s didn’t need abuse addresses. I can find absolutely nothing wrong with honest anti-spam efforts. Opt out == cop-out. What’s so hard to understand?

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[snip] shit, man, you’d think this was a flyfishing newsgroup! chill, baby; you need a little more dr. hunter thompson and a little less mr. rogers. wayno

Wayno, Don’t you think one psycho journalist in this news group is enough?

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Question:

That would be interesting… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I want to see you cast THAT setup Big Al

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Howdy All… Last July, I had the pleasure of spending some quality angling time on Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park. The weather was snipped headed out into the center of the lake. We began trolling from north to south, which was a bit of a chore with the winds blowing as hard as they were. I was the first to feel the tug. Unfortunately, with my slow 4 weight fly rod, it is often difficult to get a good hook set, so the fish got off. Many of you may be asking why I would be using a fly rod to troll with. The reasoning lies in the technique being used to land these cutthroats by the dozens. I learned this technique a few years back from my brother, who in turn learned it from a friend of his. You start with a fly reel loaded up with backing. Then, you tie to the backing 3 or 4 colors of leaded line. Leaded line is simply a lead centered line covered in some type of cloth-like material and is available for a reasonable price at most fishing shops. It has the consistency of soft wire. Lengths of leaded line are measured in colors, which run approximately 4 to 5 yards each. So, for example, if pictures at: http://home.earthlink.net/~reinkings Rick

I want to see you cast THAT setup Big Al

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Howdy All… Last July, I had the pleasure of spending some quality angling time on Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park. The weather was clear, though a strong breeze was blowing out of the southwest. We rented a boat and headed out into the center of the lake. We began trolling from north to south, which was a bit of a chore with the winds blowing as hard as they were. I was the first to feel the tug. Unfortunately, with my slow 4 weight fly rod, it is often difficult to get a good hook set, so the fish got off. Many of you may be asking why I would be using a fly rod to troll with. The reasoning lies in the technique being used to land these cutthroats by the dozens. I learned this technique a few years back from my brother, who in turn learned it from a friend of his. You start with a fly reel loaded up with backing. Then, you tie to the backing 3 or 4 colors of leaded line. Leaded line is simply a lead centered line covered in some type of cloth-like material and is available for a reasonable price at most fishing shops. It has the consistency of soft wire. Lengths of leaded line are measured in colors, which run approximately 4 to 5 yards each. So, for example, if you have two colors worth of line out, you can make an educated guess that your lure might be running four to six feet deep. Its a handy convention, and it makes keeping track of where the hits are coming from simple. Tie to the end of the leaded line 10 to 15 feet of six or eight pound monofilament. To the end of that tie a muddler’s minnow. I have found that there is no reason to tie a lighter leader to the end of the mono, just tie the fly directly onto the mono. As far as fly size goes, the fish did not seem to be particularly choosy. I fished muddlers ranging from size 4 all the way down to size 12. Over the course of the day I also found no evidence that larger muddlers produced larger fish or that smaller muddlers attracted smaller fish. For those of you who have never caught a Yellowstone Cutthroat, they are a beautiful fish indeed. When I was there, the fish had just finished spawning, and many still bore their spawning colors. Most of the fish we caught were in the 14" to 20" range, and each one put up a good fight. Many even took line. Yellowstone Lake is definitely a lake worth checking into if you enjoy the timelessness of nature and the serenity that it brings. The fact that the cutthroat trout are there, and will readily take a muddler’s minnow just adds to the experience. pictures at: http://home.earthlink.net/~reinkings Rick

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Question:

The thread on polarized sun glasses made me think of a more basic question: Why are some people so much better than me at spotting fish? With my glasses on, my vision is measurably as good as anyone’s.  And the situation I describe below even applies to my youth when my vision was, by all tests, perfect. Still, I’ve been on the stream and had certain keen eyed fishing partners point out fish I did not detect.  Sometimes I cannot see them even after they are pointed out, but without fail, an experiment to disturb the fish always results in seeing it dart away.  Or, to more succinctly prove the point, caught!  Very frustrating. Are the eyes of my friends especially keen or are there techniques for seeing fish I just haven’t picked up.  Anybody out there got pointers for spotting fish, assuming one already knows where to look, is using polarized glasses and has 20/20 vision. —                                                       -dnc-

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Why are some people so much better than me at spotting fish?

The only way I know of to improve your spotting is simply to spend as much time as possible on a stream, spotting fish.  It is a very subtle art, much like nymph fishing, and your score will improve with practice and experience. One tip, rather than look for a whole fish, look for parts, (i.e. a white edged fin, etc.) or movement.  It is very similar in that respect to spotting deer in the woods. Tight lines!! George

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The thread on polarized sun glasses made me think of a more basic question: Why are some people so much better than me at spotting fish?

There is no doubt in my mind that various brains process signal in various ways.  That is why some people made better radar or sonar operators than others.  Someone once used my ham station.  While listening to noise on the speaker he mentioned that he heard someone (code transmission) coming in loud and clear.  I heard only noise.  With careful listening, I was able to tell that there were some slight changes to the character of the noise.  It was not enough to be of help to me.  I have no idea how much improvement can be obtained from training.  The differences may well be innate. By the way, the US Navy will no longer require radio operaters to be proficient at Morse code. Bill Buchman

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Why are some people so much better than me at spotting fish? The only way I know of to improve your spotting is simply to spend as much time as possible on a stream, spotting fish.  It is a very subtle art, much like nymph fishing, and your score will improve with practice and experience. One tip, rather than look for a whole fish, look for parts, (i.e. a white edged fin, etc.) or movement.  It is very similar in that respect to spotting deer in the woods.

I agree with George that sitting and watching is the technique. It is the best fishing strategy anyway to sit and observe a pool or riffle for five or ten minutes before you approach or wade. Over a short period of time you can eventually see fish that you won’t see on first glance. Time lets you put together a few signals that individually are barely noticeable but can add up to a clear location of a feeding fish. Look in places where trout will be – places of slower flow where they relax but where they can see faster flow. Look for shadows that shift slightly across the stream. Normal shadows from current on the surface will only move straight downstream. It is a matter of observing not the details you are seeing but the repeating patterns of movement, then when some shadow or flash occurs that is not part of the repeating pattern, there is your fish. A tail or fin of a holding fish can sometimes be picked out among rocks or under logs but it is much easier to see a shadow shift slightly then back as a fish takes a nymph. In riffles and eddies, sit a bit and you’ll notice that small flat glassy sections of surface will be mixed with the rippled surface. These are like moving portholes into the depths, and if you watch them move downstream you can see the bottom clearly if just for a second. And if you’re steelhead fishing, look for blue logs. Mark Vinsel www.vinsel.com

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I could not say it any better than Mark has just mentioned.  Steamside experience is the only way to succeed- look for the flashes or movement. Sage

        here’s an exception-that-proves-the-rule story:  couple years ago, my wife and i took a trip to bonaire (aruba, bonaire, curacao), and i was able to find a bonefish guide, who took us to vast white bottomed salt flats that were thick with small, schooling bones. invariably, my wife would see fish before i could; on a couple of occasions, she called em out before the guide.  he was amazed, as i was.  she had never been bonefishing before.  her eye just clicked with the image, i guess. I think that you just pointed out the rule whereas Mar pointed out the exception.  There a limit to just how much improvement you can get by practice.  There are many basketball players who are willing to work harder than Michael Jordan or violinist who will work harder than Itzhak Perleman (spelling?). (This is not to say that the do not work hard at their craft.)  Nevertheless, in spite of this effort, these people will just not ever be even close in performance.  The navy investigated this in the search for good sonar operators. Wayne’s wife just happens to be talented at seeing bonefish.  With practice, she may become much better.  You have to start with the talent. Bill Buchman

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….Thirdly, I think some people are out more and know where they should be

looking.  Good Polarized glasses will help….Bill Kiene< Bill’s right, I think. Spotting fish is an acquired art (skill) that comes with time on the water, and distinct, concentrated effort. Dennis Smith Loveland, CO

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I could not say it any better than Mark has just mentioned.  Steamside experience is the only way to succeed- look for the flashes or movement. Sage

        here’s an exception-that-proves-the-rule story:  couple years ago, my wife and i took a trip to bonaire (aruba, bonaire, curacao), and i was able to find a bonefish guide, who took us to vast white bottomed salt flats that were thick with small, schooling bones. invariably, my wife would see fish before i could; on a couple of occasions, she called em out before the guide.  he was amazed, as i was.  she had never been bonefishing before.  her eye just clicked with the image, i guess.         a. wayne harrison

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I could not say it any better than Mark has just mentioned.  Steamside experience is the only way to succeed- look for the flashes or movement. Sage

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -The thread on polarized sun glasses made me think of a more basic question: Why are some people so much better than me at spotting fish? With my glasses on, my vision is measurably as good as anyone’s.  And the situation I describe below even applies to my youth when my vision was, by all tests, perfect. Still, I’ve been on the stream and had certain keen eyed fishing partners point out fish I did not detect.  Sometimes I cannot see them even after they are pointed out, but without fail, an experiment to disturb the fish always results in seeing it dart away.  Or, to more succinctly prove the point, caught!  Very frustrating. Are the eyes of my friends especially keen or are there techniques for seeing fish I just haven’t picked up.  Anybody out there got pointers for spotting fish, assuming one already knows where to look, is using polarized glasses and has 20/20 vision. —                                                      -dnc-

Hi DN, Many of us guys are color blind to some degree. This makes it harder to spot fish. Secondly, some people are outside and are use to focusing at longer distances. Thirdly, I think some people are out more and know where they should be looking.  Good Polarized glasses will help. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

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Question:

I’ll be travelling to Atlanta and I was wondering if I should carry my FF equipment with me. Any help? If yes, I’d apreciatte any info about places, access, equipments recommended any other suggestion. Thanks a lot, Pablo. BS.AS-Argentina

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I’ll be travelling to Atlanta and I was wondering if I should carry my FF equipment with me.

Yes If yes, I’d apreciatte any info about places, access, equipments recommended any other suggestion.

Email me with what you’re interested in and I’ll try and help. You have your choice of wild or stocked, large tailwaters or small freestones, trout or bass…etc Wayne Knight Geneva IL                            

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Question:

Was fishing stripers yesterday, at a lake where just last week me and my girlfriend were slamming fish very well. But yesterday, I pretty much got shut down. But there was this kid, about 15 or so right next to us that was doing great. I tried lures, livers, mackeral, chovies, all the normally good stuff. The only 2 things I see the kid doing that I usually dont do is 1, he was using light line, maybe 6lb, and he was fly lining his bait. Chicken livers. I start fly lining, but still dont get bit. So I figure maybe its the line, I got green 14lb, water is pretty clear. I have never known stripers to be line shy or hook shy. Im trying to figure out why the kid was doing so good. Cause usually I do well myself. Lots of baitfish in the lake, maybe they get to be fussy eaters when they are eating so well. Any thoughts? stev — stev_ix_netcom_com is a fake. Sorry, Im tired of all the crap I get in the mail.    

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fishin’    Garry

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says… fishin’    Garry

I have no pride about fishing. I asked. Thats how I learn, I watch and I ask everyone everywhere I go. Great thing about fishing, most folks are willing to share info, maybe not all their secrets, but some. His suggestion was to flyline the bait, which will get you a lot more visibility on the slow sink. Plus snagless retrieves as you are above the bottom. He was using a slow retrieve, kinda like worm fishing. I tried that, and still didnt get bit. Only other diff I could see was his light rig compared to my 14lb. Beats me. The kid had the touch. Was funny, he was making his dad look bad but Ill bet dad was proud. There seems to be a fishing god, whom deems luck on some and takes away from others. Besides skill, that is. Ive had lots of days doing the same thing, getting lots of fish where most using the same tactics and bait/lures etc were not getting much. I wont argue that there is some luck involved in fishing. Dunno the ratio…maybe 80% skill/20% luck? Now theres a topic for discussion.  ;) stev — stev_ix_netcom_com is a fake. Sorry, Im tired of all the crap I get in the mail.    

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Question:

I’m wondering, would my posts be more effective or less if I filed down the barbs ? TimW

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I’m wondering, would my posts be more effective or less if I filed down the barbs ? TimW

Tim  Nah, there’ rd be no "point"  ;-)     Harry

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I’m wondering, would my posts be more effective or less if I filed down the barbs ? TimW

Gee Tim, Ya never know ’till ya try, right?  Just think, if you were into barbless catch & release fishing, you could do a whole lot _more_ fishing and whole lot _less_ getting flamed around here!  :-)  Nah, as far as I’m concerned, leave your posts barbed.  Doesn’t bother me; ‘like water off a duck’s back.  Whether your hooks are barbed is your business.   Tight lines, Tim. -Mark

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m wondering, would my posts be more effective or less if I filed down the barbs ? TimW Tim Nah, there’ rd be no "point"  ;-)    Harry

His posts are often pointless but seldom barbless!

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Tim, For heavens sake don’t do that.  If it weren’t for you and Rick there would be little humor in this group. Rather than filing them down, make them sharper. Dave

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m wondering, would my posts be more effective or less if I filed down the barbs ? TimW Tim Nah, there’ rd be no "point"  ;-)    Harry His posts are often pointless but seldom barbless!

I bet to differ.  Just because you don’t agree with the point that he is making doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

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: Rather than filing them down, make them sharper. I think you meant to say "make them more sharper". — 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

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: Rather than filing them down, make them sharper. I think you meant to say "make them more sharper".

Shouldn’t that be "make them more sharp". — regards Simon

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: Rather than filing them down, make them sharper. I think you meant to say "make them more sharper". Shouldn’t that be "make them more sharp".

’sharpen them further’?  :^) Rik ‘Now there are 29 skaters on Wollman rink  circling in singles and in pairs               -Joni Mitchell  in this vigorous anonymity  a blank face at the window stares and stares and stares….’

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For us saltwater flyrodders on the flats, filing down (actually I use a pair of of pliers to "Flatten" the barb) the barb is common because when you set the hook you have to use less effort to set a debarbed hook than a barbed hook. Why? Because you have to create a hole the size of the point and bard (on barbed hooks) whereas with debarbed hooks you make a hole only big enough for the hook point to pass through.

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: Rather than filing them down, make them sharper. I think you meant to say "make them more sharper". Shouldn’t that be "make them more sharp". ’sharpen them further’?  :^)

This thread is getting duller. Jon

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I’m wondering, would my posts be more effective or less if I filed down the barbs ? TimW

Tim don’t file em. Just crush em with a pair of pliers. And if you don’t want to I’m sure there will always be someone willing to crush your barbs for you !

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I’m wondering, would my posts be more effective or less if I filed down the barbs ? TimW Tim don’t file em. Just crush em with a pair of pliers. And if you don’t want to I’m sure there will always be someone willing to crush your barbs for you !

But when you crush the barb there is the possiblity that the point will be weakened! Darry Hayashida

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Tim, You outdid yourself. Really got me hooked. If you get the point, file it for future useage. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly I’m wondering, would my posts be more effective or less if I filed down the barbs ? TimW

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Question:

Bob, The Mascoma river flows into and out of Lake Mascoma about 5 miles from Dartmouth.  There are some nice rainbows in there.  There is a fly fishing area below the dam.  In the fall and spring the rainbows run up into the inlet and can be caught on a fly.   In the spring the Warner river has a few fish.  In West Henniker there is some nice special regulation water. I For the last couple years I have gotten some nice browns and rainbows there.  Some of my favorite spots are in the ponds in the White Mountain national forest.  There are some fly fishing only ponds that are beautiful, have some hatches and have some nice brook trout.  The Newfound river below Newfound Lake in Bristol,  NH has rainbows, brookies a few smallmouth and the occasional landlocked salmon.   For some of the best fishing in New England try the Connecticut river in Pittsburg, NH.  There are browns, rainbows, brookies and landlocks that run up out of the lakes for smelt in the spring and to spawn in the fall.   I don’t know anything about fishing in Vermont, but if you want more info about NH send me e-mail. Gerry

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I’m at school at Dartmouth and I’m looking for some fishing in the area.  Any suggestions.  I’m also interested in knowing what is the earliest I can go out and expect catching anything but a cold.  Thanks in advance… Bob Heiser

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Question:

HELP!!! My wife is insisting on a family vacation this summer to a resort in Durango Colorado. Can anyone suggest places to fly fish nearby? Thanks in advance for your help. Duane

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When in Rome… Be sure to check in with the fine folks at the Durangler fly shop

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