Question:

I’m looking for any advice/options on hiring a guide to fly fish in the Cook Islands.  Any fishing stories out there, or good/bad information on guides in the Cooks?  I’ll be there in April 2001.

Response:

I’m looking for any advice/options on hiring a guide to fly fish in the Cook Islands.  Any fishing stories out there, or good/bad information on guides in the Cooks?  I’ll be there in April 2001.

I found this on the Web: http://www.ck/fishing.htm is ROFF’s premier expert on flyfishing in the South Pacific. His web site URL is http://fishing.ifrance.com/fishing/ — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

For what its worth (and it ain’t worth much), several years ago I spent a couple of days on Aitutaki. Unfortunately the day I flew in we were soon followed by a hell of a storm and the lagoon turned into wind tossed milk. Despite the fact that we found no fish it is one of the loveliest places I have ever seen and well worth the visit. When you are doing your search this is one island worth keeping in mind. Hope you enjoy the trip. Vaughan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m looking for any advice/options on hiring a guide to fly fish in the Cook Islands.  Any fishing stories out there, or good/bad information on guides in the Cooks?  I’ll be there in April 2001. I found this on the Web: http://www.ck/fishing.htm is ROFF’s premier expert on flyfishing in the South Pacific. His web site URL is http://fishing.ifrance.com/fishing/ — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello All, <snip Hello Warren.  I’m a relative newcomer to ROFF myself, having first set foot here about three months ago.  Since then I have been badly beaten up only once, though every once in a while I still get an unexpected slap in the back of the head.  I consider this a small price to pay for the education and entertainment I get here. Welcome aboard.

Nonsense !!! You have been here forever, just like the meniscus ))) ( Slap, Slap ! ) Is it really only three months ?  You seem like one of the old crowd somehow, you fit in so well. TL MC

Response:

Is it really only three months ?

Um…not sure Mike.  I was just guessing….something I would never do in a more serious thread where, as you well know, I always come armed with TRUTH and LIGHT!

Response:

Um…not sure Mike.  I was just guessing….something I would never do in a more serious thread where, as you well know, I always come armed with TRUTH and LIGHT!

Don’t you mean VERACITY and ILLUMINATION ? TL MC

Response:

Don’t you mean VERACITY and ILLUMINATION ?

As always Mike, I am not sure what I mean.  I eagerly await ROFFian consensus on just what it is I am trying to say.  Imagine; just three (?) months ago I thought I knew my own mind!    :)

Response:

This old Texan still thinks God made mountains for Texans to go to in August.

Thank God for mountains and Texans!!!! Everything is Peachy Keene (hehehe) got lots of family in Keene, Ft Worth, ect.  Lived there a tad myself. You coming up this way this August perchance? Warren

Response:

Warren asked: You coming up this way this August perchance?

Sorry Warren, but I leave Monday to drive to Gatlinburg for the FFF Conclave.The first day’s drive always kicks my ass…dosen’t matter whether it is Dallas to Denver or the 670 miles from Dallas to Nashville. I plan to visit Montana again next summer. Big Dale

Response:

Hello All,

<snip Hello Warren.  I’m a relative newcomer to ROFF myself, having first set foot here about three months ago.  Since then I have been badly beaten up only once, though every once in a while I still get an unexpected slap in the back of the head.  I consider this a small price to pay for the education and entertainment I get here. Welcome aboard.

Response:

ROTFLMAO Mark Faulkner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Good God! Massachusetts is the center of the roffian universe. SNIP … the elite circles of this group, most of whom live south, west, and east of massachussets.

Response:

…AND THE HOME…..OF THE……DAVE’S! /daytripper (PLAY BALL!! ;^) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Good God! Massachusetts is the center of the roffian universe.

Response:

the last couple of months.  I finally decided to get off my duff and come out of the shadows and introduce myself.

Welcome to the group Warren,I hope you enjoy it as much as most of us do.I have visited the Livingston area several times and have enjoyed it very much. This old Texan still thinks God made mountains for Texans to go to in August. I try to get out that way every couple of years. Big Dale

Response:

I’m sorta a newbie also Warren, and I extend you a welcome as well. Look forward to reading your posts here, and the way things look in here, we both have alot of smart humor, exciting commentary, up to the minute play-by-play of current fly fishing topics, candid view points and some real good laughs ahead of us!….What more could ya want??!! Jeff Boks Fly Fishing~~~~~Just Do It

Response:

Good God! Massachusetts is the center of the roffian universe.

SNIP … the elite circles of this group, most of whom live south, west, and east of massachussets. wayno Warren

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

Response:

Welcome to the extended family that is ROFF, Warren! One thing, though: mind if we call you Wayne? It’ll be easier to remember your name that way ;^) Cheers! /daytripper

        now there’s a one liner that reaches right up to the level of le duc himself! wayno

Response:

[very pleasant intro snipped] Welcome to the extended family that is ROFF, Warren! As you’ve been lurking for a couple of months, you’re well aware that we put the "fun" in "disfunctional" – but there’s always room for another wacko member of the tribe. One thing, though: mind if we call you Wayne? It’ll be easier to remember your name that way ;^) Cheers! /daytripper

Response:

[snip] this group, most of whom live south, west, and east of massachussets. wayno "EAST" of Mass ???

    thought you’d never ask; how about wales, the brits, the netherlands, scandanavia; and, of course, mike connor in germany. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Hello All, My name is Warren Findley and I have been lurking this NG for the last couple of months.  I finally decided to get off my duff and come out of the shadows and introduce myself.  Actually, I have been holding back to responding to some the posts because I didn’t want to seem like some FNG (freaking new guy) coming in and trying to raise a ruckuss.

Welcome to Freak-R-Us. Mu Young Lee             Ann Arbor, MI  USA

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – [snip] this group, most of whom live south, west, and east of massachussets. wayno "EAST" of Mass ???     thought you’d never ask; how about wales, the brits, the netherlands, scandanavia; and, of course, mike connor in germany. wayno

Okay, I fell for that one…

Response:

No actually almost all live West of Seattle. Welcome aboard. Dave

Response:

 My wife has chewed my ass several times for "paying more attention to the computer" than her.

I think both our wives are related. Right now my wife is kicking me off the computer, mumbling something about moving in to days and I haven’t started packing yet. WOMEN! since my daughter was born 6 weeks ago it hasn’t been nearly enough.

Congratulations! We should all chip in and buy her a Playskool tying vise. I am looking forward to becoming a participating member of this NG and hopefully pick up some more good tips and info from you all

We’re looking forward to reading your post. What’s good about ROFF is that although it’s easy to put your foot in your mouth (mine is permanently coated in sugar for flavor) the people here forgive and forget very soon after. I gotta go now, the wife’s at it again! Welcome to the fly paper. Chris Fleitman Fisherman by nature-goofball by society.

Response:

Hello All, My name is Warren Findley (good intro snipped)

Welcome to ROFF Warren. Check out:  http://www.roff.org for comings and goings of claves, pics, etc. Congrats on your’n youngin’….what…should be fly casting in another 18 months? Walt — Ezflyfish.com                 Blue Ridge Book Gallery Quality Gear & Service        Used & Out-of-Print Books http://www.ezflyfish.com      http://www.abebooks.com/home/BLUEBOOKS P.O. Box 5112  Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828)963-5001

Response:

Hello All, My name is Warren Findley and I have been lurking this NG for the last couple of months.  I finally decided to get off my duff and come out of the shadows and introduce myself.

        good to have you, warren.  your tasteful and polite introduction bodes well for your inclusion in the elite circles of this group, most of whom live south, west, and east of massachussets. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Warren

Response:

[snip] this group, most of whom live south, west, and east of massachussets. wayno

"EAST" of Mass ???

Response:

Always glad to welcome freaking new guys, to talk on anything from booze to ginking dry flies Welcome Warren, and I hope you get your wish that reading some of this will help you catch more fish. Tight lines ! Mike Connor

Response:

Warren  Findley writes:

(snip of good stuff) <<I am looking forward to becoming a participating member of this NG and hopefully pick up some more good tips and info from you all. And I, for one, am looking forward to hearing from you.  Welcome aboard, Warren.  You live in some beautiful country, so I am sure your tales will be well read.   Dave LaCourse

Response:

Hello All, My name is Warren Findley and I have been lurking this NG for the last couple of months.  I finally decided to get off my duff and come out of the shadows and introduce myself.  Actually, I have been holding back to responding to some the posts because I didn’t want to seem like some FNG (freaking new guy) coming in and trying to raise a ruckuss. Over the last few months I have had a good look at what goes on around here and like what I see for the most part (except for the AR lunacy that sometimes runs rampant, ect).  The part I have enjoyed the most is how well you people interact, debate, and rag on one another.  It is truly interesting to keep up with.  My wife has chewed my ass several times for "paying more attention to the computer" than her.  Of course she uses that line when I go fishing too. I am currently living in Livingston, MT and try to fish as much as I can. However, since my daughter was born 6 weeks ago it hasn’t been nearly enough. I am still surving though.  I actually even got to go today (took the wife and baby so she couldn’t refuse).  I have been fly fishing since about the last ten years, but really started hard core the last two years.  I fish all year long and actually prefer winter because there aren’t as many people crowding the waters (not that I don’t enjoy company mind you, just like a little time to mull things over without any interuptions as I fish). I am also a novice fly tyer, hunter (yes, I eat what I kill) and enjoy working my in-laws horses as often as possible.  Actually broke my thumb in two places 3 months ago and had 4 pins put in, but I didn’t let it stop me from floating the Big Horn as the pictures and my wife will attest (she still gets mad at me for leaving for the weekend).  As you can guess, my wife has been jealous since the little one was born because she fishes too and hasn’t been able to go out since I don’t have the necessary equipment to keep the baby from starving. I am looking forward to becoming a participating member of this NG and hopefully pick up some more good tips and info from you all. Warren

Response:

Question:

I just got back from the White river,fished nymphs,midges,and sow bugs, caught some fish.I fished an olive wooley bugger tied sparce size10 and caught MANY fish!

Response:

april, is there any dryfly fishing at that time.   Are there any place I can go to wade (I’m assuming that the white river isn’t a good place to wade from my father-in-law’s description). How about Big browns and streamers?

I have never fished the area in April, but the White can be a good river to wade depending on how much water is being released from the dam at Bull Shoals.Dale Fulton runs Blue Ribbon Flies in Mountain Home. He would be a fantastic point of contact because he is extremely knowledgable. His E-mail is like most other rivers in that sometimes dry flies work and sometimes they don’t. I prefer to fish with soft hackles so that is what I use a lot. A local pattern known as the Red Ass has done real well for me.I always take some small olive woolly buggers as well. Some people use carcass flies as well due to the turbines. Hope this helps a bit and you have a great time Big Dale

Response:

Chris wrote;My spring break is coming up and I was thinking about heading down to the White River in the Ozark’s of Arkansaw.. Any comments on this area from the group? Are there good places to camp down there? I always enjoy tne Mountain Home area: There is a great state park on the White River  just below thaedam at Bull Shoals. The Sow Bug Roundup is March 19 and 20th in Mountain Home. Enjoy spring break. Don’t forget that the Norfolk river has more sow bugs than any other place on earth.

Ok, where are good flyfishing waters.  I’ll be down there in april, is there any dryfly fishing at that time.   Are there any place I can go to wade (I’m assuming that the white river isn’t a good place to wade from my father-in-law’s description). How about Big browns and streamers?

Response:

Ok, where are good flyfishing waters.  I’ll be down there in april, is there any dryfly fishing at that time.

There is rarely any dry fly fishing on the White or the North Fork. I’ve heard rumors of an occasional caddis hatch. Are there any place I can go to wade (I’m assuming that the white river isn’t a good place to wade from my father-in-law’s description).

Your father-in-law is correct. The generators at the Bull Shoals Dam are alleged to have a schedule, (check at the fly shop in Mountain Home), but in my experience anytime somebody in Oklahoma turns on their air conditioner the siren goes off and the riffle you were fishing is very quickly under 4 feet of water. DANGEROUS wading. I suggest the North Fork River for wading. Sow bugs. Sow bugs. Sow bugs. How about Big browns and streamers?

If that’s your cup of tea you’ll probably need a boat to float the White. Many outfitters and guides in the area, few that cater to flyfisherman. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok, where are good flyfishing waters.  I’ll be down there in april, is there any dryfly fishing at that time. There is rarely any dry fly fishing on the White or the North Fork. I’ve heard rumors of an occasional caddis hatch. Are there any place I can go to wade (I’m assuming that the white river isn’t a good place to wade from my father-in-law’s description). Your father-in-law is correct. The generators at the Bull Shoals Dam are alleged to have a schedule, (check at the fly shop in Mountain Home), but in my experience anytime somebody in Oklahoma turns on their air conditioner the siren goes off and the riffle you were fishing is very quickly under 4 feet of water. DANGEROUS wading. I suggest the North Fork River for wading. Sow bugs. Sow bugs. Sow bugs. How about Big browns and streamers? If that’s your cup of tea you’ll probably need a boat to float the White. Many outfitters and guides in the area, few that cater to flyfisherman. — Ken Fortenberry

Don’t forget the Yuk Bugs…..the browns love em’ at night… Greg H.

Response:

Chris wrote;My spring break is coming up and I was thinking about heading down to the White River in the Ozark’s of Arkansaw.. Any comments on this area from the group? Are there good places to camp down there?

I always enjoy tne Mountain Home area: There is a great state park on the White River  just below thaedam at Bull Shoals. The Sow Bug Roundup is March 19 and 20th in Mountain Home. Enjoy spring break. Don’t forget that the Norfolk river has more sow bugs than any other place on earth. Big Dale

Response:

My spring break is coming up and I was thinking about heading down to the White River in the Ozark’s of Arkansaw.. Any comments on this area from the group? Are there good places to camp down there?

Response:

Question:

Greetings, Wow, I’ve been monitoring this newsgroup for a couple of weeks and never knew how many of my fellow flyfishers were on the net.  I’ve been a computer professional for most of my adult life, but never though much about computers and flyfishing until recently.  Well, anyway, here’s my question. 1) Are there any members of this group who are interested in FFing West Virginia?  If so, I have info, etc. 2) Are there any members who live or fish WV regularly that might like to provide info about WV FFing to fellow members of this newsgroup? 3) Is there interest in seeing a West Virginia FFing Web Page?  I have the technical skills to put it up(at my cost-this is no solicitation!), but before going to the trouble, would like to try to gauge interest. 4)  Is anyone aware of any other pages, etc. that deal with West Virginia fishing.  I have spent a lot of time on Yahoo, et al with no results. 5)  If anyone has info on guides & lodging in WV, I would also be interested in that. Thanks, Keith Comstock

Response:

2) Are there any members who live or fish WV regularly that might like to provide info about WV FFing to fellow members of this newsgroup? 3) Is there interest in seeing a West Virginia FFing Web Page?  I have the technical skills to put it up(at my cost-this is no solicitation!), but before going to the trouble, would like to try to gauge interest.

Hi Keith, I live in Montana and still would be interested in a WV Web Page. Keep us posted on your progress. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

Does anyone know the web address for the West Virginia Trout Unlimited page? Thanks in advance for any help

Response:

The address for the West Virginia Council of Trout Unlimited and our fantastically good web page (for a non-profit) is: http://members.aol.com/WVTU/wvtu.html I hope this helps. PS- I am the currrent pres of the Cherrry River Chapter.  We’ve been bad and don’t have our own page yet. Keith Comstock Cranberry Wilderness Outfitters web – http://www.wvoutfitters.com

Response:

I think you can  get the WVTU link from the TU homepage.   John W. Kramer                           Clearwater Outfitters                   WE ENDORSE CATCH AND RELEASE (717) 938-3423

Response:

Question:

Hi, I am planning a 1 week fishing vacation in Montana for the 3rd week of September. I am thinking of fishing with a guide for a couple of days and without guides for four days. I don’t know anything, though, about the best rivers to fish in this particular period, about the type of insects I might expect etc. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. – Vittorio Castelli

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am planning a 1 week fishing vacation in Montana for the 3rd week of September. I am thinking of fishing with a guide for a couple of days and without guides for four days. I don’t know anything, though, about the best rivers to fish in this particular period, about the type of insects I might expect etc. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. – Vittorio Castelli

Where in Montana will you be??

Response:

September hatches include the blue-winged olive and the beginning of the October caddis hatch.  Hopper activity is still high then too.  Browns will be thinking about there up and coming spawning runs.  Missouri and lower Clark Fork are my favorites then. — Brian D. Nelson Missoula, Montana Montana Flyfishing and Hunting Outfitter http://www.montana.com/dno/dno.htm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am planning a 1 week fishing vacation in Montana for the 3rd week of September. I am thinking of fishing with a guide for a couple of days and without guides for four days. I don’t know anything, though, about the best rivers to fish in this particular period, about the type of insects I might expect etc. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. – Vittorio Castelli Where in Montana will you be??

Well, as I was saying, I am planning a trip in the generic area of Montana, but I don’t know where. I have no preferred place, having fished there only once and in less-than-optimal conditions. -Vittorio

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am planning a 1 week fishing vacation in Montana for the 3rd week of September. I am thinking of fishing with a guide for a couple of days and without guides for four days. I don’t know anything, though, about the best rivers to fish in this particular period, about the type of insects I might expect etc. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. – Vittorio Castelli Where in Montana will you be?? Well, as I was saying, I am planning a trip in the generic area of Montana, but I don’t know where. I have no preferred place, having fished there only once and in less-than-optimal conditions. -Vittorio

Big state ya know…around Missoula is good…lower Clark Fork is good…of course the Yellowstone area is good…the Big Horn area is good…lots of good!

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am planning a 1 week fishing vacation in Montana for the 3rd week of September. I am thinking of fishing with a guide for a couple of days and without guides for four days. I don’t know anything, though, about the best rivers to fish in this particular period, about the type of insects I might expect etc. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. – Vittorio Castelli

Hi Vittorio Missoula will put you close to the Clark’s Fork, Missouri, and the Bitteroot rivers. Bozeman puts you close to Yellowstone Park, Yellowstone, Madison, Gallatin, Missouri, & Bighorn rivers. Billings puts you close to the lower Yellowstone and the Bighorn rivers The 3rd week in September is black caddis time on the Bighorn. Good luck. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 materials catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am planning a 1 week fishing vacation in Montana for the 3rd week of September. I am thinking of fishing with a guide for a couple of days and without guides for four days. I don’t know anything, though, about the best rivers to fish in this particular period, about the type of insects I might expect etc. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. – Vittorio Castelli

I had excellent fishing the 3rd week of September, 1996, in the Missoula area, especially on guided floats on the Clark Fork and Bitterroot Rivers, but also wading the Clark Fork and the St. Joe in Idaho (2+ hour drive).  I also floated on a Kingfisher pontoon boat the Missouri both above and below Craig 9/24 and 9/25.  The Missouri didn’t fish as well then as it had in mid-August, ‘96, or mid July, ‘94 and ‘95, but it was a lot less crowded.  Of course, those 2 days in September may just have been off days– cold, windy, dreary. In Missoula I can strongly recommend Missoulian Angler as outfitter– see http://www.ism.net/~mslanglr/index.html  I used them in ‘95 and ‘96 for guides, gear and advice and have been very satisfied in all respects.  The guides are very hard working and will keep you catching fish from morning well into the dark if you’re up for it. Also, the rivers in the Missoula area, except for Rock Creek, are considerably less crowded than the Missouri, Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone Park rivers, which adds to my pleasure. Phil Holt

Response:

In response to the message from me to this newsgroup earlier today about September fishing in the Missoula area, I received the following boldly stated Also, the rivers in the Missoula area, except for Rock Creek, are considerably less crowded than the Missouri, Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone Park rivers, which adds to my pleasure. Phil Holt SO MUCH FOR THEM NOT BEING CROWDED ANYMORE!!!!!  THANKS ALOT!!!!

I admire a person who has the courage of their convictions.

Response:

: Missoula will put you close to the Clark’s Fork, Missouri, and the : Bitteroot rivers. Al, you left out that Missoula also puts one close to Idaho. — 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

Oh yeah…if he wants a potato! :=)

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In response to the message from me to this newsgroup earlier today about September fishing in the Missoula area, I received the following boldly stated Also, the rivers in the Missoula area, except for Rock Creek, are considerably less crowded than the Missouri, Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone Park rivers, which adds to my pleasure. Phil Holt SO MUCH FOR THEM NOT BEING CROWDED ANYMORE!!!!!  THANKS ALOT!!!! I admire a person who has the courage of their convictions.

If I identified myself I might have to worry that you would follow me to my favorite and still reasonably  secluded fishing holes!  I can imagine… elbow to elbow!!

Response:

: Missoula will put you close to the Clark’s Fork, Missouri, and the : Bitteroot rivers. Al, you left out that Missoula also puts one close to Idaho. — 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

Response:

Gee, Bill, as a fellow who makes his living peddling ranch land to developers, I’d think you’d support any effort to encourage people to immigrate to Montana, as you did, or just come to build second homes and enjoy the fishing. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In response to the message from me to this newsgroup earlier today about September fishing in the Missoula area, I received the following boldly stated Also, the rivers in the Missoula area, except for Rock Creek, are considerably less crowded than the Missouri, Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone Park rivers, which adds to my pleasure. Phil Holt SO MUCH FOR THEM NOT BEING CROWDED ANYMORE!!!!!  THANKS ALOT!!!! I admire a person who has the courage of their convictions. If I identified myself I might have to worry that you would follow me to my favorite and still reasonably  secluded fishing holes!  I can imagine… elbow to elbow!!

Response:

OK, thanks to my stupidity its all out in the open now!  I hope you realize I did this all tongue in cheek…  it is just a small town and I would hate for someone to think I was serious (by the way… I didn’t mean to send it to you direct the first time… I am new to the newsgroups… I meant to post it as a follow up);  HOWEVER, I do take issue with your characterization of my business.  We do not "peddle" to developers!  In fact, we work closely with the nature conservancy and many other conservation minded organizations and individuals hoping to protect lands from overdevelopment.  By the way, do I know you?!?  How did you find out about my business, Sherlock? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Gee, Bill, as a fellow who makes his living peddling ranch land to developers, I’d think you’d support any effort to encourage people to immigrate to Montana, as you did, or just come to build second homes and enjoy the fishing. In response to the message from me to this newsgroup earlier today about September fishing in the Missoula area, I received the following boldly stated Also, the rivers in the Missoula area, except for Rock Creek, are considerably less crowded than the Missouri, Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone Park rivers, which adds to my pleasure. Phil Holt SO MUCH FOR THEM NOT BEING CROWDED ANYMORE!!!!!  THANKS ALOT!!!! I admire a person who has the courage of their convictions. If I identified myself I might have to worry that you would follow me to my favorite and still reasonably  secluded fishing holes!  I can imagine… elbow to elbow!!

Response:

Dear Victorio,  We suggest you visit our guest ranch, Hawley Mountain Guest Ranch.  You can get more details on the ranch at http://www.duderanch.org than go to Montana state to find us.  We have four lodge rooms and three cabins on 155 acres surrounded by a million acres of wilderness 25 miles north of Yellowstone Park.  Within walking distance of our lodge we have a stocked trout pond and 1 mile of the Boulder  River.  Guiding is included in our rates and a 4 day minimum stay is possible in September.  In addition, in September we will be fishing in streams and lakes in the Wilderness that can be reached by horseback.  The best flyfishing in Montana at our altitude (6400ft.) is from mid-July through September. BBlewett

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK, thanks to my stupidity its all out in the open now!  I hope you realize I did this all tongue in cheek…  it is just a small town and I would hate for someone to think I was serious (by the way… I didn’t mean to send it to you direct the first time… I am new to the newsgroups… I meant to post it as a follow up);  HOWEVER, I do take issue with your characterization of my business.  We do not "peddle" to developers!  In fact, we work closely with the nature conservancy and many other conservation minded organizations and individuals hoping to protect lands from overdevelopment.  By the way, do I know you?!?  How did you find out about my business, Sherlock? Gee, Bill, as a fellow who makes his living peddling ranch land to developers, I’d think you’d support any effort to encourage people to immigrate to Montana, as you did, or just come to build second homes and enjoy the fishing. In response to the message from me to this newsgroup earlier today about September fishing in the Missoula area, I received the following boldly stated Also, the rivers in the Missoula area, except for Rock Creek, are considerably less crowded than the Missouri, Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone Park rivers, which adds to my pleasure. Phil Holt SO MUCH FOR THEM NOT BEING CROWDED ANYMORE!!!!!  THANKS ALOT!!!! I admire a person who has the courage of their convictions. If I identified myself I might have to worry that you would follow me to my favorite and still reasonably  secluded fishing holes!  I can imagine… elbow to elbow!!

Ahem, I apologize, I just wanted some information, I really did not mean to start such a discussion !! Anyway, thanks to all of you that sent me notes or replied to my inquiry on the usergroup, I am sort of getting some ideas of what to do and where to go, too bad  the 3rd week of september is not 100 days long …. Going back to the fuss, I am just wondering what would have happened if I had mentioned Orvis in my posting … Just kidding ! -Vittorio

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Will be in Montana 3rd week of Sept. and hitting several rivers. We have to make a decision to fish either the Madison or Yellowstone but not both. Tough choice. Anybody having fished both at this time of year I would like to hear from you. I was hoping some fish might still be on hoppers on the Yellowstone and maybe the Madison around Ennis.  Anybody knowing of any private water fee fishing in either area as a distraction let me know.  I have also been told that fishing in the Slide Inn area has been coming back lately. Any verification on this? Thanks.

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Will be in Montana 3rd week of Sept. and hitting several rivers. We have to make a decision to fish either the Madison or Yellowstone but not both. Tough choice. Anybody having fished both at this time of year I would like to hear from you. I was hoping some fish might still be on hoppers on the Yellowstone and maybe the Madison around Ennis.  Anybody knowing of any private water fee fishing in either area as a distraction let me know.  I have also been told that fishing in the Slide Inn area has been coming back lately. Any verification on this? Thanks.

Hi Glen September fishing on either river will be great. Fish are just starting to take hopper now and this will continue until a hard freeze or two kills them off. Also streamer fishing on the Yellowstone river in the fall is also good. Fee waters in the area include the spring creeks in the Paradise valley. I suggest getting in contact with the River’s Edge in Bozeman (406-586-5373) when you get here to get information, licenses, guides, whatever. If you want a day on the spring creeks I suggest booking soon. Take care & … — Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Catalog,Tips & Tricks, Fishing Reports, & NeverSink at: http://www.btsflyfishing.com

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Will be in Montana 3rd week of Sept. and hitting several rivers. We have to make a decision to fish either the Madison or Yellowstone but not both. Tough choice. Anybody having fished both at this time of year I would like to hear from you. I was hoping some fish might still be on hoppers on the Yellowstone and maybe the Madison around Ennis.  Anybody knowing of any private water fee fishing in either area as a distraction let me know.  I have also been told that fishing in the Slide Inn area has been coming back lately. Any verification on this? Thanks.

I fished the Madison and the Yellowstone the 3rd week of September 1996.  However, the rivers were not as high as they are this year. There were some, but not a lot of, hoppers.  The nights were too cold. Hoppers did not get active until late afternoon.  A royal trude, size 14 or 16, with a prince nymph or hare’s ear nymph dropper tied directly off the hook of the trude with about 20 to 24 inches of tippet worked well on both rivers.  Humpy, caddis, stimulator, bee, and trude patterns worked well on the Madison,  These were also fished with a prince nymph or hare’s ear nymph dropper.   I would forget the fee fishing and consider trying a float tube on South Meadow Lake out of McAllister if it is accessible.

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Question:

I planted creeping phlox 3 yrs. ago and for the first two yrs it did great its not looking that great anymore any suggestions on what to do? Should I fertilize it cut it back pull it out and replant I never realy touched what I have I just let it grow and its real thick but it looks like a lot of it is dying.

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I planted creeping phlox 3 yrs. ago and for the first two yrs it did great its not looking that great anymore any suggestions on what to do? Should I fertilize it cut it back pull it out and replant I never realy touched what I have I just let it grow and its real thick but it looks like a lot of it is dying.

I have only had mine one year, so take it with a grain of salt, but I READ that sometimes you have to trim off the dead looking parts, mulch it well in winter, not let it stay too wet, and occasssionally divide it.  Anything there sound useful? — Signed,    Kellie My Karma Ran Over My Dogma.  It was a catastrophe! Now my dogma’s dead and my karma’s out of alignment. Get in "Knee Deep"!     The Internet Pond Society      http://w3.one.net/~rzutt/newsletter.html

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Funny that you brought this up.  I too planted creeping phlox about 3-4 years ago.  I recieved a bounty of pink flowers and an evergreen spread.  It years that passes, at this time of year, large areas start dying out.  To date I have done nothing.  I have similar beds of phlox planted elsewhere and also soffer some die-out.  Just a perusal of my garden this morning made me want to cry.  Over half of the Phlox is turning brown and turning to dust (while a few weeks ago it was still green).   What should I do?  At present I shall continue to due nothing.  What is the problem … soil conditions, nematode infestation, blight … age of the culture.  I am tempted to go in and ‘thin’ it out. TTrue in RTP "Seek simplicity … then distrust it" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I planted creeping phlox 3 yrs. ago and for the first two yrs it did great its not looking that great anymore any suggestions on what to do? Should I fertilize it cut it back pull it out and replant I never realy touched what I have I just let it grow and its real thick but it looks like a lot of it is dying.

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Can’t say for sure what the phlox problem is, but I’d suspect it could be die out due to poor drainage. This year has been particularly bad. Phlox subulata like well-drained conditions- folks often grow them in rock gardens and on slopes. The foliage seems to do best when allowed to scramble over rocks.  

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  I’ve grown Phlox Sublata for years on the south facing slope of a well drained rock garden and have also suffered an unusually severe die-back this season (mostly last fall and early winter).  However, this isn’t the first time and it strongly depends on phlox color and/or foliage characteristics.  I have a blue that rarely shows any die-back but after blooming it has the least impressive foliage.  The new Candy Stripe regularly blooms then flops for me and I have a bright pink-red that has barely clung to life for years.   My plan is to rebuild the rock garden with lots of compost, sand, and manure additives to my basic clay.  That’s worked before and lasts for many years.  By all means pull out the deader sections after flowering. Often you’ll find the ends of mostly brown branches have rooted near the ends and will start new and healthy plants.  If you’ve got long mostly dead branches with green growth at the ends, you might be able to encourage rooting by pinninge one or more of these branches to the a nicely prepared bit of soil with a piece of bent wire and covering it with a little soil. — Lloyd Fortney http://www.phy.duke.edu/~fortney/ has links to my garden, flower, flyfishing, and travel JPEG images as well as teaching, research, and stuff like that

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I’ve read that Phlox should be divided every 3(?) years to keep it from dying out.  The parent plant should be removed and you can replant it. Otherwise it can choke itself.  I’m not sure if this applies to all varieties, but at least some you should also cut back in winter. J.

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Question:

To what nefarious purpose will these stories be put? Is there compensation for the author or at least ego gratifying recognition? Len Hunter

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I’m starting a collection of fly-fishing stories.  I’d be interested in anything funny, exciting, unbelievable, thrilling, interesting, or just a little odd.  Just email your stories to me.  Please be as accurate in the story as possible. Thanks.

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This story is a fictional compound of several true incidents. Unfortunately, the angler of the lost fly rod was a very nice guy; nothing bad happened to the rude and obnoxious clients.    I knew I was in trouble within a few minutes of meeting the clients. They appeared at the outfitter in full dress–like officers in some weird flyfisherman’s army, brigadiers maybe or Protocol Officers.  In fact, they were arguing over the proper placement of their Backup Nipper. Top-to-bottom Orvis, Sage, Abel, etc.  If they had been paid by the logo we would all have been millionaires.   To be sure, their equipment was glorious.  Several flyrods each, with a lengthy discussion of which was most appropriate (the seven and the eight) and how many the raft could comfortably carry (we agreed on four each, with reservations on the guide’s part.) This despite the fact that we had already covered this ground in phone calls.  Beautiful tackle bags, unmarred. Boxes of flies, in large groups by nomenclature.  I was jealous, I must admit. Even so, I snuck some of my equipment back into the shuttle vehicle; I was a bit worried about payload.     I must say, this was unusual.  Though many of our clients are novices, we rarely see two anglers so obviously overequipped and underexperienced. It’s most usual to see the novice in the care of a more experienced angler. Also, we have no aversion to the inexperienced; our business is teaching, and that calls for patience and flexibility.  This level of confidence belied by the facts was worrisome, though; would the clients’ expectations ruin the trip? Could they cast to the bass, could they hook up at all?  We fish for ten to twelve hours; could inexperienced casters work for that long?  And would they blame me if any of these answers was ‘no’?   We also had to do a lot of preparation, which left me a bit worried about casting skills.  Three of four spools were brand new; it was proposed that we would load spools there at the ramp, while smallmouths chased bait in the shallows around us.  At first the clients were pleasant and relaxed; they said the right things about taking advice and so forth.  We got ready and shoved off.    But as soon as we were feet-wet, things deteriorated.  Tension between the clients became obvious, and I was glad that they sat facing opposite directions.  Their fly choices, casting directions, and retrieves had nothing to do with my advice.  They were in an arms race.  Both were well-tutored by the mainstream fly-fishing press, and they hurled advice at each other like snowballs packed around rocks.  I was in between.   Neither could get their flyline out of the boat.  Half an hour into the trip, drifting along through some of the most spectacular scenery in the East, and they were angry.  Not the best start to a guided trip.  And the smallies were on, too; I saw a lot of surface activity.  When the front angler fought a cast out about three rod-lengths and stripped in the excess flyline, a 14" fish slashed at his dahlberg right at boatside.  That was the only fish they moved all morning.  They changed flies, hung them in brush, on rocks, on the oars.  They debated barbless hooks even as I extracted one from my shoulder, barb fully functional but, thankfully, not quite engaged. They drank single-malt scotch but didn’t like it.   Just for a break, I put them out wading in a shallow, weedy area.  While they hacked and pumped and tied knots, I took a few tentative casts. Smallies to 12" took readily throughout the area. A few minutes later, a shout; one angler hooked, landed, and displayed, with what looked to be a fatal torso squeeze, a nice fish of about 14".  I grew angrier and angrier. In the previous week, tough conditions had limited good, old clients to few fish and few that size.  A few minutes later, with no other fish caught, I mounted them up and rode on.  Things came to a head as we approached a sharp, narrow rapid through a broken-down diversion dam.  The river here is mostly shallow, riffly ledges and rocks, with pools and weeds edges–classic smallmouth water.  As we approached the dam, I told them to pick up and keep their lines in, since the drop required a turn in the throat of the rapid to avoid jagged concrete and rebars that would tear the bottom out of the raft.  Both anglers disregarded this direction, and as we accelerated through the white water the guy in the aft seat hung up.   The boat was in mid-turn, and moving quickly.  I saw the rod go down and bend sharply. The angler called it a fish, but it obviously wasn’t.   "Give line!  You’re hung up!  Drop line!" I yelled.   "It’s a good one," he said.      The boat turned completely so that the flyline ran under, from stem to stern.  He was leaning into my sightline, to his left and my right.  The rod was compounded now, three-guides into the water, and he was holding tight.  I tried to pivot the boat a bit, but I had to hold my direction or risk a wreck.    "Give line!  Your’e hung!  I’ve got to turn.  Your’e going to break the rod!"    He didn’t give line, the rod didn’t break:  he let go of it.  It hung there a weird still second, then snapped straight and dove into the water, hung there a moment, then seemed to zoom upstream as the boat shot down current.  There was a stunned silence, which I welcomed.    As we drifted to a quiet spot, the forward angler asked questions:  He had missed the whole thing.  The aft angler was completely quiet, contemplating the permanent loss of a seven-hundred dollar outfit which had never caught a fish.  The 25-year guarantee didn’t cover loss by misadventure.  Feebly, he tried the Big Fish argument.   I wouldn’t even reply.  Pausing forty yards below the rapid, I was caught in a moral dilemma.    Our river is shallow, but forceful; a young woman had drowned in a canoe mishap against a rock about forty feet from where we sat a few years before. The water was warm, and I knew the spot intimately;  I was fairly sure that I could find the flyrod if the hook still held the snag.  Even if it had come loose, it was highly findable in the hole below, with a floating line and clear water.  But should I?  The angler considered it lost. He had plenty more, and was probably already composing the story for his friends, complete with bronze flash and tail the size of a Bible, no doubt with a supporting role as villain by  Sincerely Yours.  The guy was a mouth and a credit card, who had completely concealed all admirable qualities so far in the four hours we had known each other.  I sat for a long moment, then heaved a heavy sigh and dropped a hook.    "What’s up?" said the angler hopefully.    "You guys sit tight.  I may be able to get it back."    No reply.    I worked my way up to the dam in the slow water, alternately wading and swimming.  The usual friendly smooth river boulders were absent; it was jagged concrete and odd angles.  Careful footholds and a steep lean into the flow.  I couldn’t hope to work all the way up to the main rapid, but the faster water was shallower so I could hold.  Standing waist-deep in it, I stood and looked; sure enough, I saw the but and reel of the rod flare up in the swash.  Decision time.    I imagined how to do it:  Hit the ramp at nine pm, after the glorious dusk whitefly hatch.  Rack up and drop off at 10; drive up here and make the quarter-mile wade in the dark.  Feel through the rapid, hit the line, grab the rod; one sharp pull and I get a $700 tip.  If the day smooths out and the clients turn out OK, return the rod and call it an Abe Lincold honesty thing; if they fulfill their promise as first-class jerks, and especially if they stiff me, then the rod is mine.     The rod rolled up again, almost breaking the surface; I looked back. The forward guy was just watching, but the aft guy was looking away, an odd, vulnerable look on his face.  I realized a lot then, about how the attitude was a veneer, the macho competition covered a softer and simpler person. I couldn’t tell yet if he loved fish or fishing or rivers or boats, but I realized that the loss of the rod was probably fatal to his chances of ever loving any of it.  My guide habits created disdain and disapproval, but my river instincts told me that the river rarely returns something won fairly, and that to abuse the event was bad karma.  I couldn’t resist the impulse.  I gave him a smile and a nod and a thumbs-up, waited for the rod to show again, and leaned forward for it.  An easy catch, a yank and it was mine.  I rode the current back to them, winding up the slack line, and handed him the rod, wet and new.    I’d like to say the event changed the guy and things looked up; it’s half true.  The guy was grateful enough, but he didn’t have the eggs to really see my side of it.  I said, "Now will you listen to me?" and they both nodded, and they took a more relaxed and cooperative approach for a while.  They got their flylines out of the boat a few times, and caught some fish, too.  I got a reasonable tip, though the episode of the lost flyrod wasn’t mentioned again and the tip didn’t reflect the service that day.   I also gained the patience to stick with the difficult clients.  Somehow that day helped me to regain the basic comfort with the river that several years of difficult clients and finicky fish had eroded.  I remembered something that I had forgotten:  a guide is a teacher, and sometimes the best lesson is failure. Davemo18

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Question:

Hello all:       I have been fly-fishing only a little while, and discovered the joy of small-mouth fishing the James River in Virginia.  Since its summer and the trout are sullen, it has been a great place to keep practicing my casting.  I have already gleaned a lot of information about using crayfish and dace style patterns, wooly buggers, etc., and I have been fishing the seams, bank overhangs, riffles, and the like.  Generally though, I have approached small-mouthing like trout.  Does anyone have suggestions specific to small-mouth bass that differ or are unique to this species, that improve your luck.  Also, any idiosyncracies of the James River? Best spots, places to avoid like the plague, etc.  I would appreciate any and all information, posted or e-mailed.   Dan Johnson

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      I have been fly-fishing only a little while, and discovered the joy of small-mouth fishing the James River in Virginia.   Dan Johnson

Dan, I enjoyed fishing near Pony Pastures in Richmond.  It does seem to get crowded at times, but not with ffishers.  There’s a good Orvis dealer in Richmond that has a lot of smallmouth knowledge.  Also check with Harry Murray of Murray’s Fly Shop.  He’s a smallmouth guru.  Let me know how you do…                                           Randy

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Dan, We’ve been fishing the Wingina to Scottsville stretch for about 20 years now.  There’s some beautiful water along the way and only two areas that can be a little hairy in the boats.  It’s best as a three day float.   Just don’t go weekends because of all of the tubers on the river. Doug

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Question:

I will be in Estes July 7 and 8 and expect to have some time to wet a line. I’d appreciate any suggestions on streams to try. I fear the Big Thompson is overcrowded and fished out, and in any event I’d prefer smaller streams, especialy as this trip is a break in this Easterner’s   3 week visit to some of Montana’s bigger rivers. Thanks.   Phil Holt

All of the streams in Colorado are running VERY high.  Your best bet would be lake fishing or perhaps higher in Rocky Mountain National Park.  Check with Estes Anglers (I don’t have the phone handy) for any other spots.  It is going to be a disappointing weekend in Colorado, we have more rain last night and today.  Snow closed Trail Ridge Road (south of Estes Park) last night.  Some of the passes I am used to traversing this time of year are still closed due to snow. Bob McDuffee Network Services Manager, WICHE Office:303.541.0299 Fax:303.541.0291

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You’re in for a real treat! I vacationed in Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park last summer and fished some of the smaller streams there with a guide, Todd, from the Estes Angler.   Todd showed me some secluded spots on the Big Thompson (above the lake, where the stream is anything but big) and Glacier Creek.  I also fished on my own on the North Branch of the St. Vrain River.   The fish aren’t real big, but they sure are beautiful — and fun to catch.   In 3 1/2 days of fishing I managed the "grand slam" — rainbow, brown, brook and cutthroat.   The concern this year, of course, is the runoff situation.  It was the opposite last year when the rivers were running low. If you go, take short, light rods with you.  These aren’t big western rivers; they are small mountain streams.  A lot of time you will be fising with nothing but your fly and leader on the water. Have a great trip!

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Ok, you said you like smaller streams… I fished cow creek when I was in Estes this same time last summer. You have to walk about 1 mile from the parking area, the stream is very small (you can jump across it in places), and it is thick with brush along the banks.  That is, until you get to the beaver ponds!.  They are clear, clear, clear and the little brookies in there are spooky but willing. They are small fish (6-8" so I mean small).  But, I used very light tackle and if I did a reasonable job of not making myself too obvious, they rose willingly to dries.  The ponds are not deep, and you can site many fish to cast to. Stealth, delicate casting, and fish! Anyway, if that is the type of fishing you like, check out cow creek.  

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I will be in Estes July 7 and 8 and expect to have some time to wet a line. I’d appreciate any suggestions on streams to try. I fear the Big Thompson is overcrowded and fished out, and in any event I’d prefer smaller streams, especialy as this trip is a break in this Easterner’s   3 week visit to some of Montana’s bigger rivers. Thanks.   Phil Holt

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Question:

Fished with Capt. Ron Rebeck of Backcountry Charters in Florida. Ron holds the 1994 world record Ladyfish title on fly. We caught literally a hundred or more Ladyfish, Reds, and Large Jacks. We weighed several of "my" Ladyfish for possible titles. Many fish "just" short. What a thrill. All on fly. They have a toll free no. 1-800-932-REEL(9335). This guy is the best guide I have ever fished with. Hope you try him out…enjoy!

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Fished with Capt. Ron Rebeck of Backcountry Charters in Florida. Ron holds the 1994 world record Ladyfish title on fly. We caught literally a hundred or more Ladyfish, Reds, and Large Jacks. We weighed several of "my" Ladyfish for possible titles. Many fish "just" short. What a thrill. All on fly. They have a toll free no. 1-800-932-REEL(9335). This guy is the best guide I have ever fished with. Hope you try him out…enjoy!

Where were you fishing out of and how big is this world record ladyfish.  I lived and fished in SW Florida for quite a few years and always enjoyed catching ladyfish.  They fight as spectacularly as most anything. tight lines

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