Question:

A while back there was a posting that had this open or active portal concept. It was set up at a college or something and dealt with fly fishing. Does anybody still have the link for it? Thanks in advance, — Jamie http://clik.to/flyfish

Response:

Thank you if you bothered to answer me. I finally found it. Here is the link if anyone is interested. http://www.active-portal.com/cgi-bin/genpage?cat=1031242&page=1&verbo… — Jamie http://clik.to/flyfish – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A while back there was a posting that had this open or active portal concept. It was set up at a college or something and dealt with fly fishing. Does anybody still have the link for it? Thanks in advance, — Jamie http://clik.to/flyfish

Response:

Question:

To the tune of "Way down upon the Swanee river" <bastard rod rendition snipped only for the sake of brevity

Mike, you never cease to amaze me. Imagine, a Brit, who resides in Germany, writing a tune to mimic my native states revered and favored song by the nineteenth century American songwriter, Stephen Foster. obroff: The Suwanee River originates in Southern Georgia in the Okeefenokee Swamp. It slowly meanders down into Florida where many beautiful aquifer fed springs pump many more gallons of pure clear water into it diluting the tannic nature from the great Georgia swamp. It eventually flows into the Gulf of Mexico. It is a wonderful fishery and even supports a protected sturgeon population. –Walt — 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:

One of the greatest and most haunting tunes ever written. My favourite banjo song. Obroff:  When flyfishing for pike the worn out top string of a banjo makes an excellent leader tippet, although silk wound mandolin strings are even better. TL MC

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My favorite is Dueling Banjo’s. Ernie Harrison

<snip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -One of the greatest and most haunting tunes ever written. My favourite banjo song. <snip

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Important revision after reading through !!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So think of this when you cast your Bastard, what one man may achieve, with hope and guts and a little bit of money, the fruits you now perceive, no matter what the world may say about it, one really must admire, the drive and guts and hard determination, to be a Bastard sire ! Tight lines ! Mike Connor

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To the tune of "Way down upon the Swanee river" Way down upon the old Snake river, one fine summer day, a dare was accepted there to build a bastard, and George set out to find a way, a first class rod of noble  lineage, the most perfect Bastard known, even dark ones would be made to order, on a brand new mill at home. The first attempts were fraught with problems, getting the right Bamboo, but this barrier was soon surmounted, and he set out to search for glue, the glue was found, and it was brilliant, so he carried on the scheme, the first few rods were not quite his standard, marred by the odd glue seam. A couple of butts were the first real station, on his lonesome road, the tips were harder, but he shouldered the burden, of his heavy load, a new mill head was then invented, and the tips at last took form, a wrapping machine, and several incidentals, took the rodbuilding world by storm The way was hard, and seemingly unending, but the target is now in sight, a good cane rod for just a few poor dollars, maybe George was really right, all those who scoffed and his plan derided, are now feeling rather small, He came he saw he boasted of his prowess, and now he

Question:

You may want to try some attractant, it may or may not actually attract them but the confidence boost can do wonders.  Try some beef liver cut into strips, it stays on the hook better.  If you own a pair of binoculars use them.  Most of all have fun and don’t give up! I promise fish will come, I saw (on TV) a trout hit a trolled plastic Batman action figure and your using better bait then that. Chris www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/4724/

Last summer my kids used gummy worms at my father-in-law’s farm pond, and caught a couple of catfish and a largemouth.  It was a very hot day though, and before long, the rest of the worms had melted into one big glob  :-(

Response:

.ONE LAST THING …SCENT OF YOUR HANDS HEAVY SMOKING,GREASE ,OIL WILL DETER A FISH FROM BITING,ANY LURE MOST OF THE TIME .. Just to add to the last angler’s comments…….Never wash your hands with soap…..If you have to, use some Berkeley Erase and put on your hands. Good fishin’ Garry

You may want to try some attractant, it may or may not actually attract them but the confidence boost can do wonders.  Try some beef liver cut into strips, it stays on the hook better.  If you own a pair of binoculars use them.  Most of all have fun and don’t give up! I promise fish will come, I saw (on TV) a trout hit a trolled plastic Batman action figure and your using better bait then that. Chris www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/4724/

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Try livebait, if you don’t catch something soon, change body of water; experiment!… Take your time and observe what’s going on around you  [and definitely, READ].

Response:

Some basic rules :  Use purple or Grape colored 6in. plastic Throw in rock piles & heavy brush near shoreline off the main channel move plastics about 6_12 in. at a time in slow or fast jerks. Always pause for a moment between jerks. thats when you watch the line for twitches . At this point set the hook as hard as you can.                  try this.

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 T I M E…YOU JUST HAVE TO PUT YOUR TIME IN…..AND AS FAR AS YOUR NEIGHBORS GO…TELL THEM YOUR A CATCH AND RELEASE TYPE OF GUY…CONSERVATION…..YOU WANT YOUR CHILDRENS CHILDREN TO CATCH FISH ON CATCHING SOME FISH ,START FISHING AROUND OTHER PEOPLE,WATCH WHAT THEY DO!!!!!!! HOW THEY CAST,BAIT ,RIG THEIR POLES….TALK TO OTHER PEOPLE LURE,SLOW,FAST,BROKEN RETREIVE) DONT BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS…GO TO A COUNTY LIBRARY…READ….ORRENT A MOVIE…THEY SHOULD HAVE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO’S ON ALL TYPES OF FISHING….ONE LAST THING …SCENT OF YOUR HANDS HEAVY SMOKING,GREASE ,OIL WILL DETER A FISH FROM BITING,ANY LURE MOST OF THE TIME …I HOPE THAT WILL BRIGHTEN YOUR

Response:

Suggest you try Lafayette Reservoir during the winter months for trout.  Use four pound test, with a small slip sinker, that ends at a snap swivel; a leader of 18" to 24" with a snap swivel on one side and a size 14 or 16 gold treble hook on the other; baited with rainbow, flourescent orange, yellow or green power bait.  Take a row boat to the East Cove in the morning before the sun hits the water.  Cast and let it settle to the bottom – wait.  This is a great way to catch stockers up to 5 lbs.   It is what I usually do when the Sierra is in a cold freeze until the rivers are open for flyfishing.  Wear WARM CLOTHES.  Tight lines. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i love to fish. the problem is, i don’t know how. i usally fish the stocked lakes here in the san francisco-east bay because it’s the only type of fishing that my work schedule will allow me to do.i fish for bass, trout,and catfish.i use a bigger seperate pole for the cats, using chicken livers, while throwing spinners and plastic worms for bass , and power bait for trout, but i never catch any fish. maybe i need rigging skills, i don’t know, but my nieghbors always see me leave with poles and come home with no fish, but it’s even more embarassing when i take some of the son’s of my wifes friends, (or even worse) my own 5 year old daughter who only likes to go when we catch fish.                                                              please help                                                                   cakeman300

  vcard.vcf

< 1K Download

Response:

i love to fish. the problem is, i don’t know how. i usally fish the stocked lakes here in the san francisco-east bay because it’s the only type of fishing that my work schedule will allow me to do.i fish for bass, trout,and catfish.i use a bigger seperate pole for the cats, using chicken livers, while throwing spinners and plastic worms for bass , and power bait for trout, but i never catch any fish. maybe i need rigging skills, i don’t know, but my nieghbors always see me leave with poles and come home with no fish, but it’s even more embarassing when i take some of the son’s of my wifes friends, (or even worse) my own 5 year old daughter who only likes to go when we catch fish.                                                              please help                                                                   cakeman300

Response:

.ONE LAST THING …SCENT OF YOUR HANDS HEAVY SMOKING,GREASE ,OIL WILL DETER A FISH FROM BITING,ANY LURE MOST OF THE TIME ..

Just to add to the last angler’s comments…….Never wash your hands with soap…..If you have to, use some Berkeley Erase and put on your hands.  Good fishin’ Garry

Response:

I’d say Chris covered the best basics, and I’d like to add this cause it happened to me when I started fishing years ago. Do not,I repeat, do not sit around all day Saturdays watching Dance, Houston, Winkleman, Orlando, Lindner,etc , because you’ll wind up tossing 2oz.spinnerbaits, porko fanbelts, carolina rigs, pop-r’s and  rattletraps  tied to 50 lb spiderwire  on some big ass 7 foot pole. Your on a "shit" streak,so rig light line no bigger than 6lbs. for a while. Remember that plastic worms are still on record as catching more bass in more situations than any other lure including live worms. When you are absolutely sure you are fishing too slow, …. SLOW DOWN some more!  "Do sumpin" lures often do something all right .. they keep you casting and retrieving so much,a fish would need a rocketpac just to catch the ‘ damn things! hope this helps ..Saint                                            *Z*  ~ The Saint                                                        

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Pleats Dockers Faggots Gierach Orvis Ralph, Dave, Ken, John K, lil ol me Catch & Release TU Money People who don’t contribute enuff to ROFF ROFF Flyfishing I gotta wonder what you do like, and why you spend so much time here? I also gotta wonder if the reason for your break from here was because that pleated pants east coast faggot asshole John K wouldn’t let you play on company time?

Normally I would not respond to this sort of taunting,  but I like you because you are from Kansas. I have been gone becaue my mother died very suddenly and I am crushed. — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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Pleats Dockers Faggots Gierach Orvis Ralph, Dave, Ken, John K, lil ol me Catch & Release TU Money People who don’t contribute enuff to ROFF ROFF Flyfishing I gotta wonder what you do like, and why you spend so much time here? I also gotta wonder if the reason for your break from here was because that  pleated pants east coast faggot asshole John K wouldn’t let you play on  company time? Back to work.. . John Nesselrode Shawnee, KS

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Pleats Dockers Faggots Gierach Orvis Ralph, Dave, Ken, John K, lil ol me Catch & Release TU Money People who don’t contribute enuff to ROFF

People who do contribute, but have the gall to disagree with him. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ROFF Flyfishing I gotta wonder what you do like, and why you spend so much time here? I also gotta wonder if the reason for your break from here was because that  pleated pants east coast faggot asshole John K wouldn’t let you play on  company time? Back to work.. . John Nesselrode Shawnee, KS

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Question:

I want to purchase a float tube for use in the Tasmanian Lakes. What are the best regarded float tubes in the USA and where is the best place for me to order one? (assuming this can be done on the net) Thankyou Nicholas Brand Melboure Australia

Hi Nicholas,   I am fishing in Tasmania this November. I hear that they wade in the shallow flats of their lakes for big browns. We like J.W.Outfitters, Buck’s Bags and Wood River for the best quality in US made floating devises. Round float-tubes have been popular for the last 30 years, but we see the Wood River V-boats taking a bigger share of the market now. Pontoon boats are great, but not as popular as the old round or V-boats in volume. I would look at http://www.bobmarriotts.com/ as they sell internationally. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

Response:

I want to purchase a float tube for use in the Tasmanian Lakes. What are the best regarded float tubes in the USA and where is the best place for me to order one? (assuming this can be done on the net) Thankyou Nicholas Brand Melboure Australia

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Question:

  Does anyone have info on the Big Hole in July . I have to drop the Wife off in Salmon, ID. so I thought I would try fishing the Wisdom area. I have never been in that part of Montana and could use some help, where to stay , fish etc. We will be coming from  Ennis, Mt.    Thanks    Harry

Response:

  Does anyone have info on the Big Hole in July .

Harry: Call and book a trip with Dick Sharon at Fishing Headquarters in Dillon, MT.  You can get the number from information–I believe the area code is 406.  He’s a great guide, and you will love the Big Hole. dcook

Response:

 Does anyone have info on the Big Hole in July . I have to drop the Wife off in Salmon, ID. so I thought I would try fishing the Wisdom area. I have never been in that part of Montana and could use some help, where to stay , fish etc. We will be coming from  Ennis, Mt.   Thanks   Harry

Hi Harry, If you are coming through Ennis, don’t overlook the Madison River. I like the section below Ennis where it breaks into channels before it goes into Ennis Lake. Regarding the Big Hole: There are plenty of motels, etc in Wisdom, Wise River, and Melrose if that is your interest. If you plan on camping, you can do so at most (not all) Montana state fishing access points. Good Luck. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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Question:

I’m considering adding outriggers to my 22′ fishing boat.  Before I do, however, I thought I might try out planer boards which are set up to plane out to the side as the boat moves forward.  I would then attach a release clip to the planer board so that the line would free up from the board if a fish strikes.  It would seem to me that this type of system would be more practical on a small boat than outriggers.  Has anyone out there tried out this approach?  What have been your experiences? regards, gs Gary Segal, MD; Dept. of Medicine, UCI/VAMC, 5901 E. 7th Street, Long Beach,                         "AYMATAI"

Response:

Sideplaners are very popular in the Great Lakes and probably the best bet as you use them when you need them and leave them when you don’t. Another easy option is some long rods.  I troll with 12 foot fly rod blanks turned out as trolling rods to get the separation I like. Another trick little item is a Downjigger — we’ll have some add pages on that in my Fine Fishing magazine — finefishing.com — in the next few days.  This sppeds and slows trolled lures to improve results. Sort of like rowing without blisters. Oh Fine Fishing has 600,000 words, 200+ articles, a half dozen recent awards etc. and like the NAOG material on our site, covers a lot of trolling if that’s what you like.  I’ll have a new So Cal saltwater editor on in the next couple of weeks too.a

Response:

: I’m considering adding outriggers to my 22′ fishing boat.  Before I do, : however, I thought I might try out planer boards which are set up to plane : out to the side as the boat moves forward.  I would then attach a release : clip to the planer board so that the line would free up from the board if a : fish strikes.  It would seem to me that this type of system would be more : practical on a small boat than outriggers.  Has anyone out there tried out : this approach?  What have been your experiences? : I tried outriggers on my 20′ boat. I wasn’t very happy with the result. The smaller boat simply rolls too much, whipping the outriggers, putting a lot of strain on the gunwale mounts and jerking the baits. About the only thing that planer boards can’t do as well is to trail surface baits a long way behind the boat. They are also a little harder to work; you should have two people in the boat to manage them easily. — We sense that life is a dark comedy and maybe we can live with that. However, because the whole thing is written for the entertainment of the gods, too many of the jokes go right over our heads.     (D. R. Koontz)

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Question:

Help!  The good news is that I’m going on a dive trip in a few weeks to Puerto Rico and Grand Cayman.  The bad news is that I’ve never caught a bonefish and would sure like to fix that during this trip.  Anybody out there have some knowledge about flyfishing these areas for bones, permits, tarpon, whatever.  I’m looking for locations, outfitters, phone numbers, anything.  I live in Southeast Alaska and would be glad to return the favor for anglers heading this way next year.

If you call the Cayman Is. Tourism board in (I think) New York, they will send you the current copy of the Cayman Angler, which lists current action, as well guides. I’ve tried the west side of Puerto Rico several times with no luck as far as bones go (found cuda, jacks, snappers, etc.). The SE corner looked more promising but I haven’t gotten a chance to go back. I met a guy from P.R. in a tackle shop in Maine, and he said the lagoons around the airport and San Juan all hold tarpon, which he regularly took on spinning gear. There is one guide in P.R. who advertises in the back of Saltwater Sportsman too. He appears to be more offshore oriented, but he may be able to help you out. If you can’t find a copy let me know, I’ll try to dig it up.                                                         jc

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Help!  The good news is that I’m going on a dive trip in a few weeks to Puerto Rico and Grand Cayman.  The bad news is that I’ve never caught a bonefish and would sure like to fix that during this trip.  Anybody out there have some knowledge about flyfishing these areas for bones, permits, tarpon, whatever.  I’m looking for locations, outfitters, phone numbers, anything.  I live in Southeast Alaska and would be glad to return the favor for anglers heading this way next year.

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Question:

says… Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them. All I know is what I read about them in their catalog. Never heard of anyone really using this setup…the guy at the local Orvis shop thought they had been discontinued until I showed them to him in the catalog.

It’s a great leader for the small stream technical fishing that I do here in the Blue Ridge Mtns. It lays out nice with no memory and is the best leader by far I’ve ever used for bow and arrow casting into small pockets under and around mountain laurel. I’ve never used it for wide open water so I can’t comment on it for that but I suspect it would more than suffice for stillwater situations where you would desire a light presentation. I don’t believe I’d use it for nymphing. –Walt

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forgot to mention one thing…. throw away the mono bimini-twist tippet they provide. THAT IS A PIECE OF JUNK  and will cause you nothing but pain, frustration and agony on the river. I build my own 2 to 6 foot tippet addition with a loop to connect to the braided leader. –Walt

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says… Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them. All I know is what I read about them in their catalog. Never heard of anyone really using this setup…the guy at the local Orvis shop thought they had been discontinued until I showed them to him in the catalog. Check out the new Airflo leaders. They’re available in floating and several

different sink rates. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s a great leader for the small stream technical fishing that I do here in the Blue Ridge Mtns. It lays out nice with no memory and is the best leader by far I’ve ever used for bow and arrow casting into small pockets under and around mountain laurel. I’ve never used it for wide open water so I can’t comment on it for that but I suspect it would more than suffice for stillwater situations where you would desire a light presentation. I don’t believe I’d use it for nymphing. –Walt

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i use them for nymphing all the time.. the braided section tends to grip a strike indicator very well and the bimmini twist in the tippet helps to turn over a wieghted

fly quite well.. the only trouble i have had with them is that they tend to streach a bit when striking a fish Steve

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…

I use braided leaders all the time, for surface flies and nymphs, mostly because they’re soooo easy. But they also work. This topic comes up every now and then, and the only real criticism that I can resonate with is that they tend to hold water and so can create a spray. This can scare spooky fish, especially in flat water, but false casts cure it.

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… I use braided leaders all the time, for surface flies and nymphs, mostly because they’re soooo easy. But they also work. This topic comes up every now and then, and the only real criticism that I can resonate with is that they tend to hold water and so can create a spray. This can scare spooky fish, especially in flat water, but false casts cure it.

 Airflo also produce a tapered leader called ‘Polyleader’ – these have a  monofilament core surrounded by a tapered coating which does away with  the splashing problem.  About 5 feet long, you just tie on a mono  tippet as for the braided type and they turn over pretty well.  cheers all,  Dave — Fishy pix of N.Wales at:  http://xavier.bangor.ac.uk/dlane/fishing/ He that is giddy thinks the world turns round.

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Dave,     I have used the AirFlo leader and found it to be very useful.  For a beginning fly fisher my local shop suggested I skin back a little of the tippet end of the leader to expose the core and tie a loop.  I can then change tippets with a simple handshake knot very quickly.  The setup certainly casts very well with my limited ability and offers great flexibility as I make up various size tippets in advance. Wayne To fish is human…to release devine.

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Dave,    I have used the AirFlo leader and found it to be very useful.

Ditto, I find the Airflo Poly leader the best I’ve ever used. Wes

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Tom, I have been using an Orvis braided for about a year now, for dry’s , nymphs and streamers. I am still using the same leader, where as before I would go through a dozen leaders a season (actually saves me $).  They are great, hardly ever knot up, but when they do you must be very careful because you can ruin it picking it apart. They tend to sink easier tham mono, but when fishing a dry a little floatant takes care of the problem.  They turn over great and have no memory. Scott Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them. All I know is what I read about them in their catalog. Never heard of anyone really using this setup…the guy at the local Orvis shop thought they had been discontinued until I showed them to him in the catalog.

– Scott Maxwell http://www.page.az.net/scud

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: They are too expensive at $9-10. I got a 9′ 5X about 3 months ago and : it has fallen apart (fished once a week). Flies that have a tendency : to twist (hoppers) will tangle a lot faster. After a couple of trips, : it started to fray and cause the line to tangle even more. : On the other hand. There is little memory. Just rig the line off the : reel. I have an Orvis line with the loop and it makes a good fit. It : did seem to help with controlling drag. No problems casting small : drys. : I wish it would be a little more durable or a little less expensive. : I might buy another but only use it when casting small drys. : Michael L You may want to try the AirFlo braided leaders.  I’ve been using them for several years and really like them.  They’re more durable than the Orvis leaders and they seem to float better as well. I also really like their lack of memory.  A little more spray than monofilament leaders (tho not much); but not a problem if you don’t make your first cast after pickup over the fish you are casting to (a good idea even if you’re not using braided leaders).  I’ve used these leaders with really small flies on spring creeks (Silver Creek and the Henry’s Fork) and not ever had a problem with presentation or spooking fish due to a braided leader (of course I usually fish downstream in these situations).  In fact the braided leader usually allows me to make a better presentation because it has so little memory.  I think the AirFlo leaders cost around $7-8.  They also have sinking braided leaders with different sink rates; makes it easy to create a sink tip from your floating line (or give your sinking line a little more "sink" at the tip). – Ward — —  Ward Foster            Hewlett-Packard, Boise Idaho

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Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them. All I know is what I read about them in their catalog. Never heard of anyone really using this setup…the guy at the local Orvis shop thought they had been discontinued until I showed them to him in the catalog.

Hi All, This all happened about 10 years ago here in California. Orvis and others brought in the tapered braided leaders and they soon died off. I hear that they are alive and well in Europe. Try it, you might like it? Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them. All I know is what I read about them in their catalog. Never heard of anyone really using this setup…the guy at the local Orvis shop thought they had been discontinued until I showed them to him in the catalog. Hi All, This all happened about 10 years ago here in California. Orvis and others brought in the tapered braided leaders and they soon died off. I hear that they are alive and well in Europe. Try it, you might like it? Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

Hi! I use them for nymphing on big rivers, With small dries and small creeks I use mono. I think they are best for big waters and bigger fish. In other words the opposite opinion from earlier writers on this subject. Hans

Response:

Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them. All I know is what I read about them in their catalog. Never heard of anyone really using this setup…the guy at the local Orvis shop thought they had been discontinued until I showed them to him in the catalog.

Response:

Tom, When they first came out Orvis was giving away samples so I took one and stuck it in my tackle box where it remains still in its wrapper. I make my own leaders.  If you want it give me your mailing address and I will send it to you. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-Mail Selling my Fly Fishing Books Go to: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them.

Response:

They are too expensive at $9-10. I got a 9′ 5X about 3 months ago and it has fallen apart (fished once a week). Flies that have a tendency to twist (hoppers) will tangle a lot faster. After a couple of trips, it started to fray and cause the line to tangle even more. On the other hand. There is little memory. Just rig the line off the reel. I have an Orvis line with the loop and it makes a good fit. It did seem to help with controlling drag. No problems casting small drys. I wish it would be a little more durable or a little less expensive. I might buy another but only use it when casting small drys. Michael L – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them. All I know is what I read about them in their catalog. Never heard of anyone really using this setup…the guy at the local Orvis shop thought they had been discontinued until I showed them to him in the catalog.

Response:

Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them.

– I purchased one 8-ft braided section (w/4-ft 5X tippet) this spring based on the recommendation of a friend who also gave me some other advice… 1.  Trash the 4-foot bimini twist tippet with the package 2.  Loop a 3-foot section of 3X to the braided leader 3.  Tie on a 4-foot section of 5X-7X depending on conditions 4.  Dress the braided leader with a very light wax/silicone coating     to prevent water uptake and enhance floatability Makes a good 15-ft small tippet leader that turns over like a 9-foot knotless tapered leader.  I have had good success with this set-up fishing both small drys and nymphs on the tailwater streams here in NE TN this season.   Still fishing the original braided section (over 15-trips), but it probably won’t make it to next season. My understanding is that Orvis has coated the braided sections (see #4 above) on some of the later versions of this leader set-up due to problems with water uptake and misting.             | /              |/    (         /|     —     / | C. Michael Bullard The Yellar Hammer

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Jim.  Buy one roll of 5x braided and then in a warm well lighted room try to thread a freshly cut section of braided tippet through the eye of a # 20 hook.  This may help you decided if you want to switch over

I’m actually interested in a braided butt section, since that is the part that is really stiff.  I plan to stick with mono tippets, since they’re flexible enough.  I think a braided butt would be better for eliminating drag. — Jim Benenson                 Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA "The commonplace is only the self-constructed wall that separates us from the marvelous"  Tom Brown, Jr.

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I own a set of Orvis braided leaders.  While they do produce tight loops, they soak up water.  This make them heavy to pick up on the backcast and you run the risk of spooking fish with the spray during false casts. Lastly, I tried to add a 4 foot section of tippet material to the 5 foot braided leader (making it a nine foot leader).  THe tippet section did not straighten well.  Orvis sells tippet sections that are supposedly tapered, but they are expensive. Daren Valentine

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I use the Orvis braided leaders and LOVE them.  They last for about two years and I just tie on a length of tippet material on the end, then change that from time to time.  I’ve used both the light ones on my 5 weight rod, and the medium weight ones on my 7 weight.  I feel that the price is justified, even though I have to buy tippet material too.  Plus like you say, they’re not as stiff.

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I use the Orvis braided leaders and LOVE them.  They last for about two years and I just tie on a length of tippet material on the end, then change that from time to time.  I’ve used both the light ones on my 5 weight rod, and the medium weight ones on my 7 weight.  I feel that the price is justified, even though I have to buy tippet material too.  Plus like you say, they’re not as stiff. Don’t you have problems with wind knots? I know wk’s are mainly due to poor casting technique, but I always seem to have more problems with the braided leaders. But you are correct – they are limp. Bob –

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Question:

Sage blanks? Actually, you could save yourself some grief. Why? Because Sage will locate the location of the spine with removable white markings. I’ve built three SAGE rods and they all came with the spine marked out. The most difficult part is the coating. Try and get the FLEXCOAT package with syringes, cups and mixtures. There are two kinds of FLEXCOAT: one coat (thick) and several coats (thin). I’ve used the one coat and it works ok but for a more consistent finish, I would try the several coat version. Getting a slow rpm motor to turn the rod while applying the FLEXCOAT would help a great deal. If you can’t borrow one from the local flyshop, any BBQ motor will suffice. Not to worry, you’ll make a great rod! p.s. there’s a flyfishing digest on the net you could join.

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I’ve used the one coat Flexcoat building many rods and I like it a lot.  In order to make it a little more workable in  a large finish area, I dilute the finish mix with a small amount of Acetone.  It is very quick to evaporate and leaves me with extra working time in laying a great finish coat on all types of rods. The only pitfall is to make sure that you don’t use too much acetone or your flexcoat will never set up correctly. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sage blanks? Actually, you could save yourself some grief. Why? Because Sage will locate the location of the spine with removable white markings. I’ve built three SAGE rods and they all came with the spine marked out. The most difficult part is the coating. Try and get the FLEXCOAT package with syringes, cups and mixtures. There are two kinds of FLEXCOAT: one coat (thick) and several coats (thin). I’ve used the one coat and it works ok but for a more consistent finish, I would try the several coat version. Getting a slow rpm motor to turn the rod while applying the FLEXCOAT would help a great deal. If you can’t borrow one from the local flyshop, any BBQ motor will suffice. Not to worry, you’ll make a great rod! p.s. there’s a flyfishing digest on the net you could join.

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