Question:

The point is that when I type a string of ASCII characters, I expected (up until now) that my recipients would see that string of ASCII characters (font differences notwithstanding), and not some browser developer’s interpretation of it. Is it even possible to type accurately the character string "colon, hyphen, closing parenthesis" without the newfangled browser defaults converting it to a grinning jack-o-lantern?

Errr, you’re missing the big picture.  The display of emoticons as graphics is in *your* software.  Us text-only types still see them as the text they are (well, to be more accurate for the literal minded, as the standard text representation of the bit patterns they are).  You don’t send big yellow smileys, you only see them.  If you turn off the setting Willi mentioned, you will then see the same reality we all do. –Stan

Response:

Errr, you’re missing the big picture.  The display of emoticons as graphics is in *your* software.  Us text-only types still see them as the text they are (well, to be more accurate for the literal minded, as the standard text representation of the bit patterns they are).  You don’t send big yellow smileys, you only see them.  If you turn off the setting Willi mentioned, you will then see the same reality we all do.

Stupid me! Of course! Why didn’t I see that the first time?! Thanks for clearing that up, Stan! — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

<SNIP Errr, you’re missing the big picture.  The display of emoticons as graphics is in *your* software.  Us text-only types still see them as the text they are (well, to be more accurate for the literal minded, as the standard text representation of the bit patterns they are).  You don’t send big yellow smileys, you only see them.  If you turn off the setting Willi mentioned, you will then see the same reality we all do. –Stan

"A big yellow smiley, came and confused my old man". TL MC

Response:

When we had our discussion about "whining", I did a search and found a couple groups that also used "whining" in the same way you do. (I disagree with them too!)

Makes the score 3 to 1. This is turning out to be a good day after all What was interesting to me is that they had the same attitude toward the use of emoticons as they did to whining.

Will you be handing down *your* unique pronouncement on that issue in the near future, or do we have to use our imagination? /daytripper (This is getting…a bit weird….)

Response:

[artwork snipped] Looks like Betty Boop after a shark attack…

Response:

[artwork snipped] Looks like Betty Boop after a shark attack…

Naw, she was probably just….changed… ) …hmm…I wonder what rw’s program will do with this

Response:

Gee what happen went from a nice trip report to slamming smilies go figure only on ROFF                    Handyman Mike           Standing in a river waving a stick

Response:

After recently upgrading my browser I noticed something right away. Smileys no longer appear as strings of ASCII symbols. They appear as bright yellow images of maniacally smiling or frowning smiley creatures. They STAND OUT! This is a dramatic change. I’ve always thought of smileys as cover-your-ass devices — protection from literal-minded pedants with no sense of humor, but otherwise harmless cliches that all reasonable people ignored. Now they’re in my face. Two or three of the new, improved smileys distract from the actual content of the post.

Tough nuggies, just ‘cuz you’ve gone over to the Dark Mozilla Side I ain’t throwing away my winky dudes! /daytripper (Fix it or get over it! )

Response:

You can change them back to ASCII ynder preferences/mail and newsgroups/message display.

Sure, but them I’ll have to get everyone else to change them, too. The point is that when I type a string of ASCII characters, I expected (up until now) that my recipients would see that string of ASCII characters (font differences notwithstanding), and not some browser developer’s interpretation of it. Is it even possible to type accurately the character string "colon, hyphen, closing parenthesis" without the newfangled browser defaults converting it to a grinning jack-o-lantern? — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Tough nuggies, just ‘cuz you’ve gone over to the Dark Mozilla Side I ain’t throwing away my winky dudes! /daytripper (Fix it or get over it! )

When we had our discussion about "whining", I did a search and found a couple groups that also used "whining" in the same way you do. (I disagree with them too!) What was interesting to me is that they had the same attitude toward the use of emoticons as they did to whining. Willi

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After recently upgrading my browser I noticed something right away. Smileys no longer appear as strings of ASCII symbols. They appear as bright yellow images of maniacally smiling or frowning smiley creatures. They STAND OUT! This is a dramatic change. I’ve always thought of smileys as cover-your-ass devices — protection from literal-minded pedants with no sense of humor, but otherwise harmless cliches that all reasonable people ignored. Now they’re in my face. Two or three of the new, improved smileys distract from the actual content of the post. Tough nuggies, just ‘cuz you’ve gone over to the Dark Mozilla Side I ain’t throwing away my winky dudes! /daytripper (Fix it or get over it! )

Hmm…I wonder what this’ll do to it…                       .                                :::::::….                `::                           .::::::::::::::::::..::::::::::::::.                    .:  .::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::                   ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::                   `:::::::::::::::“::::::::::: `::::::::::::::::::                    ::::::::::’zc$$$b`:’,cc,`:::’ :”“,c=`:::::::::::’                                `"""???$PFFF""    """"""""                         $$$$$P  `$.::::::::::::::::::         `"".$$$$$c               z$$$$$$"           .::::::::::::::::..:3$$$$P L               `?$$$"            ::::::::::::::::::::.?::: . $    .,,,,ccc$L ? ""             :::::::::::::::::::::::::::.c%  :$$ ?=?P$$$%                 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::                              `:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::                               ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::                          :   :::::::::::::::::““,,,,zcc`””`                          :::::::::::’zc,,,,,cd$$ `???""""                               J$$$$$$"      $$$$$$F                               $$$$$P        ?$$$$$                              d$$$$F         <$$$$F                              $$$P"           $$$P                             J$$P            <$$$’                            .$$P             $$$$                           .$$$             `$$$L                          z$$$F            / "$$$                         $$$$%/           ( ;. "?.                        ;"?""            “  `.                          .- `                   `–’ ;-}…oops…<G…. R

Response:

After recently upgrading my browser I noticed something right away. Smileys no longer appear as strings of ASCII symbols. They appear as bright yellow images of maniacally smiling or frowning smiley creatures. They STAND OUT! This is a dramatic change. I’ve always thought of smileys as cover-your-ass devices — protection from literal-minded pedants with no sense of humor, but otherwise harmless cliches that all reasonable people ignored. Now they’re in my face. Two or three of the new, improved smileys distract from the actual content of the post. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After recently upgrading my browser I noticed something right away. Smileys no longer appear as strings of ASCII symbols. They appear as bright yellow images of maniacally smiling or frowning smiley creatures. They STAND OUT! This is a dramatic change. I’ve always thought of smileys as cover-your-ass devices — protection from literal-minded pedants with no sense of humor, but otherwise harmless cliches that all reasonable people ignored. Now they’re in my face. Two or three of the new, improved smileys distract from the actual content of the post.

You can change them back to ASCII ynder preferences/mail and newsgroups/message display. Willi

Response:

        Had a *real* need to fish today.  So, I decided to swing up the valley and hit the river just below the Upper Souris refuge dam.  Had heard some of the small panfish were hitting. Sounded like just what the doctor ordered.         Now is where the folly starts — I have an 8′ 4 wt. in the car for when the urge to sneak off hits.  Listen to the weather report, and they say wind gusting to 30 mph.  Oh well, I figure, I can perhaps set up on a sheltered section, out of the wind, and still be able to cast in a halfways alright manner.  Get out of the car and string up.  Wind is channeling quite efficiently down the river.  Walk to the bank anyhow, and proceed to flail away…         Ugh.  Head is not screwed on straight.  Attempt to muscle the 4 wt.  Leader system is also too long, and can’t even turn the weighted #10 scud over with a roll cast.   Situation heading downhill rapidly.  Pick up and head to the small fishing pier to attempt to jig the scud from on high.  This works, after a fashion, unless one is exposed to the wind or a gust comes along and lifts the whole assembly out of the water, to hover several feet above it.         Decide to proceed upstream to a point area where I think I can cast downwind.  Oh yeah, the forward cast is downwind, but backcasts are problematic.  Gusts collapse the loop going back.  Wind dies a bit, and I proceed to muscle the thing again.  Not paying a lot of attention to my backcast either.  Can feel the line almost straightening behind me, and give it a quick snap forward, just as a gust kicks up.         Snap is the operative phrase, as I hear the line crack behind me.  Line goes forward and falls nicely on the water, but I figure the scud went flying when I cracked the whip.  Strip in, and find that not only is the scud gone, but the leader, braided loop, and about 6-8" of my fly line as well.         Reel up in disgust with myself.  As I’m packing the rod back up, hear something across the bank from me, and see a nice whitetail buck looking at me.  He gives a snort and bounds off into the thick brush.  Sit down on the bank and look around.  See a female Bittern fishing down the far bank.  She has no luck either, and flies off.  Look upstream and see a Pellican floating my way. Watch it sail on by.    None of the preceeding folly seems to matter all that much.  Would be quite content to sit there for awhile, just taking it all in.  See a small fish take something off the top with a splashing rise.  Think it was a perch, but it really doesn’t matter.  Life is good when one is on the water.  Unfortunately, it was time for me to head back home.         Fixed the business end of my fly line when I got home, and am ready to go again.  Forecast says much less wind tomorrow, so perhaps I will head back in the afternoon for awhile.  Lots of grasshoppers about.  If the wind will allow me to unleash the 4 wt. again, I might try some dry fly fishing with a suitable hopper tie.  Will throw the 7 wt. in the car in case the breeze is too stiff.  And if it’s blowing a gale again, I might just sit on the bank and watch the world go by. Todd

Response:

Question:

Tuesday morning found only RW, Bruce and me in camp.  At breakfast, we met Kerry Evans a roffer from Colorado.  We headed back to the Texas Hole to fish the riffles in front of the first handicap ramp.  I started fishing without Bruce directing me — caught nothing.  When he came down, he placed me at the side of the main current.  On my first cast I was into a nice fish and managed to land a 20 inch bow, again with beautiful colors.  After awhile, Bruce moved us upstream to Big Rock Hole and the main current of the river.  RW, Bruce and I took some beautiful fish here.  We also lost two for every one we landed — the current was quite strong and with iddybiddy hooks it was difficult to land these big fish.  One brought me downstream about 50 yards.  As I stumbled/waded over the slippery rocks, RW hollered, "Hey, bring us back some chips and salsa and a couple of beers!"  I managed to finally net this giant football and in my excitement  reviving the fish, my net floated away!   I broke for lunch, but the two river maniacs stayed and continued to catch fish.  I met them in the flats above the KP after lunch and couldn’t believe that I was catching 20 inch fish in 16 inch deep water!   I moved back to the Texas Hole after awhile, and rigged up for some dry fly fishing.  I tied on a size 22 Adams parachute (Forty’s SJ fly) and cast to rising fish.  I managed to hook a few, but never landed one.  RW and Bruce collected me just before dark and we made our way back.  I left them at the parking lot and went back to the former Clave Central.  It was a lonely dinner and evening with no roffians about.  I fell asleep at 7:30 and awoke at 5:30. Apparently I was tired.  Happy, but very tired. Dave LaCourse Dave LaCourse

Response:

(snip great report) Apparently I was tired.  Happy, but very tired. Dave LaCourse

Now THAT is the way to finish out a road trip!  :-) — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine!

Response:

Dave, i couldn’t imagine a better day than tuesday.  you caught more fish than i ever did in my first few days on that river.  it is fun in that current by the big rock – we lost several more each than we landed.  steve’s side is real tough because the fish are there, but you’ve only got about ten feet square of reasonable water around you and if the fish leaves the area, your chances are slim.  nice also that we all tended to pop out of the fish rather than break off, although our pockets were picked a few times each.  the flies are so small, louie thought he broke off the entire rig in a pig once, only to say "wait, i’ve still got one fly… no, maybe i’ve got both… yep, i’ve bruce h — bare your soul let your spirit burn out along the road to no return – r.e. keen

Response:

Nice report Dave, thanks.  I share your feelings about catching beat up hatchery trout, even though they may be large ones taking tiny flies.  That’s what happens when a place becomes popular.  Keep all your honey holes a secret or they may turn out to be like the kiddy pool.  There is no substitute for wild trout. Ernie

Tuesday morning found only RW, Bruce and me in camp.  At breakfast, we met Kerry Evans a roffer from Colorado.

<great trip report snipped – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dave LaCourse

Response:

[deleted] There is no substitute for wild trout.

The last week of November found me in a tourist town at the gates of a National Park near where I live.  There was a pond and a parking lot. In the parking lot was a large lit sign on a pole which read "Catch Wild Trout". And so I am left to conclude agreement with you on your sentiment Ernie. The one possible exception being the imagination. Your pal, — TimW Halfordian Golfer & Urban Forager It is impossible to catch and release a wild trout. A cash flow runs through it.

Response:

Question:

Mine–admittedly just for ordinary shoes–are made of cork.  Maybe traditional ones aren’t durable enough for repeated soaking and drying out.

Need Portuguese cork from a good rod-building site. — fly-tyin’, drift-boat-rowin’, dutch-oven-cookin’, spring-crick-fishin’ western mountain mamas who yodel in the throes of passion.com

Response:

Does anyone know of a good orthopedic wading boot?  I refuse to give up wading streams because I can’t walk.  More importantly, which one of you

Custom orthotics are nowadays made of resin. You just put them in your wading boots. — |        Carlsbad Springs, Ottawa, Canada        |

Response:

Be careful with insurance. As we all know, some generic substitutions are fine (for example, I’ve heard that Danish and Finnish nude masseuses are clinically equivalent to Swedish masseuses), but some HMOs will try to foist masseuses from Hungary of the Czech Republic, as to which there is insufficient research to justify it medically. I propose a double-blind test: you in a dark room with nude masseuses of various nationalities, including Canadians as a control, and the guy opening the door and letting them in wearing earplugs so he can’t hear the accents. Let me know how it turns out or if you need any volunteers to obtain a more statistically relevant sample. Also, more seriously, go get a second opinion on this stuff. Podiatrists are great in their specialty, but as Dirty Harry Callahan says, "A man’s got to know his limitations." — fly-tyin’, drift-boat-rowin’, dutch-oven-cookin’, spring-crick-fishin’ western mountain mamas who yodel in the throes of passion.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ll be lookin’ to all this stuff via the ‘net and my insurance policy.  I like the idea of the Swedish therapy most.  You think insurance will cover that as well?

Response:

I thought you was a shrink Doc?  What you got a foot fetish too? I’ll be lookin’ to all this stuff via the ‘net and my insurance policy.  I like the idea of the Swedish therapy most.  You think insurance will cover that as well? Thanks Chris

— I used to be a shrink, but now I look at my feet all the time, so hence the expertise.  Actually, I looked this stuff up because I was concerned and put together my post based upon my research findings. If your insurance company does not cover well accepted medically necessary naked Swedish massage, then send a complaint to the insurance commission of your state.  Geesh, what are these mangled care, OOPS, I mean managed care companies coming to anyway? — Padishar Creel "What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult to each other."  – George Eliot

Response:

Aw heck JR, it was worth a shot….besides Ope knows I wish him the best, even if I don’t get all his goodies. FWIW, I have diabetes too, but mine can be controlled merely by watching my diet (can you say Dr Atkins?) and excersize. Frank (ain’t even *close* to bein’ a gear ho’) Church – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Oh, man.  What a brazen attempt to win the all-time, all-universe Gear Whore title. JR — To reply, remove the Qs from the address above Jeez Ope, I’m sorry to hear of your multiple maladies.  I’m sure at your young age you can beat them all handily, but just in case you expire, kin I have your rod collection?  [might as well throw in all your flies too] <bseg Frank (I’m all heart) Church

Response:

I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes.

<snipped while being sad —- G&F,  I am sorry to hear about these things especially the last one. However, the good news is that there has been some serious progress in the treatment of diabetes, including reactivating a person’s pancreas.  I read somewhere that they are experimenting implanting animal pancreatic tissue for humans. As to your other ailments, Lime’s disease goes away when you stop using Limes in tequila and substitute lemons.  (Of course, you may have meant Lyme’s disease and that responds pretty well to broad spectrum anti-biotics).  Tarsal on the other hand responds poorly to therapy because the flexor retinaculum cannot stretch very much. As the pressure increases in the Tarsal Tunnel, the nerve is the most sensitive to the pressure and is squeezed against the Flexor Retinaculum. This causes dysfunction of the nerve leading to the symptoms of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome.  Since you have to walk you may be required to re-learn how to motor around without inflaming the nerve.  Orthotics may be suggested to relieve the stretching of the nerve. A cortisone injection may give some temporary relief of symptoms. Surgery is the last resort, but it enjoys a pretty good reputation of success.  Plantar fasciitis is usually caused by a biomechanical imbalance resulting in tension along the plantar fascia and may be related your Tarsal issue. Treatment consists of medial arch support, anti-inflammatory medications, ice massage and stretching. Corticosteroid injections and casting may also be tried. Surgical fasciotomy should be reserved for use in patients in whom conservative measures have failed despite correction of biomechanical abnormalities. Additional treatments that have proved effective in all of these conditions, include *daily* swedish massage by several naked swedish ladies (substitutes may be appropriate, but first talk to your Doctor before introducing other nationalities). —- Hope this helps…. —- Padishar Creel, health expert to the recently deceased.

Response:

Oh, man.  What a brazen attempt to win the all-time, all-universe Gear Whore title. JR — To reply, remove the Qs from the address above – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jeez Ope, I’m sorry to hear of your multiple maladies.  I’m sure at your young age you can beat them all handily, but just in case you expire, kin I have your rod collection?  [might as well throw in all your flies too] <bseg Frank (I’m all heart) Church

Response:

Sorry to hear about your problems.  Get some answers quick about the "possibilities".  My mom had diabetes.  Terrible disease, but as Chris says, there are some much better treatments than in the past. Surprised the podiatrist didn’t suggest inserts, or is this not possible? Mine–admittedly just for ordinary shoes–are made of cork.  Maybe traditional ones aren’t durable enough for repeated soaking and drying out.  Might want to look into it though. I’m with you though, on not giving up wading rivers.  Some time ago there was a thread about rods carriers (as in spear carriers, as in flyfishing caddies).  If I ever get to where I can’t wade rivers, I hope I’m rich enough to hire a 6′6" 300 lb. fellow to carry me piggyback through my favorite steelhead runs. Hang in there. JR — To reply, remove the Qs from the address above – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes.

Response:

I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. Anyone else experience this type of foot ailment?

Don’t know about any of the others, but I have plantar fasciitis, and so does my sister.  Hurts like hell some mornings.  But I can tell you, cortisone injections work wonders for the short term, and orthotics work great for the long run.  My right foot was really bothering me, and the podiatrist tinkered with my orthotic for a while and got it fine tuned for me, and it’s been fine ever since.  Now my left foot is acting up, one of these days I need to get off my ass and go in and have him work in it too.  Especially with hunting season open now — it’s much more fun to put in the miles over hill and dale when my feet aren’t killing me. Kevin

Response:

Since you were first to ask, yes you may.  However, you will have to share them with my creditors, as my fly gear is all I actually own.  All my other toys are debt laden! Opie  –Planning for the Past–

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jeez Ope, I’m sorry to hear of your multiple maladies.  I’m sure at your young age you can beat them all handily, but just in case you expire, kin I have your rod collection?  [might as well throw in all your flies too] <bseg Frank (I’m all heart) Church I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. Does anyone know of a good orthopedic wading boot?  I refuse to give up wading streams because I can’t walk.  More importantly, which one of you surly bastards is practicing his Voodoo on me?  Shit like this don’t happen fer no reason, ya know.  Dave, I apologize; now please, remove the pins from that doll. Damn the luck!  Just when I thought I was getting over my years of bodily abuse, due to over indulgence in drugs and alcohol, I find out that my warranty (according to the Doc) ran out at 40.  Two years past warranty and I’m ready for the scrap yard! Anyone else experience this type of foot ailment? Opie  –Planning for the Past, hopin’ for a future–

Response:

I thought you was a shrink Doc?  What you got a foot fetish too? I’ll be lookin’ to all this stuff via the ‘net and my insurance policy.  I like the idea of the Swedish therapy most.  You think insurance will cover that as well? Thanks Chris Opie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. <snipped while being sad —- G&F,  I am sorry to hear about these things especially the last one. However, the good news is that there has been some serious progress in the treatment of diabetes, including reactivating a person’s pancreas.  I read somewhere that they are experimenting implanting animal pancreatic tissue for humans. As to your other ailments, Lime’s disease goes away when you stop using Limes in tequila and substitute lemons.  (Of course, you may have meant Lyme’s disease and that responds pretty well to broad spectrum anti-biotics).  Tarsal on the other hand responds poorly to therapy because the flexor retinaculum cannot stretch very much. As the pressure increases in the Tarsal Tunnel, the nerve is the most sensitive to the pressure and is squeezed against the Flexor Retinaculum. This causes dysfunction of the nerve leading to the symptoms of Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome.  Since you have to walk you may be required to re-learn how to motor around without inflaming the nerve.  Orthotics may be suggested to relieve the stretching of the nerve. A cortisone injection may give some temporary relief of symptoms. Surgery is the last resort, but it enjoys a pretty good reputation of success.  Plantar fasciitis is usually caused by a biomechanical imbalance resulting in tension along the plantar fascia and may be related your Tarsal issue. Treatment consists of medial arch support, anti-inflammatory medications, ice massage and stretching. Corticosteroid injections and casting may also be tried. Surgical fasciotomy should be reserved for use in patients in whom conservative measures have failed despite correction of biomechanical abnormalities. Additional treatments that have proved effective in all of these conditions, include *daily* swedish massage by several naked swedish ladies (substitutes may be appropriate, but first talk to your Doctor before introducing other nationalities). —- Hope this helps…. —- Padishar Creel, health expert to the recently deceased.

Response:

I will check into what you have said, David.  Thanks for you help and kind words! Opie  –Eatin’ Crow, pigeon, and any other foul (pun intended) critter I happen upon–

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Opie I didn’t do it. I wouldn’t wish that shit on anyone.  Just one suggestion, while you are on a health kick, have a limpid panel test done, and a metabolic panel as well; get your own copies of the test results; learn what the numbers mean; manage accordingly. Most of this shit is controllable via what you put in and do to yourself. Dave I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. Does anyone know of a good orthopedic wading boot?  I refuse to give up wading streams because I can’t walk.  More importantly, which one of you surly bastards is practicing his Voodoo on me?  Shit like this don’t happen fer no reason, ya know.  Dave, I apologize; now please, remove the pins from that doll. Damn the luck!  Just when I thought I was getting over my years of bodily abuse, due to over indulgence in drugs and alcohol, I find out that my warranty (according to the Doc) ran out at 40.  Two years past warranty and I’m ready for the scrap yard! Anyone else experience this type of foot ailment? Opie  –Planning for the Past, hopin’ for a future–

Response:

Yes, I intend to see other doctors concerning the *Lyme’s* (not Lime’s) Disease and diabetes.  However, I think I’ll stick with the foot doc for the others.  this is my first visit to a doc since my back surgeries in ‘92 & ‘93.  Just when you think thing can’t get worse, one misspells a word that could have come back to bite him in the ass.  But Nooooo, Dave S. takes the high road and actually offers kind words and good advise.  It’s hard to figure some people out (I’m talking about myself now!). Thanks for the suggestion Tom! Opie  –Planning for the Past–

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Why not go to a *real* doc (or a series of them) and get another opinion(s)? Tom I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. Does anyone know of a good orthopedic wading boot?  I refuse to give up wading streams because I can’t walk.  More importantly, which one of you surly bastards is practicing his Voodoo on me?  Shit like this don’t happen fer no reason, ya know.  Dave, I apologize; now please, remove the pins from that doll. Damn the luck!  Just when I thought I was getting over my years of bodily abuse, due to over indulgence in drugs and alcohol, I find out that my warranty (according to the Doc) ran out at 40.  Two years past warranty and I’m ready for the scrap yard! Anyone else experience this type of foot ailment? Opie  –Planning for the Past, hopin’ for a future–

Response:

Why not go to a *real* doc (or a series of them) and get another opinion(s)? Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. Does anyone know of a good orthopedic wading boot?  I refuse to give up wading streams because I can’t walk.  More importantly, which one of you surly bastards is practicing his Voodoo on me?  Shit like this don’t happen fer no reason, ya know.  Dave, I apologize; now please, remove the pins from that doll. Damn the luck!  Just when I thought I was getting over my years of bodily abuse, due to over indulgence in drugs and alcohol, I find out that my warranty (according to the Doc) ran out at 40.  Two years past warranty and I’m ready for the scrap yard! Anyone else experience this type of foot ailment? Opie  –Planning for the Past, hopin’ for a future–

Response:

Jeez Ope, I’m sorry to hear of your multiple maladies.  I’m sure at your young age you can beat them all handily, but just in case you expire, kin I have your rod collection?  [might as well throw in all your flies too] <bseg Frank (I’m all heart) Church – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. Does anyone know of a good orthopedic wading boot?  I refuse to give up wading streams because I can’t walk.  More importantly, which one of you surly bastards is practicing his Voodoo on me?  Shit like this don’t happen fer no reason, ya know.  Dave, I apologize; now please, remove the pins from that doll. Damn the luck!  Just when I thought I was getting over my years of bodily abuse, due to over indulgence in drugs and alcohol, I find out that my warranty (according to the Doc) ran out at 40.  Two years past warranty and I’m ready for the scrap yard! Anyone else experience this type of foot ailment? Opie  –Planning for the Past, hopin’ for a future–

Response:

Opie I didn’t do it. I wouldn’t wish that shit on anyone.  Just one suggestion, while you are on a health kick, have a limpid panel test done, and a metabolic panel as well; get your own copies of the test results; learn what the numbers mean; manage accordingly. Most of this shit is controllable via what you put in and do to yourself. Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. Does anyone know of a good orthopedic wading boot?  I refuse to give up wading streams because I can’t walk.  More importantly, which one of you surly bastards is practicing his Voodoo on me?  Shit like this don’t happen fer no reason, ya know.  Dave, I apologize; now please, remove the pins from that doll. Damn the luck!  Just when I thought I was getting over my years of bodily abuse, due to over indulgence in drugs and alcohol, I find out that my warranty (according to the Doc) ran out at 40.  Two years past warranty and I’m ready for the scrap yard! Anyone else experience this type of foot ailment? Opie  –Planning for the Past, hopin’ for a future–

Response:

I paid a visit to a podiatrist to day and was diagnosed as possibly havin’ one or more of 4 ailments/conditions, or all of them at once:  Lime’s Disease, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, Plantars Fasciitis, and diabetes. Does anyone know of a good orthopedic wading boot?  I refuse to give up wading streams because I can’t walk.  More importantly, which one of you surly bastards is practicing his Voodoo on me?  Shit like this don’t happen fer no reason, ya know.  Dave, I apologize; now please, remove the pins from that doll. Damn the luck!  Just when I thought I was getting over my years of bodily abuse, due to over indulgence in drugs and alcohol, I find out that my warranty (according to the Doc) ran out at 40.  Two years past warranty and I’m ready for the scrap yard! Anyone else experience this type of foot ailment? Opie  –Planning for the Past, hopin’ for a future–

Response:

Question:

Danke. Any in striking distance of Portland (left coast)?

Response:

Danke. Any in striking distance of Portland (left coast)?

There will be for sure if you decide to host one. Regards, Jeff

Response:

Great responses, all. Wunnerfully creative minds at work (??) here. Now, anyone care to answer the original question itself? Thanks!

Response:

Great responses, all. Wunnerfully creative minds at work (??) here. Now, anyone care to answer the original question itself? Thanks!

I did sort of.   Conclave – 1. a private meeting.  2a. the assembly of cardinals for the election of a pope.   2b. the meeting place for the conclave. (Hint:  It ain’t meaning #2) Now the new definition, a ROFFian meeting of assorted reprobates, alocholics, and womanizers in a location near water known to hold trout. HTH Peter

Response:

"Clave" is an abbreviation of "Conclave", which is usually taken to mean the gathering of cardinals who assemble to elect a new pope. It also means any closed gathering. As far as ROFF is concerned, a clave is a get together where hopefully fun is had by all, and some fishing is done. TL MC — "If you have tried everything you know, and nothing works, then perhaps it is time to accept that you don

Question:

Uh-Oh…I think someone just turned on the heater it’s starting to get hot in here….. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – To all sponsoring and/or midwiving the BASTARD: The news surrounding the birth of the BASTARD is nothing short of fantastic. As a fan of split-cane rods, I salute these efforts and think everyone should have the chance to own and fish a properly tooled and crafted cane rod.  So what about the BASTARD?  Does anyone out there really think that a split-cane rod can be produced for $300???!!!  HELLO?!  ARE WE ALL THAT DELUDED??!!?? Cane hex blanks alone wholesale for over $200 and quadrates are double that. But the BASTARDS will be made from cheap cane in a no-nonsense fashion, as if a BLANK has any nonsense. Cheap cane is cheap because it is covered either with water marks or grower’s marks.  I know, I know…the BASTARD aesthetic is not concerned with aesthetics.  But grower’s marks typically go through the enamel and sever the power bundles.  Yes, this effects casting, noticeably.  Really.  Cane costs could be reduced by making one-tip rods, but that cuts the life of the BASTARD in half. What about the tapers?  Initially, it would be easy enough to sell only one taper/length in each line weight; there are plenty of tapers out on the web. But soon customers won’t be so patient.  You’ll need more.  That means taking the time to reset you planing forms and triple-check the depth.  Then you’ll have to test out guide spacing on each different taper.  Time, time. What about tooling?  To put up with the rigors of production, you’ll have to get decent tooling.  Your cheapest tools will be your planing forms (~$800 for one that will last) and planes (at least four; as much as you want them to be, but don’t skimp on the blades).  Don’t forget your beveler and binder which together go for the price of a year’s tuition at an Ivy-league school.  A good depth guage is a car payment.  And don’t forget your wrapper, whipping thread, sock, tube…  To keep costs down I guess you don’t have to worry about the finish, just use tung-oil.  Then you don’t need varnish, dip-tanks, color-preserver, or any of that.  But tung-oil rods *often* won’t last a half of a decade. What about hardware?  Snakes and tip-tops are no big deal, but forget about the agate (or even agatine) stripper.  If you find a good agate stripper for less than $30, then you haven’t found agate. (Doesn’t sound like much, but that’s already 10% of your rod.)  To keep costs down, what’s wrong with SiC? Hook-keepers?  Anyone who’s read Garrison knows that American cane rod-makers don’t use hook-keepers.  It’s called a stripping guide. Yup.  Saved money there.  Reel seats?  Forget fancy, how about alder?  Don’t even get me started on ferrules. If you can somehow get all the above costs diffused through an enormous production run so that they retail for under $500, you still haven’t paid you labor.  Even if it’s a labor force of one, Mr. G, he’ll need to eat once in a while.  Hobbyists can finish a cane rod in about 40-50 man-hours.  Custom rods from the 30 or so who make cane rods for a living (full-time) take about 80-100 man-hours.  These folks probably want to charge a little more than minimum wage. There are reasons that cane rods cost as much as they do, and there are reasons that the many attempts to produce low-cost cane rods in the last 30 years have failed.  What you get in a properly made and well-crafted cane rod is not only a superior fishing instrument, but a piece of American history. The cane-rod industry is one of the last in this country that consists of independent artisans who apprentice under masters and continue to improve upon the tradition.  If you read up on the history of cane-rods you’ll notice that even though split-cane and greenheart originated in the UK, the modern tradition of split-cane rods is American and any reputable rod-maker can trace his apprenticeship back to a 19th century master.  Yes, they still cost a lot, but if you ever talk to a full-time rod-maker (at the FFF or somewhere) you’ll see that no one gets rich making rods, they do because they love it. And finally…Is there a real difference between cane and graphite or glass? Well, is there a difference between an Aston-Martin and a Geo?  or is there a difference between Night Train and the Famous Grouse?  Both cars will get you where you want to go and both drinks will eventually get you drunk, but I guess it depends on how you want to get there.  Maybe a better analogy is shaving with garden-shears or a straight razor.  One is clumsy and potentially painful and the other, with a little practice, is an instrument of precision and tradition that is a pleasure to use and surpasses all. If you decide to get a split-cane rod, get the right one for the right reasons.  Don’t get any old BASTARD because it is cheap.  Perhaps the BASTARD will be the rod that will change the ff-ing world.  Perhaps not.  But at least talk to a cane rod-maker (check out the cane Rodmakers page at http://home1.gte.net/jfoster/index.htm) to see what kind of rod they can make you and what their rods can do over a production rod. Oh, but I doubt any of of those rodmakers would be able to seel you a Marryat reel.  Tough luck. The Tonkin Kid

Response:

To all sponsoring and/or midwiving the BASTARD:

and George began his reply: ______ That is me, "tonkin kid".  Talk to me.  I’m the man.  I’m the uno numeruno Bastard you need to address yourself too.  Now then?  You were saying?

(remainder of repartee snipped, in my never-ceasing attempt to save band-width) Go get’em George.  We can’t have these blithering naysayers ruining our fun. Mark Faulkner

Response:

‘kid,’ is licking his wounds.  He will heal though and will come back to try to learn  more about us. O.G.O

Response:

Tonkin Kid, I think you should change your name to "The Foolium Kid". 1. Do you know what the price of a bundle of Tonkin cane is. 2. Do you know the average number of good culms in a bundle of Tonkin cane? 3. Do you know how many rods with extra tips can be built with one culm? 4. Do you know how many strips a man using power tools can plain in a day? 5. Do you know how many blanks one man can finish in a day? 4. Do you know what the mark up is on a bamboo rod? I don’t know where you buy your hardware and materials but you won’t ever find me there.  I have seen figures just like yours trying to justify the cost of graphite rods also, but you should peddle your foolium elsewhere, I am not in the market. Ernie Harrison

Response:

To all sponsoring and/or midwiving the BASTARD: The news surrounding the birth of the BASTARD is nothing short of fantastic. As a fan of split-cane rods, I salute these efforts and think everyone should have the chance to own and fish a properly tooled and crafted cane rod.  So what about the BASTARD?  Does anyone out there really think that a split-cane rod can be produced for $300???!!!  HELLO?!  ARE WE ALL THAT DELUDED??!!?? Cane hex blanks alone wholesale for over $200 and quadrates are double that. But the BASTARDS will be made from cheap cane in a no-nonsense fashion, as if a BLANK has any nonsense.   Cheap cane is cheap because it is covered either with water marks or grower’s marks.  I know, I know…the BASTARD aesthetic is not concerned with aesthetics.  But grower’s marks typically go through the enamel and sever the power bundles.  Yes, this effects casting, noticeably.  Really.  Cane costs could be reduced by making one-tip rods, but that cuts the life of the BASTARD in half. What about the tapers?  Initially, it would be easy enough to sell only one taper/length in each line weight; there are plenty of tapers out on the web. But soon customers won’t be so patient.  You’ll need more.  That means taking the time to reset you planing forms and triple-check the depth.  Then you’ll have to test out guide spacing on each different taper.  Time, time. What about tooling?  To put up with the rigors of production, you’ll have to get decent tooling.  Your cheapest tools will be your planing forms (~$800 for one that will last) and planes (at least four; as much as you want them to be, but don’t skimp on the blades).  Don’t forget your beveler and binder which together go for the price of a year’s tuition at an Ivy-league school.  A good depth guage is a car payment.  And don’t forget your wrapper, whipping thread, sock, tube…  To keep costs down I guess you don’t have to worry about the finish, just use tung-oil.  Then you don’t need varnish, dip-tanks, color-preserver, or any of that.  But tung-oil rods *often* won’t last a half of a decade. What about hardware?  Snakes and tip-tops are no big deal, but forget about the agate (or even agatine) stripper.  If you find a good agate stripper for less than $30, then you haven’t found agate. (Doesn’t sound like much, but that’s already 10% of your rod.)  To keep costs down, what’s wrong with SiC? Hook-keepers?  Anyone who’s read Garrison knows that American cane rod-makers don’t use hook-keepers.  It’s called a stripping guide. Yup.  Saved money there.  Reel seats?  Forget fancy, how about alder?  Don’t even get me started on ferrules. If you can somehow get all the above costs diffused through an enormous production run so that they retail for under $500, you still haven’t paid you labor.  Even if it’s a labor force of one, Mr. G, he’ll need to eat once in a while.  Hobbyists can finish a cane rod in about 40-50 man-hours.  Custom rods from the 30 or so who make cane rods for a living (full-time) take about 80-100 man-hours.  These folks probably want to charge a little more than minimum wage. There are reasons that cane rods cost as much as they do, and there are reasons that the many attempts to produce low-cost cane rods in the last 30 years have failed.  What you get in a properly made and well-crafted cane rod is not only a superior fishing instrument, but a piece of American history. The cane-rod industry is one of the last in this country that consists of independent artisans who apprentice under masters and continue to improve upon the tradition.  If you read up on the history of cane-rods you’ll notice that even though split-cane and greenheart originated in the UK, the modern tradition of split-cane rods is American and any reputable rod-maker can trace his apprenticeship back to a 19th century master.  Yes, they still cost a lot, but if you ever talk to a full-time rod-maker (at the FFF or somewhere) you’ll see that no one gets rich making rods, they do because they love it. And finally…Is there a real difference between cane and graphite or glass? Well, is there a difference between an Aston-Martin and a Geo?  or is there a difference between Night Train and the Famous Grouse?  Both cars will get you where you want to go and both drinks will eventually get you drunk, but I guess it depends on how you want to get there.  Maybe a better analogy is shaving with garden-shears or a straight razor.  One is clumsy and potentially painful and the other, with a little practice, is an instrument of precision and tradition that is a pleasure to use and surpasses all. If you decide to get a split-cane rod, get the right one for the right reasons.  Don’t get any old BASTARD because it is cheap.  Perhaps the BASTARD will be the rod that will change the ff-ing world.  Perhaps not.  But at least talk to a cane rod-maker (check out the cane Rodmakers page at http://home1.gte.net/jfoster/index.htm) to see what kind of rod they can make you and what their rods can do over a production rod. Oh, but I doubt any of of those rodmakers would be able to seel you a Marryat reel.  Tough luck.   The Tonkin Kid

Response:

To all sponsoring and/or midwiving the BASTARD:

______ That is me, "tonkin kid".  Talk to me.  I’m the man.  I’m the uno numeruno Bastard you need to address yourself too.  Now then?  You were saying? Oh?  By the way – Refer to me from now on as "O.G.O." The news surrounding the birth of the BASTARD is nothing short of fantastic.

As a fan of split-cane rods, I salute these efforts and think everyone should have the chance to own and fish a properly tooled and crafted cane rod.  So what about the BASTARD?

dense quality Imported Just For this bastard. Does anyone out there really think that a split-cane rod can be produced for $300???!!!

HELLO?!  ARE WE ALL THAT DELUDED??!!??

Cane hex blanks alone wholesale for over $200 and quadrates are double that.

But the BASTARDS will be made from cheap cane in a no-nonsense fashion, as if a BLANK has any nonsense.

more careful on who you’re talking too here ‘tonkin kid’.  Is that it?  "Tonkin Kid?"  Are you saying you have the market cornered on cheap bamboo?  Sorry.  We don’t want any. Cheap cane is cheap because it is covered either with water marks or grower’s marks.  I know, I know…the BASTARD aesthetic is not concerned with aesthetics.

BASTARD BAMBOO FLY ROD.  This fly fishing world is ready for a Beautiful Bastard – and this is it.  In fact, you’re beginning to qualify for one. But grower’s marks typically go through the enamel and sever the power bundles.  Yes, this effects casting, noticeably.  Really.  Cane costs could be reduced by making one-tip rods, but that cuts the life of the BASTARD in half.

equate your kind of foolishness with a high quality BASTARD FLY ROD.  "Don’t Tread On Me Dude"  Just might become a Bastard Model.  Thank goodness, nothing you’ve said so far applies to a BASTARD FLY ROD.  "Half Life," looks more promising to the "tonkin kid," buddy.  Where do you get off making such outlandish statements and lies?  Do you work for Bill Clinton? What about the tapers?

Initially, it would be easy enough to sell only one taper/length in each line weight; there are plenty of tapers out on the web.

But soon customers won’t be so patient.

You’ll need more.  That means taking the time to reset you planing forms and triple-check the depth.  Then you’ll have to test out guide spacing on each different taper.  Time, time.

BASTARD BAMBOO FLY ROD.  Like I said.  I’m rich. What about tooling?  To put up with the rigors of production, you’ll have to get decent tooling.

tooling is the best in the world.  Do you want to come and work for me? Your cheapest tools will be your planing forms (~$800 for one that will last) and planes (at least four; as much as you want them to be, but don’t skimp on the blades).  Don’t forget your beveler and binder which together go for the price of a year’s tuition at an Ivy-league school.  A good depth guage is a car payment.  And don’t forget your wrapper, whipping thread, sock, tube…  To keep costs down I guess you don’t have to worry about the finish, just use tung-oil.  Then you don’t need varnish, dip-tanks, color-preserver, or any of that.  But tung-oil rods *often* won’t last a half of a decade.

shop.  Everything is free except raw materials.  You need to get your planing forms from someone that doesn’t screw you all the time, kid.  It was "kid" – right? What about hardware?  Snakes and tip-tops are no big deal, but forget about the agate (or even agatine) stripper.  If you find a good agate stripper for less than $30, then you haven’t found agate. (Doesn’t sound like much, but that’s already 10% of your rod.)  To keep costs down, what’s wrong with SiC? Hook-keepers?  Anyone who’s read Garrison knows that American cane rod-makers don’t use hook-keepers.  It’s called a stripping guide. Yup.  Saved money there.  Reel seats?  Forget fancy, how about alder?  Don’t even get me started on ferrules.

have too but, I will admit I’d rather just buy them ready made.  You’re down to nickle/dime stuff.  Hardware.  No mystery in hardware.  If we can’t buy it at a price that is fair, we will make it right here. Kid, you just don’t know what the hell  you’re talking about.  If we can build it cheaper, guess what the choice is going to be? If you can somehow get all the above costs diffused through an enormous production run so that they retail for under $500, you still haven’t paid you labor.  Even if it’s a labor force of one, Mr. G, he’ll need to eat once in a while.  Hobbyists can finish a cane rod in about 40-50 man-hours.  Custom rods from the 30 or so who make cane rods for a living (full-time) take about 80-100 man-hours.  These folks probably want to charge a little more than minimum wage.

person operation.  Automation on as much as is possible is guaranteed.  Those ‘full time’ rod makers have to cut the vacations and coffee breaks pal. I just love it when all these losers keep equating how others should run their businesses.  Has anyone latched onto that yet?  "Welllllllll?"  They think.  If it takes ME 100 hours to make a bamboo fly rod, that means its going to take you 100 hours too." wrong! There are reasons that cane rods cost as much as they do, and there are reasons that the many attempts to produce low-cost cane rods in the last 30 years have failed.  What you get in a properly made and well-crafted cane rod is not only a superior fishing instrument, but a piece of American history. The cane-rod industry is one of the last in this country that consists of independent artisans who apprentice under masters and continue to improve upon the tradition.  If you read up on the history of cane-rods you’ll notice that even though split-cane and greenheart originated in the UK, the modern tradition of split-cane rods is American and any reputable rod-maker can trace his apprenticeship back to a 19th century master.  Yes, they still cost a lot, but if you ever talk to a full-time rod-maker (at the FFF or somewhere) you’ll see that no one gets rich making rods, they do because they love it.

BASTARDS. And finally…Is there a real difference between cane and graphite or glass?

_______Well, gee?  I don’t know?  Is there a difference between land and water? The moon and the sun?  Your wife as compared to mine?  Golfing in the middle of a street and a fairway?  You tell us kid.  This is a heavy question. Well, is there a difference between an Aston-Martin and a Geo?  or is there a difference between Night Train and the Famous Grouse?  Both cars will get you where you want to go and both drinks will eventually get you drunk, but I guess it depends on how you want to get there.  Maybe a better analogy is shaving with garden-shears or a straight razor.  One is clumsy and potentially painful and the other, with a little practice, is an instrument of precision and tradition that is a pleasure to use and surpasses all.

qualified.  Park it dude.  Your engine is racing but your tires are standing still.  All this has NOTHING to do with   BASTARD FLY RODS.  You have not one, single, base point to stand on.  You are just (to be perfectly frank) a baseless opinion.  A noise.  A silent fart in church.  You are way off base on nearly everything.  But!  That is okay.  We get them like you here all the time.  We just need to soften you up a little and get you drunk a time or two.  We might even teach you how to be a success.  Here, anything is possible.  Even for you kid. If you decide to get a split-cane rod, get the right one for the right reasons.  Don’t get any old BASTARD because it is cheap.

pine tree all the time?  Just LISTEN to yourself!  Quote:  "Don’t get any old BASTARD because it is cheap."  Well, there are no other BASTARDS and these are not old.  Right away, you make yourself out an idiot of principle, ‘kid’. This also isn’t ANY old BASTARD.  That is another mistake.  It is my BASTARD FLY ROD COMPANY and you have NO RIGHT to say or ASSUME the things you’re doing here . . . kid. (God, I love this place!) Perhaps the BASTARD

‘hope’ for ‘the kid.’  What do you guys think?  Is he or is not ‘the kid’ qualifying as a real bastard who should own a bastard? will be the rod that will change the ff-ing world.

life.  How do we know?  Because you’re HERE!  It is everyone’s pleasure to meet a cynic such as  yourself.  You

… read more »

Response:

Question:

I am tring to build a kite to use for offshore fishing.  The ones I have seen are just a square kite with the spars in a x configuration. I need the kite to fly in wind between 5 an 10 mph.  Im looking for water proof material and strong lightweight spars.  I figure the kite would need to be about 30 inches by 30 inches.  Any help anyone could give me with parts selection would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks Kent D. Bottorf

Response:

: I am tring to build a kite to use for offshore fishing.  The ones I : have seen are just a square kite with the spars in a x configuration. : I need the kite to fly in wind between 5 an 10 mph.  Im looking for : water proof material and strong lightweight spars.  I figure the kite : would need to be about 30 inches by 30 inches.  Any help anyone could : give me with parts selection would be greatly appreciated.. Hmmm. None of the commercial offerings would work? Last time I was at the beach, I was pleased to see Gala was still selling some variety of the "Bat Kite" I remembered as a child. That would seem strong enough to work. On a side note, some shark fisherman use a Life-Saver<tm (the candy) and a big plastic garbage bag. They inflate the bag, and tie it closed. The baited line is rigged through a candy. If the wind is right, it blows the bag out to sea, and eventually the candy dissolves, dropping the bait in deeper water than they could otherwise cast to. I’m opposed to this littering, since the bag isn’t recovered, but they theory is interesting….

Response:

I am tring to build a kite to use for offshore fishing.  The ones I have seen are just a square kite with the spars in a x configuration. I need the kite to fly in wind between 5 an 10 mph.  Im looking for water proof material and strong lightweight spars.  I figure the kite would need to be about 30 inches by 30 inches.  Any help anyone could give me with parts selection would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks Kent D. Bottorf

Kent,   My suggestion would be to just buy a Bob Lewis fishing kite.  I kite fish quite a bit here in S Fla, and I think you’ll get to spend a lot more time fishing by just buying instead of building.  My wife and I tried several times to figure out a better kite system, but gave up in frustration. —                  |                 |    |                           /    |   Nothin’ Fancy          /

Response:

Question:

I live in Denver, Colorado and fish the South Platte in Deckers and also Cheesman Canyon. I’ve been fishing nymths 98% of the time and do quite well. I fly cast okay, but seem to have a hard time fishing the dries. Keeping them floating right,ect… Anyway, I’ve wondered if its best to fish in short casts and if its possible to fish riffles and choppy waters? Should I only fish the eddies? Any suggestions would be appreciated because I’m going to be fishing dries more often. Thanks, Cliff

Response:

I live in Denver, Colorado and fish the South Platte in Deckers and also Cheesman Canyon. I’ve been fishing nymths 98% of the time and do quite well. I fly cast okay, but seem to have a hard time fishing the dries. Keeping them floating right,ect… Anyway, I’ve wondered if its best to fish in short casts and if its possible to fish riffles and choppy waters? Should I only fish the eddies? Any suggestions would be appreciated because I’m going to be fishing dries more often. Thanks, Cliff

Hi Cliff, Fishing dry flies is a fun, rewarding experience. You didn’t say but are you using a dry fly floatant like Loon, Gink, or BT’s?  That helps keep the flies floating. In time any fly will become water logged and should be placed on the fleece patch on your vest to dry and a replacement tied on. Yes it’s quite ok to fish riffles and choppy waters but that does not mean to pass up the softer water and eddies.  I really recommend you fish the same water you nymph fish in.  If you catch fish in this water with nymph, then a dry fly should work as well.  Also it’s really important to observe what the fish are doing.  If they are rising in an area ten minutes spent just seeing what they seem to be feeding on can give an idea what you want to use as a fly.  If nothing is happening on the surface I find attractor flies like Royal Wulff, Humpy, or Stimulator to be a good searching pattern. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

<snip Anyway, I’ve wondered if its best to fish in short casts and if its possible to fish riffles and choppy waters? Should I only fish the eddies? Any suggestions would be appreciated because I’m going to be fishing dries more often. Thanks, Cliff

Hi Cliff, In addition to the points made in Al Beatty’s excellent post I might add that we sometimes fish heavily dressed flies in heavy water and lightly dressed flies on smooth water. I hope this helps,   Alan.   Alan Barnard   Kiene’s Fly Shop   Sacramento, California   WWW Fly Tyer   http://www.ns.net/~barnard

Response:

I live in Denver, Colorado and fish the South Platte in Deckers and also Cheesman Canyon. I’ve been fishing nymths 98% of the time and do quite well. I fly cast okay, but seem to have a hard time fishing the dries. Keeping them floating right,ect… Anyway, I’ve wondered if its best to fish in short casts and if its possible to fish riffles and choppy waters? Should I only fish the eddies? Any suggestions would be appreciated because I’m going to be fishing dries more often. Thanks, Cliff

Another thing you should try is to fish more upstream than across to get better drifts.  The more of your line that you can get in the same current lane the easier the drift is.  You’ll notice it takes a softer touch to mend line on dry flies than on nymphs.  If you treat the leader with paste floatant before you get it wet, it will stay on top instead of in the surface film and allow you to mend the entire leader if needed.  Otherwise the leader will absorb enough water in about 10 minutes to just sink into the surface film, and when you try to mend it, the line will mend but the leader won’t and it will drag the fly under or out of position. Also, a short excellent drift (5-10ft) is better than a long mediocre drift (20+ feet).  Practice your stealth and remember the first cast into the right spot has the best chance of success.                                         Good Luck,                                                Dan Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

Response:

I live in Denver, Colorado and fish the South Platte in Deckers and also Cheesman Canyon. I’ve been fishing nymths 98% of the time and do quite well. I fly cast okay, but seem to have a hard time fishing the dries. Keeping them floating right,ect… Anyway, I’ve wondered if its best to fish in short casts and if its possible to fish riffles and choppy waters? Should I only fish the eddies? Any suggestions would be appreciated because I’m going to be fishing dries more often. Thanks, Cliff

Start doing it.  The trout will tell you if you’re doing it right or wrong.

Response:

I live in Denver, Colorado and fish the South Platte in Deckers and also Cheesman Canyon. I’ve been fishing nymths 98% of the time and do quite well. I fly cast okay, but seem to have a hard time fishing the dries. Keeping them floating right,ect… Anyway, I’ve wondered if its best to fish in short casts and if its possible to fish riffles and choppy waters? Should I only fish the eddies? Any suggestions would be appreciated because I’m going to be fishing dries more often. Thanks, Cliff

Ty finding a copy of "Prospecting for Trout" a great book. Don Burns

Response:

I think you’re slightly missing the point about dry fly fishing as to whether to make long casts or short, fish riffles, etc. The thing about fishing dries is that you are casting to trout that are rising for flies. That is, when they rise and make a swirl at the surface, the fish is telling you where it is. So you have to cast to it, no matter whether it is a short or long cast, whether it is rising in a riffle or an eddy. You have to make the cast that will get your fly to it. In my opinion that’s what makes dry fly fishing much more exciting that fishing wet flies or nymphs and just covering the water in hopes that a fish will hit.   It is a totally visual type of fishing, as you cast that dry to the rising fish and watch with excitement and hope that the fish will be fooled by your artificial. I realize there are times when there are no fish rising and I just cast an attractor fly in hopes that a fish will hit it. But the real excitement comes when you’re fishing a hatch of mayflies and fish are rising everywhere for them. Of course this type of fishing can become very frustrating as you go thru your flybox trying to figure out what fly the fish are taking. Of course, you’ll get a lot of practice tying knots at times like that.  That’s what sets dry fly fishing apart from other types of fishing.  

Response:

Question:

I live on the Olympic Peninsula in Port Angeles.  I fly fish most of the many streams both bank and float.  If you can’t afford a guide then try the Hoko, a small stream on the far west in near the town of Sekiu.  The upper reaches are the only fly fishing catch and release steelhead waters on the entire peninsula.  The best fly fishing on peninsula rivers is March when all the natives tend to be in the rivers.  The Hoh, Solduck, and Bochachial rivers are all good but best fished by boat.  If you stay in the town of Forks you can easily fish all these rivers from town. Drop me a line if you plan a trip and I may be able to give you more specific advice regarding patterns and places.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  I am looking for information on steelhead fishing on the  Olympic  Peninsula in March.  I checked into a couple of guide services that go  out on the Sol Duc and Hoh rivers but they are simply too expensive.  I  would like some basic info on access, tackle, technique etc.  I hope that  the rivers will not be too high and will be accessible.   The best info I have is: Hoh River – Fall and Spring Chinook. Best in August. Good in May and November.  Winter Steelhead.  Best December into April.  Hwy 101 follows the river for about 8 miles. Sol Duc River – Fall and Spring Chinook.  Best in October.  Good in September, November, May and June.  Also carries both Summer and Winter Steelhead and a variety of Trout.  Mostly accessible from trails in Olympic National Park. Hope that’s some help.                    - Jewelee

Most interesting that the access is best from trails in the park where the river is small when there are 5 bridges over the lower river on Highway 101.  Where do you get your information? Mike

Response:

 Sol Duc River – Fall and Spring Chinook.  Best in October.  Good in  September, November, May and June.  Also carries both Summer and  Winter Steelhead and a variety of Trout.  Mostly accessible from trails  in Olympic National Park.  Hope that’s some help.                        - Jewelee  Most interesting that the access is best from trails in the park where  the river is small when there are 5 bridges over the lower river on  Highway 101.  Where do you get your information?  Mike

So you’ve got 5 access points – some of them limited, I might add – on the highway.  The lower river is best fished from a boat.  Lots of the upper river in Olympic National Park is accessible.  By the way, there is nothing wrong with small water and what you consider small is to me an ideal trout stream.

Response:

dont waste your time on areas you dont know.  Hire a guide.

Response:

I am looking for information on steelhead fishing on the  Olympic Peninsula in March.  I checked into a couple of guide services that go out on the Sol Duc and Hoh rivers but they are simply too expensive.  I would like some basic info on access, tackle, technique etc.  I hope that the rivers will not be too high and will be accessible.   Mike, Carson City, NV –

Response:

I am looking for information on steelhead fishing on the  Olympic Peninsula in March.  I checked into a couple of guide services that go out on the Sol Duc and Hoh rivers but they are simply too expensive.  I would like some basic info on access, tackle, technique etc.  I hope that the rivers will not be too high and will be accessible.   Mike, Carson City, NV –

I have a Western Washington Steelhead River Report on the Web. It is updated at least weekly and includes links to real time river flow information and graphs as well as a lot of recent fish stories. The URL is http://www.halcyon.com/dweitl/wwrive~1.htm Check it out and contribute to it. It is produced in conjunction with The Anadromous Page and made up by volunteers contributing their fishing knowledge. Check it out at http://www.peak.org/~robertr/fishing.html

Response:

 I am looking for information on steelhead fishing on the  Olympic  Peninsula in March.  I checked into a couple of guide services that go  out on the Sol Duc and Hoh rivers but they are simply too expensive.  I  would like some basic info on access, tackle, technique etc.  I hope that  the rivers will not be too high and will be accessible.  

The best info I have is: Hoh River – Fall and Spring Chinook. Best in August. Good in May and November.  Winter Steelhead.  Best December into April.  Hwy 101 follows the river for about 8 miles. Sol Duc River – Fall and Spring Chinook.  Best in October.  Good in September, November, May and June.  Also carries both Summer and Winter Steelhead and a variety of Trout.  Mostly accessible from trails in Olympic National Park. Hope that’s some help.                         – Jewelee

Response:

Question:

Hello,         My family is heading up to the North Fork (Henry’s Fork) of the Snake River in about a week.  Can anybody tell me how are the water conditions?  How is the (non-fly) fishing, in general? Thanks The above opinions are unregistered, evaluation opinions.  They are copyrighted solely by me.  If you wish to purchase a license to use these opinions, please send me $15.  Distribution without intent of permanent possesion is permitted and encouraged. "When one has lost one’s reason for living, one tends to be less motivated."  – Utwig, StarControl II

Response:

(Brad Kirby) writes:

havent heard lately how henrys is running, the main stem is still pretty full, although it changes almost daily due to water releases. i’m going over that way on the 18th for a week or so. you missed the salmon fly hatch by now on the henrys fork, overall the fishing on the snake system is [generally] pretty good, i always have good luck on large black roostertails for cutthroat, any large type spinner for browns in that area and lately have been having success with bro or black or some combination of jig, let it tap the bottom and keep your line tight, cutts will grab it on the fall, good luck.

Response:

Question:

I’ll keep this short & sweet.   We’re just learning to fly fish. We’d like to go somewhere and practice our casting and line handling skills in moving water in mid-May. We’d prefer not to need waders.  We’d prefer not to drive too far from the Bay Area. It’s not crucial that we actually Catch Fish, but it would be more fun if we thought we had at least some tiny chance of doing so. I thought about the American R. in Sacramento, but don’t know the shoreline. Is it possible to fish w/o waders?  Are there some clear, non-brushy areas where we won’t get too many snags on the back cast? I’d prefer not to go to the Russian R., because we drive north on 101 several times a year for wine tasting etc., and we’re just getting a little bored with it. I know a nice wide open gravel-banked stretch of the McCloud river, but that’s a pretty hefty drive. Any advice, tips, etc? Thanks Mark

Response:

We’d like to go somewhere and practice our casting and line handling skills in moving water in mid-May.

Mark, The water’s not moving, and you surely won’t catch fish, but a good place to practice casting is at the casting pools in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. There are generally plenty of expert casters hanging around the pools who are willing to offer casting advice to beginners. It doesn’t take the place of actually being astream, but it’s quite convenient… Fred —         Fred L. Templin

Response:

(Mark Hurwitz) writes: I’d prefer not to go to the Russian R., because we drive north on 101 several times a year for wine tasting etc., and we’re just getting a little bored with it

Weelll, isn’t that special?:) I’m so happy Mark and his friend are adding flyfishing to their collectoin of really cool things to do. I don’t suppose Mark will be arriving at streamside in a late model BMW now will he? It’s FISHING, Mark, you’re supposed to get wet, and tangled up in "brushey areas which snag the backcast".  All I can say is: good luck, and don’t leave home w/out your american express card. P. Dundon

Response: