Question:

I have been an avid, die hard fly fisherman for many years now, and now my three sons are also addicted to the sport. I recently decided to try using barbless hooks on some of my mini leech and damselfly patterns. I seem to be betting the same hook set, but 90% of the fish are long line released and I see nothing wrong with what I am doing. Any Ideas??

Response:

I have been an avid, die hard fly fisherman for many years now, and now my three sons are also addicted to the sport. I recently decided to try using barbless hooks on some of my mini leech and damselfly patterns. I seem to be betting the same hook set, but 90% of the fish are long line released and I see nothing wrong with what I am doing. Any Ideas??

Just do more of the same Mike.  If you’re losing fish, you have been letting slack get in the line and when they jump, you’re not bowing to the fish.  Chances are you’re stripping in real fast to get the slack out but you must have too much slack laying on the ground.  Try fishing with less slack and get on the reel ASAP would be my advice.   Another thing you must remember is "which side of the fishes mouth" are you hooked up in?  You hook up with the fish FACING the current.  When they are fighting and turn away from the current, you need to go easy. Only pull harder when they are facing the current and the hook is on your side of the jaw. Hope this helps Mike, — MrG/American Sportsman "the saga continues"

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Keep a tight line! Ernie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been an avid, die hard fly fisherman for many years now, and now my three sons are also addicted to the sport. I recently decided to try using barbless hooks on some of my mini leech and damselfly patterns. I seem to be betting the same hook set, but 90% of the fish are long line released and I see nothing wrong with what I am doing. Any Ideas??

Response:

Don’t feel like the lone ranger! I had the same problem day before yesterday on the Conejos River in south central Colorado. Great fly fishing with 12 to 18 inch browns and some larger that I lost either with the  long line release (I like that) or a few cases of snap the 6X tippet. It was great fun nonetheless! Damn, now I’m back in Dallas… Graham – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been an avid, die hard fly fisherman for many years now, and now my three sons are also addicted to the sport. I recently decided to try using barbless hooks on some of my mini leech and damselfly patterns. I seem to be betting the same hook set, but 90% of the fish are long line released and I see nothing wrong with what I am doing. Any Ideas??

Response:

I have been an avid, die hard fly fisherman for many years now, and now my three sons are also addicted to the sport. I recently decided to try using barbless hooks on some of my mini leech and damselfly patterns. I seem to be betting the same hook set, but 90% of the fish are long line released and I see nothing wrong with what I am doing. Any Ideas??

I have days like that.  Other days, it doesn’t happen.  Could be any number of things going on.  Smaller hooks are made of thinner wire which necessarily equates with sharper hooks…..large hooks are more likely to fail to penetrate deeply.  Some days fish are more sluggish; others, more active.  A lot of line in or on the water is more difficult to control.  A long or light tippet stretches more.  There are a host of other factors which might come into play.  At any rate, barbless hooks suggest you are planning to release them anyway, no?  A little earlier is better than a little later for the fish.

Response:

I have been an avid, die hard fly fisherman for many years now, and now my three sons are also addicted to the sport. I recently decided to try using barbless hooks on some of my mini leech and damselfly patterns.

Is there a chance that in your anticipation of having to keep the pressure on the hook that you are setting up too quickly and not getting solid hookups? I’ve been crushing the barbs off my hooks for years now and it seems like at first, when I was concerned about the hook staying in place, that I may have done just that. It doesn’t seem to be a problem anymore. Flyfish

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Mr. G. made some great points.  Like FlyFish, I’ve been using barbless hooks or flattening barbs for a few years now and when I lose a fish most times it’s due to having too much line on the water and not getting the fish on the real quickly enough. GL…and tight lines! Natty

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Question:

John I know people that have had the factory firsts, sure you want a second? ND#1   ( do you have a garden? ) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear John L." We have factory second 2 piece fly rods for UNDER $300 John. They have some sort of defect in them such as glue lines or a gap in the wraps, a slightly off reel seat, etc. These fly rods will last anyone a life time and will cast as good as any $7,000 bamboo fly rod. Just sign up and let us know what you have in mind. Or, if you’re not particular on the length or fly line weight, let us know. — MrG/American Sportsman http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html http://www.gink.com/rod_facts/bastardjun00.html  LATEST BAMBOO FACTS "the saga continues"

Response:

I have some of the first bamboo flyrods that George built and they are catching plenty of fish still, and the cast beautifuly.. … I think you need to spend more time fishing and less time time in your garden. — Click here for Free Video!! http://www.gohip.com/free_video/

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – John I know people that have had the factory firsts, sure you want a second? ND#1   ( do you have a garden? ) Dear John L." We have factory second 2 piece fly rods for UNDER $300 John. They have some sort of defect in them such as glue lines or a gap in the wraps, a slightly off reel seat, etc. These fly rods will last anyone a life time and will cast as good as any $7,000 bamboo fly rod. Just sign up and let us know what you have in mind. Or, if you’re not particular on the length or fly line weight, let us know. — MrG/American Sportsman http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html http://www.gink.com/rod_facts/bastardjun00.html  LATEST BAMBOO FACTS "the saga continues"

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I have some of the first bamboo flyrods that George built and they are catching plenty of fish still, and the cast beautifuly.. …

Lemme guess.  You got half a dozen or so #12s and a couplea #11s, right?

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OH MY chris smith porter maine – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear John L." We have factory second 2 piece fly rods for UNDER $300 John. They have some sort of defect in them such as glue lines or a gap in the wraps, a slightly off reel seat, etc. These fly rods will last anyone a life time and will cast as good as any $7,000 bamboo fly rod. Just sign up and let us know what you have in mind. Or, if you’re not particular on the length or fly line weight, let us know.

Response:

Dear John L." We have factory second 2 piece fly rods for UNDER $300 John. They have some sort of defect in them such as glue lines or a gap in the wraps, a slightly off reel seat, etc. These fly rods will last anyone a life time and will cast as good as any $7,000 bamboo fly rod. Just sign up and let us know what you have in mind. Or, if you’re not particular on the length or fly line weight, let us know. — MrG/American Sportsman http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html http://www.gink.com/rod_facts/bastardjun00.html  LATEST BAMBOO FACTS "the saga continues"

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Question:

Hi All, I just spent a week at a wonderful little cottage on the edge of Glacier National Park, MT. The fishing was outstanding! It was the perfect place for a fishing base in the Glacier area – convenient location near restaurants, stores, etc. near some of the best fishing in Montana.  I’d highly recommend it to all anglers. http://www.GlacierParadise.com –Skoop

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, I just spent a week at a wonderful little cottage on the edge of Glacier National Park, MT. The fishing was outstanding! It was the perfect place for a fishing base in the Glacier area – convenient location near restaurants, stores, etc. near some of the best fishing in Montana.  I’d highly recommend it to all anglers. http://www.GlacierParadise.com –Skoop I

Question:

Does anyone have information on fly fishing in France in early September?  Any sources to look for?  My son and I would apreciate any help.

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Try the travel agents/tourist pages on yahoo uk/Ireland we found some good Information on fly fishing in France. Best Regards & Tight lines Chris & Sue Simmons. U.K.         – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone have information on fly fishing in France in early September?  Any sources to look for?  My son and I would apreciate any help.

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Assuming you haven’t left already — Where will you be?  I was in France in July and picked up a really helpful book called "Guide des Parcours de Peche en France" which lists almost every river and lake in detail.  I fished a number of rivers in northeastern France.  Full of wild fish but very tough fishing (v. low water in midsummer).  There is also a legendary fly fishing hotel in a small village called Goumois on the Swiss border (River Doubs).  I really enjoyed staying there, and prices are reasonable.  But it all depends where you plan to be — Normandy, for example, is full of classic English-style chalk streams.  E-mail me if you’d like more details and I’ll be happy to pass on tips from the book I mentioned.  Beware, by the way, of the incredibly complicated and bureaucratic licensing requirements — you basically have to buy a new license for each river, often each section of river, you intend to fish. Best wishes, George Black

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Question:

Looking for a fly shop or resource for current fishing information about the St. Mary’s River, particularly information regarding Fall steelhead. Twice now, I have been to the river and both times the gates were wide open making the river unfishable.  Thanks in advance.

Local guides and clubs are identified in:  Linsenman, Bob, and Steve Nevala  Great Lakes Steelhead: a Guided Tour for Fly Anglers  Backcountry Pubs., Woodstock Vt. 1995 This information will not help you when the dam gates are open. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

Looking for a fly shop or resource for current fishing information about the St. Mary’s River, particularly information regarding Fall steelhead. Twice now, I have been to the river and both times the gates were wide open making the river unfishable.  Thanks in advance. Jim Francois Stillwater, MN

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Question:

Olympus Pro-Master Twin. Water resistant. Great lens. Great pictures. Gary C. "Lie ? Me ? Never!  No, no, no, the truth is far too much fun !" – Captain Hook

Response:

 One other thing to consider….choose a camera that has "macro focus". This feature allows you to have clearly focussed shots of fish that are between 1 to 4 feet away from you.  Such as, right at your feet, or on your lap while in a float tube.  Many cameras don’t have this capaability and you will end up with a blurred image of your prize…….

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I use one of those cheap-ass disposable jobs.  It doesn’t take the greatest pictures but all I care about is "evidence."  Besides, I wade too deep and fall too much. I don’t want to have to worry about a camera when I should be worried about the fish (and myself for that matter.)

Response:

I carry a Pentax 90WR.  This is a "showerproof" zoom fully automatic compact.  It is slightly larger and heavier than most compacts but I prefer that.  When turned off, it would survive a complete dunking (shallow water) – certainly if it was in a case or in a vest pocket – and will operate in rainy conditions if required. Laurie Melbourne, Victoria Australia – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi I’m new to flyfishing and I’d trying to decide what kind of camera to permanently carry in my fly vest. What do you guys use? _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ Neil Summers Calgary, Alberta Canada _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/

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  Hi   I’m new to flyfishing and I’d trying to decide what kind of camera to   permanently carry in my fly vest. What do you guys use?

        In addition to those already mentioned you might want to look into an Olympus camera I think is called the "Stylus." (?) I have an older model Olympus which isn’t made anymore but which I *think* was replaced by the Stylus, which I also think has the features I bought mine for: I.e. not only a 35 mm wide angle lens but also a 70 mm lens which is very nice, and a "splashproof" rating saying it is seriously water-resistant, usable even in the rain. (Just not good for use underwater.) In fact I’ve had it submerged for a good 10 minute dunk once on accident and it has showed no ill effects, and it has gotten wet many times in the rain, even in the cold rain while duck hunting. Mine cost me about $170 if I recall right.         As stated, I *think* the Stylus is its replacement, and the only change I know of is that it is smaller. But if not, then I’d look for a camera giving you at least those two features of a "zoom"-type second lens (which has really turned out to be very very nice if not indispensable) and at least some degree of water-proofedness.         Cheers, and good luck. Let us know what you decide. Tom B. (P.S. Though, as one other poster noted, if you really are after very very fine quality shots don’t get a camera with two lenses; get the one with the Zeiss lens. But expect to pay, and if you are just after casual snaps, expect to wish that you had something other than a wide-angle lens.)

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Question:

I’v had the top section of my Winston 3-piece 8 1/2 – 4wt. come off twice during casts. I’m real careful to push it onto the ferrule at a 90 degree and firmly twist it on. Is this common with 3-piece rods or am I just not putting the rod together properly. The bottom ferrule has never separated on me….but one of these times I’m going to get unlucky and lose the tip…. any advice???? Thanks in advance…..tight lines!!! John Applegate

Response:

I’v had the top section of my Winston 3-piece 8 1/2 – 4wt. come off twice during casts. I’m real careful to push it onto the ferrule at a 90 degree and firmly twist it on. Is this common with 3-piece rods or am I just not putting the rod together properly. The bottom ferrule has never separated on me….but one of these times I’m going to get unlucky and lose the tip…. any advice???? Thanks in advance…..tight lines!!! John Applegate

Why not give Winston a shout?  They are on the Web at http://flyfishers.com/winston.html They ought to be able to give some good recommendations. Regards          Rx F Fish "For Your Good Health, Fly Fish" URL=http://www.xnet.com/~rxffish

Response:

I’v had the top section of my Winston 3-piece 8 1/2 – 4wt. come off twice during casts. I’m real careful to push it onto the ferrule at a 90 degree and firmly twist it on. Is this common with 3-piece rods or am I just not putting the rod together properly. The bottom ferrule has never separated on me….but one of these times I’m going to get unlucky and lose the tip…. any advice???? Thanks in advance…..tight lines!!! John Applegate

I would occasionally have a tip section loosen up on me too (different brand rod though). When I started waxing my ferrules to keep them in good shape and the loosening problem went away as a bonus.  Good luck! August Kristoferson http://www.eskimo.com/~augustk

Response:

I’v had the top section of my Winston 3-piece 8 1/2 – 4wt. come off twice during casts…

John — Wash the ferrules with a dishwashing detergent.  Rinse well and dry with paper towels.  After that try not to touch them with your fingers.   Good luck. -Ande Rychter

Response:

I’v had the top section of my Winston 3-piece 8 1/2 – 4wt. come off twice during casts. I’m real careful to push it onto the ferrule at a 90 degree and firmly twist it on. Is this common with 3-piece rods or am I just not putting the rod together properly. The bottom ferrule has never separated on me….but one of these times I’m going to get unlucky and lose the tip…. any advice???? Thanks in advance…..tight lines!!! John Applegate

Try some paraffin or candle wax to lubricate the ferrule. If that doesn’t work I would send it back to Winston with a note. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’v had the top section of my Winston 3-piece 8 1/2 – 4wt. come off twice during casts. I’m real careful to push it onto the ferrule at a 90 degree and firmly twist it on. Is this common with 3-piece rods or am I just not putting the rod together properly. The bottom ferrule has never separated on me….but one of these times I’m going to get unlucky and lose the tip…. any advice???? Thanks in advance…..tight lines!!! John Applegate Try some paraffin or candle wax to lubricate the ferrule. If that doesn’t work I would send it back to Winston with a note. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

Even if it does work, send it back to Winston as soon as you can.  Damn thats a Winston, not a Cortland!  They’d be mortified to even hear about this thread on the net!!! jg

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Question:

Geez, Folks, this topic has used too many ergs and is getting mighty boring. It has digressed from flyfishing and descended into the pit of insult, confrontational commentary, and foolishness. Once the useful comments and opinions have been "voiced," you can let the thread die …. please.  I’ve tried to block the subject, but I guess I’ll have to create a broader "twit filter" and block authors. Is this a flyfishing newsgroup or not?  

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Geez, Folks, this topic has used too many ergs and is getting mighty boring. It has digressed from flyfishing and descended

Look at the subject list today man…you want BORING ? "For Sale, ex-Wifes wader suspenders", "should i fish upstream or down", "how many split shots blah blah..", "removing the smell from the glove compartment of my 1964 rambler", etc. etc. etc. ad nauseum. Just like the magazines these days…SOS regurgitated…only a forum for ads, newbies and places for the rich to go on vacation. I’ve cancelled all of my subscriptions.   Now, look at the net man.  Instant ‘letters and feedback to the editors’…discussions, arguments, points of view…way cool… and PETA ? Christ almighty man, NOTHING is more relevant to the sport than a group of people who would piss out the flyfishing flame with their manhatten breed of fish coddling piss. And the beauty of it all is…*YOU* can decide to read it or not. This morning, personally, I read the lone PETA article and marked the rest as read… You say… Is this a flyfishing newsgroup or not?  

and I say, it most certainly is…and it’s perfect. Tim Walker

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Geez, Folks, this topic has used too many ergs and is getting mighty boring. It has digressed from flyfishing and descended Look at the subject list today man…you want BORING ? Now, look at the net man.  Instant ‘letters and feedback to the editors’…discussions, arguments, points of view…way cool… and PETA ? Christ almighty man, NOTHING is more relevant to the sport than a group of people who would piss out the flyfishing flame with their manhatten breed of fish coddling piss. And the beauty of it all is…*YOU* can decide to read it or not. This morning, personally, I read the lone PETA article and marked the rest as read… You say… Is this a flyfishing newsgroup or not?   and I say, it most certainly is…and it’s perfect. Tim Walker

Tim, I have no disagreement with you that PETA is an important topic. And, I was following it daily.  My coment was that the interaction had gotten away from the topic and dipped into unrelated confrontational commentary. If the respondents maintain the topic – that’s great…. When it turns to idiocy – that’s worthless ….

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Question:

I know this has been posted before but I can’t find my copy of the file.  Can anyone let me know where the NF outlets are (I’m mainly interested in the SF area) and when they might be having another sale?                         Mucho,                           Kevin

Response:

I spent a few days in Baxter (actually Millinocket) last summer.  Baxter camping sites are reserved well in advance; doubt you can get in for this summer, maybe shoulder season like Sept. will work better.  Appalachia Trail’s ends (or begins depending upon point of view) at top of Katadin; maybe you can hike in and camp along trail?  I know the trail goes by a nice river at the border of  the park and the Golden Road; don’t know about other fishing venues.  Hope this helps.

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I would like to possibly spend a week or two at Baxter this summer. Information on good solitary tent sites and fly fishing possibilities would be much apreciated.                 Thanks,

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Question:

I’ll keep this short & sweet.   We’re just learning to fly fish. We’d like to go somewhere and practice our casting and line handling skills in moving water in mid-May. We’d prefer not to need waders.  We’d prefer not to drive too far from the Bay Area. It’s not crucial that we actually Catch Fish, but it would be more fun if we thought we had at least some tiny chance of doing so. I thought about the American R. in Sacramento, but don’t know the shoreline. Is it possible to fish w/o waders?  Are there some clear, non-brushy areas where we won’t get too many snags on the back cast? I’d prefer not to go to the Russian R., because we drive north on 101 several times a year for wine tasting etc., and we’re just getting a little bored with it. I know a nice wide open gravel-banked stretch of the McCloud river, but that’s a pretty hefty drive. Any advice, tips, etc? Thanks Mark

Response:

We’d like to go somewhere and practice our casting and line handling skills in moving water in mid-May.

Mark, The water’s not moving, and you surely won’t catch fish, but a good place to practice casting is at the casting pools in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. There are generally plenty of expert casters hanging around the pools who are willing to offer casting advice to beginners. It doesn’t take the place of actually being astream, but it’s quite convenient… Fred —         Fred L. Templin

Response:

(Mark Hurwitz) writes: I’d prefer not to go to the Russian R., because we drive north on 101 several times a year for wine tasting etc., and we’re just getting a little bored with it

Weelll, isn’t that special?:) I’m so happy Mark and his friend are adding flyfishing to their collectoin of really cool things to do. I don’t suppose Mark will be arriving at streamside in a late model BMW now will he? It’s FISHING, Mark, you’re supposed to get wet, and tangled up in "brushey areas which snag the backcast".  All I can say is: good luck, and don’t leave home w/out your american express card. P. Dundon

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