Question:

I have been swimming in these Florida waters from the beach and off of boats, also diving into inlet from bridges, surfed up and down the coast, also off of rope swings as a kid into the murky intracoastal, dived a lot of reefs. Seen a few in my time and they all went the other way. Beleive it or not a most sharks see us as too big to try to tackle and if they do bite usually let go and turn tail and run. Of course there are acceptions tigers and bull sharks are aggressive. Florida bathers swim with sharks every day but don’t know it because they can’t see them. All you have to do is ask any pilot that flys over these beaches and he’ll tell you he sees sharks every day. Yet the sharks don’t go near them. Its too dangerous for the shark. Its a good idea to read up on sharks know their habits and avoid situations that could increase your chances of being bitten. I’ll bet ninety nine percent of shark bites are mistakin’ identity. Do you surf? I assume not. Its usually surfers that are mistaken for prey. If you know the facts and the astronomical odds of being bitten you wouldn’t worry. C’mon in the water is fine, you have a much better chance of getting killed on the drive down.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

Either way dem’s good eatin’

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I much prefer the term Dorado.  Mahimahi is just to politically correct.

Response:

Sharon,     Check out these web sites for shark info. http://www.shark.ch/Sharkdb/sharkdb.shtml & http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/ISAF/ISAF.htm Paul

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

Caught the last half of a Fox special on TV lastnight.  The "shark expert" they had said several things and I have listed what I remember below.  Most of them are things that most probably already know. -Sharks like invertabrates….  humans are too bony. -If a shark takes a "taste" of a human, they will generally spit it out and not return for a full course meal. -There are an average of 58 UNPROVOKED shark attacks worldwide each year. -Several hundered thousand sharks are harvested each year mostly for the fins only, (shark fin soup, and cartilidge) -More people are eating shark meat than ever -Last year, 7200 people were brought into the hospital having been injured at amusement parks (amusing fact eh?) -California has the highest rate of unprovoked shark attacks in the US (according to this guy) -There is a guy in the the Fl. Keys (Mannie??) they call Mannie the Shark Man, they showed him swiming with (holding onto the dorsal fin) and then holding the face (face to face) of an approximately 8′ Hammerhead.  This guy was swimming with what looked like Bull Sharks??? (I’m not sure) and Hamerheads.  They showed him touching several different species of sharks, basically he was petting them!  He was definitely with in biting distance and there was no aggression.  He has been bitten 3 times, not sure if any were very serious, he had all of limbs and was still smiling! -An average of 12 people are killed each year by shark attacks. -Sharks have excellent eyes, and thier corneas are aften used in human cornea transplants. -A whale shark can grow to 45′ -Average shark swims at 5mph, but some can swim for short distances at up to 23mph -There are 350 species of shark of which 20% are dangerous to humans. -The Great White shark is an endangered species, but I don’t know if this means it is illegal to feed them.  I suppose you could get a ticket or fine you if they identified you as having fed one… -The guy said that the Muesem of Natural History has even more interesting facts. -Side note, I have read that the Bull Shark is considered by many experts to the most dangerous shark, due to the fact (like the Tiger Shark) they are considered to be Trash Eaters, ie. they eat almost anything. -Also have read that Bull Sharks are one of the main reasons they erected the "shark fence" in Australia.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A bad meal. Humans taste like shit, I’m told. ( I wonder who made the taste test). Probably because of meat in our diet? But if that’s true, wouldn’t vegetarians be preferred by sharks? Then again, maybe they are and that’s why so many divers and swimmers are ‘tasted’ but so few eaten. pm Florida bathers swim with sharks every day but don’t know it because they can’t see them. All you have to do is ask any pilot that flys over these beaches and he’ll tell you he sees sharks every day. Yet the sharks don’t go near them. Its too dangerous for the shark. What are these sharks afraid of, Brian??

Response:

A bad meal. Humans taste like shit, I’m told. ( I wonder who made the taste test). Probably because of meat in our diet? But if that’s true, wouldn’t vegetarians be preferred by sharks? Then again, maybe they are and that’s why so many divers and swimmers are ‘tasted’ but so few eaten. pm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Florida bathers swim with sharks every day but don’t know it because they can’t see them. All you have to do is ask any pilot that flys over these beaches and he’ll tell you he sees sharks every day. Yet the sharks don’t go near them. Its too dangerous for the shark. What are these sharks afraid of, Brian??

Response:

Florida bathers swim with sharks every day but don’t know it because they can’t see them. All you have to do is ask any pilot that flys over these beaches and he’ll tell you he sees sharks every day. Yet the sharks don’t go near them. Its too dangerous for the shark.

What are these sharks afraid of, Brian?? — edgar (remove nospam from return address for e-mail reply)

Response:

The term "shark-thirty" is sometimes used in the Caribbean to express a time of day (dusk)when sharks are starting to feed. pm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Swimming at dusk, in water known to have baitfish in it, is a VERY poor idea. I feel for the kid.  The parents, on the other hand, should be strung up by their toenails for allowing him to swim at that time of the evening. That is a manifestly unsafe practice around here. —

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Potomac down where we are isn’t that dirty.  I’ve heard that the jellyfish are good because they eat the ones that eat crab larvae. Using your logic, aren’t sharks that kill people also good? After all they eat the ones that eat crab! <G But they are so terribly inefficient at it! <g Actually crabs are really good – not just because we like to eat them, but because they are underwater scavengers. You have something against "out-of-the-water" scavengers? <G

No – but all scavengers are kind of shunned – from vultures to crabs to dung beetles.  We need them all. grandma Rosalie

Response:

You may have me there Bill.  I saw a TV documentary and can’t remember for sure. Most people use the term "dolphin" to mean porpoise but a dolphin can be either a fish or a mammal. <G

That’s true, but the ones that go after sharks are the mammal.  That’s also why in restaurants the fish-dolphin is often called mahi mahi (Hawaiian term) because they don’t want people to think they are eating Flipper. Actually dolphins have been known to gang up on and attempt to kill a shark. The dolphins usually go for the tender undersides of sharks.

grandma Rosalie

Response:

The Potomac down where we are isn’t that dirty.  I’ve heard that the jellyfish are good because they eat the ones that eat crab larvae. Using your logic, aren’t sharks that kill people also good? After all they eat the ones that eat crab! <G

But they are so terribly inefficient at it! <g   Actually crabs are really good – not just because we like to eat them, but because they are underwater scavengers. grandma Rosalie

Response:

The Potomac down where we are isn’t that dirty.  I’ve heard that the jellyfish are good because they eat the ones that eat crab larvae. Using your logic, aren’t sharks that kill people also good? After all they eat the ones that eat crab! <G But they are so terribly inefficient at it! <g Actually crabs are really good – not just because we like to eat them, but because they are underwater scavengers.

You have something against "out-of-the-water" scavengers? <G Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – grandma Rosalie

Response:

I didn’t mean the sport fish forgot about that one. — 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You may have me there Bill.  I saw a TV documentary and can’t remember for sure. Most people use the term "dolphin" to mean porpoise but a dolphin can be either a fish or a mammal. <G Bill 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100 Actually dolphins have been known to gang up on and attempt to kill a shark. The dolphins usually go for the tender undersides of sharks. Dolphin or Porpoise? Bill — 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100 The latest attack was by a Bull Shark…  They can live in fresh water for some time, including the Potomac.  It appears that one of the greatest dangers of this shark is that it often feeds in dark/discolored and even shallow water (where it can get churned up) so that it doesn’t always see its prey, ie. it might think that a splashing arm is a fish, and attacks it before it really nows what it is up against.  Sharks are a realistic fear. So is driving a car.  If the same number of people that are afraid of sharks, were even more realistically afraid of cars, the roads would be a much safer place.  Like they say (whoever they are), be aware of your sorroundings, and don’t take unnecesarry risks, just like you walking or driving to the store, use caution.  There are dangers everywhere. I don’t have the statistics, but the same people say that you are 100x more likely to get struck by lightning than to get bitten by a shark.  I wonder if that statistic is for swimmers or all of us.  If it is for all of us, then the statistics go way up for us salt water swimmers, doesn’t it?  The reasoning here is that if you never swim, or only swim in landlocked water, the chance of getting bitten by a shark is approaching 0.  Any experts out there? I am just curious if there are any "good" statistics avaliable.  What percentage of the population are salt water or brine swimmers and what effect does that have on the statistic?  Also, there are electronic "shark repellants" available.  They are supposed to work on all sharks.  I wonder if they repell all fish?  Swim with dolphins, sharks don’t like dolphins, or is this just an old wives tale?  Bull sharks also eat dolphins, but maybe just small ones.       The Bull Shark – Carcharhinus leucas       Size – Grow from 7 to 11 feet weighing 200 to 500 pounds.       Diet – Fish, (including other sharks and rays), turtles, birds, mollusks and dolphins. It will eat almost anything.       Habitat – The Bull shark is found close to to shore and can live for a while in fresh water, frequenting estuaries, river and lakes. Bull Sharks have been found up to 1,750 miles up the Mississippi River in the USA and 2,500 miles up the Amazon River in Peru.       Reproduction – Bull sharks are viviparous. Litters of up to 13 pups are common after a gestation period of about 1 year. Pups are about 28 inches long at birth. Very young Bull sharks are frequently found in protected bays near the mouths of rivers in briny waters. My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your a rm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks? Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

I much prefer the term Dorado.  Mahimahi is just to politically correct.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You may have me there Bill.  I saw a TV documentary and can’t remember for sure. Most people use the term "dolphin" to mean porpoise but a dolphin can be either a fish or a mammal. <G That’s true, but the ones that go after sharks are the mammal.  That’s also why in restaurants the fish-dolphin is often called mahi mahi (Hawaiian term) because they don’t want people to think they are eating Flipper. Actually dolphins have been known to gang up on and attempt to kill a shark. The dolphins usually go for the tender undersides of sharks. grandma Rosalie

Response:

You may have me there Bill.  I saw a TV documentary and can’t remember for sure. — 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Actually dolphins have been known to gang up on and attempt to kill a shark. The dolphins usually go for the tender undersides of sharks. Dolphin or Porpoise? Bill — 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100 The latest attack was by a Bull Shark…  They can live in fresh water for some time, including the Potomac.  It appears that one of the greatest dangers of this shark is that it often feeds in dark/discolored and even shallow water (where it can get churned up) so that it doesn’t always see its prey, ie. it might think that a splashing arm is a fish, and attacks it before it really nows what it is up against.  Sharks are a realistic fear. So is driving a car.  If the same number of people that are afraid of sharks, were even more realistically afraid of cars, the roads would be a much safer place.  Like they say (whoever they are), be aware of your sorroundings, and don’t take unnecesarry risks, just like you walking or driving to the store, use caution.  There are dangers everywhere.  I don’t have the statistics, but the same people say that you are 100x more likely to get struck by lightning than to get bitten by a shark.  I wonder if that statistic is for swimmers or all of us.  If it is for all of us, then the statistics go way up for us salt water swimmers, doesn’t it?  The reasoning here is that if you never swim, or only swim in landlocked water, the chance of getting bitten by a shark is approaching 0.  Any experts out there? I am just curious if there are any "good" statistics avaliable.  What percentage of the population are salt water or brine swimmers and what effect does that have on the statistic?  Also, there are electronic "shark repellants" available.  They are supposed to work on all sharks.  I wonder if they repell all fish?  Swim with dolphins, sharks don’t like dolphins, or is this just an old wives tale?  Bull sharks also eat dolphins, but maybe just small ones.       The Bull Shark – Carcharhinus leucas       Size – Grow from 7 to 11 feet weighing 200 to 500 pounds.       Diet – Fish, (including other sharks and rays), turtles, birds, mollusks and dolphins. It will eat almost anything.       Habitat – The Bull shark is found close to to shore and can live for a while in fresh water, frequenting estuaries, river and lakes. Bull Sharks have been found up to 1,750 miles up the Mississippi River in the USA and 2,500 miles up the Amazon River in Peru.       Reproduction – Bull sharks are viviparous. Litters of up to 13 pups are common after a gestation period of about 1 year. Pups are about 28 inches long at birth. Very young Bull sharks are frequently found in protected bays near the mouths of rivers in briny waters. My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks? Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

The Potomac down where we are isn’t that dirty.  I’ve heard that the jellyfish are good because they eat the ones that eat crab larvae.

Using your logic, aren’t sharks that kill people also good? After all they eat the ones that eat crab! <G Bill

Response:

You may have me there Bill.  I saw a TV documentary and can’t remember for sure.

Most people use the term "dolphin" to mean porpoise but a dolphin can be either a fish or a mammal. <G Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100 Actually dolphins have been known to gang up on and attempt to kill a shark. The dolphins usually go for the tender undersides of sharks. Dolphin or Porpoise? Bill — 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100 The latest attack was by a Bull Shark…  They can live in fresh water for some time, including the Potomac.  It appears that one of the greatest dangers of this shark is that it often feeds in dark/discolored and even shallow water (where it can get churned up) so that it doesn’t always see its prey, ie. it might think that a splashing arm is a fish, and attacks it before it really nows what it is up against.  Sharks are a realistic fear. So is driving a car.  If the same number of people that are afraid of sharks, were even more realistically afraid of cars, the roads would be a much safer place.  Like they say (whoever they are), be aware of your sorroundings, and don’t take unnecesarry risks, just like you walking or driving to the store, use caution.  There are dangers everywhere.  I don’t have the statistics, but the same people say that you are 100x more likely to get struck by lightning than to get bitten by a shark.  I wonder if that statistic is for swimmers or all of us.  If it is for all of us, then the statistics go way up for us salt water swimmers, doesn’t it?  The reasoning here is that if you never swim, or only swim in landlocked water, the chance of getting bitten by a shark is approaching 0.  Any experts out there? I am just curious if there are any "good" statistics avaliable.  What percentage of the population are salt water or brine swimmers and what effect does that have on the statistic?  Also, there are electronic "shark repellants" available.  They are supposed to work on all sharks.  I wonder if they repell all fish?  Swim with dolphins, sharks don’t like dolphins, or is this just an old wives tale?  Bull sharks also eat dolphins, but maybe just small ones.       The Bull Shark – Carcharhinus leucas       Size – Grow from 7 to 11 feet weighing 200 to 500 pounds.       Diet – Fish, (including other sharks and rays), turtles, birds, mollusks and dolphins. It will eat almost anything.       Habitat – The Bull shark is found close to to shore and can live for a while in fresh water, frequenting estuaries, river and lakes. Bull Sharks have been found up to 1,750 miles up the Mississippi River in the USA and 2,500 miles up the Amazon River in Peru.       Reproduction – Bull sharks are viviparous. Litters of up to 13 pups are common after a gestation period of about 1 year. Pups are about 28 inches long at birth. Very young Bull sharks are frequently found in protected bays near the mouths of rivers in briny waters. My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks? Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

Millions of folks swim in Fla. waters every year. Last year 65 people were bitten by sharks in the US most in Fla. If you are worried stay onboard or in your living room. Regards Bill

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

Honey, don’t sweat it. You picked a good area to retire and the waters are safe to swim in. And if you want statistics, I’ve been swimming in Florida (both coasts) since 1962 and have never been bitt, attacked, mauled or stung by anything but mosquitoes. Nor has anyone I know personally. On the other hand I have had several friends killed in auto accidents, bitten by dogs, cats, squirrels and attacked by a duck. And there are no reports ever of anyone in Florida freezing to death. Come on down! pm 147.iap.bryant.webtv.net: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with

There’s always something.  I haven’t been to the Gulf coast in some time, but yes we do swim off the boat as long as we are not chumming.  Look first.  If the water is clear (and most of the time out in a boat it is – otherwise you wouldn’t be out there -it would be a storm) you could see a shark.  The boy was right on the beach – the waves stir the water up and you can’t see. the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda.

My SIL doesn’t care for swimming with barracuda, but unless they turn black they are just curious and ugly and no danger.  My SIL makes me wear gloves or take off my (shiny) rings.  Most sharks also just want to be left alone. Several times we saw a Bull Shark (the one that did this attack) cruising in the marina, so they are by no means limited to FL. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where

The Potomac down where we are isn’t that dirty.  I’ve heard that the jellyfish are good because they eat the ones that eat crab larvae.  In any case, you can swim longer if you go farther up the Chesapeake. can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

THere is no such place.  There’s always something.  If not something in the water, the water itself, or the weather. grandma Rosalie

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Arizona?                             Capt. Bill

Response:

Actually dolphins have been known to gang up on and attempt to kill a shark. The dolphins usually go for the tender undersides of sharks.

Dolphin or Porpoise? Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100 The latest attack was by a Bull Shark…  They can live in fresh water for some time, including the Potomac.  It appears that one of the greatest dangers of this shark is that it often feeds in dark/discolored and even shallow water (where it can get churned up) so that it doesn’t always see its prey, ie. it might think that a splashing arm is a fish, and attacks it before it really nows what it is up against.  Sharks are a realistic fear. So is driving a car.  If the same number of people that are afraid of sharks, were even more realistically afraid of cars, the roads would be a much safer place.  Like they say (whoever they are), be aware of your sorroundings, and don’t take unnecesarry risks, just like you walking or driving to the store, use caution.  There are dangers everywhere.  I don’t have the statistics, but the same people say that you are 100x more likely to get struck by lightning than to get bitten by a shark.  I wonder if that statistic is for swimmers or all of us.  If it is for all of us, then the statistics go way up for us salt water swimmers, doesn’t it?  The reasoning here is that if you never swim, or only swim in landlocked water, the chance of getting bitten by a shark is approaching 0.  Any experts out there? I am just curious if there are any "good" statistics avaliable.  What percentage of the population are salt water or brine swimmers and what effect does that have on the statistic?  Also, there are electronic "shark repellants" available.  They are supposed to work on all sharks.  I wonder if they repell all fish?  Swim with dolphins, sharks don’t like dolphins, or is this just an old wives tale?  Bull sharks also eat dolphins, but maybe just small ones.       The Bull Shark – Carcharhinus leucas       Size – Grow from 7 to 11 feet weighing 200 to 500 pounds.       Diet – Fish, (including other sharks and rays), turtles, birds, mollusks and dolphins. It will eat almost anything.       Habitat – The Bull shark is found close to to shore and can live for a while in fresh water, frequenting estuaries, river and lakes. Bull Sharks have been found up to 1,750 miles up the Mississippi River in the USA and 2,500 miles up the Amazon River in Peru.       Reproduction – Bull sharks are viviparous. Litters of up to 13 pups are common after a gestation period of about 1 year. Pups are about 28 inches long at birth. Very young Bull sharks are frequently found in protected bays near the mouths of rivers in briny waters. My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

Actually dolphins have been known to gang up on and attempt to kill a shark. The dolphins usually go for the tender undersides of sharks. — 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The latest attack was by a Bull Shark…  They can live in fresh water for some time, including the Potomac.  It appears that one of the greatest dangers of this shark is that it often feeds in dark/discolored and even shallow water (where it can get churned up) so that it doesn’t always see its prey, ie. it might think that a splashing arm is a fish, and attacks it before it really nows what it is up against.  Sharks are a realistic fear. So is driving a car.  If the same number of people that are afraid of sharks, were even more realistically afraid of cars, the roads would be a much safer place.  Like they say (whoever they are), be aware of your sorroundings, and don’t take unnecesarry risks, just like you walking or driving to the store, use caution.  There are dangers everywhere.  I don’t have the statistics, but the same people say that you are 100x more likely to get struck by lightning than to get bitten by a shark.  I wonder if that statistic is for swimmers or all of us.  If it is for all of us, then the statistics go way up for us salt water swimmers, doesn’t it?  The reasoning here is that if you never swim, or only swim in landlocked water, the chance of getting bitten by a shark is approaching 0.  Any experts out there?  I am just curious if there are any "good" statistics avaliable.  What percentage of the population are salt water or brine swimmers and what effect does that have on the statistic?  Also, there are electronic "shark repellants" available.  They are supposed to work on all sharks.  I wonder if they repell all fish?  Swim with dolphins, sharks don’t like dolphins, or is this just an old wives tale?  Bull sharks also eat dolphins, but maybe just small ones.       The Bull Shark – Carcharhinus leucas       Size – Grow from 7 to 11 feet weighing 200 to 500 pounds.       Diet – Fish, (including other sharks and rays), turtles, birds, mollusks and dolphins. It will eat almost anything.       Habitat – The Bull shark is found close to to shore and can live for a while in fresh water, frequenting estuaries, river and lakes. Bull Sharks have been found up to 1,750 miles up the Mississippi River in the USA and 2,500 miles up the Amazon River in Peru.       Reproduction – Bull sharks are viviparous. Litters of up to 13 pups are common after a gestation period of about 1 year. Pups are about 28 inches long at birth. Very young Bull sharks are frequently found in protected bays near the mouths of rivers in briny waters. My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

I know this sounds cold hearted but it is really not intended that way. If you have salt water you have sharks.   Here in Florida if you have fresh water you have gators (keep your poodles away from the canals).   It makes no difference if it is here in Florida or anywhere else salt water & sharks go hand in hand. The kid was playing in water late in the evening when sharks are usually feeding  early morning the same situation.  This particular area is a big fishing area.   Lots of fish attract lots of sharks. There have been several shark attacks on the Florida Gulf Coast.   Most make local news rarely national news.  The news media has gone crazy over this story because it was a kid and the circumstances.   Don’t misunderstand I have kids too and feel for the family. Now in addition to all the tourists the media have descended and all kinds of SO CALLED "Shark Experts" are roaming around spouting off all kinds of advise and not saying anything at all. I bet you didn’t hear a peep out of the national news media a few years back when a kid got mauled a bit by a gator in Mobile Alabama a few years back. Of course he didn’t loose his arm just a few teeth bites.    Or the long distance runner that lost a leg several years ago in a shark attack. Last several years he has become somewhat of a celebrity because he is running & competing on his good leg & the false one so we usually see him on TV during all the big Mobile Alabama marathons. From May through October I’m sure we can find a few jelly fish for you to play with so you don’t get homesick. For real fun we have hurricane parties. From usually July thru October. Romantic candle light (no power) dinners.  Sounds of rain drops on the roof (at 80 miles per hour).  Wind moaning (if your hearing aid is turned down) in the trees.  All the swimming you could ever want because the streets are flooded.   Kids don’t have to go to school (cooped up in the house or a hurricane shelter)  And, the most exciting part of all you usually don’t have to go to work.   During the last several years some of our Pensacola residents took the hurricane party to a higher level  they spent the time stranded in bumper to bumper traffic on I10.  You don’t wait until the day of the hurricane to decide to bug out.  You leave 24 hours in advance. July thru September boating is lots of fun  90 degrees with a 100 degree + heat index.    Water temperature is 80 + degrees.  Humidity if your lucky around 80%  Summer winds for sailing are light & fluky.   Although I must admit the thunderstorms that come ashore late in the afternoon make boating real exciting,  If you are lucky to get caught in the downdraft zone the cool air washing over you is most defiantly refreshing.   The real joy of Florida living comes October thru April when all your northern buddies are still snow bound.   2000 December 27 I was out sailing. Yup paradise if I ever heard of it.    And, yes I am joining all the other stupid boaters going out tomorrow (Saturday) to watch the Navy Blue Angels fly.  It will be a zoo out there, it will be hot, it will be fun. By the way,  have you purchased your flood insurance yet?   Does the name FWUA mean anything to you? Welcome to Florida.   I wasn’t joking about the poodle thing! ;0) Red tide in September is so exciting it will bring tears to your eyes. — 22′ South Coast Sea Craft     Eclipse model  "Don’t Ask" Pensacola, Florida http://members.tripod.com/mr-wayne/ http://communities.msn.com/SouthCoast22SkippersbayBee&naventryid=100

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

The latest attack was by a Bull Shark…  They can live in fresh water for some time, including the Potomac.  It appears that one of the greatest dangers of this shark is that it often feeds in dark/discolored and even shallow water (where it can get churned up) so that it doesn’t always see its prey, ie. it might think that a splashing arm is a fish, and attacks it before it really nows what it is up against.  Sharks are a realistic fear. So is driving a car.  If the same number of people that are afraid of sharks, were even more realistically afraid of cars, the roads would be a much safer place.  Like they say (whoever they are), be aware of your sorroundings, and don’t take unnecesarry risks, just like you walking or driving to the store, use caution.  There are dangers everywhere.  I don’t have the statistics, but the same people say that you are 100x more likely to get struck by lightning than to get bitten by a shark.  I wonder if that statistic is for swimmers or all of us.  If it is for all of us, then the statistics go way up for us salt water swimmers, doesn’t it?  The reasoning here is that if you never swim, or only swim in landlocked water, the chance of getting bitten by a shark is approaching 0.  Any experts out there?  I am just curious if there are any "good" statistics avaliable.  What percentage of the population are salt water or brine swimmers and what effect does that have on the statistic?  Also, there are electronic "shark repellants" available.  They are supposed to work on all sharks.  I wonder if they repell all fish?  Swim with dolphins, sharks don’t like dolphins, or is this just an old wives tale?  Bull sharks also eat dolphins, but maybe just small ones.       The Bull Shark – Carcharhinus leucas       Size – Grow from 7 to 11 feet weighing 200 to 500 pounds.       Diet – Fish, (including other sharks and rays), turtles, birds, mollusks and dolphins. It will eat almost anything.       Habitat – The Bull shark is found close to to shore and can live for a while in fresh water, frequenting estuaries, river and lakes. Bull Sharks have been found up to 1,750 miles up the Mississippi River in the USA and 2,500 miles up the Amazon River in Peru.       Reproduction – Bull sharks are viviparous. Litters of up to 13 pups are common after a gestation period of about 1 year. Pups are about 28 inches long at birth. Very young Bull sharks are frequently found in protected bays near the mouths of rivers in briny waters.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My husband and I are avid boaters who currently boat on the Potomac River in Washington, DC.  We have just purchased our dream retirement waterfront lot in Port Charlotte (on the Gulf).  We dream of the time when we can walk out of our back yard, drop our boat down from its lift and spend a day on the water fishing, swimming, and enjoying everything FL has to offer.  BUT – with everything we have heard lately about the dangers of sharks in the water, we are now feeling maybe we made a bad decision???  To the FL boaters out there – do you just jump off the transom while anchored in the gulf to cool off or is that dangerous with the sharks everywhere?  We are now also hearing talk about Baracuda. What is the fun of boating in the FL sun if when you get hot you can’t even jump in the water for a swim without being afraid of your arm or leg being bitten off?  The Potomac River is dirty, the Chesapeake Bay is full of jellyfish in the summer and Florida is full of sharks?  Where can a boater retire to that offers year round warm weather and boating without anything in the water to get you?

Response:

Question:

How much does the seven and one half four wt. weight? 3.15 Ounces (troy) Mr. G.

Response:

SPAM — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How much does the seven and one half four wt. weight? 3.15 Ounces (troy) Mr. G.

Response:

SPAM

LOL!  You go, "Hair-trigger Ken"!

Response:

SPAM — Ken Fortenberry

don’t start! If you want to see the posts I have, I can post those also. However; it was a legal FLY FISHING question, and the question would be no different had someone asked about a Phillipson, Heddon, St. Croix graphite, a Thomas & Thomas Bamboo, or what have you. Just because it comes from me about something "I’M" involved with, doesn’t make it spam.  I should also clarify that most 7.5′ Bamboo Fly rods weight BETWEEN 3.15 to 4 ounces.  Is that spam also? NOT! Mr. G. — http://www.gink.com/chat

Response:

SPAM LOL!  You go, "Hair-trigger Ken"!

______  Go hell.  Hit him in the head with a ball bat.  The man is crazy. Mr. G. — http://www.gink.com/chat

Response:

SPAM LOL!  You go, "Hair-trigger Ken"!

Goddamn right. It is ZERO fucking tolerance time for G SPAM. Especially in light of your Pollyanna appeal for peace and good will and my New Year Toast. Nobody asked anything about rod weight, this thread is nothing but a gratuitous troll for SPAM and I do not mind being the first to say so. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

How much does the seven and one half four wt. weight? 3.15 Ounces (troy) Mr. G.

Do you have a town North of Troy called Avoirdupois?  (smiling*) So fly rods in the 7.5′ Range made of Bamboo would seem to weight more in the English rather then the metric system which is STILL 98 – 100 Grams.  The rod I weighted compared to others may be more or less. These weights with all manufacturers are ‘more or less’ in this area because the weights can change because of the TYPE of cork handle a customer may want.  The same series or style of fly rods usually are offered with about three different styles of cork handles. Hope this helps everyone to understand bamboo fly rods ‘in general’. Again Ken.  This is NOT spam. We can talk about it on the Roff Chat Site tonight if you want. Mr. G. — http://www.gink.com/chat

Response:

Goddamn right. It is ZERO fucking tolerance time for G SPAM. Especially in light of your Pollyanna appeal for peace and good will and my New Year Toast. Nobody asked anything about rod weight, this thread is nothing but a gratuitous troll for SPAM and I do not mind being the first to say so.

OK, OK. Sheesh – don’t start swinging at your friends, too, big fella. /daytripper ("Pollyanna appeal"? Gonna have to look that one up ;^)

Response:

George Gehrke writes: If you want to see the posts I have, I can post those also.

George, I see no posts regarding the weight of a 7 1/2 ft bamboo fly rod, except your’s.  Do you mean to say you got a question via e-mail and you are answering it here?  If so, that is spam.  Ken’s right again, it appears. Louie

Response:

Am I missing some post’s here, I can’t find the question. Wonder what other post’s that I missed!!!. How can I know? I might be missing half or more that goes on here!! Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – SPAM — Ken Fortenberry don’t start! If you want to see the posts I have, I can post those also. However; it was a legal FLY FISHING question, and the question would be no different had someone asked about a Phillipson, Heddon, St. Croix graphite, a Thomas & Thomas Bamboo, or what have you. Just because it comes from me about something "I’M" involved with, doesn’t make it spam.  I should also clarify that most 7.5′ Bamboo Fly rods weight BETWEEN 3.15 to 4 ounces.  Is that spam also? NOT! Mr. G. — http://www.gink.com/chat

Response:

Mike are you saying thatthis could be a Y2k bug problem, George is getting post’s that no one else see’s?. I still can’t find a post that say’s How much does the seven and one half four wt. weight? Dave ( confused) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I cant find any posts either. I even reset and reloaded the NG just to be sure. Over a thousand posts ! Don’t want to do that too often. This could still be a mistake though. I never see any posts containing binaries, my ISP filters them automatically, and I have occasionally missed posts in the past apparently due to ISP hiccoughs. Oh well,  it was a fairly pleasant year 2000 while it lasted ! TL MC — "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de (SNIP)

Response:

Sorry Mike to get you on edge, just wondering what good info I’m missin. There has been alot of strange post’s on here latly that seems to have parts that I’m not getting( Like redd tarp posting a question and a answer in the same post)and so forth. just wondering if that is the whole post or did somthing fly by me..And yes I did see the hinged indicator post (very good) and I have a lot to learn about flyfishing, I may not have enough knowledge to help most people but I try to read all that takes place here. The hinged indicator reminds me of some tacktics that I see used on the steelhead river I fish, but instead of on the surface the hinge point is a small wheight at the bottom that the fly is a small distance from. This allows the fly to drift down the current pointing forward slowly while the wheight bounces along the bottom. Do us all a favor and never change( not that you can) and a HAPPY NEW YEAR over on the other side of the pond! Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – No Dave, I was simply saying that I could not find the post either. It might not exist, or it might just be a copy from George’s e-mail, but I have no way of knowing.  Just trying to give him the benefit of the doubt is all. He does seem to be making a special, more or less successful, effort to avoid problems recently, and it would be a shame if we got into another flame war, justified or not.  I have had one weird experience already today ( see "CUPERTINO " ) which I am unable to explain, there might equally well be others. Whatever, I am a bit tired of just fighting, I have done too much of it, I am getting too old for it, and it bores me.  One big plus today was hearing about the "right angle indicator" technique, something like that compensates for a lot of crap in my opinion, and is in fact one of my main reasons for subscribing to this NG. Would be nice to hear more of such, and less of the other, irrespective of the past, or justifiable grounds etc etc. Before anybody jumps on that, I am perfectly well aware that I am just guilty as anyone else in this respect. TL MC "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de (SNIP)

Response:

I cant find any posts either. I even reset and reloaded the NG just to be sure. Over a thousand posts ! Don’t want to do that too often. This could still be a mistake though. I never see any posts containing binaries, my ISP filters them automatically, and I have occasionally missed posts in the past apparently due to ISP hiccoughs. Oh well,  it was a fairly pleasant year 2000 while it lasted ! TL MC — "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

(SNIP)

Response:

No Dave, I was simply saying that I could not find the post either. It might not exist, or it might just be a copy from George’s e-mail, but I have no way of knowing.  Just trying to give him the benefit of the doubt is all. He does seem to be making a special, more or less successful, effort to avoid problems recently, and it would be a shame if we got into another flame war, justified or not.  I have had one weird experience already today ( see "CUPERTINO " ) which I am unable to explain, there might equally well be others. Whatever, I am a bit tired of just fighting, I have done too much of it, I am getting too old for it, and it bores me.  One big plus today was hearing about the "right angle indicator" technique, something like that compensates for a lot of crap in my opinion, and is in fact one of my main reasons for subscribing to this NG. Would be nice to hear more of such, and less of the other, irrespective of the past, or justifiable grounds etc etc. Before anybody jumps on that, I am perfectly well aware that I am just guilty as anyone else in this respect. TL MC "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

(SNIP)

Response:

Sorry Mike to get you on edge, just wondering what good info I’m missin.

snipped to save space: ______  Actually David, I should write an entire article on just Bamboo Fly Rod weights.  It might be rather interesting, if you’re interested? Mr. G. — http://www.gink.com/chat

Response:

You did not get me on edge Dave. Your question was legitimate I thought. I have been wondering a bit myself lately, as I have regularly missed posts, which actually should be impossible. I read the group several times a day. Several times I have had to reset Outlook Express, and download all posts again to see the ones I missed. I never see binaries anyway, but the ones I have been missing lately have been normal text posts. I have no idea why, server glitches or software glitches I suppose. I have heard a little on this from another NG as well. My other comments were general in nature, and not directed at you. Tight lines ! Mike Connor– "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

Sorry Mike to get you on edge, just wondering what good info I’m missin.

(SNIP)

Response:

What the Hell does this have to do with anything? If it is a reply to a post, it should be at the bottom of the post. What is it doing here? George, I thought you were going to be good this year. Vern – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How much does the seven and one half four wt. weight? 3.15 Ounces (troy) Mr. G.

Response:

You need not worry Vern. Mr. G. — http://www.gink.com/chat

Response:

Vern, Nearly very time GG posts something it’s a lie. So you expect him to have changed, I doubt it. I was optimistic for a while but then he started again.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What the Hell does this have to do with anything? If it is a reply to a post, it should be at the bottom of the post. What is it doing here? George, I thought you were going to be good this year. Vern How much does the seven and one half four wt. weight? 3.15 Ounces (troy) Mr. G.

Response:

Mike are you saying thatthis could be a Y2k bug problem, George is getting post’s that no one else see’s?

Don’t waste your time Dave.  This is just another piece of spam from ROFF’s own god of dementia.

Response:

Question:

Awhile ago I posted a question about using horses for flyfishing (for riding to the spots, not for materials), and got some helpful replies. Well, I’m gonna do it. I found a place to pasture a horse about five miles from Stanley, for $35 a month! I can’t imagine what it would cost me to keep a horse in Menlo Park, CA. It would be a choice between that and sending my kids to college. It’s a beautiful pasture on 40 acres owned by a crusty oldimer who used to live in my cabin way back when. I think he’ll show this greenhorn the ropes. His place is right at the foot of the Sawtooths, next to some beautiful country with high lakes. I’ve found I’m too old to hump my gear up to the high country. I figure $2000 or so for a good horse (I’ll start with one, then maybe get another), $1000 for a trailer, $500 or so for tack, and pocket change for shots, shoeing, and whatnot, and I’m in business. I just don’t know if I can wait for next spring. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

RW, EEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAWWWWWW   HEE HEEEE HAW!!!!!!   HHOOOOOOOOOOOOO As the "bank" side of a four horse stable for my daughter I got a tremendous laugh out of your post!! Thanks for the moments of "unbridled" (to make a poor horse pun) laughter – horse laughter even. You have made my day brighter! The down side is that if you think   " I figure $2000 or so for a good horse (I’ll start with one, then maybe get another), $1000 for a trailer, $500 or so for tack, and pocket change for shots, shoeing, and whatnot, and I’m in business. I just don’t know if I can wait for next spring. " is a realistic budget for

messin’ with horses you got "anuther think" coming. They can get pretty expensive – and I didn’t see any mention of YOUR medical bills Best of luck, but it sounds like someone offered to "git chew inna horse bidness right". GB

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Awhile ago I posted a question about using horses for flyfishing (for riding to the spots, not for materials), and got some helpful replies. Well, I’m gonna do it. I found a place to pasture a horse about five miles from Stanley, for $35 a month! I can’t imagine what it would cost me to keep a horse in Menlo Park, CA. It would be a choice between that and sending my kids to college. It’s a beautiful pasture on 40 acres owned by a crusty oldimer who used to live in my cabin way back when. I think he’ll show this greenhorn the ropes. His place is right at the foot of the Sawtooths, next to some beautiful country with high lakes. I’ve found I’m too old to hump my gear up to the high country. I figure $2000 or so for a good horse (I’ll start with one, then maybe get another), $1000 for a trailer, $500 or so for tack, and pocket change for shots, shoeing, and whatnot, and I’m in business. I just don’t know if I can wait for next spring. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Care to post some useful information?  Not that I don’t appreciate your solid-caps onomatopoetic laughter, but if you think rw has his numbers way off, how about telling him why instead of making fun of him.  I have more than a little horse experience myself and those numbers sound pretty close to me. Do you take yours to a hairdresser or what?

Doesn’t everybody take their horse to the hairdresser and get it manicured?!?! You must not have cared for your horse if you didn’t call the vet everytime it farted, coughed or sneezed because those are signs of serious illness! Especially the farting "Doc, I just don’t know what to do.  My horse keeps breaking wind even at a standstill!" On a serious note, I would look to spend a little more than $1000 for a trailer and $500 for tack.  Make sure to check the floor of the trailer.  Not a good idea to buy a trailer then have to fix it.  And make sure to actually sit in the saddle and make sure it is comfortable (preferably on the intended horse). When I say comfortable I mean for the horse AND you.   Just some suggestions. Besides, what’s the worst that can happen?  Find out it isn’t going to work out and then sell everything? Warren

Response:

Doesn’t everybody take their horse to the hairdresser and get it manicured?!?! You must not have cared for your horse if you didn’t call the vet everytime it farted, coughed or sneezed because those are signs of serious illness! Especially the farting "Doc, I just don’t know what to do.  My horse keeps breaking wind even at a standstill!" On a serious note, I would look to spend a little more than $1000 for a trailer and $500 for tack.  

Probably right. When I actually start buying things I tend to spend far more than my minimum estimates because I’d rather have nice things, as long as I get value for my money. Of course, I’ll have to reserve a few thousand for hairdressing and manicures. On a side note, lots of people ride Harley Davidson motorcycles around here. I’ve had a few bikes and I’ve always wanted a Harley, so I was musing about getting one. Then I thought about the comparatively low cost of a horse and how many more hours of enjoyment I’d get out of it, and there was no contest. Probably after I get the horse I’ll start thinking about Harleys again. Make sure to check the floor of the trailer.  Not a good idea to buy a trailer then have to fix it.  And make sure to actually sit in the saddle and make sure it is comfortable (preferably on the intended horse). When I say comfortable I mean for the horse AND you.   Just some suggestions.

Thanks for the helpful suggestions, WFin66. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

RW, Write back in a few years. By then you will have been educated. Without the experiential wisdom you are just speculating. Good luck with your horse scheme, but my point is that you WILL need to budget more than "pocket change" for the expenses you mentioned. Glen

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – To all – I couldn’t help myself… I hope RW dosen’t take it as a flame – wasn’t meant that way. On the other hand, when he mentioned those "pocket change" items – maybe he has BIG POCKETS and LOTS OF CHANGE!! $2000 for a horse and $1000 for a trailer. Do you expect shots, shoeing, and so on to be significant compared to that? Perhaps unlike your daughters, I’m not real sentimental about animals (except for my Golden Retriever). If I were looking at a bottomless pit of medical expenses for an animal I’d cut my losses. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

RW, Write back in a few years. By then you will have been educated. Without the experiential wisdom you are just speculating. Good luck with your horse scheme, but my point is that you WILL need to budget more than "pocket change" for the expenses you mentioned. Glen

I’ll do that. The "pocket change" phrase was hyberbole. BTW, I’m not merely speculating. Like everything I do that requires significant outlays of cash, I’ve been looking into it pretty carefully. I’ve long wanted a horse or two, but having them at my California residence would be an absurd waste of money — something for billionares in Woodside. Here in Idaho it looks like a bargain, plus I’d be pasturing them right next to some great country. Most enjoyable things require some money (at least, the things I enjoy), but I’m no sucker, which you implied I was, and which frankly pissed me off. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Gee RW, as I mentioned before, my comments were NOT made to, as you say it "piss you off", but I DID find a GREAT deal of humor in your original thesis. This message sounds much more rational, as though you are now considering the big picture. I too enjoy the horses. I have liked them for years and only bought some in the past few years. We were terribly naive when we got started (we actually thought ONE bale of hay was significant!! – now we buy *hundreds* of bales in one trip). No, we do not go to the horseyhairdresser, but we DO take VERY good care of ALL our animals. Perhaps I was too flip in my original response to the group. I truly would not want to see anyone have a bad horse experience and it sounded like that is where you were headed. So sorry I hurt your feelings! Glen

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – RW, Write back in a few years. By then you will have been educated. Without the experiential wisdom you are just speculating. Good luck with your horse scheme, but my point is that you WILL need to budget more than "pocket change" for the expenses you mentioned. Glen I’ll do that. The "pocket change" phrase was hyberbole. BTW, I’m not merely speculating. Like everything I do that requires significant outlays of cash, I’ve been looking into it pretty carefully. I’ve long wanted a horse or two, but having them at my California residence would be an absurd waste of money — something for billionares in Woodside. Here in Idaho it looks like a bargain, plus I’d be pasturing them right next to some great country. Most enjoyable things require some money (at least, the things I enjoy), but I’m no sucker, which you implied I was, and which frankly pissed me off. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Perhaps I was too flip in my original response to the group. <

Pretty hard to be *too* flip!  <g

Response:

RW, EEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAWWWWWW   HEE HEEEE HAW!!!!!!   HHOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Care to post some useful information?  Not that I don’t appreciate your solid-caps onomatopoetic laughter, but if you think rw has his numbers way off, how about telling him why instead of making fun of him.  I have more than a little horse experience myself and those numbers sound pretty close to me.  Do you take yours to a hairdresser or what? — Levi I have been through some terrible things in my life – some of which actually happened.  –Mark Twain

Response:

RW, EEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAWWWWWW   HEE HEEEE HAW!!!!!!   HHOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Hey! Attributions are in order – lest you be accused of plagiarizing the best line that Chill Wills ever delivered… /daytripper (lessee who remembers…)

Response:

RW, EEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAWWWWWW   HEE HEEEE HAW!!!!!!   HHOOOOOOOOOOOOO Care to post some useful information?  Not that I don’t appreciate your solid-caps onomatopoetic laughter, but if you think rw has his numbers way off, how about telling him why instead of making fun of him.  I have more than a little horse experience myself and those numbers sound pretty close to me.  Do you take yours to a hairdresser or what?

Ha! Good one, Levi. I can just picture his daughters’ horses with little ribbon curliques in their manes. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

To all – I couldn’t help myself… I hope RW dosen’t take it as a flame – wasn’t meant that way. On the other hand, when he mentioned those "pocket change" items – maybe he has BIG POCKETS and LOTS OF CHANGE!!

$2000 for a horse and $1000 for a trailer. Do you expect shots, shoeing, and so on to be significant compared to that? Perhaps unlike your daughters, I’m not real sentimental about animals (except for my Golden Retriever). If I were looking at a bottomless pit of medical expenses for an animal I’d cut my losses. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

The immortal "Dr. Strangelove", of course. That was Slim Pickins. My favorite Chill Wills movie was probably "The Rounders" (unless you count the "Over the Hill Gang" TV stuff, that was great).

On the other hand, Slim Pickens DID deliver that line in a most artful fashion in Dr. Strangelove and in one of the most memorable scenes in movie history. Wolfgang (Whose practice in ducking and covering still serves him well to this day)

Response:

Question:

I should have printed the message, but didn’t.  Someone submitted an exercise where you use the tip of your fly rod and practice casting indoors.  Could that person re-send that message?  I’m new to fly fishing and would like to practice indoors.

This practice method seems to have been proposed first by Lee Wulff about 40 years ago, mainly to teach timing.  Instead of a fly line you use a thickish rope of lightweight wool, such as is used to tie curtains or ornamental parcels, about 10 to 12 feet long.  It works. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

I should have printed the message, but didn’t.  Someone submitted an exercise where you use the tip of your fly rod and practice casting indoors.  Could that person re-send that message?  I’m new to fly fishing and would like to practice indoors. Thanks and Good Fishing Gary

Response:

Gary, what you do is run thick yarn through the guides of the end of your rod as if it was the actual fly line. Its a good way to begin to understand the principles of casting, for example casting a wide loop as opposed to a narrow loop, that sort of thing. Hope this helps. Kevin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I should have printed the message, but didn’t.  Someone submitted an exercise where you use the tip of your fly rod and practice casting indoors.  Could that person re-send that message?  I’m new to fly fishing and would like to practice indoors. Thanks and Good Fishing Gary

Response:

Question:

Marcus writes: I have no idea how you reel in.  I fish mostly for bass and that’s probably what I’ll fish for with this rig, but I don’t know what I’d do if a bass took the popper.  How do you set the hook?  I assume you don’t snap the rod up the way you do with a spinning rod, so what do you do?  And reeling, do you reel the bass in by stripping line, or by using the reel?  What do you do if you’ve got a ton of line at your feet and a bass takes it?  Do you let him run while you reel it in or do you strip it in? No bait.  Just flies. Marcus

Bass have a fairly tough mouth.  Generally, move the rod through an arc parallel to the water surface while simultaneously giving a hard strip with your line hand.  Once, you feel the bass fighting and you’ve got all the slack out of the line between the rod tip and the fish. Give another firm pull and try to rip his lips off, this’ll set the hook.  The hardest part about fishing with a popper is pausing the 1/2 sec between when the bass smashes your popper and setting the hook.  If you jerk too soon you’ll pull the fly out of his mouth.  For me 99.5% of the time my reel is only used to store line.  I’ve been at this a few years and have caught a few fish, but I can count on one hand the # of times I’ve had the fight a LMB from the reel.  The Hawgs, 5 lbs and above, will sometimes pull enough line to get onto the reel but its rare.  I’ve tried to reel all the slack in just to fight fish from the reel and they throw the hook while I’m putzing around.  Poppers are usually only good early in the morning and right before sun down.  Most of my LMB are caught subsurface on Clousers, Wooly Buggers, or Dell’s Merkins (yeah, the saltwater permit fly). Good Luck. Patrick

Response:

Dangit, forgot my real important question. HOW do you get the nail into the fly line?  I’ll be damned if I can get it to go in more than 3 mm. Marcus

Response:

just anwser these questens. how do you cast? how do you tell what line to use? how do you real in? how do you cast back out? what bate should i use? hi from payday8887

Response:

how do you cast? how do you tell what line to use? how do you real in? how do you cast back out? what bate should i use?

I’d like to echo these questions with some of my own.  I’m just getting into fly fishing.  I am figuring out casting.  It’s hard, but not impossible. Books are okay for this, videos better.  Ha! I know the answer to #2, use the line that matches your rod.  If you have a 7 rod, use a 7 line.  As for weight forward, double taper, etc, I dunno.  I’m using weight forward since I hear it’s easier for beginners. I have no idea how you reel in.  I fish mostly for bass and that’s probably what I’ll fish for with this rig, but I don’t know what I’d do if a bass took the popper.  How do you set the hook?  I assume you don’t snap the rod up the way you do with a spinning rod, so what do you do?  And reeling, do you reel the bass in by stripping line, or by using the reel?  What do you do if you’ve got a ton of line at your feet and a bass takes it?  Do you let him run while you reel it in or do you strip it in? No bait.  Just flies. Marcus

Response:

Question:

In article <Pine.GSO.3.96.980414223331.5121C- writes The cost is $36 bucks

A simple but effective, and adjustable, strap can be made from a strip of suitable material and some Velcro.  This will cost a lot less that $36. Just a few pence in our money (U.K.)  The strap is not vital for novice casters, who should learn the basics of casting without a strap. However some older, arthritic, or otherwise weak-wristed person will gain some benefit from the use of a strap. I apologise for entering the thread so late in the day, because some of the above has already been suggested. Regards from Wales — Bill

Response:

Has anyone one used a product called ‘Easy Cast’? It’s a type of wrist band that wraps around the base of the fly rod and your wrist. The add claims "Casts will feel 50% lighter and 100% more comfortable and be more effective." The cost is $36 bucks (at least in the catalog I’ve seen them in). If anything, it looks like it’s make an expensive ’sissy strap’, but then again, if it does what it claims… Thanks in advanced!

Hi Robert, This sounds al lot like the "Wrist Lock" that Joan and Lee Wulff sold for years.  From time to time I use one in my schools for people who have extreme problems with their wrist.  They usually have no idea how much wrist movement they’re using. You can also wear a long sleeve shirt and tuck the butt of the rod into your sleeve to accomplish the same thing.  This limits the amount of movement your wrist can make and brings it to your attention.   It is a poor substitute for good technique and not a permanent or a good solution.   After a student sees how much he was using his wrist and and feels how much easier it is to cast by limiting their wrist movement, they can take it off and do as well without it.   If you rely on it to make your casting better, it will help in the short term, but you’ll soon compensate for it and your wrist problems will get worse instead of better.   The only way it can make the rod feel lighter is by making you use your forearm instead of so much wrist.  Less pressure on your wrist would make the rod feel lighter.  Better technique accomplishes the same thing.  If you leave your crutch behind, your fishing is ruined.  If you learn how to cast efficiently you don’t need it, plus you always know where your arm is (hard to lose).                        Hope this helps,                                Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools Mt. Shasta Fly Fishing Schools http://www.thegrid.net/flyfish

Response:

These wrist bands have been around for years. I first saw one in 1968. All they do is prevent you from moving your wrist while casting. This is an absolute necessity for the beginning caster. When you bend your wrist the rod tip goes in a circle. the line follows creating a wide loop or even hitting the ground in back and in front of you. Preventing the circular wrist motion avoids these beginners problems. Any strap that holds the rod butt against your forearm will provide the benefits claimed by the product. However,  36 bucks seems a little high when a piece of tape will accomplish the same thing. Two Points: 1) It would be better to learn how to cast correctly without the use of a crutch. Try strapping the rod butt to your forearm just to see how it improves your casting and then produce the same results without the crutch. 2) One advanced distance casting technique is to apply a greater amount of line speed by bending the wrist at the appropriate time late in the cast. This cannot be accomplished if you are dependent on a strap to keep you from bending the wrist at the wrong time. There really is only one way to learn how to cast well. It’s called Practice, Practice, and more Practice. Good Luck, — William Endicott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone one used a product called ‘Easy Cast’? It’s a type of wrist band that wraps around the base of the fly rod and your wrist. The add claims "Casts will feel 50% lighter and 100% more comfortable and be more effective." The cost is $36 bucks (at least in the catalog I’ve seen them in). If anything, it looks like it’s make an expensive ’sissy strap’, but then again, if it does what it claims… Thanks in advanced! -Robert | Robert Cid | | Department of Applied Science | University of California, Davis | -!Andale Aggies!- |

Response:

This is one of those things that has been around for years.  It falls in the category with all of the other little gadgets that people buy.  If you buy one I have some swamp land I would like to talk to you about buying. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-mail GO TO http://users.ccnet.com/~emh FOR TRAVEL TIE BOX PLANS – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone one used a product called ‘Easy Cast’? It’s a type of wrist band that wraps around the base of the fly rod and your wrist. The add claims "Casts will feel 50% lighter and 100% more comfortable and be more effective." The cost is $36 bucks (at least in the catalog I’ve seen them in). If anything, it looks like it’s make an expensive ’sissy strap’, but then again, if it does what it claims… Thanks in advanced! -Robert | Robert Cid | | Department of Applied Science | University of California, Davis | -!Andale Aggies!- |

Response:

Has anyone one used a product called ‘Easy Cast’? It’s a type of wrist band that wraps around the base of the fly rod and your wrist. The add claims "Casts will feel 50% lighter and 100% more comfortable and be more effective." The cost is $36 bucks (at least in the catalog I’ve seen them in). If anything, it looks like it’s make an expensive ’sissy strap’, but then again, if it does what it claims… Thanks in advanced! -Robert | Robert Cid | | Department of Applied Science | University of California, Davis | -!Andale Aggies!- |

Response:

You can get much the same effect by wearing an elasticated wrist band and hooking it over the end of the rod handle. If nothing else, it’s worth trying first as it is MUCH cheaper! — Regards Peter Kay (Remove "nospam" to email)

: :Has anyone one used a product called ‘Easy Cast’? It’s a type of wrist :band that wraps around the base of the fly rod and your wrist. The add :claims "Casts will feel 50% lighter and 100% more comfortable and be more :effective." The cost is $36 bucks (at least in the catalog I’ve seen them :in). If anything, it looks like it’s make an expensive ’sissy strap’, but :then again, if it does what it claims… : :Thanks in advanced! : :-Robert : Robert Cid Department of Applied Science University of California, Davis -!Andale Aggies!- : :

Response:

Question:

I’m going to find myself in Oregon toward the end of June and plan to take a few days for fishing.  The only Rivers I know of are the Deschutes and the Umpqua.  Can anyone advise me on them?  Are they worth fishing in June?  Any steelhead that time of year?  What flies should I bring?  What rod?  Thanks in advance.

Response:

I’m going to find myself in Oregon toward the end of June and plan to take a few days for fishing.  The only Rivers I know of are the Deschutes and the Umpqua.  Can anyone advise me on them?  Are they worth fishing in June?  Any steelhead that time of year?  What flies should I bring?  What rod?  Thanks in advance.

Fly fishing on The Deschutes is excellent in June for "Redsides" (Rainbows). The Salmon Fly hatch should be well under way and the little Yellow Stoneflies will be right after. Your fly box should hold some Stimulators, Bucktail and/or Elk Hair Caddis, PMD’s and a few nymphs like Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ear, etc. Steelhead start up the river in July and continue through the end of the year with Aug – Sept. usually best. If you are interested in a guided trip, I fish the lower 20 miles of The Deschutes via Jet Boat and I have a Drift Boat guide that fishes all segments. Feel free to contact me for more info.

Response:

OOPS! Thought my signature would print. http://www.gorge.net/fishing/yfs/ Young’s Fishing Service, Inc. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m going to find myself in Oregon toward the end of June and plan to take a few days for fishing.  The only Rivers I know of are the Deschutes and the Umpqua.  Can anyone advise me on them?  Are they worth fishing in June?  Any steelhead that time of year?  What flies should I bring?  What rod?  Thanks in advance.

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport.  He is arguably the most name recognized individual we have left.  All of us have carried Georges products in our vests.  He has fished with presidents and was casting in Alaska while you were pooping in your britches. He probably knew Lee Wolf and Charlie Brooks. He also saved my life. There I was, packing up after a delightful spring afternoon on the second meadow section of Slough Creek, completely unaware of what was about to transpire. I was going through the usual routine – breaking down the rod, brushing off the sombrero, putting my clothes back on – when I heard a deep growl behind me. Turning quickly, I found myself face-to-face with the ugliest grizzly in Yellowstone. It didn’t look good. Suddenly, from out of nowhere came George Gehrke, big as life and twice as conservative, carrying a fistfull of Gehrke’s Gink bottles and a rolled up copy of the "American Spectator". He looked like Brian Keith on steriods, all red flannel, denim and muscle. A tattoo on his forehead read "Speak English or die" The bear turned to face George and I thought he was toast when, in a flash, George crammed two bottles of Gink into his mouth and put the rolled up magazine to his lips. In the manner of an African tribesman with a blowgun, he shot the plastic bottles into the grizzly’s nostrils, where the caps popped open, releasing their patented paste into the beast’s brain. The grizzly spun in circles several times, salivating, bellowing, then it stopped. The bear sat there, eyes glazed, smiling. The bear was hallucinating. "COMMIE SONOFABITCH!" roared George as he launched himself at the beast, driving his hand into its frothing mouth and down its throat. I heard a loud crunch as the man’s fist clenched around the beast’s spinal cord. Then, with a sickening "rrriiipp" he tore the animal’s entire skeleton out of its body through its very mouth. Laughing like Zeus, George Gehrke held the bloody bones in the air, where the last rays of sunlight danced through their ghastly membranes like the tinsel on Satan’s Christmas tree. It was kind of intense. Steve Oh God was that funny…YEE HAA !!!! *WHAT* a monday morning in the newsgroup !!! TimW

Yea, What a HOOT!! RickM

Response:

PETA has instructed all their members to write in BAMBI on all of their votes. Insider info, (PE)T(A)-Bone?

Ya know, Jim?  You’re obsession with Tim is starting to become kind of embarrassing to watch.  You might consider taking a break from the newsgroup and coming back when you’ve found your sense of humor. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

Response:

SOUNDS LIKE "REN & STIMPY" TO ME. OR PERHAPS "ITCHY AND SCRATCHY". YOU GUY’S OUGHTA LIGHTEN UP A LITTLE. I DON’T KNOW, MAYBE YOU COULD GO FISHING OR SOMETHING.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport.  He is arguably the most name recognized individual we have left.  All of us have carried Georges products in our vests.  He has fished with presidents and was casting in Alaska while you were pooping in your britches. He probably knew Lee Wolf and Charlie Brooks. While he may be a most seasoned fishing expert, he is clearly a usenet novice. If one comes into an unfamiliar usenet group flaming and screaming, one should expect it to come back around tenfold.  If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.  (Gads!  I’m starting to sound like Ross Perot.  I need therapy.)

Speaking of therapy, How is the Ellis Hot Canned Chili withdrawel going ? George is a usenet tyro…which is even more perfect ! I abhor a stale newsgroup ! TimW

Response:

snip And if my vision is clouded by my deep attachment to our smoke in the eye heritage, please don’t try to make it more clear.  I like it this way.

My own smoke in the eye heritage has more to do with people I’ve known than someone who refers to himself as a Professional Sportsman. Ross

Response:

I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport.  He is arguably the most name recognized individual we have left.  All of us have carried Georges products in our vests.  He has fished with presidents and was casting in Alaska while you were pooping in your britches. He probably knew Lee Wolf and Charlie Brooks.

He also saved my life. There I was, packing up after a delightful spring afternoon on the second meadow section of Slough Creek, completely unaware of what was about to transpire. I was going through the usual routine – breaking down the rod, brushing off the sombrero, putting my clothes back on – when I heard a deep growl behind me. Turning quickly, I found myself face-to-face with the ugliest grizzly in Yellowstone. It didn’t look good. Suddenly, from out of nowhere came George Gehrke, big as life and twice as conservative, carrying a fistfull of Gehrke’s Gink bottles and a rolled up copy of the "American Spectator". He looked like Brian Keith on steriods, all red flannel, denim and muscle. A tattoo on his forehead read "Speak English or die" The bear turned to face George and I thought he was toast when, in a flash, George crammed two bottles of Gink into his mouth and put the rolled up magazine to his lips. In the manner of an African tribesman with a blowgun, he shot the plastic bottles into the grizzly’s nostrils, where the caps popped open, releasing their patented paste into the beast’s brain. The grizzly spun in circles several times, salivating, bellowing, then it stopped. The bear sat there, eyes glazed, smiling. The bear was hallucinating. "COMMIE SONOFABITCH!" roared George as he launched himself at the beast, driving his hand into its frothing mouth and down its throat. I heard a loud crunch as the man’s fist clenched around the beast’s spinal cord. Then, with a sickening "rrriiipp" he tore the animal’s entire skeleton out of its body through its very mouth. Laughing like Zeus, George Gehrke held the bloody bones in the air, where the last rays of sunlight danced through their ghastly membranes like the tinsel on Satan’s Christmas tree. It was kind of intense. Steve

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport.  He is arguably the most name recognized individual we have left.  All of us have carried Georges products in our vests.  He has fished with presidents and was casting in Alaska while you were pooping in your britches. He probably knew Lee Wolf and Charlie Brooks. He also saved my life. There I was, packing up after a delightful spring afternoon on the second meadow section of Slough Creek, completely unaware of what was about to transpire. I was going through the usual routine – breaking down the rod, brushing off the sombrero, putting my clothes back on – when I heard a deep growl behind me. Turning quickly, I found myself face-to-face with the ugliest grizzly in Yellowstone. It didn’t look good. Suddenly, from out of nowhere came George Gehrke, big as life and twice as conservative, carrying a fistfull of Gehrke’s Gink bottles and a rolled up copy of the "American Spectator". He looked like Brian Keith on steriods, all red flannel, denim and muscle. A tattoo on his forehead read "Speak English or die" The bear turned to face George and I thought he was toast when, in a flash, George crammed two bottles of Gink into his mouth and put the rolled up magazine to his lips. In the manner of an African tribesman with a blowgun, he shot the plastic bottles into the grizzly’s nostrils, where the caps popped open, releasing their patented paste into the beast’s brain. The grizzly spun in circles several times, salivating, bellowing, then it stopped. The bear sat there, eyes glazed, smiling. The bear was hallucinating. "COMMIE SONOFABITCH!" roared George as he launched himself at the beast, driving his hand into its frothing mouth and down its throat. I heard a loud crunch as the man’s fist clenched around the beast’s spinal cord. Then, with a sickening "rrriiipp" he tore the animal’s entire skeleton out of its body through its very mouth. Laughing like Zeus, George Gehrke held the bloody bones in the air, where the last rays of sunlight danced through their ghastly membranes like the tinsel on Satan’s Christmas tree. It was kind of intense. Steve

  I’d put the pipe down for a while Steve,     Harry   ( it does have some merit though)

Response:

: : It was kind of intense. :   I’d put the pipe down for a while Steve,   I’m guessing Spinolio often fishes alone.  Perhaps too often. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport.  He is arguably the most name recognized individual we have left.  All of us have carried Georges products in our vests.  He has fished with presidents and was casting in Alaska while you were pooping in your britches. He probably knew Lee Wolf and Charlie Brooks. He also saved my life. There I was, packing up after a delightful spring afternoon on the second meadow section of Slough Creek, completely unaware of what was about to transpire. I was going through the usual routine – breaking down the rod, brushing off the sombrero, putting my clothes back on – when I heard a deep growl behind me. Turning quickly, I found myself face-to-face with the ugliest grizzly in Yellowstone. It didn’t look good. Suddenly, from out of nowhere came George Gehrke, big as life and twice as conservative, carrying a fistfull of Gehrke’s Gink bottles and a rolled up copy of the "American Spectator". He looked like Brian Keith on steriods, all red flannel, denim and muscle. A tattoo on his forehead read "Speak English or die" The bear turned to face George and I thought he was toast when, in a flash, George crammed two bottles of Gink into his mouth and put the rolled up magazine to his lips. In the manner of an African tribesman with a blowgun, he shot the plastic bottles into the grizzly’s nostrils, where the caps popped open, releasing their patented paste into the beast’s brain. The grizzly spun in circles several times, salivating, bellowing, then it stopped. The bear sat there, eyes glazed, smiling. The bear was hallucinating. "COMMIE SONOFABITCH!" roared George as he launched himself at the beast, driving his hand into its frothing mouth and down its throat. I heard a loud crunch as the man’s fist clenched around the beast’s spinal cord. Then, with a sickening "rrriiipp" he tore the animal’s entire skeleton out of its body through its very mouth. Laughing like Zeus, George Gehrke held the bloody bones in the air, where the last rays of sunlight danced through their ghastly membranes like the tinsel on Satan’s Christmas tree. It was kind of intense. Steve

Oh God was that funny…YEE HAA !!!! *WHAT* a monday morning in the newsgroup !!! TimW

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I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport.  He is arguably the most name recognized individual we have left.  All of us have carried Georges products in our vests.  He has fished with presidents and was casting in Alaska while you were pooping in your britches. He probably knew Lee Wolf and Charlie Brooks. He is one of the legends friends and we have him on the net.  This is a rare event for us that we should savour. And if my vision is clouded by my deep attachment to our smoke in the eye heritage, please don’t try to make it more clear.  I like it this way. TimW

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Aw T, you might lose your Crumudgeon membership card for this post, but I’d hate to see the reaction we saw to his forcefully stated position, drive George or anyone else off this/these groups. jg

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport.  He is arguably the most name recognized individual we have left.  All of us have carried Georges products in our vests.  He has fished with presidents and was casting in Alaska while you were pooping in your britches. He probably knew Lee Wolf and Charlie Brooks. He is one of the legends friends and we have him on the net.  This is a rare event for us that we should savour. And if my vision is clouded by my deep attachment to our smoke in the eye heritage, please don’t try to make it more clear.  I like it this way. TimW

I like this ng. People come here, share their opinions about fly fishing, and other subjects. I’ve met some who come here. They, every one, every bit as respectable as the icons we hold up as the Patriarchs of fly fishing. Yes, I may have been loading my shorts when such people were exploring western trout waters that have long-since been relegated to stories. But I’d sooner find myself on a river with a Rick Fletcher, a Randy Shrock, or a Charlie Quinton than any of the people we may place in that category. The people who have contributed to most to this heritage, the individuals who do so now, have never gone noticed by an equipment manufacturer, a fishing magazine, or notoriety of any form, largely because if it came their way, they’d be too focussed on a floating dry fly, or taking a son or grandson beyond the hedonistic tendencies of human nature that impede the discovery of fly fishing. Mitch

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I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport.  He is arguably the most name recognized individual we have left.  All of us have carried Georges products in our vests.  He has fished with presidents and was casting in Alaska while you were pooping in your britches. He probably knew Lee Wolf and Charlie Brooks.

While he may be a most seasoned fishing expert, he is clearly a usenet novice. If one comes into an unfamiliar usenet group flaming and screaming, one should expect it to come back around tenfold.  If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.  (Gads!  I’m starting to sound like Ross Perot.  I need therapy.) — -Wayne Trzyna

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I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport. [TEXT DELETED] And if my vision is clouded by my deep attachment to our smoke in the eye heritage, please don’t try to make it more clear.  I like it this way.

I don’t think the smoke is coming from your "smoke in the eye heritage". YOUR ONE OF THOSE CRACK SMOKIN ROSS PEROT, IDIOTS THAT SITS IN FRONT OF THE T.V. AND MASTERBAITS TO RUSH …AREN’T YOU ??? SO WHO IS PETA MAKING YOU VOTE FOR? …..Hee Heee Heee..;)

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know the man, but I have a vision of him… He is a legend in our sport. [TEXT DELETED] And if my vision is clouded by my deep attachment to our smoke in the eye heritage, please don’t try to make it more clear.  I like it this way. I don’t think the smoke is coming from your "smoke in the eye heritage". YOUR ONE OF THOSE CRACK SMOKIN ROSS PEROT, IDIOTS THAT SITS IN FRONT OF THE T.V. AND MASTERBAITS TO RUSH …AREN’T YOU ??? SO WHO IS PETA MAKING YOU VOTE FOR? …..Hee Heee Heee..;)

Let me add ‘em up…1, 2, 3 (well, not to Rush…)… Yeah, I guess I am…. PETA has instructed all their members to write in BAMBI on all of their votes. TimW Thumper vor VP !

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Question:

Will be cruising the BVIs in Feb. Thought that some light surface fishing or fly fishing would be fun. Do i need a license? Any details you can help with on tackle etc.? Thanks

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Will be bare boating Feb. Thought that light spincasting or flyfishing might be fun. Any experience? Do I need a license? Will be using the Moorings. Do they supply any fishing gear?

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Question:

: The caddis fly is of the order Trichoptera.  The May fly is of the order : Ephemeroptera.  They aint the same bug.  So somebody better get his story : straight. Of course they are different bugs…and these are brachycentrus. They are ALSO Grannoms, Sedges, Little Brown Buggies, Mothies etc. etc. The fact is, the hatch does happen in May. Therefore, for the locals to call ‘em the may-flies is ok by me…the biologist was probably also the barber who is also the sherrif on friday nights. Tim Walker

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Absolutely correct.  It is primarily a communication/context issue, and we should be intelligent and flexible enough to adapt. This leads to an adaptation of an old Stve Martin joke, which might go like this: Up in Canada, "Pickerel" means "Walleye". "Brewskie" means "Beer". Those darn canucks have a different word for ust about everything! (and in Quebec, they call walleye/pickerel – dore – pronounced door-ray!) : — : # Forestry Canada                                                       # : # Petawawa National Forestry Institute                Voice:  (613)-589-3033    # : # Box 2000, Chalk River, Ontario              FAX:    (613)-589-2275    # : # K0J 1J0 CANADA                                                        # — |     Bob Lundy                   | |     Mississauga, ON, Canada     |

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The Stripped Bass is only known as "Rockfish" in the Cheasapeak bay. Once they enter the Atlantic they mysteriously become Stripped Bass. It appears that they are in fact actually making it into the Atlantic again now after the Rockfish moritorium of a few years ago. —      _______   o  |  Gone fish’n in KoKoMo |_/ ——   o |  Carl Traenkner, Lead Software Engineer  

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Hey, they also call ‘em "waugers" here…more confusing is the "striper" (white bass), rockfish (imported saltwater striper), and hybrids (cross ‘tween white bass and rockfish)…

Just to throw more fuel on the fire, "rockfish" is the proper name for a common class of deep-ocean saltwater fish.  "Rockfish" referring to saltwater striped bass is a regional name used in the NE U.S.  True rockfish are often called rock cod, even though they’re not cod… Hey did I tell you about the rainbow trout not really being a trout yet?

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Just to make things more confusing, we now have a hybrid species that’s a cross between a walleye and a sauger.  It’s called a "saugeye" and it’s becoming a very popular sport fish here in Oklahoma.

Hey, they also call ‘em "waugers" here…more confusing is the "striper" (white bass), rockfish (imported saltwater striper), and hybrids (cross ‘tween white bass and rockfish)…  Mac McDougald            *   Any opinions expressed herein are  The Photography Center   *   not necessarily (actually, are  UNIV of TN, Knoxville    *   almost CERTAINLY NOT) those of UTK.  (615-974-3449)           *    than they’ve ever been before."    

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing Path: darkside!constellation!osuunx.ucc.okstate.edu!newsfeed.ksu.ksu.edu!moe.ksu .ksu.e du!hobbes.physics.uiowa.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!utnut!nott!p nfi!sj oyce Organization: Canadian Forest Service – Petawawa National Forestry Institute Distribution: rec Lines: 44 By far, a much bigger problem is fish misidentification, and misinformation in general.  When we argue over pickerel/walleye, at least we are referring to the same tasty, toothy fish.  I came across some ice fishermen a few years ago with a pile of fingerling lake trout on the ice and asked them how the fishing was: "No lakers, but a few o’ dem speckles inna some margerine will be damn good". (he thought they were speckled trout or brook trout which grow to a smaller size).  Another time I came across a guy fishing for walleye in Alberta.  He remarked that he had caught "some of those f*ing dark ones" and tossed them on the bank.  They were sauger which are just as tasty. I’m off to go pickerel fishing. oops I mean walleye. Cheers, SPJ

Just to make things more confusing, we now have a hybrid species that’s a cross between a walleye and a sauger.  It’s called a "saugeye" and it’s becoming a very popular sport fish here in Oklahoma.  I haven’t caught one yet, but I look foreward to it. Richard

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Here in colorado, around the beginning of may, the caddis hatch in blizzards. Tan snow. Anyway, the locals say the "May Flies" have hatched. Last year, the Glenwood Post had a biologist on page one who said thet "These are definately mayflies and NOT caddis, as some people beleive." I about had a seizure. Any flyfisherman worth his 5X knows a caddis, on the wing even. But, the local name and affection is kinda cute, so i’m not too smug and i think i know when to call ‘em mayflies too… Tim Walker

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing Path: darkside!constellation!convex!insosf1.infonet.net!yeshua.marcam.com!news.k ei.com !eff!news.umbc.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio- state. edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!twalker Nntp-Posting-Host: teal.csn.org Organization: Colorado SuperNet, Inc. X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL1] Distribution: rec Lines: 12 Here in colorado, around the beginning of may, the caddis hatch in blizzards. Tan snow. Anyway, the locals say the "May Flies" have hatched. Last year, the Glenwood Post had a biologist on page one who said thet "These are definately mayflies and NOT caddis, as some people beleive." I about had a seizure. Any flyfisherman worth his 5X knows a caddis, on the wing even. But, the local name and affection is kinda cute, so i’m not too smug and i think i know when to call ‘em mayflies too… Tim Walker

The caddis fly is of the order Trichoptera.  The May fly is of the order Ephemeroptera.  They aint the same bug.  So somebody better get his story straight. Richard

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It seems a bit ridiculous to be having arguments about common names of fish when they are just that; "common names".  As such, they are regional by nature, language specific, and vary widely across the country and across borders (i.e. Walleye, Pickerel, Dore, walleyed pike, yellow pickerel etc.). You can find "official" literature in different areas that list different common names for exactly the same fish.  They not only vary by region, they vary sometimes according to fish size or life stage (Chinook, King, Spring, Tyee).  They can even vary according to how the fish is caught or marketed (Lake Herring, Ciscoe, Tulibee).  And I’ve also noticed the uglier the fish is, the more common names it will have (Ling, Burbot, Eelpout, Lawyer, freshwater cod,…snake?).  If you want an unabiguous label for a fish species, you have to use the latin or scientific name. To me, common names have never been a problem.  Just learn as much as you can about fish species in the areas you fish, and the common names in those areas.  I think there can be some confusion if the same common name refers to a different fish in different areas but that’s rare.  When you ask the locals where the fish are biting, you will get a lot farther by using the local fish names! . By far, a much bigger problem is fish misidentification, and misinformation in general.  When we argue over pickerel/walleye, at least we are referring to the same tasty, toothy fish.  I came across some ice fishermen a few years ago with a pile of fingerling lake trout on the ice and asked them how the fishing was: "No lakers, but a few o’ dem speckles inna some margerine will be damn good". (he thought they were speckled trout or brook trout which grow to a smaller size).  Another time I came across a guy fishing for walleye in Alberta.  He remarked that he had caught "some of those f*ing dark ones" and tossed them on the bank.  They were sauger which are just as tasty. I’m off to go pickerel fishing. oops I mean walleye. Cheers, SPJ — # Forestry Canada                                                         # # Petawawa National Forestry Institute          Voice:  (613)-589-3033    # # Box 2000, Chalk River, Ontario                FAX:    (613)-589-2275    # # K0J 1J0 CANADA                                                          #

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