Question:

This morning, 4/22, I looked out my window, in Northern New Jersey, and saw a mayfly on the glass.  Spinner, size 14, two tails, light grey/dun underside, heavily segmented abdomen, very small second wings.  These show up on my back door and back windows in small numbers every April.  Any opinions on possible species/genus? Beyond the question of what it was, I wondered where the dickens it came from. The lake is 150 yards away in a straight line from the front door.  And it gets very warm in summer; tosses up a ton of bug life but not mayflys.  There are some small springs about 200 yards away to the rear of the house but I didn’t think they survived the summers.  Now I have visions of a relict population of Brook Trout hiding in the town land behind me. Something to think about until I can go fishing. Glenn GKT

Response:

You don’t give much information except grey underside and two tails.  The only thing I can think of that comes close to a size 14 is Callibaetis americanus This is no guarantee that I’ve identified it correctly but this is the may fly that fits best what you say. George Gehrke "May Days are here"

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This morning, 4/22, I looked out my window, in Northern New Jersey, and saw a mayfly on the glass.  Spinner, size 14, two tails, light grey/dun underside, heavily segmented abdomen, very small second wings.  These show up on my back door and back windows in small numbers every April.  Any opinions on possible species/genus? Beyond the question of what it was, I wondered where the dickens it came from. The lake is 150 yards away in a straight line from the front door.  And it gets very warm in summer; tosses up a ton of bug life but not mayflys.  There are some small springs about 200 yards away to the rear of the house but I didn’t think they survived the summers.  Now I have visions of a relict population of Brook Trout hiding in the town land behind me. Something to think about until I can go fishing. Glenn GKT

Response:

Question:

Reading G’s nicely written posts about a tough caddis hatch and RW’s response (which I happen to agree with), got me thinking about a very versatile and simple tie I use alot during lower water conditions. I don’t like to change flies. I feel that, most of the time, if you present the right sized fly IN THE WAY THE FISH WANT IT, you will have more success. More success than using the "right" fly presented slightly wrong. This is a debate that has gone on as long as people have been fly fishing and I’m just stating my take on it. I’d rather use my time making changes in presentation than in changing flies. The tie is as simple as can be and is nothing special.  It is very drab to look at and, for this reason, will never be popular. Its strength is its versatility. The tie has a scraggly body of dubbing. I often use an antron mix but I’m not sure this is important. The wing consists of sparsely tied, somewhat short Elk hair. I usually use a light color because it is easier to see. No hackle is used and the head is just the thread from wrapping down the ends of the Elk hair. That’s it. In the low water conditions, when I generally use it, I mainly fish a size 18 but also use it in a 20 and a 16. The fly can be effective during a variety of hatches.  I used a size 18 successfully while I fished for about an hour this AM during a Trico spinner fall. A 20 usually works during midge hatches. The 18 covers a variety of the smaller early and late season Mays and Caddis. Fishing the fly: I usually go through the following sequence in trying to determine how to best fish the fly. Upstream drag free float with the fly on the surface Upstream drag free drift with the fly in the film Upstream "drag free" drift with the saturated fly drifting along in mid to bottom current keeping very light contact with the fly by following the fly with the rod tip and removing all slack as the fly drifts down Dry off the fly Up and across stream, rod tip kept high doing some skittering across the current. The heavier the current the more skittering.   Up and across stream, pull the fly under and retrieve the fly across the current Up and across stream, pull the fly under and do a "traditional" wet   fly drift, mending to allow the fly to sink and allowing the fly        the hang in the current at the end of the drift. Then the fly is    lifted and skittered across the surface The skittering techniques often results in missed strikes or refusals. However, it tells you where a feeding fish is and you can usually take it with one of the other type of drifts.   The above routine works best for actively feeding fish. In water from inches to about three foot deep (depending on current speed), the water can be covered from top to bottom with no terminal tackle changes. Willi

Response:

Dry off the fly

What do you do here – blow on it, use some drying pad, shake it in dessicant….? Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

Dry off the fly What do you do here – blow on it, use some drying pad, shake it in dessicant….?

Whatever.  I usually just use my shirt. Willi

Response:

Jeffnc I usually false cast it two or three times, then blow on it and shake it in desiccant powder and re coat it with floatant.  If that doesn’t work I replace it. Ernie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dry off the fly What do you do here – blow on it, use some drying pad, shake it in dessicant….? Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

I printed this post and will study it.  I’ve always read willi’s posts, but now that i have fished with the guy….  i’ll memorize them. That post really can help speed up the learning curve.  Great Stuff Willi. The western clavesters don’t call him the Troutmaster for nothing, and he’s a very modest and super friendly person to boot. Hmmmm…. changing presentations.  I was the guy in montana constantly changing flies and lead, now i’ll deliberately try different presentations beforehand. bruiser Before you buy.

Response:

Willi: I am trying to visualize this fly. Is it like an elk-hair caddis, with the wing tied trude style, no hackle?? Tim Lysyk – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – its versatility. The tie has a scraggly body of dubbing. I often use an antron mix but I’m not sure this is important. The wing consists of sparsely tied, somewhat short Elk hair. I usually use a light color because it is easier to see. No hackle is used and the head is just the

Response:

Question:

These trout can be very selective though, if they are rising to "Benson and Hedges", "Camels" may be useless, and indeed on occasion only a "John Player Special" will do the trick,  reduced strength cigarettes have also been found wanting. Apparently the material used in the filter makes them float too low in the surface film, and even trout are not stupid enough to believe that soggy cigarette butts  are emerging aquatics. Untipped cigarettes may often prove effective, although they tend to disintegrate rapidly.  If you want a real lunker, then try throwing Havana stubs attached to a very long leader off a suitable bridge. TL MC — "In order to know what is possible one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Trout guts are fun. Not to be Ted Nugent about it, or anything, but

Response:

You guys have missed it altogether.  This fish are addicted!.  They obviously can’t smoke underwater so they do the next best thing and inhale the butts.  Imagine the high a lttle trout gets from the average sized butt?  I really doing think somebody should be suing a tobacco company about this.  After all, these fish could get really sick and if you eat them, you’re getting second hand smoke (or is that third?) Can anybody say, "Class action?" Peter

Response:

A few years ago, in April (it snowed that day) I caught a 3.5 lb Blagdon trout that a spherical glstening ball in its stomach.  On unwrapping it I could just discern some gold and the words ‘can damage your health’.  So it would seem. Gordon – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – These trout can be very selective though, if they are rising to "Benson and Hedges", "Camels" may be useless, and indeed on occasion only a "John Player Special" will do the trick,  reduced strength cigarettes have also been found wanting. Apparently the material used in the filter makes them float too low in the surface film, and even trout are not stupid enough to believe that soggy cigarette butts  are emerging aquatics. Untipped cigarettes may often prove effective, although they tend to disintegrate rapidly.  If you want a real lunker, then try throwing Havana stubs attached to a very long leader off a suitable bridge. TL MC — "In order to know what is possible one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de Trout guts are fun. Not to be Ted Nugent about it, or anything, but

Response:

You guys have missed it altogether.  This fish are addicted!.  They obviously can’t smoke underwater so they do the next best thing and inhale the butts.  Imagine the high a lttle trout gets from the average sized butt?  I really doing think somebody should be suing a tobacco company about this.  After all, these fish could get really sick and if you eat them, you’re getting second hand smoke (or is that third?) Can anybody say, "Class action?"

One of the more amusing urban legends I’ve heard lately was an explanation of why so many deer get run over on the highway. After eating cigarette butts that people fling from their car windows, they become addicted to the nicotine, and hang out along the highways looking for more; sooner or later, they get hit by a car. — Rusty Hook Laramie, Wyo Before you buy.

Response:

Trout guts are fun. Not to be Ted Nugent about it, or anything, but I’ve learned a lot from trout guts. For example, I’ve learned that trout eat many more terrestrials than I thought possible. I’ve learned that trout on some streams often eat ladybugs and that smallish red humpies are excellent imitators for ladybugs. Importantly, I’ve also learned that my wife has no real appreciation for the disassembly of trout guts on certain kitchen counters. Also, she doesn’t particularly care for my habit of bringing chunks’o bugs from trout stomachs to show her while she’s painting landscapes. Important lessons, one and all. Today’s lesson, however, was particularly instructive in light of the recent discussion hereabouts on how much and how fast your average trout learns. Now, I don’t keep all that many trout, but when I do, I definitely like to see what the heck they’ve been up to, dining-table wise. Occasionally, if the surroundings support it, I even keep a largish one. So, it was with particular interest that I cleaned an 18 incher tonight, eager to see on what such a large (and presumably, smarter than average) trout might be dining. Tiny tricos? Evanescent midges? Taco supremes? In addition to a couple ladybugs, the first two things out of this particular stomach were caddis larvae. Complete caddis larvae — casings and all. In this particular river, the casings average about 3/4 inch to an inch in length, cylindrical, made out of the usual caddis larva materials of gravel and small sticks. Probing further, the next item on our trutta post mortem appeared to be yet another caddis larva — same length, same diameter, same…waitasec. Most caddis larvae don’t rebound when you press on them. Most caddis larvae aren’t fibrous. Most caddis larvae don’t read "Benson & Hedges" on the side. Yup — it was a cigarette butt. In addition to mocking whatever pretensions I might have had about fishing on a "pristine" stream, this event also gave new credence to that episode in, "The River Why," where Gus concocts a fly made out of hot dog wrappers and cigarette butts to fool the wily old bass in the town pond (’scuse me if my memory isn’t totally clear on that passage…think I’m getting the gist of it nonethemenos). It also made me question the advisability of imagining too much intelligence on the part of your average trout brain. Maybe sometimes the answer is just to throw something big, ugly, and nicotine-stained out there and hope for the best. So, anyway, the long and short of it is that I’ve started smoking. Besides having heard good things about the habit in general, I also need a ready source for new inventions at the vise. Look for a gold-ribbed Camel’s butt at a fly swap near you soon . tight lines and full ashtrays, – sid

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Kevin, You are going at the prime time. I would look at the Mangrove Outfitters Fly Shop web site and then email them some questions. I am sure that they could arrange a guide/boat for you now as good guides are very hard to get in the spring. I would bring any fly rods from #6 through #12 that you have. I like a 9′ #9, 3 or 4 piece rod for a basic salt water rod for bonefish, snook, small tarpon, redfish and sea trout. I would have a floating line and a slow sinking clear line. —– Original Message —– Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly Sent: 01 December 1999 08:20 Hi Kevin, You are going at the prime time. I would look at the Mangrove Outfitters Fly Shop web site and then email them some questions. I am sure that they could arrange a guide/boat for you now as good guides are very hard to get in the spring. I would bring any fly rods from #6 through #12 that you have. I like a 9′ #9, 3 or 4 piece rod for a basic salt water rod for bonefish, snook, small tarpon, redfish and sea trout. I would have a floating line and a slow sinking clear line. Thanks Bill, Your interest is much appreciated, We are bringing a couple of #6 and a #9 . Good news in your reply about the time of year to visit, I`m getting a twitchy right arm just thinking about going. We are from the UK and have never connected with any of the species that you mention. Did have a short trip to the Keys last Jan, but conditions were poor for fishing and the flats guides were beyond our pockets on that occasion, managed some permit wading a flat, plenty of barracuda and some small shark tho. I vowed to go back, and take my son with me. His head is full of dreams of tarpon!!! I am having trouble locating The Mangrove Outfitters Fly shop web site with the search engines, does anyone out there have a link we could share?

Response:

Try http://www.mangrove-outfitters.com/ This was the first hit on Google Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <snip I am having trouble locating The Mangrove Outfitters Fly shop web site with the search engines, does anyone out there have a link we could share?

Response:

Can anyone help us out please? My 10 year old son and I intend to spend a couple of weeks in the Naples area this coming Easter and not having been there before we are looking for help, lots of it. For starters: What sort of saltwater fly fishing can we expect to find and where are the local hotspots, what species are around this area at the end of April, can we get by without a guide? Having said that recommendations for a good guide would be greatly appreciated although we are unlikely to be able to afford more than one trip with one. Advice on flies would be greatly appreciated so that we can get tying. Tips on suitable tackle warmly welcomed, My son is not a good caster with a fly rod so he is likely to want to spin and baitfish, spinning particularly. I will cross post to roft to widen the network. Thanks in anticipation, I have never posted on this group, asking for help, and not got it. Kevin and Ian Cumming

Response:

Hi Kevin, You are going at the prime time. I would look at the Mangrove Outfitters Fly Shop web site and then email them some questions. I am sure that they could arrange a guide/boat for you now as good guides are very hard to get in the spring. I would bring any fly rods from #6 through #12 that you have. I like a 9′ #9, 3 or 4 piece rod for a basic salt water rod for bonefish, snook, small tarpon, redfish and sea trout. I would have a floating line and a slow sinking clear line.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone help us out please? My 10 year old son and I intend to spend a couple of weeks in the Naples area this coming Easter and not having been there before we are looking for help, lots of it. For starters: What sort of saltwater fly fishing can we expect to find and where are the local hotspots, what species are around this area at the end of April, can we get by without a guide? Having said that recommendations for a good guide would be greatly appreciated although we are unlikely to be able to afford more than one trip with one. Advice on flies would be greatly appreciated so that we can get tying. Tips on suitable tackle warmly welcomed, My son is not a good caster with a fly rod so he is likely to want to spin and baitfish, spinning particularly. I will cross post to roft to widen the network. Thanks in anticipation, I have never posted on this group, asking for help, and not got it. Kevin and Ian Cumming

Response:

Question:

I’m moving to Pensacola FL and was wondering what kind of FF I can expect to find there.  Someone told me redfish.  Anything else, and what equipment am I looking at buying? — Work like you don’t need money Love like you’ve never been hurt Dance like nobody’s watching Keith Friesen

Response:

writes: I’m moving to Pensacola FL and was wondering what kind of FF I can expect to find there.  Someone told me redfish.  Anything else, and what equipment am I looking at buying?

Redfish and speckled trout mostly for SW fly fishing tho other species are there including mackerals (sp?), bonita, and the rare sailfish comes into the shallow water. (I once hooked a small tarpon between Gulf Breeze and Fort Walton). Fresh water includes of course bass, bream. I would think a 7 weight would be a good all around rod down there though I carry a 6 and an 8 wt when I visit the family. There is an active FF program at the junior college, a good fff club and the SE FFF conclave is held there every two or three years (gulf breeze actually). Lots of fishing in the bay, the bayous, sound, and salt marshes from Appalachicola to Mobile Bay. Plus numerous fresh water ponds and rivers. Wayne Knight Geneva IL                            

Response:

Question:

I’m thinking about buying a Sage rod. Since I live in Seattle, I was thinking about visiting the Sage factory on Bainbridge and seeing if they sell anything direct from the factory that I might be able to get at a lower cost. Has anybody tried this? Does Sage even have a customer facility at their factory on Bainbridge? I checked their website, but found no guidance there.

You found no guidance because Sage has a dirty little secret.  They do not make any rods in Seattle.  All they do is relabel Orvis’s seconds. All the best conspiracy theories are utterly groundless. Keep your stick on the ice, Thos.

Response:

Anybody know if GLoomis does factory tours / sells seconds(blems) since they are also in Washington (abeit the Southern end). Hatch – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m thinking about buying a Sage rod. Since I live in Seattle, I was thinking about visiting the Sage factory on Bainbridge and seeing if they sell anything direct from the factory that I might be able to get at a lower cost. Has anybody tried this? Does Sage even have a customer facility at their factory on Bainbridge? I checked their website, but found no guidance there. Thanks in advance, Sid remove thisaint for email

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m thinking about buying a Sage rod. Since I live in Seattle, I was thinking about visiting the Sage factory on Bainbridge and seeing if they sell anything direct from the factory that I might be able to get at a lower cost. Has anybody tried this? Does Sage even have a customer facility at their factory on Bainbridge? I checked their website, but found no guidance there. You found no guidance because Sage has a dirty little secret.  They do not make any rods in Seattle.  All they do is relabel Orvis’s seconds. All the best conspiracy theories are utterly groundless. Keep your stick on the ice, Thos.

Orvis rods are built by St. Croix.

Response:

Yea they do, but I am not sure there prices are all that great.  If you are real serious and can build something with your hands, then you need to look at Sage seconds on their blanks.  A store in Seattle, I beleive it is Anthony’s Fly Shop (if that ends up being wrong, let me know and I will see if I can dig up the correct info) used to sell Sage second blanks for $80.  I built my first one this way and I love it. Just a thought, Curtis – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anybody know if GLoomis does factory tours / sells seconds(blems) since they are also in Washington (abeit the Southern end). Hatch I’m thinking about buying a Sage rod. Since I live in Seattle, I was thinking about visiting the Sage factory on Bainbridge and seeing if they sell anything direct from the factory that I might be able to get at a lower cost. Has anybody tried this? Does Sage even have a customer facility at their factory on Bainbridge? I checked their website, but found no guidance there. Thanks in advance, Sid remove thisaint for email

Response:

I believe it is actually Patrick’s Fly Shop in Seattle (on Eastlake Avenue) that sells Sage seconds. They’re pretty close to the Eastlake Zoo tavern, if that helps (and I know it helps me). Sid remove thisain for email replies – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yea they do, but I am not sure there prices are all that great.  If you are real serious and can build something with your hands, then you need to look at Sage seconds on their blanks.  A store in Seattle, I beleive it is Anthony’s Fly Shop (if that ends up being wrong, let me know and I will see if I can dig up the correct info) used to sell Sage second blanks for $80.  I built my first one this way and I love it. Just a thought, Curtis Anybody know if GLoomis does factory tours / sells seconds(blems) since they are also in Washington (abeit the Southern end). Hatch I’m thinking about buying a Sage rod. Since I live in Seattle, I was thinking about visiting the Sage factory on Bainbridge and seeing if they sell anything direct from the factory that I might be able to get at a lower cost. Has anybody tried this? Does Sage even have a customer facility at their factory on Bainbridge? I checked their website, but found no guidance there. Thanks in advance, Sid remove thisaint for email

Response:

I’m thinking about buying a Sage rod. Since I live in Seattle, I was thinking about visiting the Sage factory on Bainbridge and seeing if they sell anything direct from the factory that I might be able to get at a lower cost. Has anybody tried this? Does Sage even have a customer facility at their factory on Bainbridge? I checked their website, but found no guidance there.

I stopped by the Sage factory yesterday. Nice place with a casting pool behind. Does anyone know how a rod factory got built in such prime land. Ron Looi www.geocities.com/RainForest/2730/

Response:

I’m thinking about buying a Sage rod. Since I live in Seattle, I was thinking about visiting the Sage factory on Bainbridge and seeing if they sell anything direct from the factory that I might be able to get at a lower cost. Has anybody tried this? Does Sage even have a customer facility at their factory on Bainbridge? I checked their website, but found no guidance there. Thanks in advance, Sid remove thisaint for email

Response:

I’m thinking about buying a Sage rod. Since I live in Seattle, I was thinking about visiting the Sage factory on Bainbridge and seeing if they sell anything direct from the factory that I might be able to get at a lower cost. Has anybody tried this? Does Sage even have a customer facility at their factory on Bainbridge? I checked their website, but found no guidance there. Thanks in advance, Sid remove thisaint for email

Hi Sid, Sage does not sell direct or from the factory. The best bet is to get a blank if you are looking to save money. Get a part time job in a fly shop? Open a fly shop? Date a girl who’s father has a fly shop? Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

Response:

Do you have a daugther available?   On second thought, my wife my object and she’s been pretty supportive of my fishing "habit" so far.  ;-) Hatch – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m thinking about buying a Sage rod. Since I live in Seattle, I was thinking about visiting the Sage factory on Bainbridge and seeing if they sell anything direct from the factory that I might be able to get at a lower cost. Has anybody tried this? Does Sage even have a customer facility at their factory on Bainbridge? I checked their website, but found no guidance there. Thanks in advance, Sid remove thisaint for email Hi Sid, Sage does not sell direct or from the factory. The best bet is to get a blank if you are looking to save money. Get a part time job in a fly shop? Open a fly shop? Date a girl who’s father has a fly shop? Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

Response:

I’m thinking about buying a Sage rod. Since I live in Seattle, … and seeing if they sell anything direct from the factory that I might be able to get at a lower cost. Date a girl who’s father has a fly shop?

Rather few and far between! most of the fly shop owners proprietors of my acquaintence are too obsessed with FF to have time for things as mundane as wives, families or sex. Ralph H

Response:

Question:

The Ranch has been sold to a private party who will be closing it up to ANY access by non-rich, non-friends-of -his. They will be open through June and the fishing is terrific.  You might even consider a guide for a half day to accellerate your success on stream.  I would recommend Kevin who books out of the Trout Fly in Mammoth. Have a great time. Bob

Response:

The Ranch has been sold to a private party who will be closing it up to ANY access by non-rich, non-friends-of -his.

I just spoke to the Ranch, and it is NOT sold.  It is, however, in escrow. It may or may not close escrow…  The Ranch will honor ALL reservations that have made a deposit through the entire 1998 season. Regards, Wes

Response:

Great News.  I hope it falls through and the Nature Conservancy picks it up.  I did not intend to pass along a false rumor. Bob

Response:

Can anyone tell me if they have fished at this private ranch in the Sierras? It is above Bishop on the Owens River, and I am curious as to what flies may be effective.  Thanks.

Response:

Can anyone tell me if they have fished at this private ranch in the

Sierras?  I am curious as to what flies may be effective.

I have caught huge browns on olive matukas and hornburgs. Talk to Bill Nichols, he’s the ranch manager at 760 648-7807.  He’s always willing to talk fishing and will tell you the straight scoop. Wes

Response:

The is a good article on fishing in the Owens river in Americal Angler magazine May/June 1998.         Nate Liskov – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone tell me if they have fished at this private ranch in the Sierras? It is above Bishop on the Owens River, and I am curious as to what flies may be effective.  Thanks.

Response:

(Rkru) writes: Can anyone tell me if they have fished at this private ranch in the Sierras? It is above Bishop on the Owens River, and I am curious as to what flies may be effective.  Thanks.

Sure,  taught schools there for about 6 or 7 years including 3 schools there last August. The ranch is an amazing place to fish.  Small alpine (7200 ft. elevation) spring creek with a meandering course, mostly wide open meadow.  Water is slow to medium speed throughout and supports ridiculously large numbers of fish.  It is very dry there, drink lots of water and don’t forget the sunblock. Recently saw an article claiming the Upper Owens had 11,000 fish per mile. That number came from an electro-shock survey in 1985 on the Arcularius Ranch and *does not apply* to the rest of the Upper Owens,  just the ranch section. This huge number includes fingerlings as well as monsters. The public access section of the Upper Owens fishes best in spring during the Rainbow’s spawning run out of Lake Crowley, and again in the fall when the Browns make their run upriver.  June, July and August are tough, although there does seem to be an increase in the resident population in the lower section over the last few years. Just because there are large numbers of fish at the Arc doesn’t mean they’re easy to catch.  Fish are spooky, there is almost no cover throughout most of the river, and you better get an absolute dead drift if you want to catch fish.  Walk softly, be sneaky, and carry a long rod. Many times people fishing at the ranch will tell you that you that "this is the only fly that works".   Not so.  the river is full of insects: #18 – #20 baetis all season, #10 Green Drakes in June and sometimes July, Caddis all season (size 14 to 18), little yellow stones june through September, midges all season, sporadic PMD’s May – July, ants – all season, hoppers sometimes as early as mid-July (more commomly mid-August), scuds – all season (#12 and #16 green and also gray),  crane flys oviposit in late August through mid-September.  The list goes on, but those are most of the important ones.  I had three students, catch 5 fish on five different flys one day there.  They used: #18 PT nymph, #12 olive flashback scud, #20 midge pupa,  #16 olive elk hair caddis, and a #10 Hopper. The crane flys in September are a real kick.  They drag their legs behind them as they oviposit on the water and the trout really bust them.  The trout don’t successfully catch many of them, but not for lack of trying.  Fun to see a fish bust the surface three or four times trying to catch one of them.   You need to skate your imitation across the surface to imitate them and this is about the only time you can catch fish without a dead drift.  Last couple of hours of light is usually the best time for this. Some of the largest fish each year are also taken in low light conditions (early morning, late evening, or just overcast all day) with large streamers. Won’t catch as many fish with streamers, but there are some monsters and many of the really big browns don’t even become active until just before dark. There was huge amount of water that blasted through the Arc a couple of years ago and it scoured the river bottom out and changed a number of the holes.  The Bedsprings Hole which used to be 6 feet deep is now gravelled over.  I think the river is in better shape because of it. Usually the big trout are well hidden and you have to fish the right water to get them. Last year In August there were a lot of very large fish in pretty shallow water.  Found a number of 18 to 20" bows and browns in bathtub or washtub sized depressions near shore last year.  Unusual to find the big trout exposed like that.  Still tough to catch and easily spooked, but you could sight-fish to them. Although Dotty and Ken are no longer hosting the ranch, Bill Nichols, who is now the manager, is extremely knowledgable and helpful.  Don’t hesitate to ask him for tips and pointers if what you’re doing doesn’t work.  He’ll give it to you straight. Enjoy your trip, it’s a great (though challenging) place to fish.                                            Hope this helps,                                                     Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools Mt. Shasta Fly Fishing Schools http://www.thegrid.net/flyfish

Response:

Question:

Craig writes:

<<I’ve never used a strike indicator, but thought I’d try.  What material do you use?  Where on the line do you place the material? And, how do you affix the material to the line?  I’d appreciate any suggestions? There are many different kinds of commercial strike indicators out there. I prefer the wool yarn type (and it’s cheap).  It is easy to attach with a slip knot and can be moved or removed easily.  Putty would be my second choice.  All are available at any fly shop. I generally place the indicator at 1 1/2 times the depth of the water. Use it, please, but beware!  There are those on ROFF who say this is NOT fly-fishing.  Their condemnation will follow you the rest of your life. Your children may even suffer from this stigma.  They may suffer taunting at school ("Yuck.  Your father uses a strike indicator!")  You and your children may even be ostracized!  I  use one because I have trouble finding the leader/line.  Getting old, I guess. BTW, you can put Gink on the wool to help it float better, but there are those who think using Gink to help *anything* float is not fly-fishing. Sort of like being lazy and stupid.   Dave L.

Response:

Wool works well because of it’s high visibility and floatability.  I prefer putty for these reasons and I find putty easier to move up and down.  (I don’t like the little kink caused in your line when you move the wool, and it’s more hassle for me).  Wool enthusiasts claim they can see a strike better with wool.  They might be right.  I find that the distance between the indicator and the terminal tackle seems to make the most difference for me as far as strike success is concerned, so I’m constantly adjusting. Putty suits my style. Dave L is right about the anti-nymphing contingent.  I prefer to think of them as God’s way of challenging me to learn to ignore the unimportant, with grace! —                                                            -dnc- – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dave L. writes: <<Craig writes: <<I’ve never used a strike indicator, but thought I’d try.  What material do you use?  Where on the line do you place the material? And, how do you affix the material to the line?  I’d appreciate any suggestions? There are many different kinds of commercial strike indicators out there. I prefer the wool yarn type (and it’s cheap).  It is easy to attach with a slip knot and can be moved or removed easily.  Putty would be my second choice.  All are available at any fly shop.

Response:

Craig, I learned the method from a guide this summer fishing for salmon.  It works great and I’ll be using it on trout and smallmouth down here in VA now.  I would definitely look for the ‘putty’ indicators I liked red better than yellow but thats up to you.  Put it on so that the lowest nymph is just reaching the bottom (or a close guess in reality).  All you have to do is stick this stuff on and you can move it up or down when needed and reuse it many many times.  Its worth it and its better than my old favorite the bobber types with rubber plugs. Bob

Response:

Dave,      Great reply!  I fully understand the purists’ position.  I grew up fly fishing in California — and remember doing quite well.  My Father and grandfather were both purists (as was I).  I didn’t fish for a number of years but recently picked it up again.  However, since moving to Georgia I’ve enjoyed very little success with a fly (It’s me, not the lack of fish).  I fish the backcountry for natives (or at least try) and I’m ready to try most anything to improve my success.  Also, I’ve enjoyed good vision until the last couple of years (middle age) and watching the line isn’t as easy as it used to be.      In any case I appreciate both the information and the writing style.

Response:

Dave L. writes: <<Craig writes:

<<I’ve never used a strike indicator, but thought I’d try.  What material do you use?  Where on the line do you place the material? And, how do you affix the material to the line?  I’d appreciate any suggestions? There are many different kinds of commercial strike indicators out there. I prefer the wool yarn type (and it’s cheap).  It is easy to attach with a slip knot and can be moved or removed easily.  Putty would be my second choice.  All are available at any fly shop. I generally place the indicator at 1 1/2 times the depth of the water. Use it, please, but beware!  There are those on ROFF who say this is NOT fly-fishing.  Their condemnation will follow you the rest of your life. Your children may even suffer from this stigma.  They may suffer taunting at school ("Yuck.  Your father uses a strike indicator!")  You and your children may even be ostracized!  I  use one because I have trouble finding the leader/line.  Getting old, I guess. BTW, you can put Gink on the wool to help it float better, but there are those who think using Gink to help *anything* float is not fly-fishing. Sort of like being lazy and stupid.   Dave L. Gee, Craig.  I forgot to add:  If you use a strike indicator, DO NOT repeat DO NOT wear a baseball hat backwards.  This is a very serious infraction of the tenets of fly fishing.  But then again, if you use a strike indicator, some will think you are NOT fly fishing, so therefore you CAN wear your hat backwards.  Regardless, be careful, and enjoy nymphing. Dave L.

Response:

DNC writes: I prefer to think of

them as God’s way of challenging me to learn to ignore the unimportant, with grace! Thank you, D.  What a wonderful way of putting it!  ;0) Dave L.

Response:

Dave L. writes: <<Craig writes: Gee, Craig.  I forgot to add:  If you use a strike indicator, DO NOT repeat DO NOT wear a baseball hat backwards.  This is a very serious infraction of the tenets of fly fishing.  But then again, if you use a strike indicator, some will think you are NOT fly fishing, so therefore you CAN wear your hat backwards.  Regardless, be careful, and enjoy nymphing. Dave L.

Greetings to all, a small addition from france !! Putty strike indicators are great IMHO because you can choose very precisely how much flotation it will provide. I like to put very little of it ( less that what is needed to balance the nymph weight), so the nymph fish on the bottom (i fish rocky streams) but you can still see it and see the take. this way the indicator does not interfere your drag free float  and is less sensitive to surface currents which are different from bottom currents. BEWARE not to spread this technique too much because it s really a killer on those days when you see fishes everywhere, but none of them are coming to the surface to take a dry fly. In the center mountains of france where I m using it. I use a very small nymph tied on 16 hooks 2x long with a pheasant herl body ribbed with red copper wire and a gold pearl head (black thread) we call it "casque d’or" (I.E golden helmet). In 2 days and 6 hours of fishing I landed 29 fishes from 5 to 15 inches (in this area the legal size is 18 to 20 centimeter). best regards Gh —                          http://www.cortosys.fr                               Paris FRANCE                              01-46-38-06-93     "I have also seen children successfully surmounting the effects of     "an evil inheritance. That is due to purity being an inherent     "attribute of the soul."                                                      [Mahatma Gandhi]

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:

Careful of the lower Owens right now running 700 CFS (alot of water) They are trying to move as much water through as they can before the snowpack runoff begins. Lower owens can be tough wading evenat lower water levels. Pete

Response:

Be sure to take you knee pads for the Owens.  Sneaking up on those fish takes a lot of patience or a curved rod for shooting from behind a bush. Many FinShakes Ray Chapa San Antonio, Tx — Ray Chapa

Response:

try big tejunga creek just outside la crescenta, between the resevoir and upstrem to the bridge – access is a long walk down a fire break off big tejunga canyon rd, park a half mile downstream of the bridge – wild bows in spectacular canyon.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Path: news.teleport.com!psgrain!news.sprintlink.net!howland.reston.ans.net!ix.net com.com!netnews Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly Organization: Netcom Lines: 10 Distribution: world NNTP-Posting-Host: ix-lb1-04.ix.netcom.com Can anbody sugest where I should flyfish in  So. Calif. for a weekend? There are several ares, West Fork of the San Gabreal, Bear Creek and the best is Lower Owens outside of Bishop this time of the year.  You also have the Pacific at your door step.  If you need more info on the Bishop area let me know.  Joe

I caught the flyfishing bug on the Lower Owens right outside of Bishop.  For me the key was that I used the most incredible guide I’ve ever had the privilage to fish with (to this day I’ve never even heard stories about anyone that fishes as well as he does).   My 1st day ever fishing with a fly rod (& probably the 10th time of any kind of fishing in my life) I landed 25 wild brown trout – if I could have been quicker to strike (as on his first "strike" call, instead of the 2nd or 3rd…) it would have been more.  I was gut hooked in the worst (best) way…   Harry Blackburn Eastside Guide Service Mammoth Lakes, CA 619/934-6457 Tell him Ant sent you…  He also knows about all the best places to fish in the Mammoth/Bishop area, the variety is incredible.

Response:

Can anbody sugest where I should flyfish in  So. Calif. for a weekend?

Response:

Can anbody sugest where I should flyfish in  So. Calif. for a weekend?

There are several ares, West Fork of the San Gabreal, Bear Creek and the best is Lower Owens outside of Bishop this time of the year.  You also have the Pacific at your door step.  If you need more info on the Bishop area let me know.  Joe

Response:

So if I were going to the Owens in May for hanggliding, should I plan on some fishing also? Old Montana Flyfisherman.

Response:

So if I were going to the Owens in May for hanggliding, should I plan on some fishing also? Old Montana Flyfisherman.

Yes, but fishing from hanggliders is restricted to the 2 miles immediately below Pleasant Valley Dam, and any fish caught from a hangglider must be released to the water where they were taken.   There is talk that this section of the river will be made hanggliders only in the near future.

Response: