Question:

My wife and I are looking to fly fish on the white river.  can someone recomend a guide and a lodge that has cabins on the river? — Stay connected, Carl D. Sgro

Response:

My wife and I are looking to fly fish on the white river.  can someone recomend a guide and a lodge that has cabins on the river?

Try this one:  http://www.gastons.com Never been there myself, but it’s probably the best known place on the White. — http://rwpatton.home.netcom.com/

Response:

Last Feb we stayed at Rim Shoals campground. They had some nice cabins, small but clean and nice place to sleep.  I generally day trip it over there and dont spend the night much . . it’s about a 3 hour drive. Bob Patton: Where are you from ? -wayne – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife and I are looking to fly fish on the white river.  can someone recomend a guide and a lodge that has cabins on the river? Try this one:  http://www.gastons.com Never been there myself, but it’s probably the best known place on the White. — http://rwpatton.home.netcom.com/

Response:

Wayne: Me and a new buddy are heading up to the Norfork or White this Saturday for a daytrip.  Want to meet up with us Saturday morning? Memphis Jim (Inventor of the Impromptu Ozark Clave)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Last Feb we stayed at Rim Shoals campground. They had some nice cabins, small but clean and nice place to sleep.  I generally day trip it over there and dont spend the night much . . it’s about a 3 hour drive. Bob Patton: Where are you from ? -wayne My wife and I are looking to fly fish on the white river.  can someone recomend a guide and a lodge that has cabins on the river? Try this one:  http://www.gastons.com Never been there myself, but it’s probably the best known place on the White. — http://rwpatton.home.netcom.com/

Response:

My wife and I are looking to fly fish on the white river.  can someone recomend a guide and a lodge that has cabins on the river?

Norfork River Resort in Salesville, AR. Very nice, new cabins. Actually on the Norfork River, a tributary of the White, approximately 1 mile from the confluence. http://www.arkansas.com/attractions/attr_detail/r/Ozarks/id/90359/lr/…

Response:

Man I would love to but my daughter’s last fall soccer game is this saturday. I dont think it would be cool for me (also the head coach) to skip the game. Then right after it’s over I have to go to mother-in-laws birthday dinner . . . . so saturday’s booked . . . . Maybe we can hook up another time . . . -wayne – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wayne: Me and a new buddy are heading up to the Norfork or White this Saturday for a daytrip.  Want to meet up with us Saturday morning? Memphis Jim (Inventor of the Impromptu Ozark Clave) Last Feb we stayed at Rim Shoals campground. They had some nice cabins, small but clean and nice place to sleep.  I generally day trip it over there and dont spend the night much . . it’s about a 3 hour drive. Bob Patton: Where are you from ? -wayne My wife and I are looking to fly fish on the white river.  can someone recomend a guide and a lodge that has cabins on the river? Try this one:  http://www.gastons.com Never been there myself, but it’s probably the best known place on the White. — http://rwpatton.home.netcom.com/

Response:

Excuses excuses. How can you become a flyfishing hermit when you are attentive to the needs of your loved ones? Memphis Jim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Man I would love to but my daughter’s last fall soccer game is this saturday. I dont think it would be cool for me (also the head coach) to skip the game. Then right after it’s over I have to go to mother-in-laws birthday dinner . . . . so saturday’s booked . . . . Maybe we can hook up another time . . . -wayne Wayne: Me and a new buddy are heading up to the Norfork or White this Saturday for a daytrip.  Want to meet up with us Saturday morning? Memphis Jim (Inventor of the Impromptu Ozark Clave) Last Feb we stayed at Rim Shoals campground. They had some nice cabins, small but clean and nice place to sleep.  I generally day trip it over there and dont spend the night much . . it’s about a 3 hour drive. Bob Patton: Where are you from ? -wayne My wife and I are looking to fly fish on the white river.  can someone recomend a guide and a lodge that has cabins on the river? Try this one:  http://www.gastons.com Never been there myself, but it’s probably the best known place on the White. — http://rwpatton.home.netcom.com/

Response:

I understand . . . LOL  . . . It looks like the first Sat I will be able to get away is going to be the 23rd.  . . . . wayne – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Excuses excuses. How can you become a flyfishing hermit when you are attentive to the needs of your loved ones? Memphis Jim Man I would love to but my daughter’s last fall soccer game is this saturday. I dont think it would be cool for me (also the head coach) to skip the game. Then right after it’s over I have to go to mother-in-laws birthday dinner . . . . so saturday’s booked . . . . Maybe we can hook up another time . . . -wayne Wayne: Me and a new buddy are heading up to the Norfork or White this Saturday  for a daytrip.  Want to meet up with us Saturday morning? Memphis Jim (Inventor of the Impromptu Ozark Clave) Last Feb we stayed at Rim Shoals campground. They had some nice  cabins, small but clean and nice place to sleep.  I generally day trip it over there and dont spend the night much . . it’s about a 3 hour drive. Bob Patton: Where are you from ? -wayne My wife and I are looking to fly fish on the white river.  can  someone recomend a guide and a lodge that has cabins on the river? Try this one:  http://www.gastons.com Never been there myself, but it’s probably the best known place on  the White. — http://rwpatton.home.netcom.com/

Response:

Check out http://www.mtnhome.net/brf/ Dale Fulton owns a fine fly shop in Mountain Home, AR, has access to guides, and has cabins on the river.  Also see http://www.mtnhome.net/fultons/ I have no direct relationship with Dale, other than I’ve shopped there, stayed in his lodge, and generally endorse him as a fine guy. Best, John. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife and I are looking to fly fish on the white river.  can someone recomend a guide and a lodge that has cabins on the river? — Stay connected, Carl D. Sgro

Response:

Question:

Al, you are inviting PETA here?  That is tantamount to inviting meowers here.  Sometimes you are amusing, but now you have gone too far, if this is your intent. —    Go Fishing.  And may your fish be as big as your tales.    Columbia, SC  Lake Murray

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was at walmart last night and i didn’t see Steve (Stoner Lake) there. Walmart is quite the place for tackle. I was looking for live bait harnesses. Couldn’t find any. Probably because there isn’t a big market for them. Is there any instrucions anywhere how to make them for frogs, crickets, grasshoppers, hellgramights, crayfish etc. Also is part of the aversion to livebait the fact that you are sacrificing livebait for fishing. But fishing is hooking fish so what’s the big deal i was wondering what Peta types would think of it. Al

Response:

Bob writes: Al, you are inviting PETA here?  That is tantamount to inviting meowers here.  Sometimes you are amusing, but now you have gone too far, if this is your intent. —   Go Fishing.  And may your fish be as big as your tales.   Columbia, SC  Lake Murray

Bob If i feel like it I’ll invite a peta type who is also a jetskier. How does that grab you? Al

Response:

I was looking for live bait harnesses. Couldn’t find any. Probably because there isn’t a big market for them. Is there any instrucions anywhere how to make them for frogs, crickets, grasshoppers, hellgramights, crayfish etc.

OK Al, here’s something that will help you out, I found it in an outdoor magazine.  The entire ad is as follows: "Bait Stick" is a stretchy, sticky glue that will attach live insects to a hook.  Wrap a match-head-sized glob on a hook and touch the glue to an ant, salmon egg…whatever.  The bug won’t die because the glue is non-toxic; instead, the insect will thrash and kick around.  Can you think of a better fish attractant?  The glue never dries out and continues to work underwater. Insects will even stay attached when being cast with a fly rod.  ($7.50; 734-676-7772) There, now quit worrying about finding a harness to fish your live bait from.  Call the phone number, part with $7.50 US and go feed some fish. Also is part of the aversion to livebait the fact that you are sacrificing

livebait for fishing. But fishing is hooking fish so what’s the big deal The aversion has nothing to do with "sacrificing" livebait.  The aversion lies in the fact that often times while fishing livebait, a fish is gut hooked, rendering them unreleasable, or if you do, there is a strong possibility that the fish will die.  If you are paying attention to the overall attitude of the members of this newsgroup, you will notice that the majority of us would rather fish, catching and releasing them to enjoy another day.  I’m sure that most of us release in excess of 90% of the fish we catch.  It’s harder to do when the fish are gut hooked as happens more often when fishing livebait.  Also, many members feel that there is more skill involved in fooling a fish into striking an artificial than to feed livebait to a bass.  To many of us, it’s not the actual fish being caught, it’s the process of getting the strike in the first place that trips our triggers.  And if you don’t understand that, maybe you should take up golf. i was wondering what Peta types would think of it.

My thoughts on what PETA types would think of it???   Who cares??? —

Response:

I was at walmart last night and i didn’t see Steve (Stoner Lake) there. Walmart is quite the place for tackle. I was looking for live bait harnesses. Couldn’t find any. Probably because there isn’t a big market for them. Is there any instrucions anywhere how to make them for frogs, crickets, grasshoppers, hellgramights, crayfish etc. Also is part of the aversion to livebait the fact that you are sacrificing livebait for fishing. But fishing is hooking fish so what’s the big deal i was wondering what Peta types would think of it. Al

Response:

lso is part of the aversion to livebait the fact that you are sacrificing livebait for fishing. But fishing is hooking fish so what’s the big deal i was wondering what Peta types would think of it. Al

Hello Albert,   Have you ever had a mess of crickets get loose n your truck or had earthworms bust out in your fridge and crawl on the meatloaf or had a minnow jump out the bucket and wedge his way underneath the seat where he would stay and stink for Tommy Rilee

Response:

Hello Albert,   Have you ever had a mess of crickets get loose n your truck or had earthworms bust out in your fridge and crawl on the meatloaf or had a minnow jump out the bucket and wedge his way underneath the seat where he would stay and stink for Tommy Rilee

Tom No i have never had that happen to me. I’ve heard the fridge thing before. Rotting minnows under a seat make a fishing boat smell like what it should smell like. I’m not afraid of the bait or getting my hands dirty. If your afraid of the bait how are you with the fish. It’s best to think like your quarry (fish) then you will have no qualms about the bait. Al

Response:

Al, if you try and analyze what the PETA people think, it’ll drive you crazy, because they are crazy.  I’m not any proponent of hurting animals needlessly, and would never do it purposely.  I used to hunt (a lot when younger) and fished both then and now, and it doesn’t bother me to eat what I shot or caught, which meant having to dispatch them.  PETA nuts equate the equality of animals to people.  I don’t.  That includes live bait.  If you’re interested in live bait harnesses, you can probably find them on line at BPS or Cabela’s. Warren2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was at walmart last night and i didn’t see Steve (Stoner Lake) there. Walmart is quite the place for tackle. I was looking for live bait harnesses. Couldn’t find any. Probably because there isn’t a big market for them. Is there any instrucions anywhere how to make them for frogs, crickets, grasshoppers, hellgramights, crayfish etc. Also is part of the aversion to livebait the fact that you are sacrificing livebait for fishing. But fishing is hooking fish so what’s the big deal i was wondering what Peta types would think of it. Al

Response:

Question:

Had a long trip to the back of beyond.Davis creek in the Yukon-Koyukuk Alaska region.The only artificials I took were DuPont spinners.Mining is such a bore compared to fly fishing.But the 4th was memorable.I shot down about 1000 yds3 of secondary and tertiary gravels for the guys to ash.( someone has to get the gold to plate hooks with )

Thank god you are back.  Finally these environuts will get off the timber industry and start in on the mining. <g   Welcome back to a working man’s hell. Warren X#-[

Trout Dwellers Unite! Western Conclave Guru For info: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/sp_ROFF_people/wclave/wclave.html

Response:

 Had a long trip to the back of beyond.Davis creek in the Yukon-Koyukuk Alaska region.The only artificials I took were DuPont spinners.Mining is such a bore compared to fly fishing.But the 4th was memorable.I shot down about 1000 yds3 of secondary and tertiary gravels for the guys to ash.( someone has to get the gold to plate hooks with ) —  Don Thompson  Zoomie(BushBug)  ACA#3460  TLCB#335  Any Time, Any Place  Pull the chocks, lets get this kite in the air.

Response:

Question:

How many of you use a whipped loop on your fly line to which you connect your looped leaders? Seems like this makes a lot of sense … yet the books don’t really discuss it … at least the books I have read … tried it for shooting head system … works well there …. John

Response:

How many of you use a whipped loop on your fly line to which you connect your looped leaders?

<SNIP You are describing the NAIL KNOT!

<SNIP I didn’t think he was describing a nail knot.  I thought he was talking about creating some sort of ‘loop’ in the end of his fly line, not tying a loop onto the end of the line with a nail knot. Could just be my misinterpretation though (certainly wouldn’t be the first time). Dave If we didn’t have some bad days, they would call it ‘catching’, not ‘fishing’.

Response:

You are describing the NAIL KNOT! It has always bothered me that the same knot gets different names depending upon how it is used. Nail knot Whip finish Snell They all are the same knot, even if made differently.

"Whipping" is NOT a nail knot.   It involves using a smaller diameter line or thread to secure a doubled-back portion of the main line. [Large lines (what non-sailors call "ropes") are whipped with heavy twine.]   In the case of whipping a loop in the end of a flyline, it involves stripping off a section of the coating, then folding it back and "whipping" the overlap with rod-wrapping or fly-tying thread. The "whip finish" refers to the way you end "whipping,"   It is not the same as a nail knot, either!   (See page 102, "Practical Fishing Knots II," Sosin and Kreh, 1991, Lyons and Burford, New York, NY) Bob Scott Ex-Navy

Response:

How many of you use a whipped loop on your fly line to which you connect your looped leaders?

Me. Then loop to a surgeons loop in the bimini of 6′ of 20# flourocarbon. It isn’t a nail not, by the way. Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "Lie ? Me ? Never!  No, no, no, the truth is far too much fun !" – Captain Hook

Response:

To others as well. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You are describing the NAIL KNOT! It has always bothered me that the same knot gets different names depending upon how it is used. Nail knot Whip finish Snell They all are the same knot, even if made differently. "Whipping" is NOT a nail knot.   It involves using a smaller diameter line or thread to secure a doubled-back portion of the main line. [Large lines (what non-sailors call "ropes") are whipped with heavy twine.]   In the case of whipping a loop in the end of a flyline, it involves stripping off a section of the coating, then folding it back and "whipping" the overlap with rod-wrapping or fly-tying thread. The "whip finish" refers to the way you end "whipping,"   It is not the same as a nail knot, either!   (See page 102, "Practical Fishing Knots II," Sosin and Kreh, 1991, Lyons and Burford, New York, NY)

These do describe the same mathematical topological entity as a nail knot. When you ignore such properties as the size of the various lines or ropes, the fundamental structure of all these knots is the same even though they may superficially look different. Bill

Response:

Hi John, Give it a try and see if it works out for you. I have seen it on many anglers lines that have come though the stores that I have worked. 1) You can turn back the flyline and wip a loop with the core. 2) You can use some dacron line for the lopop too. 3) You can use a factory braided mono loop or make your own braided mono loop. I try to test all the different knots, connections and systems to see how they work. What you or I choose to use ourselves is meaningless as there are so many ways to do all of this. PS: I prefer to ‘needle nail knot’ the mono butt of my leader to the fly line and I do see it is very popular for fresh water fishing in the California.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many of you use a whipped loop on your fly line to which you connect your looped leaders? Seems like this makes a lot of sense … yet the books don’t really discuss it … at least the books I have read … tried it for shooting head system … works well there …. John

Response:

How many of you use a whipped loop on your fly line to which you connect your looped leaders? Seems like this makes a lot of sense … yet the books don’t really discuss it … at least the books I have read … tried it for shooting head system … works well there …. John

You are describing the NAIL KNOT! It has always bothered me that the same knot gets different names depending upon how it is used. Nail knot Whip finish Snell They all are the same knot, even if made differently. Bill

Response:

Question:

______  Is active and getting repaired. We are having wonderful discussions around the camp site.  Some are snoring away in their tents. — Mr. G.   ‘all’s fair with fur or feather’ http://216.55.26.157/vchat/   http://www.gink.com http://www.rodbuilding.com (Bamboo Is Fun) http://www.xink.com 509-243-4100 or 5500

Question:

Can anyone give me some tips about fishing the runoff. The rivers up here (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) are pretty murky and fast from the recent rains and snow melt.  I headed out to the Elbow River at the weekend but got nothing. Tried black/olive wooly buggers (to me they looked just like the rest of the debris floating by), GRHE’s and Blace Dace streamers. Not even a nibble. I tied some white and red crystal streamers tonight and may give them a go. I’m thinking that maybe something white will be more visible through the murk. Any and all advice gratefully recieved KB

Response:

In high murky river waters IMHO the best thing you cano do is keep moving and fish the margins.  The fish do not want to expend more energy than they can get from a meal.  The fast water causes them to expend too much energy so they snuggle up to obtructions – boulders, river bends, undercut banks, sand bars, downed logs.  They usually won’t move far so you have to practically hit them in the nose with the fly.  The good news is stealth is usually not an issue since their ability to perceive in murky water is limited.  I have found had some good success with large terrestrial insect patterns in high murky, summer water. Grasshoppers, beetles, bees, or imitations of large aquatics such as Royal Coachman, Humpies, Goddard Caddis and Elk Hair Caddis, fished dry, have produced some great days when the water seemed just too high, too fast, and too colored. As far as nymphs are concerned, high water dislodges tons of the suckers.  I believe the best patterns to use in these water conditions are suggestive of life, rather than exact imitations.  A furry Hare’s Ear, Beadhead Prince, and Weighted Stonefly are three of my favorites. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone give me some tips about fishing the runoff. The rivers up here (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) are pretty murky and fast from the recent rains and snow melt.  I headed out to the Elbow River at the weekend but got nothing. Tried black/olive wooly buggers (to me they looked just like the rest of the debris floating by), GRHE’s and Blace Dace streamers. Not even a nibble. I tied some white and red crystal streamers tonight and may give them a go. I’m thinking that maybe something white will be more visible through the murk. Any and all advice gratefully recieved KB

Response:

Question:

Marcus writes: I have no idea how you reel in.  I fish mostly for bass and that’s probably what I’ll fish for with this rig, but I don’t know what I’d do if a bass took the popper.  How do you set the hook?  I assume you don’t snap the rod up the way you do with a spinning rod, so what do you do?  And reeling, do you reel the bass in by stripping line, or by using the reel?  What do you do if you’ve got a ton of line at your feet and a bass takes it?  Do you let him run while you reel it in or do you strip it in? No bait.  Just flies. Marcus

Bass have a fairly tough mouth.  Generally, move the rod through an arc parallel to the water surface while simultaneously giving a hard strip with your line hand.  Once, you feel the bass fighting and you’ve got all the slack out of the line between the rod tip and the fish. Give another firm pull and try to rip his lips off, this’ll set the hook.  The hardest part about fishing with a popper is pausing the 1/2 sec between when the bass smashes your popper and setting the hook.  If you jerk too soon you’ll pull the fly out of his mouth.  For me 99.5% of the time my reel is only used to store line.  I’ve been at this a few years and have caught a few fish, but I can count on one hand the # of times I’ve had the fight a LMB from the reel.  The Hawgs, 5 lbs and above, will sometimes pull enough line to get onto the reel but its rare.  I’ve tried to reel all the slack in just to fight fish from the reel and they throw the hook while I’m putzing around.  Poppers are usually only good early in the morning and right before sun down.  Most of my LMB are caught subsurface on Clousers, Wooly Buggers, or Dell’s Merkins (yeah, the saltwater permit fly). Good Luck. Patrick

Response:

Dangit, forgot my real important question. HOW do you get the nail into the fly line?  I’ll be damned if I can get it to go in more than 3 mm. Marcus

Response:

just anwser these questens. how do you cast? how do you tell what line to use? how do you real in? how do you cast back out? what bate should i use? hi from payday8887

Response:

how do you cast? how do you tell what line to use? how do you real in? how do you cast back out? what bate should i use?

I’d like to echo these questions with some of my own.  I’m just getting into fly fishing.  I am figuring out casting.  It’s hard, but not impossible. Books are okay for this, videos better.  Ha! I know the answer to #2, use the line that matches your rod.  If you have a 7 rod, use a 7 line.  As for weight forward, double taper, etc, I dunno.  I’m using weight forward since I hear it’s easier for beginners. I have no idea how you reel in.  I fish mostly for bass and that’s probably what I’ll fish for with this rig, but I don’t know what I’d do if a bass took the popper.  How do you set the hook?  I assume you don’t snap the rod up the way you do with a spinning rod, so what do you do?  And reeling, do you reel the bass in by stripping line, or by using the reel?  What do you do if you’ve got a ton of line at your feet and a bass takes it?  Do you let him run while you reel it in or do you strip it in? No bait.  Just flies. Marcus

Response:

Question:

When I was young, a teacher of mine read from a book about fly fishing on the Brule river in Wisconsin.  Wondering if anyone knows the name of that writer or the name of any of those books.   — jm

Response:

Gordon MacQuarrie stories, published in the 40’s and 50’s in outdoor magazines, were collected in 3 volumes as "Stories of the Old Duck Hunters", "More Stories of the ODHs" and (I think) "Last Stories of the ODHs".  About half the stories are hunting, half are fishing, mainly on the Brule.  Then there was a fourth volume, "Lost Stories of the ODH", which was stuff they missed the first time thru. Gordon MacQuarrie is my favorite fishing author.  Traver and Gierach and others get as good occasionally, but every MacQuarrie story is excellent.  Henry VanDyke is a close second.   Frank Stetzer                        "…a cheerful comrade is better Employed by, but not speaking for     foot-warmer."  Henry Van Dyke, Univ of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA     "Fisherman’s Luck", 1899. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – When I was young, a teacher of mine read from a book about fly fishing on the Brule river in Wisconsin.  Wondering if anyone knows the name of that writer or the name of any of those books.   — jm

Response:

When I was young, a teacher of mine read from a book about fly fishing on the Brule river in Wisconsin.  Wondering if anyone knows the name of that writer or the name of any of those books.   — jm

Its a good bet that it was Gordon MacQuarrie. Check out this book (info from http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1572230258/t/002-4166657-7704468) I got this book for Christmas and have read it twice already. Jim Fly Fishing With MacQuarrie by Zack Taylor, Gordon MacQuarrie List: $19.50 Our Price: $13.65 You Save: $5.85 (30%) Availability: This title usually ships within 2-3 days. Hardcover Published by Willow Creek Pr Dimensions (in inches): 0.97 x 10.26 x 7.23 ISBN: 1572230258 — Jim Jacoby Mt. Horeb, WI To send a reply, remove "-take_this_out-" from the address.

Response:

When I was young, a teacher of mine read from a book about fly fishing on the Brule river in Wisconsin.  Wondering if anyone knows the name of that writer or the name of any of those books.  

Beats me!  I used to fish the brule a lot when I was a kid, and learned to flyfish there. To me it still stands as one of the most beautiful trout rivers on this planet – absolutely gorgeous.   I don’t reacll anyone writng about it at length.  There has been an article or two, and honorable mentions in guidebooks. It was in it’s time VERY popular nationally.  Teddy Roosevelt fished the Cedar Island water.  Calvin Coolidge liked the Brule so much they named the hwy that follows it south from US 2 after him.  Dwight Eisenhower had friends with a house at the lower end of Big Lake, and fished there often. I suspect that many other notables fished there too. If there is a book out there that speaks of the Brule, I’d love to find a copy. BTW:  what prompted this teacher to use that book.  Why did it stick with you?  have you ever been there?  A thread on the Brule would be a pleasant diversion – I do have a story or two of my own about her. </chaz

Response:

Perhaps we had the same teacher.  My fourth grade teacher read me "Rascal", by Sterling North.   This is a heart-rendering book set in Southern Wisconsin, during the 1910’s, about a boy and his pet racoon.  Part of the book relates the wonderful trip that Sterling and Rascal had to northern Wisconsin, much of it along the Brule.  I recently read the book to my children and they love the story as much as I did then and still do now.  A definite top ten book in my life.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -When I was young, a teacher of mine read from a book about fly fishing on the Brule river in Wisconsin.  Wondering if anyone knows the name of that writer or the name of any of those books. — jm

Response:

Thanks for the help from folks.  To answer Chaz’s questions.  I think he read from it because he loved fishing.  I think I remember it because it sounded like such a great place and it was in Wisconsin.   My question was prompted because I work at Wisc Public Television and we are working on a show about fishing in Wisconsin for Aug 99 and the Brule will be featured in the show.   jm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – BTW:  what prompted this teacher to use that book.  Why did it stick with you?  have you ever been there?  A thread on the Brule would be a pleasant diversion – I do have a story or two of my own about her. </chaz

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Gordon MacQuarrie stories, published in the 40’s and 50’s in outdoor magazines, were collected in 3 volumes as "Stories of the Old Duck Hunters", "More Stories of the ODHs" and (I think) "Last Stories of the ODHs".  About half the stories are hunting, half are fishing, mainly on the Brule.  Then there was a fourth volume, "Lost Stories of the ODH", which was stuff they missed the first time thru. Gordon MacQuarrie is my favorite fishing author.  Traver and Gierach and others get as good occasionally, but every MacQuarrie story is excellent.  Henry VanDyke is a close second. Frank Stetzer                        "…a cheerful comrade is better Employed by, but not speaking for     foot-warmer."  Henry Van Dyke, Univ of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA     "Fisherman’s Luck", 1899. When I was young, a teacher of mine read from a book about fly fishing on the Brule river in Wisconsin.  Wondering if anyone knows the name of that writer or the name of any of those books. — jm

This is my first post in a NG.  Absolutely, yessir, right on, AMEN. MacQuarrie is without peer.  Every one of his short stories a classic. I fished the Bois Brule in Northwestern WI (not to be confused with the "Border Brule" in Upper Michigan) for the first time last summer.  It was just great visiting the places MacQuarrie mentions in his writings.  It was like visiting an old friend.  I will be back again this year.  Then maybe someday the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan in CO and maybe someday the Yellowstone area with all the great spots out there.   Then maybe ….?

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<snip   My question was prompted because I work at Wisc Public Television and we are working on a show about fishing in Wisconsin for Aug 99 and the Brule will be featured in the show.   jm

Kewl! If you have any say in what gets filmed take a look at the water around Cedar Island.  Used be a resort/lodge – lately owned by the Ordway family.  Classic, beautiful trout water.  I used to sneak into the lower end when I was a kid, and fish my brains out. Teddy Rooselvelt fished there.  Stories tell that before teddy arrived, the folks at the hatchery downriver in Brule netted out a bunch of big brood fish they usually kept in a big pool, put them in one of the rearing runs and starved them for a couple days.  The day before The Man arrived at Cedar Island they turned these hungry monsters loose in a side channel with pools the lodge owners had dug for their guests.  The President would be assured of "good fishing". Another good run would be just below Big Lake.  Wildcat Rapids.  There’s no public access to this water except by canoe, so it won’t be real crowded.  This was my favorite stretch as a kid.  The Caretaker for one of the properties there was a friend of my Grandpa’s and would let us in when the owners weren’t around.  I’d give my eyeteeth to get back in there, I can tell you.  In fact there could be an angle here – local boy returns to his favorite water after 30 years – hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm – pay my way out and I’ll talk to my agent;-).  After we’re done filming, we’ll ditch the camera ops and I’ll take you over to the White. And I’d love to see your show. </chaz

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This is a copy of a press release about a Wisconsin fishing program in current production.  If you have stories or if you know great story tellers, we’d like to see and hear it.  Get your hands on a video camera and follow the instructions below.  Thanks.   xxx :-  xxx :-  xxx :-  xxx :-  xxx :-  xxx :-  xxx :-  xxx :- xxx :-  xxx :-  

FISH TALES SOUGHT FOR Wisconsin Public Television SPECIAL         It’s been said that every angler has a great story to tell, and Wisconsin Public Television wants to hear yours!         WPT is preparing a special on fishing in Wisconsin that will air in August 1999.  As part of the effort, we’re seeking fish stories from anglers all over Wisconsin.         "We’re looking for all kinds of tales," says producer JoAnne Garrett. "Not just the stories about the biggest fish or the longest struggle, although we’d like those, too.  We also want to hear about how fishing helped form family bonds and family memories, stories about fishing that touch the heart."         Tale spinners with humorous stories also are sought.         Stories should be documented on VHS tape with a video camera.  Send tapes to: Fish Tales, c/o JoAnne Garrett, Wisconsin Public Television, 821 University Ave., Madison WI 53706.  Deadline is Sept. 1.  If you want your tape returned, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Jon Miskowski Wisconsin Public Television

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Question:

M.W. Thank you for your insight.  You have some great ideas!  I know almost everybody is in to the $$$ side of fishing, but I prefer to get started without getting soaked.  Wow a $15 rod.  Although it’s glass, what a price.  I’m headed to WalMart and Kmart today to check out their stock. FYI, almost everybody has recommended a 8 1/2 5/6wt rod, then some good line and going cheap on the reel.  BTW, a couple of people have recommend the St Croiz ProGraphite rod ($70).  They say it’s a super rod that I won’t have to throw away. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For Jimmy D. Geek, From what I have experienced, you don’t have to spend alot of money to get into fly fishing.  I started with a Shakespear 9′ glass rod, with a Martin 61 real loaded with #7 floating line. The reel was only about $9-10, but did everything it needed to do, hold line when its not in the water.  I "upgraded" last year, with a 8′ Diawa graphite composite rod ($15) and another Martin 61’s. I loaded # 5 floating line on this reel. I fish the small streams and rivers of Missouri. If you don’t have alot to spend, or don’t want to get in very deep at first you might try this approach. Check out what is included in the combos, refer to some basic books, and maybe talk to an expert about a good balance between rod length an line weight. Then maybe you can find less expensive alternatives to the pricer models.  A good mid range combo that you will likely see mentioned for a range of conditions, is a 5 or 6 weight line on a 81/2-9′ rod.  I have caught some nice fish and spent some nice time in the water while(with the help of a few books) teaching myself to cast. This was done often to the disgust of a few very decked out fellow fly fishers down the way who were coming up dry.  You might try a book by Joseph F. Petralia, called Flyfishing, First Cast to First Fish!  Its a good step by step how to guide. Good luck and good fishing. M. W. Hensley

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For Jimmy D. Geek, From what I have experienced, you don’t have to spend alot of money to get into fly fishing.  I started with a Shakespear 9′ glass rod, with a Martin 61 real loaded with #7 floating line. The reel was only about $9-10, but did everything it needed to do, hold line when its not in the water.  I "upgraded" last year, with a 8′ Diawa graphite composite rod ($15) and another Martin 61’s. I loaded # 5 floating line on this reel. I fish the small streams and rivers of Missouri. If you don’t have alot to spend, or don’t want to get in very deep at first you might try this approach. Check out what is included in the combos, refer to some basic books, and maybe talk to an expert about a good balance between rod length an line weight. Then maybe you can find less expensive alternatives to the pricer models.  A good mid range combo that you will likely see mentioned for a range of conditions, is a 5 or 6 weight line on a 81/2-9′ rod.  I have caught some nice fish and spent some nice time in the water while(with the help of a few books) teaching myself to cast. This was done often to the disgust of a few very decked out fellow fly fishers down the way who were coming up dry.  You might try a book by Joseph F. Petralia, called Flyfishing, First Cast to First Fish!  Its a good step by step how to guide. Good luck and good fishing. M. W. Hensley

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Question:

Can anyone recommend a flyshop in Racine, WI (or further south) who could advise me on the steelhead fishing on the Root River?  Any guide recommendations? Many thanks, Bob McAnulty

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Can anyone recommend a flyshop in Racine, WI (or further south) who could advise me on the steelhead fishing on the Root River?  Any guide recommendations? Many thanks, Bob McAnulty

You could try the old Steelhead Hotline #. 414-382-7920. Another # used to work as well 382-7921 or 7929. I haven’t called these in about 2 yrs as the "scene" on the Root doesn’t do it for me (scene reads ‘mob scene’). I don’t know the flyshops in Milwaukee or Racine. Jon

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Hello Bob: Call Bob Blumreich at Silver Doctor Flyfishing guide service. (608) 756-2184. Good luck! Clay

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