Question:

You are not going to want to hear this but . . . . . . you are going to have to become a better fisher if you want to catch larger fish in a Westside river within reach of the Seattle metro. Specifically, you will have to learn to work with the seasonal movements of the fish, the seasonal scouring of the rivers, etc. And you will need to learn to fish the Salt for Silvers and Cutts. If you want it easier or to learn faster, hire a guide and fish the Yak, or the Coast with Chris Bellows if he will have you. You will also do better if you walk in more, avoid the most populat places on weekends, become better with the map, stalk and hunt rather than plop and wait. Move. etc. And then there is always going very light and enjoying the small fish. They are mostly natives by the way. In terms of river tactics, focus more on improving your presentation, than acquiring every pattern imaginable. Dave

Response:

The problem you are facing is that the majority of the fish in those west side rivers are sea run and what you are most likely catching is steelhead or salmon smolts.  What you want to do is find them on their way back in. The Wynoochee river used to have a pretty good summer steelhead run as well as the Kalama.  The North Fork of the Stilliguamish is FF only and has summer runs as well, but it wasn’t much good when I lived over there. Starting in July you can catch sea run cutthroat in the lower section of the Stilly.  When I lived there the South Fork of the Stilly was stocked every summer, but I don’t know if they still do that.  The pink salmon come up the rivers every other year starting in August and those are a lot of fun on a fly rod.  This is the off year I think though.  If you have your heart set on trout, you might think about getting a float tube and fishing the lakes. There are some guys who can catch those sea-runs on dry flies (I was never one of them), but for the most part it’s below the surface.  Nothing like the eager cutts on dry flies that you are used to. I too grew up in North Idaho/Eastern Washington.  Moved to the Seattle area for fifteen years.  Got absolutely sick and tired of all the people, so I moved back.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Brief description of situation: I grew up in Northern Idaho, used to fly fish with the folks. We’d go up to the Lochsa, Marble Creek, the St. Maries, etc… We’d fish for native cutthroat, barbless, catch & release. I now live in Seattle. Recently I’ve found myself with lots of free-time (read laid ff  ) and a desire to get out in the woods a little. Here’s my problem: A friend and I have gone out fly fishing a number of times and have been nothing but skunked. Not quite completely, I pulled in a lot of 3-4 inchers at the Skookumchuck but other than that we’ve had no luck on Skate creek, the Clear & Muddy forks of the Cowlitz, the Green, Snoqualmie MF and SF… We haven’t seen any surfacing or fish at any of these places other than the Skookumchuck. Now listen, we’re beginners and we know this and do not expect miracles… We also know that the waters of many rivers/streams/creeks are very high right now. But, what we’d really like to do is go somewhere where we stand a decent chance of catching (and releasing) a few nice trout, hell anything over 6 inches will seem gargantuan to us. Can anyone help us? I used to be a native trout snob… It seems they’re a little scarcer here than in Idaho… I know no good fishery needs more pressure here in Western Washington, and I know everyone likes to keep favorites secret… But it’d do my buddy and I world of good to get some positive reinforcement by just catching a few. Are there any currently fishable trout streams in Western Washington? Thanks a million to anyone who responds.

Response:

Brief description of situation: I grew up in Northern Idaho, used to fly fish with the folks. We’d go up to the Lochsa, Marble Creek, the St. Maries, etc… We’d fish for native cutthroat, barbless, catch & release. I now live in Seattle. Recently I’ve found myself with lots of free-time (read laid ff  ) and a desire to get out in the woods a little. Here’s my problem: A friend and I have gone out fly fishing a number of times and have been nothing but skunked. Not quite completely, I pulled in a lot of 3-4 inchers at the Skookumchuck but other than that we’ve had no luck on Skate creek, the Clear & Muddy forks of the Cowlitz, the Green, Snoqualmie MF and SF… We haven’t seen any surfacing or fish at any of these places other than the Skookumchuck. Now listen, we’re beginners and we know this and do not expect miracles… We also know that the waters of many rivers/streams/creeks are very high right now. But, what we’d really like to do is go somewhere where we stand a decent chance of catching (and releasing) a few nice trout, hell anything over 6 inches will seem gargantuan to us. Can anyone help us? I used to be a native trout snob… It seems they’re a little scarcer here than in Idaho… I know no good fishery needs more pressure here in Western Washington, and I know everyone likes to keep favorites secret… But it’d do my buddy and I world of good to get some positive reinforcement by just catching a few. Are there any currently fishable trout streams in Western Washington? Thanks a million to anyone who responds. begin 666 wink.gif M^00%/ “`"P““`#P`/`($“`#__P#W[_````".(0]F<0`%B(UIY:GA2 M#[0)0C6(I!.*HSINY%C&L=L]BJ?17<1=_NY$"UWH?HVS1ZG4;“"’Y 3;W5T(&UO<F4N`5534U!#350`.P“ ` end

Response:

Question:

I seen a FF trade show listed for Somerset NJ on Jan 22-24. Does anyone have the particulars.  Location and Hours.  Thanks Wes

Response:

I seen a FF trade show listed for Somerset NJ on Jan 22-24. Does anyone have the particulars.  Location and Hours

Hi Wes, The flyfishing show in Somerset, New Jersey is scheduled for January 29, 30 and 31. The promoters have a website at: www.flyfishingshow.com Please check that site to confirm that these dates are correct. Regards, Anthony Ritter www.gonefishing-gs.com

Response:

Tony it’s Rich Johnson, in your response make sure you tell these folks that Lou tabory is at our show at the Nassau Coliseum the same weekend Thanks The Fishing Line radio & TV shows RJ Productions For info on text or advertising call 516-889-6895

Response:

Question:

Hello. Can anyone provide the genus/species of a mayfly currently hatching here in Vermont. The fly is white, emerges at dusk in large groups, essentially immediately turns into a spinner and kind of "dances" an inch or so above the surface.  They are really common, and I’m sure this is a really basic question… but I’d like to know. thanks. john

Response:

Can anyone provide the genus/species of a mayfly currently hatching here in Vermont. The fly is white, emerges at dusk in large groups, essentially immediately turns into a spinner and kind of "dances" an inch or so above the surface.  They are really common, and I’m sure this is a really basic question… but I’d like to know.

Perhaps Ephoron leukon.  It must be too late for Potamanthus. Photographs of both are probably in Swisher/Richards or Caucci/Nastasi. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

Can anyone provide the genus/species of a mayfly currently hatching here in Vermont. The fly is white, emerges at dusk in large groups, essentially immediately turns into a spinner and kind of "dances" an inch or so above the surface.  They are really common, and I’m sure this is a really basic question… but I’d like to know.

John, It is the Ephoron leukon. James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings http://pobox.com/~uncle

Response:

 The fish key on those bad boys don’t they !  White seems to be a major trigger from my experience… — TimW Halfordian Golfer UNCLEJAMVT wrote in article – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Can anyone provide the genus/species of a mayfly currently hatching here in Vermont. The fly is white, emerges at dusk in large groups, essentially immediately turns into a spinner and kind of "dances" an inch or so above the surface.  They are really common, and I’m sure this is a really basic question… but I’d like to know. John, It is the Ephoron leukon. James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings http://pobox.com/~uncle

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone provide the genus/species of a mayfly currently hatching here in Vermont. The fly is white, emerges at dusk in large groups, essentially immediately turns into a spinner and kind of "dances" an inch or so above the surface.  They are really common, and I’m sure this is a really basic question… but I’d like to know. John, It is the Ephoron leukon. James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings http://pobox.com/~uncle

Hey there, Jim.  My son and I have been fishing the Winooski in the riffles above the tressle the last few days and when these white flies are out the place comes alive with "jumping" fish. We can dap, plunk cast, drag free float over these fish without a look. How do you sucessfully fish this "event"? BHB — Remove "send_no_spam_" from address for e-mail response. Barkley Bull =

Response:

Hello. Can anyone provide the genus/species of a mayfly currently hatching here in Vermont. The fly is white, emerges at dusk in large groups, essentially immediately turns into a spinner and kind of "dances" an inch or so above the surface.

Dear John: Ephron Leukon: i.e. White Fly.  They were the 1st mayfly hatch documented in "the Colonies" by ole’ Tom J. himself Jason Beary

Response:

  Hey there, Jim.  My son and I have been fishing the Winooski in the riffles above the tressle the last few days and when these white flies are out the place comes alive with "jumping" fish. We can dap, plunk cast, drag free float over these fish without a look. How do you sucessfully fish this "event"?

I don’t think the whitefly event is the only event going on.  The fish are definitely jumping up for the skittering egg layers, but there is also some emerger feeding for sure.  I don’t know it’s the same species or not.  The "dancing" egg-layer is definitely hard to imitate, but I’ve had some success with a White Wulff size 12 and 14.  In the riffles, the floats are pretty short anyway (before you get drag), so I guess it is kind of a dap and plunk.  I have had no success imitating the emerger event however.  Various wet flies have been working, but not during what seems to be a highly selective evening "event". For e-mail responses, remove the "Spam_Stopper_" from my return address before sending.

Response:

Hey there, Jim.  My son and I have been fishing the Winooski in the riffles above the tressle the last few days and when these white flies are out the place comes alive with "jumping" fish. We can dap, plunk cast, drag free float over these fish without a look. How do you sucessfully fish this "event"?

White soft hackle….let swing and line tighten in the riffle….slowly(and I mean slowly) raise and lower the rod tip as if the emerger is trying to break the film, fails and tumbles back down.  Good luck. Interested to know how you do. James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings http://pobox.com/~uncle

Response:

Is that YOU there?? I’ve been down lower in the pools (and up higher by the rocks..). Nice to cyberly meet you.  I can get a fish or 2 to take on a white dry (a little smaller than natural), but only at the VERY beginning of the hatch. Later a spinner (white, same size) fished dry with a twitch or two can get a take. BUT, I also think the main event is subsurface.  I’m going to try chucking a nymph (tied with a lighter-colored fluffier wing case) upstream from the hatch, letting it go dead drift into the rises (leaps!) and then bring it to the surface right in front of the fish. john – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   Hey there, Jim.  My son and I have been fishing the Winooski in the riffles above the tressle the last few days and when these white flies are out the place comes alive with "jumping" fish. We can dap, plunk cast, drag free float over these fish without a look. How do you sucessfully fish this "event"? I don’t think the whitefly event is the only event going on.  The fish are definitely jumping up for the skittering egg layers, but there is also some emerger feeding for sure.  I don’t know it’s the same species or not.  The "dancing" egg-layer is definitely hard to imitate, but I’ve had some success with a White Wulff size 12 and 14.  In the riffles, the floats are pretty short anyway (before you get drag), so I guess it is kind of a dap and plunk.  I have had no success imitating the emerger event however.  Various wet flies have been working, but not during what seems to be a highly selective evening "event".

Response:

SNIP . How do you sucessfully fish this "event"? White soft hackle….let swing and line tighten in the riffle….slowly(and I mean slowly) raise and lower the rod tip as if the emerger is trying to break the film, fails and tumbles back down.  Good luck. Interested to know how you do.

I think this is good advice. Ive been near the trestle several days this last week and these fish are either jumping clear and taking spinners 2-3" above the surface (exciting to watch) OR are working benaeth the surface. Dun or spinner floating are simply refused (at least in my experience). THis limits me, at least, to an emerger. BUT, If anyone knows how to keep a spinner 2" above the surface and never land it, Id like to take lessons!! john

Response:

these fish are either jumping clear and taking spinners 2-3" above the surface (exciting to watch) OR are working benaeth the surface. Dun or spinner floating are simply refused (at least in my experience). THis limits me, at least, to an emerger. BUT, If anyone knows how to keep a spinner 2" above the surface and never land it, Id like to take lessons!!

Simple! Capture a half-dozen or so of the duns, and leash them to your fly using strands of hair. Chuck the whole rig out there and PRESTO!…your fly lifts off the surface. Tiny choke collars are helpful in case your team spooks. Try not to lose too many flies, or you’ll soon be bald. If you’re already bald, bring a hairy friend along. Don’t bring your S.O. or children, unless you think they’d look good bald. Best not attempted among bats, martins, swallows, etc. Best not attempted. *NOTE TO THE HUMOR-IMPARED, WHICH MAY INCLUDE ME* Sorry for the joke, but I couldn’t resist. I know there are folks out there trying to crack this hatch, and it can be a tough one, like many fall (i.e., low-flow) hatches. I don’t think it helps that the bright white naturals are *really* visible to the fish, making an imitation stand apart all the more. Try fishing faster water if possible. I used to fish this hatch on West Canada Creek near Herkimer NY, (featured in one of those gawd-damn magazines recently) and had *some* luck using a pure white parachute, although I did have my share of refusals. Of course, the fish I caught could have been hopped up on goofballs and not known any better;-) Dave

Response:

 Cast into a bush ?  take david copperfield along with you ?  helium filled wing-pads ? telekenesis ?  Inquiring minds want to know !!! — TimW Halfordian Golfer FarAndFine wrote in article – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Ever hear of the "blow fly technique"?  Read Borgers ‘Presentation’ and you’ll learn how to kee a fly two feet above the water without ever landing it.  No kidding.

Response:

Ever hear of the "blow fly technique"?  Read Borgers ‘Presentation’ and you’ll learn how to kee a fly two feet above the water without ever landing it.  No kidding.

Response:

    Dave Best not attempted among bats, martins, swallows, etc. I almost caught a swallow once during a thick hatch of large Light Cahills.  My #12 was floating on a placid stretch, just getting to the point where a brown was rising, when a swallow swooped out of nowhere, picked it off the water, carried it about 10 feet downstream (past where the trout was, BTW), and dropped it.  I still wonder what it would have been like had that swallow hooked itself.  =8-O Cheers, — Dave Guertin

Response:

  Dave Best not attempted among bats, martins, swallows, etc. I almost caught a swallow once during a thick hatch of large Light Cahills.  My #12 was floating on a placid stretch, just getting to the point where a brown was rising, when a swallow swooped out of nowhere, picked it off the water, carried it about 10 feet downstream (past where the trout was, BTW), and dropped it.  I still wonder what it would have been like had that swallow hooked itself.  =8-O Cheers,

      We were in the Pecos last weekend, my son was fishing the cowels pond at dusk. He had two "creatures" flying around him and following his casts. One finally caught the fly on the backstroke and he slammed it into the pond. He said he caught a bird but I got to looking at them fly around, short bodies, no tail. I told him thats not a bird, that’s a bat! "Whoa! I caught a Bat!" he said "That’s sweet!" BTW he was using a #12 elk hair caddis, bat bait!

Response:

I caught a swallow on a #12 elk hair caddis near the Lyons bridge on the Madison about five years ago….  in the presence of a conservation officer for Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks.  

Response:

The Ephoron hatch is impressive. I fished it several times this year with good success.  If you watch the duns emerge, you should notice that they struggle to get our of their shuck, do a little tumble, and than are in the air. The hatch starts slow, with flies flying close to the water surface.   Next you see the trout trying to take the fly in mid-air.  I have tried a almost presentation; make a few false casts low over the area you have seen a fish, than with your final cast stop the fly about 2 feet above the water and let it float to the surface.  The take is sometimes in the air and sometimes as the fly touches the water, or sometimes nothing—— them just as they get to the surface or as they struggle to get out of their shuck.  The pattern that has worked the best for me and my fishing buddy JM, is the Usual – size #14.  Also, try a emerger with a trailing shuck of Zelon, white dubbed body, and a short wing/thich thorax, the wing can be snowshoe rabbit or Zelon. JWTrout

Response:

Question:

This is a multi-part message in MIME format. Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii I am an M.D., but I doubt that the Rx that you request would carry much organization tha will arrange fly fishing trips that WILL satisfy all parties involved..It’s called CLASSIC SPORTS INTERNATIONAL at 1 800 375-5692…I’ve used them and they do what they claim. Moe Skeeter Hi All… I am in need of a physician willing to prescribe a lifetime of flyfishing to cure my illness(es)…if you can make it believable and FAX it to me on your letterhead, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks ! — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Best wishes. Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type:

Response:

        I am an M.D., but I doubt that the Rx that you request would carry much weight with your spouse, boss or IRS….HOWEVER there is a small organization called CLASSIC SPORTS INTERNATIONAL at 1-800-375-5692 that can help you. I’ve tried them and they really do what they promise. Best wishes.

Response:

This is a multi-part message in MIME format. Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii    I am an M.D., but I doubt that the Rx that you request would carry much weight with your spouse, boss or IRS….HOWEVER there is a small organization called CLASSIC SPORTS INTERNATIONAL at 1-800-375-5692 that can help you. I’ve tried them and they really do what they promise. Best wishes.

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type:

Response:

What’s your fax number?

I wonder if I can have the flyshop bill the insurance company directly ? — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

Hi All… I am in need of a physician willing to prescribe a lifetime of flyfishing to cure my illness(es)…if you can make it believable and FAX it to me on your letterhead, I’d really appreciate it.

Actually, you need a psychiatrist for that.   John Fereira

Response:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I am in need of a physician willing to prescribe a lifetime of flyfishing Actually, you need a psychiatrist for that.

You mean. . . proctologist. anglerboy — Trout fear me, Women want me. Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit <HTML<BODY

<BR<I</I <BR<I&gt;I am in need of a physician willing to prescribe a lifetime</I <BR<I&gt;of flyfishing</I <BR <BRActually, you need a psychiatrist for that. </BLOCKQUOTE You mean. . . proctologist. <BR <BRanglerboy <BR&nbsp;&nbsp; <BR <BR– <BRTrout fear me, <BRWomen want me. </BODY </HTML

Response:

Is this covered by an HMO ?

Response:

     I am in need of a physician willing to prescribe a lifetime      of flyfishing      Actually, you need a psychiatrist for that. You mean. . . proctologist.

…yes, there is a fine line between the fish and the asshole on the bank… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

What’s your fax number?

Steve’s one doc who understands the gravity of this ailment.

Response:

I am in need of a physician willing to prescribe a lifetime of flyfishing Actually, you need a psychiatrist for that. You mean. . . proctologist.

When they told me that my new flyrod came with it own handy carrying case, that’s not quite what I had in mind. You wouldn’t be able to tell whether I was coming or going. John Fereira

Response:

Hi All… I am in need of a physician willing to prescribe a lifetime of flyfishing to cure my illness(es)…if you can make it believable and FAX it to me on your letterhead, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks ! — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

What’s your fax number?

Response:

Moe….Yeah…me too !!  I’d like mine to say that it’s specifically for "job stress".  All we need is an MD whose willing to cooperate. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All… I am in need of a physician willing to prescribe a lifetime of flyfishing to cure my illness(es)…if you can make it believable and FAX it to me on your letterhead, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks ! — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

I am in need of a physician willing to prescribe a lifetime of flyfishing to cure my illness(es)…if you can make it believable and FAX it to me on your letterhead, I’d really appreciate it.

…Go to your favorite stream; Catch and eat 2 Brookies, then call me in the morning…..No wait! Tommorow’s Saturday..I’ll be playing Golf…. Dr. K

Response:

I am an M.D., but I doubt that the Rx that you request would carry much organization tha will arrange fly fishing trips that WILL satisfy all parties involved..It’s called CLASSIC SPORTS INTERNATIONAL at 1 800 375-5692…I’ve used them and they do what they claim. Best wishes.

Response:

Question:

I’ll be in Albuquerque the last week of June for a conference.  I’ve scheduled a trip on the San Juan, but does anyone have any info on what’s available within a short drive of Albuquerque.  My conference ends everyday at 4:30 and I would like to fish in the evening if posssible.

There are several nice streams to fish in the Jemez. I’ve made it from Albuquerque to the Jemez streams in less than an hour on numerous occasions.  You’d be able to get in at least an hour or so of fishing in the pm if you hustle.  check- http://www.thereellife.com/reellife/reports.htm – to see what the current reports are in the jemez.  Good luck! — James Mahan — Please include J Mahan in subject line of email replies.

Response:

I’ll be in Albuquerque the last week of June for a conference.  I’ve scheduled a trip on the San Juan, but does anyone have any info on what’s available within a short drive of Albuquerque.  My conference ends everyday at 4:30 and I would like to fish in the evening if posssible.

Response:

That’s almost funny.  The closest decent fly fishing to Albuquerque is 1 1/2 hours in the Jemez Mountains.  Everything else if farther.  The San Juan is over 4 hours from town.  This is why I’ll be leaving the very enchanting state and heading for Michigan later this year. Gunner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’ll be in Albuquerque the last week of June for a conference.  I’ve scheduled a trip on the San Juan, but does anyone have any info on what’s available within a short drive of Albuquerque.  My conference ends everyday at 4:30 and I would like to fish in the evening if posssible.

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Question:

Can anyone reccomend a good guide/outfitter near Marathon Key?  We will be there in January and are just frothing at the mouth to wet a fly.

Response:

Try calling Tim Carlisle in Sugarloaf Key.  He can be reached at TJ’s Sugar Shack in Sugarloaf.  The number is listed in information (305 area code).  Sorry I don’t have my phone book with me.  You can also rent a boat at TJ’s and do it yourself.    If you are brave of heart, and a very good fly-fishing angler then call Lenny Moffo.  You can reach him through SEA BOOTS OUTFITTERS.  Tell them that I recomended Lenny but be prepared to have a hard day of fishing if you are not at the top of your game.  Lenny is a cantancorous (sp?) prick but he will put you on more fish than any other guide in the Keys or Everglades. Good luck! Ralph Curd

Response:

Gil drake and Jose Wejebe call information for the florida keys I think there both in key west. Mark Gervase

Response:

The Keys guides I have most enjoyed fishing with:         1) Bob Trosset in Key West (1-305-294-5801, I think)         3. Tom DeMoss in Islamorada  (1-305-852-9359)         Trosset is one of the deservedly famous flats guides, so he’s hard to book, but it’s always worth a call, in case he has a cancellation. Cutchin is less well known, but also heavily booked. I booked DeMoss on short notice through the concierge at Cheeca Lodge.         Besides being good guides who will put you into fish and make you a better fisherman than you would be without them (which is what guiding is supposed to be all about), these three guys are also fun to fish with. Some famous guides are so unpleasant and irascible, I wouldn’t fish them even if they paid me instead of the usual arrangement! Book one of the three above, and you will have a fine day on the water, even if the wind is blowing hard from the northeast and the fish have lockjaw. — Gary A. Soucie – writer, editor, angler TEL 1-301-322-8373;  FAX 1-301-322-4329 3007 Crest Ave., Cheverly, MD 20785 USA

Response:

Question:

I have recently moved to Durham, NC to pursue a Ph.D. in economics at Duke University and would be interested in hooking up (no pun intended) with fellow angler(s) to fish some of the wild trout water in the western part of the state.  I have a little knowledge of the streams out that way and my time is extremely flexible between now and the beginning of September.  If you are interested, drop me a note at: Tight Lines! Randy Walsh

Response:

Randy: There’s an Orvis shop on 9th street that should be able to help.  My favorite places to fish in NC were in Stone Mountain State Park (Bullhead Creek?),Sparta on the Little River, a small stream in Whitehead nearby, and Laurel Creek (cannot remember name of town).  I understand the Davidson River near Asheville is also doing well.  You may also consider a drive to the Smith River in Virginia, which has improved drastically since I was last there.  Sorry this is so sketchy.   Have fun, Manuel Monasterio Trinity 1988

Response:

Question:

After a long break away from fly fishing (but fishing extensively in salt water), I want to begin fly fishing for stripers. In an attempt to start out with a decent but not overly expensive rod, I was considering purchasing a 9 weight Cabela’s Fish Eagle PT rod for $140.00. Comments please. Thank you. Baron Briggs

Response:

start out with a decent but not overly expensive rod, I was considering purchasing a 9 weight Cabela’s Fish Eagle PT rod for $140.00. Comments please.

I have the PT in the 4 weight 4 piece.  My favorite rod, over and above my others from Orvis, Redington, etc.  However, the rod is somewhat slow, and I’m not sure if the 9wts are similar.  If so, a faster rod may be better for throwing into wind, bigger flies, etc.  Btw, Cabela’s Cahill reels are fine for trout and bluegill (I have 3 of them), but I doubt they’d be sturdy enough for saltwater/big fish. Jerry Cobb Nashville, TN

Response:

Question:

The reason is pretty simple, I guess. The popularity of FF is right in the beginning and hasn’t reached it’s peak so far. Sometimes you cannot wait until everything is destroyed and devastated, you should do something before that happens. I think that thinking about how to manage a crowd flooding our rivers (and I don’t mean trout) is a legal and necessary.                              Thomas    I hate crowded streams as much or more than anyone, but I have never seen conditions that would actually "destry or devastate" a stream.  Before anyone goes crazy regulating access, etc they had better remember that government is notoriously hard to undo.  Any regulations will, for all practical purposes, be permanent.   Rob Gregoire

It is not enough to examine legislation in the light of the benefits it will convey if properly administered. It must also be minutely scrutinized in the light of the wrongs it would do and the harms it would cause if improperly administered… dWEST — Who is wise? He who learns from everyone.

Response:

I heard about GA stocking.  How do the locals dig out the trout after they free-fall and auger into the mud?  Though some hardware anglers in VA spread the word about the arrival of a stocking truck, I don’t believe they ever used the term "in-coming" for such an event.  I do know of a guy named Jeff in Carroll County, VA, who would be ready for aerial stocking with a landing/rescue net from the local FD. VA Angler

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Why not just stop worrying about it and wait untill this bolus of popularity passes through the system. — "A Bad Day Fishing Is Better Than A Good Day At Work" Web Page:  http://www.tiac.net/users/macaw

The reason is pretty simple, I guess. The popularity of FF is right in the beginning and hasn’t reached it’s peak so far. Sometimes you cannot wait until everything is destroyed and devastated, you should do something before that happens. I think that thinking about how to manage a crowd flooding our rivers (and I don’t mean trout) is a legal and necessary.                               Thomas

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Why not just stop worrying about it and wait untill this bolus of popularity passes through the system. — The reason is pretty simple, I guess. The popularity of FF is right in the beginning and hasn’t reached it’s peak so far. Sometimes you cannot wait until everything is destroyed and devastated, you should do something before that happens. I think that thinking about how to manage a crowd flooding our rivers (and I don’t mean trout) is a legal and necessary.                              Thomas

    I hate crowded streams as much or more than anyone, but I have never seen conditions that would actually "destry or devastate" a stream.  Before anyone goes crazy regulating access, etc they had better remember that government is notoriously hard to undo.  Any regulations will, for all practical purposes, be permanent.    Rob Gregoire

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"Most of these people are too lazy to walk upstream to where the real fishing is.  Maybe that is why  they stock close to roads." Or maybe it is because hachery trucks don’t fly.                         Mike in PDX                "When the trout are lost, smash the state."                                            Tom McGuane

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Or maybe it is because hachery trucks don’t fly.

Yes they do!  The State uses helicopters to stock sections of at least one river here in GA. Johnny

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Or maybe it is because hachery trucks don’t fly. Yes they do!  The State uses helicopters to stock sections of at least one river here in GA. Johnny

  A large number of High lakes in the Sierra  are stocked by air as well. When you see it ,it scares the hell out of you, large USFS like tankers unload on the lake. Cutbacks are in line for that program from what I understand   Harry

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A good river can handle a lot of good fisherpersons.  A few inconsiderate fisherpersons will mess up any river.  Remember also that the more people who buy licenses, the more money the stocking programs will have, although I usually avoid heavily planted areas.  Catch and release and tread lightly, support your local river protection groups. See ya on the river, Mike

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"Remember also that the more people who buy licenses, the more money the stocking programs will have" Excellent point.  Best reason to not buy a license that I’ve hear recently.                         Mike in PDX                "When the trout are lost, smash the state."                                            Tom McGuane

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Or maybe it is because hachery trucks don’t fly. Yes they do!  The State uses helicopters to stock sections of at least one river here in GA. Johnny

There is a significant difference between a helicopter and a truck. Therefore, I think Brother Leitheiser is pretty close to correct in his conclusion. <BSEG CZW — Virtuous and vicious everyone must be, Few in the extreme, but all in the degree.

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That flyfishing may be ruined by too many people doing it is as likely as sunrises being ruined by too many people watching them.

This comparison would certainly be valid if flyfishing didn’t involve fish… Tim —

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Seems like the only place around here that there is any pressure is within short walking distance to any road.  Most of these people are too lazy to walk upstream to where the real fishing is.  Maybe that is why they stock close to roads.  Keeps the animals away from the quality and peaceful fishing areas. –

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That flyfishing may be ruined by too many people doing it is as likely as sunrises being ruined by too many people watching them. As long as some places get crowded, some people will make the extra effort to seek out their own special place. Eventually they will learn to be selective about with whom they share that treasure. If everyone were flyfishing they wouldn’t have time to screw up the environment or the economy, commit crimes against persons or do any number of things that make a brief and too infrequent escape from the present everyday world so appealing. Just a thought… — Ken Clark Ft. Lupton, CO

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A common thread in this group is that fly-fishing has been ruined.  I agree that the sport has been over-commercialized and some of the old waters are over-crowded.  HOWEVER, I have managed to find some magnificent streams in the states where I have lived (ID, MT, MN).  Sure, the Henry’s Fork is packed and the FF experience there has been seriously degraded, but half of the fun is EXPLORATION of unknown watersheds. A second thread I would like to address is the idea that Fly-Fishing goes through 5 steps.  Recreation/Leisure research has shown that, for any sport, the more one pursues that sport, the more they transcend from the simple physical aspects of the sport to focus on the spiritual/intellectual aspects.  Similarly, a geographic perspective has shown that as Fly-Fishers become more experienced in their sport, access requirements become less strict.  Car access gives way to short foot trail access to long trails to trailless access.  I hypothesis that there is a direct correlation between difficulty of access and the level of experience. Good gosh, I sound like a bean-headed academic!  Guess I am – but I’m also a FF who finds his old Eagle Claw pack rod completely sufficient, enjoys a cold beer instead of the requisite scotch and attempts to minimize the load of hardware when going into the field. Oh yeah, one more thing – Remember hang-gliding and those other "faddish" sports?  I know people that were really into golf in the late 80s & early 90s – now they’re into FF.  Fads change & typically take the fad-seeking population with them. Just some thoughts to help pass an extremely cold day in the frozen wastelands of northern Minnesota. Jonathan Vlaming Duluth, MN temp this morning: -43 w/out windchill factor

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Question:

I don’t really understand what your saying. Are you saying that you don’t want people to sell directly to the public or are you saying that this guy is an idiot by advertising cheep flies? How much do you spend on flies, total and for each one? TimFLYFISH Dream of flyfishing, but also let the fish dream. C & R

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Amen, my brother!

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John, Do you have Al Rogers’ telephone number? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I wanted to let the group know of an inexpensive source for mail order files.  He is Al Rogers, Box 297, Etowah, N.C. 28729.  Al sells about 30 kinds of flies in various sizes, including most of the old standards, and every fly is $0.85 each.  You get an order form, send it in with your check, and get the flies about three weeks later.  The flies are nicely tied and very satisfactory.  I have been buying his flies for about 3 years now. I don’t have anything to do with Al’s business, but just wanted to pass this information on to anyone interested.  If others have their own sources for inexpensive mail-order flies, I’d love to hear about it!  Perhaps they sell a type that Al doesn’t. To the purists, sorry, but I get pretty bored churning out umpty-ump gray nymphs or whatever.  I pretty much limit my tying to "fun" flies or saltwater flies nowadays.

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Great. Decent flies at .85 a pop. Lemme see now, Um, Blah Blah Blah, I wanted to let the group know of an inexpensive source for mail order files.  He is Al Rogers, Box 297, Etowah, N.C. 28729.  Al sells about 30 kinds of flies in various sizes, including most of the old standards, and every fly is $0.85 each.  You get an order form, send it in with your check, and get the flies about three weeks later.  The flies are nicely tied and very satisfactory.  I have been buying his flies for about 3 years now.

Hmm,  My hooks cost me, ohh 10 to 15 cents a pop, thread costs x, Decent feathers cost y, and umm, my time is worth nothing, so , ,   If I tied pro, I could undercut this guy, by say, um 20% to my local shop, they tack on 50 points to cover themselves when only half of ‘em sell, they almost break even, , ,   Umm, so I could, by tying 5 dozen a couple of times a week, starting out with a couple of hundred bucks, , ,    be broke in only 2 months.  Great! Hey, I got no problem with a fellow selling direct. Thats how he earns his keep and no doubt his flies are great. Do the rest of the folk out there a favor. If you don’t want to tie yer own. Be aware what it takes to turn a buck in this trade.   I shell out bucks fer flies, I got no problem with it. Usually they are tied by someone who cares, sold by someone who likes to sell that sort of stuff to someone who likes to fish. Hey, even if the flies are tied in Kenya, at least its flies I’m buyin and not elephant ivory. If thats how Kenya wants to make a buck more power to ‘em. Wish others would follow suit.   What is wrong with a shop keep turning a buck???

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I wanted to let the group know of an inexpensive source for mail order files.  He is Al Rogers, Box 297, Etowah, N.C. 28729.  Al sells about 30 kinds of flies in various sizes, including most of the old standards, and every fly is $0.85 each.  You get an order form, send it in with your check, and get the flies about three weeks later.  The flies are nicely tied and very satisfactory.  I have been buying his flies for about 3 years now. I don’t have anything to do with Al’s business, but just wanted to pass this information on to anyone interested.  If others have their own sources for inexpensive mail-order flies, I’d love to hear about it!  Perhaps they sell a type that Al doesn’t. To the purists, sorry, but I get pretty bored churning out umpty-ump gray nymphs or whatever.  I pretty much limit my tying to "fun" flies or saltwater flies nowadays.

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