Question:

Wondered if anyone had some tips on flying a C172 (or similar) to the Bahamas from FXE (Ft. Laud. Exec.) ?? e.g. best guidebook, rafts needed?, easiest island to fly to, customs procedures, etc. Stimbo Medford, NJ — Posted with Ink Spot (for PocketPC) from DejaVu Software, Inc. Usenet wherever you are – http://www.dejavusoftware.com/

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writes: Wondered if anyone had some tips on flying a C172 (or similar) to the Bahamas from FXE (Ft. Laud. Exec.) ?? e.g. best guidebook, rafts needed?, easiest island to fly to, customs procedures, etc. Stimbo Medford, NJ

Did it last winter in my Archer.  Get the packet from AOPA with all the needed forms and helpful hints.  Have the documents filled out before landing makes it easier and quicker.  Aircraft number (on side) needs to be 12 inches.  Mine are 3 inch so I got blue 2 inch masking tape and put temp numbers on.  Practiced on the washing machine at home.  We had the only 85B  washing machine.<G  You need to call Miami radio at least half hour out and identify yourself before flying into the ADIZ.  I flew in and out of of West Palm.  Cleared at Marsh Harbor in Bahamas.  You need life jackets but do not require life raft(we did not carry one).  Customs was easy at both ends though the US is more involved. With altitude – 8 or 9 thousand – you aren’t away from land for long.  Have fun on the adventure.   Chuck Archer 2185B

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I went in my Glasair II a couple of months ago. Departed Ft. Pierce, they will help with info and docs. I flew into N. Eleuthra and it took about 10 minutes to clear customs. Got a crusing permit and had a ball. Great pilot deals as some hotels in the out islands will discount 20%. Went to Staniel Cay and Pittstown point. At Pittstown Pt. you could see the plane from the room (runway is close by) and the water was about 40 ft from the room. Get "The Bahamas and Caribbean pilots guide", it has everything you need to know about flying and procedures. It can be found on the internet. have fun Steve

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wondered if anyone had some tips on flying a C172 (or similar) to the Bahamas from FXE (Ft. Laud. Exec.) ?? e.g. best guidebook, rafts needed?, easiest island to fly to, customs procedures, etc. Stimbo Medford, NJ — Posted with Ink Spot (for PocketPC) from DejaVu Software, Inc. Usenet wherever you are – http://www.dejavusoftware.com/

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Wondered if anyone had some tips on flying a C172 (or similar) to the Bahamas from FXE (Ft. Laud. Exec.) ?? e.g. best guidebook, rafts needed?, easiest island to fly to, customs procedures, etc.

I used to work as a dispatcher for Executive Jet (now NetJets) and we would have to call Bahamian Customs to let them know we had an aircraft that would be arriving. The typical response from the person on the other end of the line was, "Ya mahn, we be here." Included in REMARKS box of our release form for the pilots was the comment, "Spoke with Inspector Ya Mahn."

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wondered if anyone had some tips on flying a C172 (or similar) to the Bahamas from FXE (Ft. Laud. Exec.) ?? e.g. best guidebook, rafts needed?, easiest island to fly to, customs procedures, etc. I used to work as a dispatcher for Executive Jet (now NetJets) and we would have to call Bahamian Customs to let them know we had an aircraft that would be arriving. The typical response from the person on the other end of the line was, "Ya mahn, we be here." Included in REMARKS box of our release form for the pilots was the comment, "Spoke with Inspector Ya Mahn."

I’ve never flown in the islands, but I’ve sailed them (Bahamas, US & British Virgins, Windwards).  Everything runs on island time down there.   "Ya man, we be here" sounds about right. We pulled some pretty wierd stunts.  On one trip, we were traveling with a Chinese national with no visa and an expired Chinese passport.  About the worse we ever got from the Customs folks was "You know dis is against de rules, mon?  You could get into a lot of trouble, mon.  Enjoy your stay, and please spend lots of money while you be here in our island paradise, mon"

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Enjoy your stay, and please spend lots of money while you be here in our island paradise, mon"

I live in SE florida and some of my pilot friends fly to the Bahamas. Now they charge $15.00 per head just to land. Plus the hassle with customs and FSS. Never saw anything in the Bahamas that I wanted. I spend my money right here in the USA. But to each its own. Hank

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I have been a couple of times.  It can be very interesting and fun.  Last time I went, had an engine failure on takeoff on  return trip.  Not a good place to have mechanical problems.  Long story on replacing engine and getting plane back to U.S. so I won’t bore you with details. My advice, have backup plans for your backup plans but have a great time.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wondered if anyone had some tips on flying a C172 (or similar) to the Bahamas from FXE (Ft. Laud. Exec.) ?? e.g. best guidebook, rafts needed?, easiest island to fly to, customs procedures, etc. Stimbo Medford, NJ — Posted with Ink Spot (for PocketPC) from DejaVu Software, Inc. Usenet wherever you are – http://www.dejavusoftware.com/

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Wondered if anyone had some tips on flying a C172 (or similar) to the Bahamas from FXE (Ft. Laud. Exec.) ??

Haven’t flown to the Bahamas since I moved from FL in 1990, but we would always use Ft. Pierce for customs on the way back. Used to be a lot less crowded than the other So. FL airports of entry, don’t know if that’s still the case. We’d usually plan the initial route from FL to the west side of Grand Bahama, on that route you’re only out of sight of land for about 45 minutes or so. I’d vote for a retractable given an option (if you have to ditch a fixed-gear AC, it’s probably going to flip over when the gear hits the water).  But if you’ve got a healthy engine it doesn’t have a clue whether it’s over water or land (do a mag check before getting too far over water for some added peace of mind, we do that even when flying out to Catalina here in SoCal). e.g. best guidebook, rafts needed?, easiest island to fly to, customs procedures, etc.

I’ll second the recommendation for "The Bahamas and Caribbean Pilots Guide" – It used to be chock-full of useful info, since it’s still in print I’d assume that’s still the case. Have fun! — GregR – Another Beemer Biker …o&o CA/IFR/BGI – KVNY [This space for rent - inquire within]

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I live in SE florida and some of my pilot friends fly to the Bahamas. Now they charge $15.00 per head just to land.

They’ve charged landing fees for years, but you can usually get around them if you’re (ahem…) creative with your "flight crew" (i.e. pilot, co-pilot, second officer, navigator), etc. I can’t remember us ever having to pay a pax charge over there.  :-) Plus the hassle with customs and FSS.

Hassle? Haven’t made the trip post-9/11, so I don’t know what the norm is lately – but it used to be that customs would only ask us to open a bag or two, would sometimes ask for an estimate of how many US-registered planes were on the ramp at our departure airport (I guess to get a gauge as to what their workload was going to be later on), then told us to have a nice day and sent us on our way. I’ve heard horror stories about customs ordering pilots to practically disassemble the plane on the ramp, but for us they were always pleasant and professional. Never saw anything in the Bahamas that I wanted.

You really should get out more often… Great boating, diving, snorkeling, fishing, eating, island-hopping, etc. etc. etc. Just a great place to get away from it all, plus the natives are really friendly. All within an easy couple hours’ flight from the US mainland.  I’d go back tomorrow given the chance. — GregR – Another Beemer Biker …o&o CA/IFR/BGI – KVNY [This space for rent - inquire within]

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We pulled some pretty wierd stunts.  On one trip, we were traveling with a Chinese national with no visa and an expired Chinese passport.  About the worse we ever got from the Customs folks was "You know dis is against de rules, mon?  You could get into a lot of trouble, mon.  Enjoy your stay, and please spend lots of money while you be here in our island paradise, mon"

Sailing into a Bahamas port I was concerned about the water depth and called into an attendant on the dock, "How’s the water depth in there."  The answer came back, "Plenty water mon, just spread thin!" We went in slowly and there was enough. Chuck

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You really should get out more often… Great boating, diving, snorkeling, fishing, eating, island-hopping, etc. etc. etc.

As I stated I live in SE Florida and we have great boating, diving, snorkeling,fishing and eating right here. No need to take my hard earned money over there. Besides I need it to keep my plane in the air. Hank

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You really should get out more often… Great boating, diving, snorkeling, fishing, eating, island-hopping, etc. etc. etc. As I stated I live in SE Florida and we have great boating, diving, snorkeling,fishing and eating right here. No need to take my hard earned money over there. Besides I need it to keep my plane in the air. Hank

And you are packed like sardines in south Florida.  My folks live in Naples in the winter and I have driven thru the gretaer Miami metro area during the high season.  Go 150 mile east and you are virtually alone on a miles long strand of beach.

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And you are packed like sardines in south Florida.  My folks live in Naples in the winter and I have driven thru the gretaer Miami metro area during the high season

You correct, I live 60 miles north of Miami. But the population has increased also. All the folks from up north comming down. Houses used to sell for 80 to 90 K Now they go for 300 and up. Guess the folks up north sell their houses for mor than that and think they are getting a bargain. When I fly west I used to see farms now the are building house next to the everglades, Hank

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And you are packed like sardines in south Florida.  My folks live in Naples in the winter and I have driven thru the gretaer Miami metro area during the high season You correct, I live 60 miles north of Miami. But the population has increased also. All the folks from up north comming down. Houses used to sell for 80 to 90 K Now they go for 300 and up. Guess the folks up north sell their houses for mor than that and think they are getting a bargain. When I fly west I used to see farms now the are building house next to the everglades,

The snowbirds are not selling their houses up north.  You’ll notice Florida gets deserted every April.  They’re all going somewhere.

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smf schrieb: Get "The Bahamas and Caribbean pilots guide", it has everything you need to know about flying and procedures. It can be found on the internet.

To be exact, at http://www.pilotpub.com/id2.html – $49.95 plus shipping. Harald

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Question:

A little update on some info.  I spoke to Jeffrey Cardenas (The Saltwater Angler, www.saltwaterangler.com) and they aren’t doing anything in Abacos currently, but this was suggested (with no comment, good or bad): www.abacoflyfish.com TC, R

LOL! My wife Googled that link up last week. One of the more glossy guide sites I’ve seen, but the prices are in line with the area from other stuff we’ve read… We’re planning on 10 days down there; I figure I’ll use a guide for a day or two and then see how I do on my own. From my admittedly limited experience, if you can see bonefish* the guide is just a boat driver. And the boat rental prices down there are very reasonable… * non-trivial, kinda like those dithered-to-death "stereo images", you either get it, or you utterly don’t. I was lucky and had no problem seeing the bones in Anegada, hopefully the water is as clear and the sand flats as clean in the Abacos… /daytripper (Now if I could just spring free to fish *this* month!)

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Fabulous place Fell and broke my thumb the day before I had 2 days booked with a guide called sawyer ( I Think) – fortunately he had 2 novices waiting to go and who took my cancellation – both had bones 5lb + Enjoy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -The SO has proposed Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos for our annual island trip next April. She’s been seeing lots of positive bonefishing references so she figures it’s a lock for me to go along with her schemes We’d stay at the Green Turtle Club resort/marina, fwiw. http://www.greenturtleclub.com/ And I’m looking for anyone with any direct experience with the eastern Abaco islands, the Green Turtle Club, and more importantly, the fishing! Anyone out there ever been to this place? Anyone out there do any bonefishing in the Abacos Islands? Thanks for any feedback. /daytripper (got dem bonefishin’ jones

– Charles Reaves

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From my admittedly limited experience, if you can see bonefish* the guide is just a boat driver. And the boat rental prices down there are very reasonable…

They are, but you need to know the area, tides, etc., to avoid a lot of fruitless searching, and avoid tide and wind situations.  Make sure to get charts and pay particular attention to wind and tide directions and tide times. * non-trivial, kinda like those dithered-to-death "stereo images", you either get it, or you utterly don’t. I was lucky and had no problem seeing the bones in Anegada, hopefully the water is as clear and the sand flats as clean in the Abacos…

It is at least as clear as the VI.  I once dropped a lighter off a dock in the Abacos, and it could be seen on the bottom (about 20 plus feet of water – I didn’t realize quite how deep until I got down there <G). I’ve got UW pics of palometa and bones are as clear as anything taken in a perfectly-maintained swimming pool. /daytripper (Now if I could just spring free to fish *this* month!)

Er, you might wanna wait to NEXT month or the spring…<G TC, R

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From my admittedly limited experience, if you can see bonefish* the guide is just a boat driver. And the boat rental prices down there are very reasonable… They are, but you need to know the area, tides, etc., to avoid a lot of fruitless searching, and avoid tide and wind situations.  Make sure to get charts and pay particular attention to wind and tide directions and tide times.

That’s what the first couple of days out with the guide are for… I’ll order up charts, especially given the boat rental, I’ll have a gps and a tide table, and hopefully things will be clear enough after a couple of days out. Granted my shallow experience (<= feeble pun) but fishing for bones isn’t very high on the rocket science scale – there are a couple of key details about bones that quickly narrow down the places one should bother working, and after a few more web hits I’m starting to get the feel for how small and *close* together the Abacos are, so I’m reasonably confident that if there are fish to be had I’ll stumble onto ‘em before too long * non-trivial, kinda like those dithered-to-death "stereo images", you either get it, or you utterly don’t. I was lucky and had no problem seeing the bones in Anegada, hopefully the water is as clear and the sand flats as clean in the Abacos… It is at least as clear as the VI.  I once dropped a lighter off a dock in the Abacos, and it could be seen on the bottom (about 20 plus feet of water – I didn’t realize quite how deep until I got down there <G). I’ve got UW pics of palometa and bones are as clear as anything taken in a perfectly-maintained swimming pool.

Excellent! I might have to spring for an underwater digicam! More toys! /daytripper (Now if I could just spring free to fish *this* month!) Er, you might wanna wait to NEXT month or the spring…<G

end around here. /daytripper (A shrink could buy his next house on my tab…)

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – From my admittedly limited experience, if you can see bonefish* the guide is just a boat driver. And the boat rental prices down there are very reasonable… They are, but you need to know the area, tides, etc., to avoid a lot of fruitless searching, and avoid tide and wind situations.  Make sure to get charts and pay particular attention to wind and tide directions and tide times. That’s what the first couple of days out with the guide are for… I’ll order up charts, especially given the boat rental, I’ll have a gps and a tide table, and hopefully things will be clear enough after a couple of days out.

Weeel, it’s not _quite_ that simple.  You’ve got the potential for 4 foot changes, and it isn’t just knowing where, it’s knowing when and where, and where the fish are moving.  The "no-boat" flats, of course, are easy (and there are a coupla-several miles of these at GTC), but with a bare boat, it can get tricky insofar as being where you want/need to be when.   You might consider renting a boat for one day, you and the wife going for a ride, and getting familiar with things.  Then get a guide for a couple of days, and rent again for a couple of days (or more – check on a weekly rate – if so, you can avoid ferry schedules altogether, weather depending).  Plus, while only natives can officially guide you, anyone can go fishing with you, and if you have boat access the entire trip, meeting a few folks from cruising boats might be productive.  And you might want to take a lighter setup for palometa, etc. (little permits, sorta like saltwater panfish) during bonefish lulls, and take some steel wire, etc. for barracuda (highly recommended for sport and dinner). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Granted my shallow experience (<= feeble pun) but fishing for bones isn’t very high on the rocket science scale – there are a couple of key details about bones that quickly narrow down the places one should bother working, and after a few more web hits I’m starting to get the feel for how small and *close* together the Abacos are, so I’m reasonably confident that if there are fish to be had I’ll stumble onto ‘em before too long * non-trivial, kinda like those dithered-to-death "stereo images", you either get it, or you utterly don’t. I was lucky and had no problem seeing the bones in Anegada, hopefully the water is as clear and the sand flats as clean in the Abacos… It is at least as clear as the VI.  I once dropped a lighter off a dock in the Abacos, and it could be seen on the bottom (about 20 plus feet of water – I didn’t realize quite how deep until I got down there <G). I’ve got UW pics of palometa and bones are as clear as anything taken in a perfectly-maintained swimming pool. Excellent! I might have to spring for an underwater digicam! More toys!

Fuji makes a disposable UW that actually works pretty good if you just want "quick and easy" – get them in the States.  Also, get a couple of decent but inexpensive masks and snorkels (also in the States) unless you are absolutely a "dry head."  And if you dive, DON’T take anything but Hawaiian slings (with extra tubing) – anything else is a no-no. TC, R

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That’s what the first couple of days out with the guide are for… I’ll order up charts, especially given the boat rental, I’ll have a gps and a tide table, and hopefully things will be clear enough after a couple of days out. Weeel, it’s not _quite_ that simple.  You’ve got the potential for 4 foot changes, and it isn’t just knowing where, it’s knowing when and where, and where the fish are moving.  The "no-boat" flats, of course, are easy (and there are a coupla-several miles of these at GTC), but with a bare boat, it can get tricky insofar as being where you want/need to be when.  

We’ll be getting the boat for the middle 7 days out of the 10 we’ll be there, looks like a 20-something foot Wellcraft CC with a 150 and t-top. Nice hefty boat – if it ends up high and dry at low tide it won’t be moved, that’s for sure. But we want to be able to roam freely for the duration, we usually take our own boat wherever we go on summer vacations, and it is usually at the center of the best times we have. I’ve been looking at satellite images of the area to the west of the reef through the island chain over to the big island and then on to the Marls, and it looks like flat water everywhere west of the reef would be the rule unless the weather is coming due north/south. You might consider renting a boat for one day, you and the wife going for a ride, and getting familiar with things.  Then get a guide for a couple of days, and rent again for a couple of days (or more – check on a weekly rate – if so, you can avoid ferry schedules altogether, weather depending).  Plus, while only natives can officially guide you, anyone can go fishing with you, and if you have boat access the entire trip, meeting a few folks from cruising boats might be productive.  And you might want to take a lighter setup for palometa, etc. (little permits, sorta like saltwater panfish) during bonefish lulls, and take some steel wire, etc. for barracuda (highly recommended for sport and dinner).

Are there any actual permits/licences one must obtain for fishing – either on foot or in a boat? That’s usually something I forget until the last day – so I’m getting a bit of a jump on things this time… /daytripper (might actually go fishing this weekend! Whoa!

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That’s what the first couple of days out with the guide are for… I’ll order up charts, especially given the boat rental, I’ll have a gps and a tide table, and hopefully things will be clear enough after a couple of days out. Weeel, it’s not _quite_ that simple.  You’ve got the potential for 4 foot changes, and it isn’t just knowing where, it’s knowing when and where, and where the fish are moving.  The "no-boat" flats, of course, are easy (and there are a coupla-several miles of these at GTC), but with a bare boat, it can get tricky insofar as being where you want/need to be when.   We’ll be getting the boat for the middle 7 days out of the 10 we’ll be there, looks like a 20-something foot Wellcraft CC with a 150 and t-top. Nice hefty boat – if it ends up high and dry at low tide it won’t be moved, that’s for sure. But we want to be able to roam freely for the duration, we usually take our own boat wherever we go on summer vacations, and it is usually at the center of the best times we have.

Heck, with that, you don’t need to worry about no steekin’ ferries…plus, that’ll allow quite a variety of fishing – you might wish to take non-FFing tackle, as well. Are there any actual permits/licences one must obtain for fishing – either on foot or in a boat? That’s usually something I forget until the last day – so I’m getting a bit of a jump on things this time…

You get them at Customs, so you don’t have much of choice, unless you wanna fly over early to get one…<G.  Ask for a "sportfishing permit" – it’s around 20-25USD.  I don’t know the status of the boat you’re renting, and with a guide, or on a Bahamian charter, you don’t need one, but if I were in your shoes, I’d just get the thing and be done with it. Bahamian Customs and other LE bodies can be a weird thing for the first-time tourist, so don’t act amused or surprised at any, er, "simple ways."  Make sure you have a couple of hundred USD in tens and twenties for the various fees, "taxes," etc. (in and out for you both, and I don’t mean bribes – it just speeds things up to have smaller bills at the ready).  Up until recently, "Customs" at the MH airport was a card table with a very friendly guy who always told you that you had nothing to declare, in and out, and to enjoy your stay…<G.  The outers particularly, and the Bahamas in general, are pretty laid back when it comes to sensible tourists who obviously plan on spending money.  My father is there quite often, and the only "trouble" in all the years of our family going was that he was pickpocketed once in Nassau, realized it as it happened, tried to grab the guy, who ran.  He then had to catch up to some folks who also gave chase and caught the guy so they didn’t beat him senseless before the cops came.  They made the guy give back the wallet and apologize in between blows. TC, R – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -/daytripper (might actually go fishing this weekend! Whoa!

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I’ve done both, and am fairly familiar with out islands of the Bahamas. As to the Green Turtle Club itself, the food is good, the dockage reasonable, an we’ve had a good time when we’ve been.

We must have been there at different times. My trip 5 years ago provided horrible overcooked food at typical high prices for the area. Other dining options are limited except for a 3 mile golf cart ride to New Plymouth. On a good day the smoke from the dump goes out to sea while Brendle, the dive boat captain, will hit on anything with a skirt. My favorite place in the area is Hopetown and Elbow Cay with a little more to do and the variety to keep the trip interesting. Some cottage rentals offer an ocean view and a harbor view. I’ve never bonefished the area, but from what I’ve heard a good guide will be a big plus. A good plan is to rent a Boston Whaler and with Elbow Cay smack in the middle you can easily cover a good portion of the Abaco Sea. Marsh Harbor is just west with great diving down at Sandy Cay and an artist colony all the way south (Little Harbor?). Whatever you choose, enjoy the trip and post pics. Drew

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I’ve done both, and am fairly familiar with out islands of the Bahamas. As to the Green Turtle Club itself, the food is good, the dockage reasonable, an we’ve had a good time when we’ve been. We must have been there at different times. My trip 5 years ago provided horrible overcooked food at typical high prices for the area. Other dining options are limited except for a 3 mile golf cart ride to New Plymouth. On a good day the smoke from the dump goes out to sea while Brendle, the dive boat captain, will hit on anything with a skirt.

Are you sure you aren’t thinking of the other "resort" there, the Bluff House?  Of course, as always, YMMV. My favorite place in the area is Hopetown and Elbow Cay with a little more to do and the variety to keep the trip interesting. Some cottage rentals offer an ocean view and a harbor view. I’ve never bonefished the area, but from what I’ve heard a good guide will be a big plus. A good plan is to rent a Boston Whaler and with Elbow Cay smack in the middle you can easily cover a good portion of the Abaco Sea. Marsh Harbor is just west with great diving down at Sandy Cay and an artist colony all the way south (Little Harbor?).

I would agree that basing at Marsh Harbour is _probably_ a better plan for most who are staying on land. TC, R – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Whatever you choose, enjoy the trip and post pics. Drew

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We usually do these trips in April, usually the first week after the "high season".

…and…in your case, that would be when? <g jeff

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We must have been there at different times. My trip 5 years ago provided horrible overcooked food at typical high prices for the area. Other dining options are limited except for a 3 mile golf cart ride to New Plymouth. On a good day the smoke from the dump goes out to sea while Brendle, the dive boat captain, will hit on anything with a skirt. Are you sure you aren’t thinking of the other "resort" there, the Bluff House?  Of course, as always, YMMV.

Nope. I’m speaking of the one right down on the water. Did eat at the Bluff House once, but it was their weekly BBQ. Not bad, but still the options are limited on that end of the cay IMO. Maybe we hit them on a bad week. My favorite place in the area is Hopetown and Elbow Cay with a little more to do and the variety to keep the trip interesting. Some cottage rentals offer an ocean view and a harbor view. I’ve never bonefished the area, but from what I’ve heard a good guide will be a big plus. A good plan is to rent a Boston Whaler and with Elbow Cay smack in the middle you can easily cover a good portion of the Abaco Sea. Marsh Harbor is just west with great diving down at Sandy Cay and an artist colony all the way south (Little Harbor?). I would agree that basing at Marsh Harbour is _probably_ a better plan for most who are staying on land.

But Marsh Harbor doesn’t give you the ocean and diving right off the beach. Hmm. ‘Bout time for another trip…. I’m out of 222s (a good pain reliever). Drew

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A little update on some info.  I spoke to Jeffrey Cardenas (The Saltwater Angler, www.saltwaterangler.com) and they aren’t doing anything in Abacos currently, but this was suggested (with no comment, good or bad): www.abacoflyfish.com TC, R

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I would agree that basing at Marsh Harbour is _probably_ a better plan for most who are staying on land. But Marsh Harbor doesn’t give you the ocean and diving right off the beach. Hmm. ‘Bout time for another trip…. I’m out of 222s (a good pain reliever).

Well, maybe not like the cays, but Marsh Harbour, is, well, a harbor, so there’s plenty of water.  But as you point out, (land)basing from one of the cays limits you in other ways, sometimes not well-taken by those who wish varied activity over a 10-day trip.  From MN, you can easily get to just about anywhere in the Abacos via ferry for a, pardon the pun, day trip, and while Dave fishes, his wife can shop, tour, etc.  - IIRC, she isn’t a fisher?  IOW, from MH, you can just go wherever whatever the first ferry that happens to be handy is going and likely find something, but at the cays, you might have to plan, call/radio, and/or wait, and you can just about do/see all there is to do/see in GTC in about a day and a half if you wish to "go and do." Now, all that said, I would not recommend basing from Treasure Cay (or even bothering to go for more than a half-day) as, IMO, it’s like a mini-Freeport and likely to eventually screw up the immediate surrounding area of Abacos.  Hopefully, it’ll take it in the shorts again, and this time, they’ll tear the whole flockin’ place down and be done with it. As to the codeine pills, I don’t like ‘em or trust ‘em, but ‘tripper oughta love ‘em…<G.  I think you can get a lower-strength Tylenol 3 (Tylenol 2?) in the States with a prescription.  My father swears by them, but all they do for me is make me sleepy. TC, R – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Drew

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Well, maybe not like the cays, but Marsh Harbour, is, well, a harbor, so

To me, Hope Town is prettier with almost the same frequency of ferry service. Now, all that said, I would not recommend basing from Treasure Cay (or

Not even worth the time to even go there. As to the codeine pills, I don’t like ‘em or trust ‘em, but ‘tripper oughta love ‘em…<G.  I think you can get a lower-strength Tylenol 3

Codeine works different on different people. For those who may benefit it is legal to bring in 100 tablets per person. Drew

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, maybe not like the cays, but Marsh Harbour, is, well, a harbor, so To me, Hope Town is prettier with almost the same frequency of ferry service. Now, all that said, I would not recommend basing from Treasure Cay (or Not even worth the time to even go there. As to the codeine pills, I don’t like ‘em or trust ‘em, but ‘tripper oughta love ‘em…<G.  I think you can get a lower-strength Tylenol 3 Codeine works different on different people. For those who may benefit it is legal to bring in 100 tablets per person. Drew

I’m surrounded by lightweights!  ;-) From the years of suffering with that damaged disc that was cleaned up this spring I squirreled away enough stuff to whack a herd of rhinos for a week with a multi-colored hail of doses. MMMmmm…doses….! And none of it has that godawful liver-killing should-never-have-passed-muster-with-the-FDA Tylenol. /daytripper (Go big or go home: Oxycodone and Oxycontin rule!  ;-)

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We usually do these trips in April, usually the first week after the "high season". …and…in your case, that would be when? <g jeff

Well…um….that would be…er…well….hmmm…. /daytripper ("Quickly! To the laboratory!")

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The SO has proposed Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos for our annual island trip next April. She’s been seeing lots of positive bonefishing references so she figures it’s a lock for me to go along with her schemes We’d stay at the Green Turtle Club resort/marina, fwiw. http://www.greenturtleclub.com/ And I’m looking for anyone with any direct experience with the eastern Abaco islands, the Green Turtle Club, and more importantly, the fishing! Anyone out there ever been to this place? Anyone out there do any bonefishing in the Abacos Islands? Thanks for any feedback. /daytripper (got dem bonefishin’ jones

Response:

Anyone out there ever been to this place? Anyone out there do any bonefishing in the Abacos Islands? Thanks for any feedback. /daytripper (got dem bonefishin’ jones

    a former law partner of mine has often visited his father’s "cottage" on green turtle cay.  i will try to check with him and report back. yfitons wayno

Response:

Anyone out there ever been to this place? Anyone out there do any bonefishing in the Abacos Islands? Thanks for any feedback. /daytripper (got dem bonefishin’ jones    a former law partner of mine has often visited his father’s "cottage" on green turtle cay.  i will try to check with him and report back. yfitons wayno

Thanks mfitons!

Response:

well now… this sounds like an opportunity for several of us with SOs(note the lack of apostrophe) to get some SO approval… so, when will you and your wife be sponsoring this vacation a/k/a excuse for bonefishing? jeff (who knows somebody who knows somebody thats got an abacos spot) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The SO has proposed Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos for our annual island trip next April. She’s been seeing lots of positive bonefishing references so she figures it’s a lock for me to go along with her schemes We’d stay at the Green Turtle Club resort/marina, fwiw. http://www.greenturtleclub.com/ And I’m looking for anyone with any direct experience with the eastern Abaco islands, the Green Turtle Club, and more importantly, the fishing! Anyone out there ever been to this place? Anyone out there do any bonefishing in the Abacos Islands? Thanks for any feedback. /daytripper (got dem bonefishin’ jones

Response:

The SO has proposed Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos for our annual island trip next April. She’s been seeing lots of positive bonefishing references so she figures it’s a lock for me to go along with her schemes We’d stay at the Green Turtle Club resort/marina, fwiw. http://www.greenturtleclub.com/ And I’m looking for anyone with any direct experience with the eastern Abaco islands, the Green Turtle Club, and more importantly, the fishing! Anyone out there ever been to this place? Anyone out there do any bonefishing in the Abacos Islands? Thanks for any feedback.

I’ve done both, and am fairly familiar with out islands of the Bahamas. As to the Green Turtle Club itself, the food is good, the dockage reasonable, an we’ve had a good time when we’ve been.  I glanced at the site, and I’d say it’s pretty representative – in fact, I think I have some pictures taken in the dining room and patio area, and they look a lot like those on the site.   Really, it depends on what you want.  If you want moderate isolation, Green Turtle is fairly so, but not ridiculously so.  If you want a little more to do, and don’t want a boat, you could stay at Marsh Harbour and ferry to the Cays (Green Turtle has a ferry service from MH to GTC, and there are plenty of ferry services around the Abacos). Also, GTC has several other accommodation options, such as cottages and houses, that I see in a newspaper from earlier in the year. The outers are a little different from the "tourist" island areas like Freeport and Nassau, and, IMO, are like no other area in the world.  You have yachts (and I mean YACHTS) that cruise the area, but it is all pretty casual and laid-back.  If you want more info on the area, drop me an email.   IMO, the best deal going in places like the Abacos, USVI/BVI, etc. is to rent a boat (pref. sail, but a trawler if you must) and cruise the islands.  The general area is easy sailing (although you must pay attention to tide times) with lots of areas to visit, dive, fish, party, or whatever.  Room rates run 200.00-plus USD a day, plus taxes, additional charges, meal plans, etc., and for about the same money, you can get a boat – of course, YMMV.  If you are interested, Moorings has a location in MH, or check any of the boating/sailing mags like Motorboating & Sailing, Yachting, Sailing, etc. TC, R PS – FWIW, the members of certain yacht clubs get discounts at many of the clubs in the Bahamas, or at least reciprocation, and that may be worth looking into, if applicable for you. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -/daytripper (got dem bonefishin’ jones

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The SO has proposed Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos for our annual island trip next April. She’s been seeing lots of positive bonefishing references so she figures it’s a lock for me to go along with her schemes We’d stay at the Green Turtle Club resort/marina, fwiw. http://www.greenturtleclub.com/ And I’m looking for anyone with any direct experience with the eastern Abaco islands, the Green Turtle Club, and more importantly, the fishing! Anyone out there ever been to this place? Anyone out there do any bonefishing in the Abacos Islands? Thanks for any feedback. /daytripper (got dem bonefishin’ jones well now… this sounds like an opportunity for several of us with SOs(note the lack of apostrophe) to get some SO approval… so, when will you and your wife be sponsoring this vacation a/k/a excuse for bonefishing? jeff (who knows somebody who knows somebody thats got an abacos spot)

We usually do these trips in April, usually the first week after the "high season". We’re still shopping around the Abacos but I think Herself has seen enough to make her "half" of the decision… /daytripper (that would be the big half, of course

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The SO has proposed Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos for our annual island trip next April. She’s been seeing lots of positive bonefishing references so she figures it’s a lock for me to go along with her schemes We’d stay at the Green Turtle Club resort/marina, fwiw. http://www.greenturtleclub.com/ And I’m looking for anyone with any direct experience with the eastern Abaco islands, the Green Turtle Club, and more importantly, the fishing! Anyone out there ever been to this place? Anyone out there do any bonefishing in the Abacos Islands? Thanks for any feedback. I’ve done both, and am fairly familiar with out islands of the Bahamas. As to the Green Turtle Club itself, the food is good, the dockage reasonable, an we’ve had a good time when we’ve been.  I glanced at the site, and I’d say it’s pretty representative – in fact, I think I have some pictures taken in the dining room and patio area, and they look a lot like those on the site.   Really, it depends on what you want.  If you want moderate isolation, Green Turtle is fairly so, but not ridiculously so.  If you want a little more to do, and don’t want a boat, you could stay at Marsh Harbour and ferry to the Cays (Green Turtle has a ferry service from MH to GTC, and there are plenty of ferry services around the Abacos). Also, GTC has several other accommodation options, such as cottages and houses, that I see in a newspaper from earlier in the year. The outers are a little different from the "tourist" island areas like Freeport and Nassau, and, IMO, are like no other area in the world.  You have yachts (and I mean YACHTS) that cruise the area, but it is all pretty casual and laid-back.  If you want more info on the area, drop me an email.   IMO, the best deal going in places like the Abacos, USVI/BVI, etc. is to rent a boat (pref. sail, but a trawler if you must) and cruise the islands.  The general area is easy sailing (although you must pay attention to tide times) with lots of areas to visit, dive, fish, party, or whatever.  Room rates run 200.00-plus USD a day, plus taxes, additional charges, meal plans, etc., and for about the same money, you can get a boat – of course, YMMV.  If you are interested, Moorings has a location in MH, or check any of the boating/sailing mags like Motorboating & Sailing, Yachting, Sailing, etc. TC, R PS – FWIW, the members of certain yacht clubs get discounts at many of the clubs in the Bahamas, or at least reciprocation, and that may be worth looking into, if applicable for you. /daytripper (got dem bonefishin’ jones

"I wouldn’t join a yagt…yauht….BOAT club that would have me as a member!" <attributable_to_someone_noteworthy_I_am_soooo_sure Thanks for the start, Richard. My wife and I enjoyed the heck out of Anegada, population under 100 and which I’d call "severely isolated", compared to Green Turtle Cay – which looks to be fairly teeming with humanity and is a short boat ride to a whole lot of touristy stuff by comparison. But if the fishing is good enough I’ll put up with a lot We had considered the Tiamo resort on south Andros, but someone or something put the wife onto this place, hence the grape vine initiative… I’m not sure that the spousal unit is ready for a week and a half on a boat, though the idea has it’s intrigue. She’s done day sails on schooners and didn’t go green, so there’s a possibility she’ll surprise me. I shall bounce it off Herself and note her first reaction (the only one that counts I plan on at least renting a boat, hopefully a center console in the 20 foot range while we’re wherever we’re going to be. I’ve looked at the rates and they seem more than reasonable ("Wait’ll you see the boat, though!" We had also considered a different place closer to the Marls on the western side of Abaco, but my wife read that the guides that work out of the eastern cays can scoot over to the Marls quickly enough. The scale of these islands escapes me,  seems much smaller than I had imagined. Again, thanks for the feedback, if you have more on the GTC thing I’d appreciate it (as email if you prefer). /daytripper

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Question:

I will be arriving Gatlinburg Aug. 4 in time for an all afternoon class and will be there for the rest of the week. Is anyone else going? Would like to meet to have a few beers etc. I am sure that Marc Pinsel as President and co-founder of The Classic Atlantic Brim Fly Society will call at least one meeting to do serious liver damage at one of the local bars. This is the biggest show of the year for the FFF and if you have never been to one it is something else! They seldom have the big show this far South, so it is a real opportunity for many of us. They are also having a two day long Bamboo Rod Symposium. The one I attended last year in Idaho Falls was very interesting. Big Dale

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Hi Dale, Gretchen and I are leaving today in the motor home. We plan on a slow trip and a little fishing in the process. See you there. Tight Lines – Al Beatty http://www.btsflyfishing.com

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I’ll make the CABFS meetings for sure.  I’ll be setting up the conservation booth on the 4th.  And I’m really looking forward to some of the casting clinics.  If anyone is going up into the park to fish, please post.  We had a great time at the SE conclave last year, some rain, but it was a great time. Dick Whiting – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I will be arriving Gatlinburg Aug. 4 in time for an all afternoon class and will be there for the rest of the week. Is anyone else going? Would like to meet to have a few beers etc. I am sure that Marc Pinsel as President and co-founder of The Classic Atlantic Brim Fly Society will call at least one meeting to do serious liver damage at one of the local bars. This is the biggest show of the year for the FFF and if you have never been to one it is something else! They seldom have the big show this far South, so it is a real opportunity for many of us. They are also having a two day long Bamboo Rod Symposium. The one I attended last year in Idaho Falls was very interesting. Big Dale

Response:

Question:

FFGuy wrote 7) 3 liters of water, platypus with bite valve

Aside from being a furry little guy with a duck bill, what’s a platypus? —                                                       -dnc-

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FFGuy wrote 7) 3 liters of water, platypus with bite valve Aside from being a furry little guy with a duck bill, what’s a platypus?

It’s a water bladder.  Basically an extremely tough plastic bag with a tube and a valve that you bite down on to drink the water.  As you can’t tell from my horrible description, they are a pretty cool invention.  They are nearly indestructable, insulated, and can carry a relatively large amount of water conveniently.  I use one (actually a generic equivalent) while fishing, hiking, biking, boarding, etc. Later,      - Ken — "During my service in the United States Congress, I took the  initiative in creating the Internet."  - Al Gore

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Here is my top ten Excluding Rod,Reel and Line 1    Flask of Coffee 2    Cheese Sandwiches 3    Cigars 4    Lighter 5    Bow Net 6    Sportsclip Tool 7    Solarshield Glasses 8    Gink 9    Floating Fly Box (inc flies) 10  Waders

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I got into fly fishing during the last year.  soon after my soon to be father-in-law became interested also.  naturally we go fishing together. I bring every possible fishing gadget I can carry, He on the other hand is a brings a rod.  I know I’m carrying 10 more pounds to the stream than he is. He takes every opportunity to point this out.  This spring I plan to cut down on the number of tools I carry to the water. What are the 10 most important items you all would take to the water for a day a fly fishing?

Get an average sized fanny pack or a vest with only a few pockets, and then only take what you can fit in it.  Limited carry capacity is great aid to self-discipline.  Besides, you’ll look real neat and tidy to the daddy-in-law. Cheers Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.cgocable.net/~pcharles/index.html

Response:

I’ll assume you’re talking about fly fishing in a river/stream and about EQUIPMENT, not supplies. So here’s my list in order of importance: 1)Rod/Reel, 2)Vest, 3)Glasses or flip-focals(for seeing), 4)Waders, 5)Polarized sun glasses, 6)Hat. 7)Fanny Pack. Any other item I consider a supply and should fit into #2 or #7 above.

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Just thought of a take-off on the saying Lee Wulff coined regarding C & R. "Limit what you carry. Don’t carry your limit!" What do you think?

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8.  Drying crystals (dessicant).

This has to be the least entrant for the top ten. — something bogus to avoid spam)

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absorbent paper towels that are FREE in the service station work swell.  Just squeeze the wet and hopefully chewed up and slimy fly with a piece of one and dress with Aequel or Daves bug Float or Blue Ribbon Super Dry Fly Float or SA dry fly floatant or Loon easy Dry or Hydrostop or Albolene and get back to fishing.

man, you’re slippin. you forgot GINK. you know, why go on the river with those lesser quality floatants when you can have the best. thats GINK, the best damn floatant your hard-earned money can buy. here, i’ll spell it out for you, G-I-N-K. i’ll share a little known roff secret with ya pal. the inventor of GINK is a once-in-a-blue-moon poster here at roff. if you ask him nicely, i’d bet my last dollar he would send you a complimentary bottle of GINK. waldo the omnipotent flytier and man about stream

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i’d bet my last dollar he would send you a complimentary bottle …

I’ll take THAT bet. Think he’d send me one too ? The absolute best thing to use for drying a wet dry fly is an Amadou. Among the many semi-liquids, Dave’s Bug Float is the best. — Ken Fortenberry

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8.  Drying crystals (dessicant). This has to be the least entrant for the top ten.

Oops, that makes no sense. I meant to write the "least likely entrant." — something bogus to avoid spam)

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Ten most important beside the obvious rod/reel/waders with belt: 1. Polarized shades. 2.  Bill hat with flip down magnifiers. 3.  Fly box with "hatches" in dries and nymphs. 4.  Extra leader and 3 sizes of tippet depending on what kind of fishing. 5.  Nippers. 6.  Rain gear, preferably Goretex. 7.  Wading staff.  (Goes along with the flip down mags – I’m old) and water bottle. 8.  Drying crystals (dessicant). 9.  Hemostats. 10.  Landing net. There has to be room also for a can of V-eye-eeeeena Sausages. Of course my list is like going through the express line at the super market — 10 items or less.  And the woman behind me swears under her breath because I have 15.  <G Dave LaCourse

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License.  Nothing worse than haveing to try some place to buy a license earl in the am for some dufuss that forgot to get one the night before. Drying crystals?  Those neat blue and highly absorbent paper towels that are FREE in the service station work swell.  Just squeeze the wet and hopefully chewed up and slimy fly with a piece of one and dress with Aequel or Daves bug Float or Blue Ribbon Super Dry Fly Float or SA dry fly floatant or Loon easy Dry or Hydrostop or Albolene and get back to fishing. Ten most important beside the obvious rod/reel/waders with belt:

snip 8.  Drying crystals (dessicant).

snip Dave LaCourse

– Mike in PDX "When the trout are lost, smash the state."                          Tom McGuane

Response:

i’d bet my last dollar he would send you a complimentary bottle … I’ll take THAT bet. Think he’d send me one too ?

        there’s another bet you’d lose, forty.  george is among the most generous men i’ve ever met.  it’s just that he will have a helluva time locating you, under all those damn rocks. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -The absolute best thing to use for drying a wet dry fly is an Amadou. Among the many semi-liquids, Dave’s Bug Float is the best. — Ken Fortenberry

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  george is among the most generous men i’ve ever met.  it’s just that he will have a helluva time locating you, under all those damn rocks.

A most generous spammer is still a spammer. Your thing with the rocks is tiresome. Surely a wisecracking wiseacre of your prodigious abilities can do better than to repeat yourself to the point of self parody. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

1. rod, reel & line (duh..) 2. flybox. 1 wheatley(model) should do if you know the water 3. sunglasses 4. pliers 5. some float & sink stuff 6. leaders & extra tippet material 7. hat 8. net 9. raincoat 10. basic first aid And now it’s time to take my own advice.. Cheers, Herman I got into fly fishing during the last year.  soon after my soon to be father-in-law became interested also.  naturally we go fishing together. I bring every possible fishing gadget I can carry, He on the other hand is a brings a rod.  I know I’m carrying 10 more pounds to the stream than he is. He takes every opportunity to point this out.  This spring I plan to cut down on the number of tools I carry to the water. What are the 10 most important items you all would take to the water for a day a fly fishing?

– Cheers, Herman Herman Nijland Daytime webmaster Lifetime flyfisher

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Be sure to have a couple of the Holdzit Tool Saver holsters and a gink holder dangling from your vest.  The Tool Saver will keep your hook file and forcepts rust free and your gink handy.  Check the Holdzit Fishing Products site out at http://www.holdzit.com Sharp Hooks, Pat I got into fly fishing during the last year.  soon after my soon to be father-in-law became interested also.  naturally we go fishing together. I bring every possible fishing gadget I can carry, He on the other hand is a brings a rod.  I know I’m carrying 10 more pounds to the stream than he is. He takes every opportunity to point this out.  This spring I plan to cut down on the number of tools I carry to the water. What are the 10 most important items you all would take to the water for a day a fly fishing?

Response:

I am a beliver in keeping things simple and light. Here is what I pack: 1.  One fly box with drys and nymphs combined.  If I loose that many flys then I should proceed back to camp and have a beer to forget about the crappy day fishing. 2.  Leader/tippet material. 3.  Fishing hat-  it’s tradition. 4.  First aid kit/ thermal blanket 5.  Rod/reel 6.  Snack for emergency situations. 7.  clippers.

Response:

What are the 10 most important items you all would take to the water for a day a fly fishing?

1) Camera 2) A book 3) Some Flies 4) Rod -n- reel 5) Tippet -n- leader 6) Nailclippers 7) Water Munchies 9) T.P. 10) Polarized sunglasses!!! Later,      - Ken — "During my service in the United States Congress, I took the  initiative in creating the Internet."  - Al Gore

Response:

1. Consolidated fly box 2. polarized sunglasses 3. tippet material 4. various sized split shot 5. rod 6. reel 7. fly floatant 10. waders if you really want to travel light, these are all you need (I didn’t include "vest", because everything fits inside it.).  items 9, and 10 might be: 9. camera 10. strike indicators Pete C

Response:

I got into fly fishing during the last year.  soon after my soon to be father-in-law became interested also.  naturally we go fishing together. I bring every possible fishing gadget I can carry, He on the other hand is a brings a rod.  I know I’m carrying 10 more pounds to the stream than he is. He takes every opportunity to point this out.  This spring I plan to cut down on the number of tools I carry to the water. What are the 10 most important items you all would take to the water for a day a fly fishing?

 Required-rod reel line leader/tippet flies. Extras-spare tippet material, swiss army knife (in belt sheath), spare leaders, camera, net, vest, soap, towel, pliers(needle nosed). Of coarse variations due to water fished and locale are to be considered, for instance in some of the areas I frequent I carry a side arm due to the over abundance of cotton mouths. I probably carry an over abundance of flies unless I’ve been there the day before and conditions haven’t changed. Bear in mind That I fish Florida waters from the bank where snags are a given and fish for bream and bass so there are times when rod/reel selection changes.                                                            John Popp                                                          in Sanford Fl.

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I feel I show up a little light, I have desired but have never needed more stuff.  My vest is packed with the following: 1) 4 fly boxes, each holds 90 flys 2) 3 tippet spools 3) # 6 split shot 4) 4 spare tapered leaders varying length and weight 5) Hemostats 6) Nippers, keeps the dentist off my back 7) 3 liters of water, platypus with bite valve Toilet paper, keeps skid marks to a minimum 9) Gink, keeps George happy 10) Bug net Plus the required stuff wide brim hat, waders, boots, Rod/Reel and a good attitude Al Simpson – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What are the 10 most important items you all would take to the water for a day a fly fishing?

Response:

I know I’m carrying 10 more pounds to the stream than he is. He takes every opportunity to point this out.  This spring I plan to cut down on the number of tools I carry to the water.

I suggest you just cut down on the number of soon to be father in laws. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

I got into fly fishing during the last year.  soon after my soon to be father-in-law became interested also.  naturally we go fishing together. I bring every possible fishing gadget I can carry, He on the other hand is a brings a rod.  I know I’m carrying 10 more pounds to the stream than he is. He takes every opportunity to point this out.  This spring I plan to cut down on the number of tools I carry to the water. What are the 10 most important items you all would take to the water for a day a fly fishing?

Response:

I got into fly fishing during the last year.  soon after my soon to be father-in-law became interested also.  naturally we go fishing together. I bring every possible fishing gadget I can carry, He on the other hand is a brings a rod.  I know I’m carrying 10 more pounds to the stream than he is. He takes every opportunity to point this out.  This spring I plan to cut down on the number of tools I carry to the water. What are the 10 most important items you all would take to the water for a day a fly fishing?

        don’t know that i would take that many items, but i’ll just start listing:         1. small box of flies, about a dozen dries, maybe six or eight nymphs.  patterns would vary, depending upon weather, time of year, stream chosen.         2.  fingernail clippers         3.  couple extra leaders         4.  couple spools of tippet material         5.  gink         6.  hook forcepts, or whatever you call them         7.  strike indicators         8.  lightweight knife         9.  can of tuna and some mustard, plastic utensils         10.  olympus compact 35mm camera         well, i’ll be damned.  there were ten items. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Question:

A lawn is a good place to learn, just cast the line without a leader or hook..

Hi Ernie, I agree about the lawn(or a decent sized patch of grass) being a good place to learn, but I believe a leader of about 8-9 ft in length with a tiny bit of cotton wool instead of a fly, balances up the line nicely. — Bill

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I’ve been reading a lot about fly fishing; so I’m ready to hit the water. But what I’m still not sure of is how do I get the line out before the cast,especially when I’m fishing stillwaters, or want to fish cross current on a river. Thanks Randy Kadish Go to the Sports section of the following site. Several good videos

on fly fishing. Good Luck http://www.totalmarketing.com

Response:

go back to the library and check out some instructional videos on flyfishing….. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been reading a lot about fly fishing; so I’m ready to hit the water. But what I’m still not sure of is how do I get the line out before the cast,especially when I’m fishing stillwaters, or want to fish cross current on a river. Thanks Randy Kadish

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tie on some kind of leader…that gets down in diameter once or twice…will give you the light end section that’ll help more than the dead pull of the line ..(too heavy). steve d.

Response:

A lawn is a good place to learn, just cast the line without a leader or hook.. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-Mail Selling my Fly Fishing Books Go to: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – NB beginners usually find it much easier to learn on running rather than still water, because you need the line straight(ish) for the pickup for the next cast, and the current straightens it for you. I disagree. With the current going, it was hellish for me trying to keep the line worked, the cast out of the trees, the fly on the leader, the line that had been stripped our of the current, and staying upright all at the same time, and I was on a slow, large creek. So, I’d say that you should try to find a farm pond before you venture to the river. Bryce Carron Rockford, Tn

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I’ve been reading a lot about fly fishing; so I’m ready to hit the water. But what I’m still not sure of is how do I get the line out before the cast,especially when I’m fishing stillwaters, or want to fish cross current on a river. Thanks Randy Kadish

Response:

I’ve been reading a lot about fly fishing; so I’m ready to hit the water. But what I’m still not sure of is how do I get the line out before the cast,especially when I’m fishing stillwaters, or want to fish cross current on a river.

Start with 10-12 ft. of line beyond the tip-top.  You can roll-cast that to aerialize it, then add about 5 ft. per false cast, stripping more off the reel with your line hand on each back cast. NB beginners usually find it much easier to learn on running rather than still water, because you need the line straight(ish) for the pickup for the next cast, and the current straightens it for you. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

NB beginners usually find it much easier to learn on running rather than still water, because you need the line straight(ish) for the pickup for the next cast, and the current straightens it for you.

I disagree. With the current going, it was hellish for me trying to keep the line worked, the cast out of the trees, the fly on the leader, the line that had been stripped our of the current, and staying upright all at the same time, and I was on a slow, large creek. So, I’d say that you should try to find a farm pond before you venture to the river. Bryce Carron Rockford, Tn

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Question:

I read somewhere that using Armour-All will make your line more susceptible to UV damage.  I can’t remember the source, but it stuck in my head. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Some old fart (hope he doesn’t read this NG) here in Boulder taught me this one: When your line gets grungy and needs some TLC, soak a soft cloth in Armour-all and wipe the grime off. This not only cleans your fly line, but it lubes it up so it slides through the guides with ease. Ben Holmes Boulder, CO

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I thought that this NG decided about 12 months ago that Amour-all wasn’t the best thing for fly lines Okay, so we’ve decided that Armour-All sucks. Now… what about Murphy’s Oil-Soap. It cleans every thing else known to man. Why not clean fly lines?

Don’t know about Murphy’s specifically, but what I’ve seen is that the best line cleaner is soap and water.  YMMV. — Bob Jarvis Mail address hacked to foil spammers!

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I’ve used Armor-all on my fly lines too, and it works well. BUt, there are ecological factors to think about when using such a product.  Armor-all doesn’t have alcohol or solvents, but I’m sure there are trace elements of toxins to fish. I’d much rather be safe than sorry.   Tim: Nobody told me that. I’ve been doing this to my 444 lines for three seasons (years) now and I have to report that I’m on my 4th season (year) with two of them. They still float, they slide like grease through a goose through my guides, and they are in one nice shiny piece. Armour All is a water based silicone solution, not at all unlike other dressings that cost much more. If the NG has decided that it is bad for my lines, well, someone should have told that to my lines.

John W. Kramer                           Clearwater Outfitters                   WE ENDORSE CATCH AND RELEASE (717) 938-3423

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Ohhh NOOOOOOOO,  Here we go again – this thread comes up all the time !!! DO NOT use Armour All – use soapy (read dish detergent) water and then just dry the line – like by casting it a few times. AA will build up and wreck your line’s finish after a while and if you live where there is no year round fishing it will gum up on the reel after time. That’s all I’m gonna say this time (see I can restrain myself gang) Bill Some old fart (hope he doesn’t read this NG) here in Boulder taught me this one: When your line gets grungy and needs some TLC, soak a soft cloth in Armour-all and wipe the grime off. This not only cleans your fly line, but it lubes it up so it slides through the guides with ease. Ben Holmes Boulder, CO

– Bill Curry Tight Lines Guide Service Lockeport, Nova Scotia, Canada http://www.tightlines.ns.ca

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I thought that this NG decided about 12 months ago that Amour-all wasn’t the best thing for fly lines

Okay, so we’ve decided that Armour-All sucks. Now… what about Murphy’s Oil-Soap. It cleans every thing else known to man. Why not clean fly lines? Bryce

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Tim: Nobody told me that. I’ve been doing this to my 444 lines for three seasons (years) now and I have to report that I’m on my 4th season (year) with two of them. They still float, they slide like grease through a goose through my guides, and they are in one nice shiny piece. Armour All is a water based silicone solution, not at all unlike other dressings that cost much more. If the NG has decided that it is bad for my lines, well, someone should have told that to my lines. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This thread again? I thought that this NG decided about 12 months ago that Amour-all wasn’t the best thing for fly lines — Tim Wohlford header return goes to a nasty spammer…. Uh Oh!  Here we go again! Bob Scott  (guilty in the past)

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I thought that this NG decided about 12 months ago that Amour-all wasn’t the best thing for fly lines

Yes, for only the third or fourth time since ‘94 that I’m aware of. Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools Mt. Shasta Fly Fishing Schools http://www.thegrid.net/flyfish

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Jesus H. Christ on a crutch!!  I’m on Social Security and that definitely  puts me in the old fart category, which By God, I worked for, and am proud  of!  Why is it these politically correct weenies feel they have to step in  "mind our manners for us?"  Enough of this crap already!!  Chances are,   that old fart Ben alludes to couldn’t care less that moniker is applied   to him, and if he did, isn’t it HIS place to make the admonishment? And   I’m sure you PC weenies noticed I took the Lord’s name in vain, at this   age, I’ll do anything I damn well please, PC’ers can stuff it. Get a life!   There, I feel better now. Where the hell are my crutches?   Frank (politically incorrect) in Elkhart, IN – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Ben, Some manners, please?   A great many in this group fall into what you seem to think is an age group to insult. Everybody is heading for that time of life.  Take a look forward, if you can. When you say you hope "he" doesn’t read this NG, you show that you realize you’re using a derisive term. How about if we all try to make the world, and especially the flyfishing world, a better world? If you appreciate what "he" taught you, why not call him "some nice old guy?" Regards, Jess Some old fart (hope he doesn’t read this NG) here in Boulder taught me this one: When your line gets grungy and needs some TLC, soak a soft cloth in Armour-all and wipe the grime off. This not only cleans your fly line, but it lubes it up so it slides through the guides with ease. Ben Holmes Boulder, CO

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jesus H. Christ on a crutch!!  I’m on Social Security and that definitely  puts me in the old fart category, which By God, I worked for, and am proud  of!  Why is it these politically correct weenies feel they have to step in  "mind our manners for us?"  Enough of this crap already!!  Chances are,   that old fart Ben alludes to couldn’t care less that moniker is applied   to him, and if he did, isn’t it HIS place to make the admonishment? And   I’m sure you PC weenies noticed I took the Lord’s name in vain, at this   age, I’ll do anything I damn well please, PC’ers can stuff it. Get a life!   There, I feel better now. Where the hell are my crutches?   Frank (politically incorrect) in Elkhart, IN

       Three cheers; I rather refer to myself as an oldy but goody, however if refered to affectionatly as an old fart I’ll take that. Weuns older guys, by reason of survival and longevity have earned the right to accept any name we choose. That said, this farts for you.                                                       John Popp                                                      in Sanford Fl.

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I think there is confusion here about Armour All. I am confused too. Isnt there a bunch of stuff in spray bottles called Armour All? The cleaners are solvents and bad on lines. The preservatives are water based and don’t clean but rather make plastic etc shine. I’m sure there is more then one product. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tim: Nobody told me that. I’ve been doing this to my 444 lines for three seasons (years) now and I have to report that I’m on my 4th season (year) with two of them. They still float, they slide like grease through a goose through my guides, and they are in one nice shiny piece. Armour All is a water based silicone solution, not at all unlike other dressings that cost much more. If the NG has decided that it is bad for my lines, well, someone should have told that to my lines. This thread again? I thought that this NG decided about 12 months ago that Amour-all wasn’t the best thing for fly lines — Tim Wohlford header return goes to a nasty spammer…. Uh Oh!  Here we go again! Bob Scott  (guilty in the past)

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Ummmm, Jesse, no harm meant – the old fart is my dad. Fact is he did read it, and it was his advice for you to lighten up just a bit. But, to keep from rubbing you into a chaffe I’ll refer to him as "some nice old guy" from this day forward. Regards, Ben – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Ben, Some manners, please?   A great many in this group fall into what you seem to think is an age group to insult. Everybody is heading for that time of life.  Take a look forward, if you can. When you say you hope "he" doesn’t read this NG, you show that you realize you’re using a derisive term. How about if we all try to make the world, and especially the flyfishing world, a better world? If you appreciate what "he" taught you, why not call him "some nice old guy?" Regards, Jess Some old fart (hope he doesn’t read this NG) here in Boulder taught me this one: When your line gets grungy and needs some TLC, soak a soft cloth in Armour-all and wipe the grime off. This not only cleans your fly line, but it lubes it up so it slides through the guides with ease. Ben Holmes Boulder, CO

Response:

Some old fart (hope he doesn’t read this NG) here in Boulder taught me this one: When your line gets grungy and needs some TLC, soak a soft cloth in Armour-all and wipe the grime off. This not only cleans your fly line, but it lubes it up so it slides through the guides with ease. Ben Holmes Boulder, CO

Response:

Uh Oh!  Here we go again! Bob Scott  (guilty in the past)

Response:

Some old fart (hope he doesn’t read this NG) here in Boulder taught me this one: When your line gets grungy and needs some TLC, soak a soft cloth in Armour-all and wipe the grime off. This not only cleans your fly line, but it lubes it up so it slides through the guides with ease.

So being an old fart: 1.  He probably had a secret stash of ancient Armorall of "classic formulation."  After long debate, posters seem to agree the Armorall you can buy nowadays damages the finish on the fly lines you can buy nowadays. 2.  He did not think of soap.  The best way to clean normal angling dirt off fly lines is to wash them with dilute liquid detergent. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

This thread again? I thought that this NG decided about 12 months ago that Amour-all wasn’t the best thing for fly lines — Tim Wohlford header return goes to a nasty spammer…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Some old fart (hope he doesn’t read this NG) here in Boulder taught me this one: When your line gets grungy and needs some TLC, soak a soft cloth in Armour-all and wipe the grime off. This not only cleans your fly line, but it lubes it up so it slides through the guides with ease. Ben Holmes Boulder, CO

Response:

Hi Ben, Some manners, please?   A great many in this group fall into what you seem to think is an age group to insult.   Everybody is heading for that time of life.  Take a look forward, if you can. When you say you hope "he" doesn’t read this NG, you show that you realize you’re using a derisive term. How about if we all try to make the world, and especially the flyfishing world, a better world? If you appreciate what "he" taught you, why not call him "some nice old guy?" Regards, Jess – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Some old fart (hope he doesn’t read this NG) here in Boulder taught me this one: When your line gets grungy and needs some TLC, soak a soft cloth in Armour-all and wipe the grime off. This not only cleans your fly line, but it lubes it up so it slides through the guides with ease. Ben Holmes Boulder, CO

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Question:

I’m seeking information about the new Paradigm from Thomas & Thomas.   I’m considering buying an 8-1/2 or 9 foot for a 5 weight and would be interested in a critique of its overall performance from someone who has spent some time with one. Thanks, Jim —     ***Upscale Leather*** Finely crafted products in fish leather. Visit our site at: http://www.tiac.net/users/batesbiz/upscale.html

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m seeking information about the new Paradigm from Thomas & Thomas. I’m considering buying an 8-1/2 or 9 foot for a 5 weight and would be interested in a critique of its overall performance from someone who has spent some time with one. Thanks, Jim —     ***Upscale Leather*** Finely crafted products in fish leather. Visit our site at: http://www.tiac.net/users/batesbiz/upscale.html

Jim:  I have had to opportunity to cast all the paradigms.  They are smooth casting rods similar in feel to Winstons with the exception of having a bit more backbone.  As for performance: do not expect them to be screaming speed rods.  They will cast 60 feet of line all day and be quite forgiving of poor loop control.  At the end of the day you won’t be tired from pushing line.  They also present a fly well with a delicate tip action that helps turn the fly over easily. Cosmetics: the rods are beautifully finished and a delight to see in bright sun.  The colors are radiant.  Good looks and an easy rod to cast usually makes for a good combo. As with any rod, cast it and put it to the test for your style of fishing.  If it feels good, looks good, do it!  You probably will never regret it!

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Question:

I’ve heard a lot about Boca Grande of late and thought I might like to check it out.  I would appreciate any recommendations of, or warnings about, lodging and guides. Thanks WAL

Response:

TRY Boca Grande Real Estate.They can be found on the iternet Keyword Boca Grande. I have used them for six years ,great service and rentals are great.You can also find there 800# in Florida Sportsman. Email GOOD Luck

Response:

TRY Boca Grande Real Estate.They can be found on the iternet Keyword Boca Grande. I have used them for six years ,great service and rentals are great.You can also find there 800# in Florida Sportsman. Email GOOD Luck

_______BOCA GRANDE is very expensive.  Your money is taken from you by the pound.  If you can, use a camper-trailer or mobil home.  The camp sites are much more reasonable and you can move around better.   George — MZ

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I’ve heard a lot about Boca Grande of late and thought I might like to check it out.  I would appreciate any recommendations of, or warnings about, lodging and guides. Thanks WAL

I have fished Boca Grande and its surrounding waters for many years.  In general, the island of Gasparilla, where the city of Boca Grande (named for the adjoining pass) is located, can be on the expensive side.  You might want to check out this site for Pine Island and surrounding areas. The northern tip of Pine Island is located just a few miles east of Boca Grande pass.  This site gives a particularly good description of the history and attractions of this general area. http://www.pineislandfl.com/ If you like roughing it, you might want to consider Cayo Costa (a Florida State Park). Cayo Costa is the barrier island that makes up the southern shore of Boca Grande pass.  Access to this island is by boat only, although there are frequent passenger ferry trips (no cars) from Pine Island.  See these sites: http://www.atlantagames.com./south/getaway/cayo.htm http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/southwest/cayo.html Boca Grande, the pass, is a major inlet to Charlotte Harbor. The pass itself is noted mostly for its Tarpon fishing which is at its best starting in late April thought early June.  The waters inside (east) of the pass, i.e. Charlotte Harbor and its tributaries and adjoining bays, are noted for some of the best backcountry fishing for Snook, Redfish, and Spotted Sea Trout (Speckled Trout) in this country.  There are many good guides in the area.  However, I usually guide myself and, with one exception, am not able to help you there.  Several years ago, I did hire a guide, a Captain Bill Miller, to take a visiting family member and myself for a day of backcountry fly fishing.  It was an excellent trip with many redfish and trout being caught (that’s what we were looking for) and we were impressed with the knowledge and skills of the guide. I don’t know if Bill is still guiding in the area or not, but he specializes in fly fishing for everything from tarpon to trout.  He even released a video tape several years ago that might still be avaliable. Its title is "The Complete Guide to Tarpon Fishing With Artificials". A good site for Boca Grande and Gasparilla Island can be found here: http://www.cyberstreet.com/ccfsbo/bocagran.htm Hope this helps…

Question:

FFers, Anyone know if it is possible to catch charr on fly gear? Here in Scotland we have large populations of char in many of the large, nutrient poor, highland lochs. Charr are the major food of the large piscivorous Ferox trout. Of course the Loch Ness Monster eats charr too Pete Marrow work: http://ui.nmh.ac.uk/gsrg.html play: http://www.gorp.com/gorp/activity/scottish_ff_faq.htm

Response:

Anyone know if it is possible to catch charr on fly gear? Here in Scotland we have large populations of char in many of the large, nutrient poor, highland lochs. Charr are the major food of the large piscivorous Ferox trout.

In 1910, P.D. Malloch wrote about fly fishing for charr in Scotland.  The largest he saw was a 2-1/2 pound fish from Loch Ericht.  "At one time Loch Leven contained char of a large size, many of them weighing 2 to 3 lbs., but they are no longer found there… Altogether it is a very beautiful fish…The best time to fish for char is on quiet evenings, when they can sometimes be seen rising to small flies.  The angler’s flies should be allowed to sink and then drawn quietly along." – P.D. Malloch, _Life History and Habits of the Salmon, Sea-trout and Other Freshwater Fish_, A.&C. Black, London, 1910 and 1912 editions. I have fished for landlocked Arctic charr in similar, nutrient-poor lakes in northern Alaska.  The biggest one I caught, a male, measured 19 inches. Fish of ten to twelve inches in length were more typical.  They could be caught on dry flies, particularly during a caddis hatch, but soft-hackled wet flies, nymphs and very small streamers or bucktails often worked better. Woods Hole, MA   USA

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Pete, In Alaska we routinely catch Char on flies in the Northern part of the state.  I have taken them on streamers and nymphs with good success.  Since they are like a large Dolly Varden, I fish them in the same fashion. — Gene Dobrzynski, Eagle River, Alaska

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – FFers, Anyone know if it is possible to catch charr on fly gear? Here in Scotland we have large populations of char in many of the large, nutrient poor, highland lochs. Charr are the major food of the large piscivorous Ferox trout. Of course the Loch Ness Monster eats charr too Pete Marrow work: http://ui.nmh.ac.uk/gsrg.html play: http://www.gorp.com/gorp/activity/scottish_ff_faq.htm

In "Fly Rod and Reel" april 1994, there is a fantastic article on Char and Flies.  If you can’t find it, I have a copy, and could pr= obably send you a copt in exchange for a fly.

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Artic Char in rivers are exceedingly easy to catch on a fly rod..  Use small #6 to #8 streamers with a silver body and blue and white top dressing and the Char usually go nuts..I have done this in Alaska, Tree River NWT, and an unnamed river flowing into Hudson Bay.   Are You sure your Char are not land locked Dollie Vqarden Trout….?    It takes a

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Question:

I am a member of the Canadian team to the World Fly Fishing Championships in Galway, Ireland.  They will be held in September of this year.  The venue lakes are Lough Mask and Lough Corrib.   I am looking for information about patterns and feed organisms. If anyone has fished this area and can help me, I would be very grateful.

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i just posted an article on those lakes   email me direct if you need more info. I have fished mask on numerous occasions. what a great venue. –

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