Question:

In another post I wrote that I was experimenting with two and three dry fly rigs, and that the big stimulator in front helped me see takes on the small flies that I couldn’t see. It occurred to me that in some situations, like dim light or glare, an indicator could be useful when fishing small dry flies, but I’ve never heard of anyone recommending this. I suppose it’s not the purest of pure dry fly fishing. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

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RW: I know that you are not as clumsy as I am, but I would suggest being sure you have bent the barbs down on all the flies that you tie on the leader…I know that any flies that do not have fish on them seem to hook me on a regular basis and the flies are less painful to remove from me if the barbs are bent down. Big Dale

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I don’t know that I’d *recommend* it, but one of the people I fish with had on a big wool indicator for nymphing and switched to a small BWO when we saw a few come off.  He left the indicator on – funniest thing I ever saw on the river (no, wait, he also wears Aqua Stealth shoes, so I’ve seen a few funnier things).  He did catch fish and nobody else on that stretch caught anything on a BWO.  Whether luck or a good idea, I can’t say.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In another post I wrote that I was experimenting with two and three dry fly rigs, and that the big stimulator in front helped me see takes on the small flies that I couldn’t see. It occurred to me that in some situations, like dim light or glare, an indicator could be useful when fishing small dry flies, but I’ve never heard of anyone recommending this. I suppose it’s not the purest of pure dry fly fishing. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

I don’t know that I’d *recommend* it, but one of the people I fish with had on a big wool indicator for nymphing and switched to a small BWO when we saw a few come off.  He left the indicator on – funniest thing I ever saw on the river (no, wait, he also wears Aqua Stealth shoes, so I’ve seen a few funnier things).  He did catch fish and nobody else on that stretch caught anything on a BWO.  Whether luck or a good idea, I can’t say.

I usually just look for the rise when I’m fishing a small fly that I can’t see, but I think that often the fish just gently sip the fly in and I never see the take. That’s what was happening when I was using the big stimulator as an indicator. It would sink, I’d strike, and I’d have a fish on the small dropper dry fly. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

In another post I wrote that I was experimenting with two and three dry fly rigs, and that the big stimulator in front helped me see takes on the small flies that I couldn’t see. It occurred to me that in some situations, like dim light or glare, an indicator could be useful when fishing small dry flies, but I’ve never heard of anyone recommending this. I suppose it’s not the purest of pure dry fly fishing.

I’ve done that, and originally got the idea as a recommendation in a ffing book. The two applications I saw for this were fishing hatches so heavy that it’s hard to keep track of your artificial amid the naturals, and fishing very small patterns especially at a distance. I used this system a few years back, fishing to midging trout on the Bighorn. It was a lot easier to keep track of the yarn indicator than the #20-22 flies I was using. Also, using the yarn as a locator, I could often spot the fly itself. Maybe not the purest method, but it worked well. — Rusty Hook Laramie, Wyo Before you buy.

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Question:

And who is Hairy Trout?

Response:

Wolfgang,    It was a trade off for a well running Assembly Line.  Nothing upsets the tranquillity and the rods are constructed in a serene environment. Ernie Harrison Like to make fly-fishing stuff?  See: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – No Glue Lines & Extraordinary Quality.  Assembly Line Running Very Well. Uh oh!!  No glue lines?  Seems to me I just read somewhere quite recently that visible glue lines are the very hallmark of quality.  What has happened to quality control?

Response:

Wolfgang,    It was a trade off for a well running Assembly Line.  Nothing upsets the tranquillity and the rods are constructed in a serene environment.

Thanks for the reassurance Ernie.  Good to know that nothing is disturbing the Bastard’s Wa!

Response:

And who is Hairy Trout?

I am the the new manager of the Bastard Bamboo Rod Company. When I returned here a few weeks ago we had the ability to produce rods. In the beginning George is making the very first few rods himself. My current responsibility is to insure that all of the equipment is running in a smooth order and to insure that machinery is producing quality items! Some of the equipment that is here  had a very limited purpose, i.e.. the ability to do only ones and twos. I am talking production here, I want the ability to deliver to the UPS driver at least 6 rods per day, eventually 8 to 10 rods per day. Monday a 12 segment stretching/straighting  rack was built. I feel this is a start,  plans are to add at least 12 to 24 slots to meet future demands. Today  all the parts to build a 16 rod segment rotating/drying rack to handle the  rod guide drying station where procured to meet production demands, now and into the future.  What’s next? I don’t know.  I ‘can" build it the need arises. Everyone around here is on their toes doing the  ’Boo Shuffle’ and several work station are now in a backlog of work in progress. That’s just the way I like seeing things happen. If I sound like George, believe me, this is not George. The mill is running so well that there are no glue lines. An occasional minor (minuscule)  glue line will be exceptable. The idea is to be able to fish a bamboo that is a quality fishing tool irreguadless of the minor cosmetics. Each rod is unique and different in surface character, and so, no two are "exactly" the same. There is no mistaking the fact that George is going against a tidal wave of differences of opinion.  He sees the beauty in bamboo and he is not hiding any of it.  What others think is ugly, he sees beauty.  Everyone will have to wait and see for themselves. The fishing quality will be there. How can a guy as ‘perfect’ as George, build a Bastard Bamboo?  Now I understand.  I see what he means when we leave ‘the character of China’ in the bamboo.  They are stunning. Doug Knight aka Hairy Trout Bastard Bamboo Manger. Snake River – Hell’s Canyon 110+ Degree bastard heat day, not much of a hatch this evening!

Response:

Wolfgang,    It was a trade off for a well running Assembly Line.  Nothing upsets the tranquillity and the rods are constructed in a serene environment.

Ernie, George listens to Mozart, which requires extra coffee for me. On the other hand when he’s not in ear shot I jamming in the Goo goo Dolls or Radio Head. The elves here love the up beat tunes. Cap with two bills! Doug Knight Snake River

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Daytripper wrote A bit more seriously: George had noted that the tips on the first rod were way too soft for a 3-4. I’m wondering whether Dougie was fishing with a revised taper or not… /daytripper

‘Daytripper, Regardless of the taper, I was fishing Bamboo for the first time. The line I had on the rod was one line size to small for the first time. It was a line of an know quality as I inadvertently left the line that should have used back in Calif.. Now, ’soft’? Compared to what? Even under lined the rod would roll cast 30+ feet and  45+ total. The desired action was for a medium action. It was all of that. We did eventually find a  line to try and the rod felt perfect. The ideal is to find the perfect line for the rod, weight numbers irrespective. One brand might be better than another brand for a particular weight over another. We felt the true line weight could have been around 3.6 wt and and corrected our forms more closer to a true 4wt.  But what is the true 4 wt benchmark? Remember not to compare Bamboo against Graphite. I even wonder if the true line ratings are even relative, rod length and action, and a line weight that feels comfortable with both. Doug Knight Snake River

Response:

No Glue Lines & Extraordinary Quality.  Assembly Line Running Very Well. Uh oh!!  No glue lines?  Seems to me I just read somewhere quite recently that visible glue lines are the very hallmark of quality.  What has happened to quality control?

LOL! Sounds like another Petard Hoisting in progress, eh? ;^) A bit more seriously: George had noted that the tips on the first rod were way too soft for a 3-4. I’m wondering whether Dougie was fishing with a revised taper or not… /daytripper

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Um, I wasn’t comparing anything – I was only relating what George has said about the first rod he cast being too soft in the tip, and wondering whether he’d gotten around to changing the taper yet or not… It sounds like he is indeed changing the taper. /daytripper – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Daytripper wrote A bit more seriously: George had noted that the tips on the first rod were way too soft for a 3-4. I’m wondering whether Dougie was fishing with a revised taper or not… Regardless of the taper, I was fishing Bamboo for the first time. The line I had on the rod was one line size to small for the first time. It was a line of an know quality as I inadvertently left the line that should have used back in Calif.. Now, ’soft’? Compared to what? Even under lined the rod would roll cast 30+ feet and  45+ total. The desired action was for a medium action. It was all of that. We did eventually find a  line to try and the rod felt perfect. The ideal is to find the perfect line for the rod, weight numbers irrespective. One brand might be better than another brand for a particular weight over another. We felt the true line weight could have been around 3.6 wt and and corrected our forms more closer to a true 4wt.  But what is the true 4 wt benchmark? Remember not to compare Bamboo against Graphite. I even wonder if the true line ratings are even relative, rod length and action, and a line weight that feels comfortable with both.

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What ? You mean that now they’re free  *AND* they last forever *AND* they cast exactly where you want them every time ? PERFECT ! — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

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they

cast exactly where you want them every time ?< All my rods do.  Hell, almost every time I hit water!  <g

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From the looks of his post I would say it was George or his clone.  Perhaps George has a mold he puts his employees in and squeezes them till they come out just like him. Ernie. And who is Hairy Trout?

Hairy Trout wrote <sliced off a typical chunk of SPAM

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From the looks of his post I would say it was George or his clone.  Perhaps George has a mold he puts his employees in and squeezes them till they come out just like him. Ernie. And who is Hairy Trout? Hairy Trout wrote <sliced off a typical chunk of SPAM

Ernie, You must be hurt that that I have a professional relationship with him and I’m having fun to boot. Must be the fog you hang around in. In fact dear ole George has not been here for several weeks. George has been burning the candle pretty hard lately, try 12-14 hour days on average doing cane. Ernie if that was your best cast you missed the hatch. Doug Knight formerly Alameda Snake River

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After, so many years in both Payne shop and Leonard shop and having learned so much on Bamboo rods, I,m very much inclined that this myth on these rods that are been manufactured by you guys, could be?. It stands like this, lets see the finish product, let people that have knowledge and experience, with metal(reel seats) bamboo, tolerance, etc. etc.. All this could be possible. Lets see it. Thanks My best to George. Paul

+AD4-No Glue Lines +ACY- Extraordinary Quality.  Assembly Line Running Very Well. +AD4-

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No Glue Lines & Extraordinary Quality.  Assembly Line Running Very Well.

Response:

No Glue Lines & Extraordinary Quality.  Assembly Line Running Very Well.

Uh oh!!  No glue lines?  Seems to me I just read somewhere quite recently that visible glue lines are the very hallmark of quality.  What has happened to quality control?

Response:

Question:

Hello Fly fishing men and women !         I’m going to NS next summer, in the Cape Breton area, for camping and fishing. Please tell me of good rivers for fly fishing. Robert

As a frequent visitor to Cape Breton I can recommend the famous Margaree for salmon, but the Cheticamp and Middle Rivers are good too.  The Middle is primarily a Fall run salmon river though in the summer you can find brookies and Cape Breton’s unique strain of sea-run (Steelhead) rainbows that run the Middle River.  Though rainbows usually run in the spring.  Almost any inland pond will have good brookie fishing and most of the coastal streams get a run of sea-run brookies in summer.  Summer, be prepared for blackflies!  They can be brutal at times.  If you can put off your trip to the fall you’ll find less bugs and better fishing. Most of the salmon rivers on the island fish better in the fall, though the Cheticamp is known as a good summer river, early July best, of course depending on water levels and temps.  For camping, you can’t go wrong with a campsite at the Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Cheticamp.  They have campsites right near some of the better salmon pools on the Cheticamp River.  For real fine lodging and good meals I heartily recommend the Normaway Inn located in Margaree.  Remember to take a ride around the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island has some of the most breathtaking scenery to be found in Eastern North America.  Have a good trip, I love it there. Don D.

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Hi, Give us a shout back via e-mail or check out our web-page at: http://www.tightline.ns.ca We have lots of info there ! Bill Tight Lines Guide Service http://www.tightlines.ns.ca – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello Fly fishing men and women !         I’m going to NS next summer, in the Cape Breton area, for camping and fishing. Please tell me of good rivers for fly fishing. Robert

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Hello Fly fishing men and women !         I’m going to NS next summer, in the Cape Breton area, for camping and fishing. Please tell me of good rivers for fly fishing. Robert

Response:

Robert asks: Hello Fly fishing men and women ! I’m going to NS next summer, in the Cape Breton area, for camping and fishing. Please tell me of good rivers for fly fishing. Robert

Robert,  You are blessed and will enjoy the great people and friendliness there. Among the most famous rivers is the Margaree.   Margaree Forks is the preferred location.  2nd: Just inside the Cape Breton Highlands National Park just above Cheticamp is the river by the same name…and likely much less fished and with likely more fish…. Although fish enter in late June,  best is late September… so go as late as possible.  Rains. Is cool.   Be prepared.  for a free phone call you can get a whole book about most everything you ever wanted to know about Nova Scotia from tourist bureau.  from U.S. = 1-800-565-0000. Take time to enjoy the local "family" music  Have a bowl of seafood chowder at the Mabou Resturant in Mabou.  and look for fossils along the clifts and watch the eagle feed her young.   tightlines, Alan Alan E. Hoover Anglers’ Rest Powhatan, Va        *the trout teach many, lessons*

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Question:

Hi, I just started packing my fishing gears for a 3-day vacation heading Reno/Tahoe area. Can someone tell me where I can find the best resource, ie, books, guides etc. which show the hot fishing spots in that area, or maybe you can do better than those books. I don’t do fly-fishing, and I’d prefer not to use the charter. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Response:

Hello, Try http://www.fishsniffer.com ~~~^^~~Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I just started packing my fishing gears for a 3-day vacation heading Reno/Tahoe area. Can someone tell me where I can find the best resource, ie, books, guides etc. which show the hot fishing spots in that area, or maybe you can do better than those books. I don’t do fly-fishing, and I’d prefer not to use the charter. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

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Question:

about flyfishing, I learned as a bait fisherman. — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

about flyfishing, I learned as a bait fisherman. — TimW Halfordian Golfer

     Puleeeze, Tim! You sound as pompous as us fly-fisher-persons.      From one who learned from her father in 1938 how to sling a worm.                                   Louise Scharrenberg

Response:

about flyfishing, I learned as a bait fisherman. — TimW Halfordian Golfer      Puleeeze, Tim! You sound as pompous as us fly-fisher-persons.      From one who learned from her father in 1938 how to sling a worm.                                   Louise Scharrenberg

Interesting twist on my post to be sure… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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Question:

Subj:  Upriver or Downriver casting? I’m a very beginner fly fisherman and I would appreciate it if someone could enlighten me as to the best way to approach casting in a river. Should I start up stream and cast down stream or start down stream and cast up stream. I assume that if I start up stream and cast down stream that I would continue to work the river moving slowly down stream. Could someone please make this clear to me? Thank you very much in advance!!! TCC

Response:

Subj:  Upriver or Downriver casting? I’m a very beginner fly fisherman and I would appreciate it if someone could enlighten me as to the best way to approach casting in a river. Should I start up stream and cast down stream or start down stream and cast up stream. I assume that if I start up stream and cast down stream that I would continue to work the river moving slowly down stream. Could someone please make this clear to me?

Both ways are very acceptible and mastering good drifts on all compass points is a rewarding challenge. My only advise is: 1) learn a stealthful approach, you can get closer usually from downstream, but you would be amazed at fish pointing downstream because the current has eddied. 2) cast a short, light, controlled line with as long a tippet as you can stand. Good fishing. TimW

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With this thread, I am reminded of 2 things. 1) The Colonel 2) Sgt. York 1.  In "Streamers" by the late great Col. Joseph Bates.  He describes a     ‘fan’ approach to covering waters.  You cast a short line in a fanned     arc, increasing the line length with each pass to avoid spooking fish.     Same with an upstream cast.  Start short and only count on a good drift     the length of the leader + any curve or reach put into it.  Increase the     length of the cast each time. 2.  In Sgt. York, the deadeye would pick off the krauts in the back of the formation.     Like shooting turkeys, so that the ones in front would not become alarmed. Good fishing my friends. TimW

Response:

Todd- When casting to a sighted trout, cast towards a spot a couple feet to the left or right of the fish and a several feet above the fish.  Just before the fly hits the water, give your rod a slight jerk to the left if the fish is to the right, to the right if the fish is left.  This will keep your line off the fish and the fly in his feeding lane.

What do should you do when casting to a blind trout? Mike in PDX "When the trout are lost, smash the state."                           Tom McGuane

Response:

Thank you everyone for your tremendous help! I coudn’t have done it without you all. This is a letter I cc’d to a bunch of you who e-mailed me so I’ll just post it in its entirety here on the board. I’ll be sure to try out your casting suggestions in the future. Thanks again! Thanks once again for your fishing advice! I got one! The trout was about a foot long so I was quite pleased. After trying to tackle a fast-moving section of the river (with no success), I decided to check on a quiet pool that I knew about upriver. The pool occurs at an elbow in the river where the river suddenly drops to about 15 feet deep. While the surface appears smooth, the water is actually moving at a nice pace through the curve. At the corner of the elbow, a small jut occurs where the water is totally calm. I noticed some swirling in the quiet spot just off the moving water and then a little blip at the surface which looked like it might have been a fish surfacing. As luck would have it, I made a very nice cast which landing softly in the middle of the pool. Just as the dry fly landed and sat on the surface the trout took it! It was very exciting since this is my first fish taken fly fishing. I decided to let him go. Maybe I’ll meet him again next year! Thanks for your help, it really did make a difference. TCC Todd Cranston-Cuebas

Response:

: When fishing upstream, always work upstream.  I always walk the bank of a : river to scope out an area I would like to fish, then drop into the river : below the area and fish upstream.  IMHO, if I spook fish from their holding : pattern, they move towards the center of the river or deeper, thus not : spooking fish above. A good way to see how fish react to the fisherman is to watch a friend stalk the fish while you sit on the bank.  I have seen fish run upstream this way smack into other fish. This gets them excited and makes them spooky. I have also learned that if the fish is left alone for a while, it may return to it’s origional location.  And then I have also fish do just what you described. Jon Porter

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…The best bet is to be sneaky, and stalk the fish just as if you were hunting them.

I’ve always thought fly fishing was more like hunting than fishing. -AR

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I’m a very beginner fly fisherman and I would appreciate it if someone could enlighten me as to the best way to approach casting in a river. Should I start up stream and cast down stream or start down stream and cast up stream.

For total beginners: 1.  Don’t wade unless you must.  If so, 2.  First wade downstream, fishing across the current with a wet fly or nymph.  The water’s tension on the line will help you control it. 3.  Then wade upstream, with a dry (floating) fly, casting 45 degrees upstream.  When you see a fish rise, cast one yard above it, beginning a bit short to be on the safe side.   Don’t cast straight upstream, unless it is unavoidable;  you don’t want the fish to see your line, and it’s harder to keep control of the line the faster it drifts toward you. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Subj:  Upriver or Downriver casting? I’m a very beginner fly fisherman and I would appreciate it if someone could enlighten me as to the best way to approach casting in a river. Should I start up stream and cast down stream or start down stream and cast up stream. I assume that if I start up stream and cast down stream that I would continue to work the river moving slowly down stream. Could someone please make this clear to me? Thank you very much in advance!!! TCC

I would think a new FF’er would have better luck with casting dry’s upstream (easier to get a proper drift) and wets cross or down stream. Once you get your confidence up then experimentation is the best part of the sport (IMHO). Steve

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snip The only thing that still baffles me a bit about casting upstream is the thought of casting _above_ and _over_ the fish in lay. Would this scare a trout? I assume that I must cast above the fish and let the fly drift over it _without_ casting my line over its head. Are all of these assumptions correct?

Todd- When casting to a sighted trout, cast towards a spot a couple feet to the left or right of the fish and a several feet above the fish.  Just before the fly hits the water, give your rod a slight jerk to the left if the fish is to the right, to the right if the fish is left.  This will keep your line off the fish and the fly in his feeding lane. Also, if I decide to cast dry flies upstream, after I’ve fished out the area within reach, I should move to a new location downstream? Is this correct? My assumption is that any trout I might have scared would head away from me heading upstream thereby scaring fish away or making them hesitant in that direction. Do have this this right or am I thinking about this in the wrong way?

When fishing upstream, always work upstream.  I always walk the bank of a river to scope out an area I would like to fish, then drop into the river below the area and fish upstream.  IMHO, if I spook fish from their holding pattern, they move towards the center of the river or deeper, thus not spooking fish above. Bob Crossley — Bob Crossley

Response:

TimW Thank you for your reply. The only thing that still baffles me a bit about casting upstream is the thought of casting _above_ and _over_ the fish in lay. Would this scare a trout? I assume that I must cast above the fish and let the fly drift over it _without_ casting my line over its head. Are all of these assumptions correct? Also, if I decide to cast dry flies upstream, after I’ve fished out the area within reach, I should move to a new location downstream? Is this correct? My assumption is that any trout I might have scared would head away from me heading upstream thereby scaring fish away or making them hesitant in that direction. Do have this this right or am I thinking about this in the wrong way? Thanks! TCC Todd Cranston-Cuebas

Response:

WOO HOO!  This can cause quite a few arguments!  :) : The only thing that still baffles me a bit about casting upstream is the : thought of casting _above_ and _over_ the fish in lay. Would this scare a : trout? I assume that I must cast above the fish and let the fly drift over : it _without_ casting my line over its head. Are all of these assumptions : correct? Yes. IF you line a trout (lay the line on top of it) it will gennerally spook and run away from you. The idea is to cast upstream at an angle so the the fly comes in from the side of the fish. The only part to drift over the fish would be the leader. This is the old "traditional" dry fly approach. By using this method, you are coming up on the fish from behind. They face upstream all the time because that is where the food comes from. : Also, if I decide to cast dry flies upstream, after I’ve fished out the : area within reach, I should move to a new location downstream? Is this : correct? My assumption is that any trout I might have scared would head : away from me heading upstream thereby scaring fish away or making them : hesitant in that direction. Do have this this right or am I thinking about : this in the wrong way? If the fish is spooked, it will usually run away from you. If you are fishing upstream, then the fish will run upstream, and vice-versa. And it’s movement could make the other fish that it runs past spooky. The real trouble with fishing downstream is that we tend to cause the water to cloud up when we walk in it. That may put the fish. So the old upstream approach remains popular.  But rules are made to be broken, and I have had some of my best fishing by casting downstream. The best bet is to be sneaky, and stalk the fish just as if you were hunting them. Jon Porter

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Question:

After many years of using FF equipment, I thought that I understood the meaning of value but with prices today being what they are, I’m not sure anymore. I have fished with bamboo and glass and of course now the ubiquitous graphite! I have always held that each man has the duty to select and own the very best equipment he can afford, but somewhere along the line of reason, the meaning of the word value has lost it’s punch. I know that perhaps, one’s ability to feel good about their equipment is an important issue to some and there is of course the snob appeal of ownership that somehow owning the most expensive equipment somehow also creates a better fisherman. Sadly, this is of course not true and most of us who ply the water in search of our outdoor pleasure has found the the type of who I speak. Conversely I seem to run into many more fishermen who are satisfied to use off the shelf equipment as long as it does the job. Now I have not made these comments as a discourse on the merits of one type of person versus the other, but rather to put some meaning into how a person can select the very best in value from the present tremendous spectrum of available graphite rods. I know that there is a rating system for the graphite used in a rod, but the explaination of this tidbit seems to be lost in the hype of fit and finish and word paintings of the fish one can expect to catch. Of course fit and finish should be taken into consideration, but it also must have some limitation brought on by value! I guess the point I am leading to is how can you select a piece of equipment and be satisfied with the relationship between value and quality. I’m not looking for any My granddaddy use to say that the value of anything was more a product of what you thought something was worth than anything else. I suspect that this comes as close to being right as anything. Of course he was living in the late 1800s and we all know about the days when the value of a dollar was a good deal more than it is today. If you consider the value spread between a rod costing $79.00 vs one which cost $1,100.00, somewhere in between, there has to be a value where cost versus quality meet. At what point on the curve does cost outsrip value and value begin to take a beating? I’d be interested in hearing from anyone who would care to join in on this topic. I know that there are more fishermen out there using the under $100.00 rod and reel combinations than those who sport the $500.00 tickets! Your thoughts? —  

Question:

I’m going to be in Virginia, just outside of D.C. the weekend of May 18.   Is there any flyfishing in the Potomac River & Tidal Basin that time of year?  Stripers or smallmouth perhaps?  Any infomation on species, flies, locations & technique would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Response:

I’m going to be in Virginia, just outside of D.C. the weekend of May 18.   Is there any flyfishing in the Potomac River & Tidal Basin that time of year?  Stripers or smallmouth perhaps?  Any infomation on species, flies, locations & technique would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Best bet is up the river, the further north the better.. Dickerson, Point of Rocks, Shephardstown up to Harpers Ferry. Driving time 1-2 hrs from town… -Dan-

Response:

Answer:  Tons of fishing.  May may be chilly on the wade, but trout, smallies, largies, stripers–all will be willing.  Perhaps the best time of year, in fact.  Happy to provide more specifics (or a guided trip, if that’s your pleasure.) Dave

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Question:

Hello all, I’m sure this question has been asked a million times, and I’m sorry to do it again, but here goes.  I’m planning on starting fly-fishing this spring, mostly for bass and panfish.  I got a fly rod and reel for my birthday, a package deal from Cabela’s with everything I need to start–according to them. Its a nine foot 8 or 9 weight rod with a nice reel, backing, line, and leader included, some bass flies, a fly tying kit, etc. What I’m looking for is advice on books and videos on tying lines together, casting, etc., basically all the beginner stuff.  Something to get me started.  Or should I just take a class and forget trying to teach myself? Any help appreciated. Mike

Hi Mike, Teaching yourself is definitely worth the effort.  You can certainly learn enough to catch a few fish.  Then find a friend to go with you that has fly fishing experience and just watch for a while.  Ask questions… Swap flys. The Poul Jorgenson videos on tying are very good and the Lefty Kreh casting tapes are good as well.  I found a book called "Fly Fisherman’s Bible" that gives very good basic techniques for dry, wet, streamer and nymph flys.  But I must admit, I did not begin to understand wet flys until I read Bergman.   I have been very fortunate to have a wonderful friend, fishing buddy and teacher.  He has taught me so much and saved me years, literally, in fishing trips through his experiences.   Hi John!  (grin)! Thanks, Bob

Response:

Mike— Glad to see you starting out.While you can teach yourself with the help of many fine pieces of literature out there,a casting class combined with a guided excursion or fishing class will pay high dividends as well as the fun you will have.   Also check for local clubs as they offer a wealth of info at little or no charge as well as the ability to meet people and a possible partner.     At any rate ,I hope to see ya on the river!                                      tight loops!!  D.Davy

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flies, a fly tying kit, etc. What I’m looking for is advice on books and videos on tying lines together, casting, etc., basically all the beginner stuff.  Something to get me started.  Or should I just take a class and forget trying to teach myself? Any help appreciated.

It is posible to become an inelegant, fish-catching caster by standing in the middle of a lawn with your rod in one hand and an instruction book in the other.  Scientific Anglers put out a magazine format intro text that is worth much more than the $3.95 they charge.  If you want a real book, though, pick up Roderick Haig-Brown’s "Primer of Flyfishing".  His explanations are as easy and fluid as a good cast.  The book was written in 1964, but the essentials have not changed in the last 30 years. If you meet someone who is catching fish, quickly reread the chapter on stream etiquette and introduce yourself.  There is no substitute for liveware. — Keep your stick on the ice.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hello all, I’m sure this question has been asked a million times, and I’m sorry to do it again, but here goes.  I’m planning on starting fly-fishing this spring, mostly for bass and panfish.  I got a fly rod and reel for my birthday, a package deal from Cabela’s with everything I need to start–according to them. Its a nine foot 8 or 9 weight rod with a nice reel, backing, line, and leader included, some bass flies, a fly tying kit, etc. What I’m looking for is advice on books and videos on tying lines together, casting, etc., basically all the beginner stuff.  Something to get me started.  Or should I just take a class and forget trying to teach myself? Any help appreciated. Mike

I started Fly-fishing about two years ago.  My first move was to make contact with a friend of a friend who knew his stuff.  That I think was the best move, he was very helpful and I was able to branch off to other aspects of the sport since then. If you don’t have any acquaintences who enjoy the sport, maybe seek out an experienced guide, or take a class. If you are going to enjoy the sport to its fullest potential, have an experienced angler show you the ropes Good Luck and enjoy. Ben

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Hello all, I’m sure this question has been asked a million times, and I’m sorry to do it again, but here goes.  I’m planning on starting fly-fishing this spring, mostly for bass and panfish.  I got a fly rod and reel for my birthday, a package deal from Cabela’s with everything I need to start–according to them. Its a nine foot 8 or 9 weight rod with a nice reel, backing, line, and leader included, some bass flies, a fly tying kit, etc. What I’m looking for is advice on books and videos on tying lines together, casting, etc., basically all the beginner stuff.  Something to get me started.  Or should I just take a class and forget trying to teach myself? Any help appreciated. Mike

Very lucky!! Get a copy of the Curtis Creek Manifesto, and read it and take its advice. Then, find somebody who already knows how to flyfish, and ask them to take you out, then buy them a beer or something afterwards. Have fun! Tim

Response:

Hello all, I’m sure this question has been asked a million times, and I’m sorry to do it again, but here goes.  I’m planning on starting fly-fishing this spring, mostly for bass and panfish.  I got a fly rod and reel for my birthday, a package deal from Cabela’s with everything I need to start–according to them. Its a nine foot 8 or 9 weight rod with a nice reel, backing, line, and leader included, some bass flies, a fly tying kit, etc. What I’m looking for is advice on books and videos on tying lines together, casting, etc., basically all the beginner stuff.  Something to get me started.  Or should I just take a class and forget trying to teach myself? Any help appreciated. Mike

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