Question:

Hi All, We went to BC last week and the water was high because they have had a lot of  unusual rain the past month or so. I had a customer by that lives in Great Falls, MT and he said they were in a draught? What is happening out your way? — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

Response:

My favorite rivers flooded last week, so we fished bluegills and went out for draughts afterwards (BBC Pale Ale – heavy on the Cascade hops this summer).  Definitely no drought in Massachusetts this year.  It hasn’t hit 90 degrees (F) in over a month.

Raining like heck in Juneau, Alaska and it hasn’t hit 90 degrees since we’ve been keeping records.

Response:

It is still hot in Dallas. Duh!! remember we are not all that far from Wichita Falls which has the claim of one of the most appropriately named bicycle races in a few weeks, The Hotter Than Hell 100. Lake Lewisville is still over 13 feet low. Big Dale .

Response:

My favorite rivers flooded last week, so we fished bluegills and went out for draughts afterwards (BBC Pale Ale – heavy on the Cascade hops this summer).  Definitely no drought in Massachusetts this year.  It hasn’t hit 90 degrees (F) in over a month.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We went to BC last week and the water was high because they have had a lot of  unusual rain the past month or so. I had a customer by that lives in Great Falls, MT and he said they were in a draught? What is happening out your way? Bill Kiene

Response:

What is happening out your way?

Serious drought in Georgia. — Charlie…

Response:

Wet and cool in Ontario – all of the rivers are high and we’ve had a few floods. Cheers Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

What is happening out your way?

reporting from north carolina:         it’s been a great year for bermuda grass.  the golf course fairways are lush and green.  of course, i live in paradise.  in fact, there is a little town about 20 miles northwest of here by the name of "eden". wayno

Response:

Hi All, What is happening out your way?

Big Dale covered the DFW area (hotter’n hell, 11 or 12 days over 100, and dry) and it was hot (mid 90s), with a little rain in Orlando area, raining to beat all hell on the MS/AL Gulf Coast, particularly Mobile. TC, R – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

Response:

Well, in Ohio farmers are expecting exceptional corn crops…….spring rains have been the pits. Of course this is smallmouth bas country which is some fine fishing.  This spring as the fishing started to heat up we began having rains.  Oh, you could find a place to fish but my usual haunts were high and muddy.  About the time you thought you could go fishing tomorrow, put a hurtin on me. So for a month I was unable to fish….and this while the wife and little girl were out of town.  By the time the water was fishable again, boom, summer was here….algae, green water the whole bit. Early morning and late evening were the ticket….I just missed out on a whole spring of fishing…….john – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, We went to BC last week and the water was high because they have had a lot of  unusual rain the past month or so. I had a customer by that lives in Great Falls, MT and he said they were in a draught? What is happening out your way? — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

Response:

Lotta Summer rain here in Maryland.  Some of the stockies are still around, as the rain has kept the rivers cool.  Temp was in the 70s yesterday.  Nebraska on the other hand is in draught and its sizzlin’ hot in the 100s.        Frank Reid Before you buy.

Response:

 in fact, there is a little town about 20 miles northwest of here by the name of "eden".

When I lived in Kansas I used to fish by a little town named ‘Climax’ not far from ‘Eureka’. — Charlie…

Response:

 in fact, there is a little town about 20 miles northwest of here by the name of "eden". When I lived in Kansas I used to fish by a little town named ‘Climax’ not far from ‘Eureka’. — Charlie…

        "climax" is about 15 miles southeast.  in the nether regions, one might say. wayno

Response:

 in fact, there is a little town about 20 miles northwest of here by the name of "eden". When I lived in Kansas I used to fish by a little town named ‘Climax’ not far from ‘Eureka’. — Charlie…

Not far from Friends University, I take it? <G R

Response:

When I lived in Kansas I used to fish by a little town named ‘Climax’ not far from ‘Eureka’. — Charlie…

  When I lived in Nebraska and owned a 90 hp Super Cub, my flying buddy and I talked about establishing a record for the quickest time in a Super Cub on a flight from Colon, Nebraska to Athol, Kansas:) Bob Skinner   Buffalo, WY — —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Ya’ll keep your pre-verted towns away from the home of my dear, sainted mother.  She lives in Virgin, UT.  As a matter of fact, I was jus’ thinkin’.  There’s this lady, lives down the street, name’s Mary.  Then again, she CAN’T be that Mary, ’cause she moved up from Las Vegas.    Virgin is the only place in the world with an actual Virgin Recycling Center.                       Frank Reid Before you buy.

Response:

The trout in Northern California are plentiful and in great condition after four years of good rain and snowfall.  River runoff has reduced to the point where dry fly fishing is good and will remain that way for the rest of the year.  This is the year for those 100 trout days. Ernie

Response:

Not far from Friends University, I take it?

About 75mi (or so) east of Friends University of Central Kansas<g. (not the officially sanction name of the school). — Charlie…

Response:

   "climax" is about 15 miles southeast.  in the nether regions, one might say.

Ah, you’ve been there<g. — Charlie…

Response:

What is happening out your way?

Its looking like drought in CO.  Streams not controlled by dam releases are running quite low and warm, at least on the eastern slope.  Hopefully at least some of the fish will survive.

Response:

Up here in the Lakes District it has been raining off and on all summer. The last 5 days or so it’s been sunny. I haven’t been to any rivers in a couple of weeks just fishing the lake so I can’t say how they are. One plus though if the water is high it usually brings record runs for the fall.             Ian – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi All, We went to BC last week and the water was high because they have had a lot of  unusual rain the past month or so. I had a customer by that lives in Great Falls, MT and he said they were in a draught? What is happening out your way? — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

Response:

What is happening out your way?

I have only been able to fly fish our local river on two occasions in the last three months becasue it’s so muddy.  We watered the lawn only once this entire summer.  Not flood per se, but steady precipitation. Mu

Response:

What is happening out your way? I have only been able to fly fish our local river on two occasions in the last three months becasue it’s so muddy.  We watered the lawn only once this entire summer.  Not flood per se, but steady precipitation. Mu

Today, will be (provided we don’t get rain) the  144th consecutive day without measurable precipitation in Las Vegas – Going for the record of 150 set in 1950!  So I guess you could say that we are having a drought.  BUT!  20 minutes after it starts raining, we will be in a flood.  I normally fish in Utah – about 3 hours north of here.  Creeks and ponds in that area are near or at record lows.  Fire danger is rated at Extreme+.  

Response:

What is happening out your way? In The Southern Tier of Vermont,  We had three months of nearly

continuous rains.  The rivers and streams were quite high and not very fishable.  This has settled quite a bit in the past month and the fishing is the best that it has been in my experiance. There has been a fairly steady Sulfur hatch and #10 & #12 sulfers are highly reliable and productive. The Trout are very numerous, well distributed, and in excellent health.   They are deep, broad, and remarkably brightly colored.  They are also guite long winded, makeing for some outstandingly long fights.  Some of the jumps are spectacular. The health of the fisheries is probably due to higher than average streamflows. In fact, fishermen should be extra aware of the weather. Because of the high water table, flash flooding can be an important consideration.  You want to be sure that you leave yourself a ready escape if you are fishing in the rain. If it has rained, the rivers and streams will be high for a couple of days.  The best times to fish are when the water has cleared and receded some.  Evening is the best time, with the last hour of light being the peak time.   So, just choose a water and hang on!                                     Mike Don’t forget to let them go.

Response:

Question:

Is there any small lake fish that cannot be successfully and easily caught with a hook, worm and bobber? I ask this because I am amazed at how much stuff I have to catch bass/muskie/northern etc. that often gets no hits whatsoever, but a meaty nightcrawler almost always sinks the bobber within a few minutes and it’s anyone’s guss what will be pulled out of the water.  I have also noticed that a yellow or green 1-2" curly tail on a jig is almost as good. I am getting tempted to leave my tackle box at home and just bring a small pocket sized box with me containing several hooks, bobbers, plastic curltails in various colors/sizes and jigs. Today I went canoe fishing on Hooker Lake in Kenosha, WI.  I used a 3" floating rapala, a floating frog(green and white), a silver shad colored slug-go fished near top and near bottom, a 4" semi transparent minnow looking thing at all depths, a realistic looking and scented plastic worm about 6"(after a while I even tipped the hook with a real wax worm) and a smallish spinner bait.  I tried every type of presentation I could think of. I fished shallow, I fished deep.  I fished weeds, I fished docks, I fished every bit of structure I could find, I fished open water. I caught nothing for 5 hours, not even a little hit. I saw some guy go out onto his pier in his back yard, throw a nightcrawler/bobber rig into the water and figured he was panfishing. Within 30 seconds he pulled out what had to have been a 20+ inch bass.  I was jealous.  He didn’t even look excited about it, like he was used to this sort of thing. I switched to nightcrawler and bobber. I caught perch, bluegill, bass, an impressively large shad, and almost got into the boat what looked to be a sub legal size northern (don’t know what he was doing in hooker lake.)  all within the 90 minutes I had left before I had to head in. Anyone else feel my pain? — Dave A

Response:

Sorry Dave, no pain felt here.  You were versitile enough to change when you saw someone else catching fish on something you knew caught fish, and you adapted.  Good job…next time, throw out a rod with live bait, and fish with a lure simultaneously, and perhaps the combo rigging will tell you sooner, which presentation they prefer.  Keep at it. — "Mad-Mikey"  At first, fishing and hunting were just hobbies,              then they became addictions taking all my time              and money. If they ever find a cure for these              sicknesses—   I’m refusing treatment. Before you buy.

Response:

Hi Dave! I am mainly a fly fisherman.  I had not dunked a worm since I was about 14… 20+ years ago.  For the past two weeks I have been messing around with worms and I’m having a ball!  I’ve caught walleye, catfish, various panfish and my first ever large mouth bass and drum. Good luck! — Fritz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is there any small lake fish that cannot be successfully and easily caught with a hook, worm and bobber? I ask this because I am amazed at how much stuff I have to catch bass/muskie/northern etc. that often gets no hits whatsoever, but a meaty nightcrawler almost always sinks the bobber within a few minutes and it’s anyone’s guss what will be pulled out of the water.  I have also noticed that a yellow or green 1-2" curly tail on a jig is almost as good. I am getting tempted to leave my tackle box at home and just bring a small pocket sized box with me containing several hooks, bobbers, plastic curltails in various colors/sizes and jigs. Today I went canoe fishing on Hooker Lake in Kenosha, WI.  I used a 3" floating rapala, a floating frog(green and white), a silver shad colored slug-go fished near top and near bottom, a 4" semi transparent minnow looking thing at all depths, a realistic looking and scented plastic worm about 6"(after a while I even tipped the hook with a real wax worm) and a smallish spinner bait.  I tried every type of presentation I could think of. I fished shallow, I fished deep.  I fished weeds, I fished docks, I fished every bit of structure I could find, I fished open water. I caught nothing for 5 hours, not even a little hit. I saw some guy go out onto his pier in his back yard, throw a nightcrawler/bobber rig into the water and figured he was panfishing. Within 30 seconds he pulled out what had to have been a 20+ inch bass.  I was jealous.  He didn’t even look excited about it, like he was used to this sort of thing. I switched to nightcrawler and bobber. I caught perch, bluegill, bass, an impressively large shad, and almost got into the boat what looked to be a sub legal size northern (don’t know what he was doing in hooker lake.)  all within the 90 minutes I had left before I had to head in. Anyone else feel my pain? — Dave A

Response:

Question:

Beaver

Response:

Ralph H wrote …… But it bothered me I never saw that unexpected big fish that broke me off. What the hell was that anyway?

Alligator…your lucky you didn’t catch it —                                                       -dnc-

Response:

A great day’s fishing. But it bothered me I never saw that unexpected big fish that broke me off. What the hell was that anyway? Ralph H

Sturgeon Mark Faulkner

Response:

Dolly varden

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I was out for my first trip of ‘99 Friday. We had a severe rainstorm earlier in the week with rain falls exceeding 2mm per hour for maybe 10 hours. By friday the Chehalis river was still high but clear and fishable. I spent an hour or so drifting the soft water on the east shore of the Forest Service camp. One fellow landed a small doe steelhead of 5 lbs. There didn’t seem much else that was fishable and with 6 or more cars at the hatchery I decided to try one of my favourite Fraser River backwaters for some winter cutthroat. If it didn’t work out I could always come back perhaps with the water a foot or so lower. The river was high here as well. Most of the bank was under water but I could wade it easy enough. I climbed down the bank and tested the creek mouth. Moving downstream I drifted the glo-bug through the riffled tailout where the creek broke into the big river. Looked too fast and streamy for a cutt to hold here but it was worth a shot. I cast and looked down to pick my way along the stream bed and felt a heaviness set in along the rod. Raising my arm I felt a solid weight and a reluctant shake then a surge. The little reel screamed as a determined fish stuck out for the main channel. The little trout reel doesn’t hold a lot of backing so I tightened the drag a bit and seconds later the run stopped and the line went slack. I reeled in and the fly and the shot were gone. That the shot was gone suggested it had hung on the shallow bar on the other side of the creek mouth and snapped the 3x tippet. It could have been a big cutt and I’ve heard of fish to 7 or 8 lbs but cutts seldom run like that. Steelhead? Did a few ascend the creek? Was it a stray fish from one of the big rivers or a fish bound for a tributary higher up the Fraser. For the next few hours I fished the bar and the rip rap banks below the creek hooking a mixed bag of whitefish and cutts to maybe 2lbs. A good number were wild fish. A higher proportion than I’ve seen here since hatchery plants started maybe 15 years ago. The weather was perfect. A great day’s fishing. But it bothered me I never saw that unexpected big fish that broke me off. What the hell was that anyway? Ralph H

Response:

I was out for my first trip of ‘99 Friday. We had a severe rainstorm earlier in the week with rain falls exceeding 2mm per hour for maybe 10 hours. By friday the Chehalis river was still high but clear and fishable. I spent an hour or so drifting the soft water on the east shore of the Forest Service camp. One fellow landed a small doe steelhead of 5 lbs. There didn’t seem much else that was fishable and with 6 or more cars at the hatchery I decided to try one of my favourite Fraser River backwaters for some winter cutthroat. If it didn’t work out I could always come back perhaps with the water a foot or so lower. The river was high here as well. Most of the bank was under water but I could wade it easy enough. I climbed down the bank and tested the creek mouth. Moving downstream I drifted the glo-bug through the riffled tailout where the creek broke into the big river. Looked too fast and streamy for a cutt to hold here but it was worth a shot. I cast and looked down to pick my way along the stream bed and felt a heaviness set in along the rod. Raising my arm I felt a solid weight and a reluctant shake then a surge. The little reel screamed as a determined fish stuck out for the main channel. The little trout reel doesn’t hold a lot of backing so I tightened the drag a bit and seconds later the run stopped and the line went slack. I reeled in and the fly and the shot were gone. That the shot was gone suggested it had hung on the shallow bar on the other side of the creek mouth and snapped the 3x tippet. It could have been a big cutt and I’ve heard of fish to 7 or 8 lbs but cutts seldom run like that. Steelhead? Did a few ascend the creek? Was it a stray fish from one of the big rivers or a fish bound for a tributary higher up the Fraser. For the next few hours I fished the bar and the rip rap banks below the creek hooking a mixed bag of whitefish and cutts to maybe 2lbs. A good number were wild fish. A higher proportion than I’ve seen here since hatchery plants started maybe 15 years ago. The weather was perfect. A great day’s fishing. But it bothered me I never saw that unexpected big fish that broke me off. What the hell was that anyway? Ralph H

Response:

Question:

Heading up to Mammoth in a couple of days (my wife has to go up there for a meeting, poor me getting dragged along ). I’m going to fish Hot Creek for the first time, but I’ve got lots of additional time to fill. I’m kinda looking for something other than the usual Mammoth Lakes, and I’m looking for any suggestions on a couple of lakes. Specifically, I’m thinking of taking my float tube in to McLeod Lake, which I’ve only read about. Any one fished it recently?  I’ve also read about Sotcher Lake down in the Devils Postpile area, which I’ve heard fishes pretty good in the morning. There’s another lake off the road down there, but I can’t remember the name. Lastly, I’ve got to make at least one trip up to Lee Vining, and thought about fishing Lundy. Has anyone ever floated it. Any pre-trip suggestions would be helpful. I’ll post a report when I get back. Also, there was a guy named Mark Heskett who wrote a little book on fishing the Mammoth area. I corresponded with him a few times on the Internet a couple of years ago, but haven’t seen him turning up here. Does anyone know if he’s still around. Roger

Response:

<<*SNIP*  I’ve also read about Sotcher Lake down in the Devils Postpile area, which I’ve heard fishes pretty good in the morning. There’s another lake off the road down there, but I can’t remember the name.  *SNIP* Hi Roger, If you are planning on driving down by Devil’s Postpile, be sure to drive in before 7 am.  They close the road and run a shuttle after that and you don’t want to try to take your tube on the shuttle.  By the way the shuttle only goes to Devil’s Postpile and no farther. Give The Trout Fly in Mammoth lakes a call at (619) 934-2517 and they can give you somemore info.                                      Good Fishing,                                                Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

Response:

0] : Heading up to Mammoth in a couple of days (my wife has to go up there : for a meeting, poor me getting dragged along ). : I’m going to fish Hot Creek for the first time, but I’ve got lots of : additional time to fill. I’m kinda looking for something other than the : usual Mammoth Lakes, and I’m looking for any suggestions on a couple of : lakes. : Specifically, I’m thinking of taking my float tube in to McLeod Lake, : which I’ve only read about. Any one fished it recently?  I’ve also read : about Sotcher Lake down in the Devils Postpile area, which I’ve heard : fishes pretty good in the morning. There’s another lake off the road : down there, but I can’t remember the name. Lastly, I’ve got to make at : least one trip up to Lee Vining, and thought about fishing Lundy. Has : anyone ever floated it. : Any pre-trip suggestions would be helpful. I’ll post a report when I get : back. : Also, there was a guy named Mark Heskett who wrote a little book on : fishing the Mammoth area. I corresponded with him a few times on the : Internet a couple of years ago, but haven’t seen him turning up here. : Does anyone know if he’s still around. : Roger If you are going to fish Hot Creek, I would also suggest taking a look at the wild trout section of the upper Owens–up from Benton Crossing. It’s only a couple of miles from Hot Creek and there’s lots more of it and lots less angler pressure. It’s just this year got new fencing to keep the cows out– people access no problem–lots of walk-through gates. Good luck! Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories Phone: (415)-857-5491               Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971

Response:

Heading up to Mammoth in a couple of days (my wife has to go up there for a meeting, poor me getting dragged along ). Specifically, I’m thinking of taking my float tube in to McLeod Lake, which I’ve only read about. Any one fished it recently?  I’ve also read about Sotcher Lake down in the Devils Postpile area, which I’ve heard fishes pretty good in the morning. There’s another lake off the road down there, but I can’t remember the name. Lastly, I’ve got to make at least one trip up to Lee Vining, and thought about fishing Lundy. Has anyone ever floated it. Any pre-trip suggestions would be helpful. I’ll post a report when I get back. Roger

Hi Roger, I don

Question:

I will be spending a week near Marquette / Pictured Rocks in July. 1. Is it worth lugging my fly gear? 2. Does anyone have a recommendation regarding good streams or rivers or any other place where the fish are Biting? 3. Any recommendations on local Fishing Shops? Thanks in advance. Lou L.

Response:

The closest major trout river is the Escanaba River which is within striking distance of Marquette. I have not fished it but there is a detailed description in the book "Michigan Trout Streams" by Bob Linsenman and Steve Nevela (Backcountry Press; ISBN 0-88150-271-5). In the book they list Scott Lindquist, Lindquist’s Outdoor Sports, 131 West Washington, Marquette, MI 49855 (906) 932-4038. Hope this helps, and let me know how you do!

Response:

Lou, There are a couple of fairly good trout rivers within the confines of Pictured Rocks.  I have not fished them myself, but I have watched others catch fish and have wanted to go back with my rod.  Try the Mosquito and Miner rivers, both below the falls.  Expect to catch some wild brokies. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I will be spending a week near Marquette / Pictured Rocks in July. 1. Is it worth lugging my fly gear? 2. Does anyone have a recommendation regarding good streams or rivers or any other place where the fish are Biting? 3. Any recommendations on local Fishing Shops? Thanks in advance. Lou L.

Response:

Question:

Hi there.. I’m looking in to getting back into fly fishing (I used to do it a bit with my father a long time ago..).  Essentially, I have forgotten all that I was taught.. and I was wondering if anybody had suggestions on how I could best get back into the sport.. or what would be the best strategy for learning about the state of the sport nowadays? Thank you for whatever help you can give me.

     Assuming you live in Central Ontario, Bud Hoffman runs a good fly fishing school on the Beaver River, near Kimberley, Ont.  His number is/was 519 986-2351. Bud is a pretty level-headed guy, and easy to talk to and learn from.  The Izaak Walton Fly fishing Club can be reached at 905 855-5420.  It might help if you post what part of Ontario you fish. Good luck JIM WARD Twin Willow Farm "Home of good horses, fine whiskey and great wild trout"

Response:

Hi I suggest you contact the Federation of Fly Fishers at 406-585-7592 and find out the location of an affiliate club near you. Then join and learn from a new friend. At this time of year many club sponsor fly fishing classes in preparation for the season so you timing is right on. If there is no club near you, ask the FFF about their educational booklet "Introduction to Fly Fishing" It cost $2.00 plus S&H and gives a lot of good info. Other FFF educational booklet that would help are on casting, entomology, and beginning fly tying. Al Hi there.. I’m looking in to getting back into fly fishing (I used to do it a bit with my father a long time ago..).  Essentially, I have forgotten all that I was taught.. and I was wondering if anybody had suggestions on how I could best get back into the sport.. or what would be the best strategy for learning about the state of the sport nowadays? Thank you for whatever help you can give me.

Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products http://www.btsflyfishing.com

Response:

Hi there.. I’m looking in to getting back into fly fishing (I used to do it a bit with my father a long time ago..).  Essentially, I have forgotten all that I was taught.. and I was wondering if anybody had suggestions on how I could best get back into the sport.. or what would be the best strategy for learning about the state of the sport nowadays? Thank you for whatever help you can give me.

Response:

Hi there.. I’m looking in to getting back into fly fishing (I used to do it a bit with my father a long time ago..).  Essentially, I have forgotten all that I was taught.. and I was wondering if anybody had suggestions on how I could best get back into the sport.. or what would be the best strategy for learning about the state of the sport nowadays? Thank you for whatever help you can give me.

Hi One of the best ways is to learn from a friend and I think you will find a few of those on this group and the fly tying group as well. Also you might consider joining a local club. I suggest you contact the Federation of Fly Fishers at 406-585-7592 and get the contact person in a local club. Then you can join and learn from a friend. If you have a specific question please post to this group or check my tips and tricks section at my web site. I think the address is in my signature. Good luck and welcome to the best legal drug available; flyfishing. Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products http://www.btsflyfishing.com

Response:

Question:

I know Loomis does, they have told me so.  I don’t know who else however, but Sage is a good possibility.  Their rods are very nice. Burton On Tue, 29 Oct – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sort of off the subjet of previous posts in this thread, but: I know that Loomis used to make some of Bean’s top rods.  Recently some of them have been looking like Sages, others like Loomis.  Anybody know the skinny on who’s making LL’s rods lately? zeno

Response:

Sort of off the subjet of previous posts in this thread, but: I know that Loomis used to make some of Bean’s top rods.  Recently some of them have been looking like Sages, others like Loomis.  Anybody know the skinny on who’s making LL’s rods lately? zeno

Response:

LLBean is making their own rods now, I think they get their blanks from sage – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sort of off the subjet of previous posts in this thread, but: I know that Loomis used to make some of Bean’s top rods.  Recently some of them have been looking like Sages, others like Loomis.  Anybody know the skinny on who’s making LL’s rods lately? zeno

Response:

Sort of off the subjet of previous posts in this thread, but: I know that Loomis used to make some of Bean’s top rods.  Recently some of them have been looking like Sages, others like Loomis.  Anybody know the skinny on who’s making LL’s rods lately? zeno

As of about 8 months ago I heard it was Loomis, but that report was from another fisherman, and we all know how reliable fisherman’s reports are. He said he called Bean, and they wouldn’t say exactly who manufactures their rods. Brett

Response:

I have a 10ft. 5wt Double L designed for float tubes.  I use it for saltwater wade fishing.  Broke it once at the ferrule.  (may have been my fault but Bean replaced it.)  Has a medium fast action.  Works well for small snook and specks. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m relatively new to the NG, so forgive me if I have missed a thread on this subject. However, does anyone have any experience with the Double L rods, specifically the two-piece 5-weight? – MM

Response:

I’ve been considering an LL Bean Guide series rod.  They’re made with IM-6 graphite, have medium-fast action and run around $190.  This seems like a great deal when coupled with Bean’s 25-year free replacement guarantee. Any comments about Guide Series rods? Dave Anderson Columbia, Maryland

Response:

Sort of off the subjet of previous posts in this thread, but: I know that Loomis used to make some of Bean’s top rods.  Recently some of them have been looking like Sages, others like Loomis.  Anybody know the skinny on who’s making LL’s rods lately? zeno

Don’t know who makes them, but I had a chance to fish the Double L "S" saltwater 9′ 10 weight and it *looked* more like a Sage. It was matched with a #10 Bean intermediate line and casts were some of the most effortless I’ve ever made. If I were to buy a production rod this would be very high on my list.                                                         jc

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MM, I have a 9 ft 6 wt LL rod.  Bought it at the Bean outlet in Nashua, NH. CAsts great, looks great.  I would buy another any time.  It has a medium/fast action, is fairly light in construction and nicely finished. Gerry Crow

Hi Gerry, I’ve found all of LL Bean’s equipment both fly fishing and other to be of excellent quality.  I too think their rods are an excellent peice of equipment.  I do have one and use it but still am partial to RPL and Scott rods as well. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/expo/specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

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I’m relatively new to the NG, so forgive me if I have missed a thread on this subject. However, does anyone have any experience with the Double L rods, specifically the two-piece 5-weight? – MM

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MM, I have a 9 ft 6 wt LL rod.  Bought it at the Bean outlet in Nashua, NH.   CAsts great, looks great.  I would buy another any time.  It has a medium/fast action, is fairly light in construction and nicely finished. Gerry Crow

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Question:

1. What significance does water color/clarity have for fishing strategy?   Also, is water level important on a particular stream?

Changes in colour/clarity may be more important than default colour/clarity.  Usual folklore is that FF success declines when a spate river is growing muddy and improves as it gets clearer.  But fish are adapted to the default environment (and can live all the time in permanently clouded water, as you find in clay/limestone regions.) Similarly, rising or falling water levels probably matter more than default levels.  The changes are important since they enlarge or reduce living space for both fish and their prey. The simplest tactic is to fish upstream as far as possible, to reduce the chances of the trout’s seeing you first. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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Dear Anglers: I’m a newbie to the sport and I have enjoyed it very much so far.  Haven’t caught anything yet, but my casting is improving tremendously with regular practice (though I have to admit that it’s a hell of a lot more fun practicing on the water than in the grass at the park like everyone recommends).  Now, I have a couple of questions for the experts: 1. What significance does water color/clarity have for fishing strategy?   Also, is water level important on a particular stream?

Hi Anthony Usually water clarity & level does affect fishing.  What you need to decide is what the norm is and go from there.  Water that is dirty after a storm may put the fishing off.  On the other hand if the fish have been suffering from water that is shallow and too warm, raising off colored water may very well improve fishing. Another very important consideration is water temperature in relation to the species of fish you are interested in.  Trout like cooler water than bass as an example. 2. I’ve read of fly fishers using Clouser minnows or streamers in the riffles, and other dry flies and such in slow moving/calm water.  Do you change your fly every few minutes as you are fishing your way down a stream or do you hit the riffles and then come back for the eddys and slow spots?

I do not change my fly every few minutes but instead decide what I want to fish — streamer, dry, or nymph — and do so.  I base my decision on what seems to be happening on the water at any given time.  If the fish are actively feeding I determine what they are eating and try to match that.  I often fish two flies when fish are feeding on or near the surface — a dry and an emerger of whatever species is hatching.   If nothing is happening on the water I usually fish nymphs or a nymph/streamer combination.  To fish the combo I tie a nymph on my tippet,then tie an additional piece of tippet to the bend of the nymph’s hook and tie on a streamer.  This rig will look like a small fish chasing a nymph and can be real effective.  Cast it quartering up-stream and let it dead drift as long as the current will allow.  Then let it swing accross current until it is downstream from you. Then repeat the process. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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I’m a newbie to the sport … 1. What significance does water color/clarity have for fishing strategy? Also, is water level important on a particular stream?

Colour/clarity is siginificant, as is water level.  The impact and degree of these varies widely.  A normally clear stream which is suddenly high and muddy after a big rain will be mostly unfishable, until it starts to clear.  It can still be FFed, though with a big weighted nymph or wet fly.  (The fish still need to eat.) 2. I’ve read of fly fishers using Clouser minnows or streamers in the riffles, and other dry flies and such in slow moving/calm water.  Do you change your fly every few minutes as you are fishing your way down a stream or do you hit the riffles and then come back for the eddys and slow spots?

Basically, NO.  That is, don’t complicate things.  If you want to use a dry fly, then use a dry fly.  If you want to use a streamer (such as Clouser minnow), then do that.  For starters, use a big nymph, or maybe an attractor wet fly.  Cast across and let the fly swing downstream.  When it gets straight down below you, strip in line, a few inches at a time, and repeat.  The areas that you want to concentrate on are the seams (where the fast water makes a noticable line against the slower stuff) and around visible structure like rocks.  You can do the same with an attractor dry fly.  I know it’s BIG HERESY, but you can cast across, and let the fly swing down in the current.  Try to minimize, and eventually eliminate drag (the wake produced by the fly being pulled across the water by the line/leader).  Again, concentrate on the seams and visible structure. Don’t worry about big long casts.  Unless you fish some huge river like the Missouri, most of your casts will probably be less than 30 or 40 feet.  Focus on not slapping the line, not dropping your backcast too low, and such. When you get comfortable with this basic stuff, then you might try "strategies" like fishing nymphs downstream, and working your way down the river for several hundred yards, then coming back up with a dry, this time casting in the "proper" upstream method. Then there’s matching the hatch and all that, which will eventually come. To answer your basic question, most of us DO NOT do as you pictured: dry fly this yard and a half of water, wet fly that, nymph another couple of feet, streamer across there, back to a dry, then another streamer.  We pretty much focus on one strategy/concept/idea/dream and K.I.S.S. Hope that helps, see you OUT THERE. — Bob Lundy IWFFC Mississauga, ON, Canada **new**     http://home.ican.net/~rlundy/

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[rip !] 1. What significance does water color/clarity have for fishing strategy? Also, is water level important on a particular stream?

I love it when the water goes off color.   I whip out my big flies and my 3X.  I am a bit of a heretic because I relish the highest, muddiest part of runoff.  No people and I nail big trout my friend.  I do not seek perfect conditions ever in my fishing, I simply try to see that perfection which is always there.   2. I’ve read of fly fishers using Clouser minnows or streamers in the riffles, and other dry flies and such in slow moving/calm water.  Do you change your fly every few minutes as you are fishing your way down a stream or do you hit the riffles and then come back for the eddys and slow spots?

Good question.  The answer is, only if one or the other is not producing.   If you’re catchin’ ‘em in the tail outs or riffles, you ain’t be movin’ down to the pockets, will ya ? TimW

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Dear Anglers: I’m a newbie to the sport and I have enjoyed it very much so far.  Haven’t caught anything yet, but my casting is improving tremendously with regular practice (though I have to admit that it’s a hell of a lot more fun practicing on the water than in the grass at the park like everyone recommends).  Now, I have a couple of questions for the experts: 1. What significance does water color/clarity have for fishing strategy?   Also, is water level important on a particular stream? 2. I’ve read of fly fishers using Clouser minnows or streamers in the riffles, and other dry flies and such in slow moving/calm water.  Do you change your fly every few minutes as you are fishing your way down a stream or do you hit the riffles and then come back for the eddys and slow spots? Thanks in advance, — Anthony J. Petrella University of Pittsburgh Department of Mechanical Engineering

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: runoff.  No people and I nail big trout my friend.  I do not seek : perfect conditions ever in my fishing, I simply try to see that perfection : which is always there.   Tim Walker, demonstrating that he is actually the roff Buddha. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

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*SNIP* The worst caster in the world is going to catch more fish then (boy, is this going to cause a rumpus) an olympic gold medal caster (if there was one) if they can make their fly float more naturally while it’s on the water.

Only true if the worst caster in the world can get it to land delicately on target.  If you can’t get your fly to the target, everything else is a moot point.   But, you’re right, it doesn’t have to look pretty it just has to work. The thing you  may find out is that it’s a lot easier to consistently put the fly on the  target if your casting is good. I agree totally with your comment on drift.  In real estate it’s "location, location, location"  IMO in fly fishing it’s "presentation, presentation, presentation".                                                            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!).

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I’m no expert, but have caught a few trout over the years, so I can only tell you what I’m most comfortable with and what works for me. And, I’ll just be addressing dry flies. 1- if the water is very high fast and dirty I don’t bother. If it’s high fast and clear, well…. I’ll get to that in a sec. 2- I fish mostly attractors, and, worry about matching a hatch only if we’re in the middle of a major hatch period. Of course I’ll give a hopper or some such a chance later in the season. 3- I fish and travel UP and cross stream, fishing ahead of myself and letting the fly float down past me. 4- a good cast is all very well and good, and looks impressive as hell to somebody watching from the shore, but, the fish could care less about a cast as long as the fly dosn’t slam down on the water and you don’t lay your line right over the fish. The worst caster in the world is going to catch more fish then (boy, is this going to cause a rumpus) an olympic gold medal caster (if there was one) if they can make their fly float more naturally while it’s on the water. Lolo Mt.

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Question:

The guys at Marriott’s Shop in Fullerton have had some advice on So.Cal. saltwater chances in the past.  Their telephone is 714-525-1827.  Address is 2700 West Orangethorpe.Last time I was in there they had a stack of orange and grey flies designed to immitate some sort of surf crab.  They will also, of course, recommend King Harbor. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am interested in saltwater fly fishing in the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara area in early March.  Are there stripers in the aqeduct and how does one get access?  Is there any beach fishing and wading?  What fish and what flies.  Thanks King Harbor at Redondo Beach can be good at that time.  Rent a skiff from Rocky Point marine and throw deceivers or other anchovy-like flies on fast sinking shooting heads for bonito and calico bass.  Let me know if you need more info. John Woodling Sacramento, CA

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While we are at salt water fly fishing, what is a salt water fly like? I have some idea of fresh water fly fishing, but knows absolutely nothing about salt water fly fishing.  Obviously, at least seems to me, something like the little fresh water flies will not attract too many fish, at least nothing big.  If you do use something bigger or heavier, then you can’t really call it a fly any more, can you?  Do you still use a fly reel?  I am not a fly fisherman, but I am interested in any kind of fishing, just haven’t gotten to fly fishing yet. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -King Harbor at Redondo Beach can be good at that time.  Rent a skiff from Rocky Point marine and throw deceivers or other anchovy-like flies on fast sinking shooting heads for bonito and calico bass.  Let me know if you need more info. John Woodling Sacramento, CA

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I am interested in saltwater fly fishing in the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara area in early March.  Are there stripers in the aqeduct and how does one get access?  Is there any beach fishing and wading?  What fish and what flies.  Thanks

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I am interested in saltwater fly fishing in the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara area in early March.  Are there stripers in the aqeduct and how does one get access?  Is there any beach fishing and wading?  What fish and what flies.  Thanks

King Harbor at Redondo Beach can be good at that time.  Rent a skiff from Rocky Point marine and throw deceivers or other anchovy-like flies on fast sinking shooting heads for bonito and calico bass.  Let me know if you need more info. John Woodling Sacramento, CA

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Question:

I am trying to create a ‘fly database’ which would include flies, materials and instructions for tying the fly, as well as maybe background on when to use the particular fly and where.  This db will eventually be online on my web page. If you would like to contribute (with acknowledgements) then please do so, this will be a very good resource for all. An example entry to the archive would be: Name of fly: Type of fly: Entymology, history etc: When generally used: Where used: Materials used for fly: Instructions/Steps for tying fly. any other information you might have. If you have any questions please send me mail for this as well… Matt — NICOH Net Internet Access Provider for Eastern Idaho

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        Are you aware that there is already a "virtual flybox" on the ‘Net which has various fly dressings?

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I am trying to create a ‘fly database’ which would include flies, materials and instructions for tying the fly, as well as maybe background on when to use the particular fly and where.  This db will eventually be online on my web page. If you would like to contribute (with acknowledgements) then please do so, this will be a very good resource for all.

There is a program available that will do that and keep pictures of your flies. See http://www.mind.net/vmt/ You can keep an inventory of any equipment, flies, and track expenses. You can have unlimited logs for each trip and unlimited trips. Presentation, water clarity, temperature, weather and other info is tracked in the fishing logs. The guys that wrote the program are fly fisherman that have been programming (and fishing) for many years.

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