Question:

But Ken, who makes those blanks? — ~~~~ The RodMaker (aka) The Shadow

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –      if you had a chance to have a custom rod made, whos blank would you chose?     light spinning rod , 6 to 6 1/2 foot I don’t have experience with their spinning rod blanks, but in flyrods I’m impressed with Angler’s Workshop IM6 blanks, for the money. http://www.anglersworkshop.com — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

But Ken, who makes those blanks?

Does it matter ? It’s quality IM6 graphite, or at least their flyrods are, for a good price. I suppose if you were to tell me that they’re manufactured by starving slaves in a third world hovel and marketed by profiteering commies using the proceeds to finance the violent overthrow of the US government, I would probably expect them to be a lot cheaper , but I’ve done business with Angler’s Workshop in the past and have been quite happy. Of course, this assumes that the original poster can buy whatever blank he wants. Most custom builders that I know of insist on using their own blanks or charge a premium to build a rod on the customer’s blank. I use Angler’s Workshop ’cause I roll my own. YMMV — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Do you continue to pay retail prices for these blanks you buy? — ~~~~ The RodMaker (aka) The Shadow

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But Ken, who makes those blanks? Does it matter ? It’s quality IM6 graphite, or at least their flyrods are, for a good price. I suppose if you were to tell me that they’re manufactured by starving slaves in a third world hovel and marketed by profiteering commies using the proceeds to finance the violent overthrow of the US government, I would probably expect them to be a lot cheaper , but I’ve done business with Angler’s Workshop in the past and have been quite happy. Of course, this assumes that the original poster can buy whatever blank he wants. Most custom builders that I know of insist on using their own blanks or charge a premium to build a rod on the customer’s blank. I use Angler’s Workshop ’cause I roll my own. YMMV — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Do you continue to pay retail prices for these blanks you buy?

Sure. I’m just a do-it-yourselfer who buys blanks for personal use and the occasional birthday gift/Christmas present. I wouldn’t expect a quantity discount or a professional discount. I assume when you find a blank that you like that you buy several of the same blank at a time. I buy ‘em one at a time as I need them,and I hardly ever buy the same blank twice. Apples & oranges, RodMaker, you’re a pro who deserves his discount, I’m just an amateur hobbyist. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Ok, One thing I should have made more clear concerning the Lamiglass (Perigee) series. What I meant was that Lamiglass designed these blanks for custom builders(already stated that) but what I forgot to mention was that Lamiglass themselves will not use these blanks to build rods for resale! Have you tried their fly rod blanks yet? — ~~~~ The RodMaker (aka) The Shadow

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Do you continue to pay retail prices for these blanks you buy? Sure. I’m just a do-it-yourselfer who buys blanks for personal use and the occasional birthday gift/Christmas present. I wouldn’t expect a quantity discount or a professional discount. I assume when you find a blank that you like that you buy several of the same blank at a time. I buy ‘em one at a time as I need them,and I hardly ever buy the same blank twice. Apples & oranges, RodMaker, you’re a pro who deserves his discount, I’m just an amateur hobbyist. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

… Have you tried their fly rod blanks yet?

No, I haven’t. Lamiglas doesn’t make a 10′ 7wt. blank. The next flyrod I build for bassin’ will be a 10′ 7wt. I like the 10′ length because I sit so close to the water in my canoe. I like a slow action flyrod, that’s why I’m so partial to IM6, and my current 10′ 7wt. is sloooooow. But while a slow action rod is great for some things, bassin’ ain’t one of them, I’d like a faster action for bassin’. I’ll probably build the new one on a Sage 71003SP, it’s a lot faster than my current rod but still slow enough to be comfortable for me. — Ken Fortenberry

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The next flyrod I build for bassin’ will be a 10′ 7wt. I like the 10′ length because I sit so close to the water in my canoe. I like a slow action flyrod, that’s why I’m so partial to IM6, and my current 10′ 7wt. is sloooooow. But while a slow action rod is great for some things, bassin’ ain’t one of them, I’d like a faster action for bassin’. I’ll probably build the new one on a Sage 71003SP, it’s a lot faster than my current rod but still slow enough to be comfortable for me. — Ken Fortenberry

Hey Ken, It’s been a while since I built a new rod and I’m getting the fever.  I never thought of using a 10 footer or a 7 weight, but reading your post makes me want to hear more from you on the idea.  What conditions do you fish in?  What bugs do you throw?  Etc? I do some fly fishing from kickboats and tubes.  I don’t generally make long casts because it’s so easy to simply position my craft so that I’m the right distance from what ever target I choose.  My current fly rod is a 20-year-old Cabela’s 9 foot 8 weight.  The reason I use this particular rod is that it is the rod I happen to own and carry in my truck.   Now I’m starting to fish more from a sit-on-top kayak which is much better suited for covering distances of water than either a tube or a kickboat.  But it’s not as easy to position and is far more susceptible to the wind.  For those times when it’s hard to hold a position near the shoreline, I can see the advantage of a longer rod, but I don’t understand the advantage of a slower rod, or of the 7 weight.  (As I write this, it just occurred to me that if you add a foot in length, your wrist and arm will very likely be tireder at the end of the day and that a lighter rod might well be a blessing — is that it?)  At any rate, I’d like to hear more about the advantages of a slow rod vs. a faster rod, etc. etc.   —– Family, Friends, Fishing Rob Storm http://www.stormsrestaurants.com

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Hey Ken, It’s been a while since I built a new rod and I’m getting the fever.  I never thought of using a 10 footer or a 7 weight, but reading your post makes me want to hear more from you on the idea.  What conditions do you fish in?  What bugs do you throw?  Etc?

Hi Rob, My "home water" is a collection of reclaimed strip mine ponds and the tributaries of the Vermillion River in east central Illinois. http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=40.106&lon=-87.7429&size=s&s=50 Conditions here on the prairie are usually windy and I fish out of a canoe. I’ll throw everything in the box at ‘em, poppers, Dahlberg divers, Clouser minnows, bunny leeches, wooly buggers, deer hair frogs etc., everything but crayfish flies, I don’t like fishin’ down on the bottom and losing 6 flies an hour. The difference between 7 & 8 wt is personal preference, the 8wt is the classic weight for a bass flyrod but a 7wt has enough backbone. The 10′ length gets the rod tip up a bit off the water, which is an advantage when you’re sitting low in the water like in a canoe (or a kayak). It’s also an advantage on a stream for mending and rollcasting. … I’d like to hear more about the advantages of a slow rod vs. a faster rod, etc. etc.

To oversimplify and generalize, slow action rods are preferred for delicate presentation (dry flies), and chucking a lot of weight (split shot to get nymphs down). Fast action rods are preferred for powering through the wind and for tossing big wind eating flies like deer hair and bigger poppers. So for bass fishin’ most folks prefer a faster action flyrod. My current 10′ 7wt is a Thomas & Thomas XL, a slow action rod that’s ideal for steelhead but not so for bassin’. A slow 7/8 wt rod can double as a steelhead rod and a pike/carp rod while a fast 7/8 wt rod can double as a bass rod and a bonefish rod. That’s why I’d like to build another 10′ 7wt on a faster blank. Take care, — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Hi Ken, Thanks for the info.  I think the last slow fly rod I had was an old glass Herter rod I built in the early ’60s.  Maybe it’s time to try another.   I agree with you about fishing on the bottom.  It never appealed to me even though I know that with a sinking line and a floating bug you can show the fish a presentation they don’t often see.  When I fish a fly rod, I like the action to be right in front of me.  Flies or plugs, I like my lure to be on the surface whenever possible. You mention pike and carp.  I’ve caught the odd carp while casting small streamers for white bass, but I’ve never had the pleasure of fighting a pike on a fly rod.  Am planning a trip to Andrew Lake in Alberta for June 2001.  I ‘ll probably take along a 5 weight for grayling, but after reading your post, I might want to pack the 8 weight as well.   Thanks again for the info. —– Family, Friends, Fishing Rob Storm http://www.stormsrestaurants.com

Response:

     if you had a chance to have a custom rod made, whos blank would you chose?     light spinning rod , 6 to 6 1/2 foot

Response:

     if you had a chance to have a custom rod made, whos blank would you chose?     light spinning rod , 6 to 6 1/2 foot

Personally I would go with whatever RodMaker here in this group told me to. Good fishing, Richard L. LaFay  | (248) 753-6940 (work) 2887 Pontiac Court  | (248) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   48326 Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Berkley Trilene, Rippler, Bill Norman Lures, and Aqua-Vu underwater cameras. I use them because I think they’re the best!

Response:

     if you had a chance to have a custom rod made, whos blank would you chose?     light spinning rod , 6 to 6 1/2 foot

I don’t have experience with their spinning rod blanks, but in flyrods I’m impressed with Angler’s Workshop IM6 blanks, for the money. http://www.anglersworkshop.com — Ken Fortenberry

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Question:

Day Tripper writes: Did you learn The Handshake? The bonfire was a *great* idea. Was it Jo’s? ;^)

Yes, I learned the handshake.  It can be painful to pass on.  I’ve been trying since June to find a place to have a camp fire.  You know how they are up there about "kindled fires".  I asked Harry about it in August.  He’s the one that suggested a bonfire and easily got permission from every beaurocratic bimbo down the line.  The next morning the Roffian Navy reported smoke coming from the logs!   You are correct — a benchmark has been set.  But if PJ comes, I doubt the place will ever be the same. Dave LaCourse, Bottom Dweller

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Back from Maine Games with some miscellaneous ramblings… Awesome job, Dave. Ya done good. REAL good! Did you learn The Handshake? The bonfire was a *great* idea. Was it Jo’s? ;^) Seeing the boys catch 18" salmon and brookies on #24 flies that they tied themselves in the cabin was very cool. Eyes were a-poppin’ – they didn’t believe it could be done! The Rapid River was the star, and she done good. Having the water down was probably a blessing for the out-of-towners who wouldn’t know how to wade that river at 1200 cfs. We had no serious casualties (though I nearly broke my ass falling off a spillway while landing a nice salmon). I think 500-600 cfs was why. Even with the low flow the water temps held to the mid-60s, keeping the fish active and hardy. Sue and the staff get extra snaps for putting up with a bunch of fish, beer, and "other"-crazed flat landers. And speaking of beer: there’s nothing brewed in Canada that is as lip-smacking delicious as Wachusett Country Ale. Seeing Jeff tag some BIG fish on small flies was fun to watch. He almost broke his normally reserved demeanor ;^) A CFO under extreme duress sounds *way* prettier than a Bougle. Had the S4 well into triple digits on the way up and back. What a blast. Flying jets at tree-top level must feel like this. And that newly paved road to South Arm would be perfect for time trials. Maine was its awesome self, bringing every form of weather short of snow. Breaking sweats one day, freezing my toes off on the cabin floor the next morning. Thank god for dry kindling and a wood stove. There ought to be a whole bunch of pictures coming soon. Nearly everyone was snapping shots… The most beautiful and finest casting cane rod I’ve ever held was built by Dave Price. I kept thinking I *could* hide his body and steal that rod… I challenge anyone to find me a comfortable camp next to a blue ribbon trout stream, surrounded by majestic natural beauty, and with the quality and quality of food that is Lakewood Camps (http://www.lakewoodcamps.com) Dry fly fishing in the rain is surprisingly fun if you’re actually catching fish. And the Rapid held some of the most beautifully colored trout you’ll ever catch. I’ve been home for a couple of hours – had to mow the lawn at our camp in Cow Hampster – and I’m already sick of the job NBC is doing with the Olympic Games. This is going to be a long couple of weeks… Thank goodness my old friend Dave Bottom picked this week to finally make it to the Rapid (after way too many years of my trying to get him over there). He brought that little something extra that kept his cabin mates in smiles (and bailed out Fortenberry). Next time we have to get the other half of "The Ordeal Masters" to come, too! Snaps to Mike C for the rod that Dave B won in the raffle. Nice piece of work and a magnanimous gesture that had Dave beaming when he rigged up the rod and took it to the river… Best laugh of the week: in the midst of a spectacular thundering cloudburst that beat the tin dam building like a drum and turned us all into drowned bank rats, someone drops Bill Murray’s "Caddy Shack" line about "The hard stuff won’t arrive for a while yet"… Next year? Heck yeah! Forty better show for it, too. My hat (the one Steve gifted us all with – thanks, Steve! It’s a beaut!) is solidly tipped to you, Dave. Thanks for a well done job. And thanks to everyone that attended. I had a great time – and on my favorite water. An E Ticket outing, for sure /daytripper (The benchmark has been set…)

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Question:

Hell, man, you might have something here.  But, something *is* missing.  If you contact Ken Fortenberry on these pages, he can advise you of a certain "device".  If added to your "invention" it would make for the complete angler.  Joy, Joy, Joy. Dave

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everything snipped – hope you saw it the first time Man, that’s an effort.  Have another drink – you deserve it. mark faulkner

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Ever wondered what to do when the fish weren’t showing? Ever been distracted from your reverie by a fish showing?   Ever need to practise night casting during the day? Are you a purist who only fishes dry-fly and then only to fish you have not seen? Is catching a fish almost incidental to the experience?   Well, now you can practise night casting, reduce distraction, develop your blind searching strategies AND reduce the chances of catching fish simply by closing the 99.99999% opaque, 45+  UV filtered, scratch resistant, laminated and virtually indestructible visor of the BS-666.   No, its not just a motorcycle helmet with an opaque mask, the BS-666 is so much more, and it will make catching fish so much more difficult than you _EVER_ imagined possible: Made from ultralight graphite, machined from solid stock and modelled on the exquisite, entirely un-aerodynamic shape of the stealth bomber this helmet is packed with features including: – Super-duper, world’s best micro CD player.     * Get that retrieve rhythm just right. – Digital video camera, recorder and Heads up display.   Imagine being able to:     * Record the moment when a famous old bastard watched you deliver the       cast of a lifetime.     * Record the moment when an infamous old bastard delivered the cast of a       lifetime.     * Have instant replays of all the inaction.     * Watch other envious fishers watching you watching them.     * use a PC c/w hatch mismatch software and wrist mount keyboard – Satellite Link     * Get updates on the latest fishing equipment developments on usenet.     * Surf the web while you wait for a rise to stop or         * Use the internet to do your banking, purchase your next rod, etc. This would appear to be a painfully large quantity of equipment to carry around on your head.  However, the unit :     * is solar powered (battery packs are available for night-time use)     * uses nano technolgy for increased miniaturisation     * uses a patented helium-filled bubble wrap lining that reduces       both the load and ambient noise simultaneously.     * has aeration provided through a series of laser trimmed       worm holes, the twist and rifling of these holes being designed to       minimise ‘roaring’ that can be annoying in a breeze (ever been in       car travelling with an open rod tube lashed across the roof). The BS is in no way sticky or tacky in texture, in fact fitting the BS is enhanced by the lumpy bubble wrap lining which reduces surface-to-surface contact (the only contact with your head is at the very apex of the bubbles) and therefore friction. Proprietary cleaning products are required so that the the bubbles’ interstices are not clogged. Bubble Interstice No Clog cleaner, or BINC, has been designed just for this purpose and is also an excellent trophy cleaner. (*PHEW* nearly forgot that.)   Safety features abound also – for instance there is an ~optional~ Safe Personal Area Motion Detection and Laser Targetting system (your choice of armament depending on local statutes and/or personal taste) for use in areas frequented by large carnivores or black helicopters. (Use the SPAMDLT suffix when ordering eg. BS-666/SPAMDLT).   Do the Scandinavian countries have carnivores large enough to be a problem, Europe in general? I suppose the former Soviet arctic regions have bear, and Kashmiri may encounter the odd tiger ? I know the South Africans have a few beasties to deal with,  while here in Aus. the odd snake -both kinds- , or a croc up north, is about all we have to fear.  Of course the Kiwis, Scots, English and Irish have little to fear apart from a keeper or warden, or perhaps a feral spouse – perhaps there is a market there afterall. So, no matter where you live, in what corner of the World, for the ultimate in your blind search fishing pleasure and personal security, nothing and I mean *NOTHING* compares with the BS-666/SPAMDLT fishing helmet.   Expressions of interest are sought, so respond by email as it would be a misuse of usenet to continually post product updates to myriads of people the world over who are totally uninterested in these fine products. From your responses I will generate a mailing list which I will share with you all, (if you accede to it of course), and we can all swap update information and personal experiences.  Alternatively, you will be able check the website www.mybs.com which will be up  sooner or later ….         formulae, recipes and plans of the BS-666, the SPAMDLT options and         BINC will have been disposed of by the time you have read this UPDATE.   steve Just in case there is any confusion:   This post is meant to be humourous and a tad serious, and a small tad at that.   It is not meant to deride, denigrate, cast aspersions, nasturtiums,   or any other missile, animal vegetable or mineral, at any race or creed.  

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Question:

Hi, I live in Manitoba, and am planning a trip to Alaska next summer.  Would like to fly to Vancouver, and rent a motorhome to drive along the coast to Alaska. There are no roads along the coast. It would be nice, but the cost of constructing a coastal route from Vancouver to Alaska would rival or surpass the cost of the Apollo moon program. There are ferries, though. You need to book well in advance. Consider booking NOW.

That’s completely correct – Val, consider booking now.   Only have two weeks holidays.  If anyone has done this or has any info such as where to rent the motorhome, and the best approach to the trip, length of time needed, etc, please post, or email direct to Two weeks is pushing it very, very hard. I went this summer from Vancouver. This is where I live. Keep the distances in mind. Vancouver to Whitehorse in the Yukon is about 2700km (1677miles) using the Alaska Highway route. You take it from there. Essentially, you would spend the majority of your vacation driving.

This is true — it is possible to do the trip in two weeks…but you would be spending an uncomfortable amount of time actually behind the wheel driving. It is possible to do like 400 miles a day though. Its possible that Peter is giving you a more realistic impression than I. after all, it is a vacation! Hans

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Hi, I live in Manitoba, and am planning a trip to Alaska next summer.  Would like to fly to Vancouver, and rent a motorhome to drive along the coast to Alaska.  Only have two weeks holidays.  If anyone has done this or has any info such as where to rent the motorhome, and the best approach to the trip, length of time needed, etc, please post, or email direct to Thanks for the help!

Since you have only two weeks, you might enjoy your vacation more if you flew directly to Alaska and rented the motorhome in Anchorage.  There are tons of rentals available but you should book way early, like 3 to 6 months in advance to assure you of the size and type of unit you would like to rent. If you have never been to Alaska, I would spend 1 week north of Anchorage (i.e. Fairbanks, Denali, etc.) and 1 week south of Anchorage on the Kenai Penninsula (Seward, Kenai, Homer).  Also it is possible that by next summer you may be able to drive to Whittier, which will give you easy road access to Prince William sound.(This project was well on its way this summer when I was there).  Previously Whittier was only accesable by train, however some of the money from the Valdez oil spill is being used to finance this project.  I have made this trip to Alaska every late August/September (I like to fish for Silver’s on the Kenai river and most of those pesky tourists have gone home)for the last 12 years. E-mail me if I can help. Darwin

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Hi, I live in Manitoba, and am planning a trip to Alaska next summer.  Would like to fly to Vancouver, and rent a motorhome to drive along the coast to Alaska.

There are no roads along the coast. It would be nice, but the cost of constructing a coastal route from Vancouver to Alaska would rival or surpass the cost of the Apollo moon program. There are ferries, though. You need to book well in advance. Consider booking NOW.   Only have two weeks holidays.  If anyone has done this or has any info such as where to rent the motorhome, and the best approach to the trip, length of time needed, etc, please post, or email direct to

Two weeks is pushing it very, very hard. I went this summer from Vancouver. This is where I live. Keep the distances in mind. Vancouver to Whitehorse in the Yukon is about 2700km (1677miles) using the Alaska Highway route. You take it from there. Essentially, you would spend the majority of your vacation driving. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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Hi, I live in Manitoba, and am planning a trip to Alaska next summer.  Would like to fly to Vancouver, and rent a motorhome to drive along the coast to Alaska.  Only have two weeks holidays.  If anyone has done this or has any info such as where to rent the motorhome, and the best approach to the trip, length of time needed, etc, please post, or email direct to Thanks for the help!

Well, Val, the only problem with your plan is that there isn’t a road up the coast to Alaska for you to drive your motorhome on. I’m not being a smart-alex here, its really true- look at a road atlas. Your options are the Alaska Marine Highway system – alittle expensive to put a RV on. You should plan everything early and make your reservation as early as possible – you can board the ferries in Bellingham WA, with limited service to Prince Rupert, B.C. as well. AMHS:  http://www.dot.state.ak.us/external/amhs/home.html The AMHS will passes through all but the really tiny hamlets and fishing villages in the islands of SE Alaska. Beautiful places, but you’ll have to really juggle your reservations in order to get off one ferry and onto another to get around on in an RV – the ferry system schedule isn’t really setup for that kind of thing. To drive to Alaska, the ALCAN highway runs far inland, from Dawson Creek, BC, through Ft Nelson, Ft St John, Watson Lake and Whitehorse, Yukon -the ALCAN Highway ends in Fairbanks, Alaska and from there Denali Park is just a 1/2 days drive. The Alaska Highway is a very nice long drive, and has its times when it passes through some really remarkable scenery. There is a very nice "manual" for the ALCAN: http://www.themilepost.com/ The Mile Post is full of useful information for travellers along the Alaska (ALCAN) Highway. Its nice that your starting your planning process now. Hope you have a great trip! Two weeks should be plenty of time. Hans, Juneau AK

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Hi, I live in Manitoba, and am planning a trip to Alaska next summer.  Would like to fly to Vancouver, and rent a motorhome to drive along the coast to Alaska.  Only have two weeks holidays.  If anyone has done this or has any info such as where to rent the motorhome, and the best approach to the trip, length of time needed, etc, please post, or email direct to Thanks for the help!

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Question:

I will be in Jackson, WY for a meeting Aug 21-25, an annual event.  I usually try to spend a few afternoons on Flat Creek in the Refuge.  Does anyone have any current information on how it’s doing so far this summer??  Does anyone know of any other spring creek fishing accessible without going through a fly shop or guide.  I don’t mind a rod fee, but have been fly fishing for 30 years and prefer to fish on my own.  Thanks. T. Mann

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I will be in Jackson, WY for a meeting Aug 21-25, an annual event.  I usually try to spend a few afternoons on Flat Creek in the Refuge.  Does anyone have any current information on how it’s doing so far this summer??  Does anyone know of any other spring creek fishing accessible without going through a fly shop or guide.  I don’t mind a rod fee, but have been fly fishing for 30 years and prefer to fish on my own.  Thanks. T. Mann

I was just in Jackson this week. Just south, beyond the Hoback Junction, Hoback Creek and Granite Creek meet. I was talking to a few people in our campground (Granite Creek Campground) and they were pulling some fairly decent sized trout from Granite Creek. It is about a 20-30 minute drive south, depending on the road construction. (It was pretty bad a couple of days.) You may want to check it out. It wasn’t heavily fished while I was there.

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Question:

I tried the Demo and it is a lot like Trophy Bass. Since I own Trophy Bass and enjoy it I think I would definitely enjoy Trophy Rivers. I haven’t ordered it as of yet but I probably will before too long. It’s a fun way to spend an evening when you’re tired of tying flies <Grin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has any one tried the Trophy rivers fly fishing game?

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I tried the demo and was very impressed.  The Trophy Bass I & II games are supposed to be terriffic.  I was always hoping they would release a fly fishing cyber-angling (that’s their term) game. Enjoy, Josh I think the release day of the game is today, November 21. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –    Has any one tried the Trophy rivers fly fishing game?  

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It’s a fun way to spend an evening when you’re tired of tying flies <Grin

How could you ever get tired of tying flies? Bryce

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Question:

I don’t want to spend $3.50 and up for Clousers (via Orvis or my local shop) and while LL Bean’s got em for $2.25 or so (much more in line), they don’t sell them in 1/0, which is pretty much the size I want.  So, does anyone know a good mailorder source for Clousers at a reasonable price? Thanks!

My friend Jim Dionne at Dirigo Flies says he can help you out, and hit your price range Give him a call at (800) 893-2815 tell him you’re the guy from the internet I told him about.                                         jc

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while LL Bean’s got em for $2.25 or so (much more in line), they don’t sell them in 1/0, which is pretty much the size I want.  So, does anyone know a good mailorder source for Clousers at a reasonable price? Thanks!

Yes I do!  But they only have 2/0, 2, and 6 ($2.25), and the 2/0 only in chartreuse and white (which by the way is my favorite saltwater color!). They are the Fly Fishing Shop in Welches Oregon.  They have a wonderful web site at www.teleport.com/~flyfish  Their number is 503-622-4607. They are pleasure to deal with long distance, and I’m willing to bet they can get you what you want in any color with a little advance notice.  Good luck! Phil

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while LL Bean’s got em for $2.25 or so (much more in line), they don’t sell them in 1/0, which is pretty much the size I want.  So, does anyone know a good mailorder source for Clousers at a reasonable price? Thanks! Yes I do!  But they only have 2/0, 2, and 6 ($2.25), and the 2/0 only in chartreuse and white (which by the way is my favorite saltwater color!). They are the Fly Fishing Shop in Welches Oregon.  They have a wonderful web site at www.teleport.com/~flyfish  Their number is 503-622-4607. They are pleasure to deal with long distance, and I’m willing to bet they can get you what you want in any color with a little advance notice.  Good luck! Phil

I have an on line catalog and have the Clousers in any size and color that you want. You can see my catalog at http://www.surfsouth.com/~jbranham/retailcatalog.html

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I don’t want to spend $3.50 and up for Clousers (via Orvis or my local shop) and while LL Bean’s got em for $2.25 or so (much more in line), they don’t sell them in 1/0, which is pretty much the size I want.  So, does anyone know a good mailorder source for Clousers at a reasonable price? Thanks!

Hello- This is probably not what you want to here, but… I would suggest learning to tie them yourself. Clousers are extremely easy to tie and the materials are cheap. I am not a very fast tyer, and I just turned out 10 in the last hour. I tied them on 3/0 for salt water use (Mustad 3407 hooks at about $7/100). That way you can tie them in any size or color combo you want. Even if you don’t tie now with just a few very basic lessons you can tie clousers. Good Luck! Steve Rosenblum

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I don’t want to spend $3.50 and up for Clousers (via Orvis or my local shop) and while LL Bean’s got em for $2.25 or so (much more in line), they don’t sell them in 1/0, which is pretty much the size I want.  So, does anyone know a good mailorder source for Clousers at a reasonable price? Thanks!

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I don’t want to spend $3.50 and up for Clousers (via Orvis or my local shop) and while LL Bean’s got em for $2.25 or so (much more in line), they don’t sell them in 1/0, which is pretty much the size I want.  So, does anyone know a good mailorder source for Clousers at a reasonable price? Thanks!

Try to get a second hand vice and tie your own. They are the most simple saltwater fly to tie and you can make a hundred for what it costs to buy ten at Orvis prices. Get the cheapest vice you can find at first and THEN decide if you want to keep tying. If so, consider the best vice you can afford and prepare yourself for the plethora of tying materials you will want to buy along with the books, videos and CD-ROMs you will get to learn how to tie. Good Luck,         jmc

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James

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Can anyone tell me where I can find salmon fly patterns on the net. I am looking for patterns from Iceland. I have tried two patterns and the colour in them is great, have had great luck with the patterns and would like to get more. Thank you.

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Can anyone tell me where I can find salmon fly patterns on the net. I am looking for patterns from Iceland. I have tried two patterns and the colour in them is great, have had great luck with the patterns and would like to get more. Thank you.

Just curious.  Do you fish these patterns the Icelandic way with the 14′ long rods?  If so, what do you think of that particular style of fishing? Mike

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I’m planning a trip to Colorado May 24-31, and would like to know what the river conditions are for the Blue River, and any suggestions for fly patterns and techniques.  Any info on the Colorado River or the Eagle would be appreciated as well. Mike Fair

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Mike, Like every place In the Rockies that i have heard of, ther are record snow depths this year. Count on high water condition in all of the rivers well into June. We’ve had three days of record heat in the foothills which may accelerate things, bu Memorial day will surely be It will also surely be crowded that weekend in the area west of Metro Denver. But those things are all part of the deal when it comes to camping and fishing in the 90s on Memoria Day weekend, I plan things down here most years, If you go, you’ll have a good time figuring how to fish  the high water. Larry ESA,Inc. "I always think there is a band, kid."  Professor Harold Hill. The Music Man – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m planning a trip to Colorado May 24-31, and would like to know what the river conditions are for the Blue River, and any suggestions for fly patterns and techniques.  Any info on the Colorado River or the Eagle would be appreciated as well. Mike Fair

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   January 10 I will be taking a trip to Western Georgia, Raven Gap to be precise.  I have never fished this area and was wondering if anyone could supply me with information regarding waters in this region.  I could use any help you can offer: names and locations of streams and rivers, possible patterns, weather conditions, or perhaps the name and/or number of tackle shops in the area. Thanks in advance, Peter Johnson

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(Matthew H. Hsu) writes:

<<January 10 I will be taking a trip to Western Georgia, Raven Gap to be precise. <<…. Could use any help you can offer, …. Unfortunately, most of Georgia’s trout water will be unavailable to you due to season being closed. Also the western part of the state is not "known" for its trout waters. The Toccoa Rivers & Chattooga Rivers are open year round. as well as a few other smaller streams in the area. Anyway, I use general attracter patterns such as Royal Wulffs for dries and usually have success with small BWO’s. Streamers (buggers & muddler minnows, as well as terrestial imitations are usually good). I don’t do nymphs so can’t help there. Fly shops, the only thing close to a fly shop I know of in north western GA is the Bargain Barn in Jasper GA. There are three shops in Atlanta (Atlanta Fly Fishing Outfitters, The Classic Angler, and The Fish Hawk). The Bargain Barn will probably do a better job of directing you to the year-round water. Anyway, if you are close enough to TN or NC, suggest try and fish there since those state’s essentially have a year round season (some exceptions in NC). Check with the Choo-Choo fly shop in Chattanooga TN for more current info. E-mail me if you need more specific information. Wayne Knight Atlanta, GA

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: Anyway, I use general attracter patterns such as Royal Wulffs for dries : and usually have success with small BWO’s. Streamers (buggers & muddler : minnows, as well as terrestial imitations are usually good). I don’t do : nymphs so can’t help there. I’d suggest a hare’s ear.  my favorite for northern GA.   Steve

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