Question:

The weather has finally warmed, water temps are up, ospreys are feeding chicks, bass are close in, panfish are feeding, the lake and river are full of gators vying for mates. On the beaches the salts are moving in close, sharks are biting, herons are stalking the water again with purpose. Starlings and robins have moved through. All is green (though dry) with the smell of magnolias, honeysuckle , confederate jasmine and citrus blossoms. In the cool damp mornings I wonder how anyone could live without the soothing of the senses in the south. Now if we could just get some rain paradise would be revived. — John Popp in Sanford Fl.

Response:

John, as much as I disliked my short residence in Orlando, you write of all the things I DID love about being there.  Nothing like my little weekend jaunts into the swamps around Hunters Creek for bluegill, bass, gator dodging, wildlife watching, solitude, silence….or the occasional drive to Canaveral Seashore for a little surf fishing with a fly. Ohhhhh, sweet memories…. Bruce Thomsen

Response:

Question:

Congratulations, Darin. You will have a lot of fun with your new fishing buddy! Tim Lysyk – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Those of you who met me at the Western Clave knew that my wife was pregnant, well that is no longer the case. My son was born at 8:12pm last night. Mother and child are doing great and I couldn’t be happier. I will try and post pics on the web when I can and post the address for those of you who would like to see them. Anybody know where to get a 4 or 5′ rod for my new son? Darin the proud new father

Response:

Congratulations Life as you knew is over. Fortunately the best is yet to come. BJ Conner

Response:

Congratulations from the Left Coast! Merry Christmas and I know you’ll all have a Happy New Year! John – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Those of you who met me at the Western Clave knew that my wife was pregnant, well that is no longer the case. My son was born at 8:12pm last night. Mother and child are doing great and I couldn’t be happier. I will try and post pics on the web when I can and post the address for those of you who would like to see them. Anybody know where to get a 4 or 5′ rod for my new son? Darin the proud new father

Response:

A hearty Congrats to you and the Missus! — "Of what service would militia be to you, when most probably you will not have a single musket in the State; for as arms are to be provided by Congress, they may or may not furnish them?" -Patrick Henry,  5 June 1788

Response:

Thank you all. May you all have a wonderfull Christmas. Mines already been perfect. Darin still the proud new father

And I must remind you to bring a big box of cigars to the next Clave.  :-) Joe F.

Response:

Now, remember to be a nice Dad and make her birthdays special.  Two of my sons, and my wife have birthdays within 2 weeks of Christmas, and every year at least one of them reminds me that they feel like they are being overlooked because of the holidays. Congrats, and good health to you and your family, Darin! –Stan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That’s exactly what we were thinkin’. She was due Jan. 2, but due to a few circumstances she was induced 2 weeks early. Darin

Response:

Congratulations, and best wishes to you all. Does he have a name yet?  ("Lefty" is nice <g) JR – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Those of you who met me at the Western Clave knew that my wife was pregnant, well that is no longer the case. My son was born at 8:12pm last night. Mother and child are doing great and I couldn’t be happier. I will try and post pics on the web when I can and post the address for those of you who would like to see them. Anybody know where to get a 4 or 5′ rod for my new son? Darin the proud new father

Response:

Way to go Darin Dave

Response:

Thank you all. May you all have a wonderfull Christmas. Mines already been perfect. Darin still the proud new father

Response:

Those of you who met me at the Western Clave knew that my wife was pregnant, well that is no longer the case. My son was born at 8:12pm last night. Mother and child are doing great and I couldn’t be happier. I will try and post pics on the web when I can and post the address for those of you who would like to see them. Anybody know where to get a 4 or 5′ rod for my new son? Darin the proud new father

Congrats Darin!  What a fine way to ring in the holiday season.  Best of luck and health to you and your family. Cheers. Natty

Response:

Hey hey ! Congratulations, old man. And just in time for that nice tax deduction too. — Ken Fortenberry

That’s exactly what we were thinkin’. She was due Jan. 2, but due to a few circumstances she was induced 2 weeks early. Darin

Response:

Those of you who met me at the Western Clave knew that my wife was pregnant, well that is no longer the case. My son was born at 8:12pm last night. Mother and child are doing great and I couldn’t be happier. I will try and post pics on the web when I can and post the address for those of you who would like to see them. Anybody know where to get a 4 or 5′ rod for my new son? Darin the proud new father

Response:

Congratulations. I guess if you have to give up fishing for a few years the SJ clave was a good way to end. Paul

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Those of you who met me at the Western Clave knew that my wife was pregnant, well that is no longer the case. My son was born at 8:12pm last night. Mother and child are doing great and I couldn’t be happier. I will try and post pics on the web when I can and post the address for those of you who would like to see them. Anybody know where to get a 4 or 5′ rod for my new son? Darin the proud new father

Response:

"Darin Minor" wrote Anybody know where to get a 4 or 5′ rod for my new son?

    Congratulations, and I hope mother and son are doing fine. Send "Uncle Charlie" your shipping address by e-mail, I think I may have what the boy needs.

Response:

Those of you who met me at the Western Clave knew that my wife was pregnant, well that is no longer the case. My son was born at 8:12pm last night. Mother and child are doing great and I couldn’t be happier. I will try and post pics on the web when I can and post the address for those of you who would like to see them.

Congratulations.   ‘Tis a fine thing. Joe F

Response:

Those of you who met me at the Western Clave knew that my wife was pregnant, well that is no longer the case. My son was born at 8:12pm last night. Mother and child are doing great and I couldn’t be happier. I will try and post pics on the web when I can and post the address for those of you who would like to see them. Anybody know where to get a 4 or 5′ rod for my new son? Darin the proud new father

Hey hey ! Congratulations, old man. And just in time for that nice tax deduction too. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Those of you who met me at the Western Clave knew that my wife was pregnant, well that is no longer the case. My son was born at 8:12pm last night. Mother and child are doing great and I couldn’t be happier. I will try and post pics on the web when I can and post the address for those of you who would like to see them. Anybody know where to get a 4 or 5′ rod for my new son? Darin the proud new father

Congratulations, and best to all. Happy Holidays, R

Response:

Congratulations to you and your wife Darin, you’ll make an awesome dad. bruce h — bare your soul let your spirit burn out along the road to no return – r.e. keen

Response:

Congrats!! I have a couple of fly rods that have been "accidentally modified" if you’d like a short rod! <g Congratulate the happy mother for us too.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Those of you who met me at the Western Clave knew that my wife was pregnant, well that is no longer the case. My son was born at 8:12pm last night. Mother and child are doing great and I couldn’t be happier. I will try and post pics on the web when I can and post the address for those of you who would like to see them. Anybody know where to get a 4 or 5′ rod for my new son? Darin the proud new father

Response:

Darin Minor writes: Those of you who met me at the Western Clave knew that my wife was pregnant, well that is no longer the case. My son was born at 8:12pm last night. Mother and child are doing great and I couldn’t be happier. I will try and post pics on the web when I can and post the address for those of you who would like to see them. Anybody know where to get a 4 or 5′ rod for my new son? Darin the proud new father

Congrats, Darin.  My best to the mom.  Actually a 1 weight, 2 if he’s big, would be better. Dave LaCourse, ROFian Grandpa

Response:

Congrats Darin!!! Willi – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Those of you who met me at the Western Clave knew that my wife was pregnant, well that is no longer the case. My son was born at 8:12pm last night. Mother and child are doing great and I couldn’t be happier. I will try and post pics on the web when I can and post the address for those of you who would like to see them. Anybody know where to get a 4 or 5′ rod for my new son? Darin the proud new father

Response:

Congratulations to you and your wife, Darin! –Walt Those of you who met me at the Western Clave knew that my wife was pregnant, well that is no longer the case. My son was born at 8:12pm last night. Mother and child are doing great and I couldn’t be happier. I will try and post pics on the web when I can and post the address for those of you who would like to see them. Anybody know where to get a 4 or 5′ rod for my new son? Darin the proud new father

– Ezflyfish.com: http://www.ezflyfish.com Blue Ridge Book Gallery: http://users.boone.net/wgw/brbg.html

Response:

Congratulations Darin. TL MC — "Where fishing is concerned, most anglers are basically manic excessives" http://www.mikeconnor.de – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Those of you who met me at the Western Clave knew that my wife was pregnant, well that is no longer the case. My son was born at 8:12pm last night. Mother and child are doing great and I couldn’t be happier. I will try and post pics on the web when I can and post the address for those of you who would like to see them. Anybody know where to get a 4 or 5′ rod for my new son? Darin the proud new father

Response:

Congratulations!  Outstanding. Bruce Thomsen

Response:

Congratulations from all over the pond! Herman Those of you who met me at the Western Clave knew that my wife was pregnant, well that is no longer the case. My son was born at 8:12pm last night. Mother and child are doing great and I couldn’t be happier. I will try and post pics on the web when I can and post the address for those of you who would like to see them. Anybody know where to get a 4 or 5′ rod for my new son? Darin the proud new father

–         Cheers, Herman         Herman Nijland         Daytime webmaster         Lifetime flyfisher

Response:

Question:

Planning on Rock Creek, then to Libby, first week August.  Any info on the better campgrounds for us tent campers appreciated.  I was raised on Rock Creek, long, long ago– before electification.    Also info on guides in Libby for drifting, Also info on cabins, accomodations as well as campgounds  (if it rains us out)   Al Schuh-fly

Response:

I’d check on the water levels at Rock Creek first, if you mean THE Rock Creek East of Missoula.  The last report I heard was fishing could be over there for the season in the next week or so- water levels are way below normal – check with Doug at the Rock Creek Mercantile (406)825-6440 John

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Planning on Rock Creek, then to Libby, first week August.  Any info on the better campgrounds for us tent campers appreciated.  I was raised on Rock Creek, long, long ago– before electification.    Also info on guides in Libby for drifting, Also info on cabins, accomodations as well as campgounds (if it rains us out)   Al Schuh-fly

Response:

Planning on Rock Creek, then to Libby, first week August.  Any info on the better campgrounds for us tent campers appreciated.  I was raised on Rock Creek, long, long ago– before electification.    Also info on guides in Libby for drifting, Also info on cabins, accomodations as well as campgounds  (if it rains us out)   Al Schuh-fly

Bring your roller skates! — /* Sandy Pittendrigh                  –oO0  * http://montana-riverboats.com/  */

Response:

For river reports. check this URL: http://www.fourrivers.net/index.htm They’re saying that the flow of Rock Creek is down to 332 cfs, which ain’t too good. We’re going out there tomorrow (7/8) and will be back on the 16th. The campground where we’re staying is on Rock Creek, but we’re going to concentrate on fishing the Blackfoot and the Bitterroot. For tent camping, see the following: http://travelmontana.state.mt.us/faq/links.htm …it has links to all sorts of travel and accomodation sites all over the state. Regards, LR

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Planning on Rock Creek, then to Libby, first week August.  Any info on the better campgrounds for us tent campers appreciated.  I was raised on Rock Creek, long, long ago– before electification.    Also info on guides in Libby for drifting, Also info on cabins, accomodations as well as campgounds (if it rains us out)   Al Schuh-fly

Response:

http://montana.usgs.gov/rt-cgi/gen_tbl_pg for Montana streamflows. http://montana.usgs.gov/rt-cgi/gen_stn_pg?station=12334510 for current Rock Creek conditions. The creek is definitely low but then all the rivers are (at least this side of the divide). The bigger waters are fishing extremely well right now. Lots of Golden Stone and evening caddis right now with good PMD’s late morning to early afternoon. — Tight Lines! Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters, Missoula, Montana http://www.montana.com/dno/dno.htm 406-626-4022

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’d check on the water levels at Rock Creek first, if you mean THE Rock Creek East of Missoula.  The last report I heard was fishing could be over there for the season in the next week or so- water levels are way below normal – check with Doug at the Rock Creek Mercantile (406)825-6440 John Planning on Rock Creek, then to Libby, first week August.  Any info on the better campgrounds for us tent campers appreciated.  I was raised on Rock Creek, long, long ago– before electification.    Also info on guides in Libby for drifting, Also info on cabins, accomodations as well as campgounds (if it rains us out)   Al Schuh-fly

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have never fished before except once at a trout farm where you drop in a line and the fish attack it. I go canoeing alot on a local reservoir and I’d like to get started fishing it. The lake has bass, trout, walleye, crappie and some others. I just got a Shimano spinning combo but I dont know how to get line on the spool or exactly how the spinning reel works. Any help/advice about spinning rods and fishing in general will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 p[0]       Have a look at the Feild and Stream Web site they have articles on filling your reel and properly setting the drag on you spinning reel as well as the proper way to use the rod to fight the fish. You can find them at http://www.fieldandstream.com/     You might also want to try having a look at the In-Fisherman Web site. They have several of the articles on line and the search engine will help you find techniques for any of the fish you are after. Their URL is http://www.in-fisherman.com     Finally you can try the web site for many of the popular tackle companies. You can find a list of many of them at http://www.acc.umu.se/~widmark/lwmanufa.html     Good luck hope this helps some Maurice. Regards,   —

Response:

I have never fished before except once at a trout farm where you drop in a line and the fish attack it. I go canoeing alot on a local reservoir and I’d like to get started fishing it. The lake has bass, trout, walleye, crappie and some others. I just got a Shimano spinning combo but I dont know how to get line on the spool or exactly how the spinning reel works. Any help/advice about spinning rods and fishing in general will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Response:

I just got a Shimano spinning combo but I dont know how to get line on the spool or exactly how the spinning reel works. Any help/advice about spinning rods and fishing in general will be greatly appreciated.

Advise you to take your reel to your local bait shop or sporting goods store. They will fill your reel usually for 2 or 3

Question:

I’m rather new to fly fishing and I currently carry my daily supplies in a hiking fanny pack.  This does not always seem real convenient as it does not seperate items efficiently.  Most of my fishing is in the eastern Sierra Nevada – small lakes and streams.  Some float tubing. What are the pros and cons to other methods of carrying your supplies – vests, specially made packs, shirts with lots of pockets, etc?

A fishing vest allows one to carry a prodigious amount of "stuff" – one heck of a lot more than you can carry using virtually any other method (that’ll still let you actually fish ;^) That’s a Pro *and* a Con. It’s soooooooo easy to end up with your vest stuffed with enough gear to open your own fly shop. If you’re the kind of person that never wants to wonder whether he should’ve brought that <fill in the blank, a vest is definitely for you. Even my "shorty" wading vest has 29 pockets! And you simply can’t have an empty pocket, dontcha know! By the end of the season it’s so overstuffed with gear it’ll stand up on its own – and if I’ve got my "lightweight" raingear and lunch stuffed in the back, the whole works weighs more than 10 pounds (whoof!) Obviously, having an entire store on-stream is the advantage (I’m talking 400+ patterns in sizes from 0 to 28, a second, matched, reel and a pair of loaded spools (four different lines total), a leader kit,  floatants, dessicant, sinkers, insect seine, bug dope, a chunk of TP in a baggy ;^)  a gooseneck light, magnifier, thermometer, various small tools and zingers). Just as obviously, carrying all that weight is the down side… OTOH, I occasionally leave the vest (and the waders) in the truck, and wet wade while wearing one of those Jungle Jim shirts. Enough room for a couple of tippet spools, a small box of flies, a bottle of floatant, a pair of snips, and a hemostat, smokes and a lighter, and the keys to the truck. Depends on where I’m fishing and whether I know the water well enough to pick out just what I need. It’s definitely enjoyable to fish "light"! Somewhere in between there’s a good compromise. Buying a vest with a more sane number of pockets is probably a step in the right direction ;^) Good luck! /daytripper

Response:

—–BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE—– I’ve got a very simple way: I don’t carry much stuff. If it doesn’t fit in the two large handwarmer pockets on my Carhartts jacket and the one on my t-shirt, it doesn’t go. That cuts my load down to one fly box for wets and dries[1], one fly box for everything else[2], sunglasses, a spool of tippet material, a knife, and my smokes if that’s one of the weekends that I forget that I’m supposed to have quit. [1] I’m not sure that they’re supposed to be wet, but what else do you call a #12 parachute Adams when it sinks? [2] Yes, I’ve even used bass bugs on trout streams. They worked when _NOTHING_ else would. It’s the damdest thing. —–BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE—– Version: 2.6.2 iQEVAwUBNx18oZdiUzdLFqlpAQHouAf+LPT5ZqFPwmLeqi0J2/sGfDBvDXG/RV8e J5afy/mrSMGIJDBna0vecEfieL+njqYrRLQMXmJT9UM6c8yuXAW72KO8Nn8QA3Xk DVhpOZ72CQ9yipgFowbL13OLyygrnY5rLp3t/fO0TJxlqOrARN/jbtsNawy7g6HQ tWN70EmzQtMCfStPAs/g4DJD6a0gWFWaad+xSaQJ1BYoqQSz2N3HlyAlioG7hICf VQYyw5ociZDoZ12piVPiDaLsAOzChvKx6g3SvNZyEstR5QX9BP7l8zpQKMFi/hCq gH09LK7dp+6lkMUuf1e6925QWMQeS4lI7p8stUGfCud0BHWvHctxfg== =Qcla —–END PGP SIGNATURE—– Mike S. Medintz, http://www.grapevine.net/~medintz "You have the right to freedom of religion. You have the  responsibility to not knock on my door on Sunday morning." -Bill Maher

Response:

Float tubes have their own vests (most of them, except the cheapies) in the form of side pockets.  No vest or pack required.  On stream, though, a vest is still the answer for me.  Organized, roomy and comfortable.  The tendency is to overstuff. We all start to use every pocket because…well, because it is there.  Stuff like George’s different products, thermometers, two sizes of hemostats and all 6 weights of tippet can add up. A short vest is worth the investment for me.  Of course, I don’t give a rat’s behind about what is fashionable among the yuppie scum, God bless ‘em. They keep my local fly shop open and I still have fun catching fish.  As long as you’re happy… Babel

Response:

Skiroc asked:What are the pros and cons to other methods of carrying your supplies – vests, specially made packs, shirts with lots of pockets, etc?

  General rule:  The more room you have to put stuff in, the more stuff you’re going to haul around with you.  You don’t need that much stuff.   I’ve been happy as a clam carrying my stuff around in my little Patagucci fishing fanny pack for the past four or five years.

Response:

Stick with your fanny pack. The best piece of advice I can give you is to keep your kit down to a sensible minimum. The worst thing you can do is be persuaded into buying a vest with dozens of pockets, which you’ll feel duty-bound to fill with uneccessary items. You really don’t need the kitchen sink (in duplicate). Honest! It has taken me over thirty years to pare things down, but I’m getting there. I now travel much lighter than I used to and fishing is so much more fun. Keep it simple! Tony

Response:

(snip) I know people who use all the methods you describe for carrying their FFing gear. I’m an equipment freak instead of a minimalist so I wear a vest.

        (snip) .  Big bass bug boxes won’t fit just anywhere.

        and besides, where would a guy keep all those hilarious lawyer jokes?         wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Frank Church USAF Retired Elkhart, IN

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (snip) I know people who use all the methods you describe for carrying their FFing gear. I’m an equipment freak instead of a minimalist so I wear a vest.         (snip) .  Big bass bug boxes won’t fit just anywhere.         and besides, where would a guy keep all those hilarious lawyer jokes?         wayno And as the French say, "tooshay" Wayno.  :-) Frank Church USAF Retired Elkhart, IN

Response:

I’m rather new to fly fishing and I currently carry my daily supplies in a hiking fanny pack.  This does not always seem real convenient as it does not seperate items efficiently.  Most of my fishing is in the eastern Sierra Nevada – small lakes and streams.  Some float tubing. What are the pros and cons to other methods of carrying your supplies – vests, specially made packs, shirts with lots of pockets, etc?

Response:

Skiroc asked:What are the pros and cons to other methods of carrying your supplies – vests, specially made packs, shirts with lots of pockets, etc?

Since I live in Texas where it is often hotter’n hell I seldom wear a vest. I use a fanny pack that was made to carry a handgun. It has four pockets which give me enough separation to easily find things. If I leave the 44 at home,that one pocket holds more fly boxes than I need for any one day. I have been known to use empty hook boxes which used to hold 100 hooks hold a lot of flies of the size useful for trout or bluegill. Big Dale

Response:

I’m rather new to fly fishing and I currently carry my daily supplies in a hiking fanny pack.  This does not always seem real convenient as it does not seperate items efficiently.  Most of my fishing is in the eastern Sierra Nevada – small lakes and streams.  Some float tubing. What are the pros and cons to other methods of carrying your supplies – vests, specially made packs, shirts with lots of pockets, etc?

I know people who use all the methods you describe for carrying their FFing gear. I’m an equipment freak instead of a minimalist so I wear a vest.  Things are organized the same way, so there is no fumbling around looking for that tippet spool, nippers, etc.  If you decide on a vest, do two things before buying. . . since you float tube, consider getting a ’shorty’ vest, this will keep the lower pockets in the vest out of the water, and if you wade fish will do the same thing and, take your fly boxes with you when buying the vest to make sure they will fit the pockets.  I made that mistake once, and had to return the vest.  Big bass bug boxes won’t fit just anywhere. Frank Church USAF Retired Elkhart, IN

Response:

We had a thread on this about a month ago, which attracted dozens of responses.  You may want to try to dig it out, if it’s still up on your ISP. One basic piece of advice, avoid packs that use Velcro to seal pockets (this will eliminate most fishing vests).  The Velcro will wear out in a year of two of use, well before anything else.  Then you’ll start losing things, until you get around to replacing the Velcro or the item. As to which is better, vest or packs, I don’t think there is a single perfect answer.  It’ depends on the fishing you do. Vests are perfect if, a) all you need to carry is fishing gear — and a lot of it; and b) it’s not too hot.  Again, look for vests that use zippers not Velcro to seal pockets.  This will eliminate almost all of the less expensive vests. Chest packs are great if you don’t need to carry a lot of gear, and you get one that is comfortable (pay a lot of attention to the harness).  I have a large Orvis chest pack which, when loaded fully, is uncomfortable after an hour or so.  Other pack harnesses seem much better designed. However, more often than not I need to carry more than fishing gear, e.g. raincoat, lunch, water bottle.  If you like to fish small streams in the Eastern Sierra, and walk any distance from you car, you’re probably in the same boat. I’ve adopted a combined back-pack/chest pack by JW Outfitters.  It’s a small daypack in back, with elastic webbing to carry a jacket on the outside if the compartment fills up, and two vertical chest packs, one on each back-pack strap.  Each chest pack is large enough to hold two or three medium-large fly boxes, and there are plenty of little pockets with zippers, etc, to carry tippet, hemostats, leaders, etc., etc., etc.  Everything I used to carry in my vest (I’m neither a minimalist nor a gear-head) fit into the chest packs.  There are two built in retractors, one on the outside of each chest pack.  Minimal use of Velcro.  Cabela’s sells it in their fly fishing catalog, if your dealer can’t get if for you. Obviously designed by a fly-fisherman, I continue to  be pleased with it and to learn about little features that enhance it.  Patagonia makes a similar pack, with a larger back-pack section, but it’s much more expensive and uses Velcro to seal pockets. Michael

Response:

Question:

Hi, I live in Manitoba, and am planning a trip to Alaska next summer.  Would like to fly to Vancouver, and rent a motorhome to drive along the coast to Alaska. There are no roads along the coast. It would be nice, but the cost of constructing a coastal route from Vancouver to Alaska would rival or surpass the cost of the Apollo moon program. There are ferries, though. You need to book well in advance. Consider booking NOW.

That’s completely correct – Val, consider booking now.   Only have two weeks holidays.  If anyone has done this or has any info such as where to rent the motorhome, and the best approach to the trip, length of time needed, etc, please post, or email direct to Two weeks is pushing it very, very hard. I went this summer from Vancouver. This is where I live. Keep the distances in mind. Vancouver to Whitehorse in the Yukon is about 2700km (1677miles) using the Alaska Highway route. You take it from there. Essentially, you would spend the majority of your vacation driving.

This is true — it is possible to do the trip in two weeks…but you would be spending an uncomfortable amount of time actually behind the wheel driving. It is possible to do like 400 miles a day though. Its possible that Peter is giving you a more realistic impression than I. after all, it is a vacation! Hans

Response:

Hi, I live in Manitoba, and am planning a trip to Alaska next summer.  Would like to fly to Vancouver, and rent a motorhome to drive along the coast to Alaska.  Only have two weeks holidays.  If anyone has done this or has any info such as where to rent the motorhome, and the best approach to the trip, length of time needed, etc, please post, or email direct to Thanks for the help!

Since you have only two weeks, you might enjoy your vacation more if you flew directly to Alaska and rented the motorhome in Anchorage.  There are tons of rentals available but you should book way early, like 3 to 6 months in advance to assure you of the size and type of unit you would like to rent. If you have never been to Alaska, I would spend 1 week north of Anchorage (i.e. Fairbanks, Denali, etc.) and 1 week south of Anchorage on the Kenai Penninsula (Seward, Kenai, Homer).  Also it is possible that by next summer you may be able to drive to Whittier, which will give you easy road access to Prince William sound.(This project was well on its way this summer when I was there).  Previously Whittier was only accesable by train, however some of the money from the Valdez oil spill is being used to finance this project.  I have made this trip to Alaska every late August/September (I like to fish for Silver’s on the Kenai river and most of those pesky tourists have gone home)for the last 12 years. E-mail me if I can help. Darwin

Response:

Hi, I live in Manitoba, and am planning a trip to Alaska next summer.  Would like to fly to Vancouver, and rent a motorhome to drive along the coast to Alaska.

There are no roads along the coast. It would be nice, but the cost of constructing a coastal route from Vancouver to Alaska would rival or surpass the cost of the Apollo moon program. There are ferries, though. You need to book well in advance. Consider booking NOW.   Only have two weeks holidays.  If anyone has done this or has any info such as where to rent the motorhome, and the best approach to the trip, length of time needed, etc, please post, or email direct to

Two weeks is pushing it very, very hard. I went this summer from Vancouver. This is where I live. Keep the distances in mind. Vancouver to Whitehorse in the Yukon is about 2700km (1677miles) using the Alaska Highway route. You take it from there. Essentially, you would spend the majority of your vacation driving. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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Hi, I live in Manitoba, and am planning a trip to Alaska next summer.  Would like to fly to Vancouver, and rent a motorhome to drive along the coast to Alaska.  Only have two weeks holidays.  If anyone has done this or has any info such as where to rent the motorhome, and the best approach to the trip, length of time needed, etc, please post, or email direct to Thanks for the help!

Well, Val, the only problem with your plan is that there isn’t a road up the coast to Alaska for you to drive your motorhome on. I’m not being a smart-alex here, its really true- look at a road atlas. Your options are the Alaska Marine Highway system – alittle expensive to put a RV on. You should plan everything early and make your reservation as early as possible – you can board the ferries in Bellingham WA, with limited service to Prince Rupert, B.C. as well. AMHS:  http://www.dot.state.ak.us/external/amhs/home.html The AMHS will passes through all but the really tiny hamlets and fishing villages in the islands of SE Alaska. Beautiful places, but you’ll have to really juggle your reservations in order to get off one ferry and onto another to get around on in an RV – the ferry system schedule isn’t really setup for that kind of thing. To drive to Alaska, the ALCAN highway runs far inland, from Dawson Creek, BC, through Ft Nelson, Ft St John, Watson Lake and Whitehorse, Yukon -the ALCAN Highway ends in Fairbanks, Alaska and from there Denali Park is just a 1/2 days drive. The Alaska Highway is a very nice long drive, and has its times when it passes through some really remarkable scenery. There is a very nice "manual" for the ALCAN: http://www.themilepost.com/ The Mile Post is full of useful information for travellers along the Alaska (ALCAN) Highway. Its nice that your starting your planning process now. Hope you have a great trip! Two weeks should be plenty of time. Hans, Juneau AK

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Hi, I live in Manitoba, and am planning a trip to Alaska next summer.  Would like to fly to Vancouver, and rent a motorhome to drive along the coast to Alaska.  Only have two weeks holidays.  If anyone has done this or has any info such as where to rent the motorhome, and the best approach to the trip, length of time needed, etc, please post, or email direct to Thanks for the help!

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Question:

<SNIP But who cares what of it is true and what isn’t, or who was "in on it" or who wasn’t?

Quite a few people care what is true, and what is not. Nobody on this group was "in" on anything. There was no collusion of any kind. I had no contact whatsoever with anybody else on this group regarding my actions. People who know me figured out pretty quickly that I was behaving at least oddly, and formed their own opinions. For somebody who does not care at all what other people think, you sure are curious. As Mr. LaCourse more than fairly observed. He also thought I was behaving like a loony, but he was prepared to forgive and forget based on past experience. I am also most grateful to him for his fairness in this regard. My arrival "out of the blue" as you put it, was the result of a person attributing opinions to me, which I have never averred, and do not hold. To whit, that "Gink is worse than spent nuclear fuel". This was e-mailed to me, and as a consequence, I responded to the post on ROFF.  The result was a personal attack, with no regard whatever for the truth of the matter. I responded in kind. Thus began the whole episode. MC

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <SNIP I’m not sure how the people that Mike has been "arguing" with are supposed to know this. If this IS true, he is doing it at other’s expense and it has really gotten old. If it’s just a typical ROFF argument, like I think it is, so be it. People will look at the two sides as they will. There are always two sides to these things. Willi Willi, I fear you err in this respect. I was not arguing, there would be no point in arguing against a personal attack. You basically have two choices in such a case, either you ignore it, and hope everybody else does, or you defend yourself as best you can. It is not necessary to "know"  why you are being attacked, it is sufficient that this is indeed the case.  I limited my "attacks" to those who attacked me. All attacks of this nature are done at somebody else

Question:

Anyone have any thoughts on L.L. Bean flyrods? Thanks in advance.

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I believe they’re made by Loomis. Although Bean changes often. If you call  their FF desk, they may tell you. One thing about LL Bean , any problem, ever,  they take it back no questions asked. They have excellent customer service.

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Anyone have any thoughts on L.L. Bean flyrods? Thanks in advance.

If you like the way they cast, then I highly recommend them.  Bean’s backs up their products as completely as any vendor in the flyfishing business. You can’t go wrong with Bean’s.

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I teach fly casting at a local university. At the start of my last class, a  student showed up with an 8.5′ 6 wt sold by LL Bean. It was my first  opportunity to evaluate one. Because of Bean’s reputation, I had expected them  to be ‘okay’. To my surprise, it was not. It was excellent! Based on that, and  my prior dealings with the company in other areas, I’d say you can’t go wrong.

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Anyone have any thoughts on L.L. Bean flyrods?

I got a rod from LL Bean after being introduced to flyfishing by a couple of friends. It’s a low-mid range rod & reel (4 piece graphite travel rod), but it impressed both of the guys I fished with. Bean does change their model names around all the time, but I got the "Angler" model about three years ago for around $150. I’ve picked up most of my gear from Bean, including vest and boots. I’m a little sensitive about displaying their name all over my body, but I shopped around quite a bit (high end and low end) before ordering. My experience was that they have a good medium price on decent quality stuff with well designed features. And of course there’s the "don’t sweat it" warranty. — Jeff Cook Washington, DC area

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The service at LLBEAN is incredible.  I had a mix-up with replacement netting  for my dip net.  They bent over backwards to help on an $8 sale!  

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Anyone have any thoughts on L.L. Bean flyrods?

I ‘m very happy with a 9′ 5 wt Double L rod I picked up earlier this year.   My experience with Bean is that anything they sell as a major line (and their  fishing gear certainly qualifys as a major line) is good quality.  Sometimes  they dabble in things they don’t know much about–for example, I wouldn’t buy  a kayak from ‘em.   Allen

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Does anyone have any experience with L.L. Bean rods?  I’m looking at getting one of their Guide series 5-weights.  Any info on who they are made by? What about their guarantee?  Thanks for the help. Kevin Hernandez

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Does anyone have any experience with L.L. Bean rods?  I’m looking at getting one of their Guide series 5-weights.  Any info on who they are made by? What about their guarantee?  Thanks for the help. Kevin Hernandez </PRE</HTML

I don’t know anything about their Guide Series rods specificaly but I can tell you they are a fine company to do business with.  They stand behind all their products.  They have a great reputation and it is well earned. Joel Axelrad

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Does anyone have any experience with L.L. Bean rods?  I’m looking at getting one of their Guide series 5-weights.  Any info on who they are made by? What about their guarantee?  Thanks for the help.

I have that model, it’s a fine rod regardless of whoever makes it.  They originated the no-questions asked return policy.

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Question:

Does anyone know where I can find the following rodbuilding book? A Master’s Guide to Building a Bamboo Fly Rod Hoagy B. Carmichael 1977 Marth’s Glen Publishing Co., Katanah, NY 10536 Thanks very much for any help in this regard. BTW, the flyfishing is great this year in Wyoming. Big Horn area especially. Please email me if you know where I can find the book.

I got my reprinted copy from Centennial Pulications in Grand Junction Co. They have a web site "http://www.gorp.com/cl_angle/flyfish/main.htm" or smail is:    256 Nashua Court    Grand Junction, CO 81503 Good Luck, Rick

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        The latest printing and the first printing are both sold out. However, a third edition is supposed to come out late this year or early next year. Higher price though. Try Angler’s Art at 800-848-1020.

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orig snipped<< I got my reprinted copy from Centennial Pulications in Grand Junction Co. They have a web site "http://www.gorp.com/cl_angle/flyfish/main.htm" or smail is: Good Luck, Rick

Well Rick, moving on your advice I stopped by the site you published and was impressed, looks really great. I am also interested in this book and some other ones also, Being a poor dude, I ain’t in the credit card-fed-ex-next-day-instant-gratification< catagory, so I e-mailed title and one other by money order. As the publication is a limited printing and not due out untill sept, (gee I guess thats today) I really wanted to get my order in now, not to mention the times that I have about a hundered and a half bucks to spend on books being pretty rare. I hate to jump to this conclusion, but after a few days, I have a hard time not doing it, as I usually return e-mail with in a few hours, a day at the most. It seems that the color of my money is not good enough for Mr. Bamboo and I am just a little pissed (that’s mad in american for all you Brits) that not only is this title apparently sold out before it was offered, but he has yet to dignify my request for a M.O. purchase. There are shop keeps out there, they too need to earn a living, and by and large that is where I preferr to spend my hard earned wages. I’d like to think that Mr. Bamboo is not the type to read his email and think "Ah, here’s a little punk who thinks he wants to buy my wares, but he’s not going to creditcard his way straight into my purse, so to hell with him".   But thats what it looks like from here. I wish bamboo much success in his on-line venture, I really do. But it doesn’t look like he’ll get my money, But then again, it looks like he doesn’t want it either.

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I HAVE COMMITED AN INJUSTICE HERE orig snipped<< I got my reprinted copy from Centennial Pulications in Grand Junction Co. They have a web site "http://www.gorp.com/cl_angle/flyfish/main.htm" or

My response Well Rick, moving on your advice I stopped by the site you published and was impressed, looks really great. snip< There are shop keeps out there, they too need to earn a living, and by and large that is where I preferr to spend my hard earned wages. I’d like to think that Mr. Bamboo is not the type to read his email and think "Ah, here’s a little punk who thinks he wants to buy my wares, but he’s not going to creditcard his way straight into my purse, so to hell with him".

I should learn to keep my mouth shut, Mr. Bamboo DID respond, after a few days, and took care of me pretty nicely, a lot more nicely than I did him.   I am ashamed, this seems life a very fine outfit, i really wished I’da kept my mouth shut. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I wish bamboo much success in his on-line venture, I really do. But it doesn’t look like he’ll get my money, But then again, it looks like he doesn’t want it either.

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Does anyone know where I can find the following rodbuilding book? A Master’s Guide to Building a Bamboo Fly Rod Hoagy B. Carmichael 1977 Marth’s Glen Publishing Co., Katanah, NY 10536 Thanks very much for any help in this regard. BTW, the flyfishing is great this year in Wyoming. Big Horn area especially. Please email me if you know where I can find the book.

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Question:

Does anyone have info about flyfishing possibilities on Bon-Aire?   My wife and daughter are trying to make me go and I won’t dive.

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I love Bonaire, maily, almost exclusively for the diving, but I can’t imagine that there is much in the way of flyfishing to be done.  Bonaire is a volcanic island and the depth profile tends to go: small coral shelf, small drop off (mebbe to 100′ or so), another small shelf and then BLAMMO, you have dropped off the edge of the world.  I’ve never been to either Klein Bonaire, but I suspect that it is similar.  Also, Bonaire has one of the strictest and longest standing reef and fish protection laws in the Carribean, primarily because of a fellow named Don Stuart (Captain Don) who is one of the wackier and more colorful people this world has to offer (and I’ve searched out quite a few).  He is a fantastic guy to drink some beers with down at Habitat, expecially on "country/western night".  We haven’t been down for eight years now owing to our having a couple of little units to consider, but a friend of mine just spent a month there on his sailboat and had a great time.  He said that it has grown a good bit since we were last there together in 87 but that the diving is still fantastic and the beer (Amstel) is still great, and affordable.  Essentially, the World Wildlife Fund did a great thing when they set up the Bonaire Marine Park, but they didn’t have flyfishers in mind.  Go on and take your snorkel, or better yet your regulator and have a great time.  If you do go, make sure you have the book "Guide to the Bonaire Marine Park", by Tom van’t Hof.  It’s a fantastic book and will show you how th dove the island WITHOUT A DIVE GUIDE OR BOAT!!!!  What a bonus!  You can dive REALLY CHEAP. Obviously, I love the place.  I hpe you go, even if there isn’t any flyfishing that I know of. Dave

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I couldn’t agree more.  I proposed to my wife there 9 years ago (she accepted!).  We haven’t been back, but we talk about it all the time. Neither of us dive, but we both snorkeled continuously.  It is sometimes better just to look at the fish than to catch them.  They are spectacular.  You don’t need a boat or a tour guide-just walk out into the water and you’re surrounded by the reef. The people were great, the ocean is great, the food is not.  There is a little town on the other side of the island from Kralendijk (the capital) where you can sit at a wonderful little outdoor juke joint and eat with the natives.  It is not a tropical paradise, very rocky, a desert island, but we loved it. Go, make your wife and daughter happy, and you’ll probably have a good time too.

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Does anyone have info about flyfishing possibilities on Bon-Aire? My wife and daughter are trying to make me go and I won’t dive.

I was there ~4 years ago and caught bonefish in the salt evaporation ponds on the south end of the island.  There are also some mangrove swamps that I think had some tarpon hanging out (not sure about this.)  The bonefishing was wade only (no boats allowed on the salt ponds.)  I think the name of the guide service I used there was Piscatour.  I don’t think Bonaire has a reputaion as a bonefish mecca, but they are there.  Also saw one permit zip by while we were out there.   There is also some offshore fishing there, but I didn’t try it. The ponds cove a fairly large area,  and if the mangrove area has permit and tarpon, you might find enough to interest yourself, but I would still be a little nervous about going there for fishing only. Dave B.

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