Question:

Don’t really have any trout waters near home Willi, so yours was a pleasant read. I was however, standing around and chatting with a few friends today and we are all of the same persuasion. With a much milder than normal winter – usually  a several day stretch of below zero weather and this time not one day of single digits! – we agree it is time to start checking the water temperature. Our general feeling is that when the thermometer reads anything above forty degrees, it’s time to start fishing as the smallmouth start moving to the spawning beds. Not actually on the beds but they begin to leave the winter holes and move in the rivers and begin feeding. It’s fun to have that ‘antsy’ ‘ants in your pants’ feeling ain’t it? john – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I mentioned in an early post that for the first time in about a month and half, I actually saw some trout during a walk. Today is very pleasant and on my way back from picking up some electrical supplies, I stopped at the river and checked it out from the bridge. Standing on the bridge and looking down, I saw a pod of about twenty trout feeding in the pool below. (See pics on ABPF) I decided to take an hour off and do some fishing. I walked downstream to an area that frequently has some free rising fish. As I approached the area, I saw several dimples from rising fish. Although some of the rises were from fish sipping pupa, many of them were fish taking midge adults which is uncommon. The midges were huge, well relatively anyway, about a size twenty. Water levels are still down and the fish were feeding in water that varied from one to three feet in depth. They spread out in a section of river about 150 feet in length and were feeding in several distinct pods. The current is very moderate in most of this area and in the clear water I could see the fish suspended above the bottom at their feeding stations and watch them as they chased a pupa or rose to an adult. Especially when they are feeding in such thin water, the fish here are very spooky. You generally have your best chance at any given fish on the first presentation. Once you get a refusal from a fish, your next drift over it may spook it and put down the whole pod. I tied on a Griffith’s Gnat and crept into position. I started working the first fish, got a refusal on the third cast and moved on to the next one. The next fish I worked took on about the fourth cast. I landed it, slid it onto a shelf of ice that remained in the shady area where I was standing and took a picture. See ABPF The commotion of the fish put down the rest of that pod of fish. I moved upstream to the next group. There appeared to be a better fish feeding along the opposite bank, just upstream from a large boulder. Since I usually can only get one fish from a pod, if that, I decided to target that fish. The cast was across several different current seams and getting a good drift was difficult. A dozen casts later, I got the fly where it needed to be and got the fish, another Rainbow a couple of inches bigger and much fatter. Again the rest of that pod of fish was put down. I had time to hit one more area. There was a single fish feeding in the head of this run. The fish feeding in this area are usually much easier. The faster current gives them less time to survey your fly and broken surface makes your errors less noticeable. Several casts later, I finally got a good drift and hooked the fish. It was another Rainbow about the size of the first, around 15/16 inches. Time to go home and do some electric repairs. I was very glad to see the condition of the fish. All were in good shape. We had a mild Winter this year which helps the trout. Early fish after a hard Winter are often very skinny from Winter’s stress. For the next several weeks it will take several days in a row of warm temperatures, like we had recently, to get the fish moving. By mid March, the Olives will start. Willi

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was very glad to see the condition of the fish. All were in good shape. We had a mild Winter this year which helps the trout. Early fish after a hard Winter are often very skinny from Winter’s stress. For the next several weeks it will take several days in a row of warm temperatures, like we had recently, to get the fish moving. By mid March, the Olives will start. How is the snowpack in the upper watershed up there?  It is almost scary low down here.  I am certainly hoping that the mild winter that we have had does not translate into another low-water, high-temperature summer. BTW….to the folks that live in Wyoming….how is it looking up there?

I should have been aware of this just from observation, but I haven’t heard anything about it on the news. I just looked it up and the different basins across Colorado range from 45 to 70 percent of normal. This isn’t good, but the next few of months are our wettest months and can make a big difference. Willi

Response:

I tied on a Griffith’s Gnat and crept into position. I started working the first fish, got a refusal on the third cast and moved on to the next one. The next fish I worked took on about the fourth cast. I landed it, slid it onto a shelf of ice that remained in the shady area where I was standing and took a picture. See ABPF

That’s a great fish-on-the-ground photo, Willi. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a rainbow in that condition. The ice makes a perfect background. You must have used a digital camera. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

I was very glad to see the condition of the fish. All were in good shape. We had a mild Winter this year which helps the trout. Early fish after a hard Winter are often very skinny from Winter’s stress. For the next several weeks it will take several days in a row of warm temperatures, like we had recently, to get the fish moving. By mid March, the Olives will start.

How is the snowpack in the upper watershed up there?  It is almost scary low down here.  I am certainly hoping that the mild winter that we have had does not translate into another low-water, high-temperature summer. BTW….to the folks that live in Wyoming….how is it looking up there?  

Response:

BTW….to the folks that live in Wyoming….how is it looking up there?

  It’s looking pretty bleak along the east face of the Bighorns.  Reservoirs are all very low.  I went up again and fished the tail water of the Tongue today. It’s as low as I’ve seen in the 3 years I’ve fished it.  The reservoir is very low.  Looks like it will be another tough year for our small streams. Snoop — —–= 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:

Was it El Nino or El Nina that I saw a blurb of on the news the other day? I get them mixed up.  Anyhow, whatever areas whichever one effects are due for some rain this year……maybe a lot. john – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was very glad to see the condition of the fish. All were in good shape. We had a mild Winter this year which helps the trout. Early fish after a hard Winter are often very skinny from Winter’s stress. For the next several weeks it will take several days in a row of warm temperatures, like we had recently, to get the fish moving. By mid March, the Olives will start. How is the snowpack in the upper watershed up there?  It is almost scary low down here.  I am certainly hoping that the mild winter that we have had does not translate into another low-water, high-temperature summer. BTW….to the folks that live in Wyoming….how is it looking up there? I should have been aware of this just from observation, but I haven’t heard anything about it on the news. I just looked it up and the different basins across Colorado range from 45 to 70 percent of normal. This isn’t good, but the next few of months are our wettest months and can make a big difference. Willi

Response:

BTW….to the folks that live in Wyoming….how is it looking up there?

Unless March and April bring some pleasant surprises, it’s looking like a season that will begin early and end early. The snowpack is so low that there isn’t even enough to ski on (IMHO) at the local resort. Some of the ranges in Colorado seem to be doing better, so I expect I’ll be doing most of my fishing down there after mid-July or thereabouts. If I do a mini clave up here, it will almost definitely be held in early July. I’m hoping a heavy spring snowfall and subsequent runoff will force a several-week postponement, but I wouldn’t bet on it. I won’t be surprised at all to be fishing the high country on Memorial Day this year. — Rusty Hook Laramie, Wyoming

Response:

 How is the snowpack in the upper watershed up there?  It is almost scary low down here.  I am certainly hoping that the mild winter that we have had does not translate into another low-water, high-temperature summer. BTW….to the folks that live in Wyoming….how is it looking up there?  

Hey Chip,  You might know about this site, but here is a link to the Snotel data. ftp://ftp.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/data/snow/update Great place to find snowpack info.  The northern states are certainly doing better than the southern states…. — remove all x’s for reply email. To worry is folly so let us be jolly.

Response:

I mentioned in an early post that for the first time in about a month and half, I actually saw some trout during a walk. Today is very pleasant and on my way back from picking up some electrical supplies, I stopped at the river and checked it out from the bridge. Standing on the bridge and looking down, I saw a pod of about twenty trout feeding in the pool below. (See pics on ABPF)

Glad to hear that you’re out on the home waters. Is this much earlier than usual? IOW, when you say "mild winter" do you mean length of winter or depth (cold temps), or both? Danl who doesn’t even have his ‘02 license yet…Oh the shame!….

Response:

The guy I am after is in a meeting but I have a left a message for him to call me. It may take him a little time to get to me as I’ll be away from home and the lodge for the next week or so. But I will get the answer. I forgot to mention earlier, the reason I compared the fishing as similar to ours was the "one shot" scenario of get it right or spook em. Clark – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sounds like some nice fishing Willi, and the style is somewhat reminiscent of our North Island spring creek fishing by the sounds of things. The river is on the plains instead of in the mountains, so it does have SOME spring creek characteristics. The fish average considerably larger than in the upstream mountain areas but there are far fewer fish. From your descriptions, your rivers have lower populations of fish than our rivers in general but your fish are considerably larger. The only streams or rivers that I know of that have fish that average in size what yours seem to, are short sections of tailwaters that are below reservoirs that have miasis (sp)shrimp in them. I know I asked you this before but have you gotten any more information as to why this would be? It seems to me that you must either have very limitted spawning or the survival of the fry or young fish is low. Willi

Response:

Sounds like some nice fishing Willi, and the style is somewhat reminiscent of our North Island spring creek fishing by the sounds of things.

The river is on the plains instead of in the mountains, so it does have SOME spring creek characteristics. The fish average considerably larger than in the upstream mountain areas but there are far fewer fish. From your descriptions, your rivers have lower populations of fish than our rivers in general but your fish are considerably larger. The only streams or rivers that I know of that have fish that average in size what yours seem to, are short sections of tailwaters that are below reservoirs that have miasis (sp)shrimp in them. I know I asked you this before but have you gotten any more information as to why this would be? It seems to me that you must either have very limitted spawning or the survival of the fry or young fish is low. Willi

Response:

Well that’s the curious part. In short answer as to my research no, I simply haven’t had time. I am just finishing 2 days off and will make a call to a friend in a second and see what answer he gives, he heads up one of our major Fish and Game Councils. However, I will presume that neither your ideas are really accurate. there is abundant spawning habitat and our fish have less predation here that they would in the US. In fact once they reach about 16-18 inches there is little they could predate on them unless they sick or injured. Stay tuned I’ll get on the phone and hopefully return with something of use. Clark – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sounds like some nice fishing Willi, and the style is somewhat reminiscent of our North Island spring creek fishing by the sounds of things. The river is on the plains instead of in the mountains, so it does have SOME spring creek characteristics. The fish average considerably larger than in the upstream mountain areas but there are far fewer fish. From your descriptions, your rivers have lower populations of fish than our rivers in general but your fish are considerably larger. The only streams or rivers that I know of that have fish that average in size what yours seem to, are short sections of tailwaters that are below reservoirs that have miasis (sp)shrimp in them. I know I asked you this before but have you gotten any more information as to why this would be? It seems to me that you must either have very limitted spawning or the survival of the fry or young fish is low. Willi

Response:

Sounds like some nice fishing Willi, and the style is somewhat reminiscent of our North Island spring creek fishing by the sounds of things. Clark – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I mentioned in an early post that for the first time in about a month and half, I actually saw some trout during a walk. Today is very pleasant and on my way back from picking up some electrical supplies, I stopped at the river and checked it out from the bridge. Standing on the bridge and looking down, I saw a pod of about twenty trout feeding in the pool below. (See pics on ABPF) I decided to take an hour off and do some fishing. I walked downstream to an area that frequently has some free rising fish. As I approached the area, I saw several dimples from rising fish. Although some of the rises were from fish sipping pupa, many of them were fish taking midge adults which is uncommon. The midges were huge, well relatively anyway, about a size twenty. Water levels are still down and the fish were feeding in water that varied from one to three feet in depth. They spread out in a section of river about 150 feet in length and were feeding in several distinct pods. The current is very moderate in most of this area and in the clear water I could see the fish suspended above the bottom at their feeding stations and watch them as they chased a pupa or rose to an adult. Especially when they are feeding in such thin water, the fish here are very spooky. You generally have your best chance at any given fish on the first presentation. Once you get a refusal from a fish, your next drift over it may spook it and put down the whole pod. I tied on a Griffith’s Gnat and crept into position. I started working the first fish, got a refusal on the third cast and moved on to the next one. The next fish I worked took on about the fourth cast. I landed it, slid it onto a shelf of ice that remained in the shady area where I was standing and took a picture. See ABPF The commotion of the fish put down the rest of that pod of fish. I moved upstream to the next group. There appeared to be a better fish feeding along the opposite bank, just upstream from a large boulder. Since I usually can only get one fish from a pod, if that, I decided to target that fish. The cast was across several different current seams and getting a good drift was difficult. A dozen casts later, I got the fly where it needed to be and got the fish, another Rainbow a couple of inches bigger and much fatter. Again the rest of that pod of fish was put down. I had time to hit one more area. There was a single fish feeding in the head of this run. The fish feeding in this area are usually much easier. The faster current gives them less time to survey your fly and broken surface makes your errors less noticeable. Several casts later, I finally got a good drift and hooked the fish. It was another Rainbow about the size of the first, around 15/16 inches. Time to go home and do some electric repairs. I was very glad to see the condition of the fish. All were in good shape. We had a mild Winter this year which helps the trout. Early fish after a hard Winter are often very skinny from Winter’s stress. For the next several weeks it will take several days in a row of warm temperatures, like we had recently, to get the fish moving. By mid March, the Olives will start. Willi

Response:

I mentioned in an early post that for the first time in about a month and half, I actually saw some trout during a walk. Today is very pleasant and on my way back from picking up some electrical supplies, I stopped at the river and checked it out from the bridge. Standing on the bridge and looking down, I saw a pod of about twenty trout feeding in the pool below. (See pics on ABPF) I decided to take an hour off and do some fishing. I walked downstream to an area that frequently has some free rising fish. As I approached the area, I saw several dimples from rising fish. Although some of the rises were from fish sipping pupa, many of them were fish taking midge adults which is uncommon. The midges were huge, well relatively anyway, about a size twenty. Water levels are still down and the fish were feeding in water that varied from one to three feet in depth. They spread out in a section of river about 150 feet in length and were feeding in several distinct pods. The current is very moderate in most of this area and in the clear water I could see the fish suspended above the bottom at their feeding stations and watch them as they chased a pupa or rose to an adult. Especially when they are feeding in such thin water, the fish here are very spooky. You generally have your best chance at any given fish on the first presentation. Once you get a refusal from a fish, your next drift over it may spook it and put down the whole pod. I tied on a Griffith’s Gnat and crept into position. I started working the first fish, got a refusal on the third cast and moved on to the next one. The next fish I worked took on about the fourth cast. I landed it, slid it onto a shelf of ice that remained in the shady area where I was standing and took a picture. See ABPF The commotion of the fish put down the rest of that pod of fish. I moved upstream to the next group. There appeared to be a better fish feeding along the opposite bank, just upstream from a large boulder. Since I usually can only get one fish from a pod, if that, I decided to target that fish. The cast was across several different current seams and getting a good drift was difficult. A dozen casts later, I got the fly where it needed to be and got the fish, another Rainbow a couple of inches bigger and much fatter. Again the rest of that pod of fish was put down. I had time to hit one more area. There was a single fish feeding in the head of this run. The fish feeding in this area are usually much easier. The faster current gives them less time to survey your fly and broken surface makes your errors less noticeable. Several casts later, I finally got a good drift and hooked the fish. It was another Rainbow about the size of the first, around 15/16 inches. Time to go home and do some electric repairs. I was very glad to see the condition of the fish. All were in good shape. We had a mild Winter this year which helps the trout. Early fish after a hard Winter are often very skinny from Winter’s stress. For the next several weeks it will take several days in a row of warm temperatures, like we had recently, to get the fish moving. By mid March, the Olives will start. Willi

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Question:

Are there any good books that go into detail about the life cycle of midges with fly patterns for the various stages?  I am starting to wonder if maybe the cold water temps had the fish keying off larvae or pupae since they probably could have obtained these with less effort than the adults or emergers.

Try "Western Hatches" by Rick Hafele and David Hughes.  

Response:

Our rivers do occasionally freeze to an extent , but it is quite rare. Midges are my most important flies in winter. Trout are out of season here in winter, but they are still often caught when fishing for grayling.  In winter it is common to find trout and grayling in such places, in summer you will rarely find grayling there, and nowhere near as many trout either. There are one or two pools on my home stream that are full of fish in winter, simply because of the midges, and perhaps because of one other linked phenomenon ( see below ). In summer the fish redistribute themselves, as more insects become available.  In winter, midges are practically the only things moving at all. One other point which might be of interest, although it is difficult to check. The water flowing over silt/mud, and rotting detritus generally, is warmer than the other water in the area.  This is presumably because of the heat generated by the decomposition, and the insulating properties of the mud.  All the chironomid larvae I have found have been found in such conditions.  The temperature difference can be appreciable.  You need special equipment to check this, but we have measured a steadily decreasing water temperature gradient above such mud, the mud itself sometimes being ten or more degrees warmer than the water. As such deposits are only found in relatively slow moving areas, the water directly above the mud warms up. The water three feet above the mud ( in the water column), and ten feet below it ( in stream flow direction ), was up to four degrees warmer than the rest of the water flowing past, which in this particular stream is otherwise a fairly constant 8

Question:

I read in a recent issue of Fly Fisherman that Nick is no longer doing his columnI(I’ve been away from the magazine for some time). Is he OK? Gerry

Response:

Nick Lyons has retired from full-time writing.  He has/is undergoing either a knee or hip replacement surgery.  He said that he would be away from fishing for some time and he didn’t feel right writing about something he wasn’t doing.  In his "good-bye" column he said that he was still going to do a guest column every now and then.   I wish him well and hope to read him again soon. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I read in a recent issue of Fly Fisherman that Nick is no longer doing his columnI(I’ve been away from the magazine for some time). Is he OK? Gerry

Response:

Question:

I have just started fly fishing two weeks ago.  I did my first fly fishing in New Jersey.  Got a rainbow the second day, which was a great experience.  My friend quickly reminded me I can not reel it in like angling.  I guess I got a little excited.  Does anyone know of good fly fishing spots in Vermont?  I know of one over in E. Montpelier on the Winooski river. Remember last year a spot where u can see the fish jumping every day. thanks.

Response:

I have just started fly fishing two weeks ago.  I did my first fly fishing in New Jersey.  Got a rainbow the second day, which was a great experience. My friend quickly reminded me I can not reel it in like angling.  I guess I got a little excited.  Does anyone know of good fly fishing spots in Vermont?  I know of one over in E. Montpelier on the Winooski river. Remember last year a spot where u can see the fish jumping every day. thanks.

Mike, Where do you live? There are a lot of good places to go…the Winooski in Middlesex and Bolton is great.  I could give you other places to go if you like…let me know. All the best, James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service 1997 Guide of the Year Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings http://pobox.com/~uncle

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Question:

Happy New Year to all my fellow Fisher-people. This light spinning tackle inshore salt water fisherman is ready to learn how to fish with a fly rod. I am looking for a 9ft 8wt fly rod that will be my learning rod. My question then is… How good are Cabela’s saltwater Fly rod blanks? How Bout the SL or FT blanks? How would these compare to the GLoomis GL3 blanks? Or is there a better route to take, maybe a fly rod combo set-up for saltwater. What do I need to look for when picking out a fly reel? Is there one type/model/construction/drag that would be advantageous over another? Thanks, Jay

Jay I can’t talk about Cabela’s, I don’t use their stuff, but I have used a Loomis GL3 8/9 weight 9 foot megataper saltwater rod for the past two years.  Unlike other salties, it has a soft tip that makes it useful for salmon, steelhead, bass, pike etc. (my type of fishing.) The usual salty is a broomstick, designed to put a lot of leverage on a fish.  Generally, they are brute force canons capable of great distances but pathetic to cast with any finesse.  They don’t really begin to load until you’ve got 30-40 foot of line beyond the tiptop. The GL3 8/9 is an exception, capable of delicate short casts, yet can match distance with any of them. Good diameter butt section for strength.  Very light, which is very important at the end of a long day.  At 3.85 ounces, there are 6 and 7 weights that weigh more. I was recently fishing for steelhead with another fishermen who was using an Orvis Trident salty.  He fishes salt frequently, and he made the same comments to me, as we compared rods.  I found his rod difficult to cast well, probably would be very difficult for a beginner.  On the other hand, my GL3 8/9 feels like a nice trout 6 weight, very easy to cast. A good reel match for the GL3 8/9 is the Lamson 3.5.  Tough reel, good drag, balances out the GL3 8/9 beautifully, tons of room for backing. Peter

Response:

Happy New Year to all my fellow Fisher-people. This light spinning tackle inshore salt water fisherman is ready to learn how to fish with a fly rod. I am looking for a 9ft 8wt fly rod that will be my learning rod. My question then is… How good are Cabela’s saltwater Fly rod blanks? How Bout the SL or FT blanks? How would these compare to the GLoomis GL3 blanks? Or is there a better route to take, maybe a fly rod combo set-up for saltwater. What do I need to look for when picking out a fly reel? Is there one type/model/construction/drag that would be advantageous over another? Thanks, Jay

I know I’ll eat some flames for this but I would recommend getting one of the Orvis Clearwater combos.  I think the 8wt goes for about $180.00 and it is ready to fish.  I own one and it casts nice, and can double as a steelhead/salmon rod when you are in the mood. -John —        My Policy is to ALWAYS Blame the Computer

Response:

Anything Cabela’s sells is usually very good and they give you a 100% satisfaction guaranty.   Joel Axelrad

Response:

Happy New Year to all my fellow Fisher-people.  This light spinning tackle inshore salt water fisherman is ready to learn how to fish with a fly rod. I am looking for a 9ft 8wt fly rod that will be my learning rod. My question then is… How good are Cabela’s saltwater Fly rod blanks? How Bout the SL or FT blanks? How would these compare to the GLoomis GL3 blanks? Or is there a better route to take, maybe a fly rod combo set-up for saltwater. What do I need to look for when picking out a fly reel? Is there one type/model/construction/drag that would be advantageous over another? Thanks, Jay

Response:

Question:

I spent the weekend fishing in sub-freezing conditions and spent a considerable amount of time clearing ice out of the guides. That’s pretty much how it’s going to be until April, so I’m looking for a few pointers.   Yesterday, a buddy and I spent most of the day fishing close together; when the guides iced up, you simply pointed your rod tip at your partner and let him break the ice out of the ones you couldn’t reach. That would be ideal if one always fished with a friend, but I fish alone 3/4 of the time.   I’m giving serious thought to building up a 7 1/2 ft 5wt; I’d be able to reach out and break the ice out without the risk of snapping off a tip. Does anybody have ideas, experience, or preferences regarding short 4wt or 5wt rods?   How about solutions applied to the guides and tiptop? Does anything really work?   (Oh yeah, don’t believe everything you read about the relationship between fish activity and water temperature. The water was in the thirties and the fish were feeding actively.)                                                TIA, Charlie

Response:

Oddly enough, if you dip the rod tip back into the water, the ice will generally disappear.  I’ve found that by doing so, and fishing a short line, i.e. leaving the fishing length always outside the tip top, sort of nymphing style, I get along fairly well. jg

Response:

I just carefully dip my rod into the river every so often.  The ice doesn’t seem to affect it much until they get super clogged.  Doesn’t seem to scare the fish, I did OK at the Thompson last weekend. Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I spent the weekend fishing in sub-freezing conditions and spent a considerable amount of time clearing ice out of the guides. That’s pretty much how it’s going to be until April, so I’m looking for a few pointers.   Yesterday, a buddy and I spent most of the day fishing close together; when the guides iced up, you simply pointed your rod tip at your partner and let him break the ice out of the ones you couldn’t reach. That would be ideal if one always fished with a friend, but I fish alone 3/4 of the time.   I’m giving serious thought to building up a 7 1/2 ft 5wt; I’d be able to reach out and break the ice out without the risk of snapping off a tip. Does anybody have ideas, experience, or preferences regarding short 4wt or 5wt rods?   How about solutions applied to the guides and tiptop? Does anything really work?   (Oh yeah, don’t believe everything you read about the relationship between fish activity and water temperature. The water was in the thirties and the fish were feeding actively.)                                                TIA, Charlie

Response:

Spraying the rod guides (not the river guides) with a little pam seems to help to keep ice from clinging.   By the way, what socks to you wear for that kind of weather? I’ve got a pair of Orvis wool and thermex blend socks, but my feet still get cold. g – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just carefully dip my rod into the river every so often.  The ice doesn’t seem to affect it much until they get super clogged.  Doesn’t seem to scare the fish, I did OK at the Thompson last weekend. Chris I spent the weekend fishing in sub-freezing conditions and spent a considerable amount of time clearing ice out of the guides. That’s pretty much how it’s going to be until April, so I’m looking for a few pointers.   Yesterday, a buddy and I spent most of the day fishing close together; when the guides iced up, you simply pointed your rod tip at your partner and let him break the ice out of the ones you couldn’t reach. That would be ideal if one always fished with a friend, but I fish alone 3/4 of the time.   I’m giving serious thought to building up a 7 1/2 ft 5wt; I’d be able to reach out and break the ice out without the risk of snapping off a tip. Does anybody have ideas, experience, or preferences regarding short 4wt or 5wt rods?   How about solutions applied to the guides and tiptop? Does anything really work?   (Oh yeah, don’t believe everything you read about the relationship between fish activity and water temperature. The water was in the thirties and the fish were feeding actively.)                                                TIA, Charlie

Response:

well sometimes the neoprene slows down circulation around your foot.. but why dont you try some capilene sock liners… those help wick moisture away from your feet…. (wet feet dont help keep you warm) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Spraying the rod guides (not the river guides) with a little pam seems to help to keep ice from clinging.   By the way, what socks to you wear for that kind of weather? I’ve got a pair of Orvis wool and thermex blend socks, but my feet still get cold. g

Response:

Where I fish the water is really cold for 3-4 months a year… For real cold conditions, I use 5 mm boot waders, 3 sizes larger than needed, which leaves plenty of space for thermal socks (2 if needed) without compressing the feet. That’s the trick. My feet never get cold even if the water is close to freezing point. – Tord Sweden – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – well sometimes the neoprene slows down circulation around your foot.. but why dont you try some capilene sock liners… those help wick moisture away from your feet…. (wet feet dont help keep you warm) Spraying the rod guides (not the river guides) with a little pam seems to help to keep ice from clinging. By the way, what socks to you wear for that kind of weather? I’ve got a pair of Orvis wool and thermex blend socks, but my feet still get cold. g

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I spent the weekend fishing in sub-freezing conditions and spent a considerable amount of time clearing ice out of the guides. That’s pretty much how it’s going to be until April, so I’m looking for a few pointers.   Yesterday, a buddy and I spent most of the day fishing close together; when the guides iced up, you simply pointed your rod tip at your partner and let him break the ice out of the ones you couldn’t reach. That would be ideal if one always fished with a friend, but I fish alone 3/4 of the time.   I’m giving serious thought to building up a 7 1/2 ft 5wt; I’d be able to reach out and break the ice out without the risk of snapping off a tip. Does anybody have ideas, experience, or preferences regarding short 4wt or 5wt rods?   How about solutions applied to the guides and tiptop? Does anything really work?   (Oh yeah, don’t believe everything you read about the relationship between fish activity and water temperature. The water was in the thirties and the fish were feeding actively.)                                                TIA, Charlie

Charlie, I don’t know what type of fishing you are doing but here on the Great Lakes a technique used by winter steelhead fisherman for bottom bouncing egg flies and nymphs is to load their 6 – 8 wt rods with 1 or 2 wt fly line. Since this fishing usually involves lobbing split shot more than casting, a balanced outfit isn’t required. Among other things this outfit is supposed to help in minimizing the icing problems by virtue of the significant difference between the line size and the guide size(s). Along this line of thinking if you are going to go to the trouble of building a special rod for winter fishing you might want to try using oversized guides. — Steve Vaughn

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I just dip my tip into the water and shake the water off.  Works well enough, buty then I do not fish when it gets to 20 deg F.

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[snip]  I’m giving serious thought to building up a 7 1/2 ft 5wt; I’d be able to reach out and break the ice out without the risk of snapping off a tip. Does anybody have ideas, experience, or preferences regarding short 4wt or 5wt rods?

I use two rods that might help.  I have a Winston 7 1/2 ft. 5 weight which is fast by Winston standards and can punch out line quite a distance yet make very delicate close in casts.  I do my winter fishing with a nine foot Loomis GL3 Megataper 8-9 weight.  It’s a saltwater rod with very large guides and tiptop, yet it has a typical GL3 delicate tip.  It isn’t a broomstick like most saltwater types. It also has a stiff butt section which allows me to grasp the rod midway and reach over to clear the tiptop.  I’m only 5′7" yet I have no problem reaching the tip.  I was fishing with it Saturday in a light snow for about three hours and I only had to clear the guides twice when they became completely blocked. Peter

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I just dip my tip into the water and shake the water off.  Works well enough, buty then I do not fish when it gets to 20 deg F.

A common trick among conventional fishers is to spray their rod guides with a Silicon spray lubricant before fishing with the occassional spray every once in a while during the day.  It’s pretty easy to give them a quick blast from the spray can now and then (no need to overdo it!)   I know there is a Silicon lubricant marketed specfically for use with monofilament line, but I’m afraid I don’t know how it might affect a fly line. Good luck, Tom Chandler

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:   How about solutions applied to the guides and tiptop? Does anything : really work? :                                                TIA, Charlie I’ve used a Dow industrial silicone lubricant in the past that seems to work well. A very little amount rubbed on the guides, especially the tip allows the water to run or drip off before freezing. Naturally ice can still build up and the colder it is, the faster the buildup but in sane temperatures, -5 C little wind and a bit of sun, it does the job. I’v had this tube for years and don’t have any idea where you could source some now. FWIW  – Garry N. Boychuk, P.Eng. mechanical engineer, flyfisher, Zone 6b gardener

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Definitely build your custom rod with oversized guides and tip top. Additionally, you’ll have less icing if you keep your false casts to a minimum. Paul – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I spent the weekend fishing in sub-freezing conditions and spent a considerable amount of time clearing ice out of the guides. That’s pretty much how it’s going to be until April, so I’m looking for a few pointers.   Yesterday, a buddy and I spent most of the day fishing close together; when the guides iced up, you simply pointed your rod tip at your partner and let him break the ice out of the ones you couldn’t reach. That would be ideal if one always fished with a friend, but I fish alone 3/4 of the time.   I’m giving serious thought to building up a 7 1/2 ft 5wt; I’d be able to reach out and break the ice out without the risk of snapping off a tip. Does anybody have ideas, experience, or preferences regarding short 4wt or 5wt rods?   How about solutions applied to the guides and tiptop? Does anything really work?   (Oh yeah, don’t believe everything you read about the relationship between fish activity and water temperature. The water was in the thirties and the fish were feeding actively.)                                                TIA, Charlie

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Sounds like a new opportunity for the rod marketeers…Joint development project between Orvis and Prestone!  To tell ya the truth it wouldn’t surprise me a bit… — KennyM "I fish because I love to…" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Definitely build your custom rod with oversized guides and tip top. Additionally, you’ll have less icing if you keep your false casts to a minimum. Paul I spent the weekend fishing in sub-freezing conditions and spent a considerable amount of time clearing ice out of the guides. That’s pretty much how it’s going to be until April, so I’m looking for a few pointers.   Yesterday, a buddy and I spent most of the day fishing close together; when the guides iced up, you simply pointed your rod tip at your partner and let him break the ice out of the ones you couldn’t reach. That would be ideal if one always fished with a friend, but I fish alone 3/4 of the time.   I’m giving serious thought to building up a 7 1/2 ft 5wt; I’d be able to reach out and break the ice out without the risk of snapping off a tip. Does anybody have ideas, experience, or preferences regarding short 4wt or 5wt rods?   How about solutions applied to the guides and tiptop? Does anything really work?   (Oh yeah, don’t believe everything you read about the relationship between fish activity and water temperature. The water was in the thirties and the fish were feeding actively.)                                                TIA, Charlie

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By the way, what socks to you wear for that kind of weather? I’ve got a pair of Orvis wool and thermex blend socks, but my feet still get cold.

The key to keeping your feet warm is to wear boot foot waders instead of stocking foot waders. The bootfoot waders allow air to circulate from your legs down to your feet which keeps you warm. Stocking foot waders with boots on top do not allow for this circulation of air. My first time salmon fishing here in Michigan I wore my stockingfoot neoprenes and froze my feet off. A guide suggested using bootfoot waders and the next time I was warm and toasty.

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Hi, I saw your post concerning fishing in the cold.  For the tip top problem, being a backpacker comes in handy. I usually have a 4oz spray can of PAM non-stick spray, which I use if I’m frying up trout which I do from time to time Usually to save weight I just gut the trout and cook the trout directly on the coals and turn often for about 6-8 minutes. OPPPS….about the PAM spray the stuff on your guides it works as a great anti-freeze.  the guides will still freeze up a bit but not as often you can cast for 4 or 5 times better than with nothing on the guides.  For my hands What I use is a pair of Playtex rubber dish washing gloves.  The gloves protect my hands from the wet spray of the water rolling down the fly line.  I also add a thin polyproplene liner inside the rubber gloves if its real real cold outside.  Hope these ideas helps.  Tight Lines   Hugo ("Fish Head")

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A lot of sporting goods shops in Michigan sell toe warmers, which are little semi-circle shaped packs with adhesive on one side to stick to the bottom of your socks.  The first time I used them, I didn’t really feel any heat, so I thought they weren’t doing much, but when I went without them the next day my feet were numb within 20 minutes.  Now I don’t go near water between October and April without them.  They sell for about 99 cents a pair. -Jon Kruse National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory Michigan State University – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Where I fish the water is really cold for 3-4 months a year… For real cold conditions, I use 5 mm boot waders, 3 sizes larger than needed, which leaves plenty of space for thermal socks (2 if needed) without compressing the feet. That’s the trick. My feet never get cold even if the water is close to freezing point. – Tord Sweden well sometimes the neoprene slows down circulation around your foot.. but why dont you try some capilene sock liners… those help wick moisture away from your feet…. (wet feet dont help keep you warm) Spraying the rod guides (not the river guides) with a little pam seems to help to keep ice from clinging. By the way, what socks to you wear for that kind of weather? I’ve got a pair of Orvis wool and thermex blend socks, but my feet still get cold. g

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they really make your waders stink though — — TimW Halfordian Golfer – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A lot of sporting goods shops in Michigan sell toe warmers, which are little semi-circle shaped packs with adhesive on one side to stick to the bottom of your socks.

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Question:

I recently moved to Atlanta, GA  and was wondering if anyone knew of any good spots to fly fish around here…Either wet or dry flies…Possibly on the Chattahoochee River?? Any help will do.. Thanks in Advance RONNY

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Suggest Jimmy Jacobs books on "fly fishing North Georgia" -or- "trout streams of southern Appalachias".  Your local fly shops should have these books.  There are also several good sites on the net. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I recently moved to Atlanta, GA  and was wondering if anyone knew of any good spots to fly fish around here…Either wet or dry flies…Possibly on the Chattahoochee River?? Any help will do.. Thanks in Advance RONNY

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Question:

I am planning a trip to Mayville WI. sometime in the spring or summer. I want to do a little flyfishing need a little help on where to go in the area. Mayville is due south of Fond du Lac maybe 20 miles and west of Hywy 41 by about 10 or so. I havent been there for 30 years but want to combine a trip to visit relatives with some fishing. I live in Seattle and do mostly lake fishing here and I want to do river or stream fishing back there. Any suggestions?

Martin:         You might want to indicate what kind of fishing you are interested in. For steelhead/salmon on Lake Michigan’s tribs, or inland? Warmwater or cold? How far you willing to travel? tgb

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Try this site: — http://www.execpc.com/~glsfc/fish_wi

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am planning a trip to Mayville WI. sometime in the spring or summer. I want to do a little flyfishing need a little help on where to go in the area. Mayville is due south of Fond du Lac maybe 20 miles and west of Hywy 41 by about 10 or so. I havent been there for 30 years but want to combine a trip to visit relatives with some fishing. I live in Seattle and do mostly lake fishing here and I want to do river or stream fishing back there. Any suggestions? Martin:         You might want to indicate what kind of fishing you are interested in. For steelhead/salmon on Lake Michigan’s tribs, or inland? Warmwater or cold? How far you willing to travel? tgb

My fishing is for small fish. Hopefully trout but bass or blugill would be OK. I am going to use a 8 ft. 5 wt. fly rod. I would really like to do only streams as that is what I want to learn. I will have to rent a car there so a hours drive would be just perfect. 2 hours would be pushing it but possible if the reward was there. Thanks for the suggestion.

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I am planning a trip to Mayville WI. sometime in the spring or summer. I want to do a little flyfishing need a little help on where to go in the area. Mayville is due south of Fond du Lac maybe 20 miles and west of Hywy 41 by about 10 or so. I havent been there for 30 years but want to combine a trip to visit relatives with some fishing. I live in Seattle and do mostly lake fishing here and I want to do river or stream fishing back there… My fishing is for small fish. Hopefully trout but bass or blugill would be OK. I am going to use a 8 ft. 5 wt. fly rod. I would really like to do only streams as that is what I want to learn. I will have to rent a car there so a hours drive would be just perfect. 2 hours would be pushing it but possible if the reward was there.

Martin:         Let me do a little thinking and map looking and I’ll get back to you. I’m not in that area but know of it and might be able to help. A couple of nice streams suggest themselves right off but I’d rather try to look first and advise later rather than mucking things up the other way around.         You know one of the problems with doing what you are thinking of doing can be best realized by imagining a guy coming to your area and trying to have a good time of it without a scintilla of the hard-won experience you’ve got as to where to go, when, using what equipment, flies, etc., etc. I.e., it might make sense to think about getting a guide if you can swing the dough? Even if only for a 1/2 day (if they go along with same); sometimes they can turn you on to just enough that you can take it from there.         But I’ll get back to you with what I can dig up about the area you’ll be visiting in any case. Tom Burczyk The workings of great institutions is mainly the result of a vast mass of routine, petty malice, self-interest, carelessness, and sheer mistake. Only a residual fraction is thought." Santayana

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I am planning a trip to Mayville WI. sometime in the spring or summer. I want to do a little flyfishing need a little help on where to go in the area. Mayville is due south of Fond du Lac maybe 20 miles and west of Hywy 41 by about 10 or so. I havent been there for 30 years but want to combine a trip to visit relatives with some fishing. I live in Seattle and do mostly lake fishing here and I want to do river or stream fishing back there. Any suggestions? Martin — Martin Jensen

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Question:

 ANY ONE FLY FISHING THERE LATLEY I’LL BE 6/8/96 TO 6/14/96  ANY SPECIAL TRICKS. OR FLY’S, DRY OR WET. BY THE WAY IT’S  IN NORTHERN PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST. –

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 ANY ONE FLY FISHING THERE LATLEY I’LL BE 6/8/96 TO 6/14/96  ANY SPECIAL TRICKS. OR FLY’S, DRY OR WET. BY THE WAY IT’S  IN NORTHERN PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST.

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ANY ONE FLY FISHING THERE LATLEY I’LL BE 6/8/96 TO 6/14/96 ANY SPECIAL TRICKS. OR FLY’S, DRY OR WET. BY THE WAY IT’S IN NORTHERN PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST.

Charlie Smith, the local tier and fly fisherman at Buck’s Lake, uses a Deer Hair Fly ( Humpy ) and the Rio Grand King dry fly in the streams.  He uses an Olive Wooly Worm in the lakes.  I would also have some #14/16 Adams Paraduns for the lakes. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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Question:

Any advice on the Provo River?  Going to Sundance in July for some R & R and some flyfishing.  Hear that nymphing is the best way to go.  What is the

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Any advice on the Provo River?  Going to Sundance in July for some R & R and some flyfishing.  Hear that nymphing is the best way to go.  What is the

If you go the "nymphing" route, you should do ok.  The weather is fairly warm, and the river usually gets crowded really fast.

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I try to fish it on a regular basis since I’m only 15 min. from it. We have had a late spring & the runoff is hitting it hard right now. There are still places to get on it but it’s tough fishing(fast, deep & a little dirty). If the water flow slows down it has good potential in July. I’d try; Chamois Caddis 14 – 18, Sow Bug 18 – 20, Brassies 16 – 18, Pheasant Tials 12 – 18. Fish it right on the bottom or on the edges. Towards evening there should be some surface activity. If it’s too high to get on take a ride up above Deer Creek to Charleston or Midway & fish that section, My brother in law loves it up there, he’s been doing well with a San Juan worm. It’s only another 20 min. from Sundance. Clint

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Any advice on the Provo River?  Going to Sundance in July for some R & R and some flyfishing.  Hear that nymphing is the best way to go.  What is the If you go the "nymphing" route, you should do ok.  The weather is fairly warm, and the river usually gets crowded really fast.

PMD emergers are hot right now.

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I try to fish it on a regular basis since I’m only 15 min. from it. We have had a late spring & the runoff is hitting it hard right now. There are still places to get on it but it’s tough fishing(fast, deep & a little dirty). If the water flow slows down it has good potential in July. I’d try; Chamois Caddis 14 – 18, Sow Bug 18 – 20, Brassies 16 – 18, Pheasant Tials 12 – 18. Fish it right on the bottom or on the edges. Towards evening there should be some surface activity. If it’s too high to get on take a ride up above Deer Creek to Charleston or Midway & fish that section, My brother in law loves it up there, he’s been doing well with a San Juan worm. It’s only another 20 min. from Sundance. Clint

Thankfully this high water misconception has curbed the number of ff’ers on the Provo lately.  This is nice as we’ve been catching anywhere from 5 to 10 fish an hour without too many neighbors.  The water is especially clear also, allowing you to see many of the fish.  This also makes for fish holding in very predictable places.  (ie slower deeper water)  The fly selection, now that’s the part that will make or break your day as well. Happy Trails and tattered flies. Curtis Fry FFFTWKISS!!!!

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Any advice on the Provo River?  Going to Sundance in July for some R & R and some flyfishing.  Hear that nymphing is the best way to go.  What is the If you go the "nymphing" route, you should do ok.  The weather is fairly warm, and the river usually gets crowded really fast. PMD emergers are hot right now.

Mike,         Can you give me a description on the PMD emerger.  I dont know if I have         ever seen one before.         Thanks

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I try to fish it on a regular basis since I’m only 15 min. from it. We have had a late spring & the runoff is hitting it hard right now. There are still places to get on it but it’s tough fishing(fast, deep & a little dirty).

I’m moving to Draper this month and have tried the Provo on several occasions.  The dirty water has perplexed me… I’m assuming it has to do with the releases from the dam upstream? With the road construction several years ago did the fishing change somewhat? If the water flow slows down it has good potential in July. I’d try; Chamois Caddis 14 – 18, Sow Bug 18 – 20, Brassies 16 – 18, Pheasant Tials 12 – 18. Fish it right on the bottom or on the edges. Towards evening there should be some surface activity. If it’s too high to get on take a ride up above Deer Creek to Charleston or Midway & fish that section, My brother in law loves it up there, he’s been doing well with a San Juan worm. It’s only another 20 min. from Sundance. Clint

I want to try the upper section myself. Any advice about access etc.? Coming from an area where my favorite waters are 4 to 5 hrs away, I am indeed excited about living close to the Provo (and Green) Trust I will bump into you on the river some day.         Wherever you go…. There you will be.

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Any advice on the Provo River?  Going to Sundance in July for some R & R and some flyfishing.  Hear that nymphing is the best way to go.  What is the If you go the "nymphing" route, you should do ok.  The weather is fairly warm, and the river usually gets crowded really fast.

The Provo is a wonderful river, but nymphs are your only hope.  However, you won’t have to worry about crowds until the 9-5 crowd gets out from work.  You won’t have *much* problem mornings or early afternoons, except for us lousy college students The weather will be hot.  Be prepared for some heat; I’d leave my neoprenes at home.  The river is also higher this year than it has been in the past, but since you are just coming for a vacation, that won’t matter to you, will it? best o’ luck, Jeff Windsor

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