Question:

    (snip)     If you fish many lager streams or lakes you will want a 9 foot rod. Where can I find these lakes and streams of lager? Charlie, drooling

Response:

   (snip)    If you fish many lager streams or lakes you will want a 9 foot rod. Where can I find these lakes and streams of lager?

If you find a lake of lager you’ll *think* you have a 9′ rod no matter what size it is<g. — Charlie…

Response:

   If you fish many lager streams or lakes you will want a 9 foot rod. Where can I find these lakes and streams of lager?

I’d offer to show you a few, except that someone in your office might call that an "improper influence" Besides, they’re actually all streams of India pale ales. Except for one that’s gotta be Beamish Stout Ale. Opt out == cop-out. What’s so hard to understand?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Bill Kiene writes: Hi Tony, Out here in northern California, we sell more 9 foot rods than anything else. If you do much stream fishing, you might like an 8′ 6" rod. If you fish many lager streams or lakes you will want a 9 foot rod. Rods sales are falling off for the long rods of the 80s and 90s. We use to sell way more 9′6" and 10′ rods, but I think they were not as much fun to fish as the shorter rods. Does the difference in length make that much difference? (In fly-fishing, of course!)  I’m looking at Orvis’ Silver Label 5 wt. Checked them both out at an Orvis store.  The 8′ 6" seemed more managable, but 6" shouldn’t make that much of a difference. Tony

George Gehrke take note:  Notice how Bill Kiene answered the question, gave his opinion and advice, and did so without mentioning his fly fishing business or any other commercial stuff.  And he doesn’t expect to get paid for it. Dave L.

Response:

Does the difference in length make that much difference? (In fly-fishing, of course!)  I’m looking at Orvis’ Silver Label 5 wt. Checked them both out at an Orvis store.  The 8′ 6" seemed more managable, but 6" shouldn’t make that much of a difference. Tony

Response:

In actual fact that 6" may make a very great deal of difference in various circumstances.  If you are casting from high undergrowth, from a float tube, or you need the extra length to manipulate line, high sticking nymphs in riffles and pools, etc etc.   Even under more or less normal circumstances the longer rod will enable you to cast more easily.  If you are fishing small overgrown streams for instance, where you can not wade to avoid trees and bushes, then a shorter rod is usually more convenient. But in that case I would tend to use something in the 7

Question:

Stan Gula:

Too hot to really do any fishing in Mass.  Let’s try to hook up together in September.  How was your trip this year?  The Rapid was wonderful in June, and as of a week ago, was still producing big salmon on dries.  The water is back into the 70’s now, and fishing has slackened off.

Beg to differ Dave.  I fished a mile or so of the Swift downstream from Rt. 9 Friday night and the water was under 60 degrees and pretty high.    (snipped for brevity) Correct you are, Stan.  I should have said "except for the Swift". Being a tailwater keeps it cool.  I didn’t mention the Swift because the last time I went by there (a Sunday in June), there was FFer as thick as black flies.  I imagine that with the water temps up on most of the streams that it is now worse than ever. I’m heading up to the Rapid River on Sept 6 for a week.  Hope every- thing cools down before then. Dave LaCourse

Response:

However, the Taft fly book says it’s fished dry as a "dry sedge" A sedge, I think, is another word for a Caddis.  Right ?? Yes – it can imitate a caddis. Basically the reason why it can pass for a caddis is that it has a swept back wing (and it just looks "buggy")… -Greg

or a big stonefly. Peter

Response:

This fish could grow to humongous proportions in a short time.  I would say it was at least five pounds as of today. Mark Faulkner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Was fishing a large Hornberg yesterday at Dunham Reservoir, 20 miles east of Troy, NY, RUMORED to have a few large trout in it near the dam. On second cast, something grabbed it, causing a 2 foot diameter splash, and rocketed off, taking line nearly to the backing before snapping the tippit. Could have been a bass, I’ll never know. Alex Pacek — Benjamin Fordham Assistant Professor Department of Political Science                  Office: (518) 442-5314 University at Albany, SUNY                         Home: (518) 433-7063 135 Western Avenue                                  Fax: (518) 442-5298 Albany, NY 12222            http://www.albany.edu/gspa/pos/poshome.html

Response:

Was fishing a large Hornberg yesterday at Dunham Reservoir, 20 miles east of Troy, NY, RUMORED to have a few large trout in it near the dam. On second cast, something grabbed it, causing a 2 foot diameter splash, and rocketed off, taking line nearly to the backing before snapping the tippit. Could have been a bass, I’ll never know. Alex Pacek — Benjamin Fordham Assistant Professor Department of Political Science                  Office: (518) 442-5314 University at Albany, SUNY                         Home: (518) 433-7063 135 Western Avenue                                  Fax: (518) 442-5298 Albany, NY 12222            http://www.albany.edu/gspa/pos/poshome.html

Response:

However, the Taft fly book says it’s fished dry as a "dry sedge" A sedge, I think, is another word for a Caddis.  Right ??

Yes – it can imitate a caddis. Basically the reason why it can pass for a caddis is that it has a swept back wing (and it just looks "buggy")… -Greg

Response:

I can’t imagine what it simulated when it is fished dry; certainly not a caddis or mayfly!  Perhaps a dead bait fish?

Katydid?  Grashopper? Moth? Mu Young Lee                        Ann Arbor, MI    USA

Response:

Hello: I have a question regarding the fishing of a Hornberg Fly: My understanding is that it can, and is, fished wet or dry.  I imagine that when it’s fished wet (probably as a Streamer) it simulates a bait fish. I can’t imagine what it simulated when it is fished dry; certainly not a caddis or mayfly!  Perhaps a dead bait fish? However, the Taft fly book says it’s fished dry as a "dry sedge" A sedge, I think, is another word for a Caddis.  Right ?? I’m very curious, and any information on the fishing and characteristics of this fly would be appreciated. Thanks,

Response:

Too hot to really do any fishing in Mass.  Let’s try to hook up together in September.  How was your trip this year?  The Rapid was wonderful in June, and as of a week ago, was still producing big salmon on dries.  The water is back into the 70’s now, and fishing has slackened off.

Beg to differ Dave.  I fished a mile or so of the Swift downstream from Rt. 9 Friday night and the water was under 60 degrees and pretty high.  A friend told me the temp. all the way down in Bondsville was only 62.  We were thinking of wading wet, but I’m glad I had at least my lightweight waders on.  Was wishing I had put on some fleece pants (left them in the car along with the box of sulphur comparaduns I would need later).  By 8:30 I was thoughoughly chilled – I was cool for hours, didn’t need the car AC during the drive home.  The heat and humidity resulted in a thick layer of fog on the river by 8PM – we could hear fish rising to the sulphur hatch but couldn’t see dimples – heck, we couldn’t see our flies.  My flies had no trouble finding the trees though – I lost my only sulphur bodied fly on the first cast. Only saw one other guy all evening – he was working up stream and we were headed down.  There were five cars at the route 9 parking area – so the upper section was busy as always. The East Branch of the Westfield on the other was down to 76 after the ‘cool’ spell last week.  Water levels are back down to drought levels after seeing a big boost after the rains of the week of July 4.  I’ll probably wait until mid-August to go back up there to check the water temps. –Stan

Response:

Bob Rose: <<Hello: I have a question regarding the fishing of a Hornberg Fly: My understanding is that it can, and is, fished wet or dry.  I imagine that when it’s fished wet (probably as a Streamer) it simulates a bait fish. I can’t imagine what it simulated when it is fished dry; certainly not a caddis or mayfly!  Perhaps a dead bait fish? However, the Taft fly book says it’s fished dry as a "dry sedge" A sedge, I think, is another word for a Caddis.  Right ?? I’m very curious, and any information on the fishing and characteristics of this fly would be appreciated. Hi, Bob.  I’ve been meaning to call you and go fishing, but have been very busy with a dozen other things. Hornberg:  Dick Steward ties a Hornberg to be fished as a dry, but the classical Hornberg (with a matched pair of mallard breast or flank feathers with a jungle cock lacquered to the wing) is usually thought to be a streamer, or at least it is listed in several of my books as a streamer.  I have had wonderful success with the classical tie, fishing it just under the surface in faster water. The only problem is matching the tippet to the fly — I always seem to have problems with it and the tippet ends up twisting. My grandson and I caught and ate many brookies last year in Labrador using one fly apiece — the classical tied Hornberg.  The fly didn’t look like much at the end of the day, but the fish tasted great.  <g Too hot to really do any fishing in Mass.  Let’s try to hook up together in September.  How was your trip this year?  The Rapid was wonderful in June, and as of a week ago, was still producing big salmon on dries.  The water is back into the 70’s now, and fishing has slackened off. Dave LaCourse

Response:

Question:

______ The prettiest Western Dry Fly in all the world.  I don’t know about Eastern opinions on this but  I suppose it would have to be the Light Cahill or Hendrickson?  I love them all, really.  I love dry flies, period. I wish some of you would start submitting your signature fly to our "Flies of the World" web site listed below.  See Mike Connor’s examples.  Don’t any of you eastern boys know how to tie a dry fly for christ sake?  You guys have only one good fly tier their, I think and his name is George Harvey.  I thought he taught fly tying out that way in Pennsylvania and about?  You DO know what a dry fly is in North Carolina now, don’t you boys?  They sure don’t, in Arkansas. ; ) George *twitch —

Question:

Beautifully shadowboxed along with a signature card. Limited numbers. $59 includes shipping. Can e-mail for a picture that I cand send back e-mail quickly. Bruce

Response:

Monday, August 17, 1998     4:26:33 AM Please, could you tell me what a Patriot Fly is?  Perhaps a short description  I have not heard of this pattern and it has piqued my interest. adam Small Stream Fly Fishing http://www.smallstreams.com

Response:

It depends on what country you are from.  It has the colors in your flag. — 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 – Monday, August 17, 1998     4:26:33 AM Please, could you tell me what a Patriot Fly is?  Perhaps a short description  I have not heard of this pattern and it has piqued my interest. adam Small Stream Fly Fishing http://www.smallstreams.com

Response:

Please, could you tell me what a Patriot Fly is?  Perhaps a short description  I have not heard of this pattern and it has piqued my interest.

Hook            TMC 7999, Mustad 36890, sizes2-6 Thread          Black 6/0 prewaxed Tail            Red hackle fibres Rib             Fine oval silver tinsel Body            Yellow floss, thin Hackle          Vivid blue hackle, soft Wing            White polar bear hair or calftail. Originator  Frank Amato — Bill

Response:

using the Patriot in tandem with a nymph pattern.  Unfortunately he doesn’t decribe in any detail the set-up of this rig.  Can anyone help? RWE

Hi Rich, I have heard some say they tie a clinch knot (improved) right to the bend of the hook of the dry to make the dropper. I have never tried this myself, but it seems like a workable solution.  I have, however, used the Patriot and found it to be a good searching pattern. Tie one up and give it a try next time out. Good luck, Dennis Haftel

Response:

Hi Vince, you’re dead right. it is totally different.  I’m not familiar with U.S. flies. and I found the one I described in an American book. Does the Patriot vary from state to state, and why does it vary so much? Tried to help. but obviously way off mark! — Bill

I don’t know the answer to your question, Bill.  I tried to phone Charlie Meck, who lives here, but he now has an unlisted phone number.  I tried email and it was returned, "address unknown."  I’ll try phoning George Harvey, who also lives here, to see if he knows Charlie’s phone number. If I can get any information, I’ll post it. Meanwhile, can you post the author and title of the book in which you found the Patriot pattern you posted? vince norris

Response:

Meck also describes in his book MID-ATLANTIC TROUT STREAMS & THEIR HATCHES using the Patriot in tandem with a nymph pattern.  Unfortunately he doesn’t decribe in any detail the set-up of this rig.  Can anyone help? RWE – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Vince, you’re dead right. it is totally different.  I’m not familiar with U.S. flies. and I found the one I described in an American book. Does the Patriot vary from state to state, and why does it vary so much? Tried to help. but obviously way off mark! — Bill I don’t know the answer to your question, Bill.  I tried to phone Charlie Meck, who lives here, but he now has an unlisted phone number.  I tried email and it was returned, "address unknown."  I’ll try phoning George Harvey, who also lives here, to see if he knows Charlie’s phone number. If I can get any information, I’ll post it. Meanwhile, can you post the author and title of the book in which you found the Patriot pattern you posted? vince norris

Response:

Hi Vince, you’re dead right. it is totally different.  I’m not familiar

with U.S. flies. and I found the one I described in an American book. Does the Patriot vary from state to state, and why does it vary so much? Because of the damned 10th Amendment to the US Constitution, each of the states is a semi-sovereign entity and can have "their" version of the Patriot be whatever colors they choose.  The Federal government is helpless to do anything about this situation as constitutionally, they are restricted to coining money and designing and deploying big things that go boom.     We have historically however, had worse problems than with 10th Amendment issues than this one….:)

Response:

Where (not too specific please…  The state will do) do you fish this fly?  I have had success with it in northern/central New Jersey. Dennis Haftel

Check that…. Just got another look at your e-mail address. You guys gonna play Rutgers this year??  Don’t have a schedule!! D. Haftel

Response:

writes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Please, could you tell me what a Patriot Fly is?  Perhaps a short description  I have not heard of this pattern and it has piqued my interest. Hook            TMC 7999, Mustad 36890, sizes2-6 Thread          Black 6/0 prewaxed Tail            Red hackle fibres Rib             Fine oval silver tinsel Body            Yellow floss, thin Hackle          Vivid blue hackle, soft Wing            White polar bear hair or calftail. Originator  Frank Amato The pattern Charlie presents on pages 197-8 of his  book, _Patterns, Hatches, Tactics, and Trout_, is entirely different from the one submitted above: Hook:    Mustad 94833, sizes #10-18 Thread:  Red Tails:   Brown hackle fibers Body:    Smolt blue Krystal Flash wound around the shank.         Wind some of the red thread in the midle of the shank,         similar to the Royal Coachman. Wings:   White impala or calf tail, divided. Hackle:  Brown vince norris

Hi Vince, you’re dead right. it is totally different.  I’m not familiar with U.S. flies. and I found the one I described in an American book. Does the Patriot vary from state to state, and why does it vary so much? Tried to help. but obviously way off mark! — Bill

Response:

The pattern Charlie presents on pages 197-8 of his  book, _Patterns, Hatches, Tactics, and Trout_, is entirely different from the one submitted above: Hook:    Mustad 94833, sizes #10-18 Thread:  Red Tails:   Brown hackle fibers Body:    Smolt blue Krystal Flash wound around the shank.          Wind some of the red thread in the midle of the shank,          similar to the Royal Coachman. Wings:   White impala or calf tail, divided. Hackle:  Brown vince norris

Hi Vince, This is the version that I am familiar with also.  I have tied and fished it and it has produced when there was no hatch, or I couldn’t figure out what to use. It also works really well on panfish!   Where (not too specific please…  The state will do) do you fish this fly?  I have had success with it in northern/central New Jersey. Dennis Haftel

Response:

Please, could you tell me what a Patriot Fly is?  Perhaps a short description  I have not heard of this pattern and it has piqued my interest. Hook            TMC 7999, Mustad 36890, sizes2-6 Thread          Black 6/0 prewaxed Tail            Red hackle fibres Rib             Fine oval silver tinsel Body            Yellow floss, thin Hackle          Vivid blue hackle, soft Wing            White polar bear hair or calftail. Originator  Frank Amato

The pattern Charlie presents on pages 197-8 of his  book, _Patterns, Hatches, Tactics, and Trout_, is entirely different from the one submitted above: Hook:    Mustad 94833, sizes #10-18 Thread:  Red Tails:   Brown hackle fibers Body:    Smolt blue Krystal Flash wound around the shank.          Wind some of the red thread in the midle of the shank,          similar to the Royal Coachman. Wings:   White impala or calf tail, divided. Hackle:  Brown vince norris

Response:

Question:

  Check in with North Country Anglers flyshop in N. Conway for conditions and great local flies.   The flyrod you mentioned is perfect for the Saco.  There will be clouds of black flies, but also some nice hatches.  Again, ask at the flyshop for what is hatching.  There’s also a bunch of other nice rivers in the area, the flyshop folks will tell you about them too. Have fun. Russ Gelinas

Response:

Can anyone give me some info about the saco river and the fishing around the North Conway area? Im a keen trout fisherman (fly) from London UK and will be staying in North Conway in late June. I currently use a 10ft #5 Sage RPL+ – will this do? what sort of trout are there? what sort of hatches? can you fish the nymph? is there any other small lakes / rivers around that area? Please help if you can Thanks

Response:

Question:

It is a big state, what area is she in? — Remove NOSPAM to send E-mail Ernie Harrison – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Want to give a friend of mine fly fishing lessons for her birthday She lives in California but would probably also travel out of state Any suggestions Thanks for the help Spot247

Response:

Want to give a friend of mine fly fishing lessons for her birthday She lives in California but would probably also travel out of state Any suggestions Thanks for the help Spot247

Take a look at http://www.flyline.com/ MichaelSmith

Response:

Question:

GG whore-news-hounds like Bob Silie and Charlie Myers were taken there.  If GG you want to destroy a river or cathedral like this, simply write about it. I just love your writing style George and I believe you are right about these things most of the time. You know the water I fish from our conversations regarding John and Elna. I have recently stopped giving information in my posts which refer to the river I fish and live on. Hell, I may even stop referring to the entire State. My question, which is posed to you with the greatest respect for your experience, is simply:     1. Am I a selfish, greedy fool for not wanting my rather private party     crashed,          or     2. Have I been a loudmouthed fool for the many past years and posts I have     made inviting everyone I knew, and many I didn’t to come partake in the     pleasure? I have very mixed emotions about this, but I have seen what you are talking about here happen in so many places. Thanks for the shared experiences and cerebral pleasures your posts have brought me George. Dennis Vick … nfx v2.6 [C0000]  http://www.westonia.com/blueview/                      

Response:

Thanks for the images Mr. Gink.  Again, I can only try and imagine.  By the way, that 10 pound cutthroat is swimming around Pyramid lake with a bunch of buddies the same size……JE

Response:

How ravaged was she when 1983 came around?  My first meeting with this fine fair princess was not a solitary affair, but I know the 14 years since since then have been brutal, accelerating with every season.  Now, I can’t stand to see her.  The agonizing destruction brought on by her own, complex beauty hurts too deeply.  And the trout, tell me, give me an idea of just how much I missed.  In 1983 she seemed in good health, but I have no other version of her to compare, except her violated ugly present state.  Then, I thought I was still seeing at least a glimpse of what you two recall.  Now I can only imagine…

Of course, if the Denver Water Board had their way, it would be a great big recreation area now… — Chester Bullock Affordable Web Design and Hosting for Small Businesses http://www.black-diamond.com

Response:

Comes now, thundering towards the lady, from over the horizon – the goat-fuckers of the Platte River. The crown jewel trout stream in the entire state. At least, I knew her when she was still virgin.  Unmolested, unbaited, with wild rainbows as big and as long as your leg.  Challenged, fought, released for another day.  The genes of yesterday, saved for my tomorrows, and for the tomorrows of children then, yet unborn . . . who want to come now and kill you and your children that play in dark, clear, secret pools.  From wheel-chairs, jeeps, skidoo’s, spinners, and campers filled with canning jars!   Let us strip her garments, her flowing gowns and dress away.  Strip her naked to be raped with drive up camp grounds so the goat-fuckers can cast from the seat of an open topped 4-WD, or float on down the center of the river in black, ugly truck inner-tubes, with rat-faced macdoogal, sun freckled rug rats screaming in your ears.  Who wants to hear those peeping Water Oozels anymore, or the cheer of the blue-bird, or the rattling of the great woodpeckers in the pines?  Its going to be more fun listening to those Coleman Electrical generators and some bitch screaming . . . "Didn’t I tell you to come eat these damned hamburgers?!!" Goodby, sweet Princess.  We knew, one day you were going to be murdered. We all must die, someday but some of us, in the quiet reaches of Colorado’s Outdoors, do it better than others.  Your death has begun and it will be a public affair attended by all of Denver this public hanging that has long been . . . overdue? Mr. G.

Response:

Poignant, truthful and sad. Might as well build the Two Forks dam, just to put our mother out of her anguished misery.

You know, I’ve thought the same thing myself. Although I don’t consider the Platte my "mother" (that’s another river in another place far from here) she has certainly been a lover. Almost better to wipe it all away than see it get worse. </chaz

Response:

Go back to 1968-1972 before the road was paved.  When the Denver Water Board had all of it locked up and then after that, the entire Lake above the Dam.  It was in the days when on a weekend only one or two other cars were hidden or parked on the path in.  When I could fish all week and never see another soul.  When you could look down into Anticipation Pool and watch Rainbows chasing another with a face full of green algae filimentagous moss full of caddis worms, trying to steal  it like a pack of puppies chasing the nipples on mother.  When I could sit on one of those huge basalt/sandstone boulders by the hour watching fish up to fifteen and sixteen pounds darting around like minnows!  Spunky, fearless, not knowing what ‘man’ was about and the depth of the pool protected them from predators, so they hid seldom.  It was water that had no brown trout in it then.  Those were introduced by the idiots at the Wig-Wam Club.  But once started, it hurt the fishery beyond imagination.  It was long before the outdoor writers of the Rocky Mountain News, and the Denver Post and the whore-news-hounds like Bob Silie and Charlie Myers were taken there.  If you want to destroy a river or cathedral like this, simply write about it. It was Brad Fort who first took me here.  It was Brad Fort who taught me that here, little was better and where literally, "Matching the Hatch" meant you took viles of samples home and you INVENTED the emerging caddis flies with the short-side duck-quill-tip wings, the fine gold ribbing, the beaver chest and the black mink fur head and the trailing wood-duck flank legs in sizes 18/2X and 16 hooks.  It was when you stood in front of a little shoot of water and forced yourself to believe that there WAS a fish THERE.  You fished with total focus, no indicators, you concentrated just on the leader where it entered the water.  If you can read water you must learn how to read the drift of a leader.  How it moves, in or out, fast or slows with the current, or how it may simply ‘pause’.  You don’t lift with each ‘guess’ but rather I snap the rod tip down towards the water for about two or six inches.  Its enough to move the mico-caddis offerings to touch a trout without having to come out of the water or off the bottom.  Few, if any other fly fishermen knew this trick I guessed at and was taught by this river to do.  And then the day came of all glorious days in my life.  I had been fishing her in secret for many years.  It was the only place in the west I knew of that had such large fish and so many of them.  Over 8,000 per mile. I began to dream of ‘a feat’.  A club I want to start, even to this day. But with the Rainbow, I think I am the only man in the world to do this feat, but I have not been able to do it with all the other species but I am near to completing it with the brown. It goes like this.  A sixteen inch trout caught on a size sixteen hook. This makes me a member of the 16/16 club.  With the Rainbow Species and all of them caught on the Platte River above Deckers.  I am my own member in good standing for completing all the fish and hook sizes.  They are:  The 18/18 Club, the 20/20, 22/22 and 24/24 Club and then a year later the 26/26 club, the 28/28 club and finally a 32 inch Rainbow caught on a size 32 fly slightly over-sized-dressed as a midge. With the Brown Trout, I have them all except the 26/26 Club and most of those are caught at the Miracle Mile and Big Horn River before the Indians opened it up to public fishing. In this world, on this planet, I don’t think there is a man alive that could spend a lifetime and get this far let alone do all four species on all seven hook sizes.  Such a man, would be remembered forever, I think. This idea, which is copyrighted by me is on the back-burner because the patches and certificates could be won by a little boy fishing a fly in an irrigation ditch such as the 16/16 inch Club Master with a Brown Trout.  As the years pass, the patches start to gather and it would not require killing fish to do it.  Just a camera and a witness.  Two witnesses after one gets over the 20 sizes. There is a man named Charlie Kroll who is the son-in-law of Fred Bear of Bear Archery fame.  Mr. Kroll (who used to be my neighbor in Blackhawk Colorado where I invented Gink) has done something nearly as marvelous and as difficult.  Catching a ten pounder or greater trout of each species on a fly.  He has them all except the Cutthroat.  By the time he got to Reno, the big Cutts had already been pan-fried and are gone.  I don’t think there is another 10 pound cutthroat left in the lower 48 but I think he can still find one in South America. That, remains to be seen. Mr. Gink – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How ravaged was she when 1983 came around?  My first meeting with this fine fair princess was not a solitary affair, but I know the 14 years since since then have been brutal, accelerating with every season.  Now, I can’t stand to see her.  The agonizing destruction brought on by her own, complex beauty hurts too deeply.  And the trout, tell me, give me an idea of just how much I missed.  In 1983 she seemed in good health, but I have no other version of her to compare, except her violated ugly present state.  Then, I thought I was still seeing at least a glimpse of what you two recall.  Now I can only imagine…

Response:

How ravaged was she when 1983 came around?  My first meeting with this fine fair princess was not a solitary affair, but I know the 14 years since since then have been brutal, accelerating with every season.  Now, I can’t stand to see her.  The agonizing destruction brought on by her own, complex beauty hurts too deeply.  And the trout, tell me, give me an idea of just how much I missed.  In 1983 she seemed in good health, but I have no other version of her to compare, except her violated ugly present state.  Then, I thought I was still seeing at least a glimpse of what you two recall.  Now I can only imagine…

Response:

Poignant, truthful and sad.   Might as well build the Two Forks dam, just to put our mother out of her anguished misery. — TimW Halfordian Golfer – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Comes now, thundering towards the lady, from over the horizon – the goat-fuckers of the Platte River. The crown jewel trout stream in the entire state. At least, I knew her when she was still virgin.  Unmolested, unbaited, with wild rainbows as big and as long as your leg.  Challenged, fought, released for another day.  The genes of yesterday, saved for my tomorrows, and for the tomorrows of children then, yet unborn . . . who want to come now and kill you and your children that play in dark, clear, secret pools.  From wheel-chairs, jeeps, skidoo’s, spinners, and campers filled with canning jars!   Let us strip her garments, her flowing gowns and dress away.  Strip her naked to be raped with drive up camp grounds so the goat-fuckers can cast from the seat of an open topped 4-WD, or float on down the center of the river in black, ugly truck inner-tubes, with rat-faced macdoogal, sun freckled rug rats screaming in your ears.  Who wants to hear those peeping Water Oozels anymore, or the cheer of the blue-bird, or the rattling of the great woodpeckers in the pines?  Its going to be more fun listening to those Coleman Electrical generators and some bitch screaming . . . "Didn’t I tell you to come eat these damned hamburgers?!!" Goodby, sweet Princess.  We knew, one day you were going to be murdered. We all must die, someday but some of us, in the quiet reaches of Colorado’s Outdoors, do it better than others.  Your death has begun and it will be a public affair attended by all of Denver this public hanging that has long been . . . overdue? Mr. G.

Response:

  Comes now, thundering towards the lady, from over the horizon – the   goat-fuckers of the Platte River. The crown jewel trout stream in   the   entire state.   At least, I knew her when she was still virgin.  Unmolested,   unbaited,   with wild rainbows as big and as long as your leg.  Challenged,   fought,   released for another day.  The genes of yesterday, saved for my   tomorrows, and for the tomorrows of children then, yet unborn . . .   who   want to come now and kill you and your children that play in dark,   clear, secret pools.  From wheel-chairs, jeeps, skidoo’s, spinners,   and   campers filled with canning jars!   Let us strip her garments, her   flowing gowns and dress away.  Strip her naked to be raped with   drive up   camp grounds so the goat-fuckers can cast from the seat of an open   topped 4-WD, or float on down the center of the river in black, ugly   truck inner-tubes, with rat-faced macdoogal, sun freckled rug rats   screaming in your ears.  Who wants to hear those peeping Water   Oozels   anymore, or the cheer of the blue-bird, or the rattling of the great   woodpeckers in the pines?  Its going to be more fun listening to   those   Coleman Electrical generators and some bitch screaming . . . "Didn’t   I   tell you to come eat these damned hamburgers?!!"   Goodby, sweet Princess.  We knew, one day you were going to be   murdered.   We all must die, someday but some of us, in the quiet reaches of   Colorado’s Outdoors, do it better than others.  Your death has begun   and   it will be a public affair attended by all of Denver this public   hanging   that has long been . . . overdue?   Mr. G.  Dear Mr. Gehrke: I was lucky enough, one time many years ago to meet  you as I had watched you fishing above the Wigwam Club long before the paved roads were put in.  When that long grade down into the Platte Canyon could literally kill you.  When it was still wilderness.  I watched you fish the big, deep pools from a huge boulder high above and you were below . . . and I

Question:

        I’m brand new to fly fishing.  I haven’t been fishing at all in over 10 years.  I don’t know why; I used to go a lot when I was younger.  I always had fun.  Anyway, I want to get back into fishing, fly fishing. My father gave me an 8.5 foot Eagle Claw "Champion" Mod. M3ALA (line size 9).  The reel thats on it is kind of a cheap-o.  I’m not sure what size or type line is on it.           What is a good size and type of line for me to start out with?  What is a good type/brand of reel to use?  What is a tippet?  How critical is leader length and weight?  I’ve been out in the back yard playing with it, casting.  How far should I be able to cast?           Any other tip and hints I should know?  I don’t want to go out my first time and look like a total fool.  I’m not saying I’m not, I just don’t want it to show <g. Thanks

Response:

   What is a good size and type of line for me to start out with?  What is a good type/brand of reel to use?  What is a tippet?  How critical is leader length and weight?  I’ve been out in the back yard playing with it, casting.  How far should I be able to cast?  

Hi Bill, I really recommend you check in with your local fly shop or fly fishing club for some expert help, especially with casting.  Just one lesson with a qualified instructor can save you years of frustration trying to learn by your self. You can find your local fly shop in the phone directory and a local club by calling the Federation of Fly Fisher’s at 800-618-0808. Now to answer some of your questions.  Size & Type of Line: The line you need should be balanced to your fly rod – you indicated your rod is a nine weight.  That is the weight you need for that rod, however that weight is a little heavy unless you are fishing in salt water or going after salmon or steelhead Tippet: A tippet is the fine monofilament that is attached to the end of the leader.  You tie the fly on this material. Leader:  In some fishing conditions leader length is the difference between catching fish and not catching fish. As an "all around" leader for fishing free stone streams I purchase a 7 1/2 foot 4x leader and then tie on another 1 1/2 feet of tippet material to bring me to a nine foot leader.  But that is only a starting point.  There are some situations where my leader will on be 4 feet in length and others where it will be close to 20 feet. How far to cast:  That is a tough question.  I feel it’s a good idea to be able to comfortably cast 30 – 50 feet.  That doesn’t mean you have to cast that far to fish, only that you have the skill.  You’ll be less tired at the end of the day if you do not have to continually "push the envelope" of your skills — on the other hand pushing your skill is how you improve. I hope I have not totally confused you.  Good luck. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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        I’m brand new to fly fishing.  

Bill,         The best advice I could give a new flyfisher is to get attached to a local fly shop and ask as manay questions as you can …. and remember all the answers.  Take the time to get some casting instruction.  It’ll be the best half hour you can spend.  Also, try to get a copy of "The Curtis Creek Manifesto", it’s a cartoon-type magazine/book that explains all the facets of fly fishing in simple terms that we all can understand.  Just remember, that if you keep fish, only keep what you need and that a fish killed is on that will never be caught again.  Some of us like to "Love ‘em and ‘Leave ‘em!"

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   I’m brand new to fly fishing.  I haven’t been fishing at all in over 10 years.  I don’t know why; I used to go a lot when I was younger.  I always had fun.  Anyway, I want to get back into fishing, fly fishing. My father gave me an 8.5 foot Eagle Claw "Champion" Mod. M3ALA (line size 9).  The reel thats on it is kind of a cheap-o.  I’m not sure what size or type line is on it.      What is a good size and type of line for me to start out with?  What is a good type/brand of reel to use?  What is a tippet?  How critical is leader length and weight?  I’ve been out in the back yard playing with it, casting.  How far should I be able to cast?      Any other tip and hints I should know?  I don’t want to go out my first time and look like a total fool.  I’m not saying I’m not, I just don’t want it to show <g. Thanks

What are you fishing for?  A 9-wt. line is quite heavy — to heavy for bass/bluegills/trout, more appropriate for light salt water.  You must use a line that fits your rod though.  Too light and you have to get a _lot_ of line out to cast properly (not recommended for a beginner) and a heavy line will overload your rod.  I would recommend a moderately priced weight-forward line (Cortland 333 or something in that price range) and a moderately priced, simple reel (Pflueger Medalist is the old standard).  Too cheap and you get junk.  For now, you present reel may be okay, but get a new line.  If possible, cast a test line on your rod; it’s possible that a 9-wt. isn’t best. A leader delivers your fly to the fish.  The length depends on the water and the fish, but it’s best to use the shortest one you can get away with.  Again, what kind of fish are you afetr in what conditions? The tippet is the very last part of the leader, and often replaced with a new section.  It must match your fly so that it behaves naturally, and sometime you just have to experiment to get a good match. Casting distance depends again on the fish and conditions.  Distance is nowhere near as important as control; it’s totally irrelevant to the fish!  You want to put the fly in the right position with the shortest practical cast, so you can 1) control the fly and 2) hook the fish. Hope this gets you started.  There should be a tackle shop near you which could advise you about what’s best for your area. Jim Benenson Los Alamos, NM "To save your rivers, save your mountains" Emperor Yu of China, circa 1600 BC

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Question:

I’m canoing the Bowron Lake circuit next week and I don’t know what kind of fish I will find – trout, walleye, or northern pike?  Somebody please give me some advice on what to bring and what I’ll find.  Thanks…

Trout. — Isaac Lake President – Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia Master Instructor

Response:

Mountain House and Alpenlite are the lures most likely to supply a decent meal on the Bowron Lakes.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m canoing the Bowron Lake circuit next week and I don’t know what kind of fish I will find – trout, walleye, or northern pike?  Somebody please The fishing is particularly good in June, in fact.  Mostly trout, including big lake trout down deep and some amazing rainbows.  Also a few whitefish.  Try paddling slow with  a white apex spoon about 3 inches long, down deep with about 2 ounces of weight. Fly fishing also works in close to shores. The guy who said to try freeze dried because its a park doesn’t know what he’s talking about.  Just make sure to get a fresh water licence from any sporting goods store and follow the regulations they give you.  Basically, 12 inch minimum. Dan Burnett Vancouver, B.C., Canada Tel: 604-691-7506  Fax:604-688-2827

Response:

I’m canoing the Bowron Lake circuit next week and I don’t know what kind of fish I will find – trout, walleye, or northern pike?  Somebody please

The fishing is particularly good in June, in fact.  Mostly trout, including big lake trout down deep and some amazing rainbows.  Also a few whitefish.  Try paddling slow with  a white apex spoon about 3 inches long, down deep with about 2 ounces of weight. Fly fishing also works in close to shores. The guy who said to try freeze dried because its a park doesn’t know what he’s talking about.  Just make sure to get a fresh water licence from any sporting goods store and follow the regulations they give you.  Basically, 12 inch minimum. Dan Burnett Vancouver, B.C., Canada Tel: 604-691-7506  Fax:604-688-2827

Response:

I’m canoing the Bowron Lake circuit next week and I don’t know what kind of fish I will find – trout, walleye, or northern pike?  Somebody please give me some advice on what to bring and what I’ll find.  Thanks…

Response:

I’m canoing the Bowron Lake circuit next week and I don’t know what kind of fish I will find – trout, walleye, or northern pike?  Somebody please

Bring freeze dried- it’s a park. ian iGIVE ME Some advice on what to bring and what I’ll find.  Thanks…

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Question:

Could someone please give me the subscription address (or phone #) to fly fisherman magazine? Also any other fly fishing publications that can be recommended would be appreciated. And as a final request, I would like the address or phone for some good mail order fly fishing companies.  Thanks a lot in advance, Brian D. Hadley            

Fly Fisherman PO Box 3474 Mount Morris Il 61054-9937 If you live in California a fairly recent publication that is very good is the California Fly Fisher. The subscription address is: California Fly Fisher PO Box 40429 San Francisco, Ca 94140 John

Response:

 Could someone please give me the subscription address (or phone #) to fly fisherman magazine? Also any other fly fishing publications that can  be recommended would be appreciated. And as a final request, I would like  the address or phone for some good mail order fly fishing companies.   Thanks a lot in advance, Brian D. Hadley            

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