Question:

WHY FISHING IS BETTER THAN SEX A big, juicy worm always gets a fish excited. You don’t have to eat a fish while it’s still flopping around. You can take a leak in the bush anytime you want. Stroking your rod won’t piss off a trout. Sipping a beer and scratching your balls is all the foreplay expected of you. Anything you stick in a fish’s face, it eats. A fish will never gag, choke, or come up for air. A red snapper won’t cry if you call it a flounder. You wear rubbers on your feet, not on your dick. If you want a bigger pole, you can have a bigger pole. A smart fish knows when to keep it’s mouth shut. It’s okay to cook a fish to make it taste good. Fish bite for a guy of 60; same as they do for a guy of 20. You’re never called a jerk when you throw back an ugly fish. Fish are real happy when you pick up your gear and go home.

Response:

WHY FISHING IS BETTER THAN SEX Anything you stick in a fish’s face, it eats.

Anyone who could say this has clearly never been fly fishing for trout hugs, elle — "The antidote to hatred in the heart, the source of violence, is tolerance." -The Dalai Lama

Response:

WHY FISHING IS BETTER THAN SEX A big, juicy worm always gets a fish excited. You don’t have to eat a fish while it’s still flopping around. You can take a leak in the bush anytime you want. Stroking your rod won’t piss off a trout. Sipping a beer and scratching your balls is all the foreplay expected of you. Anything you stick in a fish’s face, it eats. A fish will never gag, choke, or come up for air. A red snapper won’t cry if you call it a flounder. You wear rubbers on your feet, not on your dick. If you want a bigger pole, you can have a bigger pole. A smart fish knows when to keep it’s mouth shut. It’s okay to cook a fish to make it taste good. Fish bite for a guy of 60; same as they do for a guy of 20. You’re never called a jerk when you throw back an ugly fish. Fish are real happy when you pick up your gear and go home.

Response:

WHY FISHING IS BETTER THAN SEX Anything you stick in a fish’s face, it eats.

Anyone who could say this has clearly never been fly fishing for trout hugs, elle — "The antidote to hatred in the heart, the source of violence, is tolerance." -The Dalai Lama

Response:

Question:

Hi Pierre: The pattern I like to use is one of my own. It is called a Mountain Midge, and the recipe is found at http://www.telusplanet.net/public/cnangler/html/fom11.htm It really is an excellent fly. Vic Bergman has demonstrated it at a few tying demonstrations, and it works very well when fished subsurface about 18 or 24" below a yarn indicator or dry fly indicator. Other midge pattens I use are the Griffith’s Gnat for dries.  I also use a pupal emerger pattern that sits in the water film (but I forget its name) and I also like the Palomino Midge. We recently posted another midge pattern called the Johnson Midge that I have had tremndouse success with. It can be seen at http://www.telusplanet.net/public/cnangler/html/fom44.htm I used to have a really hard time fishing with tiny midges. I learned how to tie on a very light yarn indicator to the tippet using a couple of loops in the tippet, and this has helped a lot. The yarn, and it doesn’t take a lot, really helps detect strikes, and it lands and sits on the water without disturbing the fish. By the way, the URLs I am posting are from our web site on fly fishing southwestern Alberta. We have a number of fly patterns posted for our area. Also, feel free to drop me an email next time you come to the Crow. I live in Lethbridge, and could meet you out there. I prefer to fish during the middle of the week this time of year, as there are generally fewer people. There isn’t a lot of open water in the area, and it can get crowded on weekends. Tim Lysyk

Hi Tim.     I dont know if I am broaching etiquette here..but as a newbie flytyer and ff’er could you pass on the type of midge that you tied?? I have seen some on the Bow here in Calgary but for the life of me only the Griffiths Gnat

comes

Response:

Sorry Pierre, a few days after that post, I did some major rework of our page. Try going to http://www.telusplanet.net/public/cnangler/html/flyfile.htm The Mountain Midge is listed in the link for September 1996-August 1997. The Johnson Midge is listed in the link for September 1999-August 2000.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for the info Tim will do that however my server cannot access what you sent me. I have heard of the Palomino midge and have had some success with it. I will try again. Thanks and will let ya know if I am ever in the neighborhood Pierre Hi Pierre: The pattern I like to use is one of my own. It is called a Mountain Midge, and the recipe is found at http://www.telusplanet.net/public/cnangler/html/fom11.htm It really is an excellent fly. Vic Bergman has demonstrated it at a few tying demonstrations, and it works very well when fished subsurface about 18 or 24" below a yarn indicator or dry fly indicator. Other midge pattens I use are the Griffith’s Gnat for dries.  I also use a pupal emerger pattern that sits in the water film (but I forget its name) and I also like the Palomino Midge. We recently posted another midge pattern called the Johnson Midge that I have had tremndouse success with. It can be seen at http://www.telusplanet.net/public/cnangler/html/fom44.htm I used to have a really hard time fishing with tiny midges. I learned how to tie on a very light yarn indicator to the tippet using a couple of loops in the tippet, and this has helped a lot. The yarn, and it doesn’t take a lot, really helps detect strikes, and it lands and sits on the water without disturbing the fish. By the way, the URLs I am posting are from our web site on fly fishing southwestern Alberta. We have a number of fly patterns posted for our area. Also, feel free to drop me an email next time you come to the Crow. I live in Lethbridge, and could meet you out there. I prefer to fish during the middle of the week this time of year, as there are generally fewer people. There isn’t a lot of open water in the area, and it can get crowded on weekends. Tim Lysyk Hi Tim.     I dont know if I am broaching etiquette here..but as a newbie flytyer and ff’er could you pass on the type of midge that you tied?? I have seen some on the Bow here in Calgary but for the life of me only the Griffiths Gnat comes

Response:

Thanks for the info Tim will do that however my server cannot access what you sent me. I have heard of the Palomino midge and have had some success with it. I will try again. Thanks and will let ya know if I am ever in the neighborhood Pierre – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Pierre: The pattern I like to use is one of my own. It is called a Mountain Midge, and the recipe is found at http://www.telusplanet.net/public/cnangler/html/fom11.htm It really is an excellent fly. Vic Bergman has demonstrated it at a few tying demonstrations, and it works very well when fished subsurface about 18 or 24" below a yarn indicator or dry fly indicator. Other midge pattens I use are the Griffith’s Gnat for dries.  I also use a pupal emerger pattern that sits in the water film (but I forget its name) and I also like the Palomino Midge. We recently posted another midge pattern called the Johnson Midge that I have had tremndouse success with. It can be seen at http://www.telusplanet.net/public/cnangler/html/fom44.htm I used to have a really hard time fishing with tiny midges. I learned how to tie on a very light yarn indicator to the tippet using a couple of loops in the tippet, and this has helped a lot. The yarn, and it doesn’t take a lot, really helps detect strikes, and it lands and sits on the water without disturbing the fish. By the way, the URLs I am posting are from our web site on fly fishing southwestern Alberta. We have a number of fly patterns posted for our area. Also, feel free to drop me an email next time you come to the Crow. I live in Lethbridge, and could meet you out there. I prefer to fish during the middle of the week this time of year, as there are generally fewer people. There isn’t a lot of open water in the area, and it can get crowded on weekends. Tim Lysyk Hi Tim.     I dont know if I am broaching etiquette here..but as a newbie flytyer and ff’er could you pass on the type of midge that you tied?? I have seen some on the Bow here in Calgary but for the life of me only the Griffiths Gnat comes

Response:

I’ve hard a hard time getting out lately. I’ve either been too busy at work, or the weather has been crappy. Also, I teach a University course on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I can’t go either of those days. This past week the weather had been pretty good, so I was planning to go Wednesday, but snow came. So we changed the trip to Friday. Snow came Thursday night. We had pretty much had it by then, and said the hell with it, let’s go anyway. Friday turned out to be a pretty nice after all. We made the drive out out early. The Crowsnest is the one of two rivers opent this time of the year in my area. It is one of my favorite streams, so that is where we went. Stopped in at the local fly shop for coffee, some BS, and, oh yeah…had to buy new licences. We finally made it out to the water, and it seemed to be getting a little busy. One guy as upstream ahead of us. We start to fish at a pool to let him move upstream. Upstream guy’s buddy comes out of the woods behind us, and crashes through the bush ahead of us to join his pal. A little later, two other guys and theri dogs show up right behind us. Upstream guy and his buddy keep coming back downstream, then upstream.  This is getting on my nerves, and no one is catching anything, so we move farther upstream to some secluded pools I know. On the way there, we pass another couple of guys working their way downstream. They haven’t caught anything, so we keep going upstream to the pools I like. We fish there for a few minutes, when the the guys who were moving downstream come moving back upstream again. Fortunately, they keep going right past us, and they are the last people we see for the rest of the day. I fish a few pools and move upstream, and start to notice some midges in the air, so I move back downstream to where my fishing buddy is. He has seen some trout rises. I see a few too…but they are the ‘tail fin in the air" rises. You know these rises, they are the fish equivalent of giving you the finger because the fish are really hard to catch when they are doing this. However, I know the secret. It is called a Mountain Midge (my own pattern) tied about 18 – 24 below a yarn indicator. I let one drift downstream into the pool, and bingo…rainbow on. Nice fish. About 16", olive, with nice red sides. I catch a couple more, then I decide to get out of my friend’s way. I move upstream to a riffle and hook and land fish regularly. We take turns fishing the main pool and the riffle, and do pretty well. My friend hasn’t been fishing a lot the past number of years, and he keeps hooking fish, but can’t seem to land them. Fortunately, he doesn’t seem to really care. The weather actually had turned out pretty good, high of about 15 C, but quite windy. I have sunburned my lower arms, from below my elbow down. The sunburn stops where my sleeve was rolled up. I kind of look like a Canadian flag,  two red borders with a white middle. Anyway, we fish until about 4:30 then decide to call it a day. Most of the downstream traffic is long gone. Howver, the guys with dogs are there, and the dogs run up to greet us on the road. Friendly animals, but one of them was the ugliest thing I ever saw. We go back to the shop so my friend can pick up some materials to tie the midge patterns. The drive home was uneventful, but pleasant. All in all, a nice day. I may have to go again in the middle of next week. My classes are over this Tuesday, so this frees up my schedule somewhat. Tim Lysyk

Response:

Hi Tim.     I dont know if I am broaching etiquette here..but as a newbie flytyer and ff’er could you pass on the type of midge that you tied?? I have seen some on the Bow here in Calgary but for the life of me only the Griffiths Gnat comes close and I am afraid that I dont have the technique yet. I would appreciate any help you can give me. By the way I caught a nice 16 inch on a little brown last weekend on the Crow as well.. you are so right when you say it is nice there.. I want to try and explore the river near kanaskis as well this summer Pierre – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve hard a hard time getting out lately. I’ve either been too busy at work, or the weather has been crappy. Also, I teach a University course on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I can’t go either of those days. This past week the weather had been pretty good, so I was planning to go Wednesday, but snow came. So we changed the trip to Friday. Snow came Thursday night. We had pretty much had it by then, and said the hell with it, let’s go anyway. Friday turned out to be a pretty nice after all. We made the drive out out early. The Crowsnest is the one of two rivers opent this time of the year in my area. It is one of my favorite streams, so that is where we went. Stopped in at the local fly shop for coffee, some BS, and, oh yeah…had to buy new licences. We finally made it out to the water, and it seemed to be getting a little busy. One guy as upstream ahead of us. We start to fish at a pool to let him move upstream. Upstream guy’s buddy comes out of the woods behind us, and crashes through the bush ahead of us to join his pal. A little later, two other guys and theri dogs show up right behind us. Upstream guy and his buddy keep coming back downstream, then upstream.  This is getting on my nerves, and no one is catching anything, so we move farther upstream to some secluded pools I know. On the way there, we pass another couple of guys working their way downstream. They haven’t caught anything, so we keep going upstream to the pools I like. We fish there for a few minutes, when the the guys who were moving downstream come moving back upstream again. Fortunately, they keep going right past us, and they are the last people we see for the rest of the day. I fish a few pools and move upstream, and start to notice some midges in the air, so I move back downstream to where my fishing buddy is. He has seen some trout rises. I see a few too…but they are the ‘tail fin in the air" rises. You know these rises, they are the fish equivalent of giving you the finger because the fish are really hard to catch when they are doing this. However, I know the secret. It is called a Mountain Midge (my own pattern) tied about 18 – 24 below a yarn indicator. I let one drift downstream into the pool, and bingo…rainbow on. Nice fish. About 16", olive, with nice red sides. I catch a couple more, then I decide to get out of my friend’s way. I move upstream to a riffle and hook and land fish regularly. We take turns fishing the main pool and the riffle, and do pretty well. My friend hasn’t been fishing a lot the past number of years, and he keeps hooking fish, but can’t seem to land them. Fortunately, he doesn’t seem to really care. The weather actually had turned out pretty good, high of about 15 C, but quite windy. I have sunburned my lower arms, from below my elbow down. The sunburn stops where my sleeve was rolled up. I kind of look like a Canadian flag,  two red borders with a white middle. Anyway, we fish until about 4:30 then decide to call it a day. Most of the downstream traffic is long gone. Howver, the guys with dogs are there, and the dogs run up to greet us on the road. Friendly animals, but one of them was the ugliest thing I ever saw. We go back to the shop so my friend can pick up some materials to tie the midge patterns. The drive home was uneventful, but pleasant. All in all, a nice day. I may have to go again in the middle of next week. My classes are over this Tuesday, so this frees up my schedule somewhat. Tim Lysyk

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi everyone,    I just received in the mail the chance to order Lefty’s Little Library of Fly Fishing.  Has anyone seen these books?  Or read them?  I am very interested in hearing your opinion.  I think I am going to order them but still wanted some ROFF thoughts.  Thanks. J. Koop McMinnville, OR.   </PRE</HTML

I’ve got the whole library. I’ve read them all. Most are pretty good. Some are very good. Some are so-so. I think it’s worth the price. They are easy to buy one book at a time. Good Luck! Joel Axelrad

Response:

Ditto                     Frank Reid – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve got the whole library. I’ve read them all. Most are pretty good. Some are very good. Some are so-so. I think it’s worth the price. They are easy to buy one book at a time. Good Luck! Joel Axelrad

Response:

I sent the bone fishing book back ’cause I figured if this old body gets down there it will be some one spreading my ashes on the water.  Got all the rest though and some pretty good words of wisdom.  I really love the tips and tricks book.                                     Frank Reid

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ditto                     Frank Reid I’ve got the whole library. I’ve read them all. Most are pretty good. Some are very good. Some are so-so. I think it’s worth the price. They are easy to buy one book at a time. Good Luck! Joel Axelrad

Response:

I’m a stream and lake trout fisher.  I purchased and kept the first 10 or so books and then cancelled the subscription because I noticed the books were changing to fishing styles I don’t need. As for reading the books, I’m saving that for retirement.  I’ve got the collection on the book shelf of my retirement home that I hope to occupy full time in about 4 years. Bob

Response:

Hi everyone,         I just received in the mail the chance to order Lefty’s Little Library of Fly Fishing.  Has anyone seen these books?  Or read them?  I am very interested in hearing your opinion.  I think I am going to order them but still wanted  some ROFF thoughts.  Thanks. J. Koop McMinnville, OR.  

Response:

Question:

Hi all I have an unexpected opportunity to take a two week vacation in Alaska during the last half of June.  This trip was not planned so I have not done my usual home work. I am looking for recommendations on places to visit, unique places to eat, must see places or things to do and recommended places to camp. I would like to confine my vacation to an area of about 300 mi. radius around Anchorage.

300 Miles?  That’s a LOT of territory, and you would be hard-pressed to see it all in two weeks, unless you have access to a helicopter and unlimited fuel. Let’s see…. In Anchorage itself, you’ll want to try to get up to Elmendorf AFB to the museum there — if it’s still there.  It’s small, but it’s interesting.   There should also be a muesum out at the University campus. Do you enjoy walking?  Take a stroll down 4th Avenue.  Lots of shops to visit. I just started paging through my copy of The Milepost (information on everything and everywhere in Alaska) and saw about 30 or so pages of stuff about Anchorage itself, much less the stuff for 300 miles around.  Check with your local bookstore and order a copy.  Be sure to take it with you! — — //Steve// Steve Silverwood, KB6OJS Home Page: http://home1.gte.net/kb6ojs AOL IM:    "MSF Steve"

Response:

Also just to let you know there is a marathon in Anchorage on June 19 — should be lots of people there from All over. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all I have an unexpected opportunity to take a two week vacation in Alaska during the last half of June.  This trip was not planned so I have not done my usual home work. I am looking for recommendations on places to visit, unique places to eat, must see places or things to do and recommended places to camp. I would like to confine my vacation to an area of about 300 mi. radius around Anchorage. 300 Miles?  That’s a LOT of territory, and you would be hard-pressed to see it all in two weeks, unless you have access to a helicopter and unlimited fuel. Let’s see…. In Anchorage itself, you’ll want to try to get up to Elmendorf AFB to the museum there — if it’s still there.  It’s small, but it’s interesting. There should also be a muesum out at the University campus. Do you enjoy walking?  Take a stroll down 4th Avenue.  Lots of shops to visit. I just started paging through my copy of The Milepost (information on everything and everywhere in Alaska) and saw about 30 or so pages of stuff about Anchorage itself, much less the stuff for 300 miles around.  Check with your local bookstore and order a copy.  Be sure to take it with you! — — //Steve// Steve Silverwood, KB6OJS Home Page: http://home1.gte.net/kb6ojs AOL IM:    "MSF Steve"

Response:

Alaska has many state parks with reasonable rates ($8-15) per night – but don’t expect to have water and elec at the site – just woods, water and wildlife!  There are RV parks – you know the kind that resemble the parking lots at Sea World type of places and charge plenty!  I lived in Anchorage for most of 5 years and some in Valdez and still bought a Milepost to travel and sightsee (1-800-726-4707) If I knew more info, maybe I could help more. Are you camping with a self sufficient RV? Are you renting locally? Are you interested in native culture? Do you want to hunt and fish unguided? Are you "into" shopping? for what type of items? How physically active are you? DO NOT FEED THE WILDLIFE!!! I think the Milepost is the most comprehensive guide for Alaska and recommend that you get one in advance and let it help with your itinerary. Be prepared for mucho tourist traffic and tall tales by the local folks… Barbara "The herd may graze where it pleases, but she who lives the adventurous life will remain unafraid when she finds herself alone." (slightly modified)

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all I have an unexpected opportunity to take a two week vacation in Alaska during the last half of June.  This trip was not planned so I have not done my usual home work. I am looking for recommendations on places to visit, unique places to eat, must see places or things to do and recommended places to camp. I would like to confine my vacation to an area of about 300 mi. radius around Anchorage. Mac

A couple of years ago we did an exploratory trip to Alaska.  We flew into Anchorage, rented a car and drove down to Seward where you can go ocean fishing or take sightseeing boats to the Kenai (take the one that goes the farthest). Then we drove up to Denali.  Took the evening bus trip into the park.  I do not know if we were just lucky, but saw tons of moose, bear, and other wildlife.  (Same on ocean cruise to Kenai Fjords: 3 kinds of whale, tons of birds, and sea life sunning on the rocks.  Had been on two ocean cruises off Maine and never saw a whale or a puffin.  My wife was ecstatic!) Did a circuit around Fairbanks and Tok.  Lots of miles.  Some sites. Liked the gold stuff around Fairbanks, but the Independence Mine between Willow and Wasilla is great too.  Great site seeing on the road east from Palmer, as well as south from Anchorage.  The gold panning in Fairbanks is nice.  Not sure I would recommend the riverboat in Fairbanks tho, too touristy. Drove and stayed at B & B’s.  Could have rented a motorhome for the same price.  Either way, you definitely need reservations in Seward and Denali.  Most of the other places, you should be able to find facilities when you drive in. Enjoy. jb —Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.—

Response:

Hi all I have an unexpected opportunity to take a two week vacation in Alaska during the last half of June.  This trip was not planned so I have not done my usual home work. I am looking for recommendations on places to visit, unique places to eat, must see places or things to do and recommended places to camp. I would like to confine my vacation to an area of about 300 mi. radius around Anchorage. Mac

Response:

You’ve "lucked" into one of the very best times to visit our area, although one of the busiest times too!  I live here so haven’t "camped" much.  It’s so hard to recommend anything without knowing more about you.  How adventurous are you?  There is some very wild river rafting on Six Mile Creek into Hope, rock climbing in the Chugach mountains, etc.  Flightseeing trips that circle Denali or that fly over the glaciers are great.  The Kenai Fjords out of Seward offer a big boat tour, sailing charters, or kayaking. I like to visit Exit Glacier when I go to Seward (not too far off the road and a short, easy trail to the glacier face or an arduous trail to the snow fields above the glacier).  Like to fish, try Homer or Ninilchik fishing charters both a different experience.  The Kenai river offers a chance at some Kings (very LARGE ones) or you can charter a rainbow trout float trip on the upper river (one of my favorites).  I like the Double Musky in Girdwood for unique dining, The White Spot in downtown Anchorage for a good "greasy burger".  Summit Lodge halfway between Anchorage and Soldotna is a good place to stretch your legs and fill your tummy.  They have good pies too.  Sorry, to run on here, reserve a rental car early as they can disappear fast in June, enjoy. Sharon   I have an unexpected opportunity to take a two week vacation in Alaska   I am looking for recommendations on places to visit, unique places to eat, must see places or things to do and recommended places to camp. I would like to confine my vacation to an area of about 300 mi. radius around

Anchorage.

Response:

Question:

Got a good fishin’ buddy (my brother-in-law) that is looking for a spare spool for an old F.W. Young & Sons Ltd. model #1535 fly reel.  Dunno where he got it, but we wondered if anybody out there can help us locate a spool for it.  We both suspect it was made in the U.K.  Thanks a lot for any info available!  -Bill-

Response:

FW Young & Sons Ltd. are made in Redditch England. Great reel by the way, still popular here in Norway. I have used the #1540 for Atlantic Salmon fishing for years, never failed. FF-shops here sell them. About $50 for a #1535 a spare spool. Probably cheaper in the US. O.N Norway – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Got a good fishin’ buddy (my brother-in-law) that is looking for a spare spool for an old F.W. Young & Sons Ltd. model #1535 fly reel.  Dunno where he got it, but we wondered if anybody out there can help us locate a spool for it.  We both suspect it was made in the U.K.  Thanks a lot for any info available!  -Bill-

Response:

Question:

I hate to burst anyones bubble, but yuppification is passe, out, history. The term is now about as happening as preppies. The real trend in flyfishing, as in life and especially music, is alternative. While we obsess about the coming invasion of Eddie Bauer Explorers to our secret spots our sport is slowly being infiltrated and destroyed by the angst generation.         It happened quietly, on streams most flyfishers would never frequent, but that’s just the thing with alternative. Bored with their pierced noses and pawn shop Sears guitars these lost souls now prowl the carp fisheries of the world dressed in oversized waders they wear backwards, torn flannel shirts and stocking caps. Kicking aside old shopping carts they cast their alternative flies to the bottom feeders of the piscatorial world because they see it as a projection of their own bleak so called life. One of the pioneers in alternative flyfishing is known as "Mr. Black". His anti-innovation sets the pace for the movement. Mr. Black has modified many of Joe Brooks’ Blonde patterns for use by his followers, coming up with such patterns as Suicide Blonde, Throat Slashed Blonde, No Reason To Even Bother Blonde and Black Blonde (a Dennis Rodman tribute fly). "Yeah, I cast them out on this old Philipson parabolic glass rod I found at the dump, sometimes I catch a fish. I guess the ultimate would be to snag a carp, pierce it’s anal fin, then slash my wrists" he told me when I met him in the outflow of a local tannery.         Much of what the alternative flyfishers indulge in; casting without rhythm, using 10 weight lines on 4 weight rods, using butt sections lighter than the tippet, doesn’t really bother anyone, but the practice of piercing may become an issue. The Charles River in Boston is rumored to have a huge population of carp boasting pentangle studs in ther anal fins. There is much concern that these impromtu piercings will result in infections that will endanger other populations. Mr. Black doesn’t see this as a big problem, however, "Well like everything is pretty much doomed anyways so at least the carp get to feel pretty while descending into the inevitable depths of hell." Thus far the alternative flyfishers have ignored such species as trout, salmon, etc., but it’s only a matter of time before we start pulling in fish wearing earrings. When this happens we’ll see the yuppies as ‘the good old days’. Be afraid, be very afraid.                                                                 jc

Response:

Frikken Preppies, ruinin’ flyfishin… TimW – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I hate to burst anyones bubble, but yuppification is passe, out, history. The term is now about as happening as preppies. The real trend in flyfishing, as in life and especially music, is alternative. While we obsess about the coming invasion of Eddie Bauer Explorers to our secret spots our sport is slowly being infiltrated and destroyed by the angst generation.         It happened quietly, on streams most flyfishers would never frequent, but that’s just the thing with alternative. Bored with their pierced noses and pawn shop Sears guitars these lost souls now prowl the carp fisheries of the world dressed in oversized waders they wear backwards, torn flannel shirts and stocking caps. Kicking aside old shopping carts they cast their alternative flies to the bottom feeders of the piscatorial world because they see it as a projection of their own bleak so called life. One of the pioneers in alternative flyfishing is known as "Mr. Black". His anti-innovation sets the pace for the movement. Mr. Black has modified many of Joe Brooks’ Blonde patterns for use by his followers, coming up with such patterns as Suicide Blonde, Throat Slashed Blonde, No Reason To Even Bother Blonde and Black Blonde (a Dennis Rodman tribute fly). "Yeah, I cast them out on this old Philipson parabolic glass rod I found at the dump, sometimes I catch a fish. I guess the ultimate would be to snag a carp, pierce it’s anal fin, then slash my wrists" he told me when I met him in the outflow of a local tannery.         Much of what the alternative flyfishers indulge in; casting without rhythm, using 10 weight lines on 4 weight rods, using butt sections lighter than the tippet, doesn’t really bother anyone, but the practice of piercing may become an issue. The Charles River in Boston is rumored to have a huge population of carp boasting pentangle studs in ther anal fins. There is much concern that these impromtu piercings will result in infections that will endanger other populations. Mr. Black doesn’t see this as a big problem, however, "Well like everything is pretty much doomed anyways so at least the carp get to feel pretty while descending into the inevitable depths of hell." Thus far the alternative flyfishers have ignored such species as trout, salmon, etc., but it’s only a matter of time before we start pulling in fish wearing earrings. When this happens we’ll see the yuppies as ‘the good old days’. Be afraid, be very afraid.                                                                 jc

– TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

I hate to burst anyones bubble, but yuppification is passe, out, history. The term is now about as happening as preppies. The real trend in flyfishing, as in life and especially music, is alternative. While we obsess about the coming invasion of Eddie Bauer Explorers to our secret spots our sport is slowly being infiltrated and destroyed by the angst generation….

Busted! Ya nailed us, dude! "Get the hell out of my drift, you BOOMER sonofabitch, or I’ll send Trent Reznor to your house to collect your pets!" Piercing carp….I’ll be laughing about that for days. Maybe now that style is a factor, I won’t bother getting the guides replaced on my old Simpsons-Sears fibreglass POLE after all… As a proud member of Generation X (Douglas Coupland’s definition — he’s 36 now), I salute you Mr. Cloyd for accurately identifying the next big fishing demographic! — K.G. (Kat) Cruickshank, Slacker. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Response:

more snip Not to worry about the GenXers.  They aren’t going to have time to fish or the money to do it.  They are all going to be too busy scrambling to keep their jobs at McDonalds and Burger Chef.  Yuppie as a "hip" term in popular culture may be passe’, but their sure as hell are a lot of ‘em showing up at my favorite fishing holes these days.  I prefer the GenXers, earrings or no.   — Indy http://realindy.com

I almost never see "yuppies" fishing, and wonder how one identifies them in the field. A "Field Guide to Yuppies" thereya go. I see people out there who are my age (41) and people older and younger, but have never seen any blatantly obnoxious behavior from any of them, so tell me Indy how I can tell. Anyways, IMO earrings are cool but my faith in the GenXers was shaken when I heard Slash playing on "adult contemporary radio (muzak)". What the hell is this world coming to….

Response:

I hate to burst anyones bubble, but yuppification is passe, out, history. The term is now about as happening as preppies. The real trend in flyfishing, as in life and especially music, is alternative. While we obsess about the coming invasion of Eddie Bauer Explorers to our secret spots our sport is slowly being infiltrated and destroyed by the angst generation.

snip,snip,snip  Thus far the alternative flyfishers have ignored such species as trout, salmon, etc., but it’s only a matter of time before we start pulling in fish wearing earrings. When this happens we’ll see the yuppies as ‘the good old days’. Be afraid, be very afraid.                                                                 jc

Not to worry about the GenXers.  They aren’t going to have time to fish or the money to do it.  They are all going to be too busy scrambling to keep their jobs at McDonalds and Burger Chef.  Yuppie as a "hip" term in popular culture may be passe’, but their sure as hell are a lot of ‘em showing up at my favorite fishing holes these days.  I prefer the GenXers, earrings or no.   — Indy http://realindy.com

Response:

Question:

Last night I caught a catfish on a plastic crawdad!  It was one of those Berkeley micros and the catfish was about a foot long.  It sure caught me by surprise when I saw what I had caught.  This isn’t the first time I caught a catfish on artificial baits, either.  Has anyone else had this happen very often? Eric Johnson

Caught a catfish on a deep diving plug while trolling.

Response:

Last night I caught a catfish on a plastic crawdad!  It was one of those Berkeley micros and the catfish was about a foot long.  It sure caught me by surprise when I saw what I had caught.  This isn’t the first time I caught a catfish on artificial baits, either.  Has anyone else had this happen very often? Eric Johnson Caught a catfish on a deep diving plug while trolling.

 I’ve had a number of customers write me about catching catfish on my M-Baits, seems they aren’t as ‘finicky’ as their feline counterparts!!        **** Mike Muncy’s ****                     "M-Baits" Handcrafted Cedar Crankbaits        http://www.fishingworld.com/M-Baits/    http://www.open.org/gary/fishinhole.htm

Response:

Once anglers understand the concept that catfish are opportunistic predators, they will begin to understand better how to fish for them and the underestimated sport they represent.

Response:

Last night I caught a catfish on a plastic crawdad!  It was one of those Berkeley micros and the catfish was about a foot long.  It sure caught me by surprise when I saw what I had caught.  This isn’t the first time I caught a catfish on artificial baits, either.  Has anyone else had this happen very often? Eric Johnson Caught a catfish on a deep diving plug while trolling.

Eric…         I have caught a catfish on a rubber worm(14-15" in length),  and have seen them caught on a jig and pig (7lb channel cat) and a tail spinner (12-13" in length) — http://www.iquest.net/~kidd "Trust men, and they will be true to you; treat them greatly, and they will show themselves great."   Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-82)

Response:

Eric Johnson) writes: This isn’t the first time I caught a catfish on artificial baits, either.  Has anyone else had this happen very often?

I fish a tailwater on the Ohio River for sauger, smallmouth, etc. using 1/4-1/2 ounce ball head jigs and curly-tail plastic jigs in the 2-3" size. Several times a year I’ll catch catfish on the jigs in this very swift water. The cats are almost always flatheads, which  seem to prefer live bait (or an imitation, like my jigs). I also catch lots of carp, and they are caught in the mouth, not snagged or foul hooked. Years ago, I remember fishing for bluegill with flyrods and poppers when my fishing buddy caught a small channel cat on his popper. Not all that uncommon.

Response:

Last night I caught a catfish on a plastic crawdad!  It was one of those Berkeley micros and the catfish was about a foot long.  It sure caught me by surprise when I saw what I had caught.  This isn’t the first time I caught a catfish on artificial baits, either.  Has anyone else had this happen very often?

Eric, Last year I caught two catfish in the 3 to 4 lb. range on Kastmasters while fishing for bass.  As you said it sure is a suprise, but a pleasant one, because, they were alfully good eating. Sue

Response:

Last night I caught a catfish on a plastic crawdad!  It was one of those Berkeley micros and the catfish was about a foot long.  It sure caught me by surprise when I saw what I had caught.  This isn’t the first time I caught a catfish on artificial baits, either.  Has anyone else had this happen very often?

While trolling sparkletails in the Wolf River at Winneconne we often catch catfish (flatheads) from 5 to 18 lbs.  Occasionally, huge fish broke our lines. We assumed these, too, must be catfish. — Bob Mittelstadt Fox Lake, Wisconsin

Response:

A couple of close friends and myself are planning a trip to the area near (50 miles or so) Lake Temagami this fall for some camping and Walleye/pike fishing. I am interested in any information on camping recommendations and locations in the Temagami area.  We are, as always, rather strapped for cash and looking for some fairly remote place where we can drive to and set up our tent for a week of fishing.  We are quiet, conscientious, and pack out everything we brought in.   I would also be interested in a reasonably priced cabin that would hold up to possibly six fishermen and is close to good fishing… Emile "Give a man a fish, and he’ll feed his family for a day. Teach him to fish, and he’s gone the whole damn weekend!"                                 — My Wife!

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -A couple of close friends and myself are planning a trip to the area near (50 miles or so) Lake Temagami this fall for some camping and Walleye/pike fishing. I am interested in any information on camping recommendations and locations in the Temagami area.  We are, as always, rather strapped for cash and looking for some fairly remote place where we can drive to and set up our tent for a week of fishing.  We are quiet, conscientious, and pack out everything we brought in.   I would also be interested in a reasonably priced cabin that would hold up to possibly six fishermen and is close to good fishing… Emile "Give a man a fish, and he’ll feed his family for a day. Teach him to fish, and he’s gone the whole damn weekend!"                                — My Wife!

Try the Montreal River.. anywhere; but why not go a few miles further and fish the Shining Tree Area which is not hit so hard in the summer. Or try Longpoint Lodge on Longoint Lk just outside Elk Lake(reasonable rates and good fishing), Or Bullocks Camp at Gowganda. ( Great Walleye and NP Lk). Any of those is better than anything around Temagami IMHO. Temagami area lakes just get pounded heavier each year.

Response:

 Last night I caught a catfish on a plastic crawdad!  It was  one of those Berkeley micros and the catfish was about a foot  long.  It sure caught me by surprise when I saw what I had  caught.  This isn’t the first time I caught a catfish on  artificial baits, either.  Has anyone else had this happen  very often? If I remember correctly, the Illinois state record channel cat was caught by a bass angler using a plastic worm. I myself have caught a channel cat on a fly rod while using a popper for small bass/bluegill. Jay —      Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing that      it is not fish they are after.                                           Henry David Thoreau

Response:

: Last night I caught a catfish on a plastic crawdad!  It was : one of those Berkeley micros and the catfish was about a foot : long.  It sure caught me by surprise when I saw what I had : caught.  This isn’t the first time I caught a catfish on : artificial baits, either.  Has anyone else had this happen : very often? : Eric Johnson A guy I knew once caught a big catfish at night on a Hula Popper.

My boy caught two channel cats from a lake and a flathead from a river using a spinnerbait.  He was fishing for Bass.

Response:

: Last night I caught a catfish on a plastic crawdad!  It was : one of those Berkeley micros and the catfish was about a foot : long.  It sure caught me by surprise when I saw what I had : caught.  This isn’t the first time I caught a catfish on : artificial baits, either.  Has anyone else had this happen : very often? : Eric Johnson

A guy I knew once caught a big catfish at night on a Hula Popper.

Response:

essex.heartland.net writes Last night I caught a catfish on a plastic crawdad!  It was one of those Berkeley micros and the catfish was about a foot long.  It sure caught me by surprise when I saw what I had caught.  This isn’t the first time I caught a catfish on artificial baits, either.  Has anyone else had this happen very often? Eric Johnson

Having fished for MANY years, I thought I has seen everything… Pike on a crappie jig, Musky on a doughball (see the Md. State record!) and a huge channel cat on bass popper. Until the day my brother took me out to his favorite spot on Lake Arthur in Pa.  "The bass are tearing up Jitter-Bugs on the surface in the evening", He promised. He demonstrated by flipping out a huge jointed ‘Bug and promptly hooking a huge fish that took us 20 minutes to get to the boat!  Suspecting one of the huge Tiger Muskies that Arthur is famous for, I grabbed the net and braced myself.  Well, it wasn’t a Bass after all… It was a 31" CARP!!!   Emile Boulanger Hook, Line, & Sinker! inc.

Response:

Last night I caught a catfish on a plastic crawdad!  It was one of those Berkeley micros and the catfish was about a foot long.  It sure caught me by surprise when I saw what I had caught.  This isn’t the first time I caught a catfish on artificial baits, either.  Has anyone else had this happen very often? Eric Johnson

Response:

: Last night I caught a catfish on a plastic crawdad!  It was : one of those Berkeley micros and the catfish was about a foot : long.  It sure caught me by surprise when I saw what I had : caught.  This isn’t the first time I caught a catfish on : artificial baits, either.  Has anyone else had this happen : very often? : Eric Johnson

Response:

Last night I caught a catfish on a plastic crawdad!  It was one of those Berkeley micros and the catfish was about a foot long.  It sure caught me by surprise when I saw what I had caught.  This isn’t the first time I caught a catfish on artificial baits, either.  Has anyone else had this happen very often? Eric Johnson

Eric,         Would you believe, just last weekend I caught a 14# channel cat on a spinner bait while fishing for bass in a small county park here in SW Iowa. You talk abbout a surprise when you set the hook thinking  a 2 or 3 lb. bass and all of a sudden you’re being towed all over the lake for 15 mins.         BTW that was the only fish boated all afternoon.                         GITABIGUN, E. Bruce Hullman IRC: BassBug   "There’s only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys."                         Red Green

Response:

Question:

I’m looking for the names (and contact info) of good fishing catalog companies. I have Pro Bass, Orvis and Cabelas. Can anybody help me with the names, etc. of any other good ones? Thanks. David Laylin            Electronics for Small Watercraft             Tel: 800 760 0004       Web Site: http://www.infi.net/~spdtech

Response:

FeatherCraft Flyfishing in St. Louis is really terrific. They send you a couple of very complete and entertaining catalogs per year, prices are good, and they are very helpful on the phone. Phone:800-659-1707 Kaufmann’s Streamborn is very good (800-442-4359). Hunter’s Angling Supply (800-331-8558). Hook and Hackle (800-552-8342). Blue Ribbon Flies (406-646-7642). Hope these help.

Response:

I got this several months ago, hope it helps. Fishing Catalogs/Resource List  This is a list of free fishing catalogs. It is permanently available for   machine: ftp.ofps.ucar.edu [128.117.90.53]     login: anonymous      file: /pub/john/catalogs.txt The URL for that is   ftp://ftp.ofps.ucar.edu/pub/john/catalogs.txt As far as I know, the information is accurate, but I haven’t gotten all the catalogs listed so don’t hold me liable for your phone bills! Those of you outside the U.S. may have to pay a shipping charge just to get the "free" catalog. Remember to add any necessary long distance or country codes, etc that are peculiar to your location and/or long distance phone company. Please send any additions or corrections along to me at  I’ve collected these entries from various sources. Any comments of mine or one of the contributors are also given. Nothing is guarranteed to be correct. I have no connection with any of these companies. Have fun fishing! John Allison — Free Catalogs: AA Proshop RD 1 Box 78 White Haven PA 18661 800-443-8119 Access to Recreation, Inc (fishing, shooting, living aids for the disabled) 2509 E Thousand Oaks Blvd Suite 430 Thousand Oaks CA 91362-3227 800-634-4351 805-498-8186 fax Angler’s (ffing gift ideas, no `real’ equipment) 4955 East 2900 North Murtaugh ID 83344 800-657-8040 (voice 9-5 Mtn time, or fax) 208-432-6625 (voice 9-5 Mtn time, or fax) The Anglers Art (this address or the next one?) PO Box 148C Plainfield PA 17081 800-848-1020 The Anglers Art—Books for Fly Fishermen (this address or the previous one?) 854 Opossum Lake Rd Carlisle PA 17013 800-848-1020 717-243-8603 fax The Bass Pond PO Box 82 Littleton CO 80160-0082 800-327-5014 303-730-8932 fax Bass Pro Shops (multiple catalogs) (see also White River below) 1935 S Campbell Springfield MO 65898-0001 800-BASS PRO 800-227-7776 417-881-3567 800-442-5788 TDD 417-887-2531 fax Cabela’s (general fishing and hunting) (special flyfishing only catalog also) 812 13th Ave Sidney NE 69160 800-237-4444 (US and Canada) 308-234-5555 308-254-2200 fax 800-695-5000 TDD Capt Harry’s Fishing Supply (saltwater, yearly color catalog) 100 NE 11TH St Miami FL 33132 800-327-4088 305-374-3713 fax Charlie Richter’s Fly Shop (small local Miami shop with info/supplies for that area) 472 NE 125th St North Miami FL 33161 800-866-0763 305-893-6663 Cold Spring Anglers (419 East High Street, Suite A) PO Box 129 Carlisle PA 17013-0129 800-248-8937 (M-Sat 9-5 Eastern, Sun 12-5) 717-245-2646 717-245-2081 fax Contact Central Sales Inc. (cheap accessories) 6770 N 43rd St Milwaukee WI 53209 800-353-5501 orders 414-353-4050 info 414-353-4605 fax Dan Bailey’s Fly Shop PO Box 1019 Livingston MT 59047 800-356-4052 406-222-1673 406-222-8450 fax Dunn’s (camping, hunting, backpacking, not much fishing) Hwy 57E PO Box 449 Grand Junction TN 38039 800-223-8667 orders 800-367-2940 service 901-764-6503 fax E. Hille The Angler’s Supply House, Inc. (good for rod building materials) 815 Railway Street PO Box 996 Williamsport PA 17701 800-326-6612 FeatherCraft FlyFishing (maybe named National FeatherCraft ?) PO Box 19904 St Louis MO 63144 800-659-1707 314-963-7876 Fisherman’s Shack (salmon, steelhead, trout; spinner building) 9465 Airlie Road Monmouth OR 97361 800-428-1499 voice orders 9am-5pm; fax 5pm-9am 503-838-6395 voice Fishermans Tackle Shop (Saltwater) (maybe $3) 2838 Garrison Street San Diego CA 92106 800-566-0273 619-221-8506 619-222-0799 fax Fly & Field 560 Crescent Blvd. Glen Ellyn IL 60137 800-328-9753 The Fly Shop 4140 Churn Creek Road Redding CA 96002 800-669-FISH 800-669-3474 Frank Amato Publications (9 – 5 Pacific time) 800-541-9498 Gander Mountain Inc. (multiple catalogs) PO Box 248 Wilmot WI 53192 800-558-9410 (US and Canada) 414-862-2331 ext 2123 (foreign orders) 800-533-2828 fax 414-862-2330 fax 800-558-3554 TDD 800-5

Response:

Question:

i’m headed up to the butt valley area (feather river drainage) this weekend.  does anyone know what’s hot and what’s not up there? know any good fly shops? i know… i hate this type of messages too; but i’m just curious if anyone’s been fishing up there on flies lately. jeff greenough

Jeff   Call Powell’s in Chico, they should have some info — Good Luck !!   Harry

Response:

i’m headed up to the butt valley area (feather river drainage) this weekend.  does anyone know what’s hot and what’s not up there? know any good fly shops? i know… i hate this type of messages too; but i’m just curious if anyone’s been fishing up there on flies lately. jeff greenough

Jeff, Check in at the Sportsman’s Den in Quincy.  Allan Bruzza’s the owner and will point you in the right direction.   Ross

Response:

i’m headed up to the butt valley area (feather river drainage) this weekend.  does anyone know what’s hot and what’s not up there? know any good fly shops? i know… i hate this type of messages too; but i’m just curious if anyone’s been fishing up there on flies lately. jeff greenough

Response:

Question:

writes:  Can someone give me a guide to estimating the weight of trout in  the 12-24 inch range. Just a guestimate chart would do. I know  there are a lot of variables. Many thanks.  –  Scott Branyan  Rogers, AR

<grin NZ limits restrict us to fish over 13" down here, so I ain’t gonna be of much assistance I am afraid. One of the more important factors down here is taken by a Condition factor variable, taking into account weight, length and girth. So most *Serious* kiwi anglers don’t like to take those fish below anything less than say 4-5lb. We have an extremely active conservation movement in most areas considered "Trophy" catchments, whereby one can donate the fish for hatchery purposes when exceeding Condition factors of in excess 80-85. This is achieved by way of permanent nets suspended below rubber tyre tubes anchored near the more popular spots, that or the many hatchery traps found a short distance upstream from a lake outlet. The movement towards catch and release in NZ has found great support in recent years, with only the minimum being taken for domestic purposes. You may be interested to know, that it is illegal to sell, buy or market Trout in NZ, other than by specific virtue of the Internal Affairs department, mainly for Tourism purposes. Back to your question however, ummmmm … no sorry <grin Just thought you might be interested in a different perspective . <smile. Regards .. Tim.D Wellington, New Zealand.

Response:

 <<Can someone give me a guide to estimating the weight of trout in the 12-24 inch range. … Hi Scott- I have a chart that will figure the weight of any trout you’ll ever catch. *it’s free for the asking* On the back it has a lot of equally cool info. We include it in our student handouts…. *don’t be bashful, I encourage you to use them (rather than weigh the fish till its dead)*

I just guesstimate the length of the fish (relative to a mark on the rod) then (length in inches)cubed/1870 ~ pounds…. crude but works ok for typical stream/river trout this puts 12" at 1lb and 24inch at 7lb (perhaps high unless the fishery is rich and the trout are heavy- )    If you have a club and want a bunch just ask! (don’t worry. it’s free and we won’t put you on our perpetual mailing list of fly fishing junk mail unless you specifically request it!)    Tight Lines, Ralph —

our page at http://www.insideout.com/current/s_fish.htm) BTW Ralph, I really like your book! Mike

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Kumlien) writes: I have been told by fisheries biologists that the following formula works well for computing weight of any species of fish.  I once met British Columbia steelhead biologist who told me they use this formula for weight estimates for biological work.  I have tried it a lot, and it seems pretty reliable.  Here it is.  Lenght x (girth squared) divided by 800=weight in pounds.  i.e.  20 inch trout with 10 inch girth would figure out to 2000/ 800=2 1/2 pounds and so on.  Try it out.  Dave That’s great for streamside, but when hearing about it from the angler, you must reduce it .167823% for each oz. of alcohol consumed prior to the recounting of the catch.

And what about a nice formula to calculate with the Metric system: Meter, Kilo etc. (so it becomes a global tool). == The Flyfishing Dutchman ==

Response:

<<Can someone give me a guide to estimating the weight of trout in the 12-24 inch range. Just a guestimate chart would do. I know there are a lot of variables. Many thanks.

Hi Scott- I have a chart that will figure the weight of any trout you’ll ever catch. *it’s free for the asking* On the back it has a lot of equally cool info. We include it in our student handouts.    If you (or anyone else out there) would like one, send me your snail mail address and I’ll be happy to get it to you. *don’t be bashful, I encourage you to use them (rather than weigh the fish till its dead)*    If you have a club and want a bunch just ask! (don’t worry. it’s free and we won’t put you on our perpetual mailing list of fly fishing junk mail unless you specifically request it!)    Tight Lines, Ralph —

Response:

Kumlien) writes: I have been told by fisheries biologists that the following formula works well for computing weight of any species of fish.  I once met British Columbia steelhead biologist who told me they use this formula for weight estimates for biological work.  I have tried it a lot, and it seems pretty reliable.  Here it is.  Lenght x (girth squared) divided by 800=weight in pounds.  i.e.  20 inch trout with 10 inch girth would figure out to 2000/ 800=2 1/2 pounds and so on.  Try it out.  Dave

That’s great for streamside, but when hearing about it from the angler, you must reduce it .167823% for each oz. of alcohol consumed prior to the recounting of the catch.

Response:

Can someone give me a guide to estimating the weight of trout in the 12-24 inch range. Just a guestimate chart would do. I know there are a lot of variables. Many thanks. — Scott Branyan Rogers, AR

Response:

I have been told by fisheries biologists that the following formula works well for computing weight of any species of fish.  I once met British Columbia steelhead biologist who told me they use this formula for weight estimates for biological work.  I have tried it a lot, and it seems pretty reliable.  Here it is.  Lenght x (girth squared) divided by 800=weight in pounds.  i.e.  20 inch trout with 10 inch girth would figure out to 2000/ 800=2 1/2 pounds and so on.  Try it out.  Dave

Response: