Question:

  I’m unsure of whether to head up to the Lake Tahoe area or the Southern Utah area in a week or two to do some flyfishing.  I’ve tried to find some up to date reports from those two areas on the internet but haven’t come up with anything helpful.  Does anybody know of any websites with up to date reports for those to specific areas?  I’m not interested in fishing in actually Lake Tahoe but the smaller resevoirs and streams around it (Martis Creek Resevoir, Spooner Lake, Truckee River)  and in Utah I’m interested in   the Beaver river and some of those smaller lakes in the south. Thanks for any help anybody can provide. Matthew —       Matthew W. Kaphan         Las Vegas, NV

Response:

For Truckee area fishing reports go to www.flyline.com   The reports are pretty accurate and are updated every day and provides alot of useful info. You can also call the Truckee River Outfitters-a local Fly Fishing Shop.  I don’t know their number, but google probably can get it for you. Good Luck Rob L

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   I’m unsure of whether to head up to the Lake Tahoe area or the Southern Utah area in a week or two to do some flyfishing.  I’ve tried to find some up to date reports from those two areas on the internet but haven’t come up with anything helpful.  Does anybody know of any websites with up to date reports for those to specific areas?  I’m not interested in fishing in actually Lake Tahoe but the smaller resevoirs and streams around it (Martis Creek Resevoir, Spooner Lake, Truckee River)  and in Utah I’m interested in the Beaver river and some of those smaller lakes in the south. Thanks for any help anybody can provide. Matthew —       Matthew W. Kaphan         Las Vegas, NV

Response:

  I’m unsure of whether to head up to the Lake Tahoe area or the Southern Utah area in a week or two to do some flyfishing.  I’ve tried to find some up to date reports from those two areas on the internet but haven’t come up with anything helpful.  Does anybody know of any websites with up to date reports for those to specific areas?  I’m not interested in fishing in actually Lake Tahoe but the smaller resevoirs and streams around it (Martis Creek Resevoir, Spooner Lake, Truckee River)  and in Utah I’m interested in the Beaver river and some of those smaller lakes in the south. Thanks for any help anybody can provide. Matthew

I asked someone in a local Tahoe store last autumn about the fishing up there. Apparently you have to be very good at reading the water since the area is somewhat overfished. —       Matthew W. Kaphan         Las Vegas, NV

– Svend  1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy       Phone: (+1) 650 933 3618  Mountain View  California 94043  USA

Response:

The Truckee & Little Truckee get pounded pretty good, be prepared for slow fishing unless you can consider yourself expert.  These two rivers were some of the original Wild Trout programs in CA, along with Martis Lakw-They are C&R only,with barbless hooks or flies only allowed.  However, there are BIG FISH in these and other nearby waters.  Get the Truckee River acess map, and plan before you go. Rob L – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I asked someone in a local Tahoe store last autumn about the fishing up there. Apparently you have to be very good at reading the water since the area is somewhat overfished. —       Matthew W. Kaphan         Las Vegas, NV — Svend  1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy       Phone: (+1) 650 933 3618  Mountain View  California 94043  USA

Response:

The Truckee & Little Truckee get pounded pretty good, be prepared for slow fishing unless you can consider yourself expert.  These two rivers were some of the original Wild Trout programs in CA, along with Martis Lakw-They are C&R only,with barbless hooks or flies only allowed.  However, there are BIG FISH in these and other nearby waters.  Get the Truckee River acess map, and plan before you go. Rob L

Hi Rob. Are these fish comming up from Pyramide Lake ? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I asked someone in a local Tahoe store last autumn about the fishing up there. Apparently you have to be very good at reading the water since the area is somewhat overfished. —       Matthew W. Kaphan         Las Vegas, NV — Svend  1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy       Phone: (+1) 650 933 3618  Mountain View  California 94043  USA

– Svend  1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy       Phone: (+1) 650 933 3618  Mountain View  California 94043  USA

Response:

As far as I know they aren’t Pyramid Lake fish.  For an excellent resource on the Truckee and Pyramid, call the Truckee River Outfitters and ask one of their guy’s.  Some of them also work in their other shop in Reno and do guided trips and instruction in both areas.  They have always been forthcoming with good info. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Are these fish comming up from Pyramide Lake ?

Response:

Hi, I am from France and have been fishing in southern Utah few times and I enjoyed uit very much the colorado river down stream Lake Powell is jsut wonderful have a look at : http://www.leesferry.com/ and there is also some great places where brown trouts are waiting for your fly have a good time , and feel free to ask further information if needed

Response:

Question:

____  I’ve received many E-mail inquiries as to my health and recent operations at the Mayo Clinic.  I’ve had three major operations this year and all in one year.  This last one again went over five hours on the operating table.  It seems the only way I can get a vacation is to go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I guess, with experience comes confidence.  Frankly, I had a wonderful time in the operating room.  I had my first spinal and my anesthesiologist, Dr. David Cook, (a fellow fly fisherman) also kept me a little sleepy.  Every once in a while he would allow me to awake and I’d jabber what a wonderful time I was having which filled the operating room with laughter.  "So are we George.  You’re doing great by the way," and off I’d go, drifting off into dream land.  Dr. David Cook took great care of me and he talked softly about many things.  The operating room had several fly fishermen in it.  All of them, great knot tiers! What was done was, under excellent epidural anesthesia, a complete rebuilding of the aortofemoral graft and the removal of 35 years of cholesterol in the profunda femoris arteries.  Everyone has two of these usually.  I have three, which is rare.  Gore-Tex tubing was used in the by-pass grafting which will last forever.  Those who have circulation problems into their legs should consider this option available to them. If any of this information is of help, I’m glad to post it.  My future looks bright and I will be pedaling my bike in the near future as I work into my exercise program. Without some degree of physical fitness, which I have through exercise, most of this wouldn’t have been possible.  I should also mention that the Mayo Clinic is often cheaper in price than the majority of hospitals in the country, which may be surprising to some. Thank you all for your prayers.  They went with me and meant a lot.  I’m going to be just fine. Sincerely, George Gehrke —

Response:

Glad to hear you are doing well, George. Tim Lysyk – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ____  I’ve received many E-mail inquiries as to my health and recent operations at the Mayo Clinic.  I’ve had three major operations this year and all in one year.  This last one again went over five hours on the operating table.  It seems the only way I can get a vacation is to go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Response:

Hi George, You will be soon called the ‘bionic fly fisherman’ ? It is amazing what they can do for us old guys today. I had an angioplasty about 5 years ago myself. Exercise and a good diet is the best thing for everyone. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ____  I’ve received many E-mail inquiries as to my health and recent operations at the Mayo Clinic.  I’ve had three major operations this year and all in one year.  This last one again went over five hours on the operating table.  It seems the only way I can get a vacation is to go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I guess, with experience comes confidence.  Frankly, I had a wonderful time in the operating room.  I had my first spinal and my anesthesiologist, Dr. David Cook, (a fellow fly fisherman) also kept me a little sleepy.  Every once in a while he would allow me to awake and I’d jabber what a wonderful time I was having which filled the operating room with laughter.  "So are we George.  You’re doing great by the way," and off I’d go, drifting off into dream land.  Dr. David Cook took great care of me and he talked softly about many things.  The operating room had several fly fishermen in it.  All of them, great knot tiers! What was done was, under excellent epidural anesthesia, a complete rebuilding of the aortofemoral graft and the removal of 35 years of cholesterol in the profunda femoris arteries.  Everyone has two of these usually.  I have three, which is rare.  Gore-Tex tubing was used in the by-pass grafting which will last forever.  Those who have circulation problems into their legs should consider this option available to them. If any of this information is of help, I’m glad to post it.  My future looks bright and I will be pedaling my bike in the near future as I work into my exercise program. Without some degree of physical fitness, which I have through exercise, most of this wouldn’t have been possible.  I should also mention that the Mayo Clinic is often cheaper in price than the majority of hospitals in the country, which may be surprising to some. Thank you all for your prayers.  They went with me and meant a lot.  I’m going to be just fine. Sincerely, George Gehrke —

Response:

Good to hear your up and about G. Maybe now you realize the truth of our current fly-fishing crisis. -Muskie

Response:

Question:

Why the bimini twist?

…cuz the foxtrot looks dorky? -wf

Response:

If you aren’t worried about records, forget the bimini and fish a good tapered leader.  The bimini is a way to fish for big fish, like tarpon with a light tippit. If you are willing to fish a little heavier leader forget the bimini.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve only fished in the salt a few times but finally broke down and bought Lefty Kreh’s book on the subject.  My question is what use is the Bimini Twist?  I understand that if you are trying for a world record then you need great 100 per cent strength knots to tie in your 1 foot of "tippet class". I’m not really interested in that and I suspect the vast majority of salt water fisherman arent either…why not just tie your bite tippet on  with a surgeons knot or something? Sorry for this off topic question……now back to the Gink Wars. jorge — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Exchange ideas on practically anything ™.

Response:

Good choice in books … My S/W Flyfishing Bible, I call it. As I understand it ( and have somewhat tested) the Bimini is the strongest knot to use "if tied properly!  I personally am a strong proponent of the "spider hitch" It is easier, smaller, and faster to tie, and I now can tee it in a few seconds…even in the dark.   I almost always use it to loop on tippet to leader on all sizes I use (5x to 20#) even in freshwater.  It supposedly is just as strong as a bimini except for shock load.  Since most of the time the rod / line absorbs the shocks it works great for me.  I have even done some testing and it usually takes a better bimini than I can tie to exceed the breaking strength of one of my spiders.  I have also performed this test with a couple of professional S/W guides biminis (in up to 20# test) and usually their bimini fails first. (or of course the unknotted line in the middle. If you want to give it a try I think the knot is listed in Lefty’s book. Usually they show this knot being tied using a finger or thumb as the "guide" to wrap around. I have had better luck using a small object like a toothpick or hemostats.  After some practice it can easily be tied with no tools by looping the line "between" the thumb and forefinger with no tools. Like the bimini this knot’s real purpose it to double the line and use the loop lines to tie another knot to something… or to make a doubled loop.  I use a lot of loops and normally just make the spiders loop, combine the lines, and tie a surgeons loop close to the spider.  This can result in a small loop of double line. (or as large as you need)  For your shock leader or bite tippet this give you a doubled line of class tippet to tie the knot with. The knot tied with the doubled line is almost always stronger than the spider, bimini, or the single class tippet.  I find the issue of attaching wire, 40# or 100# mono to any doubled 12-16 lb connection more prone to failure and problems than the class termination knot. So far I Never lost a fish due to a spider breaking. (Although I have lost lots of fish due to the line breaking between the knots (where it’s supposed to) just poor dumb bad luck….  I have lost a number of fish due to bimini knot failure. If you go with the bimini in the 20# & under size I highly recommend using pliobond or something on the final hitches.  I have seen way too many bimini’s start coming apart while fishing if they are not glued.  I even saw this once on a friends backing to flyline connection where he had used a bimini.  The really sad part is that a number of us were taught to tie our best binini’s by Stu Apte … So I guess we can’t blame the teacher!  I recall reading somewhere that it only took a few years to "perfect" a bimini and ony a couple more to perfect it on a rocking boat out in the middle of the ocean.  Maybe they were right. The real test is to always break a lot of line and knots until you are confident they as strong as the line. (or at least as strong a YOU can tie them)  I make leaders from clear Ande and use Ande tournament class line. This stuff comes in 1/4 lb spools, so I have a lot to waste. I just tie up the knots on each end to end up about 3′ outside the loops and then use a couple of chunks of cut off broom handles to hold on to and break the knots. I stand on the stick with the loop over it on one end and pull with my hands at the other until it breaks.  Just make sure you have safety glasses  on and don’t touch the line itself.  16# and up is quite violent when it breaks and can give you a nasty cut if it gets near you hands. (ah the voice of experience)  This isn’t real scientific but really help you determine the best knots that you can tie. Good luck in the salt!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve only fished in the salt a few times but finally broke down and bought Lefty Kreh’s book on the subject.  My question is what use is the Bimini Twist?  I understand that if you are trying for a world record then you need great 100 per cent strength knots to tie in your 1 foot of "tippet class". I’m not really interested in that and I suspect the vast majority of salt water fisherman arent either…why not just tie your bite tippet on  with a surgeons knot or something? Sorry for this off topic question……now back to the Gink Wars. jorge — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Exchange ideas on practically anything ™.

Response:

Thanks so much for the advice over the bimini twist. (George and RJ). I will indeed practice a bit with the spider hitch and see if I can master that. I was fishing in the backcountry on my last trip to Latin America for snook and baby tarpon…..the fish were completely non leader tippet shy so I thought well in order not to lose’em in the mangroves and make sure I can horse’em, I’ll tie like 20 pound test on for a tippet.  I was having a ball catching 10 pound baby tarpon and small snook (and replacing the tippet every 3 or 4 fish cause the tarpon were sawing it up pretty good). However I hooked a big snook….the boat driver said "Its a big snook, Jorge….don’t let him get in the mangrove"…..the rod was an 8 weight Scott…..it was bent double and then broke a foot above the handle.   What did I do wrong there?  Is an 8 weight too lite for the backcountry?  Should I only use 10 pound tippets and depend on breaking off rather than stressing the rod too much?   It was a big snook….the boat was being pulled sideways into the mangrove and I’ll did was just hold on (in panic!). I appreciate the help you guys are giving to this beginner in the salt. Jorge — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Exchange ideas on practically anything ™.

Response:

Most likely you dinged the rod at some time and it was weak there.  If it is a top of the line rod you can probably get it replaced.  You can also have a problem if you grab the rod above the handle cause you can change where the rod is stressed.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks so much for the advice over the bimini twist. (George and RJ). I will indeed practice a bit with the spider hitch and see if I can master that. I was fishing in the backcountry on my last trip to Latin America for snook and baby tarpon…..the fish were completely non leader tippet shy so I thought well in order not to lose’em in the mangroves and make sure I can horse’em, I’ll tie like 20 pound test on for a tippet.  I was having a ball catching 10 pound baby tarpon and small snook (and replacing the tippet every 3 or 4 fish cause the tarpon were sawing it up pretty good). However I hooked a big snook….the boat driver said "Its a big snook, Jorge….don’t let him get in the mangrove"…..the rod was an 8 weight Scott…..it was bent double and then broke a foot above the handle. What did I do wrong there?  Is an 8 weight too lite for the backcountry?  Should I only use 10 pound tippets and depend on breaking off rather than stressing the rod too much?   It was a big snook….the boat was being pulled sideways into the mangrove and I’ll did was just hold on (in panic!). I appreciate the help you guys are giving to this beginner in the salt. Jorge — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Exchange ideas on practically anything ™.

Response:

Sounds like you were using the same guide I used…. Except when he tried to tell my buddy repeatedly in excited broken  English (the fish) GO IN MANGROVE! GO IN MANGROVE!  My buddy stepped out of the boat and sank to his shoulders in the silt….. But that’s a whole different story. We were in Cancun earlier this year and used 8 & 9 wt rods on the baby (4′ ) tarpon we found there & didn’t have any rod strength problems. I was using Sage Rplx’s and my buddy was using the Orvis and Fenwick HMG’s…  The tarpon action was hot and we ended up using straight 40# leaders when the all the premade tippets ran out….and still managed to break off a fair number of fish! (the folks at Sage are probably cringing if they read this! Sorry to have to tell you but your story sounds like operator error.  Strong saltwater fish need to fought with the butt of the rod not the tip.  You are risking it if you bend the rod beyond 90

Question:

i fish the coast of cal. and just last weekend i was surf fishing near half moon bay and pulled in a 28in" 12lb. striper! all i can tell you is that i fish the slack tides, look for the pockets and pools. i got the striper in slack tide in the surf using sand crabs but cut bait and pile worms work good also. i tie on my own hooks and keep the bottom hook about 18in. from the lead. keep at it, hope this helps! sal

Response:

I live along the I-5 corridore in Oregon. My family and I camp along the coast between Bandon and Newport. Each time I take my 12′ surf rod and I go out on the jetties and beaches and fish for hours. I’ve been doing this for years and have yet to catch a damn thing. Can someone please give me some suggestions. I’m getting tired of my wife making fun of me. thank you.

Response:

Although I live in Utah now, I grew up surf fishing the California coast. And I must confess, I’ve never gone surf fishing and not caught something, even though my first attempt as a young boy was with a fly rod. (I ran down the beach carrying the sinker, turned and came back to my pole, and then threw the sinker into the surf.) Here are my suggestions: Use shrimp on a #5 beak hook on a leader with 2 loops for hooks.  This hook has a short shank so the whole thing will fit inside a segment of the shrimp.  I’ve seen anglers doing things like digging sand crabs (which the perch eat), using anchovies, etc.  Nothing works better than shrimp. Use an inverted 3 oz. pyramid sinker so the undertoe will pull it out, not wash it into shore.  If you find your line is being washed to the shore on one side of you, move until the undertoe pulls it straight out.  If you get into a good current, it will take you line way out past the surf and you may catch things like shark and flounder rather than surf perch. Fish between the shore break and the big waves.  Between the big waves, it looks like a flat, calm area.  Then the waves break on it and stirs up the sand.  This area has surf perch which are great eating.  And they are the easiest to catch.  You will also feel weight on your line rather than the wiggle of a fish.  And you should be checking your anyway.  Surf has a way of removing it. Don’t worry about how far you can cast.  Most anglers cast too far.  The perch are in the surf.  Anything bigger will probably be caught letting the undertoe carry your line out. If you fish from a jetty made from rocks, keep a gunny sack for the fish so the crabs won’t get them.  And set a crab trap so you can put them in a 2nd gunny sack.  Red rock crabs don’t have seasons and size limits like dungeness crabs, either.  Fishing at the end of a jetty can produce ling cod and rock fish (great eating), manta rays (too heavy to even get out of the water), various sharks, and other weird looking things which you aren’t likely to get from the shore.  But if that fails, fish the surf. And don’t worry about tides.  There are always fish in the surf.  That’s where they live.  My best catches have been in the late morning to early afternoon. Rich Utah Fish Finder http://www.utahfishfinder.com

Response:

Question:

Low impact fires in wilderness areas are essential to the experience where legal.  Especially if your whipping up some fresh trout burrittos.  heavy emphasis on LOW IMPACT.         Snagging Kokanee is a great way to get good, relatively wild, fresh food.  While snagging Kokanee in Gross Res. quite a few years ago I accidentally snagged a 15" rainbow.  The fish was in bad shape.  I mean it was ripped almost in half.  I was putting a bit of umph into my snagging back then.         Knowing the regs, I "released" the carcass back into the water immediately.  Wouldn’t that fish have been be better spent in the bushes where one of our furry fish eating critters might have benefitted? JE

Response:

       Snagging Kokanee is a great way to get good, relatively wild, fresh food.  While snagging Kokanee in Gross Res. quite a few years ago I accidentally snagged a 15" rainbow.  The fish was in bad shape.  I mean it was ripped almost in half.  I was putting a bit of umph into my snagging back then.        Knowing the regs, I "released" the carcass back into the water immediately.  Wouldn’t that fish have been be better spent in the bushes where one of our furry fish eating critters might have benefitted?

- if you had trolled for kokanee with the same vigour you do for flames the sorry incident wouldn’t have happened; and you wouldn’t have to ask such a stupid question. Ralph H remove "(take_this_out)" for email reply.

Response:

Ralph’s reaction: – if you had trolled for kokanee with the same vigour you do for flames the sorry incident wouldn’t have happened; and you wouldn’t have to ask such a stupid question. Ralph H remove "(take_this_out)" for email reply.         I am stupid.  Very very stupid.  But the question?  It’s just a question.         Now, The Kokanee in Colorado do not reproduce in the wild and die naturally after their third or fourth season.  Harvest them while they’re firm.  There is good reason why the limit on snagged kokes is 40.         Rec.outdoors.fishing.snag.  That’d be a hell fire newsgroup aye?         Sorry Ralph.  I’ll be quiet now. JE

Response:

Knowing the regs, I "released" the carcass back into the water immediately.  Wouldn’t that fish have been be better spent in the bushes where one of our furry fish eating critters might have benefitted?

I am sure that they could retrieve it from the water on their own if the needed. You did the right thing. Regards, J. Webb Atlanta Mac User Group

Response:

*SNIP* Snagging Kokanee is a great way to get good, relatively wild, fresh food. While snagging Kokanee in Gross Res. quite a few years ago I accidentally snagged a 15" rainbow.  The fish was in bad shape.  I mean it was ripped almost in half.  I was putting a bit of umph into my snagging back then.  Knowing the regs, I "released" the carcass back into the water immediately.  Wouldn’t that fish have been be better spent in the bushes where one of our furry fish eating critters might have benefitted?

Hi Jon, Don’t think that trout was wasted.  Even though you didn’t get to eat it, nor did your/our furry friends, the algae and aquatic insects in the water did. It’s energy was recycled into the eco-system from which it came.  It just takes a place at the bottom of the aquatic food chain instead of at the top of it. If there are bears in your area, tossing fish in the bushes could also cause a problem with bears associating people with food.  That is never a good scenario and is a very real problem in CA. I hate to see incidental mortality like you describe, but when you’re snagging fish that’s going to happen.  I don’t like snagging and wouldn’t do it myself unless it was to keep from starving (big difference between subsistance and sport), but if it’s legal in your area, you have a right to do so.  The law requiring you to put back the incidentally caught trout is actually a good one.  If it allowed keeping incidentally snagged trout, pretty soon there would be a regular contingent out there specifically targeting the "incidental" trout.                                      Good Fishing,                                           Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

Response:

Question:

Hey: I’m interested in doing some flyfishing in the Florida Keys next April. Can anybody give me recommendations on guides in that area for tapon and bonefish?  This is my first trip.

Response:

Hey: I’m interested in doing some flyfishing in the Florida Keys next April. Can anybody give me recommendations on guides in that area for tapon and bonefish?  This is my first trip.

Hi Brian, This is a good time to book a guide for next spring. April/May/June is prime time. All the top guides have tackle for the day(s) you are with them. If you want to wade or rent a boat on your own then you need some tackle. I would call West and if he doesn’t have any days left he will know some other high quality guides in the Keys. He is considered in the top of his field and is also lots of fun to fish with. You can see him in the Billy Pate Tarpon fishing videos. As you can tell he is one of my heros.  . Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

Response:

Question:

I’m about to build my first flyrod.  I’d really like a 4 pc. rod for backpacking, but I’m worried about it being more difficult to build, maybe too much for a first-timer. Any advice as to that choice?  Also, I’m trying to decide between a 4 wt. and a 6 wt. Are heavier/lighter rods easier to build? Thanks, Steve —

Response:

I’ve built both 2 & 4 piece.  I can’t say that I found the 4 piece any more difficult. Good Luck!

Response:

there is no significant difference between building a 2 or 4 piece rod with the exception being that 2 additional ferrules require wrapping. as far as 4 wt or 6wt…….the smaller the circumference of the blank, the more difficult it becomes to wrap the guides in an aesthetically pleasing manner….. please drop me a line if you want to discuss further.. regards, rich at wild waters fly fishing

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’m about to build my first flyrod.  I’d really like a 4 pc. rod for backpacking, but I’m worried about it being more difficult to build, maybe too much for a first-timer. Any advice as to that choice?  Also, I’m trying to decide between a 4 wt. and a 6 wt. Are heavier/lighter rods easier to build? Thanks, Steve —

I haven’t found a big difference between a 4 or 2pc. in building it. 2 more spines to ID, two more ferrules to wrap. I might inlay a single metalic strand at the ferrule, but that’s a tiny bit of work. If you want to own the 4 pc. just do it or you’ll end up wishing you did later. In theory you would think it would be easier to wrap the first 2 guides on a 12 weight than it would on a 4 weight, the 12 being a thicker blank, but in reality the difference is not that big a deal. A Loomis IMX (2 pc.) 4 weight has a size 4 tip, and the 12 weight in the same blank is a 4.5, for example. That’s an extreme example. The difference between a 4 and 6 weight won’t even be noticable. Disclaimer is that I haven’t built anything smaller than an 8 weight in 12 years or so, so my memory of trout rods is cloudy, but I’d say build the rod you want to own, the differences you’re worrying about aren’t a big deal.                                                         jc

Response:

Question:

You should try and find someone that sell ST. Croix rods There well made and not that expencive. I’ve had a sage and orvis rods and personally think    the ST. Croix to be just as good, also less money. and they have a good  gaurentee on there rods.

Response:

I’m in the market for a new fly rod. I’m an experienced (3-years) fly fisherman fishing mainly on small to medium rivers in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana for ‘bows, cutts and browns, and on lakes though I don’t have a float tube yet, just a canoe. I hear good things about Sage and Loomis. Any feedback or suggestions. I’m trying to stay below $250

Response:

Question:

Hello Dcoop,    I’ve been flyfishing for only a few years now here in NY state. I live in Rensselaer near Albany, NY and don’t get to as much fishing as I would like to, but I do fish the adirondacks once in a while. I do have some friends though that fish it quite a bit up on the Ausable and Scroon rivers. What would you like to know? Maybe I can help. Email me at – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  I writing this article to see if there is anyone on the web who flyfishes the Adirondacks. I’m looking to chat about fly hatches and fishing conditions in the great northeast. Thanks’ Dcoop

Response:

  I writing this article to see if there is anyone on the web who flyfishes the Adirondacks. I’m looking to chat about fly hatches and fishing conditions in the great northeast. Thanks’ Dcoop

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Question:

Just my $0.02, but I tend to agree with clyde.  K-mart sells a $30- starter outfit.  I don’t like to go that cheap, but I have no problem with some of the next step up.  I recomend an 8′ 6wt for starters.  That will fish the smallest brookie and still land some big salmon.  I recomend Cabellas for some great deals too.  I just bought an IM6 graphite pack rod, 8′ 5wt 4pc, with an excellent reel for 49.95 total.  The reel seet is kind of cheap, and the rod has a very soft action (which I tend to prefer anyway), but it’s a nice package.  Good luck, and don’t get caught up in the snobbery of fly fishing.  Remember, the fish has no idea what you paid for your equipment.

Reminds me of the story about the guy who went to the fishing show and was cruising all the lure vendors’ displays.  He stops by a particularly bright display – full of neon colored plastic and sparkling lures.  He asks the guy behind the counter, "So do the fish like these?" pointing to the display.  "Dunno," says the vendor.  "We don’t sell ‘em to the fish." Joe G.

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I fished for 8 years now, mostly spin-cast.  I never once fly fish before and I want to take up the art of fly fishing.  To begin I want to ask a few questions:         1.  If I want to fish for trout and salmon but I only want one             rod, what size of rod should I get?         2.  What’s a good rod for a beginner (should I get something             cheap and upgrade later or start with a expensive gear)?         3.  Should I start with a float line or a sink line?         4.  What’s a good beginner fly pattern(s)?         5.  What’s else do I need to know?         6.  Is there a newsgroup for fly fishing? Thanks in advance for all replies. R.Ng

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I fished for 8 years now, mostly spin-cast.  I never once fly fish before and I want to take up the art of fly fishing.  To begin I want to ask a few questions:         1.  If I want to fish for trout and salmon but I only want one             rod, what size of rod should I get?

        not really a good idea … for salmon you should have a big rod,          like a 9wt, but just for "normal" fishing go with a smaller rod.         2.  What’s a good rod for a beginner (should I get something             cheap and upgrade later or start with a expensive gear)?

        dont get cheap stuff …. i get my spinning stuff from k-mart,        but you need quality rods to fly cast right $120 for rod and reel        beginner set….         3.  Should I start with a float line or a sink line?

        for starters definitly a floating line         4.  What’s a good beginner fly pattern(s)?

         get a fly book … "all of um.."         5.  What’s else do I need to know?

         what fish are you going for ? .. hatches … the meaning of life.         6.  Is there a newsgroup for fly fishing?

         no ,(i least i dont know about it), but there is  listserv mail          group, which i recommend …(i’m in it) .. 30-50 messages daily ! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks in advance for all replies.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –         1.  If I want to fish for trout and salmon but I only want one             rod, what size of rod should I get?    I’ve used $15 8′ fly rods for years that I’ve bought at K-mart and other dept. stores – they work.  I might not be able to cast as far or as easily as others out here with their expensive equipment but I bet I have just as much fun!  I do suggest getting a half decent reel.  I bought a "cheap" one ($20) for my wife at K-mart,  she doesn’t mind but it just doesn’t feel right to me. (Probably sp? I’d say the same about my cheap rods if I had ever used some of the more expensive models. )         2.  What’s a good rod for a beginner (should I get something             cheap and upgrade later or start with a expensive gear)?         3.  Should I start with a float line or a sink line?    I use 8′ to 9′ graphite composite rods that recommend 6 or 7 wt line.   I usually fish for trout and salmon, but also use it for bass and panfish.  I fish with floating line and have used dry, wet and streamers for flies.         4.  What’s a good beginner fly pattern(s)?    Go to a local fly shop of the area that you are going to fish for effective patterns.  Also the list of Flies that has been on this list is a very good start. Others:  I do not intend to start a flame war about cheap and expensive equipment.  I use the cheap stuff because that’s what I can afford.  And it works well.  I apologize if I offend anyone by using low quality equipment.   But the price and quality isn’t what fishing is about – catching fish and enjoying yourself is and that’s what I do. (Flame suit on…. -Clyde -Clyde W. Watson                                Cabletron Systems, Inc.  603-337-3133 voice                             Rochester, NH 03867  603-337- 3075 fax                              

Just my $0.02, but I tend to agree with clyde.  K-mart sells a $30- starter outfit.  I don’t like to go that cheap, but I have no problem with some of the next step up.  I recomend an 8′ 6wt for starters.  That will fish the smallest brookie and still land some big salmon.  I recomend Cabellas for some great deals too.  I just bought an IM6 graphite pack rod, 8′ 5wt 4pc, with an excellent reel for 49.95 total.  The reel seet is kind of cheap, and the rod has a very soft action (which I tend to prefer anyway), but it’s a nice package.  Good luck, and don’t get caught up in the snobbery of fly fishing.  Remember, the fish has no idea what you paid for your equipment.                 Lenny Bloksberg

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