Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I will sponsor "Flies of the World" for the first fly tying information swap.  What I propose to offer is one fly tied of the following sets. 1.  your single most successful dry fly 2.  caddis, caddis, caddis all three stages. 3.  anything may fly from one nymph, dun, spinner, spent. 4.  your favorite terrestrial, INCLUDING dragon fly, crane, etc. 5.  your favorite stone fly dry and nymph 6.  parachute anything 7.  emergers, emergers, emergers diptera, caddis, etc. 8.  Fresh water Streamer.  Salt Water Streamer. 9.  Steelhead Fly 10. Salmon Fly Each fly will be photographed and if the tier can provide tying photos, all the better.  Each fly should have a photo of tier at vise.  Each fly should have a narration of how to tie it and also the why of it and how and when it is used.  The story is vital.  Latin terms are welcome and fly tying book references of pattern used also encouraged.  "I tied this fly up using Ernie Schwiebert’s book on "Nymphs" found on page # xxx. (for example) Those who are interested and who offer up their talents, will be entered into our companies "Flies of the World Wide Web Site" which is viewed all over the world.  I hope to make this a major factor in the world of fly fishing information over the Internet. This is an "Intellectual Swap" each tier becomes part of a major data base of fly tying information in an electronic book where I hope to keep you preserved for all time. The tying format outline will constructed so everyone uses the same quality steps from "Hook Size & Make" all the way through to finished product.  Each tier will have a full page display and lay out all their own for EACH FLY offered. We will reserve the right to edit and help the lay outs as much as possible so each tier is presented in the best light and as interesting as possible. The comments of our Flies of the World gets each month is remarkable and the interest on going.  We just need more of the same from serious fly tiers and fishermen just like you. Materials of all kinds are found in unusual places and sometimes it is helpful if a rare material’s source is divulged.  Synthetics are allowed for one major reason.  To make the first fly out of Polar Bear requires the death of a magnificent animal.  Yet, there are sources where old taxidermy mounts are salvaged and someone has a large piece they are willing to share, or better yet a synthetic that is used which safeguards Polar Bears from further hunting just to tie that first fly. It simply makes sense that synthetics be allowed and especially when some of them make it difficult to tell the difference between them and the real thing.  We are here to learn and we are here to contribute to a finer world of fly fishing through helping each other and wildlife in general as best we can. Anyhow, this will be Rofft’s place in the sun where dreams, reality, and the final product are shown and preserved for all mankind.  We want to know what you look like and we want your stories and thoughts.  It makes no difference if you can spell or not.  Its your enthusiasm that counts. The above layout of flies can be submitted one fly at a time but each tier should have a chance to include what is important at their pace for each fly takes thought and it is, as I’ve always said, "A contemplative man’s sport." I expect to reach "A Thousand & One" fly patterns in time.  I want YOU to be part of what fly fishing is about to you and hopefully that you will share a little of it with others.  I  hope some of you like this idea, can use it to promote quality concepts and who are willing to donate a little of your time to help others . . . all over the world. This generation of Roffian Tiers needs to be preserved for the future. I want you to be part of it.  I bar no man of sport. — George Gehrke Mr. Gink  

Question:

I love how predictably I can stir up this hornet’s nest anytime I please. I simply don’t understand why you don’t ignore my taunts. Try it once, and reclaim your newsgroup. — Citizen Fisherman one can’t be ostracized from a vacuum…

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Dick Head said: << I love how predictably I can stir up this hornet’s nest anytime I please. I That’s pretty obvious. What I don’t understand is why you would want to stir things up. Are you a jerk or what?

Response:

Dick Head said: << I love how predictably I can stir up this hornet’s nest anytime I please. I That’s pretty obvious. What I don’t understand is why you would want to stir things up. Are you a jerk or what?

The former.   What I don’t understand is how consistently achieving the predictable holds much fascination at all, much less being deserving of self-congratulation. Joe F.

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Yup, got the accounts mixed….. john "

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I love how predictably I can stir up this hornet’s nest anytime I please. I simply don’t understand why you don’t ignore my taunts. Try it once, and reclaim your newsgroup.

Yeah man ! Aren’t you a cool guy ! Just got back from a whitefish journey. First thing this morning, though, caught (and released) 2 *gorgeous* browns 16" and 18". The average whitefish has gotten huge [around 3 pounds]. I have the fillets of 8 of them brining. The trout would have been excellent smoked, but I was after whitefish. There was a brutal carnage of these fish. In the morning we saw the ‘first guard’ of several pods of around 20 fish were in the creek. Then the people arrived, a church group and more. Thye just got in the water with them. They threw rocks at them and laughed. This went on all day. When I left I could not find any fish in the creek except a dead one wedged in a rock. It was very sad to me. Three men talked with me while I caught a nice one in the main river. When they saw it one asked if it was a rainbow trout. They went up in the creek and one of them came back with a whitefish he had caught with his hands. He asked me if he could keep it and I told him that, if he had a license, he’d probably be OK. He did not. A little while later I saw him again. He asked where he could catch a salmon. I told him, maybe Reudi. He asked where he could catch a salmon in Denver. I told him I did not know. About an hour later I saw them with some other people and they had filled a kitchen sized trash bag with fish they caught, I think by throwing rocks at them. Wierd carnage. One lady took the roe from all of my fish to feed her bloodhound. I though that was pretty cool. I mean, I do not eat whitefish roe. I saw literally buckets, shop buckets, full of fish hauled out. It did not bother me. At least the guys that obviously had smoke houses ready to accept the fish. It was the people killing them for no reason that really bugged me and the people that obviously would throw them away if they did keep them. These whitefish were very easy to hook but hard to catch. They’d get into the strong current and even with the 6 weight and 4X, you had no choice but to get running downstream. Almost always they’d ball up the tackle. Frieght trains. While you could feel the head shake that made you pretty certain it was a whitefish, you really did not know if it was a large brown or a whitefish until you could see it. This made for some exciting fishing. One guy told me that if I steamed them and removed the meat I could mix it with eggs and cracker crumbs and spices and fry it in a mock crab cake or make tacos with the meat that it was excellent. He said you can also freeze the steamed meat and it would keep. All in all, very good ideas. In the afternoon we moved down and I hooked 6 fish, landed 3 [2 browns and a bow] all were around 16. The bow was very fat in the shoulders and deep bodied, at least 5 inches. An extremely nice fish. None of them faught a fraction as hard as any of the whitefish. I had a fish get off that was the proverbial ‘I thought it was a snag’. I really did think it was a snag, and I pulled *hard* when it just started moving away slowly. The hook straightened, and I lost him. It was a TMC 2457. My minds eye tells me it was a brown. Five pounds. At least. Your pal, — TBone Walker The Halfordian Golfer

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Just got back from a whitefish journey. First thing this morning, though, caught (and released) 2 *gorgeous* browns 16" and 18". The average whitefish has gotten huge [around 3 pounds]. I have the fillets of 8 of them brining. The trout would have been excellent smoked, but I was after whitefish.

Thanks for the report.  That rock throwing etc. on the whitefish was too weird. Where was this? I’ve never come across anything like that. Willi

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There was a brutal carnage of these fish. In the morning we saw the ‘first guard’ of several pods of around 20 fish were in the creek. Then the people arrived, a church group and more. Thye just got in the water with them. They threw rocks at them and laughed. This went on all day.

???? a church group? that is wierd…. too damn weird. –waldo

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Just got back from a whitefish journey. First thing this morning, though, caught (and released) 2 *gorgeous* browns 16" and 18". The average whitefish has gotten huge [around 3 pounds]. I have the fillets of 8 of them brining. The trout would have been excellent smoked, but I was after whitefish.

Yeah, that’s what I tell the guys too, heh heh. While you could feel the head shake that made you pretty certain it was a whitefish, you really did not know if it was a large brown or a whitefish until you could see it. This made for some exciting fishing.

I wish I could get over that bummer when I find out it’s *not* a large brown

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Then the people arrived, a church group and more. Thye just got in the water with them. They threw rocks at them and laughed. This went on all day.

Throwing rocks at a baptism seems like an unconventional way to welcome a new convert. To each his own, I guess. –Steve

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There was a brutal carnage of these fish. In the morning we saw the ‘first guard’ of several pods of around 20 fish were in the creek. Then the people arrived, a church group and more. Thye just got in the water with them. They threw rocks at them and laughed. This went on all day. ???? a church group? that is wierd…. too damn weird.

They probably caught two, tried to feed multitudes, and, failing that, decided to stone the rest. JR

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…..I wish I could get over that bummer when I find out it’s *not* a large brown

You should.  You would be doing yourself a favor.  I caught as many whitefish as trout on a trip to southwest Montana some years ago and enjoyed them every bit as much.  Whitefish are eager to take a fly, put up as good a fight as trout, are attractive in their own right, and are quite tasty.  While I understand the appeal of targeting a particular species on a given outing, I am never bothered by the serendipitous catch of another, and particularly so when it introduces me to a species with a lot of good characteristics (from an angler’s point of view) and to which I had never given any consideration.  Hell, I’d go back just to stupid old trout.      :( Wolfgang chubs now……damn, what i wouldn’t give to tie into a mess of nice four inch chubs!

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Throwing rocks at a baptism seems like an unconventional way to welcome a new convert. To each his own, I guess.

Sounds to me like there’s a distressing shortage of sinners in that crowd. Wolfgang don’t s’pose i’d fit in real good.      :(

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Just got back from a whitefish journey. First thing this morning, though, caught (and released) 2 *gorgeous* browns 16" and 18". The average whitefish has gotten huge [around 3 pounds]. I have the fillets of 8 of them brining. The trout would have been excellent smoked, but I was after whitefish. Thanks for the report.  That rock throwing etc. on the whitefish was too weird. Where was this? I’ve never come across anything like that.

Let’s just say it was at an interstate rest area. I’ll tell you exactly where in email or when I see you. You’ve probably already figured it out from the clues. There was a pedestrian bridge over the creek and a colorful sign depicting the life cycle of the Whitefish. I think it was titled "A Colorado Native". In the morning a delightful couple excitedly pointed out the fish to us. It’s too bad that travelers after about 2 in the afternoon would have seen no fish, or just the few dead ones. I don’t think the church group was all that bad. It was just teenage girls and boys with their shoes off…for the hour or so break from the bus journey they were on. The guys were chasing and teasing the girls with the whitefish, just like you and I would have done. That kind of thing. Fairly harmless. I think that as a reasonable ‘pattern of positive behavior’ there’s an ethical compromise. Once fish make the spawning tributary they should be proected. It takes a fair amount of skill to catch them in the main river. That would enforce some degree of ‘fair chase’ to the equation. You’d have to at least care enough about what you’re doing to pick up a license and a rod and reel and to fish for them. Not just a big rock. I was thinking….I bet the people that left with a trash bag full probably thought we were wasting our time, fishing for them with nymphs, I mean…it took a while to get just a few with the fly rod…they got 50 in 10 minutes by throwing them up on the rocks with their hands. I feel fairly strongly that the fish in the creek should be enjoyed by the people stopping in at the rest area. It’s a marvel of nature and very impressive. Just the education that the Rainbow trout is not native to Colorado but the Whitefish are, would probably be interesting to thinking people that would probably otherwise never know. I’m formatting the words to the letter to the CDOW and local papers in my head as we speak. I’m thinking more on these human/wildlife ‘patterns’ as regarding reccomendations and paradigms. Your pal, — TBone Walker The Halfordian Golfer

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"TBone" .    That would enforce some degree of ‘fair chase’ to the equation. You’d have to at least care enough about what you’re doing to pick up a license and a rod and reel and to fish for them.

I hate to say it……but even a few minor – ENFORCED – regulations have an enormous result in the amount of streamside litter, diminished negative behavior and overall improvement that it is time to consider such things for all streams. You eliminate a whole class of people. john

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..and you get my first <SPLORK john

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???? a church group? that is wierd…. too damn weird. –waldo

It would seem like it until you’ve had some experience with church groups and the outdoors.  They should restrict themselves to city parks and playgrounds, where they know what’s happening.  On what used to be my favorite part of my favorite river, they’ve proven themselves to be almost as obnoxious as the beer for breakfast bunch and rather more dangerous.  Mostly, thank (heaven?) to themselves, but it’s painful to watch and to try to give them a clue when they get really odd and the kids are likely to be dumped, drown, get hypothermia or any combination of the former.  While some of them don’t believe Darwin was correct, they sometimes seem intent on proving his theories. — rbc:  vixen    Fairly harmless remove invalid or hit reply to email. Though I’m very slow to respond. http://www.visi.com/~cyli

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They probably caught two, tried to feed multitudes, and, failing that, decided to stone the rest. JR

…god, now that’s funny!!! jeff (brimstone, anyone?)

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They probably caught two, tried to feed multitudes, and, failing that, decided to stone the rest. JR …god, now that’s funny!!! jeff (brimstone, anyone?)

Agreed. ROFLOL. — TBone Walker The Halfordian Golfer

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Question:

I have a flyfishing site on the web. Feel welcome. Turn on your sound if you have it.

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<<I have a flyfishing site on the web. Feel welcome. Turn on your sound if you have it. Uhhhh, I have sound, and I sure can see, but I don’t know how to get there without a url.  <g Dave LaCourse

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Question:

I talked to anglers in Alaska who were fly fishing for kings. They were doing quite well, so I asked them if they had some advice to give, what flies to use etc. They told me that they did not spend time tying flies for kings (egg suckers, fat freddies etc), instead they were using large colorful "Piece-of-yarn" flies. These flies were not really tied in a normal way; instead they used a fairly large short shank hook on which they prepared a specially designed knot, ripped off a piece of yarn, put the yarn on place and finalized the knot. It all took less than a minute and seems a good solution regarding the number of flies you lose when fishing on the bottom… My problem is: I can’t remember how they did the trick. Does anybody have a description for how to make this special knot?   What hook would be the most appropriate? Thanks in advance, Tord Andreasson Sweden

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I talked to anglers in Alaska who were fly fishing for kings. They were doing quite well, so I asked them if they had some advice to give, what flies to use etc. They told me that they did not spend time tying flies for kings (egg suckers, fat freddies etc), instead they were using large colorful "Piece-of-yarn" flies. These flies were not really tied in a normal way; instead they used a fairly large short shank hook on which they prepared a specially designed knot, ripped off a piece of yarn, put the yarn on place and finalized the knot. It all took less than a minute and seems a good solution regarding the number of flies you lose when fishing on the bottom… My problem is: I can’t remember how they did the trick. Does anybody have a description for how to make this special knot?   What hook would be the most appropriate? Thanks in advance, Tord Andreasson Sweden

the knot is the egg or bait loop. it’s been years since I tied one so my instructions may not be quite right; essentially: use Turned up eye hook. put the tippet through the eye and near the bend of the hoo start wrapping relatively loosely back to the eye about 6 wraps –  use a finger tip to hold the wraps in place. Put the tippet end back under the wraps much like a nail knot and pull it tight to snug the loops. To make the fly push slack into the tippet to open a loop over the shank stick the yarn in and tighten up. Clip to shape and size desired. Personally I just tie flies with yarn and threa at home on the same style hooks. Tkaes a minute or two per fly and doesn’t involve any fumbling on stream Ralph H remove "(take_this_out)" for email reply.

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Question:

I am need of an address for the Fenwick company. I purchased a fly reel & need to get a spare spool. If anyone has the address where I can get one I would greatly appreciate it if you could send me the address. Thanks. May you always find a fish on your fishing pole. —

Response:

I am need of an address for the Fenwick company. I purchased a fly reel & need to get a spare spool. If anyone has the address where I can get one I would greatly appreciate it if you could send me the address. Thanks. May you always find a fish on your fishing pole. —

Unfortunately, Fenwick was ‘taken over’ by Outdoors Technology Group (Berkley, Fintek, etc.). You can reach them toll free at 1-800-642-7637. I worked for Fenwick for nine years and was damn sorry to see a fine company go away. I believe Fenwick products are still being sold, but the are not made by Fenwick. Bob Tyler…

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Question:

You are fishing an area and are hitting it regularly and waiting for the good fishing to start and it’s just a bit early and then the one time you don’t go you hear that everybody slammed them that day.  Tht is what happened to me this past weekend.  Ihave been fishing the Roanoke River constantly for a month or so fo the stripers to get going and getting a few but not really hot and heavy.  This past weekend I decided to stick aROUNd the house with the wife and of course I then heard that the fish were in thick and everybody caught a ton.  Figures. Gordon

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You are fishing an area and are hitting it regularly and waiting for the good fishing to start and it’s just a bit early and then the one time you don’t go you hear that everybody slammed them that day.

Here in California on the coast there is an affliction called "alltimers disease" which plagues surfers.  The morning you don’t come out all your buddies catch it.  The next time you’re told "man (dude may be substituted), they were pumpin’.  All time best!"  Check your source for the following symptons: 1.  You usually outfish them 2.  When they tell a story where you are involved, only a tentative link to the reality of the situation remains. If either of these conditions are met, keep a close eye on them.  If both of these conditions are met, for godness sakes, don’t let them fish alone, they could be a prime candidate for Alltimers! Phil

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You are fishing an area and are hitting it regularly and waiting for the good fishing to start and it’s just a bit early and then the one time you don’t go you hear that everybody slammed them that day.  Tht is what happened to me this past weekend.  Ihave been fishing the Roanoke River constantly for a month or so fo the stripers to get going and getting a few but not really hot and heavy.  This past weekend I decided to stick aROUNd the house with the wife and of course I then heard that the fish were in thick and everybody caught a ton.  Figures. Gordon

Are you fishing the section near Brookneal VA. ?  Yes, it happens to me about every year.  Usually when I go, there has been rain up stream and the river is too muddy to fish.  Let me know if the stripers are

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That is what is great about living next to a river.  You can check it out every day. Jeff

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And, I have also had times where I and perhaps one or two others were the only ones on the river and we/I caught fish on every cast for the entire tide ! If you go often enough it all works out. — "The true Angler is content to fish alone" Brian Di Carlo – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You are fishing an area and are hitting it regularly and waiting for the good fishing to start and it’s just a bit early and then the one time you don’t go you hear that everybody slammed them that day.  Tht is what happened to me this past weekend.  Ihave been fishing the Roanoke River constantly for a month or so fo the stripers to get going and getting a few but not really hot and heavy.  This past weekend I decided to stick aROUNd the house with the wife and of course I then heard that the fish were in thick and everybody caught a ton.  Figures. Gordon

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Happens to all of us!  Fortubnatly, there is always tomorrow John W. Kramer Clearwater Outfitters @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@   "See Dick fly-fish.    See Dick kill fish."           DON’T BE A DICK!  PRACTICE AND TEACH CATCH AND RELEASE @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@

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Question:

With the current thread on the exploding float tube (Float Tube Safety – Near Drowning) I was thinking about the recent thread about the guy who drowned. It appeared that he was stuck in an upside-down float tube. A few have said that they would try to flip their tubes and see if they can get out. Has anybody tried this yet? Jon Porter

Response:

With the current thread on the exploding float tube (Float Tube Safety – Near Drowning) I was thinking about the recent thread about the guy who drowned. It appeared that he was stuck in an upside-down float tube. A few have said that they would try to flip their tubes and see if they can get out. Has anybody tried this yet? Jon Porter

Hi Jon, Several years ago I accidently flipped my tube.  Thank god I had two friends right next to me and we were only about six feet from the bank.   I don’t think I could have gotten out of the tube by myself.  I promptly bought a pontoon boat with a rowing system (Water Otter) and have never been in a float tube since. After getting the Water Otter I purposely turned it over a couple of times to see how difficult it would be to get out of it (again with friends present to help).  I was able to free myself rather quickly on both occasions.  I’ve never had an unscheduled roll over as it seems to be quite stable.  I suppose a roll over is possible if I was not paying attention and ran one of the pontoon up on a rock in faster water. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi I have what I believe to be green sunfish. This fish were found in a shipment of baitfish that came from Arkansas. I live in central New York and our local DEC officer said they are not found in this area. People I know have said they are called Arkansas bluegill or shellcrackers. From books I have the fish that looks most like these fish is the green sunfish. They have the bodyshape of a rock bass. They have dark vertical stripes on their sides, a dark spot on the back of the gill cover, starting in front of the eye they have light metallic blue markings that go to the back of the gill cover, the over all body color is almost black and mottled with lighter scales throughout, all fins except the pectorals are edged with white with the pelvics being all white with black and brownish yellow streaks. The fish I believe to be females are less colorful. I have nine of these fish, the smallest is about 3 inches and the largest is about 7 inches. Does anyone know if this is indeed the green sunfish? How large do they get and what is their native range? They are living in a 75 gallon tank and doing fine. They eat anything I give them. Thanks for any information. Leah    

I think that you have it right.  We have them hear in California.  According to A.J. McClane’s New Standard Fishing Encyclopedia there are 30 species of sunfish that include bluegills and large mouth bass.  The only sunfish east of the rockies was the Sacramento Perch, all others have been introduced.  We call the green sunfish a "war mouth bass".  It is like a cross between a bass and a blueguill.  They are a great fish on light tackle. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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Hi I have what I believe to be green sunfish. This fish were found in a shipment of baitfish that came from Arkansas. I live in central New York and our local DEC officer said they are not found in this area. People I know have said they are called Arkansas bluegill or shellcrackers. From books I have the fish that looks most like these fish is the green sunfish. They have the bodyshape of a rock bass. They have dark vertical stripes on their sides, a dark spot on the back of the gill cover, starting in front of the eye they have light metallic blue markings that go to the back of the gill cover, the over all body color is almost black and mottled with lighter scales throughout, all fins except the pectorals are edged with white with the pelvics being all white with black and brownish yellow streaks. The fish I believe to be females are less colorful. I have nine of these fish, the smallest is about 3 inches and the largest is about 7 inches. Does anyone know if this is indeed the green sunfish? How large do they get and what is their native range? They are living in a 75 gallon tank and doing fine. They eat anything I give them. Thanks for any information. Leah    

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi I have what I believe to be green sunfish. This fish were found in a shipment of baitfish that came from Arkansas. I live in central New York and our local DEC officer said they are not found in this area. People I know have said they are called Arkansas bluegill or shellcrackers. From books I have the fish that looks most like these fish is the green sunfish. They have the bodyshape of a rock bass. They have dark vertical stripes on their sides, a dark spot on the back of the gill cover, starting in front of the eye they have light metallic blue markings that go to the back of the gill cover, the over all body color is almost black and mottled with lighter scales throughout, all fins except the pectorals are edged with white with the pelvics being all white with black and brownish yellow streaks. The fish I believe to be females are less colorful. I have nine of these fish, the smallest is about 3 inches and the largest is about 7 inches. Does anyone know if this is indeed the green sunfish? How large do they get and what is their native range? They are living in a 75 gallon tank and doing fine. They eat anything I give them. Thanks for any information. Leah    

Leah, the fish you have sounds just like a green sunfish to me. However, fish hatcheries are known to make hybrids between: green sunfish/bluegill green sunfish/red ear sunfish red ear sunfish/bluegill        obviously we don’t need to consider this one I still believe what you have is a pure green sunfish, because the hybrids that look like green sunfish have bright orange fins, and get larger. I have never heard a green sunfish called a shellcracker – shellcrackers are Red Ear Sunfish. If they are pure green sunfish, they won’t get much larger, maybe 8.5". If they are a hybrid they could reach 10". I don’t have a book in front of me, so I’m not sure about the range, other than I have caught them in Ohio, Indiana, and Texas. — Hunting and Fishing are the only sports that are even fun to FAIL at… as long as you don’t fail too often!  ;^)

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Question:

Classic Sports International will hold several CME CAT.1 approved Medical-Dental-Legal seminars at great fly fishing locations this year including Peace & Plenty Bonefish Lodge,Exuma,Bahamas(May 29-June 2) Five Rivers Lodge, Montana(June 26-30) and King Salmon Lodge,Alaska

Response:

Classic Sports International will hold several CME CAT.1 approved Medical-Dental-Legal seminars at great fly fishing locations this year including Peace & Plenty Bonefish Lodge,Exuma,Bahamas(May 29-June 2) Five Rivers Lodge, Montana(June 26-30) and King Salmon Lodge,Alaska

No Doctors or Attorneys wanted Please do not attempt to book trips with me After 20 years of outfitting I refuse to take Doc’s or Sharks Go to Montana and fish for no talent ,stupid cutthroat or Alaska,another If your looking to bilk us taxpayers for your fishing trips see above post As an American I can honestly say we are proud that you are so concerned about your continuing education that you feel WE should pay for it. Bend over America here come the Doc’s & Sharks

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Question:

Does anybody have any float tube puncture experiences to relate? Whilst toodling along on a lake the other day I started to think about what would happen if my tube suddenly sprung a leak.  A life preserver is an obvious answer, but over fleece jacket and fly vest? What happens when your chest waders fill with water? How difficult is it to exit the deflated tube and then remove clothing? etc. etc. etc….. Failing any practical advice as a result of this posting, I think its time to find a pool somewhere and experiment with various scenarios. Any suggestions? B.

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Does anybody have any float tube puncture experiences to relate? Whilst toodling along on a lake the other day I started to think about what would happen if my tube suddenly sprung a leak.  A life preserver is an obvious answer, but over fleece jacket and fly vest? What happens when your chest waders fill with water? How difficult is it to exit the deflated tube and then remove clothing? etc. etc. etc…..

Float fishing without a life jacket is very ill advised (I started to say stupid, but decided to be nice instead).  With all the stuff you carry fly fishing you could go right to the bottom very easily.  Anybody carry extra spools, split shot, etc?  I don’t think waders are that much of a problem, since the water in them will be neutral boyancy, though I’ve not tried that. Try a better quality life jacket under your vest.  If you’re wearing a jacket anyway, it should not be that much of a problem.  Another solution is inflatable life jackets that have a CO2 cartridge in them. You can even buy fly vests with these built in.  And, I saw an integrated fly jacket/life jacket combination in a fly shop the other day which would be a good solution. One thing I wonder about is hyperthermia, though.  If you take a dip in a cold water pond in early spring or late fall, how long before you pass out?  I sure wouldn’t want to try it.  I would think waders would really help here, though, since they are somewhat like the wet suits divers wear. — | Dartmouth College                                  Home:  603-448-5677 | | 6211 Sudikoff Laboratory, Rm 108                                       | | Hanover, NH  03755                                                     |

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Does anybody have any float tube puncture experiences to relate? Whilst toodling along on a lake the other day I started to think about what would happen if my tube suddenly sprung a leak.  A life preserver is an obvious answer, but over fleece jacket and fly vest? What happens when your chest waders fill with water? How difficult is it to exit the deflated tube and then remove clothing? etc. etc. etc….. Failing any practical advice as a result of this posting, I think its time to find a pool somewhere and experiment with various scenarios. Any suggestions? B.

While it has never happened to me, my thoughts on the subject is the backrest is an inflated bladder on my float tube, so if I suffered a puncture, kick like crazy for the shore, and when the tube is too deflated to support me anymore, free my feet from the tube, hug the backrest, and keep kicking. In my younger days I surfed in the Pacific Ocean, and I wore a neoprene wet suit. The wet suit was fairly thin (for ease of movement), I would estimate about the same thickness of a 2 or 3 mm wader. The wet suit was amazingly buoyant. Enough so that I would float at chin level with no effort. I think a neoprene chest wader would help a lot with floatation also. I have also seen a set of suspenders that inflates with a CO2 cartridge. Maybe if I couldn’t swim I would consider buying it. Darryl

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<stuff deleted One thing I wonder about is hyperthermia, though.  If you take a dip

                                ^^ I rarely get hyperthermia unless I’m fishing too far down Hot Creek. HypOthermia, now that’s a problem in cold water. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist!) Sean Brennan

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Well, it happened to me tonight.  As I loaded my float tube, I noticed it was a bit low.  I stopped by the gas station on the way out, and filled the tube.  However, I did continue to wonder why it was low, so I did keep an eye on the tube level for a while.  Well my tube didn’t seem to be loosing air, so naturally my attention turned to the crappie and bass that were hitting tonite.  Long about dusk, I suddenly noticed the tube was getting low and -then- noticed the sound of a leak.  I wasn’t far off the bank, rarely am when fishing this local gravel pit, so I paddled over to the bank and got out.  No reason to panic, the loss of air was audible but fairly slow.  As I laid the tube in the back of mmy truck, I could still hear the leak. Altogether I had been out fishing at least 4 hours, I know because I was listening to the Broncos getting beat by the Jets, and the post game show. Sure glad the fish were biting, because the Broncs weren’t.  I suppose the radio headphones were the reason I couldn’t hear the leak. I have no clue why or how I got the puncture, probably was due to the tube being about 10 years old.  I think I’ll get a new one.  My tube is one that has a separate tube for a back rest, so in case of a rapid deflation, I might be able to stay afloat.   All things considered, I wouldn’t even consider wearing a life jacket not in the past and not in the future.  In some states, a life jacket is req’d, but I don’t think it is in CO.  This experience confirmed my belief that any small puncture will deflate very slowly, since the air pressure in a float tube is so low.  I would take a good swift slice with a knife to achieve a rapid failure, and that is not likely (at least in places where I fish . Tight Lines, Kevin

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