Question:

Its been a very wet, cold spring so far, here in Wisconsin. But I finally got a chance to fish some moving water. With the river in town still running high I decided to check out some smaller water about 45 minutes from Merrill. The forecast called for rain and thunderstorms in the late afternoon so I left home about 10 am. Ended up on the little stream I have nicknamed the "Mayfly", due its very strong and dependable hatches. It too was running high but not as bad as the Prairie.  Got suited up, set up the rod and waded in. The water felt cold through my waders and checking the temp I found that it was 50deg.. There was a strong south wind which was mitigated somewhat by the surrounding streamside brush. After watching the surface for risers and seeing none I tied on a #12 Gold Ribbed H.E. nymph. The fishing was very slow. Only one very small brookie took,in what usually is a sure fire stretch of riffles and glides.  Working my way upstream I noticed a few #18 BWOs coming off but no rises. Checked the temp again and found it was up to 52deg. (Aren’t new toys fun?)Tried a #18 Adams and didn’t get a look from the trout. Being too lazy to rerig for nymphs again I tied on a #14 Royal Trude and promptly caught two fish, the biggest being 9", about average for this water. Thought I had hit paydirt but then didn’t get another fish to even splash at the fly for several hundred more yards upstream.  As I approached a deep fast run that has given up large fish for me in the past I rigged up with a green yarn indicator supporting a GRHE nymph with a Copper John nymph for a dropper. Promptly found out that casting a leader with three attachments of different densities was a major challenge. For every two or three casts that I got off successfully there was one that tangled the flies and indicator together. No fish came from the run but just upstream I noticed a few Hendrickson mayflies struggling at the surface and then taking flight. Even better I began to pick up fish. Two 9" brookies in fine color came to hand on the GRHE. The Copper John was ignored.  The first splashy rises brought a change in terminal tackle again. A #14 Hendrickson was bent on but ignored by the fish. A brown emerger was tried but no luck. And it began to rain. There were still a few flies on the water but the rises had quit. Struggled into my rain gear (i.e. an emergency rain poncho aka glorified garbage bag with a hood).  Made the decision to head downstream for the car. Cinched on a #12 Hares Ear soft hackle. A few bumps and one small brookie later found me at the head of a small pool. Went to a Royal Coachman streamer. After a few casts I noticed a couple of quiet rises behind an alder branch across the stream from me. As I was lifting the streamer from the water there was a strong swirl and the biggest fish of the trip came to my net, an 11" brookie. The rises behind the alder had stopped but a couple of pools down saw another fish feeding. Tied on the Hendrickson again and a few casts later a brook trout responded to the float. At the tail of the pool there was a pod of fish feeding on the still sporadically hatching Hendricksons. Reached into my pocket to check the water temp and….came up empty. In my contortions to get into the cheap rain poncho I had knocked my new thermometer loose and it was lying somewhere upstream amongst the rocks and trout. Oh well, there were still fish to cast to. The Hendrickson took three more brookies on downstream drifts until another, harder rain shower put the fish down again. Almost back to the car, I tied on a Partridge and Green soft hackle (with flourescent green floss for the abdomen) and immediately hooked the hottest fish of the trip, a fast, jumping 10" brown. A few yards farther down brought its twin to hand. With the rain coming even harder, thunder in the distance and a deadline in town I decided to call it a day. Other than the lost thermometer it was a most successful first day on the water. No big fish but enough action to keep me satisfied with my efforts.  And, as usual, the "Mayfly" lived up to its nickname. G.Cleveland

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Its been a very wet, cold spring so far, here in Wisconsin. But I

<SNIP Very nice report, of what sounds like a very nice trip. Most enjoyable. TL MV

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Question:

We are planning a trip to the Laguna Madre late summer early fall.  Never been before.  Any help on flies, maps, places, etc would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance. Henry

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We are planning a trip to the Laguna Madre late summer early fall.  Never been before.  Any help on flies, maps, places, etc would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance. Henry

Henry, what part of the Laguna Madre are you planning to visit? It runs about 120 miles from Corpus Christi south to the Brazos Santiago Pass at South Padre Island. For great fly fishing adventures, you can’t miss fishing with Capt. Joe Mendez, Capt. Bill Sheka or Capt. Billy Sandifer out of Corpus Christi. Out of Port Mansfield, try Capt. Charlie Buchen or Capt. Terry Neal. Out of  Arroyo City, I highly recommend Capt. Dan Coley and Capt. Rick Hartman.   Out of South Padre and Port Isabel, you can’t miss with Captains Eric Glass, Jim Stewart, Chuck Scates, Richard McInnis or Skipper Ray. Take lots of shrimp patterns and Clousers and have a great adventure. Phil Shook

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Question:

Took the little lady out of school today to see Harry Potter (you are only young once). Saw the first showing in town.  Wasn’t bad, a good kids movie. They did however show the trailers for Lord of the Rings….looks good. Real good….may have to dust off an old brownie recipe and pretend I’m in college again….read ‘em in college don’t you know….(yup, got me an eddycation) john

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Check out the scenery.. it was shot in New Zealand by a New Zealand director.. "Lord of the rings" fever has struck some parts LOL. Clark

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Took the little lady out of school today to see Harry Potter (you are only young once). Saw the first showing in town.  Wasn’t bad, a good kids movie. They did however show the trailers for Lord of the Rings….looks good. Real good….may have to dust off an old brownie recipe and pretend I’m in college again….read ‘em in college don’t you know….(yup, got me an eddycation) john

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Check out the scenery.. it was shot in New Zealand by a New Zealand director.. "Lord of the rings" fever has struck some parts LOL. Clark

Hell, you’ve picked up on a Canadian national sport – spotting the Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver street landmarks in "NY street scene" movies.  (X-files is/was shot in Vancouver, for example.) Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://home.cogeco.ca/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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They did however show the trailers for Lord of the Rings….looks good. Real good….may have to dust off an old brownie recipe and pretend I’m in college again….read ‘em in college don’t you know

I have to admit I’m really looking forward to that one.  It appears pretty well done.  Rereading "Fellowship" right now  Gollum snatched his fish by hand you know, and ate ‘em raw…

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Gollum snatched his fish by hand you know, and ate ‘em raw…

Unethical!!!! George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

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They did however show the trailers for Lord of the Rings….looks good. Real good….

Blesssss us and splasssh us, me precioussssessss…we can hardly wait. Counting the days till this release.  I’ve been waiting years for someone to do a worthy version. BTW, saw David Mamet’s new one "Heist" tonight.  Strongly recommend to all fans of his writing.  He gives Devito has a phone conversation that almost rivals the "fucking Ruthie…" speech from "American Buffalo". Zippy Who can’t imagine the size of the checking accounts of the Harry Potter owner’s after this weekend.

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Took the little lady out of school today to see Harry Potter (you are only young once). Saw the first showing in town.  Wasn’t bad, a good kids movie.

Saw it this afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Still like the books better though. They did however show the trailers for Lord of the Rings….looks good. Real good….may have to dust off an old brownie recipe and pretend I’m in college again….read ‘em in college don’t you know….(yup, got me an eddycation)

This one has me worried.  Hard to imagine anyone doing justice to the books. Wolfgang

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They did however show the trailers for Lord of the Rings….looks good. Real good….may have to dust off an old brownie recipe and pretend I’m in college again….read ‘em in college don’t you know….(yup, got me an eddycation) This one has me worried.  Hard to imagine anyone doing justice to the books. Wolfgang

It has to be better than the Bakshi rotoscoped abortion, or the cutesy Rankin and Bass animations. From the trailers I’ve seen and the production photos on the web site, it looks like they are doing a  great job.  Shooting in NZ was a great idea – the mountains really look like the Misty Mountains.  They are doing all three books – "The Two Towers" next year and "Return of the King" in 2003, so at least they’re going to follow the story sequence at the grossest level.  Obviously they have to do a lot of story compression to meet the movie time limitations, but the word from the fan sites is that they are making a good attempt at completeness.  They did omit Tom Bombadil though – I liked the idea of a hippy living in the woods of Middle Earth. I went to see Harry Potter last night.  The visualizations were excellent – it was eerie how well the film matched the picture in my head.  Hagrid was perfect.  The only complaint I have is the movie’s pacing.  It was very episodic – which in retrospect is very like the book.  That’s the big difference between the media I guess – chapterization works well in book format, but you expect a movie to flow better.  They did manage to fit in most of the content of the book into the 2.5 hours.  My youngest son refused to go because he didn’t want to mess up the pictures in his imagination (he’s still reading book 3). –Stan (looking forward to getting my Gandalf soda flask at Burger King)

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 I read it instead of studying for my first semester  freshman year finals.  Still managed to pass  everything ok, but it was all down hill from there.  I was dreading the movie: I didn’t want my images  of the story destroyed.

It’s interesting to hear how many people feel this way.  I just asked a question on a Tolkien newsgroup.  I can’t believe how many people are totally into the intricate details of that story and history, and how many people are upset that such a "holy" book is being put on film.

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They did omit Tom Bombadil though – I liked the idea of a hippy living in the woods of Middle Earth.

Willi Bombadil – Master of Whitheywindle trout!

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The best course of action is to first see the movie and THEN read the book. That way, you don’t have to work so hard to make up the imagery.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s interesting to hear how many people feel this way.  I just asked a question on a Tolkien newsgroup.  I can’t believe how many people are totally into the intricate details of that story and history, and how many people are upset that such a "holy" book is being put on film.  For me, it’s not that the book is somehow "holy" but that it  is a fantasy tale, I created pretty strong images of the fantasy  when I read the books, and I know that they will be erased  if I see the movie: I can’t make the images coexist.  I have  felt the same way about other books & movies based on them,  though I do feel stronger about this one.

It’s a common enough feeling.  And, of course, there is nothing holy about The Lord of the Rings.  However, Tolkien was blessed with a rare ability to create a believable (I was about to delete that word and replace it with "plausible" but have decide to let it stand) world and evoke very powerful images of what that world must look like.  Add to this the well known fact that a two hour long film can virtually never do justice to a book with which a reader lives for days or weeks, even under the best of circumstances, and it’s easy enough to see why many a fan would be wary.  And then too, many readers, like myself, were introduced to Tolkien at a relatively young age.  The images brought forth (and they are VERY powerful ones) have had time to seep deep into the consciousness.  Rereadings in later life will doubtless alter those images, but not radically.  More likely, they will simply reinforce them.  Not a thing to be tampered with lightly. Wolfgang who will go to see the movie but will NOT promise to like it.

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snip< I was also wondering what this has to do with Fly Fishing. Looks like a hanging curve ball, out over the plate…..   Batter up.

That post can’t be for real. I mean I know pinheads like that exist but telling folks to read their Bible on ROFF ? I suspect an rdean spoof. — Ken Fortenberry

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Funny thing I never take my kids out of school to subject them to a movie that is made to seem alright for kids. It involves sorcery and black magic. Do you think this is the kind of things kids should be watching. Oh it seems harmless as a movie but that is exactly the way they want it to be. Thats what draws kids in and seems interesting to them. It is apparent that you do not think much about where you will go after you leave this world. If I were you I would look into my Bible, If not for yourself do it for your children. I don’t mean to bust your chops so much but this is not the type of thing to take your kids to see. I was also wondering what this has to do with Fly Fishing. Since this is a Fly Fishing newsgroup anyway.

I personally wouldn’t take kids out of school to see any movie, but any action that pisses off the thumpers can’t be all bad.  Way to go John.  :-) Get a life "Maw".      - Ken

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I’d rather see a movie version of "Bored of the Rings", actually. I’ll stick with the books for the ‘real thing’. — Charlie…

One can hope.  Given the success of parody movies like "Scary Movie", if the first LOTR movie is successful, a "National Lampoon’s: Bored of the Rings" might just happen. I lost my copy of BOTR many years ago, and a year ago I located a used copy on the Internet so my sons would not be deprived.  I found a few good links which have festered in my favorites folder since then.   Here’s a good one – this guy thought that the ending looked rushed, and so wrote an additional chapter to round it out.  For those folks who don’t or can’t have a full copy of BOTR, this might give you a taste for the full book. http://junior.apk.net/~drushel/b_scour.html –Stan

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I lost my copy of BOTR many years ago, and a year ago I located a used copy on the Internet so my sons would not be deprived.  

Thanks for the link. I still have my original paperback but it’s pretty tattered. I found a decent copy in a used book store in San Rafael when I was in CA a few years ago (along with some of Gamov’s Mr. Tompkins books – it was a pretty good bookstore) and have passed it along to my sons as well. — Charlie…

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(along with some of Gamov’s Mr. Tompkins books – it was a pretty good

bookstore) And I learn something new every day.  I had never heard of these, so I googled Mr. Tompkins.  I suppose those books had just lost their utility by the 60s – there was a lot more popularization of math and physics by then and I grew up on Asimov and Martin Gardner.

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Funny thing I never take my kids out of school to subject them to a movie that is made to seem alright for kids. It involves sorcery and black magic. Do you think this is the kind of things kids should be watching. Oh it seems harmless as a movie but that is exactly the way they want it to be. Thats what draws kids in and seems interesting to them. It is apparent that you do not think much about where you will go after you leave this world. If I were you I would look into my Bible, If not for yourself do it for your children. I don’t mean to bust your chops so much but this is not the type of thing to take your kids to see. I was also wondering what this has to do with Fly Fishing. Since this is a Fly Fishing newsgroup anyway.

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snip< I was also wondering what this has to do with Fly Fishing. Since this is a Fly Fishing newsgroup anyway.

Looks like a hanging curve ball, out over the plate…..   Batter up. Joe F.

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And I learn something new every day.  I had never heard of these, so I googled Mr. Tompkins.  I suppose those books had just lost their utility by the 60s – there was a lot more popularization of math and physics by then and I grew up on Asimov and Martin Gardner.

I read them first, I think, in my early teens and re-encountered them in the late ’60s/earky ’70s in grad school. My research advisor had some and I thought it was pretty interesting to re-read them. — Charlie…

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(along with some of Gamov’s Mr. Tompkins books – it was a pretty good bookstore) And I learn something new every day.  I had never heard of these, so I googled Mr. Tompkins.  I suppose those books had just lost their utility by the 60s – there was a lot more popularization of math and physics by then and I grew up on Asimov and Martin Gardner.

If I’m not mistaken, George Gamow was the guy who coined the word "google" (10^100) and googleplex (10^google). Now it’s a verb.

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Funny thing I never take my kids out of school to subject them to a movie that is made to seem alright for kids. It involves sorcery and black magic. Do you think this is the kind of things kids should be watching. Oh it seems harmless as a movie but that is exactly the way they want it to be. Thats what draws kids in and seems interesting to them. It is apparent that you do not think much about where you will go after you leave this world. If I were you I would look into my Bible, If not for yourself do it for your children.

Right. The Bible is where you’ll find the really serious sorcery and black magic.

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Rereadings in later life will doubtless alter those images, but not radically.  More likely, they will simply reinforce them.  Not a thing to be tampered with lightly.

Looks like you’ve started a manic phase, Wolfgang.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  I read it instead of studying for my first semester  freshman year finals.  Still managed to pass  everything ok, but it was all down hill from there.  I was dreading the movie: I didn’t want my images  of the story destroyed. It’s interesting to hear how many people feel this way.  I just asked a question on a Tolkien newsgroup.  I can’t believe how many people are totally into the intricate details of that story and history, and how many people are upset that such a "holy" book is being put on film.

People can get pretty obscessive about the Tolkien books. When I went to college back in the the Eocene I was into the books  in a big way. Went to a meeting of the "Tolkien Society" or some such name. There were some seriously disturbed individuals there. Some had adopted names and personas from the books and kept them while living in the outside world. You would see "Strider" stalking about campus in his cape and if you dared to call him his real name you would be viciously ignored. "Galadriel" would flounce around the library in her elvish garb. Actually, they fit in pretty well with Madison circa 1971. G.Cleveland

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We were in the dorm playing the Hobbitt and I was into watching the fire trails of the flaming bolts of lightning  produced by the big kitchen matches  that I, as Gandalf, sent coursing over the heads of the trolls and demons who were pounding at the shower curtain door of my house when I caught the towels on fire….what a trip. john

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Question:

On a typical day of fishing – say on the recent San Juan Clave, what are the things in your vest/chest pack that you would not be without (besides flies)?  My vest (el cheapo Wally World special) has about 20 different pockets and an assortment of D-rings.  What sort of goodies do *you* fill these pockets with?

At the Maine Clave in September, the Lakewood Camps staff prepared sack lunches for people who didn’t want to interrupt their fishing at mealtime. I recently found the remains of a stick of cheese from one of those lunches in the bottom of one of the front pockets of my vest. I left it there for good luck. –Steve

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Pretty much was Ken has said, except for the camera.  My most important tool is a knot tying tool, although if I lost it I could use my hemostats to tie the clinch knots. I also carry a stick of "Mean streak", a magic marker for coloring the last 12 – 16 inches of tippet white.   Dave LaCourse Pirate and Bottom Dweller

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"Peter Charles" wrote Different fish  species usually means different stuff but the constants are: snip Peter

Nice list Peter, I also carry: Albolene Tippet material Extra leaders antiseptic Ernie

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two condoms, a wine opener, a yashica t4super, two rolls of film (one b&w, one 400asa fuji print), and a waterproof copy of the kama sutra.

Two, huh? Who’s the other guy? –Steve

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I also carry a stick of "Mean streak", a magic marker for coloring the last 12 – 16 inches of tippet white.

Interesting. I’ve never heard of doing something like that. I’m assuming that’s to make the tippet more invisible when fishing dry flies, no? Is that for mono tippet or only for flouro? I thought the darker colors were more invisible so this is news to me. –Steve

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frog fanny What’s a frog’s ass doin in your vest? Seriously though, what is it?

Frog’s Fanny is a self-described "Double Duty Fly Treatment". I first learned of it this summer from Mary Dorsey’s guide friend who gave me a couple of his "Ray Charles Specials", (even a blind guy could catch a fish on this fly , that had been brushed with this stuff. I was REALLY impressed with it and said so here on ROFF. Turns out Charlie Wilson had discovered this stuff a long time ago and was so impressed he bought a whole case, just in case they ever went out of business, so he sent me a bottle. It’s essentially a very fine powder that you apply with a brush to work it into the dubbing. Highly recommended. — Ken Fortenberry

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I also carry a stick of "Mean streak", a magic marker for coloring the last 12 – 16 inches of tippet white. "Zimbo" wrote … Interesting. I’ve never heard of doing something like that. I’m assuming that’s to make the tippet more invisible when fishing dry flies, no? Is that for mono tippet or only for flouro? I thought the darker colors were more invisible so this is news to me. –Steve

Zimbo, In some parts of the country there is a drifting caddis that spins a white line which helps it to drift.  A white tippet resembles this line. Ernie

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On a typical day of fishing – say on the recent San Juan Clave, what are the things in your vest/chest pack that you would not be without (besides flies)?  My vest (el cheapo Wally World special) has about 20 different pockets and an assortment of D-rings.  What sort of goodies do *you* fill these pockets with?

I’m a bit of a minimalist, but here goes… – flies (usually in two small boxes) – extra tippet – license – floatant – hemostat – sunglasses – trash bag (for carrying out garbage left by other fishermen) Don’t have a vest, usually use a generic fanny-pack.      - Ken

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Zimbo writes: I also carry a stick of "Mean streak", a magic marker for coloring the last 12 – 16 inches of tippet white. Interesting. I’ve never heard of doing something like that. I’m assuming that’s to make the tippet more invisible when fishing dry flies, no? Is that for mono tippet or only for flouro? I thought the darker colors were more invisible so this is news to me. –Steve

No.  It is used to color the tippet (kind doesn’t matter) to mock the thread of net making caddis worms.  It is a neat trick used on the Rapid and other rivers in Maine.  It works with the green rock worm.  Sometimes the worms (larva) are washed away from their rock, but hold on, not unlike a spider dangling from his web.  Read Gary LaFontaine’sCaddisflies. Dave L.

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On a typical day of fishing – say on the recent San Juan Clave, what are the things in your vest/chest pack that you would not be without (besides flies)?  My vest (el cheapo Wally World special) has about 20 different pockets and an assortment of D-rings.  What sort of goodies do *you* fill these pockets with?

in my wader pocket- -spool or 2 of maxima -license -hook file tucked inside front of wader (or if raining in rain jacket pockets)- -one flybox -one shooting head wallet for holding sink-tips vests suck,<G chris

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Nice list Peter, I also carry: Albolene Tippet material Extra leaders antiseptic Ernie

I’ll be you carry yourself very well, Ernie. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

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: Frog’s Fanny is a self-described "Double Duty Fly Treatment". : It’s essentially a very fine powder that you apply with a : brush to work it into the dubbing. Highly recommended. So is it bait or what?  ;-) You never actually say what double duties it performs… JonCook. — Are you a r.o.f.f. newbie? Then see http://www.cs.nmsu.edu/~jcook/ROFF/

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On a typical day of fishing – say on the recent San Juan Clave, what are the things in your vest/chest pack that you would not be without (besides flies)?  My vest (el cheapo Wally World special) has about 20 different pockets and an assortment of D-rings.  What sort of goodies do *you* fill these pockets with?

There’s no rule that says you need to fill them. What I carry depends on where I’m fishing. For local waters or waters where I think I know what to expect, I have a somewhat minimal fishing shirt I use that has only two pockets. I carry floatant, nippers, and two spools of tippet. I carry two small flies boxes.  Inside of one of the boxes there is some Biostrike strike ind. and a few small weights in addition to flies. I ALWAYS carry a pair of reading glasses. On waters I’m not familiar with, I carry a fully loaded vest but the main difference is more flies. I do try and avoid this because I find a fully loaded vest a pain. Willi

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: Frog’s Fanny is a self-described "Double Duty Fly Treatment". … You never actually say what double duties it performs…

Blurb straight off the bottle; … Frog’s Fanny is not only the best dry fly floatant that you will ever use, now you can really "Match the Hatch" by coating your nymphs with Frog’s Fanny. It will put an air bubble around them that looks exactly like an emerging insect. It floats a dry fly better than anything I’ve ever used if brushed into the dubbing thoroughly, can’t vouch for the "air bubble around the nymph" claim. — Ken Fortenberry

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good inventory snipped<

This shows me that I don’t fish often enough.   To give the detailed inventory Ken offers, I’d have to get out my vest and check. I never carry my sunglasses in my vest, they stay on a neck cord.   I don’t usually carry a compass, but I have taken a small GPS on occasion.   Never needed a tape measure (yet).   Don’t carry a Leatherman tool, but have a nifty little pair of curved needlenose pliers. All in all, I carry much the same stuff as Ken, except in my upper right outside pocket are some strike indicators. Nice idea for a thread, thanks TR.<

ditto. Joe F.

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I’ll add ; a small pen lite flashlight, a cheap pair of reading glasses chap stick pocket knife – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – … My vest (el cheapo Wally World special) has about 20 different pockets and an assortment of D-rings.  What sort of goodies do *you* fill these pockets with? Inside pockets (5): first aid kit leatherman tool map & compass car keys Outside vest: patch of amadou nipper on a retractable cord hemostat foam fly patch (can’t get barbless hooks to stay on a wool patch) hook hone Upper right pockets (2): leader wallet with spare leaders & licenses floatant frog fanny Orvis dessicant Upper left pockets (2): camera spools of tippet (usually 4X, 5X, 6X for trout) Lower right pockets (2): sunglasses whisky flask fly box Lower left pockets (3): stream thermometer (used to be outside next to hook hone but I lost too many) fly box red Mucilin patch of Cortland line cleaner container of assorted weights (rarely used tape measure Back of vest (two compartments): lunch water bottle rain jacket and a brand new landing net from Float ‘n Fish. Nice idea for a thread, thanks TR.

         Harry Mason     www.Troutflies.com               *** "Quality Flies for a Trout’s Eyes"

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Different fish  species usually means different stuff but the constants are: nippers hemostat hook sharpener magnet-needle-nailknot thingie key to the back of my truck flashlight thermometer bandaids compass matches splitshot strike indicator putty spare sunglasses also usually carry a small camera and a flask of the good stuff Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

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frog fanny

What’s a frog’s ass doin in your vest? Seriously though, what is it?

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At first you just put in a few things that you need and before you know it you don’t have any room left. Ernie "TimeRanger" wrote – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – On a typical day of fishing – say on the recent San Juan Clave, what are the things in your vest/chest pack that you would not be without (besides flies)?  My vest (el cheapo Wally World special) has about 20 different pockets and an assortment of D-rings.  What sort of goodies do *you* fill these pockets with?

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On a typical day of fishing -, what are the things in your vest/chest pack that you would not be without (besides flies)?

        two condoms, a wine opener, a yashica t4super, two rolls of film (one b&w, one 400asa fuji print), and a waterproof copy of the kama sutra. wayno

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… My vest (el cheapo Wally World special) has about 20 different pockets and an assortment of D-rings.  What sort of goodies do *you* fill these pockets with?

I use an LL Bean chest pack and usually carry the following: Outside: Albolene Nippers Hemostat Flashlight Insect repellent Leader straightener Mesh Pockets: Tippet Material, sizes depending on stream and time of year, Inside: Goose neck light Compass Reading glasses Sunglasses Extra leaders More tippet material Dessicant 1-1/2" square magnet(instead of fleece patch) Weights Small needle nose pliers Car key Wallet containing licenses Thermometer Hook hone Line dressing Backstrap: Maps (if needed) Spare reel spool w/line Bandana Toilet Paper Wader patch Spare glasses Lunch, light jacket, or rain gear (if needed) In very hot weather, I use a mesh backstrap which carries nothing, so all of the above would be eliminated. Again, good idea for a thread. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

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On a typical day of fishing – say on the recent San Juan Clave, what are the things in your vest/chest pack that you would not be without (besides flies)?  My vest (el cheapo Wally World special) has about 20 different pockets and an assortment of D-rings.  What sort of goodies do *you* fill these pockets with?

In my vest (just going by memory here) Inside Pockets Left Side Leader Wallet (3 packs of 10′ 5x & 7.5" 6x leader. One fast sinking leader) Extra Spool of 5x, 6x tippet Pewter Flask (filled with either Captain Morgan, Talisker or Tequila) Miniature Flashlight Inside Pockets Right Side Eyeglasses Fishing License Bottom Left Outside Pockets Two foam fly boxes – one nymph/emergers, one dry fly Bottom Right Outside Pockets Midge Fly box David’s  Sunflower Seeds (Salsa or Ranch) Middle Outside Pocket Leatherman Tool Spyderco Pocket Knife Top Outside Pocket Split shot Strike Indicators (Yarn and Foam) Outside D-ring left side – Fly floatant – Albolene Outside Right side – Old metal shower curtain ring – holds two spools of tippet Zinger with Snips for tippet Back zippered section – If weather looks bad – store my rain jacket in there.  If it is good weather, will store extra beers. Depending on time of year, In the bottom of it, carry my fingerless wool gloves Back outside D-ring – Net Wear a fanny pack for lower back support, wade belt Outside Pocket Safewater Bottle (In a pinch will also hold 3 beers and a small sandwich) Inside chest waders pocket – On the San Juan, carried my digital camera in a Ziploc freezer sandwich bag bc. — I don’t care who you are, you are not walking on the water while I’m fishing.

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On a typical day of fishing – say on the recent San Juan Clave, what are the things in your vest/chest pack that you would not be without (besides flies)?  My vest (el cheapo Wally World special) has about 20 different pockets and an assortment of D-rings.  What sort of goodies do *you* fill these pockets with? — All fishermen are liars ‘cept you n me, and I’m starting to have doubts about you! www.fishticker.com

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… My vest (el cheapo Wally World special) has about 20 different pockets and an assortment of D-rings.  What sort of goodies do *you* fill these pockets with?

Inside pockets (5): first aid kit leatherman tool map & compass car keys Outside vest: patch of amadou nipper on a retractable cord hemostat foam fly patch (can’t get barbless hooks to stay on a wool patch) hook hone Upper right pockets (2): leader wallet with spare leaders & licenses floatant frog fanny Orvis dessicant Upper left pockets (2): camera spools of tippet (usually 4X, 5X, 6X for trout) Lower right pockets (2): sunglasses whisky flask fly box Lower left pockets (3): stream thermometer (used to be outside next to hook hone but I lost too many) fly box red Mucilin patch of Cortland line cleaner container of assorted weights (rarely used tape measure Back of vest (two compartments): lunch water bottle rain jacket and a brand new landing net from Float ‘n Fish. Nice idea for a thread, thanks TR. — Ken Fortenberry

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Now, what did you expect making a comment like that n a jeep ng…. What a weenie…

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 Lately,  I hear many people who own Jeeps spouting out this phrase:    "You wouldn’t understand man….it’s a Jeep thing!"  Ok.   I guess I don’t really get it.  But I am starting to understand something about " the Jeep thing".

You don’t understand its a Jeep thing. — Its a Jeep thing..You would’t understand. URL: http://the-threshold.org/gallery/jeep                   OR Its an Anoraks thing.. You don’t want to understand URL: http://the-threshold.org/Anorak-Offroad

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 Lately,  I hear many people who own Jeeps spouting… " What thing is it?" asks Jimmy.  " It’s not ANYTHING," says the 4runner driver. "it’s just a damn car." —-Muskie

  that was funny. Sorry guys and gals. I have to be a traitor on this one. I live in a college town. And here the average Jeep driver’s values and experiences have very little in line with me. Unless it’s clearly built or restored, it’s just another car. -ejs

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 Lately,  I hear many people who own Jeeps spouting out this phrase:    "You wouldn’t understand man….it’s a Jeep thing!"  Ok.   I guess I don’t really get it.  But I am starting to understand something about " the Jeep thing". You don’t understand its a Jeep thing.

Is this anything like "alternative music" ? —

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Wow! If it isn’t Muskie the Wonder Troll returning to haunt our newsgroups!   Lately,  I hear many people who own Jeeps spouting out this phrase:   "You wouldn’t understand man….it’s a Jeep thing!"

You still can’t get it right:  "It’s a Jeep thing… you wouldn’t understand" is the phrase. Ok.   I guess I don’t really get it.  But I am starting to understand something about " the Jeep thing". It seems many(not all) Jeepers want to belong to a group of rugged individualists.  They feel that having a rugged Jeep sets them apart from the rest of society and makes them "different" somehow. What is this? Words like "belong"  and "group" and "individualists" really seem to contradict each other don’t they?  It seems many Jeepers want to be different, just like all the different people.

Those that I have seen who have actually bestowed the phrase on their vehicle are generally those who actually take the vehicles off-road, go camping, lead an active life style, toss on a trailer of jet-ski’s or dirt bikes and actually have a life.  These people go to the Jeep Jamboree’s, the Trail Runs, etc.  They are far from ’sheep’ though a few to many people who are following the Jones’s unfortunately do buy them instead of mock-SUV’s like the Explorer. Modems.. the lightning rods of the ’90’s! (sigh) Don’t bother to E-mail.. not using my account.

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How much would an Old Man Emu lift cost on an 86 cherokee?  I am looking for ball park estimates on the ~3" lift reviewed on off-road.com (i think). Also, are there web sources for Old Man Emu ordering? Thanks, jeremiah — 86 cherokee – soon to be a 3.4 L V6!!!!

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Lately,  I hear many people who own Jeeps spouting out this phrase:   "You wouldn’t understand man….it’s a Jeep thing!"

If your idiotic flame bait bothered me at all, you might be right… Motorcycles have the same cadre relationship.  When you’re on a bike or a harley, almost *everybody* waves.  It is no different, and I think anybody who buys a jeep or a bike only for the waves is going to be sorely disappointed. Besides, it IS a JEEP thing, and you CLEARLY DO NOT understand.  at all… jeremiah — 86 cherokee – soon to be a 3.4 L V6!!!!

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few to many people who are following the Jones’s unfortunately do buy them instead of mock-SUV’s like the Explorer.

I for one appreciate all the Yuppie’s buying new cherokees and TJs… I see it as fodder for myself in 5 or 6 years when I’ll be buying a used 99… just think of all those Yuppie jeeps as replacement parts.  never seen the mud, never been bashed over rocks or seen any real duty.  I think its just great. jeremiah — 86 cherokee – soon to be a 3.4 L V6!!!!

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few to many people who are following the Jones’s unfortunately do buy them instead of mock-SUV’s like the Explorer. I for one appreciate all the Yuppie’s buying new cherokees and TJs… I see it as fodder for myself in 5 or 6 years when I’ll be buying a used 99… just think of all those Yuppie jeeps as replacement parts.  never seen the mud, never been bashed over rocks or seen any real duty.  I think its just great.

hehe, I must admit I never thought of it that way.. but I have thought of it as a way to keep the vehicles in production and to keep the prices somewhat down.. on the other hand the high demand has surged what should be an $18-22k vehicle up to nearly $40k.. almost a full half of which is profit for Chrysler. Modems.. the lightning rods of the ’90’s! (sigh) Don’t bother to E-mail.. not using my account.

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HUH?! Where the hell is your point? Meanwhile, if you don’t understand – don’t bother trying.  Obviously, you don’t own a Jeep, so there’s your first obstacle.  The next is being a brand-loyal four-wheeler, where everybody who doesn’t drive you’re particular make of vehicle is pond-scum.  And finally, you’re a little dissatisfied with whatever make of vehicle you’re driving (and a little envious of a Jeep) to take issue with something you don’t or want to understand.  Get a life. I do think that we, as four-wheelers, need to recognize all makes and models as brethren and form an even larger following with a much more accurate motto:  "It’s a 4×4 thing…you asphalt-bound grocery-getters certainly wouldn’t understand."  Anybody with a purpose-built, fill-tilt-boogie off road rig (no matter what it is) gets a wave and nod-of-approval from me. Until then, it’s just us Jeepers… Eric ‘80 CJ-7 – 4" Pro Comp, 33×15.50 Swampers, and way too many other things to mention, ‘85 Nissan King Cab 4×4 – 31×10.50 AT’s, no lift, gets me to work and pulls the boat. — Opinions, everybody’s got one of those, too. You know how to Reply…

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Muskie,        Just when we thought Mr. Troll himself had finally gone away it slithers back in… I have a jeep because I always wanted one and I could care less who else has one. The jeep wave is a tradition, not really a club thing.  I know, you don’t get it. What does "It’s a jeep thing" mean?  It’s a diverse cultural association.  I think you exemplify a jeep cultural disassociation when you wrote "it’s just a d*** car."  That’s the difference.  I doubt you’re bright enough to figure it out though. Don To avoid a flame war I must add.  I am biased to jeeps but there are other manufacturers that build excellent vehicles.  This retort is aimed specifically at Muskie and not other vehicle afficianados. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  Lately,  I hear many people who own Jeeps spouting out this phrase:    "You wouldn’t understand man….it’s a Jeep thing!"  Ok.   I guess I don’t really get it.  But I am starting to understand something about " the Jeep thing".  It seems many(not all) Jeepers want to belong to a group of rugged  individualists.  They feel that having a rugged Jeep sets them apart  from the rest of society and makes them "different" somehow.  What is this? Words like "belong"  and "group" and "individualists" really seem to contradict each other don’t they?  It seems many Jeepers want to be different, just like all the different people. <really long boring story snipped   Meanwhile, Jimmy is on a nearby forest road, about to park at a turnoff near a fishing stream.  Jimmy drives a Chevy 4×4 full size. He parks his rig and takes his 6 foot fly rod case out of the bed, and unloads his gear.  A man in a toyota 4runner drives by and waves. The man in the 4runner turns around to talk to the man about the fishing.    " How do you like the full size chevy?"  asks the 4runner driver.  " I like it just fine". Jimmy responds.  " how do you like your 4runner?" asks jimmy.   " I like it just fine", says the 4runner driver.   " What thing is it?" asks Jimmy.  " It’s not ANYTHING," says the 4runner driver. "it’s just a damn car." —-Muskie

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Well, when I see somebody in a 90-96 300ZX I certainly wave… Alex

[big snip]

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No that would be a RAV4, CRV, etc… No one knows what the hell it is and what purpose it serves!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  Lately,  I hear many people who own Jeeps spouting out this phrase:    "You wouldn’t understand man….it’s a Jeep thing!"  Ok.   I guess I don’t really get it.  But I am starting to understand something about " the Jeep thing". You don’t understand its a Jeep thing. Is this anything like "alternative music" ? —

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 The only so called "jeepers" who really know what the "jeep thing" is, are the one’s who actually see the logic behind driving in the rain with a bikini and no doors as everyone looks at you thinking "you idiot, youre getting wet"!  I’ll share that logic with you too……It’s FUN!!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Lately,  I hear many people who own Jeeps spouting out this phrase:   "You wouldn’t understand man….it’s a Jeep thing!" Ok.   I guess I don’t really get it.  But I am starting to understand something about " the Jeep thing". It seems many(not all) Jeepers want to belong to a group of rugged individualists.  They feel that having a rugged Jeep sets them apart from the rest of society and makes them "different" somehow. What is this? Words like "belong"  and "group" and "individualists" really seem to contradict each other don’t they?  It seems many Jeepers want to be different, just like all the different people. Here comes Barbi Anne, driving her new pink Jeep onto the gravel national forest road. Ken is heading her way in his new blue Jeep, and he waves the "jeep wave" to Barbi. Barbi waves back, smiling and giggling.  "I really belong" , thinks Barbi. " I really belong to a group of people that like me for my automobile purchase.  I feel really good about that."   Barbi Anne smiles a faint smile and continues down the road.  A few seconds later, Outback Johnny passes Barbi Anne in his new green Jeep, and waves. Barbi Anne waves back. Continuing down the road, Barbi Anne responds to 34 waves from Jeepers.  " It’s a Jeep thing!"  they all yell at her. " It’s a Jeep thing!" Further down the road, Barbi Anne’s progress is temporarily halted by a herd of sheep crossing the road to greener pastures. She listens to their bleating and babbling, and observes how they all huddle together. "baaaaa…..baaaaaaaaa…bleeeeeeeet…….baaaaaaaaa".  The sheep huddle even closer across the road. " baaaaaaaa…its a jeep thing….. ……bleeeeeettttt."   The sheep babble even louder, then slowly pass over a low hill on the horizon.   Barbi Anne drives her Jeep down the road, glad that she was pressured by friends to belong to the "Jeep Thing".  Meanwhile, Jimmy is on a nearby forest road, about to park at a turnoff near a fishing stream.  Jimmy drives a Chevy 4×4 full size. He parks his rig and takes his 6 foot fly rod case out of the bed, and unloads his gear.  A man in a toyota 4runner drives by and waves. The man in the 4runner turns around to talk to the man about the fishing.    " How do you like the full size chevy?"  asks the 4runner driver.  " I like it just fine". Jimmy responds. " how do you like your 4runner?" asks jimmy.   " I like it just fine", says the 4runner driver.  " What thing is it?" asks Jimmy.  " It’s not ANYTHING," says the 4runner driver. "it’s just a damn car." —-Muskie

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Wow, I guess you don’t understand.  I for one have always loved the Wrangler, and I just bought my 98 TJ in June(having no knowledge of the "Jeep Thing" or the waves I would get from fellow Jeepers)  I actually had to ask a friend who owns a YJ about the wave….he told me H wasn’t sure about it either.  As soon as I hit 1500 miles, I was off the pavement, with the top and the door removed.  I have no problem with any brand of 4X4, although I like some less than others  But honestly, I have never seen another group of drivers as friendly with those they don’t know or as willing to help out when someone needs it.  I’ve taken my stock(so far) jeep a few places a little above the level I should, and the one time I got stuck, I was still amazed how well it did. Ok, no more rambling…..I’m sure you’re sick of me by now

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I had a jeep and I loved it thy are good for mud raceing and for what ever ** HAVE A NICE DAY LARRY & KAREN **

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The jeeps I drove for many years were OD, that’s a different thing. The only thing now is Jeeps have become another temporary fad for the brtaibnless yuppies. This too soon will pass and jeeps will go back to being driven by real people who like them for what they are instead of a phoney status symbol. I can wait. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  Lately,  I hear many people who own Jeeps spouting out this phrase:    "You wouldn’t understand man….it’s a Jeep thing!"  Ok.   I guess I don’t really get it.  But I am starting to understand something about " the Jeep thing".  It seems many(not all) Jeepers want to belong to a group of rugged  individualists.  They feel that having a rugged Jeep sets them apart  from the rest of society and makes them "different" somehow.  What is this? Words like "belong"  and "group" and "individualists" really seem to contradict each other don’t they?  It seems many Jeepers want to be different, just like all the different people.  Here comes Barbi Anne, driving her new pink Jeep onto the gravel national forest road. Ken is heading her way in his new blue Jeep,  and he waves the "jeep wave" to Barbi. Barbi waves back, smiling and giggling.  "I really belong" , thinks Barbi. " I really belong to a group of people that like me for my automobile purchase.  I feel really good about that."   Barbi Anne smiles a faint smile and continues down the road.  A few seconds later, Outback Johnny passes Barbi Anne in his new green Jeep, and waves. Barbi Anne waves back.  Continuing down the road, Barbi Anne responds to 34 waves from Jeepers.   " It’s a Jeep thing!"  they all yell at her. " It’s a Jeep thing!"  Further down the road, Barbi Anne’s progress is temporarily halted by a herd of sheep crossing the road to greener pastures. She listens to their bleating and babbling, and observes how they all huddle together.  "baaaaa…..baaaaaaaaa…bleeeeeeeet…….baaaaaaaaa".  The sheep  huddle even closer across the road. " baaaaaaaa…its a jeep thing….. ……bleeeeeettttt."   The sheep babble even louder, then slowly pass over a low hill on the horizon.   Barbi Anne drives her Jeep down the road, glad that she was pressured by friends to belong to the "Jeep Thing".   Meanwhile, Jimmy is on a nearby forest road, about to park at a turnoff near a fishing stream.  Jimmy drives a Chevy 4×4 full size. He parks his rig and takes his 6 foot fly rod case out of the bed, and unloads his gear.  A man in a toyota 4runner drives by and waves. The man in the 4runner turns around to talk to the man about the fishing.    " How do you like the full size chevy?"  asks the 4runner driver.  " I like it just fine". Jimmy responds.  " how do you like your 4runner?" asks jimmy.   " I like it just fine", says the 4runner driver.   " What thing is it?" asks Jimmy.  " It’s not ANYTHING," says the 4runner driver. "it’s just a damn car." —-Muskie

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few to many people who are following the Jones’s unfortunately do buy them instead of mock-SUV’s like the Explorer. I for one appreciate all the Yuppie’s buying new cherokees and TJs… I see it as fodder for myself in 5 or 6 years when I’ll be buying a used 99… just think of all those Yuppie jeeps as replacement parts.  never seen the mud, never been bashed over rocks or seen any real duty.  I think its just great.

I agree with this.  The only problem is that it seems a number of the new Jeeps are automatics.  Frankly, that’s sacrilege! — Cheers…Craig — Good manners and bad breath get you nowhere – Elvis Costello — It’s no use to blame the looking glass if your face is awry – S.J. Perelman — People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don’t realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world – Calvin (& Hobbes)

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The only so called "jeepers" who really know what the "jeep thing" is, are the one’s who actually see the logic behind driving in the rain with a bikini and no doors as everyone looks at you thinking "you idiot, youre getting wet"!  I’ll share that logic with you too……It’s FUN!!!

I often get asked if my Miata is a rental since I usually leave the top down unless it is absolutely pouring or I’m in stop/go traffic. Others don’t understand that Jeeps are waterproofed from the get-go, right down to a pair of drain holes in the floorboards! Ever wonder why most CJ and Wrangler variants didn’t even come with carpetting on the floors? Too bad it’s a hassle to take the doors off and front window down now.. (sigh) Modems.. the lightning rods of the ’90’s! (sigh) Don’t bother to E-mail.. not using my account.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve only had my ‘90 YJ for about 2years but …….here’s my two cents….about the "Its a jeep thing" motto I was a Boy Scout growing up, did alot of camping every summer, I was taught to respect nature, be resourceful, prepared, efficient while also being simple and functional. IMHO jeeps fit in very smoothly w/ my yuppie who only buys a jeep for the "image", and never takes it off roading….what a waste….. I dont remember where I read it, but another jeep owner made the observation that when cruising down the road/trail jeep owners inevitably always nod/wave/check out each others jeep, but you hardly ever/never see other people check out each others Metro/Toyota/Caprice/whatever……Jeeps have a tradition and jeep owners who humbly acknowledge this are the coolest. People who live by the "Its a Jeep thing motto", stop to help others out, dont drive recklessly, etc…..I think I’ll quit my rambling now……

Thank you for stating so eloquently what a lot of us are all about! Btw, I’m lucky enough to be a member of two very distinct ‘families’, the Jeep Family (by way of a lightly modded ‘93 ZJ V8 which has nearly 1/3rd of it’s 62,000 miles off road!) and the Miata club which, at least in off-road deprived Florida, is the more active and certainly more friendly of the two.  I also fall under the helping hand column. Heck, it was only Friday afternoon that I helped a poor lady push her out of gas car half a mile down the road to get it off of the worst part of the freeway.  :) You’re right.. some people just don’t get it. Modems.. the lightning rods of the ’90’s! (sigh) Don’t bother to E-mail.. not using my account.

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damn muskie that was good. i haven`t had such a good laugh in a long time . the thoughts of you playing on the floor with your barbie & ken dolls in jeeps cracked me up. could you entertain us with something about " its a 4×4 thing "  or  " its a harley thing "  or maybe a tough one like " its a man thing " ?  but please dont use your ken & barbie dolls again, i couldn`t stand the laughter. Jim

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<excellent commentary snipped Some Jeep drivers understand that.  Nothing against Toyotas or Chevys or any other vehicle or the people that driver them…it’s just a Jeep thing.

Here’s one hint: Why does everyone in a CRV, Rav-4, Tracker, Sidekick, Samurai, etc. always say "We’ll take my Jeep" but no one in a Jeep would ever say "We’ll take my CRV, etc."? There is only one Jeep. Modems.. the lightning rods of the ’90’s! (sigh) Don’t bother to E-mail.. not using my account.

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   "You wouldn’t understand man….it’s a Jeep thing!"  Ok.   I guess I don’t really get it.  But I am starting to understand something about " the Jeep thing".  It seems many(not all) Jeepers want to belong to a group of rugged  individualists.  They feel that having a rugged Jeep sets them apart  from the rest of society and makes them "different" somehow.  What is this? Words like "belong"  and "group" and "individualists" really seem to contradict each other don’t they?  It seems many Jeepers want to be different, just like all the different people.

No, it’s true that you don’t understand but that’s okay. The sheep that you’re referring to might be the demographic majority of Jeep drivers, but those are not the people who wave at each other and say "It’s a Jeep thing."  The "Jeep thing" element, you might find, has more disdain for "sorority Jeeps," "college Jeeps," "soccer mom Jeeps," "street jeeps" and "yuppie Jeeps" than anybody. Some people like F-14s and others would rather ride a P-38 or a P-51. Some people don’t know what a P-38 is, but they’ve seen Top Gun so they think they’re aviation enthusiasts. There are those that want to belong to a group of rugged individualists, and there are those that just do.  (I’ll be modest here as I can, but as a pilot, rock singer, writer, computer geek, civil war reenactor and active environmentalist, I might not be rugged but I’m individualist…) Jeep was the first word I learned to spell, and I promised by grandfather when I was three that I would buy him a Jeep.  Image had nothing to do with it.  My oldest toy, a 1960s Tonka Jeep CJ3B, sits on my desk at work. Raise your hand if you had an infatuation with Nissan when you were three. The thing is, if you go over to the Jeep newsgroup, you’ll see that I’m not an exception…I’m average.  Probably less that average if you pay attention to the complexity of knowledge of their vehicle that some people there have.  You’ll also notice their head spin to look when they see a Willys other other vintage Jeep.  It has nothing to do with the driver. Don’t think about the guy behind the wheel…think of the Jeep. Regardless of the year, a Jeep stripped of its hard top and doors is a classic.  If you’ve ever driven through the country, tackled an ominous "intermediate" 4×4 trail with a stock Jeep or even just cruised the highway with the top off on a sunny day, you understand.  If you’ve ever pulled off the side of the road on an August evening and looked straight up at a meteor shower, you’re getting there.   If you’ve ever yanked a built-up vehicle out of a mudhole or driven your stock Jeep around a 4×4 bogged down on a snow-covered hill, you’re there. Not to trash other 4×4s…I’ve seen old Landcruisers and a heavily-modified Samurai command respect where lesser drivers in Jeeps failed…but why drive a flimsy, overpriced derivative when you can drive the real thing?   There’s just nothing like climbing up into an old CJ and staring down the short nose.  It has the feel of an old warbird…the sound of the engine, the smell of the Jeep, the feeling that you’ve strapped on wheels. It’s not the fault of Jeep drivers that these sturdy classics appear to have gone soft, but while middle America drives around the suburb in the Jeep equivalent of a sports car, those of us die-hard Jeep fans who have driven the new TJs have come to appreciate that under the cloth and plastic interior there is still a bad-ass trail truck that isn’t laden down with mystery parts and strange devices that prevent us from getting under them and making our own modifications. Some Jeep drivers understand that.  Nothing against Toyotas or Chevys or any other vehicle or the people that driver them…it’s just a Jeep thing. Chris Gattman              |  "..And the sky is humming,

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I’ve only had my ‘90 YJ for about 2years but …….here’s my two cents….about the "Its a jeep thing" motto I was a Boy Scout growing up, did alot of camping every summer, I was taught to respect nature, be resourceful, prepared, efficient while also being simple and functional. IMHO jeeps fit in very smoothly w/ my yuppie who only buys a jeep for the "image", and never takes it off roading….what a waste….. I dont remember where I read it, but another jeep owner made the observation that when cruising down the road/trail jeep owners inevitably always nod/wave/check out each others jeep, but you hardly ever/never see other people check out each others Metro/Toyota/Caprice/whatever……Jeeps have a tradition and jeep owners who humbly acknowledge this are the coolest. People who live by the "Its a Jeep thing motto", stop to help others out, dont drive recklessly, etc…..I think I’ll quit my rambling now…… –jason

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 Lately,  I hear many people who own Jeeps spouting out this phrase:    "You wouldn’t understand man….it’s a Jeep thing!"  Ok.   I guess I don’t really get it.  But I am starting to understand something about " the Jeep thing".  It seems many(not all) Jeepers want to belong to a group of rugged  individualists.  They feel that having a rugged Jeep sets them apart  from the rest of society and makes them "different" somehow.  What is this? Words like "belong"  and "group" and "individualists" really seem to contradict each other don’t they?  It seems many Jeepers want to be different, just like all the different people.  Here comes Barbi Anne, driving her new pink Jeep onto the gravel national forest road. Ken is heading her way in his new blue Jeep,  and he waves the "jeep wave" to Barbi. Barbi waves back, smiling and giggling.  "I really belong" , thinks Barbi. " I really belong to a group of people that like me for my automobile purchase.  I feel really good about that."   Barbi Anne smiles a faint smile and continues down the road.  A few seconds later, Outback Johnny passes Barbi Anne in his new green Jeep, and waves. Barbi Anne waves back.  Continuing down the road, Barbi Anne responds to 34 waves from Jeepers.   " It’s a Jeep thing!"  they all yell at her. " It’s a Jeep thing!"  Further down the road, Barbi Anne’s progress is temporarily halted by a herd of sheep crossing the road to greener pastures. She listens to their bleating and babbling, and observes how they all huddle together.  "baaaaa…..baaaaaaaaa…bleeeeeeeet…….baaaaaaaaa".  The sheep  huddle even closer across the road. " baaaaaaaa…its a jeep thing….. ……bleeeeeettttt."   The sheep babble even louder, then slowly pass over a low hill on the horizon.   Barbi Anne drives her Jeep down the road, glad that she was pressured by friends to belong to the "Jeep Thing".   Meanwhile, Jimmy is on a nearby forest road, about to park at a turnoff near a fishing stream.  Jimmy drives a Chevy 4×4 full size. He parks his rig and takes his 6 foot fly rod case out of the bed, and unloads his gear.  A man in a toyota 4runner drives by and waves. The man in the 4runner turns around to talk to the man about the fishing.    " How do you like the full size chevy?"  asks the 4runner driver.  " I like it just fine". Jimmy responds.  " how do you like your 4runner?" asks jimmy.   " I like it just fine", says the 4runner driver.     " What thing is it?" asks Jimmy.  " It’s not ANYTHING," says the 4runner driver. "it’s just a damn car." —-Muskie

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Question:

does anyone know of any web sites that deal with flyfishing in labrador?

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does anyone know of any web sites that deal with flyfishing in labrador?

a good site is: http://ad-here.com/cfho/NF2.HTM If you’re interested in fly fishing large brook trout contact:         Bill Murphy         owner/operator         Adventure North Ltd.         102 Brentwood Drive, Bedford, Nova Scotia B4A 3S1         ph/fax: 902-835-8033 See Crook’s Lake Lodge featured in this month’s Fly Rod and Reel and Gray’s Sporting Journal The Expeditions Issue. Lynn Martin

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – does anyone know of any web sites that deal with flyfishing in labrador? a good site is: http://ad-here.com/cfho/NF2.HTM If you’re interested in fly fishing large brook trout contact:         Bill Murphy         owner/operator         Adventure North Ltd.         102 Brentwood Drive, Bedford, Nova Scotia B4A 3S1         ph/fax: 902-835-8033 See Crook’s Lake Lodge featured in this month’s Fly Rod and Reel and Gray’s Sporting Journal The Expeditions Issue. Lynn Martin

and the rivers full of Big "Brookies"!        

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tanya try YAHOO ON YOUR BROWSER AND SEE WHAT THAT BRINGS TYPE LABRADOR FLY FISHING GOOD LUCK                    DICK PATREDIS —     In the immortal words of OLD RANCID CRABBTREE    Any time a man ain’t fishing he is frittering away                       HIS LIFE. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – does anyone know of any web sites that deal with flyfishing in labrador?

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does anyone know of any web sites that deal with flyfishing for labradors?

 I don’t know why you would want to fish for a labrador but I would suggest a tennis ball type of pattern (if the labs that you’re after are anything like mine). Maybee chum with some barbeque scraps. MT —             It’s not the bible that’s filled with contradictions,                  It’s our brains that are filled with them.                              J. Vernon McGee

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 I don’t know why you would want to fish for a labrador but I would suggest a tennis ball type of pattern (if the labs that you’re after are anything like mine). Maybee chum with some barbeque scraps.

HAHA!! tennis balls, footballs, snowballs, airballs, sticks, rocks, onions, roadkill…it just doesn’t matter!  Labs are the gamin’est fish in the sea, and they don’t care what you use.  They’re all over it, and that’s why they’re the best dogs ever invented. Right on, Mark. BTW, I grew up with a black lab, and the only thing I found that it wouldn’t eat was canned pineapple – but it loved the fresh stuff.  Smart dog. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – MT —             It’s not the bible that’s filled with contradictions,                  It’s our brains that are filled with them.                              J. Vernon McGee

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Question:

A non-computerized friend of mine is looking for two rods to purchase- a Sage 4 piece 9 foot 5weight LL and a Sage 4 piece  9 foot 4 weight LL. Please e-mail me and I will contact him.

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A non-computerized friend of mine is looking for two rods to purchase- a Sage 4 piece 9 foot 5weight LL and a Sage 4 piece  9 foot 4 weight LL. Please e-mail me and I will contact him.

Hi I recommend the River’s Edge at 406-586-5373. They have rods as well as blanks. Their blanks a very reasonably priced. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 materials catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

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Question:

I just purchased a fish brag camera and I used the following criteria. 1. Would focus to 2 feet (couldn’t find one for less than $200 that did. 2. Zoom to 70mm so the 2 feet macro could still zoom in on a 1lb trout. 3. Flash (manually addustable to on, off, and fill) so I could take pictures of those lunkers you catch at dusk. 4. Most importantly it needs to be small enough to fit into a water tight container. My container of choice is a sandwitch zip lock bag. The sales person thought me a little strange when I tried a bunch of cameras on my ziplock.

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  I do a lot of aggressive wading in small creeks and sometimes slip! For my money you can’t beat the 35 mm Kodak Funsaver or Fuji equivalent. At 12$, it’s no big loss if you fall in, and the pictures are excellent. I always carry one in my pack.

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 I do a lot of aggressive wading in small creeks and sometimes slip! For my money you can’t beat the 35 mm Kodak Funsaver or Fuji equivalent. At 12$, it’s no big loss if you fall in, and the pictures are excellent. I always carry one in my pack.

I carry something similar: a cheap camera with flash that cost all of $15.  Takes good pictures and if it takes a dip, well, no big deal!  Getting a water-resistant camera is great but it doesn’t help if you drop it in thirty feet of water! Brian Austin

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Al-      I read with interest your comment about you Minolta Dual 35.  It makes me wonder if it’s the camera I’ve been looking for.  After twice dunking my Nikon 35mm,  and lugging this beast with the big zoom lens, I’ve decided to get a smaller camera to take astream.  Problem is, I want something I can also use to capture photos of insects, and I wonder if your camera would focus that close….or if a close-up magnifier for the lens is available.  How close will yours focus?   Thanks for the information. John Long I haven’t found any of the <$250 cameras that focus under 2 feet

The Pentax zoom90-WR has a macro focus (1.6′-2.5′) and is water resistant. 38-90mm for normal focus 2.6′ to infinity. Has a removable remote pushbutton for group photos. Built-in flash and other good stuff. Auto-focus works great. Except when rushing to take pictures of Scotish trout streams thru the windows of a moving Britrail train and one forgets the infinity-focus-hold button. Perfectly in-focus window panes every time. <G Really not the camera’s fault. IR focus finds the closest thing including the window glass. da! Oliver (of Inverness), are you out there? Want to send me some of your photos? River runs along the tracks somewhere between Edinburgh and Inverness. Don Burns

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I think it admirable that you would want to buy an About-To-Be-Released-Fish a little parting gift to show your appreciation for a job well done.  A camera is just right!.  Make it a poloroid and he can take pictures of the spawn !  But, you better decide fast, he’s starting to dry out. Tim Walker

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I use an Olympus Infinity Twin.  Small, weatherproof, (I dropped it in the water twice and no problems,) auto everything, 35mm & 70mm, cost about $200.

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Check out the Olympus Stylus Zoom.  This is probably the most compact zoom lens point and shoot camera made.  It has a 35-70 mm lens, a sliding lens cover, and is water repellent.

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After 20 years of full time guiding.20,000+miles of whitewater driftboating,11 years of outdoor TV production and orange boxes full of slides i reccomend the Minolta Weathermatic.Most Other cameras require 2 hands for macro operation.Have you got three hands ? Use the reccomended film for great results. Good Luck & Tight Lines

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I have been waiting days for the original question to pop up before I answered this one, but it doesn’t look like it will show.        Another camera to check out is the Olympus Stylus.   It is small enough to fit in your pants pocket and it will (supposedly) survive a dunk in the water.  It has an adjustable zoom lens (30 to 70mm) and you can control the flash if you want to turn it off or force it on for back lit shots.  I think I paid about $200 for mine.  I’ve been taking it fishing the last three years and it has never given me a problem.   Rob Gregoire

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Al-      I read with interest your comment about you Minolta Dual 35.  It makes me wonder if it’s the camera I’ve been looking for.  After twice dunking my Nikon 35mm,  and lugging this beast with the big zoom lens, I’ve decided to get a smaller camera to take astream.  Problem is, I want something I can also use to capture photos of insects, and I wonder if your camera would focus that close….or if a close-up magnifier for the lens is available.  How close will yours focus?   Thanks for the information. John Long

I haven’t found any of the <$250 cameras that focus under 2 feet

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writes: Does anyone have a favorite make/model camera for those quick-shots of/for either the trout-to-be-released or wildlife that suddenly cross the stream…?  Ideally needs to hang around neck.    

I used the Minolta Weathermatic dual 35 (point and shoot with closeup lens) and hung it from my belt or from the d-ring on the back of my vest. Took it everywhere including AK and performed beautifully.  Not as much control ans my old manual SLR but great photos I use in slide shows.  When the camera was about a year and a half old the motor drive died which made the thing useless and Minolta will fix it for about as much as it costs to buy a new one.  Good while it lasted but…….                                                     Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Schools Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

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Hi I use a Minolta Dual 35.  It has two internal lenses, has auto focus, film advance, and is water proof to 18 feet.  I’ve never taken it that deep but do push it under the water to take pictures of landed/released fish.  You can usually buy them at KMart for around $200.00.  Photo magazines have adds in the back – I bought my Minolta at Cambridge Camera in New York City for $187.00 Good Luck Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (catalog avialP

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 I just bought an Olympus and am happy but I’d like to discuss the criteria for a good fishing camera that I used for the purchase. 1. Macro lens to get up close – some go to 2 ft. 2. Built in flash – I catch a lot of fish at dusk and need more light. 3. Small enough to fit into my custom waterproof bag. This is a sandwitch size ziplock bag. I also own lots of better equipment from Nikons to 4×5 field cameras. I’m finnally not too frighted to wade with my new camera.  I experimented with a cardboard one time use camera and found the pictures sharp enough for rememberance and braging to my buddies.

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Hi Steve, I guide in the Keys and a carry a couple slr’s in the boat. Sometimes though  they are hard to get too. Last year I bought an Olympus 2000  to  keep in my pocket. I got some of my best pictures of the year with it.   They have a slightly larger model in the series with a longer zoom with a motor drive which is semi water proof.  Of course it’s more expensive but I do wish I  had  bought  it  more the increased  versatility. I’m tickled with the 2000 though, the light meter did some great  things for me on a couple shots. Ben

Response:

Does anyone have a favorite make/model camera for those quick-shots of/for either the trout-to-be-released or wildlife that suddenly cross the stream…?  Ideally needs to hang around neck.    

I use the Minolta Weathermatic Dual 35. It has two lenses ( 35mm and 50 mm) Auto focus and just in case it floats.

Response:

Take a look at the Canon Sure Shot A-1. i have owned many cameras, and now have 4 small 35s, and a serious canon single lens reflex.  my advice is, in small cameras, get either the canon above noted, or, for much better potential as you grow as a photographer, a nikon with zoom features. a. wayne harrison

I decided some time ago to forget about taking my nice cameras with $300 lenses, or even a $150 point and shoot on the stream. Now I leave the Nikons, Leicas, or  Contax’s (as if I have all of these!) in a nice warm dry place for out of stream fishing. I now just carry one of the Kodak Waterproof disposable cameras for the catch and release fishing. Gives me a lot of peace of mind.

Response:

Take a look at the Canon Sure Shot A-1.

i have owned many cameras, and now have 4 small 35s, and a serious canon single lens reflex.  my advice is, in small cameras, get either the canon above noted, or, for much better potential as you grow as a photographer, a nikon with zoom features. a. wayne harrison

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Camera World in Portland carries the Canon A-1 SureShot for about $135.  Water resistant to about 15ft.  Not a terribly sharp lense in my estimation and auto-focus is of course SLOW (I have been using one for a year, OK, but not sharp enough for large blowups or reproduction).  My favorite was an old Fujica zone focusing, rubber coated camera.  Had a VERY sharp lense, but camera is no longer made.  Nikon used to make a sealed compact camera…no longer made.  The NIkONOS works well but is in the $500 range (used).                         Mike in PDX                "When the trout are lost, smash the state."                                            Tom McGuane

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Does anyone have a favorite make/model camera for those quick-shots of/for either the trout-to-be-released or wildlife that suddenly cross the stream…?  Ideally needs to hang around neck.     please email (or post if preferred), much thanks..and tight_lines, Steve Drossel

I have a Pentax 90WR (water resistant) and love it.

Response:

Take a look at the Canon Sure Shot A-1.  It’s a rugged little point and shoot with a very good lens and automatic focusing mechanism that is much better than point-and=shoots of a few years ago.  It also has a macro lens and is waterproof to something like 15 feet, plenty deep for any stream (ha) It doesn’t have a zoom lens– which I don’t find to be a drawback for fishing, but might limit your terrestrial wildlife photos.  Sells for around $225 with a date imprinting function, less without it.  Check the prices in the back of magazines like Pop Photo for the rock-bottom low $, or go to your local store for better service and a bit more $.

Response:

Does anyone have a favorite make/model camera for those quick-shots of/for either the trout-to-be-released or wildlife that suddenly cross the stream…?  Ideally needs to hang around neck.     please email (or post if preferred), much thanks..and tight_lines, Steve Drossel

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Question:

I would appreciate finding out where there is private water open to the public for flyfishing at a fee.  What would be a reasonable cost per day for either American plan (with meals) or European plan (without plans)? Catch and release fishing would be just fine.  It is getting more and more difficult to find places to fish. I usually have to fish by myself because no one in my family is interested and it is vey difficult to match schedules with friends.  Moreover, many of my friends think that fishing should be free. William Buchman

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I would appreciate finding out where there is private water open to the public for flyfishing at a fee.  What would be a reasonable cost per day for either American plan (with meals) or European plan (without plans)? Catch and release fishing would be just fine.  It is getting more and more difficult to find places to fish. I usually have to fish by myself because no one in my family is interested and it is vey difficult to match schedules with friends.  Moreover, many of my friends think that fishing should be free.

William: Would it help if you narrowed the criteria to a continent or two? (or perhaps a region or two, even)? Otherwise, I’m sure you’ll troll up responses from Russia to New Zealand, Alaska to Argentina… Just wondering… /dave <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< < Digital Equipment Corp.    Alpha Server Engineering  < <           "Read this and nobody gets hurt"           < <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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Would it help if you narrowed the criteria to a continent or two? (or perhaps a region or two, even)? Otherwise, I’m sure you’ll troll up responses from Russia to New Zealand, Alaska to Argentina… You are right of course.  There are other parts to the world than the area I live in which is Los Angeles. I am particularly interested in the Western United States but willing to be tempted toward more distant horizons. William Buchman

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you might try marble canyon arizona ,colorado river just below glen canyon dam. i have been there three times and the fly fishing is exelent.

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Question:

I have only recently picked up the art of Flyfishing and I have not gone fishing before the drought. Because of all the rain this year I am wondering if there will be areas that will be closed or just unfishable due to the excess of water. I live in the bay area, and Hat creek is about six hours from my house. If anyone has any sugestions about where I can go, within that same range, please respond. E-mail me or respond in this newsgroup.

Response:

I have only recently picked up the art of Flyfishing and I have not gone fishing before the drought. Because of all the rain this year I am wondering if there will be areas that will be closed or just unfishable due to the excess of water. I live in the bay area, and Hat creek is about six hours from my house. If anyone has any sugestions about where I can go, within that same range, please respond. E-mail me or respond in this newsgroup.

Hi Tim:  Try Lewiston Lake on the Trinity River during the spring.  It is about the same distance as Hat Creek.  Lewiston has lots of hatches, good access, and good flyfishing.  Its pretty well known, much like Hat Creek but there is always alot of room to fish.  Float tubes, prams, and canoes are great but there is good shore access too.  Get information and flies at the Fly Shop in Redding.  By the way, two years ago when we had a big winter, I can’t remember any problems with high water.  Streams that are regulated below reservoirs usually run pretty clear when other places are brown. Best of luck.

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I tried Lewiston last Spring-May and was rather diasappoiunted. Only a few small planters. Was last year a bad year, flow through Lewiston was really up and maybe this had something to do with it?

Response:

I have only recently picked up the art of Flyfishing and I have not gone fishing before the drought. Because of all the rain this year I am wondering if there will be areas that will be closed or just unfishable due to the excess of water. I live in the bay area, and Hat creek is about six hours from my house. If anyone has any sugestions about where I can go, within that same range, please respond. E-mail me or respond in this newsgroup.

Right now, no. Later in mid July to late August, The Kings River and Kaweah River are pretty good. Both have lots of trout, but most are in the 10 inch range. There are also lots of 24 inchers but you really have to know where to go and how to fish them. Most people around here don’t. Both Rivers are about 2 hours south east of Fresno. The lower Kings opens up early in the year, and is only 20 minutes from Fresno, but I’m not real familure with that part of the river. Dave

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have only recently picked up the art of Flyfishing and I have not gone fishing before the drought. Because of all the rain this year I am wondering if there will be areas that will be closed or just unfishable due to the excess of water. I live in the bay area, and Hat creek is about six hours from my house. If anyone has any sugestions about where I can go, within that same range, please respond. E-mail me or respond in this newsgroup. Right now, no. Later in mid July to late August, The Kings River and Kaweah River are pretty good. Both have lots of trout, but most are in the 10 inch range. There are also lots of 24 inchers but you really have to know where to go and how to fish them. Most people around here don’t.

I’ve fished the South Fork of the Kaweah River quite a few times above Ladybug Camp but have never fished any of the other rivers in the area. Any suggestions? — John Fereira "Guru of Miscellany" Pleasanton, CA "i’m new to the internet and don’t know what i am doing."            – anonymous

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