Question:

I believe in some of the main places like Dusy, Leconte, Mcclure has bear boxes.  

No bear boxes in Dusy.  KCNP requires bear cans there.

Response:

It’s a beautiful and enjoyable hike to do.  I did it several years ago and saw no bears.  I believe in some of the main places like Dusy, Leconte, Mcclure has bear boxes.  Though I remeber the mosquitos were a pain in the meadows, I think I did this in August or so.  As for fishing it was pretty good.  For flies I would take mosquitos as well as any flies which has a little red in it.  I believe somewhere I have a briefly written trip report.  Email me if you want it. Jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Looking to do North Lake to South Lake, in the Sierra’s (Bishop) via JMT and PCT, on TOPO! and Topo USA 3.0 looks to be just under 60 miles.  Tips are always welcome. Planning on early Semptember (yeah I want more snow too), would like to do late July, but am booked for another hike in Idaho, Sawtooth NF to be exact. Am planning on 12 – 15 miles a day to enjoy the scenery.  Any gotcha’s on this trail?   Does not look to heavy duty for most of the way, except a few miles. Obviously bears will be a big problem or atleast what I have experienced in the past Sierra trips.  I plan on eating atleast a mile from campsite, and stealth camping is always on my list. Am also looking to fly fish for the most part.  Have had great luck with wooly buggers in most Sierra’s, but am wondering what else works. Many thanks, Oh yeah, will be going solo too, my dog has got to stay home.  Can’t carry her out that long if she develops a pad problem. tmc

Response:

The last time that we did this route, we did it the other direction (South Lake to North Lake) and it was in May, so we were on X-C skis. No bears in sight. Climbing to Lamarck Col from the west was a job, then skiing down the east side was sheer panic. Good trip. An old guy needs some of that. —Bob Gross—

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The only tough part for me was climbing Lamarck Col. After that it’s a snap except for climbing up to Dusy Basin from Le Conte Canyon. Never have seen a bear on my trips to this area but they are out there, usually Le Conte Canyon and between Bishop Pass and the South Lake. I plan to do it again this year…6 to 7 days; I’m older and less wiser. Have fun, Oscar

Response:

Tahoe Rim Trail? Dan — It becomes us to remember that arbitrary power has often originated in Justice and necessity. – Benjamin Rush –  1776 It is a wise maxim to avoid those things which our enemies wish us to practice. – John Weatherspoon –  1777 Let us disappoint the men who are raising themselves on the ruin of this country. – Sam Adams –  1772

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The only tough part for me was climbing Lamarck Col. After that it’s a snap except for climbing up to Dusy Basin from Le Conte Canyon. Never have seen a bear on my trips to this area but they are out there, usually Le Conte Canyon and between Bishop Pass and the South Lake. I plan to do it again this year…6 to 7 days; I’m older and less wiser. Have fun, Oscar

Response:

The only tough part for me was climbing Lamarck Col. After that it’s a snap except for climbing up to Dusy Basin from Le Conte Canyon. Never have seen a bear on my trips to this area but they are out there, usually Le Conte Canyon and between Bishop Pass and the South Lake. I plan to do it again this year…6 to 7 days; I’m older and less wiser. Have fun, Oscar

Response:

Obviously bears will be a big problem or atleast what I have experienced in the past Sierra trips.  I plan on eating atleast a mile from campsite, and stealth camping is always on my list.

I ran into a very aggressive camp bear in Dusy Basin 3 years ago.  It has since been killed (or so I heard), but any area that popular is likely to be camp bear country–and you’ll be on the John Muir Freeway for much of the trip.  btw, KCNP requires storage in bear cans in Dusy Basin, so you’ll have to have a can unless you don’t camp in Dusy. Oh yeah, will be going solo too, my dog has got to stay home.  Can’t carry her out that long if she develops a pad problem.

Can’t bring the dog anyway–NP regs prohibit it.

Response:

Hiya Folks, Looking to do North Lake to South Lake, in the Sierra’s (Bishop) via JMT and PCT, on TOPO! and Topo USA 3.0 looks to be just under 60 miles.  Tips are always welcome. Planning on early Semptember (yeah I want more snow too), would like to do late July, but am booked for another hike in Idaho, Sawtooth NF to be exact. Am planning on 12 – 15 miles a day to enjoy the scenery.  Any gotcha’s on this trail?   Does not look to heavy duty for most of the way, except a few miles. Obviously bears will be a big problem or atleast what I have experienced in the past Sierra trips.  I plan on eating atleast a mile from campsite, and stealth camping is always on my list. Am also looking to fly fish for the most part.  Have had great luck with wooly buggers in most Sierra’s, but am wondering what else works. Many thanks, Oh yeah, will be going solo too, my dog has got to stay home.  Can’t carry her out that long if she develops a pad problem. tmc

Response:

Question:

It’s Christmas time again….. Therefore, here is my Christmas greeting card for you, as you will find at the following address since posting binaries to non-binary newsgroups isn’t allowed: http://home.online.no/~stigbye/christmas_cards/rec_outdoors_fishing_f… PS.  For those who may remember my old Christmas greeting card that I      have used before on this newsgroup, just forget it! Cheers, Stig Arne Bye

Response:

It’s Christmas time again….. Therefore, here is my Christmas greeting card for you, as you will find at the following address since posting binaries to non-binary newsgroups isn’t allowed: http://home.online.no/~stigbye/christmas_cards/rec_outdoors_fishing_f… PS.  For those who may remember my old Christmas greeting card that I      have used before on this newsgroup, just forget it!

Stunning photo. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

nice card…thanks, and best of the season to you too. jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s Christmas time again….. http://home.online.no/~stigbye/christmas_cards/rec_outdoors_fishing_f…

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I saw this post and it reminded me of my dad’s "proud papa" moment.  He took me out flyfishing (he let me hold the rod anyway) when I was about three year of age.  A small Rainbow trout happened to hit the gray hackle yellow body that was being used.  And, I landed my first fish on a fly.  My dad made such a big deal out of it that I just knew that fish was a treasure to be kept.  He could not talk me into releasing it.  So, I took it home with me and much to the chagrin of my mother, dad allowed me to go to bed that night with fish in hand.  I’ve been flyfishing with my dad ever since and he’s now in his 80’s. Barry My little boy, who turned 4 on Sunday, caught his FIRST fish today!!! (ok, it was with a worm)  It was a 10" Brown trout and you’ve never seen a little boy so happy and proud in your life. Just thought I’d share a "proud papa" moment. Wes        i know it is one hell of a judgment call, but i think that the experience related in wes’s post is more important than the life of that single fish.

        somewhere in the acceptance of that concept lies the middle ground for all our discontent that flows from the c&k/c&r confrontations.         a. wayne harrison – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I saw this post and it reminded me of my dad’s "proud papa" moment.  He took me out flyfishing (he let me hold the rod anyway) when I was about three year of age.  A small Rainbow trout happened to hit the gray hackle yellow body that was being used.  And, I landed my first fish on a fly.  My dad made such a big deal out of it that I just knew that fish was a treasure to be kept.  He could not talk me into releasing it.  So, I took it home with me and much to the chagrin of my mother, dad allowed me to go to bed that night with fish in hand.  I’ve been flyfishing with my dad ever since and he’s now in his 80’s. Barry      i know it is one hell of a judgment call, but i think that the experience related in wes’s post is more important than the life of that single fish.         somewhere in the acceptance of that concept lies the middle ground for all our discontent that flows from the c&k/c&r confrontations.         a. wayne harrison

Jeeezz, Wayne, let’s not turn the great "Proud Papa" thread into another c&k/c&r debacle.  Mark Faulkner

Response:

says… My little boy, who turned 4 on Sunday, caught his FIRST fish today!!! (ok, it was with a worm)  It was a 10" Brown trout and you’ve never seen a little boy so happy and proud in your life. Just thought I’d share a "proud papa" moment. Wes

cool…

Response:

I saw this post and it reminded me of my dad’s "proud papa" moment.  He took me out flyfishing (he let me hold the rod anyway) when I was about three year of age.  A small Rainbow trout happened to hit the gray hackle yellow body that was being used.  And, I landed my first fish on a fly.  My dad made such a big deal out of it that I just knew that fish was a treasure to be kept.  He could not talk me into releasing it.  So, I took it home with me and much to the chagrin of my mother, dad allowed me to go to bed that night with fish in hand.  I’ve been flyfishing with my dad ever since and he’s now in his 80’s. Barry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My little boy, who turned 4 on Sunday, caught his FIRST fish today!!! (ok, it was with a worm)  It was a 10" Brown trout and you’ve never seen a little boy so happy and proud in your life. Just thought I’d share a "proud papa" moment. Wes

Response:

My little boy, who turned 4 on Sunday, caught his FIRST fish today!!! (ok, it was with a worm)  It was a 10" Brown trout and you’ve never seen a little boy so happy and proud in your life. Just thought I’d share a "proud papa" moment. Wes

Response:

My little boy, who turned 4 on Sunday, caught his FIRST fish today!!! (ok, it was with a worm)  It was a 10" Brown trout and you’ve never seen a little boy so happy and proud in your life. Just thought I’d share a "proud papa" moment. Wes    that’s great, wes, worm or no worm.  i just hope he didn’t release the fish and eat the bait.

        a. wayne harrison

Response:

My little boy, who turned 4 on Sunday, caught his FIRST fish today!!! (ok, it was with a worm)  It was a 10" Brown trout and you’ve never seen a little boy so happy and proud in your life. Just thought I’d share a "proud papa" moment. Wes

Congratulations, and thanks for sharing the momemnt. Mark Faulkner

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone Know of an economical method of making chum? Want to make my own ,but don’t want to spend $600 to $700 for a used Hobart type meat grinder. Anyone out there making their own? Any ideas are helpful.Thanks…. and tight lines!    Email  or post Sam, I use an old hand powered meat grinder that I picked up at an antiques auction for 25 bucks. Attach it to a 2×4 and then attach that to a fish tote. Works great… — Tight lines and sharp hooks, Capt. Mark Poirier <OOOO))’

I have made chum in the past using a hand grinder hooked to a motor using the fly wheel out of an old dryer, its big enough to make the grinder run slow. I have also used the same hand grinder hooked to a 12 volt engine started on the boat, its noisy but it works well, you can find the atachments near comm fishing docks that use shum. mine only cost about $50 by using used started and grinder. —   Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water,  a vital ingredient in beer.                             … Dave Barry   John & Donna Koterba http://www.olg.com/jkoterba

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone Know of an economical method of making chum? Want to make my own ,but don’t want to spend $600 to $700 for a used Hobart type meat grinder. Anyone out there making their own? Any ideas are helpful.Thanks…. and tight lines!    Email  or post Sam, I use an old hand powered meat grinder that I picked up at an antiques auction for 25 bucks. Attach it to a 2×4 and then attach that to a fish tote. Works great… — Tight lines and sharp hooks, Capt. Mark Poirier <OOOO))’ I have made chum in the past using a hand grinder hooked to a motor using the fly wheel out of an old dryer, its big enough to make the grinder run slow. I have also used the same hand grinder hooked to a 12 volt engine started on the boat, its noisy but it works well, you can find the atachments near comm fishing docks that use shum. mine only cost about $50 by using used started and grinder. —   Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water,  a vital ingredient in beer.                             … Dave Barry John & Donna Koterba http://www.olg.com/jkoterba

I once used a weed wacker to grind up some menhaden. We did have a sucessful trip but I would frown on the weed wacker idea from now on.

Response:

Anyone Know of an economical method of making chum? Want to make my own ,but don’t want to spend $600 to $700 for a used Hobart type meat grinder. Anyone out there making their own? Any ideas are helpful.Thanks…. and tight lines!    Email  or post

Response:

Anyone Know of an economical method of making chum? Want to make my own ,but don’t want to spend $600 to $700 for a used Hobart type meat grinder. Anyone out there making their own? Any ideas are helpful.Thanks…. and tight lines!    Email  or post

Sam, I use an old hand powered meat grinder that I picked up at an antiques auction for 25 bucks. Attach it to a 2×4 and then attach that to a fish tote. Works great… — Tight lines and sharp hooks, Capt. Mark Poirier – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -<OOOO))’

Response:

Anyone Know of an economical method of making chum? Want to make my own ,but don’t want to spend $600 to $700 for a used Hobart type meat grinder. Anyone out there making their own? Any ideas are helpful.Thanks…. and tight lines!    Email  or post

Here’s some ideas i’ve tried with success: 1. Cheapest fish favor cat food both dry or canned is ready made chum. Just dump into chum pot as is. 2. Use a blender with enough water to chop scraps, then pour into half gallon milk cartons and freeze.  To use, peal off carton and put in chum pot.  As it melts it releases. 3. Popular chum here in Hawaii is old white bread mixed with tomato sardines and water. Works for just about anything.  Mix sand into chum if you want it to sink faster. 4. Buy an inexpensive hand-crank meat grinder (plastic with stainless steel blades works best for saltwater applications).  Mount it on a plate with post (pipe) that fits a rodholder.  Attach a radiator hose to outlet of grinder (length of hose depends on the boat, diameter of hose depends on grinder).  Mount the grinder/plate in a rail rodholder and hang hose overboard.  As you grind fish scraps it will run down the hose overboard.  You can grind on demand.  Pour water into the grinder once in a while to clear grinder and hose. Chum pot easy to make.  Just get a plastic 5 gallon bucket with lid, drill ALOT of 1/4" wholes in the sides and bottom.  Tie a short length of rope to bucket handle.   Now just place some chum into bucket, put lid on and hang it over the side with rope tied to cleat of your boat. Chum leaches out of holes with the motion of the boat.                                                            Spy in Hawaii

Response:

I’ve tried several different chum methods: 1.  Learned this from a professional yellowtail snapper fisherman in the Keys – Buy a block of frozen menhaden, mix it with horse oats, water and fine white beach sand, into a slurry.  Dump it over the side a little at a time.  It makes a "cloud" in clear water that both attracts yellow tail and hides your hook (bait up a chunk of mullet or a menhaden – whatever you have, then toss it into the cloud). 2.  Canned catfood, the cheapest, stinkiest stuff you can find works well. Punch a bunch of holes in the can and hang it over the side of your boat. Or you can open a can, dump it into a bucket mixed with water and ladle it over the side. 3.  Same as above with cheap sardines. 4.  For fresh water, try hog pellets.  Here in Florida, we use ‘em to bait shiner nets.  They work fine. 5.  If you’re near the ocaen, go to a fishhouse and ask to buy their dead crabs.  smash ‘em up and ladle ‘em.  They’re terrific for redfish.

Response:

Anyone Know of an economical method of making chum? Want to make my own ,but don’t want to spend $600 to $700 for a used Hobart type meat grinder. Anyone out there making their own? Any ideas are helpful.Thanks…. and tight lines!    Email  or post

This may sound like BS but a guy told me to use an old lawn mower, you might piss off the neighbors but it might work He said he used it to for bluefish to make shark chum. You also might be able to use a leaf mulcher or wood chipper. Don’t laugh to hard at me I’m just passin it on

Response:

So far, I think this is a great line of discussion.  Does anybody mind if I use some of this as material in my articles?  Actually, some of it might be good for a comedy special on HBO.  "Lawn Mulchers for grass, grits, or chum" or something along those lines. Capt. Charlie Capt. Charlie Walker           Southern Charm Charters 813-546-7257                  http://www.flfish.com/fl

Aloha Charlie,   I almost forgot, the best chum maker of all was my younger sister, her first trip out in the ocean.  Her stomach was churning.  And Her timing was perfect.  We would be drifting and everytime she chummed with her breakfast, the fish would show and the action would get wild.  Just when the fish start drifting away, she would get up and chum some more (ralph!) and action all over again.  She ran out (of internal chum) eventually, and the fish left.  She was a real sport though.  I’ll always remember her reeling in fish while lying down.  Try as we might, we could not get her to eat anymore.  We tried not to think of the chum as we ate the fish that night.  Same thing happened with one of my Buddies on his first time out, too.  Now when I see him I say "you’re not just a friend… you’re a real chum".  We can laugh about it now.                                                 A hui hou, Spy in Hawaii

Response:

So far, I think this is a great line of discussion.  Does anybody mind if I use some of this as material in my articles?  Actually, some of it might be good for a comedy special on HBO.  "Lawn Mulchers for grass, grits, or chum" or something along those lines. Capt. Charlie Capt. Charlie Walker           Southern Charm Charters 813-546-7257                  http://www.flfish.com/fl

Response:

So far, I think this is a great line of discussion.  Does anybody mind if I use some of this as material in my articles?  Actually, some of it might be good for a comedy special on HBO.  "Lawn Mulchers for grass, grits, or chum" or something along those lines. Capt. Charlie Capt. Charlie Walker           Southern Charm Charters 813-546-7257                  http://www.flfish.com/fl

See Dan Akroyd in skit called "Bass-O-Matic" on Best of Sat. Nite Live video.  It slices, dices, and turns live bass into a wholesome and refreshing beverage.<g Mark

Response:

Anyone Know of an economical method of making chum?

Really the most economical system I ever heard of was a can of dog food. You buy a can. Use an Ice pick (everybody has one of these aboard) to punch holes in the can. Tie a line (string) around the can and through it in (tie the line to the boat stupid). I have used this for weakies and blues. Works well. Good luck. Michael W. Madden Technical Director, TekVantage The Chesapeake Bay Mariners’ Guide http://www.tekvantage.com/MarinersGuide/index.html The Far Horizons Sailing Search Engine http://www.tekvantage.com/FarHorizons/index.html Host to: The Havre de Grace Yacht Club http://www.tekvantage.com/hdgyc/index.html Host to: The Crazy Swede Restaurant and Bar http://www.tekvantage.com/crazyswede/index.html

Response:

Question:

I am curious.  I have trolled some large blue water flies for marlin, Dorado, Wahoo.  Is it best to troll the fly with the popper head on it?         The last time out I was having the best luck trolling Large white flash flies, But were trolling a lot before any hook ups.  None had poppers on them.            This time I will also have flies rigged on other rods sitting on the boat for fast casting while fish are being landed.  I saw a swarm of fish whenever we caught fish last time we were in Mexico.  It seemed to me that this was the way to go.  That way my wife or I can grab them and hopefully get some hook ups while we are stopped and fighting fish.         I am new at blue water fishing, and have only got 4 trips under my belt so far.  Any information on ways to improve my blue water experience would be greatly appreciated.           I have seen a lot of videos talking about running teasers to bring fish in.  Can anybody give me some information on putting together teasers and what to use for them, Fish Feathers Beer cans Bananas?                        Thanks for any help you may have.                               Randy Pugh

Response:

Try trolling hookless baits, and throwing the fly at any fish that come up. Strip out 50 feet of line into a bucket so you are ready for instant casts. Jeff Schaeffer

Response:

Question:

Question: while in Victoria, BC, I purchased an antique Wheatly box with about 50 wet flys (mostly Peter Ross and Montreal). Is anyone on the west coast (esp California) still using wet flys with any results or have they been wiped out by nymphs?

Response:

Question: while in Victoria, BC, I purchased an antique Wheatly box with about 50 wet flys (mostly Peter Ross and Montreal). Is anyone on the west coast (esp California) still using wet flys with any results or have they been wiped out by nymphs?

I am still using wet flies (I live in Montana).  My favorite flies are Peter Ross, Grizzly King, Silver March Brown, Soft Hackles etc.  I ususally use them when I can’t see dry flies in late evening and when fish are taking something at subsurface (I use either emerger flies or wet flies in this case).  Wet flies work very well.  Therefore, I always carry dry, nimph, and wet fly boxes in my vest. NK

Response:

Is anyone on the west coast (esp California) still using wet flys with any results or have they been wiped out by nymphs?

I tie and fish traditional winged wets and soft hackles all the time, and they still work on the Oregon coast streams.  –Roger

Response:

 Is anyone on the west coast (esp California) still using wet flys with any results or have they been wiped out by nymphs?

Hi Doug, Fish the traditional wet fly is still one of my favorite fishing methods. The only real change I’ve made over the years is my wet flies are much smaller than they used to be.  In years past my average wet fly was a #8 or #10.  Today they are mostly #14 or #16.  I think they are more deadly today than years past especially when fished over "hard pressed" fish.   These fish have seen everything ten times a day and a wet fly is something different. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

Do you fish a wet fly like a nymph? i.e. split shot 6-8" above the fly? I am new to this, have gotten pretty good at tying my own flys, and like to tie many of the wet fly patterns, but honestly don’t know how to fish them. Someone let me know please? DLowe

Response:

Dear DLowe,     The traditional way of fishing wets was to cast across and downstream and let the line and leader swing around in a large, slow arc, take a step downstream, cast again, etc covering as much water as possible.  Flies were unweighted and usually fished two or three at a time.  Twitching the flies as they swung around and/or mending to slow the swing were common additions to the technique.  This method has been declared extinct several times over the last hundred years, first by the dry fly purists of the turn of the century, more recently by nymph specialists.  It still works, it is a very relaxing and pleasant way to fish, and it is a good way for a novice to learn to read water.      I highly recommend the book Wet Flies by Dave Hughes.  –  Roger

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -(KilchsGray) writes: Dear DLowe,    The traditional way of fishing wets was to cast across and downstream and let the line and leader swing around in a large, slow arc, take a step downstream, cast again, etc covering as much water as possible.  Flies were unweighted and usually fished two or three at a time.  Twitching the flies as they swung around and/or mending to slow the swing were common additions to the technique.  This method has been declared extinct several times over the last hundred years, first by the dry fly purists of the turn of the century, more recently by nymph specialists.  It still works, it is a very relaxing and pleasant way to fish, and it is a good way for a novice to learn to read water.     I highly recommend the book Wet Flies by Dave Hughes. —  Roger

Ditto on the Dave Hughes book. Dave just did a presentation to our club on wet flies. Don Burns

Response:

Question:

                            FLY FISHING BOOKS                                  FOR THE                                 SPORTSMAN * The American Sportsman Treasury, ‘71, by Knopf.  A collection of Fly Fishing and Hunting stories, with terrific art work and photos.  Chapters on fly fishing for Brown and Rainbow Trout, fly patterns that produce results, bamboo fly rods; and hunting white tail deer, woodcock, water foul, mountain sheep, grouse, etc. All written by famous authors, eg. Charles F. Waterman, Lee Wulff, Leonard M. Wright, Roderick Haig-Brown, William G. Sheldon and many others. An excellent book for the all around sportsman, and a way to reflect on the sporting heritage. * The Treasury of Angling, ‘63 by Koller.  A comprehensive history of angling, and the birth and growth of fly fishing. Chapters on angling in antiquity, early american angling, tackle, flies, entomology, Salmon, Trout, Bass, and other fresh water fish.  Terrific photos and art work.  Learn about the history of fly fishing and game fish, and gain a full sporting knowledge of the art of fly fishing. E-mail me if interested in these books, and I will e-mail cost info. JWTrout/2/11/96

Response:

I’m interested. Thanks, Wayne Lance

Response:

Question:

I’m thinking about trying to make solid bodied baits, like crankbaits, poppers, etc or maybe a rod or two  for something to do during the winter. Can anyone recommend a book on the subjects? I’ve looked around the bookstores and library, but haven’t found anything. If anybody has any exprerience in it, I’d like to know how big of a project it is.  Any leads to sources of materials would also be appreciated. Maybe I could wire a dremmel tool to my extra serial port and do CAD/CAM <g (Yea, right) Anyway, any ideas are appreciated. catch u later, John

Response:

Cant help you there!

Response:

Boyd Pfeiffer has a nice book TACKLE CRAFTS.  We’ve a good fly tie book in our magazine, and should have articles on rod rolling and lure making.  If we don’t now, and I’ll look, I’ll make sure we get them soon. — ** Louis Bignami, Publisher         http://www.finefishing.com Fine Fishing Internet Magazine                "largest fishing mag on the Net" **

Response:

 You might want to give Jann’s a yell, they will send you a catalog full of items like you are after, (No, no M-Baits , but most  Good luck, —     **** Mike Muncy’s ****           "M-Baits"  "Handcrafted Cedar Crankbaits"     **** M-Baits Web Page **** http://www.fishingworld.com/M-Baits/

Response:

As an alternative winter activity to tying flies, I occasionally whittle on cork to fashion largish poppers for bass. I use wine corks that I’ve pulled with a special opener (it has metal or bamboo slats that slide between the cork and bottle neck) so they lack a hole down the middle. After fashioning a body, be it slider or noise maker, I epoxy in an appropriate sized hook rigged normal or keel style. Paint the body something outlandish and tie in a few feathers and it’s ready to go. Make sure you use a hefty rod with these babies since they have *a lot* of air resistance. Haven’t caught an ear yet, though 8). Ron

Response:

Question:

Would someone mind sending me or posting their recipe for Dave’s red fox squirrel nymph.  A few freinds of mine are having a lively discussion on the true pattern. Thanks — gp

Response:

Why rely on second-hand responses when you can go right to the source?   Go to http://www.flyfield.com on the web to the Fly and Field fly tying site.  The Red Fox Squirrel Nymph is this month’s featured pattern from Dave Whitlock.

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writes: Would someone mind sending me or posting their recipe for Dave’s red fox squirrel nymph.  A few freinds of mine are having a lively discussion on the true pattern. Thanks — gp

Taken from "Masters On the Nymph", edited by Migel & Wright, 1979 Lyons & Burford Pub. Dave’s Red Fox Squirrel Nymph – taken verbatim from Dave Whitlock, p.135. Hook:           Mustad 9671, sizes 4-18 Body Weight:    6 to 10 wraps lead at thorax Thread:         Black Tail:           Sparse tuft of red-fox squirrel back hair, including                   both guard and underfur 1/2 length of hook shank Rib:            Small oval tinsel Abdomen:        Red-fox squirrel belly fur Thorax:         Red-fox squirrel back fur (with guard and underfur                     included) Wingcase:       Dark brown swiss straw or turkey tail Legs:           Either guard hairs of red-fox squirrel back or one turn                 of dark partridge hackle     The commercial version of this fly is typically tied with partridge hackle, synthetic dubbing and no wingcase – without a bit of red-fox squirrel in the entire fly! Good Tying,             Alan Barnard                         Kiene’s Fly Shop                         Sacramento, Ca.

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Would someone mind sending me or posting their recipe for Dave’s red fox squirrel nymph.  A few freinds of mine are having a lively discussion on the true pattern.

I’ve kept a copy of the original 5 page Dave Whitlock article from a "Fly Fisherman" magazine of many years ago, so here’s a word-for-word recital of same. Dave doth spake unto us, and he said: "Dave Whitlock’s *Standard* Red Fox Squirrel-Hair Nymph Hook:    Mustad 9671 or Tiemco Nymph Hook, #2 to #18 Thread:  Black or dark brown nylon Cement:  Dave’s Flexament [of course! ;^)] Weight:  Lead or copper wire Abdomen: Belly fur from red fox squirrel skin, may be blended with synthetic            sparkle dubbing. Abdomen should be 1/2 to 2/3 of overall body length. Thorax:  Back fur from red fox squirrel skin, may be blended with synthetic            sparkle dubbing. Thorax should be 1/2 to 1/3 of overall body length. Rib:     Gold wire or oval tinsel Tail:    Small tuft of back fur from red fox squirrel skin. Tail is          approximately 1/2 of hook shank length. Note: Squirrel tail hair is completely unsatisfactory for this nymph’s body or tail! Hair from the animal’s body, not the tail, must be used. That is why [he insists] on calling it the Red Fox Squirrel-Hair Nymph. Many tyers have confused this nymph with one of the many squirrel-tail patterns." If the argument is about the dubbing mix, Dave suggested the following: Thorax blend: Cut or shave the back hair off the skin and mix thoroughly in a small coffee-grinder-type blender. Cut yarn or synthetic dubbing into 3/8 to 1/2 inch lengths. Place the synthetic in the blender and mix it thoroughly. Now take a proper 70/30 portion of fur and synthetic and blend those together. Abdomen blend: Cut or shave the belly hair off the skin and repeat the procedure outlined above, except for the belly fur synthetic color and the 60:40 fur to synthetic ratio. Notes: – no wing case is necessary. – nymph should be tied "in the round". – thorax should be enlarged compared to the abdomen and losely wound so the     guard-hair tips will radiate to simulate legs, wing cases, antenna, and       gills in a fuzzy "halo" (fwiw: I use a small strip of the Velcro "hook"       material glued to a popsicle stick to tease the thorax on this and similar     hair nymphs). – tail has 4 or 5 guard hairs and a small bunch of underfur. Try to leave only   the tan base exposed (tie down and dub over the gray base hair). – Antron sparkle yarn is great for the synthetic part of the dubbing mixes.     I use their Amber Stone for the belly (abdomen) mix, and a mixture of Black,   Gray, and Brown for the back (thorax) mix. Hope this settles the argument! Cheers! /dave <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< < Digital Equipment Corp.    Alpha Server Engineering  < <         "Read this and nobody gets hurt ;^)"         < <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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Would someone mind sending me or posting their recipe for Dave’s red fox squirrel nymph.  A few freinds of mine are having a lively discussion on the true pattern. Thanks

Try the Fly and Field web site http://www.flyfield.com/ Last time I looked there were detailed tying instructions and photographs. Simon Simon Lusk Fly Fishing New Zealand on the WWW http://www-aghort.massey.ac.nz/flyfish/intro Department of Consumer Technology Massey University Palmerston North New Zealand

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Question:

Did anyone catch a Namaycush on a fly (wet or dry)?

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: Did anyone catch a Namaycush on a fly (wet or dry)? I fish lake trout quite frequently on the fly, in the spring, just after ice-out.  I normally throw a sink-tip or sinking line.  If the laker population is largely piscivorous (fish-eating), I start near an inflowing stream where they’ll probably be gorging on baitfish in fairly shallow water.  In Switzerland, I expect bream and perch are likely forage.  In these conditions, I’ll go with some kind of a flashy streamer.  With planktivorous lake trout populations (those feeding mainly on invertebrates), some kind of an emerger pattern, matching the activity you see in the water, is usually a good bet.  I’ve never caught a _really_ big one like this, but I can assure you that a 4 kg fish on a 4 weight rod is certainly a memorable experience! In my area, flies are pretty much out of contention by mid-June, unless you’re fishing a really smal, spring-fed lake, wherein you might be able to use a fast-sinking line and get them all summer long!  Oh joy; oh bliss! Hope this helps.  Tchuss! —                                 | Dave Fluri                      |       "No me agaro ya de nada, para North Bay, Ontario, Canada      |        asi no tener nada que defender."                                 |               -Carlos Castaneda                                 |

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