Question:

I did it! I went all the way around Manhattan in a kayak.

A well written and interesting trip report too! Thanks for sharing it with everyoneRich Before you buy.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I did it! I went all the way around Manhattan in a kayak. <… Thanks for posting this. Always nice to hear of people making use of urban and rural waterways. The "in" thing to do in these parts is to drive for hours to a crowded government recreational area, queue at portages, and scramble for campsites stopping midafternoon, for a "wilderness" paddling experience. OTOH I can paddle all day on water in or close to the city and not see another paddler. Odd, isn’t it, when most cities are sited on major waterways and 80% of the population are city dwellers? Ditto.  I think that’s NEAT!  Let’s reclaim the waterways!

"Reclaiming" implies that paddlers owned the waterways to begin with. Paddle EVERYWHERE!

I vehemently disagree with this.  I’ve been flyfishing for about 30 years and have seen a lot of good fishing rivers become poor fishing rivers.  The Battenkill river *used* to be about the most famous flyfishing river in the country.  Now there are a couple of canoe outfitters that send down so many boats that’s it’s virtually unfishable most of the day.   Just as a jetskier can spoil the day of a paddler, a paddler can spoil the day of flyfisherman trying to enjoy the river partaking in his/her obsession. John Fereira Ithaca, NY

Response:

OK, Rich. I’m going to have to drive to Manhattan from Chicago to do this with you next year!!! Seriously. Dave

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I did it! I went all the way around Manhattan in a kayak. A well written and interesting trip report too! Thanks for sharing it with everyoneRich Before you buy.

Response:

I did it! I went all the way around Manhattan in a kayak. <… Thanks for posting this. Always nice to hear of people making use of urban and rural waterways. The "in" thing to do in these parts is to drive for hours to a crowded government recreational area, queue at portages, and scramble for campsites stopping midafternoon, for a "wilderness" paddling experience. OTOH I can paddle all day on water in or close to the city and not see another paddler. Odd, isn’t it, when most cities are sited on major waterways and 80% of the population are city dwellers?

Ditto.  I think that’s NEAT!  Let’s reclaim the waterways!  Paddle EVERYWHERE!  Paddle craft are just the way to do it, too: relatively portable, don’t need a big ol’ ramp to put ‘em in, don’t need lots of depth, suited for just about any type of waters.  In Boston, we have more and more people paddling on the Charles, and the water quality is improving every year.  In Lowell MA, Zoar Outdoor teamed up with the conservation d00ds to offer rafting trips on the Concord River during the spring flows — ending the trip in a lock!  The Boston Harbor islands, now a park, get visited constantly by seayakkers.   Even the little, overbuilt Muddy River at the end of my (soon to be former) block has an impressive array of wildlife (saw a great blue heron the other day).  The more we get people using the waterways, ALL the waterways and not just the obvious recreation destinations, the more people will care about them — and care for them.   — ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::         "I would not exchange the sorrows of my heart                 for the joys of the multitude"

Response:

I did it! I went all the way around Manhattan in a kayak.

<… Thanks for posting this. Always nice to hear of people making use of urban and rural waterways. The "in" thing to do in these parts is to drive for hours to a crowded government recreational area, queue at portages, and scramble for campsites stopping midafternoon, for a "wilderness" paddling experience. OTOH I can paddle all day on water in or close to the city and not see another paddler. Odd, isn’t it, when most cities are sited on major waterways and 80% of the population are city dwellers? — National Capital FreeNet      www.ncf.ca     Ottawa’s free community network

Response:

I did it! I went all the way around Manhattan in a kayak. It was the most physically difficult feat I have accomplished. I started kayaking on June 4th and have probably kayaked 50 hours on the Hudson since then (along with another 20 in Maine) and this trip was harder than all of it put together! When I did my first "long" tour it was a 10 mile, three hour round trip to the Statue of Liberty during which I really felt challenged and afterwards felt like I had a wallet-sized knot in my right buttock for a week! At the time that may have been the most physically challenging thing I’d done. The trip around Manhattan is a 28 mile trip that should take 6-9 hours. I was assured by the guides at Manhattan Kayak Company, who have come to know me, and I them, that I was ready for the trip and it should not be that difficult. You start off going south on the Hudson, against the current from 23rd street to the lower tip of Manhattan – the Battery. After you turn the bend and head north on the East river you have a very strong current with you and can travel faster than I have ever been on a kayak. Sometimes they outrun joggers on this stretch. After going about 10 miles with this current, you stop for lunch just before turning northwest to the Harlem river. This was supposed to be the hardest stretch, not because of currents or other water conditions, but because it was supposed to be "boring". After 5 miles of Harlem you stop again at the Columbia University Boathouse for lunch. After lunch, you scoot around the northern tip of the island and turn south on the Hudson, under the George Washington Bridge and 160 blocks to home with the current at your back. Difficult, tiring and surely a challenge, but timed correctly it is a most enjoyable ride and quite an accomplishment. Then there was my trip… Take-off was scheduled for 11:00AM. I got there my traditional 1 hour early to mull around, chat a bit and fit my boat. Our guides were Bob and Bonnie. Bob is a fun guy who is really fun to paddle with. Bonnie is exceedingly nice, complimentary and also a joy to be on the water with. Around 10:45 Bob seems a bit stressed. He tells me we’d better hurry up and get going because it turns out we’d be cutting it very close if we wanted to make it to Hellgate before the tide turns. You might guess by the name, Hellgate can be somewhat difficult to paddle. As I mentioned earlier, the East river has a very strong current. If the current is fully against you it is physically impossible to paddle up the river. Hellgate is a spot where the river gets very narrow, so water is funneled through and sped up greater than the speed one could paddle. Bob said we’d have to be at Hellgate by 1:06 or we’d be "Fu–ed". Now, Hellgate is approximately 40% of the way around the island, that’s around 12 miles in two hours starting off against a pretty strong current. It didn’t look good, but if we busted our buts and made it to the East river quickly we’d get that massive push up and possibly make it. We had a strong group. There was Gary, my paddling buddy who I had to canvas for about 3 weeks to sign up for this trip. There was Donna, a paddler of three years who hadn’t made this trip. Carol, a very nice woman from Seattle who was doing this for her 50th birthday as a challenge. John, another "regular" at MKC who made this trip a month ago in less than 7 hours. And finally there was a couple from Albuquerque New Mexico named Walter and Alison. Walter was obviously experienced and Alison was in a kayak for the fifth time. They were in a double and not at all to be worried about. And of course Bob and Bonnie, our guides. Bob spends a lot of time sideways on the water. He was never one to speed along, he is more of a meanderer. Bonnie grew up in Hawaii and has probably been paddling, rowing, or at least in the water her whole life. Both Bob and Bonnie have made this trip countless times. It looked OK. It would be tight, but we could pull it off according to Bob. As soon as we pulled out of the pier I noticed a stronger current that I was used to. Bob said it would be tough, and it was. We had to stay very close to the piers to avoid the stronger current in the main channel, as well as the many many boats in the water. The down-side of paddling so close to the piers was the danger of reflecting waves coming off the walls and potentially capsizing you. There were some challenging waves due to the strong wind and high traffic. It was a beautiful day. We were paddling hard, but not hard enough. Nobody really realized how slowly we were going for a few reasons. First, it took a good amount of concentration to stay upright and close to the piers. Aslo, the current pulled our boats toward the middle of the river, so as we were chatting and getting to know each other, we had to be constantly reminded by Bob to keep close to the shore where the current was weaker. However, the closer we were, the more we had to deal with the reflection waves. I am accustomed to dealing with the waves from the wind and passing boats. All it takes is loose hips, concentration and an occasional lean or slapping of the paddle to keep upright. With the waves coming from both sides, though, the leans were a bit more precarious and the concentration required a bit more intense. While we dealt with this strong current, larger than normal waves, reflecting waves, and oh yeah a very strong wind in our faces, the group split up a bit. Bonnie and Donna were a good quarter-mile behind us and out towards the middle of the channel. They were having too harrowing a time dealing with the multi-directional waves and decided to take on the current instead. This choice only widened the gap between them and us. Things were looking grim when we pulled into a small pier near Battery Park City to let Bonnie and Donna catch up and we realized it was 12:00. We still had to round the bend around the tip of Manhattan to make it to the East River Express. Bob could only laugh and reiterate how we were "Sooo Fu–ed" It looked like we would miss the tides in our favor and have to "eddy-hop" past Roosevelt Island, where the East River is split around 59th Street and the water funneled through two thinner channels. The hard part was almost over supposedly. Unfortunately, we were still pressed for time, so we decided to press on without Bonnie and Donna and meet up with them on the other side. We rounded the bend to southern Manhattan to be greeted by the choppiest water I have ever been in, as well as the most fun. Standing waves and an undulating sea that dumped gallons of water up my sleeves into my boat, into my face and all over. It took full concentration, many slapping braces and much time to get to a small protected area just before the ferry landing. Wow! was the collective sentiment. We thought this would be a good spot to hang out and wait for Bonnie and Donna. We waited for a while and again decided to press on because we still had the currents to worry about. Hellgate was missed, but if we didn’t hurry we’d be fighting the current up the East river and it might even turn too much against us before we made it to the Harlem river, in which case it would be too late and we’d have to… I don’t know what we’d have had to do. On we paddled. We crossed the ferries and dealt with the New York Harbor’s finest mish-mash of waves, chop and wind created by the confluence of the East and Hudson Rivers for another quarter to half mile until we were finally approaching the Brooklyn Bridge. Finally, the current at our backs! I made the mistake of asking Bob how that stretch we just passed compared to the other circumnavigation he’d done and he said it was definitely the hardest start, but we were only about a fifth of the way done and he went on to describe some horror stories about thunder storms and hail encountered in the next stretch. Each circumnavigation is its own story, and this one was still being written. We were now on the East River. It was my first time paddling over here. I was really looking forward to passing under all the East River bridges. The Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg, 59th street, Tri-borough. It was really an experience looking at them from that perspective. I noticed, at this time, the lack of assistance from the river. This was the stretch where I was told I’d be moving faster than I ever had before. We were with the current, but it was starting to change. Not only did we miss out on the joyous, easy East River surge, we had to fight it tooth and nail to make it to an unwelcoming Hellgate before the full strength of the tide and current were against us. We moved over to the east side of the river and began to "eddy-hop" like we were on the Hudson only a few hours earlier. By the time we got to the 59th street bridge we were fighting a serious current. As I was approaching the bridge, I came in directly behind the eastern support. The bridge was blocking the current for me, so I didn’t have to paddle that hard. Once I got to the bridge and had to leave the friendly eddy, as soon as I paddled into the current I was unpolitely turned south and had to paddle full strength to make any progress. There was a row of little floating balls on the side of the river right next to my boat. I was paddling 3 or 4 strokes for each ball I passed, which were about 2 feet apart. Wow! again. By around 3:00 or so we were approaching Randall and Ward’s Islands. This was Hellgate territory. It is at this spot where the waters of Long Island Sound come into the East river and the Harlem river begins. I just could not believe the current we were looking at. I was sure we were done. The water was pouring into and down the East River and I just couldn’t imagine being able to paddle against it. Once we got up close and surveyed the situation it turned out that we could go a little east of the Harlem river and ferry across. As soon as I entered the current I was promptly turned 45 degrees in the opposite … read more »

Response:

Question:

Keith,    Try the Leader Link, much better than loops and just as easy.  No splashy presentations, no moss hang up and no drag.  You should use a figure 8 knot to attach it because of you are using a 4 wt. line. Eagle Claw Country Store Phone 1-800-628-0108 4245 East 46th Avenue Denver Colorado 80216 Leader Link For tapered lines (LL1) For level lines     (LL2) There are 3 links per package and cost $2.83 per pack. Ernie Harrison See Ernie’s Fly-Fishing Stuff:   http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If I’m using a DT 4 wt floating line, will putting a braided loop on the end of the line (like the type Cortland and Orvis sell) destroy any chance of delicate presentation? They do appear to change the taper of the line somewhat.  Will it mess up the weight distribution of the fly line train? I’m using a Dai-Riki 5x leader with a hand-tied loop to attach to the fly line. It sure does make changing leaders easy but would I be better off from a technical and presentation standpoint tying the leader directly to the fly line? Thanks for the advice in advance.

Response:

If I’m using a DT 4 wt floating line, will putting a braided loop on the end of the line (like the type Cortland and Orvis sell) destroy any chance of delicate presentation? They do appear to change the taper of the line somewhat.  Will it mess up the weight distribution of the fly line train? I’m using a Dai-Riki 5x leader with a hand-tied loop to attach to the fly line. It sure does make changing leaders easy but would I be better off from a technical and presentation standpoint tying the leader directly to the fly line? Thanks for the advice in advance.

Response:

If I’m using a DT 4 wt floating line, will putting a braided loop on the end of the line (like the type Cortland and Orvis sell) destroy any chance of delicate presentation? They do appear to change the taper of the line somewhat.  Will it mess up the weight distribution of the fly line train? I’m using a Dai-Riki 5x leader with a hand-tied loop to attach to the fly line. It sure does make changing leaders easy but would I be better off from a technical and presentation standpoint tying the leader directly to the fly line? Thanks for the advice in advance.

Keith, I recently started using the braided loop made by Cortland.  I see no difference in my presentation….it’s always terrible! Tim

Response:

I tried using these for a while and found it more difficult to cast.  I used them with sink tips and it really changed how I attempted to cast.  When I switched to floating line, the loops seemed to get caught in my guides more often then a nail knot ever did.  I still use them for my sink tips but I gave up on them for a floating line. Rooster – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If I’m using a DT 4 wt floating line, will putting a braided loop on the end of the line (like the type Cortland and Orvis sell) destroy any chance of delicate presentation?

Response:

Question:

Does anyone know of an island with good fly fishing in the Caribbean? I’m specifically talking about the Eastern Caribbean, the islands they call the Lesser Antilles. My wife wants to go on vacation there, and I’m trying to figure out what I’m going to do while she lies on the beach… Thanks for any help. Simon Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

The Virgin Islands have a few flats. St John is actually very nice is many ways. You have to be careful though. I was held up at gun point in St Thomas last year when fishing probably the best flat which is off a beach that only locals go to. St John does not have that problem and is mostly a national park. I. Clair

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Question:

Billy If efficiency is your god, then stay with graphite.  If you’re a romantic . . .  I don’t have to finish the sentence. I have a Diawa 4/5 fly rod that is 5 1/2 times cheaper than my bamboo 4/5 and will out cast it.   Yet that has nothing to do why I like it or love the bamboo.  Others have said it better; you have to fish a good one to know. In a world that worships efficiency,  maybe it’s just our reaction against it.  Whatever it is, we aren’t about to question it.  We just fish. Peter

Response:

 there’s certainly more to fly fishing than casting a whole line with a graphite rod… Regards Jeff

        the only way i and 90% of the rest of us will be able to cast an entire line is to buy one, and then throw it as far as we can, while it’s still in the cradle.  i say fish what makes you smile. wayno

Response:

Harrison) writes: i say fish what makes you smile.

Cripes, you’re getting mellow, what happened? Wayne Knight (remove nospam to respond via mail) Expert in the creation of  wind knots and tailing loops.

Response:

Harrison) writes: i say fish what makes you smile. Cripes, you’re getting mellow, what happened? Wayne Knight (remove nospam to respond via mail) Expert in the creation of  wind knots and tailing loops.

    advancing age and the discovery of balvenie. wayno, chilling – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Wayno: <<(Wayne Harrison) writes: i say fish what makes you smile. Cripes, you’re getting mellow, what happened? Wayne Knight (remove nospam to respond via mail) Expert in the creation of  wind knots and tailing loops.

    advancing age and the discovery of balvenie. wayno, chilling Speaking of chilling……. last night I found two bottles of Sleeman’s in the cooler.  Totally forgotten.  Serendipitous!  I picked my first two tomatoes and had a couple of tom and lettuce sandwiches for lunch, washed down with TWO Sleeman’s.  It ain’t gonna get any better than this……d;0) Dave L. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Speaking of chilling……. last night I found two bottles of Sleeman’s in the cooler.  Totally forgotten.  Serendipitous!  I picked my first two tomatoes and had a couple of tom and lettuce sandwiches for lunch, washed down with TWO Sleeman’s.  It ain’t gonna get any better than this……d;0) Dave L.

You are absolutely correct, Dave.  Sadly, my Sleeman’s is long, long gone, and my tomatoes are shriveling in the drought. Mark Faulkner

Response:

Speaking of chilling……. last night I found two bottles of Sleeman’s in the cooler.  Totally forgotten.  Serendipitous!  I picked my first two tomatoes and had a couple of tom and lettuce sandwiches for lunch, washed down with TWO Sleeman’s.  It ain’t gonna get any better than this……d;0) Dave L.

dave, you are a cruel, cruel bastard. –waldo — Ezflyfish.com                 Blue Ridge Book Gallery Quality Gear & Service        Used & Out-of-Print Books http://www.ezflyfish.com      http://www.abebooks.com/home/BLUEBOOKS P.O. Box 5112  Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828)963-5001

Response:

Until you add some dilled Walla Walla sweets and cucumber slices to the sandwich. Speaking of chilling……. last night I found two bottles of Sleeman’s in the cooler.  Totally forgotten.  Serendipitous!  I picked my first two tomatoes and had a couple of tom and lettuce sandwiches for lunch, washed down with TWO Sleeman’s.  It ain’t gonna get any better than this……d;0) Dave L.

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

Response:

advancing age and the discovery of balvenie.

wait till I get some really good scotch in your blood stream vs just a good scotch, you’ll even start telling lawyer jokes. Wayne Knight (remove nospam to respond via mail) Expert in the creation of  wind knots and tailing loops.

Response:

Mike: <<Until you add some dilled Walla Walla sweets and cucumber slices to the sandwich. Speaking of chilling……. last night I found two bottles of Sleeman’s in the cooler.  Totally forgotten.  Serendipitous!  I picked my first two tomatoes and had a couple of tom and lettuce sandwiches for lunch, washed down with TWO Sleeman’s.  It ain’t gonna get any better than this……d;0)

Well, ya might have somethin there.  But I’ll take the pickles on the side and instead of cukes, and how about a thick slice of a hairy-assed Vidalia Onion.  Maybe a slice of *good* cheese? Dave LaCourse

Response:

I’m reading all the posts about bamboo fly rods.   Why would a person want a fly rod made from bamboo, when you can have a grafite rod? Bamboo just dose’nt make sense. — Sharp Hooks, Pat Holdzit Fishing Products Inc. http://www.holdzit.com Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

is this a troll? — Nicholas J. Slodki http://trampled.net/Nikolai0/

:I’m reading all the posts about bamboo fly rods.   Why would a person :want a fly rod made from bamboo, when you can have a grafite rod? :Bamboo just dose’nt make sense. : :– :Sharp Hooks, at :Holdzit Fishing Products Inc. :http://www.holdzit.com : : :Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Pat- You’d probably ask the same question about fiberglass. Obviously, you’ve never cast one! There’s nothing like the FEEL of casting a bamboo rod…it’s sort of a magical thing, actually allowing you to feel the "tug" of a line straightening out behind you and urging you to begin your forward cast. When nymphing with a bamboo rod, I’ve never had the urge to even consider using a strike indicator (read= bobber) as you can actually feel the nymph being picked up on a tight line while high-sticking a nymph through a riffle. There are some of us who began on bamboo, then out of need, migrated to fiberglass (lack of suppliers of decent bamboo rods at prices the "common man" could afford) and never even bothered with graphite, especially after trying the original graphite rods to hit the market….true buggy whips or telephone poles, nothing in between… along with the horror stories of graphite rods exploding when they got too cold and were tapped against the side of a boat or other hard object. I do own a couple of graphite rods now, but don’t consider them the primary pieces in my arsenal…my primaries are an old Granger bamboo and my Fenwick glass rods, but I do use the graphites also. You’d need to handle one streamside to undrstand is all I can say….maybe someday you’ll find an obliging fly fisherman on the water that’ll let you cast his bamboo or glass rod and then when you take your graphite back and make afew casts you’ll understand better. Larry #:)#

Response:

I’m reading all the posts about bamboo fly rods.   Why would a person want a fly rod made from bamboo, when you can have a grafite rod? Bamboo just dose’nt make sense.

If you are a slam bam thank you ma’m fisherman, tossing and in love with the latest greatest high modulus plastic rod, you’re right cane is not for you. I love cane rods because, and imo only, 1. A good cane rod is a result of someones labor of love as a craftsman not the result of some plastic rolling off of a sheet. 2. A good cane rod forces you to slow down and enjoy the experience. 3. A good cane rod is much more forgiving than a graphite rod to casting mistakes. 4. I believe they fish better, protect tippets better, lay down flies more delicately, 5. There’s a bit of nostalgia involved which for an aging baby boomer is kind of neat. 6.They’re made with mother natures own resources, so they’re probably more eco-friendly tho I have no scientific proof, but these are opinions . 7. The weight crap is overrated. They aren’t that heavy and it is great to feel the line lay out, they almost tell you when to begin the next stroke. Let’s see if I can put another way, using a cane rod to me is akin to sex, a cane rod is like having a loving romantic relationship over time which is much more fulfilling, a graphite rod is like having a one night stand, yea it feels good for a short time but once you shoot your load, there’s nothing left. I own more than my share of graphite rods, I use them, like them.but would not be devastated if I lost them. Take my cane tho, and I’ll have to kill you. My opinion only, but you asked. Wayne Knight (remove nospam to respond via mail) Expert in the creation of  wind knots and tailing loops.

Response:

It does when you have an old reel and silk line to go with it.  It is a real trip down memory lane. Ernie Harrison Like to make fly-fishing stuff?  See: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m reading all the posts about bamboo fly rods.   Why would a person want a fly rod made from bamboo, when you can have a grafite rod? Bamboo just dose’nt make sense. — Sharp Hooks, Pat Holdzit Fishing Products Inc. http://www.holdzit.com Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Bamboo just dose’nt make sense.

Sure it dose. Bamboo, fiberglas & graphite all have plusses & minuses. It comes down to casting style and personal preference. I happen to think that bamboo is more forgiving of my lousy casting stroke. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Wayne Knight wrote … Let’s see if I can put another way, using a cane rod to me is akin to sex, a cane rod is like having a loving romantic relationship over time which is much more fulfilling, a graphite rod is like having a one night stand, yea it feels good for a short time but once you shoot your load, there’s nothing left.

Gee thanks.  Now I’ll feel cheap and tawdry next time I go fishing. Keith Brewster

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Tradition, old timey feel. nose thumbing at technology, beauty, yankee pride. Dave

Response:

I do not have much cane experience.  I have an old Montague rod.  Maybe more espensive ones may end up with my mind changed. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m reading all the posts about bamboo fly rods.   Why would a person want a fly rod made from bamboo, when you can have a grafite rod? Bamboo just dose’nt make sense. If you are a slam bam thank you ma’m fisherman, tossing and in love with the latest greatest high modulus plastic rod, you’re right cane is not for you. I love cane rods because, and imo only, 1. A good cane rod is a result of someones labor of love as a craftsman not the result of some plastic rolling off of a sheet.

I don’t care about this.  How good is the tool? 2. A good cane rod forces you to slow down and enjoy the experience.

Given the kind of fishing I do, I need a fast rod. 3. A good cane rod is much more forgiving than a graphite rod to casting mistakes.

See 2 above. 4. I believe they fish better, protect tippets better, lay down flies more delicately,

Possibly. 5. There’s a bit of nostalgia involved which for an aging baby boomer is kind of neat. 6.They’re made with mother natures own resources, so they’re probably more eco-friendly tho I have no scientific proof, but these are opinions . 7. The weight crap is overrated. They aren’t that heavy and it is great to feel the line lay out, they almost tell you when to begin the next stroke.

I find the weight a serious problem.  After about half an hour of fishing, my arm is worn out.  It is not the weight of the rod, per se.  It is the moment of inertia. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Let’s see if I can put another way, using a cane rod to me is akin to sex, a cane rod is like having a loving romantic relationship over time which is much more fulfilling, a graphite rod is like having a one night stand, yea it feels good for a short time but once you shoot your load, there’s nothing left. I own more than my share of graphite rods, I use them, like them.but would not be devastated if I lost them. Take my cane tho, and I’ll have to kill you.

Response:

(BillyFish) writes: I do not have much cane experience.  I have an old Montague rod.  Maybe more espensive ones may end up with my mind changed.

It does not have to be a more expensive one, there are lots of old cheap Heddons, South Bends, Wright & McGills, Union Hardware, etc which were good rods and don’t command premium prices. I have a project rod which used pieces of Leonard rods for a 5 wt which for a cane is a cannon. I paid $300 for the rod. It may not say Leonard, but it is a Leonard. Montagues, in most cases, are best used for tomato stakes or toothpicks Wayne Knight (remove nospam to respond via mail) Expert in the creation of  wind knots and tailing loops.

Response:

wayne and others. SNIP SNIP Let’s see if I can put another way, using a cane rod to me is akin to sex, a cane rod is like having a loving romantic relationship over time which is much more fulfilling, a graphite rod is like having a one night stand, yea it feels good for a short time but once you shoot your load, there’s nothing left.

eww… i’m starting to feel a little yucky… have cast a cane rod a few times.. felt like they could cast a line around a 90 degree corner.. just wonderful. edwin

Response:

I am a poor deprived person who has , I confess,  never even handled a cane rod much less fish with one.  To rectify this, in the light of all this debate, I  have been trying to cast with one of the wife’s bean sticks to see what the fuss was all about.  I got blank looks at the hardware store when I asked for a 4 wt – apparently they categorise them as tomato or bean and not by weight! so I came home and nicked one of hers.  Well, I have to say it did nothing for my style, such as it is, and the neighbours, already used to the sight of me flinging fly lines deep under the trees in the garden and trying to curve cast around the posts on the kids climbing frame, just took it all in their stride. George, you must wave a magic wand over a piece of bamboo to turn it into a rod, that’s all I can say. Yes I’ve read the G site (or should that be "spot"? )on how technological this bamboo thing is  - and now you guys have got me going.  I have got to see a real cane rod and have a cast with it just to compare it to my graphite and boron rods and see what all the fuss is about! Bendy bamboo to you all DBJ I don’t practice what I preach as I am not the sort of person I preach to! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Bamboo just dose’nt make sense. Sure it dose. Bamboo, fiberglas & graphite all have plusses & minuses. It comes down to casting style and personal preference. I happen to think that bamboo is more forgiving of my lousy casting stroke. — Ken Fortenberry

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Gee thanks.  Now I’ll feel cheap and tawdry next time I go fishing.

But will you respect it in the morning? Wayne Knight (remove nospam to respond via mail) Expert in the creation of  wind knots and tailing loops.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wayne Knight wrote … Let’s see if I can put another way, using a cane rod to me is akin to sex, a cane rod is like having a loving romantic relationship over time which is much more fulfilling, a graphite rod is like having a one night stand, yea it feels good for a short time but once you shoot your load, there’s nothing left. Gee thanks.  Now I’ll feel cheap and tawdry next time I go fishing. Keith Brewster

Mark Faulkner, recalling those years gone by

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Bamboo may not make sense, and I guess classic Jaguars, MG’s, and Porsches don’t either. But that doesn’t keep them from putting more grins on my face. There’s more to driving enjoyment than airconditioned, fuel-injected cars from the Pacific Rim, and there’s certainly more to fly fishing than casting a whole line with a graphite rod… Regards Jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m reading all the posts about bamboo fly rods.   Why would a person want a fly rod made from bamboo, when you can have a grafite rod? Bamboo just dose’nt make sense. — Sharp Hooks, Pat Holdzit Fishing Products Inc. http://www.holdzit.com Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

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Question:

I will be fishing this weekend – September 19th and it is my first time fly fishing the holy waters.  What is the best fly for this time of year.  Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks, Big Mac.

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I will be fishing this weekend – September 19th and it is my first time fly fishing the holy waters.  What is the best fly for this time of year.  Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks, Big Mac.

Mac: Things can be a little slow this time of year, but you should find some small BWOs in the early morning and pot luck the rest of the day.  Check in at Gates Au Sable Lodge on M-72 east of Grayling or the Fly Factory at Ray’s canoe livery downtown.  Both places should be able to put you onto what’s working best. John B

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Question:

Beginning angler, need advice: What would be best live/artificial Baits to catch Catfish & Bass? What should be the best locations in the streams (no current, fast current, ponds, depths, etc…) where Catfish or Bass are concentrated? Thank you very much indeed.

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Brian, I haven’t done alot of catfishing but I ran across a guy the other day and he said he uses a product called junnies (do a search on the web). he said he bought the stuff off the internet and that a catfish guide told him about it he stated that the guide had the maker come fishing with him and they caught 10 to 1 (maker vs. guide). I do alot of creek fishing and catch alot of bass. I use a lure by rebel called a creek hopper. On a good day I catch and relese about 30 (1/2lb to 1 1/2lds) bass and no telling how many sunfish. you can also check: <A HREF="http:www.tn-outdoors.comtn-outdoors.com</A for other fishing and hunting articles. happy fishing Larry

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I have found that a ball of chicken liver on a medium size treble hook works well in most situations. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Beginning angler, need advice: What would be best live/artificial Baits to catch Catfish & Bass? What should be the best locations in the streams (no current, fast current, ponds, depths, etc…) where Catfish or Bass are concentrated? Thank you very much indeed.

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I have a question:  how do you get the chicken livers to stay on the hook.  I got some fresh chicken livers to use for bait and they were the consistancy of mush.  I would have had a better chance of trying to put grape jelly on the hook.  I have heard you can freeze them but this seems like a messy job.   Any suggestions you can give would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have found that a ball of chicken liver on a medium size treble hook works well in most situations. Beginning angler, need advice: What would be best live/artificial Baits to catch Catfish & Bass? What should be the best locations in the streams (no current, fast current, ponds, depths, etc…) where Catfish or Bass are concentrated? Thank you very much indeed.

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I have found that a ball of chicken liver on a medium size treble hook works well in most situations.

BBBbbbbbbut chicken liver flies right off the hook when you’re fly fishing.  Fresh pork skin is the best way for the fly fisherman —  * Center for Computational Biology  * Montana State Bozeman  (406) 994-7061  * http://www.nervana.montana.edu/~sandy */

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Hey…. Martha Stuart of Flyfishing <g <g <g Yuk Yuk Yuk !!! Are you still using the Hot Glue gun to tie your flies (I just came across your article from the Disco era) ?. I (obviously) found it amusing as hell….sorry…<g I also saw your foam nymphs in the Umpqua book…congratulations… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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You can use strips cut from pantyhose to wrap the chicken livers in prior to placing them on the hook.  This keeps the bait on the hook but still lets the scent and blood reach the fish. A couple tips: – Cutting the pantyhose into strips prior to going fishing will spare you a significant amount of hastle from your fishing buddies. – Be careful when inserting a hook with a large barb.  It is not easy to stick the hook through the fabric.  Or better yet mash the barb down somewhat. – Let the wrapped liver soak in blood before you hurl it at the catfish. – I’ll leave the acquisition of the aforementioned garments to you.  Your wife may worry if she catches you rifling through her dresser. Good luck – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a question:  how do you get the chicken livers to stay on the hook.  I got some fresh chicken livers to use for bait and they were the consistancy of mush.  I would have had a better chance of trying to put grape jelly on the hook.  I have heard you can freeze them but this seems like a messy job.   Any suggestions you can give would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

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FROM, ANDRE !   I OFTEN TRY SEWING THREAD WITH MY CHICKEN LIVER, SIMPLY PUT THE LIVER ON A TRI -HOOK  AND PROCEED TO RAP IT ABOUT 10 TIMES ,  THAT ALWAYS WORKS FOR ME.

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Question:

Will be in the Boston area this summer, and will probably bring my fly rod with me. Any interesting waters near by?

Hi Andrea.  I’m guessing that you’re doing freshwater?  If so I’d recommend the Squannacook River in Townsend.  Close to Boston there really isn’t much except still water.  Although Jamaica Pond right in the city is heavily stocked and said to be excellent.  Out in Townsend about 45 miles +/- from the city I had an excellent night yesterday. You might call Squannacook River Outfitters in either Groton or Townsend for information.  Enjoy, Bill.

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Will be in the Boston area this summer, and will probably bring my fly rod with me. Any interesting waters near by?

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Will be in the Boston area this summer, and will probably bring my fly rod with me. Any interesting waters near by?

Plenty of great fly fishing.  The big question is what type of fishing are you looking for?  Trout?  Striped Bass?  There’s a big difference in the type of tackle.   My web site has plenty of usefull information and is update 5 times a week with fishing news for New England and more specifically Massachsetts.  http://www.geocities.com/Baja/3297/fishing.htm In short, to answer your question, there’s lots of great fishing.  If you can give us a little more info, I’m sure we can give you better tips. Tight Lines — Mark N. Cahill For E-mail remove the _Remove_This from the reply to address. http://www.geocities.com/Baja/3297

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Question:

I have a business meeting in Pullman, Washington June 28 – 21.  Are there any trout streams in the area (3 – 4 hour radius) which won’t be flooded out during that time with reasonable access to wading. Thanks for any advice. Brent Buckley

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: I have a business meeting in Pullman, Washington June 28 – 21.  Are : there : any trout streams in the area (3 – 4 hour radius) which won’t be flooded : out during that time with reasonable access to wading. Sure, take a look through the entire N. Idaho region.  St. Joe, Lochsa, Selway, St. Maries, Marble Creek, Clearwater (all forks), …etc. All will be very high water.  I would guess the St. Joe might be the best option by end of June. — 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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   Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly    : I have a business meeting in Pullman, Washington June 28 – 21.  Are    : there    : any trout streams in the area (3 – 4 hour radius) which won’t be flooded    : out during that time with reasonable access to wading.    Sure, take a look through the entire N. Idaho region.  St. Joe, Lochsa,    Selway, St. Maries, Marble Creek, Clearwater (all forks), …etc. But don’t neglect the Washington side of the Clearwater and lakes such as Lenore, Lenice, Amber to the west.  There are some pleasant small lakes around Lewiston, too.   — Laboratory for Applied Logic    Dept. of Computer Science University of Idaho             http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/~foster pgp key available at: ftp://ftp.cs.uidaho.edu/pub/foster/pgp-key.asc

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Question:

Hi there! Im a beginner and im wondering what line size rod to buy. I am from oregon and will do most of my fishing for trout- although I would like to eventually go for steelhead and salmon. I really dont want to have to buy a separate rod. Is a 7 too small for larger fish would an 8 scare off most trout? If I were only fishing for trout a 6 would be ideal. Can I buy say an 8 rod and fish with 6 line? or would the loss of controll be too much ? Any response would be much appreciated!

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Buying a rod and using undersized line defeats the loading ability of the rod. I mean loading, the tip section of the rod actually bends and creates the loop (very important) that the rod causes in the line. Confusing? Yes. I would not buy a 8 and use a 6 line nor buy a 6 and use a 8 line. That overloads the tip. I would prefer a 5 or 6 for trout. Haven’t had experience with large steelhead but would imagine you could land one but would really wear it out! Sadly, there really isn’t just one rod that does it all. You might look for a good used rod at a local dealer or flyfishing club. I’d pay more for the one I use most. Say spring for a good Orvis Green Mountain or Rocky Mountain (2 piece rods around $200) and look for a cheaper rod if I were going to fish steel head only 1 or 2 times a year.

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Question:

Hi Everyone: Has anyone seen or heard from Dennis Bitton of the Flyfishers News.  He had started a club called "Short Fat Flyfishers Club" awhile back and then poof, no newspaper and no Dennis. I would love to resurect the "SFFC" again and all its great attributes. If anyone knows Dennis Bitton or knows his whereabouts please have him get ahold of me here on the net. I have all the news articles he wrote on this subject if anyone would want to read them. The club had some simple rules. Waist- Minimum- 38"  Inseam- Maximum 30". There were special points given for baldness, 27" arm length, false teeth and so forth. There was a $5.00 member fee that went to Dennis’s lunches..:) The main point of the club was to put pressure on the wader and outdoor clothes mfg’s to create extended sized products (XXXL-XXXXXL). I don’t know about you, but I hate to buy waders with a 36" inseam just to get my girth pattern. As I remember there were about 260 members and we did succeed at one point in getting custom waders at a human cost, heck we even had L.L. Bean carry 50W 30IS Classic jeans for awhile.   If anyone is interested in either recreating this club or another one like it let me know. I will try my best to get ahold of Dennis at his last known address. Catch you all Later Keep a Mended Line Mike & Marie

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The SFFC is in the process of being revitalized.  Contact: L. C. ‘Bob’ Burnham 10522 Hartford Ave. Orofino, ID 83544 Dennis Bitton will remain as Grand Dictator. Even more promising:  They are discussing the resurrection of the newspaper-like ‘FLY FISHING NEWS VIEWS AND REVIEWS’.  Hope it happens! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Everyone: Has anyone seen or heard from Dennis Bitton of the Flyfishers News.  He had started a club called "Short Fat Flyfishers Club" awhile back and then poof, no newspaper and no Dennis. I would love to resurect the "SFFC" again and all its great attributes. If anyone knows Dennis Bitton or knows his whereabouts please have him get ahold of me here on the net. I have all the news articles he wrote on this subject if anyone would want to read them. The club had some simple rules. Waist- Minimum- 38"  Inseam- Maximum 30". There were special points given for baldness, 27" arm length, false teeth and so forth. There was a $5.00 member fee that went to Dennis’s lunches..:) The main point of the club was to put pressure on the wader and outdoor clothes mfg’s to create extended sized products (XXXL-XXXXXL). I don’t know about you, but I hate to buy waders with a 36" inseam just to get my girth pattern. As I remember there were about 260 members and we did succeed at one point in getting custom waders at a human cost, heck we even had L.L. Bean carry 50W 30IS Classic jeans for awhile.   If anyone is interested in either recreating this club or another one like it let me know. I will try my best to get ahold of Dennis at his last known address. Catch you all Later Keep a Mended Line Mike & Marie

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The SFFC is in the process of being revitalized.  Contact: L. C. ‘Bob’ Burnham 10522 Hartford Ave. Orofino, ID 83544

Hey, that fits me perfectly! <G  Orofino?  Hmm…that make me miss Kelly Creek.  It has been a couple years since I have been there.

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im a sfff. talk to me.

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