Question:

Hello: Thought I might try some  [Whitlock] Red Fox Squirrel-Hair Nymphs,  which was suggested. Can’t seem to find any listed among my 2000 cat. collection. Anybody know of any mail order cat’s that offer them? Thanks, Bob

Response:

Cabela’s Joel Axelrad

Response:

Hello: Thought I might try some  [Whitlock] Red Fox Squirrel-Hair Nymphs,  which was suggested. Can’t seem to find any listed among my 2000 cat. collection. Anybody know of any mail order cat’s that offer them? Thanks, Bob

Also try: KBE FLYFISHING COMPANY www.flyfishingflies.com Joel Axelrad

Response:

Question:

Opie writes: Ok, I concede redeye gravy an grits. Opie

Heeeehaaaaa.  A yankee teachin’ a pooh boy how to eat!  Heyyyahhh.  Georgia ice cream!!!!!!   Course, a good vodka to help it along is always welcome.  <g Dave LaCourse

Response:

Jeff,   Those southern guys put gravy on everything.

They just *told* you it was gravy<g. — Charlie…

Response:

Ernie Harrison writes: Jeff,   Those southern guys put gravy on everything. Ernie Hell, there are few things better than good old country ham, red eye gravy and grits (good grits — none of that instant stuff). Dave, whose marriage to two southern belles is obviously showing.

Huh?  I thought they only did that in Utah.  Hey Verrrrrnnnn!

Response:

Jeff, You obviously need a bit more Southern acculturation. Opie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you fellas can’t handle *Grits,* just leave them to us real southern folk. Being a northern guy, I didn’t understand the problem with grits.  Ya see, I thought they were Cream O Wheat, so I just put brown sugar and milk on em.  I always thought grits were fine until I heard about stuff like gravy and butter and salt on em!!! — Regards, Jeff Before you buy.

Response:

Jeff,    Those southern guys put gravy on everything. Ernie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Being a northern guy, I didn’t understand the problem with grits.  Ya see, I thought they were Cream O Wheat, so I just put brown sugar and milk on em.  I always thought grits were fine until I heard about stuff like gravy and butter and salt on em!!! Jeff

Response:

Ernie Harrison writes: Jeff,   Those southern guys put gravy on everything. Ernie

Hell, there are few things better than good old country ham, red eye gravy and grits (good grits — none of that instant stuff). Dave, whose marriage to two southern belles is obviously showing.

Response:

Except *GRITS.* Opie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jeff,    Those southern guys put gravy on everything. Ernie Being a northern guy, I didn’t understand the problem with grits.  Ya see, I thought they were Cream O Wheat, so I just put brown sugar and milk on em.  I always thought grits were fine until I heard about stuff like gravy and butter and salt on em!!! Jeff

Response:

Ok, I concede redeye gravy an grits. Opie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ernie Harrison writes: Jeff,   Those southern guys put gravy on everything. Ernie Hell, there are few things better than good old country ham, red eye gravy and grits (good grits — none of that instant stuff). Dave, whose marriage to two southern belles is obviously showing.

Response:

If you fellas can’t handle *Grits,* just leave them to us real southern folk.

Being a northern guy, I didn’t understand the problem with grits.  Ya see, I thought they were Cream O Wheat, so I just put brown sugar and milk on em.  I always thought grits were fine until I heard about stuff like gravy and butter and salt on em!!! — Regards, Jeff Before you buy.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I look forward to the Times on Wednesday morning, more so than any other morning of the week, because of the recipes in the Living Arts section. I was shocked, stunned and disgusted to find in today’s paper recipes for…I can barely bring myself to type it Ohmygawd. Grits … in the Times. Shoot me now, I’ve seen it all. Jeffie can have my Budweiser and Waldo my Django Rheinhart records. http://www.nytimes.com/library/dining/042600grits.html — Ken Fortenberry

The way you scoffed buscuits and gravy at Tootsie’s I’d always thought you to be a grits fan.  Thought you’d be pleased when the Times ran it. Don’t that beat all . . . Peter

Response:

If they called it polenta would you be so upset? It’s essentially the same thing. Peter G. Aitken

damn I thought grits was cream of wheat with sand in it…. Flyfish

Response:

If they called it polenta would you be so upset? It’s essentially the same thing. Peter G. Aitken damn I thought grits was cream of wheat with sand in it…. Flyfish

Nah – couldn’t be – cream of wheat and sand actually has FLAVOR!

Response:

Polenta is made from whole stone ground cornmeal. That would imply some flavor to be had. Grits are made from hominy. That’s what is left after soaking corn in a lye solution and removing the bran or kernel. The original "Better eating through chemistry!". I’m from down south and I never could get used them myself. MT

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If they called it polenta would you be so upset? It’s essentially the same thing. Peter G. Aitken

Response:

Buy a good set of gravel guards, keeps the grit out.

I got the neoprene ones with the velcro closures.  Real easy to put on and very effective for keeping grits out but they also make breathing somewhat problematic.

Response:

If you fellas can’t handle *Grits,* just leave them to us real southern folk.  Cream-O-Shit, some comparison! Opie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Buy a good set of gravel guards, keeps the grit out. I got the neoprene ones with the velcro closures.  Real easy to put on and very effective for keeping grits out but they also make breathing somewhat problematic.

Response:

If you fellas can’t handle *Grits,* just leave them to us real southern folk.  Cream-O-Shit, some comparison! Opie

you’re damn tootin! thank god i had me a plateful this morning, o/w i wouldn’t have been able to land that big ‘ole ‘bow from yer drift did you and jeffie (who despises grits, but loves marshmellows) get any more fish after i left? i caught a couple of small brookies twitchin’ the fly back downstream on the way out. waldo

Response:

damn I thought grits was cream of wheat with sand in it…. Flyfish

When I was stationed at Ft. Jackson SC back in the 60’s they would occasionally serve some white stuff for breakfast. If a northener asked what it was the cook would tell him cream of wheat and of course the reply to a southerner was grits. Half the mess hall would put milk & suger on it, the other half salt & pepper. Thank God I was cadre and didn’t have to eat anything I couldn’t identify.      Jim * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Walt, I can’t speak for Jeff, but my life has no meaning.  Does that answer your question? Opie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you fellas can’t handle *Grits,* just leave them to us real southern folk.  Cream-O-Shit, some comparison! Opie you’re damn tootin! thank god i had me a plateful this morning, o/w i wouldn’t have been able to land that big ‘ole ‘bow from yer drift did you and jeffie (who despises grits, but loves marshmellows) get any more fish after i left? i caught a couple of small brookies twitchin’ the fly back downstream on the way out. waldo

Response:

Buy a good set of gravel guards, keeps the grit out. TL MC — "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

Response:

Walt, I can’t speak for Jeff, but my life has no meaning.  Does that answer your question? Opie

yeah… it tells me ya got in the cooler waldo

Response:

I look forward to the Times on Wednesday morning, more so than any other morning of the week, because of the recipes in the Living Arts section. I was shocked, stunned and disgusted to find in today’s paper recipes for…I can barely bring myself to type it Ohmygawd. Grits … in the Times. Shoot me now, I’ve seen it all. Jeffie can have my Budweiser and Waldo my Django Rheinhart records. http://www.nytimes.com/library/dining/042600grits.html — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

I was shocked, stunned and disgusted to find in today’s paper recipes for…I can barely bring myself to type it Ohmygawd. Grits … in the Times. Ken Fortenberry

GRITS!  Wonderful!  Why Ken; don’t you know grits are the closest thing you can have to nothing and still have something??!!  They are the base requirement to serving red-eye gravey! They are also not off-topic to fly fishing.  A good breakfast of grits fortifies the intrepid fly fisher-person for the day with an extra fast energy supply from the starches, sticks with you to aswage hunger, and passes along slowly enough to keep you from having to peel out of your waders around 10:30. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I look forward to the Times on Wednesday morning, more so than any other morning of the week, because of the recipes in the Living Arts section. I was shocked, stunned and disgusted to find in today’s paper recipes for…I can barely bring myself to type it Ohmygawd. Grits … in the Times. Shoot me now, I’ve seen it all. Jeffie can have my Budweiser and Waldo my Django Rheinhart records. http://www.nytimes.com/library/dining/042600grits.html — Ken Fortenberry

um…ken, i think you transposed…no way i’m takin the budweiser.  give it to waldo, he’ll drink anything.  but the records might work. jeff

Response:

If they called it polenta would you be so upset? It’s essentially the same thing. Peter G. Aitken

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I look forward to the Times on Wednesday morning, more so than any other morning of the week, because of the recipes in the Living Arts section. I was shocked, stunned and disgusted to find in today’s paper recipes for…I can barely bring myself to type it Ohmygawd. Grits … in the Times. Shoot me now, I’ve seen it all. Jeffie can have my Budweiser and Waldo my Django Rheinhart records. http://www.nytimes.com/library/dining/042600grits.html — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

If they called it polenta would you be so upset? It’s essentially the same thing.

Right, and a lump of coal and a diamond are essentially the same thing. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Question:

<good story snipped I liked it a lot, Adam. Put me in mind of my favorite Sierra small stream and had me reflexively looking for my hiking boots. thanks, -sid

Response:

<snipped Keep writing stuff like that and you won’t have anyone out to get you.  Well done. Reminded me of a little spot I often go to get away from the hustle and bustle of the tourists. Warren Remember, men will come and men will go, but the streams and mountains go on forever. -Bob Carmichael

Response:

In the early morning light, long sun rays make diamond glints in the dew covered grass.

    (snip)     very well written prose, adam. wayno

Response:

Dear Adam, This is what fly fishing is about. It is not what you catch but where you catch (if you catch). And the more, this is what fly fishing in Continental Europe is about, small streams in Belgium, Northern France and Germany. No huge trout out for your fly (you are more than lucky to catch one of upto 40 cm), but to be away from it all. Marcel From The Netherlands

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In the early morning light, long sun rays make diamond glints in the dew covered grass. A spruce forest edges the little meadow in deep blue-green while a sparkling tiny stream draws a shallow meandering line through the alpine valley. Undercut grassy banks border the small riffles below a plunge pool. The solitude is perfect, the setting is awesome and there is room for only one observer at a time. A small stream is enough to re-kindle the fishing flame of one’s youth every time. Creeping or low crawling through the grass, the coolness of the dew soaks into your clothes, but the focus is on a gin clear pool thirty feet ahead. The light fly rod gets caught in the grass, but you casually unhook the tip, careful to clear the rod from the tangle without making sudden movements. Unhooking the fly, stripping out enough line to make a cast to the near side of the pool, you sit up on your feet, crouching to maintain a low profile. Switching two false casts, you shoot a tight loop laying the fly line on the grass with the leader hooking into the pool. The leader is long enough to cross the pool, but you know this and have made a perfect presentation into the tail of the pool in order to not upset the wary brook trout upstream. The cast is unproductive, but that does not slow your racing pulse. A quick pick up and cast again in one smooth movement farther upstream, the caddis mimic alights like a natural. A small piece of the stream bed moves and suddenly the caddis is gone in a swirl. In the same moment, you lift the little fly rod, tightening the line. Telegraphed up the fly line, surges of the brook trout are felt through the light fly rod. Quickly playing the fish to hand, the gemstone colors of the small trout glow brightly. Releasing the trout from the barbless hook completes the act and the scurry for cover is evidence that this one is unharmed. Small stream fly fishing is gaining in popularity. The reasons are easy enough to understand. Solitude in the outdoor is at the top of the list. There are rivers to fish with many anglers if you want to share the experience. Rivers are popular fly fishing destinations and they are reflected on by all forms of the media. Small streams are out of the way, not reported on regularly and introspection, not popularity echoes here. A feeder stream, off the fishing path can provide a afternoon of quiet thoughts while experiencing the outdoors by yourself. There are no television or magazine anglers here, just you and your thoughts among the trees. Outfitting for fly fishing a small stream is a personal choice. A fly rod with a couple of flys in a film canister along with swim trunks makes things simple. On the other hand, a modern fourth generation graphite fly rod with a large arbor reel and specialized mini shooting head fly line can make decisions difficult. Hundreds of stone, caddis, and mayflys in expensive aluminum compartment fly boxes tucked in a ergonomically tailored vest, bulging with the latest gadgetry for the technically minded is another possible choice. Some use a bamboo fly rod made in the early part of the century, possibly handed down in the family. Somewhere in there lies a typical small stream fisher. We are a diverse lot, but we are looking for the same thing, peace in nature’s solitude. Light fly line weights are standard for small streams. Line weights of zero through five are generally considered an advantage when casting for wary trout. The small diameter of a light fly line combined with the light weight reduces the unwanted sight and impact when making a presentation. For small streams, fly sizes are small and wind is usually not a hinderance. A good fly rod choice will be a seven foot three weight. You can give or take a foot in length and a fly line size and still have a good choice for a rod. A small reel without a drag is all that is necessary. Equipment can be as technical or as simple as you want to make it. Fly fishing equipment is a personal choice that should match the fisher and the water being fished. Moving along on a small stream seems to come natural. Most fishing is done in an upstream manner to approach the trout from behind. Trout hold in the current to feed most of the time and their blind spot is to the rear. You need all the help that you can get when the stream is shallow, and the fish are wary of predators. This is because of the lack of deep water and structure to hide in. In order to be successful, a good creeping technique must be developed. Select earth tones for your clothes, a low profile when approaching a productive section, and as few false casts as possible. The better you become, the more your back will hurt! Headhunting, a term that is used for a fly fisher consumed by catching the largest fish does not apply here. Not that a small stream fly angler will turn their back on a large brown trout, that is exactly what some do. This is a technique used to reduce the anglers "presence" to the wary trout when rigging for the situation. The fishing attitude is one of opportunity. If a large trout is caught, it is a gift. The essence is the outdoor experience. To catch a small glistening gem and to give it back to nature, this is what small stream fishing is about. Not a quest for monster trout. On your adventure please remember this. The small stream environment is usually pristine, one single piece of trash is out of place. No impact hiking is a must, and if some trash is found, packing it out is good form. Hiking along, if another angler is present, give him or her a wide berth to minimize the intrusion. Fly fishing small streams is a return to solitude that we all need. A perfect way to enjoy the outdoors. I hope you like my story, adam

Response:

In the early morning light, long sun rays make diamond glints in the dew covered grass. A spruce forest edges the little meadow in deep blue-green while a sparkling tiny stream draws a shallow meandering line through the alpine valley. Undercut grassy banks border the small riffles below a plunge pool. The solitude is perfect, the setting is awesome and there is room for only one observer at a time. A small stream is enough to re-kindle the fishing flame of one’s youth every time. Creeping or low crawling through the grass, the coolness of the dew soaks into your clothes, but the focus is on a gin clear pool thirty feet ahead. The light fly rod gets caught in the grass, but you casually unhook the tip, careful to clear the rod from the tangle without making sudden movements. Unhooking the fly, stripping out enough line to make a cast to the near side of the pool, you sit up on your feet, crouching to maintain a low profile. Switching two false casts, you shoot a tight loop laying the fly line on the grass with the leader hooking into the pool. The leader is long enough to cross the pool, but you know this and have made a perfect presentation into the tail of the pool in order to not upset the wary brook trout upstream. The cast is unproductive, but that does not slow your racing pulse. A quick pick up and cast again in one smooth movement farther upstream, the caddis mimic alights like a natural. A small piece of the stream bed moves and suddenly the caddis is gone in a swirl. In the same moment, you lift the little fly rod, tightening the line. Telegraphed up the fly line, surges of the brook trout are felt through the light fly rod. Quickly playing the fish to hand, the gemstone colors of the small trout glow brightly. Releasing the trout from the barbless hook completes the act and the scurry for cover is evidence that this one is unharmed. Small stream fly fishing is gaining in popularity. The reasons are easy enough to understand. Solitude in the outdoor is at the top of the list. There are rivers to fish with many anglers if you want to share the experience. Rivers are popular fly fishing destinations and they are reflected on by all forms of the media. Small streams are out of the way, not reported on regularly and introspection, not popularity echoes here. A feeder stream, off the fishing path can provide a afternoon of quiet thoughts while experiencing the outdoors by yourself. There are no television or magazine anglers here, just you and your thoughts among the trees. Outfitting for fly fishing a small stream is a personal choice. A fly rod with a couple of flys in a film canister along with swim trunks makes things simple. On the other hand, a modern fourth generation graphite fly rod with a large arbor reel and specialized mini shooting head fly line can make decisions difficult. Hundreds of stone, caddis, and mayflys in expensive aluminum compartment fly boxes tucked in a ergonomically tailored vest, bulging with the latest gadgetry for the technically minded is another possible choice. Some use a bamboo fly rod made in the early part of the century, possibly handed down in the family. Somewhere in there lies a typical small stream fisher. We are a diverse lot, but we are looking for the same thing, peace in nature’s solitude. Light fly line weights are standard for small streams. Line weights of zero through five are generally considered an advantage when casting for wary trout. The small diameter of a light fly line combined with the light weight reduces the unwanted sight and impact when making a presentation. For small streams, fly sizes are small and wind is usually not a hinderance. A good fly rod choice will be a seven foot three weight. You can give or take a foot in length and a fly line size and still have a good choice for a rod. A small reel without a drag is all that is necessary. Equipment can be as technical or as simple as you want to make it. Fly fishing equipment is a personal choice that should match the fisher and the water being fished. Moving along on a small stream seems to come natural. Most fishing is done in an upstream manner to approach the trout from behind. Trout hold in the current to feed most of the time and their blind spot is to the rear. You need all the help that you can get when the stream is shallow, and the fish are wary of predators. This is because of the lack of deep water and structure to hide in. In order to be successful, a good creeping technique must be developed. Select earth tones for your clothes, a low profile when approaching a productive section, and as few false casts as possible. The better you become, the more your back will hurt! Headhunting, a term that is used for a fly fisher consumed by catching the largest fish does not apply here. Not that a small stream fly angler will turn their back on a large brown trout, that is exactly what some do. This is a technique used to reduce the anglers "presence" to the wary trout when rigging for the situation. The fishing attitude is one of opportunity. If a large trout is caught, it is a gift. The essence is the outdoor experience. To catch a small glistening gem and to give it back to nature, this is what small stream fishing is about. Not a quest for monster trout. On your adventure please remember this. The small stream environment is usually pristine, one single piece of trash is out of place. No impact hiking is a must, and if some trash is found, packing it out is good form. Hiking along, if another angler is present, give him or her a wide berth to minimize the intrusion. Fly fishing small streams is a return to solitude that we all need. A perfect way to enjoy the outdoors. I hope you like my story, adam

Response:

Question:

Ross, I had the same type of problem and I bought a C&R net with a small bungee cord that has a magnet at either end.  One end is attached to the D ring of my vest in the back and the other to the net.  The magnets keep the net nice and high on my back and out of the way.  When I pull on the net, the magnet releases and allows me to have a long line to net the fish. I don’t go fishing for trout anymore without it.  It is one of the best accessories I own.  I don’t use it on smaller fish and I have run across some larger fish that just didn’t fit, but for mid-size trout, I highly recommend it. Rooster – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The most obvious alternative seems to be to use a catch and release net, and herein lies my question.  When fishing alone on a river, how do you use the net and where/how do you carry it while fishing?  I’ve seen fishermen on TV with the nets hanging from the back of their vests, presumably on a retractable line.  Is that the best approach?  Is it easy to access when needed?What is the risk of breaking the rod tip if you have to hold the rod up high to bring the fish in the net?

Response:

Hi Ross, As Darin said in his post I too go without a net when fishing the waters around the Seattle area. Depending on the size of the fish I will usually not even touch the fish with my hands if possible. The reason I can do this is a nifty little tool called a Ketchum-Release designed by a fellow up in BC. So long as you use a barbless hook you can use this tool to slide over the line and then down over the fly. Usually with a simple twist or jerk of your wrist you can remove the fly and the fish is off and running. If you have done this with sufficient water under the fish and the fish hasn’t been played too long you won’t even have to touch the fish. If this fish is showing signs of being overly tired you should try to gently hold in gentle current it without EVER removing it from the water. Every second you have it out of the water reduces the fishes chances of recovery drastically. I also try to never release a fish that is visibly bleeding. If it is then it either goes to the eagles who often are nearby watching every move or if regulations permit I’ll take it home to the smoker (Having said that I might have killed all of ten fish in the last 5 years). The Ketchum-Release has got to be one of my all time favorite fly fishing tools. Just make sure you tie it onto your vest as they sink! Gary Disclaimer– I have nothing to do with the company that makes the Ketchum-Release I just like the tool! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m trying to fine tune my landing of medium size trout to minimize harm to the fish. I typically fish in coastal British Columbia rivers, which are prone to rocky shores (at least where I fish) and my normal method of landing fish involves beaching it then releasing it.  What I notice however is that often the fish will thrash about on the rocks while I’m in the process of beaching it until I pick the fish up to remove the hook and release it back in the water.  I can’t believe that having the fish roll around and hit the rocks (even if its only for a few seconds) can be all that helpful to its survival, so I am trying to find a better approach. The most obvious alternative seems to be to use a catch and release net, and herein lies my question.  When fishing alone on a river, how do you use the net and where/how do you carry it while fishing?  I’ve seen fishermen on TV with the nets hanging from the back of their vests, presumably on a retractable line.  Is that the best approach?  Is it easy to access when needed?What is the risk of breaking the rod tip if you have to hold the rod up high to bring the fish in the net? Can anyone share their experiences and recommendations in beaching fish in similar situations, are nets the solution? Sorry if these are dumb questions, any ideas or experience would be appreciated. Ross

Response:

I once saw Houston bow fishing for gar and other "rough fish".  He was shooting the fish, bringing them in, and then throwing them back in the water.  Couldn’t call that c&r at all, more like release and kill.  He stated that doing this was "good for conservation" since the gar kill sport fish.  I guess it’s a miracle that the largemouth made it this far, without J. Houston to protect them from the bad ol’ gar. David Burnside Since my Jimmy Houston rant a while back, I’ve had occasion to see him a few more times still doing exactly the same shit.   I don’t usually watch these shows, so maybe the others are just as bad, but that guy is appalling. It’s unfathomable to me how his mistreatment of the fish he catches continues to pass for sport and entertainment

Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

certainly.  The wet fish gets on dry sand/rock and the protective mucus on it are removed as when people grab fish with dry hands.  The fish becomes infected, etc. and later dies.

For a while now I’ve been a bit sceptical about the ‘dry hands -removes the mucous – gets infected – fish dies’ theory. I think that fish are probably perfectly able to replace a bit of slime that gets rubbed off locally. What about the abrasion that occurs ‘naturally’ in the animal’s life, e.g., when cutting redds? Don’t get me wrong: I’m not advocating handling with dry hands or dragging up on a gravel beach those fish intended for release, its just that I question a bit of angling lore that’s been repeated so often that everyone now believes it without challenge. As a matter of interest: the carp and pike specimen hunters in Britain take their ‘releasing’ very seriously. Most fisheries stipulate the use of special padded unhooking mats (that have to be of a minimum size) and weighing slings made of soft, non-abrasive material. There are also purpose-made antibiotic/fungicidal preparations on the market for anglers to apply to hook puncture wounds and other injuries on the fish, prior to release.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For a while now I’ve been a bit sceptical about the ‘dry hands -removes the mucous – gets infected – fish dies’ theory. I think that fish are probably perfectly able to replace a bit of slime that gets rubbed off locally. What about the abrasion that occurs ‘naturally’ in the animal’s life, e.g., when cutting redds? Don’t get me wrong: I’m not advocating handling with dry hands or dragging up on a gravel beach those fish intended for release, its just that I question a bit of angling lore that’s been repeated so often that everyone now believes it without challenge. As a matter of interest: the carp and pike specimen hunters in Britain take their ‘releasing’ very seriously. Most fisheries stipulate the use of special padded unhooking mats (that have to be of a minimum size) and weighing slings made of soft, non-abrasive material. There are also purpose-made antibiotic/fungicidal preparations on the market for anglers to apply to hook puncture wounds and other injuries on the fish, prior to release.

Tony, I to have heard the lore. I always wet my hands, not so much from the lore, but from practical experience as a youth. Down the street from where I was raised in Miami, old man Roberts had a fish farm. His business was importing tropical fish from around the world and selling them to pet shops so that hobbyists could have fish in their tanks. Occasionally, his son John and I would go out and help net & pick fish for the orders being shipped out. The old mans #1 rule was, "wet your hands and keep them wet". The reason being that it protected the fishes mucous which allowed the fish to arrive at their destination in healthy condition without ich growing all over them. I don’t have any scientific basis for any of this, just experience. The old man would usually reward us with a dollar or so and a dime or two for the soda machine. I think the one thing that has changed since the early 60’s that I really miss the most, is the ice-cold 6oz. Coca-Cola’s that would noisily clank down mechanical innards to the dispenser when you put that dime in the slot and depressed the cast iron handle. waldo — Ezflyfish.com http://www.ezflyfish.com BRBG http://www.abebooks.com/home/BLUEBOOKS P.O. Box 5112  Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828)963-5001

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For a while now I’ve been a bit sceptical about the ‘dry hands -removes the mucous – gets infected – fish dies’ theory. I think that fish are probably perfectly able to replace a bit of slime that gets rubbed off locally. What about the abrasion that occurs ‘naturally’ in the animal’s life, e.g., when cutting redds? Don’t get me wrong: I’m not advocating handling with dry hands or dragging up on a gravel beach those fish intended for release, its just that I question a bit of angling lore that’s been repeated so often that everyone now believes it without challenge. As a matter of interest: the carp and pike specimen hunters in Britain take their ‘releasing’ very seriously. Most fisheries stipulate the use of special padded unhooking mats (that have to be of a minimum size) and weighing slings made of soft, non-abrasive material. There are also purpose-made antibiotic/fungicidal preparations on the market for anglers to apply to hook puncture wounds and other injuries on the fish, prior to release. Tony, I to have heard the lore. I always wet my hands, not so much from the lore, but from practical experience as a youth. Down the street from where I was raised in Miami, old man Roberts had a fish farm. His business was importing tropical fish from around the world and selling them to pet shops so that hobbyists could have fish in their tanks. Occasionally, his son John and I would go out and help net & pick fish for the orders being shipped out. The old mans #1 rule was, "wet your hands and keep them wet". The reason being that it protected the fishes mucous which allowed the fish to arrive at their destination in healthy condition without ich growing all over them. I don’t have any scientific basis for any of this, just experience. The old man would usually reward us with a dollar or so and a dime or two for the soda machine. I think the one thing that has changed since the early 60’s that I really miss the most, is the ice-cold 6oz. Coca-Cola’s that would noisily clank down mechanical innards to the dispenser when you put that dime in the slot and depressed the cast iron handle. waldo — Ezflyfish.com http://www.ezflyfish.com BRBG http://www.abebooks.com/home/BLUEBOOKS P.O. Box 5112  Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828)963-5001

_______  What a fond description of old memories!   — Mr. G.   http://www.gink.com/html  Fly Fisherman’s Chat Site   "Flyfisherman’s Camp Fires Burning" http://www.gink.com http://www.rodbuilding.com http://www.xink.com

Question:

As a keen fly fisherman in the UK my knowledge of US river’s is very limited. I have been offered the chance to join a trip to North Conway in New Hampshire sometime around June ‘98. The only river that I know to be close by is the Saco. Can anyone tell me :- Is there any trout in it and can they be caught? How is it best fished? What sort of tackle is required? Is there any other water’s (river or lake) near to N. Conway that are fished using the fly? Is there any other advise anyone can give me? Thanks in advance for any help. — Steve Patrick

Response:

As a keen fly fisherman in the UK my knowledge of US river’s is very limited. I have been offered the chance to join a trip to North Conway in New Hampshire sometime around June ‘98. The only river that I know to be close by is the Saco. Can anyone tell me :- Is there any trout in it and can they be caught?

Depends on your skills… How is it best fished?

A flyrod is the most effective way to do this. What sort of tackle is required?

Depending on the water, but I would take a 3wt and a 5 or 6 wt. Is there any other water’s (river or lake) near to N. Conway that are fished using the fly?

You are in the beautiful White Mountain area with nearly thousands of streams, lakes, and ponds in one of the most beautiful areas of New Hampshire. Go to the flyshop in North Conway and ask the guys there, they can tell you where to go best and what hatches you can expect at that time of the year (they usually list the most popular rivers with their hatches on a board outside the store and will be pleased to tell you more if you buy a couple flies etc out of courtesy, the guys are very nice- I think they also guide). Within 30 min drive you find several nice ponds in the Frankonia Notch area, it’s good to have a belly boat there and you can catch beautiful brookies. South of where you are located you can find the Bearcamp which is a beauty that holds Brookes, Brows, and Rainbows. If you are driving up from Boston make shure you stop at the Merrimack (look for salmon) and the Neufound river (can’t remember the exit, but it’s right from I93- salmon and hugh trout) and very close to the White Mountains. Otherwise, stop at the Ranger station, they can give you tips for remote hike-in ponds, there is a National Forest Map with all the ponds in it, including some fly fishing only ponds. Amonoosuc River (sp?) at Twin Mountains is also a pretty place that holds big rainbows. Don’t forget the C&R stretch of the Ellis River. If you have more questions, just mail back. Thomas Is there any other advise anyone can give me? Thanks in advance for any help. — Steve Patrick

– Thomas Urbig

Response:

Question:

Why not try the Beartooths or the Absoraokas,  northeast of Yellowstone. The Beartooth plateau is great for backpacking and fishing. Penny — Specialty Outdoor Sewing Professional Sewing for the Outdoor Enthusiast Spokane, Washington Ask about my line of Cataraft accessories!   web page coming soon…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi! My hubby and I are going backpacking in Wyoming is a few weeks.  He loves to fly fish and love to hike.  We have done the usual tourist routes in the Tetons, Yellowstone and Winds.  I would love some suggestions for other areas we could visit.  Any input would really be appreciated. Thanks! Mary

Response:

Check out the Snowy Range southwest of Laramie.  Your hubby can fly fish and hike to his heart’s content and won’t have to fight crowds – tourists either go on to Yellowstone and the Tetons to the north or Colorado to the south.  The scenery is beautiful and different from any other mountain range I’ve been in.  Geez, I hate telling more people about this place – maybe you should check out the Big Horns in north central Wyoming.

: Hi! : My hubby and I are going backpacking in Wyoming is a few weeks.  He loves : to fly fish and love to hike.  We have done the usual tourist routes in : the Tetons, Yellowstone and Winds.  I would love some suggestions for : other areas we could visit.  Any input would really be appreciated. : Thanks! : Mary

Response:

Hi! My hubby and I are going backpacking in Wyoming is a few weeks.  He loves to fly fish and love to hike.  We have done the usual tourist routes in the Tetons, Yellowstone and Winds.  I would love some suggestions for other areas we could visit.  Any input would really be appreciated. Thanks! Mary

Response:

Question:

In a couple of weeks I’m going to British Columbia (Chilko Lake/Tsy-los park). One of the fishing opportunities there is fishing on a mountain lake for Dolly Varden. I’ve been told to bring a sinking line. I have never used a sinking line and find there are a wide variety of brands and sink rates available. Can anyone advise me on which line type would be the best for this setting? Thanks! Steve Rosenblum

Response:

In a couple of weeks I’m going to British Columbia (Chilko Lake/Tsy-los park). One of the fishing opportunities there is fishing on a mountain lake for Dolly Varden. I’ve been told to bring a sinking line. I have never used a sinking line and find there are a wide variety of brands and sink rates available. Can anyone advise me on which line type would be the best for this setting? Thanks! Steve Rosenblum

Hi Steve! Depends on the depth–and this is no wisecrack answer.  A lot of my lake fishing is done in water less than 8 feet deep and I like to fish out a cast.  So, my favorite lake sinking line is a slow sink (I think scientific Anglers calls it an imtermediate line.I can use this line because I generally dont fish deep lakes when the water is warm and the fish less active.  If you fish deeper you need a line with a faster sink rate.  The make a bunch of them. If I were guessing, I would go for a wet cel II line–it will get down relatively fast, but dont plan on fishing 30 feet down with it!! Also, I prefer full sinking lines for lake fishing–personal preference, but I fish slow and deep and sinking tip lines tend to drag with the wind across the top of the water. Best Luck!! Paul

Response:

In a couple of weeks I’m going to British Columbia (Chilko Lake/Tsy-los park). One of the fishing opportunities there is fishing on a mountain lake for Dolly Varden. I’ve been told to bring a sinking line. I have never used a sinking line and find there are a wide variety of brands and sink rates available. Can anyone advise me on which line type would be the best for this setting?

Hi Steve, I like to use a type II sinking line for fishing around 10 ft. deep, a type III for 10 to 15 and a type V (don’t do this often) for 20+ ft. of depth.  Of course, I am kind of impatient and I hate long countdowns to get to the fish.   Keep in mind that the speed of the retrieve you use will also have an effect on how deep your fly actually swims.   A quickly retrieved type III will often fish at the same depth as a slow to medium retrieve on a type II.  See if you can find out the depth that you will most often be fishing at this lake (not the depth of the lake, but rather the depth you will fish), and make your choice from there.                           Good Fishing,                               Dan 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!).

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Dutch government intends to forbid live bait fishing (i.e., fishing with living fish, minnows, etc.) starting January 1, 1997.  If you think this is none of your business, please read on.  Eventually, perhaps sooner than you think, this plan might restrict anyone’s freedom to fish. Not allowing live bait fishing is of course nothing new.  It is in effect in several countries in Europe and, if I am correctly informed, also in some states in the US of A.  Some fishing associations also allow only artificial bait in (some of) the waters they rent.  The reasons vary from country tot country and from place to place.  So what else is new, why should you care? What’s new is, that our government uses an ethical argument: the fish feel pain, suffer, etc.  As you might expect, our government’s current viewpoint is the result of a protracted lobby of the Dutch Animal Rights movement, which have for years argued against fishing for ethical reasons, although the scientific basis for ‘the ethical argument’ seems to be weak.  In fact, neurological evidence points in the opposite direction: fish don’t have the brain structures that are held responsible for feelings of pain and suffering in mammals. Forbidding life bait fishing for ethical reasons is alarming, because once you use an ethical argument against life bait fishing, it’s hard not to apply it to fishing in general and, consequently, forbid fishing entirely.  Of course, the long-term goal of our Animal Rights movement is just that. If fishing is no longer allowed in one country, this will surely encourage Animal Rights movements in other countries to strive for something similar. It is for this reason that I think that fishermen in other countries should care. Lots of fishermen in The Netherlands have written letters of protest to the political parties that support the government’s intention.  Letters from fishermen in other countries would also be most welcome and very much appreciated, the more the better.  We have ridiculously many political parties, but four of them really matter here: PvdA, D66, VVD, and CDA (the latter two do not have a very strong opinion on the matter, but they are among the largest parties). If you would like to support us, please send an E-mail to them.  They should be addressed as follows:                             E-mail address If you write a letter of protest, please be polite.  It wouldn’t do any harm, however, when you pointed out that you would not feel terribly at ease in a country that forbids life bait fishing and that therefore … Because I would like to know whether a protest like this can be organized on the net, I would appreciate being informed by those who do send a letter of I’ll let you know what happens. This is the first posting of this letter.  It will probably be posted by me two times more in the next two weeks. Leo Beem E-mail:

until it’s too late.We in America keep suupporting ,subconciously,politicians who have no balls to stand up to Amimal rights nonsense.Just like gun-ownership and hunting,we will become the fringe ,as the media and liberal politician will paint us .Then ultimately bans on bait will be seen as the middle ground,and then bans on hook barbs,thenbans on anything but fly fishing,then a total ban.And yes ,the fly fishermen will go along with all of this,as their exclusive sense of moral righteousness,and sportsmanship will encourage this type of political crap.     If you don’t believe me,go talk to some members of trout unlimited,who will tell you they are ethically superior in their means of sportsmanship,Of course baitfishing is considered "unsporting" and fishing with barbed hooks is "deadly to the fish".     The other example I have to offer is the so-called assault weapon.Go to a skeet match and speak to the elite shotgunners with Perazzi’s and Beretta’s.They will tell you what neanderthals those men are who own semi-auto rifles and large magazines.They will tell you they should be banned.So you see,Americans have no unity in their ranks.We will lose our outdoor heritage,as our membership continues to compromise on what they consider moral,and ethical

Response:

The Dutch government intends to forbid live bait fishing (i.e., fishing with living fish, minnows, etc.) starting January 1, 1997.  If you think this is none of your business, please read on.  Eventually, perhaps sooner than you think, this plan might restrict anyone’s freedom to fish. Not allowing live bait fishing is of course nothing new.  It is in effect in several countries in Europe and, if I am correctly informed, also in some states in the US of A.  Some fishing associations also allow only artificial bait in (some of) the waters they rent.  The reasons vary from country tot country and from place to place.  So what else is new, why should you care?  What’s new is, that our government uses an ethical argument: the fish feel pain, suffer, etc.  As you might expect, our government’s current viewpoint is the result of a protracted lobby of the Dutch Animal Rights movement, which have for years argued against fishing for ethical reasons, although the scientific basis for ‘the ethical argument’ seems to be weak.  In fact, neurological evidence points in the opposite direction: fish don’t have the brain structures that are held responsible for feelings of pain and suffering in mammals.   Forbidding life bait fishing for ethical reasons is alarming, because once you use an ethical argument against life bait fishing, it’s hard not to apply it to fishing in general and, consequently, forbid fishing entirely. Of course, the long-term goal of our Animal Rights movement is just that. If fishing is no longer allowed in one country, this will surely encourage Animal Rights movements in other countries to strive for something similar. It is for this reason that I think that fishermen in other countries should care. Lots of fishermen in The Netherlands have written letters of protest to the political parties that support the government’s intention.  Letters from fishermen in other countries would also be most welcome and very much appreciated, the more the better.  We have ridiculously many political parties, but four of them really matter here: PvdA, D66, VVD, and CDA (the latter two do not have a very strong opinion on the matter, but they are among the largest parties). If you would like to support us, please send an E-mail to them.  They should be addressed as follows:                             E-mail address If you write a letter of protest, please be polite.  It wouldn’t do any harm, however, when you pointed out that you would not feel terribly at ease in a country that forbids life bait fishing and that therefore … Because I would like to know whether a protest like this can be organized on the net, I would appreciate being informed by those who do send a letter I’ll let you know what happens. This is the first posting of this letter.  It will probably be posted by me two times more in the next two weeks. Leo Beem

Response:

Please be aware that in many states in the good old USA live bait is restricted for reasons other than cruelty. Many fish species used for bait are not indigenous to the local ecology. Introducing foreign species to certain lakes and ponds can wreak havoc and destroy the local ecology. These introduced species can thrive in ares where natural competition is not present. Many states restrict live bait for these reasons. You would be amazed how many so called sportsmen have introduced fish species into local ecologies via bait and or intentionally trying to stock and improve their local fishery. A VERY bad idea.

Response:

Question:

Ernie’s Casting Pond (Soquel, CA) is proud to announce our new Web Site, located at <URL:http://www.ernies.com/~ernies/. We are located in Soquel, CA, about 35 miles south of San Jose, near Santa Cruz, CA. We are a full service fly shop, and welcome ideas and info from fellow ‘netters about local fly fishing news, etc. Stop on by and give us your comments on our Web site. Your comments are most welcome, and we look forward to hearing from you. -Ernie’s Casting Pond

Response:

Hi, Ern!  Welcome to the Web.  ( I thought you were getting too old to get on the cutting edge of technology).  But you always surprise me.  See you Jim Thatcher

Response:

Question:

I read in Sunday’s Muskegon Chroncle, and have heard through FlyFishing Magazine, that the Muskegon is a potential wealth of fishing.  Can anybody elaborate on that? And give me direction to where the best place is to access the river.  I live in Muskegon, but access to the river is by boat only.  I read that Newago is the place.  Please stay tuned in July for my Michigan FlyFishing WWW Page. http://www.novagate.com/novasurfers/bscheere/bc.html (you can access my trial page now). Thanks, Ben

You can contact Blair Shaw, owner of the Tarry Motel in Baldwin, MI, for info on the Muskegon.  Blair is a good guide.  I was steelhead FFishing with him on the Muskegon this past spring with his new jetboat.  It was my son’s first time out and he landed his first steely that cold rainy day. You can reach Blair at 616-745-3137.  Tell him Matt gave you his number.

Response:

says… I read in Sunday’s Muskegon Chroncle, and have heard through FlyFishing Magazine, that the Muskegon is a potential wealth of fishing.  Can anybody elaborate on that? And give me direction to where the best place is to access the river.  I live in Muskegon, but access to the river is by boat only.  I read that Newago is the place.  Please stay tuned in July for my Michigan FlyFishing WWW Page. http://www.novagate.com/novasurfers/bscheere/bc.html (you can access my trial page now). Thanks, Ben

Please note my correct Email: Thanks, BEN

Response:

I read in Sunday’s Muskegon Chroncle, and have heard through FlyFishing Magazine, that the Muskegon is a potential wealth of fishing.  Can anybody elaborate on that? And give me direction to where the best place is to access the river.  I live in Muskegon, but access to the river is by boat only.  I read that Newago is the place.  Please stay tuned in July for my Michigan FlyFishing WWW Page. http://www.novagate.com/novasurfers/bscheere/bc.html (you can access my trial page now). Thanks, Ben

Response: