Question:

Would anybody know any good places to go fly fishing in the western half of Maine.  If you could e-mail me any place at all it would be really appreciated.  Thanks…

 Hi Mark.  Bingham area is in Northwestern Maine.  We have many small remote ponds, terrific rivers including the Kennebec and the Dead Rivers, and Wyman Lake.  Check out www.pinegrovelodge.com!  Good luck fishing!

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Hi Mike Hit the Rangeley Lakes Region. In fact give Ray Miller a shout at region and he’ll set you straight. One of his favorite streamers is a Blue Smelt casting streamer. He had me tie him a couple dozen last summer. http://www.kynd.com/~ronmcq/index.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Would anybody know any good places to go fly fishing in the western half of Maine.  If you could e-mail me any place at all it would be really appreciated.  Thanks…

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Would anybody know any good places to go fly fishing in the western half of Maine.  If you could e-mail me any place at all it would be really appreciated.  Thanks…

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Mark, There is some terrific fly fishing in western Maine. My top picks in priority order are: 1. Rapid River 2. Big Magalloway river above lake Parmachene 3. Kennebago River 4. Rangeley River 5. Cupsuptic river Toss in a tripto Quimby pond and you have a great trip. tight lines, Gerry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Would anybody know any good places to go fly fishing in the western half of Maine.  If you could e-mail me any place at all it would be really appreciated.  Thanks…

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Question:

I’ve recently decided that I need to switch to fly fishing gear to catch the small specks that live in the beaver ponds and streams around my place in Ontario’s Haliburton Highlands.  From what information I have been able to gleam from the net I should get a 6 weight rod which will allow me to cast 5-7 weight line.  Is this correct or should I go for a lighter outfit.  The specks (brook trout) range from 3/4 to 3 lbs. Would a 6 weight rod be too light for 15 pound rainbows? Thanks for the help.

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A five weight will allow you to toss streamers while facilitating delicate presentation of small dry flies.  Lighter rods (2, 3, or 4 weight) will be more delicate, but they will not do as well as the five weight when you want to toss a heavy streamer. Do not mess around with line weights that are different from the recommended weight.  That is, if you get a five weight then use five weight lines.  Once your experience grows and your tastes develop, you may want to over- or underline your rod.  Until you are familiar with the feel of the recommended weight though, you are more likely to make your life difficult than to make a clever substitution. What you may want to do, however, is to get to different lines for your rod.  A nice combination would be a gently tapered line for flicking dry flies, and an aggressively tapered line for use with streamers or when it is windy. Six inch brookies are so different from lunker rainbows, that it would be hard to find tackle that is well suited to both.  Get a nice Brookie rod, and then mutter to yourself for a year before buying a big rainbow rod. Keep your stick on the ice, Thos. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve recently decided that I need to switch to fly fishing gear to catch the small specks that live in the beaver ponds and streams around my place in Ontario’s Haliburton Highlands.  From what information I have been able to gleam from the net I should get a 6 weight rod which will allow me to cast 5-7 weight line.  Is this correct or should I go for a lighter outfit.  The specks (brook trout) range from 3/4 to 3 lbs. Would a 6 weight rod be too light for 15 pound rainbows? Thanks for the help.

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Question:

It seems that the vise jaws were on the brittle side, at least judging by the post over the last year or so. I think the company may have gone under.             Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Are they any good?

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Tom: Save your money. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Are they any good?

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Are they any good?

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Are they any good?

Tom:  this question was posed recently, either here or in rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying, and I seem to recall some very negative comments.  No personal experience, however. Mark Faulkner

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Question:

Hi there!  With flyfishing season coming up, I’m looking for a #4 weight rod no more than 9 feet long.  A good quality rod such as Fenwick,Sage, Scientific angler would do.  Willing to pay up to $200 cdn Let me know if you have one to sell thanks! Mike

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  Hi, I just bought a nice little 4wt loomis GL2, 7.5ft. Beautifull rod, well finished with a nice med action. The best part was it only set me back $140 cdn. Great rod at a great price!

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Question:

I am looking for a literary agent to represent a book that I am writing for publication.  Any suggestions?  Thanks a bunch.  I never forget those who help me. — Flyfish NC                                                   Gordon Churchill                                        http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/3853                                                                     Dragon’s Hope Publishing Heidi Dragon Churchill                                               Business cards, ad design, forms and all manner of desktop publishing.      

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I have not failed  I am a writter of peotry.  Need publishcation

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have not failed I have not failedDragon’s Hope Publishing I have not failedHeidi Dragon Churchill                                               I have not failedBusiness cards, ad design, forms and all manner of desktop publishing.       I have not failed                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

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[snip] : I guess they figure the writing chores should be left lot the giants of : the industry, like Howard Stern and Rush Limbaugh.  <sigh I feel for ya.  But writers like Stern aren’t the really sad cases.  You may not like him, but he has talent.  You try talking off the top of your head every day and maintaining the attention of a million listeners.  I have a hard time some days with 200 in a classroom, and they pay to be there.  Stern can tell a story. The real sad ones are the cases like this woman bomber pilot recently resigned from the Air Force.  She disobeys a direct order from her superior and gets a large advance to write a book about it.  Shameless. The author, the publisher and the editor. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

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I am looking for a literary agent to represent a book that I am writing for publication.  Any suggestions?  Thanks a bunch.  I never forget those who help me. — Flyfish NC Gordon Churchill                                        http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/3853

Gordon, I’ve been trying to get an agent to read my novel "Blue Ice" for over a year.  I’ve got 75 rejections, and only a handful (5) even accepted the first 25 manuscript pages.  I have no idea how many of those actually even read the first page. I guess they figure the writing chores should be left lot the giants of the industry, like Howard Stern and Rush Limbaugh.  <sigh As a musician friend frequently reminds me that all I need to do is get up in that bell tower with my deer rifle, and I’ll have a book deal within 48 hours.   Yes, I’m cynical.  I’m probably also paranoid.  But then, just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean they aren’t all out to get you. — Mark Cahill For E-mail remove the _Remove_This from the reply to address. http://www.geocities.com/Baja/3297/fishing.htm Mark Cahill’s Fishing New England – Daily Fishing News http://www.reel-time.com/ The Internet Journal of Saltwater Fly Fishing – Metropolitan Boston Regional Editor

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Question:

I’m planning to be on the big Island of Hawaii next week and would like to hook up with a charter captain who is fly fishing friendly.   Taking a 12 weight and a ten with hopes of catching mahi mahi, maybe ahi or striped Marlin.   Any advice about guides there would be appreciated.   I’d rather fish out of an open fisherman than a big sports fisherman. Thanks for your help David Sheffield Los Angeles

Not many people fly fish in Hawaii.  We have a local TV fishing program, "Fishing Tales", hosted by Mike Sakamoto who does fly fish, but I don’t know how to contact him.   You might try this location as a start to get some information:   http://www.biggame.com/ibgfh/index.html — Sincerely, Fred E. Nakaguma Aiea, Hawaii

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I’m planning to be on the big Island of Hawaii next week and would like to hook up with a charter captain who is fly fishing friendly.   Taking a 12 weight and a ten with hopes of catching mahi mahi, maybe ahi or striped Marlin.   Any advice about guides there would be appreciated.   I’d rather fish out of an open fisherman than a big sports fisherman. Thanks for your help David Sheffield Los Angeles

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Question:

I’d like to know which leader to use when fishing on lakes-reservoirs with dry and wet fly.

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I’d like to know which leader to use when fishing on lakes-reservoirs with dry and wet fly.

I would use longer leaders on lakes, ranging from 9 to 15 foot on floating lines. Tippets size will depend on conditions and fly size. For dries tippet from 5x to 7x should fit most situations. Wet flies are usually fished on 3x to 5x tippets. This is general info that should help someone that is getting started, not you experts. On sinking lines in still water I would try 7 1/2 to 9 foot leaders. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

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I’d like to know which leader to use when fishing on lakes-reservoirs with dry and wet fly. It depends entirely on the body of water and who lives there.  If it’s large, stocked Res and you intend to use large streamers or buggers on sinking line, I tend to use shorter, heavier leaders.  I’ve used 3 foot leaders tapered to, oh, 10 and 12 lb test and have been very successful in such situations.         On still water rich with natural trout food and wild fish, especially the small stuff, your success will improve greatly with a longer, much lighter leader.  10 – 12  feet to 5X is pretty standard fishing wet. For dries this would be a minimum, and an additional length of 6X will

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Question:

Anyone have any advice for the Great Falls, Montana are in mid-September. Places to fish, good guides, hatches, good shops.  Equipment to take. Thanks in advance. John Woodling Sacramento, CA

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Anyone have any advice for the Great Falls, Montana are in mid-September. Places to fish, good guides, hatches, good shops.  Equipment to take. Thanks in advance.

Hi John, The Great Falls area should be great in September.  I recommend the Sun River (have to look for access locations) and the Missouri River.  Caddis and Trico’s are the name of the game at that time of the year.   The way I like to fish the Missouri is to float from Holter Dam to Craig and finish by early afternoon.  Then go back and make an evening float from Holter Dam to Wolf Creek Access.  By the way, several friends have advise that a Henryville Caddis (tied with my new Perfect Cut Wings) worked well during a Trico hatch.  Sounds crazy but it was working. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeaman, MT (96 catalog)

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Question:

Just a thought that myself and others were having.  What is the best solution for Paddlers and Flyfishers to co-exist.  Should a paddler proceed close to a fisher as to not spook trout or other species on the other side of whatever body of water or should they proceed as far away from the casting path as possible.  What are the opinions of others out there?  This is just a question to better inform myself and any others that might be concerned about the issue.

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The North Umpqua River in Oregon is has stretches that are closed to boating between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.  This seems to leave a reasonable amount of prime fishing time for the flyfisherpeople.  Despite this arrangement, I’ve had a fisherman demand that I tell him (at 5:30) whether there were any other boaters coming down the river after me as it I had some way of knowing.

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Just a thought that myself and others were having.  What is the best solution for Paddlers and Flyfishers to co-exist.  Should a paddler proceed close to a fisher as to not spook trout or other species on the other side of whatever body of water or should they proceed as far away from the casting path as possible.  What are the opinions of others out there?  This is just a question to better inform myself and any others that might be concerned about the issue.

As both a paddler and flyfisher in the smaller New Mexican Streams I prefer the following courses of action if possible.  Many times you see the fisher standing knee to hip deep in the water casting forward.  This leaves enough room to go behind them but make sure first they see you or you could get caught on the back cast.  If the fisher is standing on shore and you see they cannot make the cast all the way across stream then follow the opposite shoreline.  If they are on shore and they can cast across stream then follow the path as close to the fisher as possible.  Sometimes fisherman will get spooked by this course of action but if you wisper on the way by that you didn’t want to spook the fish they were casting to then then are usually appreciative.  I say wisper because even normal talk is enough to spook fish.  So if normal talk can then unnecessary paddle noise can too, so try to be stealthy when possible and don’t scream out "how’s the fishing" on the way by.  If the fisher feels you are trying to be sensitive to their needs through the 50 feet of water you are passing through then it usually avoids problems.  This is how I approach it but would like to here comments on how others do it short of haul your boat out and walk around because I don’t think I would do this as a kayaker – it’s my river too. -Allen Sansano

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The North Umpqua River in Oregon is has stretches that are closed to boating between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.  This seems to leave a reasonable amount of prime fishing time for the flyfisherpeople.  

This might not seem so reasonable if the pale evening dun hatch started around 5:00.  Prime fishing time is when the fish are feeding. Despite this arrangement, I’ve had a fisherman demand that I tell him (at 5:30) whether there were any other boaters coming down the river after me as it I had some way of knowing.

Remember, kayakers on the river are much more maneuverable then a flyfisher that has waded out to a spot and is sight casting to a spooky brown trout sitting just behind a rock.  Most decent flyfishers just don’t flail away at the water in front of them but have a specific target in mind.   The best advice is to make sure that the person sees you.  When I encounter someone floating down the river while I’m flyfishing I’ll usually just stop casting and then motion them behind me and then say thanks as they pass for begin considerate. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems  Ithaca, NY

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RE: Fly Fishermen & Paddlers—-         Here in the NY/NJ area, it’s been our habit to try to pass behind the fisherman if possible, or at the very least not to cut him off from shore.         We do try to be quiet, as part of the fishing experience is the solitude.  I often ask how things are, though, and maybe pass on what we’d seen upstream.         I am no longer concerned about disturbing their fishing opportunities, since I’ve had 3 fishermen get a trout from under my canoe!  If we talk with fishermen, we often find that their catching improves after we arrive or pass through.  Evidently we stir up enough bottom food to liven things up.         In short, stay polite, respect their privacy, & pass through as soon as you can.         –Joe P.

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Just a thought that myself and others were having.  What is the best solution for Paddlers and Flyfishers to co-exist.  (?)

Best is if they are in the same boat.  Nothing is better than an experienced paddler to tend a canoe while you fish, to keep you "in the bucket" above steelhead holes or move the canoe at the same rate as your line and fly for a perfect drift. But, that’s not what you’re fishing for. When I am fishing and canoes approach, I always like it if the paddler holds out of my casting range until I graciously stop my cast and motion for them to move through. I direct them behind or close to me so there is no chance for them to upset fish I am working. If the current is such that they cannot stop, it is in my best interest to understand where they’re headed and allow for this.  In general I have a lot more control mf myself and my line than most canoeists of their boats. I would not expect a canoeist to alter their course in a difficult river to avoid the water I am fishing anymore than I expect privacy in a popular destination.  My experience is that fish spooked by canoes usually resume feeding in minutes. Mark Vinsel http://www.lanminds.com/local/vinnie/gallery.html

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Just a thought that myself and others were having.  What is the best solution for Paddlers and Flyfishers to co-exist.  Should a paddler proceed close to a fisher as to not spook trout or other species on the other side of whatever body of water or should they proceed as far away from the casting path as possible.  What are the opinions of others out there?  This is just a question to better inform myself and any others that might be concerned about the issue.

Richard,        Intresting question, but I flyfish out of my canoe and enjoy the best of both worlds.                         Steve

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Many moons ago, on the AuSable in Michigan, there was a massive canoe hatch during the day.  All of my buddies cast deprecating remarks and retreated to there various campsites to commune with Jim or Jack (Beam or Daniels).  As an innocent just learning to fish for trout, I didn’t know that this was bad for fishing, so I just waved at the people as they went past and cast behind them. I found that this was the ONLY time I was able to catch fish.  Apparently the paddlers stirred up the nymphs which stirred up the fish which saw my fly and made me look good.   I probably caught more fish than the rest of the group combined on that trip. However, by the time I would get back to camp, Jim & Jack had their effects on my buddies, so I kept my little technique to myself.   I still don’t mind canoe hatches.  I have only had one incident where the paddlers tried unsuccessfully to avoid me due to lack of paddling ability and too much beer (mainly the latter).  I simply grabbed the gunwale of the canoe to steer them past me.  Unfortunately I grabbed it too hard and pushed the wrong way and the unfortunate drunks had a cold wet sobering up party.  I also decided that was an excellent time to leave the river and hunt another spot to fish. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The best advice is to make sure that the person sees you.  When I encounter someone floating down the river while I’m flyfishing I’ll usually just stop casting and then motion them behind me and then say thanks as they pass for begin considerate. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems  Ithaca, NY

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I just ran the Big Hole in Montana and spent another day wading while fly fishing so I got a chance to see both sides.  As you might expect, one technique doesn’t fit all situations.  Always stay quiet and aviod splashing.  When possible and you can tell which way they are casting, go behind the person fishing.  Obviously this only works if they are far enough from the bank to leave room to navagate.  I don’t know if going right next to them works too well.  Most casters who aren’t experts can’t cast that far any you run the risk of interfering with their line or worse, hitting them with the boat or an oar.  Best to simply try to avoid going right owver their hole and stay away from them.  Better yet, this sounds like a good opportunity to strike up a conversation with a real fisherman (or woman) on the river.  For the record, approximatly 10 boats passed me (most professionally guided) and all went quietly and courteously behind me.   JDDRio (Dan Dunlap)                                                       "…the recklessness of water…"   REM

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Question:

Would any one know where I could get info on fly hatches in Northern Ontario? Jason

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I don’t although I’ve tried to some degree. It seems not many of the locals (most of which are natives depending on how far north you are talking about) are avid fly-fishing types. I’m going to do some wild brookie fishing in N. Ontario in June, so if you find any specifics please pass it on and I’ll do the same. Thanks…….

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Would any one know where I could get info on fly hatches in Northern Ontario?

There’s nothing in print:  but lots of people would say you don’t need to match the hatch or carry more than: –muddlers, all sizes –big visible dry for broken water –big white moth alias spinner –small upwing dun –small caddis —  |          Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Rd., Carlsbad         |  |        Springs, Ont., Canada K0A 1K0; tel: (613) 822-0734       |  |  "What I’ve always liked about science is its independence from |  |  authority"–Ontario Science Centre (name on file) 10 July 1981 |

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