Question:

Phooey. Give me a stick, a length of kite string, a hook, some worms … Well Shit! Just give me a rock and I’ll kill a deer, make a hook …

So you agree with Mike’s point and find daytripper’s detailed and impassioned counterargument to be in error, as I do, or is that whooshing noise the sound of the whole damn thing flying over your head ? — Ken Fortenberry- buy yourself some emoticons, Willi

Response:

or, I don’t need no stinkin’ rock, I can grab more trout with my bare

…six months ago, in a semi-sober conversation, i made a $100 bet with pj – he claimed he would catch more trout on upper snowbird in august by grappling than i would with rod and reel. i bet him just because it sounded like an opportunity to get a good chuckle… but i expect to lose a $100 in the process… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – [major snippage] Regarding rods, you can catch just as many fish with a hazel branch cut from the hedge, which costs nothing, … No, you can’t. Phooey. Give me a stick, a length of kite string, a hook, some worms and a twig bobber and I’ll catch MORE trout (or bluegill) than any Winston toting, effete, full-of-himself, Orvis-clad flyfisherman who ever fished a stream or pond. Guaranteed. It is more a matter of personal taste, than of suitability. No, it’s not. Personal taste is ALL it is. The rest is just posturing for dramatic effect. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that .

Hah hah! I’d love to see you and Mike bring your sticks, kite string, etc, out for some bluewater fishing – at least for the 5 seconds it’d take for you to realize that Yet Another Broad Statement has gone down in a flaming Reality Check… /daytripper (hope *that* helps, flatlander.

Response:

[major snippage] Regarding rods, you can catch just as many fish with a hazel branch cut from the hedge, which costs nothing, as with the latest top-notch super-duper "high-modulus" carbon fibre or split-cane fishing rod, for a bag full of money. No, you can’t.

I have to agree here.  Just try for pike, mackeral, bonefish, stripers, salmon, and this falls apart.  Put in a constraint that we’re working small streams for trout or panfish, and then it’s a different story. It is more a matter of personal taste, than of suitability. No, it’s not. Cheers /daytripper (Hope this helps

Cheered Chas (it did) Fix underscore in address to reply

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It was not designed to insult, upset, or ridicule anybody at all.  If it has, then I was just lucky.

<g — Charlie…

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While I agree with much you say, I also believe it’s overly simplistic. <It is not really about catching fish – Yes, at some time this does become true. However, if you take a neophyte fishing, that person should catch something other then a cold. That is, if you want to see someone develop into the fisherman you’d like to see.

I believe it is always true. One has the desire to catch fish, often in some special way ( dry-fly. nymph, upstream wet, etc etc), but this is inextricably mixed in with many other desires, such as the desire for fresh air, being out in tne countryside, relaxation, general enjoyment, etc etc etc. People should develop into the the type of fihermen they want to be, independent of what others think or say. What I or anybody else "would like to see", assuming  this was the case, is completely irrelevant. <The main challenge, is to become proficient at something which is intrinsically difficult and demanding. – Okay, how does someone become proficient without actually catching some fish?

One can be extremely proficient, and still catch no fish. One becomes proficient by learning and practicng. How does one know what is successful if they’ve not been successful?

Good point, the answer is basically the same. You can only really "know" something if you experience it. You can only know how Bill Gates feels, if you are Bill Gates.  Read and listen to the experts. Cast on the lawn. Do all the things that the lesson plans call for.

I do not agree with this. Go fishing. You will not become proficient until you put everything together and succeed on a consistent basis.

I do not agree with this either. One may enjoy oneself fishing, even if one is a hopeless duffer. Proficiency is not a pre-requisite for enjoyment. It may be for many, but this does not make it a universal constant. Then, and only then, will you be proficient and realize that it’s not really about catching fish.

I think even most beginners are perfectly well aware that it is not about catching fish. As far as rods, sure for worm dunking most anything will do. But that’s where that level of simplicity stops.

I disagree again. A rod is a rod, irrespective of how "primitive" it may be. Nothing else changes.  In order to practice some modern techniques, ( long distance casting etc ), then modern rods are indeed required.  It is however not necessary to use such techniques when fishing for trout on most streams and rivers, and a "primitive" implement is just as good as the most expensive rod made for this purpose. It has nothing to do with "simplicity" as such. mayfly

TL MC

Response:

It is not really about catching fish. This is of course said time and time again, and occasionally even analysed, but still it is a problem for many. If you just want fish, then go to a professional fisherman, supermarket, fish-shop, whatever,  and buy them. If you want to catch large numbers of fish, become a professional fisherman. How many you catch, is less important, at least to a sensible flyfisherman, ( or indeed any other predominantly "pleasure" angler),  than how, where, under what circumstances, and with what. If this were not so, then it would be absolutely pointless to go fly-fishing. Fly-fishing is ( in most cases) illogical per se. There are ( at least nowadays, this was not always so), far more efficient, less labour intensive, and far less costly ways of obtaining fish. People do it because they enjoy it, for one reason or another, not because it is efficient. Of course a good flyfisherman will normally consistently catch more fish than a beginner. This is perfectly normal, he is simply better at it!  There are no arcane reasons. There are no "magical" flies, rods, or anything else. It is simply a matter of knowledge and application. Somebody who learns as much as he possibly can, and applies this over a period of time, will be better than somebody who just goes out for a Saturday afternoon now and then, after perusing his monthly fishing magazine. Necessary? None of it is necessary. The main challenge, is to become proficient at something which is intrinsically difficult and demanding. This allows many people to forget their woes and worries. They sink themselves in their fishing to the exclusion of all else. Whether this is "sensible" or not, has nothing to do with it. If you do not want something difficult and demanding, then use worms and a bobber. Or stay at home watch TV, and drink beer to reach blissful oblivion. Neither I, nor anybody else can remove the "frustration" of not being able to do some things. Either learn to do them, or give up, and do something else. Constantly moaning that you can not catch anything, is your own problem, and nobody else

Question:

  After some pointers from Peter, I have been fishing them more. The thing I don’t like about fishing them is the low ratio of strikes to hookups that I seem to get.

Well, I didn’t cheat and run to Peter, but I have been fishing streamers more.  The one thing I do like about streamers is that what you do catch seems to be a bit larger than "normal".  I caught some nice fish up in 3rd Meadow using streamers.  I have added a bunch to my arsenal for this fall and am looking forward to chasing those pre-spawn browns. Charley has a good story about fishing with a former guide on the Green that was slinging a big streamer.

Well, run on over there and twist his arm hard enough so he tells. — Warren Findley Remove (nospamZZ) to respond via email http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt/

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<SNIP There are some beautiful, big brownies in this pool (I can see them!) and I’ve tossed everything at them- flys that work great upstream get nothing here- scuds, pheasant tails, princes, pass lakes, pink squirrels, wulffs, etc. The list goes on.  I’ve fished it from every angle- upstream and downstream- no luck.

If you can see them, they can usually see you. If you know they are there, you don

Question:

Yes and no. ) Frank (it ain’t me in Elkhart) Church – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The good Senator and I were not related and didn’t share the same politics either. Of course that’s JUST what we could expect you to say under the circumstances! Got any ID bub?  Would you agree to a DNA analysis?    

Response:

This post was posted to a UK fishing group.  I thought it might interest some of you.  I am sure the original posters will not mind me copying it, as I have corresponded with them both in the past. TL MC I realize this is a bit off-topic, but my daughter saw this and asked me to ask ‘the nice British fisherman’ about it. The Canadian News has picked up a story about a journalist who was literally branded by the "ALF" (Animal Liberation Front?) . Is this true? Are these the same nutters who attack fisherman and throw bricks at their floats, smash their rods, etc? If they are, it’s very chilling. It’s one thing to disagree. Another to actually take hot iron to a man’s back for disagreeing.

Peter, Sadly it’s true The journalist in question had written, exposing some of the more extremist members of the ALF.  He was kidnapped and held in fear of his life.  Hooded with a hesian sack, he expected execution.  When he felt the pain, and smelled the burning flesh, he realised he had been branded.  A.L.-F across his back in very large letters.  I guess that the perpetuators felt that this was only a small payback for the pain and suffering caused daily to animals in laboratories etc.  Sick, sick, sick and twisted people The extremists in the Animals Rights and Anti-angling circles tend to be the same small group of people, surrounded both by harmless nutters and well-meaning (we would think misguided) people.

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Anbody wishing to see the original article: Click on the following link and then ‘Britain’: http://www.the-times.co.uk/news/pages/Times/frontpage.html?999 The article is about a quarter of the way down the page. TL MC

Response:

This post was posted to a UK fishing group.  I thought it might interest some of you.  I am sure the original posters will not mind me copying it, as I have corresponded with them both in the past. TL MC

ALF is a terrorist group, no debate about it.  I find if utterly shocking that these people seem to think that animals are equal or more important than humans.  I can’t imagine where these people get their convictions, but they can’t possibly be healthy, IMO. — Levi Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut. –Ernest Hemingway

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ALF is a terrorist group, no debate about it.  I find if utterly shocking that these people seem to think that animals are equal or more important than humans.  I can’t imagine where these people get their convictions, but they can’t possibly be healthy, IMO.

You don’t suppose that they take into account man’s inhumanity to man on this planet and have decided animals act better towards each other?  You know the old saying, "The more I know about people the more I love my cat/dog/sheep/etc etc."  That same feeling creeps up on me more and more often these days. Frank (stirring the pot in Elkhart) Church

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You don’t suppose that they take into account man’s inhumanity to man on this planet and have decided animals act better towards each other?  You know the old saying, "The more I know about people the more I love my cat/dog/sheep/etc etc."  That same feeling creeps up on me more and more often these days. Frank (stirring the pot in Elkhart) Church

Your ommission of Louie LaPlac’s goat, affectionately known as Mildred, will be noted as the insult it is. Mark Faulkner

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Louie, please relay my apologies to Mildred as I would never intentionally insult someone who is obviously adored by you.  Sorry. (think that’ll do it Mark?) Frank (goatbreath) Church – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You don’t suppose that they take into account man’s inhumanity to man on this planet and have decided animals act better towards each other?  You know the old saying, "The more I know about people the more I love my cat/dog/sheep/etc etc."  That same feeling creeps up on me more and more often these days. Frank (stirring the pot in Elkhart) Church Your ommission of Louie LaPlac’s goat, affectionately known as Mildred, will be noted as the insult it is. Mark Faulkner

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Don’t some animals eat their young?  I am also waiting for some Animal Rights Activist to show me a hospital built by animals. Weren’t you a Senator from Idaho before you died? DP – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ALF is a terrorist group, no debate about it.  I find if utterly shocking that these people seem to think that animals are equal or more important than humans.  I can’t imagine where these people get their convictions, but they can’t possibly be healthy, IMO. You don’t suppose that they take into account man’s inhumanity to man on this planet and have decided animals act better towards each other?  You know the old saying, "The more I know about people the more I love my cat/dog/sheep/etc etc."  That same feeling creeps up on me more and more often these days. Frank (stirring the pot in Elkhart) Church

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You don’t suppose that they take into account man’s inhumanity to man on this planet and have decided animals act better towards each other?  You know the old saying, "The more I know about people the more I love my cat/dog/sheep/etc etc. That same feeling creeps up on me more and more often these days.

I guess the fact that many animals routinely kill and eat other animals for sustenance, (sometimes including the young of their own species), doesn’t enter into the equation. George "turning up the fire a notch" Adams

Response:

Don’t some animals eat their young?

Yes, some animals do eat their young, sows can lay on their piglets and suffocate most or all of them, a tomcat will kill every kitten in the litter if he can whup mama cat first, and on and on, but that’s nature’s way, in no way can it be equated with with mans actions.  Screw PETA, ALF and all the rest of these wackos. Weren’t you a Senator from Idaho before you died?

I see you remember Senator Frank Church of Idaho.  Evidently he wasn’t too popular in some quarters in Idaho.  One time I stopped for gas in a small town there, gave the guy my credit card, whereupon after seeing the name on the card, gave me a squinty-eyed look and asked, "are you related to Senator Frank Church?"  I’m not, and said so, but might have denied it in any case as he looked ready to dump sugar in my gas tank or some other dastardly deed.  The good Senator and I were not related and didn’t share the same politics either.

Response:

Absolutely not George, as I stated in an earlier post, equating the animal kingdom which operates on inborn instinct to do what is necessary to survive, to "man" is bogus.  Ascribing human traits to animals is a mistake. So if a tomcat kills the litter of kittens he finds, we are horrified.  But he does that for a reason…..he is "offing" future competition for breeding the available female cats.  But if humans do that, it is mass murder.  The two don’t equate at any level.  My favorite pussy cat, who purrs on my lap and nuzzles me, and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, will sneak out in the yard and try to kill a bird….she is living in two worlds, ours and hers. If I catch her eating a bird do I beat the shit out of her…no way.  I recognize she still has that hunter instinct of her breed.  We, on the other hand, are supposed to be "civilized," whatever the hell that means in this day and age. Frank (trying to piss on George’s fire) Church

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You don’t suppose that they take into account man’s inhumanity to man on this planet and have decided animals act better towards each other?  You know the old saying, "The more I know about people the more I love my cat/dog/sheep/etc etc. That same feeling creeps up on me more and more often these days. I guess the fact that many animals routinely kill and eat other animals for sustenance, (sometimes including the young of their own species), doesn’t enter into the equation. George "turning up the fire a notch" Adams

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Ascribing human traits to animals is a mistake.

Frank, I guess I misunderstood your your post, because I thought that was exactly what you were doing. (i.e. "good" animals vs. "bad" humans) Animals are niether good nor bad…..they are just animals. A rattlesnake can kill you, and a dog can be your faithful companion for many years, but is the dog "better" than the rattlesnake? I don’t think so….they are what they are. Humans are subject to many failings, and because we have free will we can be held accountable for our actions, and judged by our peers to be good or bad. As more people populate the earth, we will see more of the bad, especially since the media will show it to us at every opportunity.  On the whole, are animals "better" than humans? I say no. George Adams

Response:

I see you remember Senator Frank Church of Idaho.  Evidently he wasn’t too popular in some quarters in Idaho.  One time I stopped for gas in a small town there, gave the guy my credit card, whereupon after seeing the name on the card, gave me a squinty-eyed look and asked, "are you related to Senator Frank Church?"  I’m not, and said so, but might have denied it in any case as he looked ready to dump sugar in my gas tank or some other dastardly deed.  The good Senator and I were not related and didn’t share the same politics either.

Sen. Frank Church was one of the all-time great national figures. He did more for conservation anyone else in politics I can think of, with the possible exception of Teddy Rooseveldt. The Frank Church Wilderness in Idaho is named after him. It’s spectacular, enclosing the finest wilderness river in the lower 48 — the Middle Fork of the Salmon. I’m just sickened by the cast of disreputable characters that have taken over Idaho politics at the national level. I miss you, Frank, and I miss Sen.Chafee of Rhode Island, a Republican who wasn’t afraid to stand up for the public interest. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

You’re right of course, and Sen. Church should have been recognized with having a wilderness area named in his honor, at the least.  I didn’t mean to denigrate him, and hope you didn’t take it that way.  

Of course I didn’t, Frank. I’m sorry to have implied that. The FCWA is some spectacular country that I’d love to see up close and personal, like say, astride a horse on a pack-in flyfishing trip.

What you have to do is to take a week-long raft trip down the Middle Fork. There are other ways to see this country, but a raft (or drift boat) trip is the best. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I see you remember Senator Frank Church of Idaho.  Evidently he wasn’t too popular in some quarters in Idaho.  One time I stopped for gas in a small town there, gave the guy my credit card, whereupon after seeing the name on the card, gave me a squinty-eyed look and asked, "are you related to Senator Frank Church?"  I’m not, and said so, but might have denied it in any case as he looked ready to dump sugar in my gas tank or some other dastardly deed.  The good Senator and I were not related and didn’t share the same politics either. Sen. Frank Church was one of the all-time great national figures. He did more for conservation anyone else in politics I can think of, with the possible exception of Teddy Rooseveldt. The Frank Church Wilderness in Idaho is named after him. It’s spectacular, enclosing the finest wilderness river in the lower 48 — the Middle Fork of the Salmon. I’m just sickened by the cast of disreputable characters that have taken over Idaho politics at the national level. I miss you, Frank, and I miss Sen.Chafee of Rhode Island, a Republican who wasn’t afraid to stand up for the public interest. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

They named the north loop in Dallas the LBJ Freeway in honor of LBJ because they stole all of the land.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sen. Frank Church was one of the all-time great national figures. He did more for conservation anyone else in politics I can think of, with the possible exception of Teddy Rooseveldt. The Frank Church Wilderness in Idaho is named after him. It’s spectacular, enclosing the finest wilderness river in the lower 48 — the Middle Fork of the Salmon. I’m just sickened by the cast of disreputable characters that have taken over Idaho politics at the national level. I miss you, Frank, and I miss Sen.Chafee of Rhode Island, a Republican who wasn’t afraid to stand up for the public interest.

You’re right of course, and Sen. Church should have been recognized with having a wilderness area named in his honor, at the least.  I didn’t mean to denigrate him, and hope you didn’t take it that way.  The FCWA is some spectacular country that I’d love to see up close and personal, like say, astride a horse on a pack-in flyfishing trip. That will probably never happen but at least it’s nice to know it’s there, and waiting. Frank Church Elkhart, IN USAF RETIRED – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

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They named the north loop in Dallas the LBJ Freeway in honor of LBJ because they stole all of the land.

        in view of the fact that "land stealing" is a well known core component of successful capitalism, i should think that lbj would occupy a prime space in your pantheon of heroes, david.         not that i, too, am *not* a capitalist; it just seems that if one is labeled a "democrat" (whatever that is), you refuse to believe that he can also be a capitalist.  i think you will have to admit that materialism is no respecter of political labels. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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   in view of the fact that "land stealing" is a well known core component of successful capitalism, i should think that lbj would occupy a prime space in your pantheon of heroes, david.

Not to mention the fact that LBJ was a *serious* poon hound<g. — Charlie…

Response:

LBJ because they stole all of the land. My parents house was just a couple of miles north of where they built the LBJ Freeway and in our house it was always refered to as the SOB Freeway. Big Dale

But there was no one better at getting out the cementary vote than LBJ. Whether you were a republican or democrat…if you were dead…you always casted your vote for Lyndon. obroff (this one should be fun): How many believe that LBJ had a hand in the Dallas assassination of JFK? Waldo — Ezflyfish.com http://www.ezflyfish.com BRBG http://www.abebooks.com/home/BLUEBOOKS P.O. Box 5112  Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828)963-5001

Response:

LBJ because they stole all of the land.

My parents house was just a couple of miles north of where they built the LBJ Freeway and in our house it was always refered to as the SOB Freeway. Big Dale

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obroff (this one should be fun): How many believe that LBJ had a hand in the Dallas assassination of JFK? Waldo

Just a note Waldo, the MOSAD ran a full scale scenario of the Dallas shooting with their best marksmen and could not duplicate the event. Their official report said that Oswald didn’t do it.  The KGB didn’t do it and the Kremlin believed Kennedy to be the one man in Washington they could trust to some degree.  I wonder if they have the same faith in Clinton? Remember the quote from the Navigator in Dune?  "…plots within plots, within plots…" — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

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Remember the quote from the Navigator in Dune?  "…plots within plots, within plots…"

Wayne, for an old feller you sure seem rather adept with pop culture references. Mu

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In article <Pine.SOL.4.10.9911101035150.17986- Wayne, for an old feller you sure seem rather adept with pop culture references. Mu

Mu, I’ve never been too bashful to steal the good stuff from anybody’s culture!! — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

Response:

The good Senator and I were not related and didn’t share the same politics either.

Of course that’s JUST what we could expect you to say under the circumstances! Got any ID bub?  Would you agree to a DNA analysis?    

Response:

How many believe that LBJ had a hand in the Dallas assassination of JFK?

Dallas assassinated an airport?  Huh?  Where was I in ‘63?

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Question:

In the same area there are some pretty good brookie ponds, and the kennebec river, particularly in the streach between Waterville and Augusta yieds some excellant brown trout (more pics on trouman’s page, including me with a 27" brown). Not bad for late fall fishing… tight lines dave

Not to mention for those bassers among us, the Kennebec downstream of Skowhegan is an excellent trout AND smallmouth fishery. I travel over 2400 miles, twice a year, for the best smallie fishing I’ve ever had. Average size seems to run 14" more or less. My biggest last year was a nice 19 incher. I haven’t had to go down after them, just toss a Sneaky Pete to the bank or blow-down and hang on! I see folks motor right up to the rapids below the dam and catch trout. You just know there are smallies up there too. Ya gotta love it!! Frank (is it spring yet?) Church

Response:

Frank you should try the river just below where Messelonski stream comes in, as soon as the current slows a bit there is about 15-16 miles of very good smallie waters. dave dave’s homepage madness – flyfishing in Maine and more http://www.midmaine.com/~dbottom Not to mention for those bassers among us, the Kennebec downstream of Skowhegan is an excellent trout AND smallmouth fishery. Frank (is it

spring yet?) Church

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I have fished Long Pond for 6 years the week before Memorial day. It is a great small mouth fishery. I fish for salmon before sunup until about 7:30AM drifting a live shiner ( G-D forgive me) & have caught 4-5 fish less than 16" in the six years.The fish are 35 feet down or deeper the holes are 90-100" deep). I see lots of boats trolling lead core lines. Don’t see much catching. The time to fly fish for them is right after ice out & I think they just troll salmon flies.

Response:

Belgrade lakes is a nice, but well settled area just outside Augusta, Maine. The salmon and trout fishery has gone downhill as northern pike were inadvertantly introduced into the waters in the 1980’s (courtesy of the NY state fish hatcheries who shipped some alleged landlock salmon fry that turned out to be pike). The pike fishing is turning out to be really good, my old boss took a 26lb on a streamer (pics located at http://w3.ime.net/~troutman/shame.html ). There are still some salmon and brookies in these lakes and the possibility of getting a large one is still fair. The possibility of getting a big pike is greater. There are camps on Long pond in Belgrade with boat rentals if you need them, the Village Inn in Belgrade is a great resturaunt. You can even (shudder) rent lake lice (jet skis) at the dam in Belgrade. In the same area there are some pretty good brookie ponds, and the kennebec river, particularly in the streach between Waterville and Augusta yieds some excellant brown trout (more pics on trouman’s page, including me with a 27" brown). If landlocks are your bag, I recommend you take a look at either the Rapid River (near Rangly), the East Branch of the Kennebec (Rockland) or the West Branch of the Penoboscot (Millinocket). Later in the season you can fish for schoolie stripers on the lower Kennebec from Augusta to the sea. Just before Christmas a friend of mine took a 29" 12+ lb brown on the Kennebec in Augusta. Not bad for late fall fishing… tight lines dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I received a vacation kit from Maine inland fisheries. I found it interesting that three of the five landlocked salmon over fve pounds caught in the state in 1997 came from Long Pond in the Belgrade lake region. Is anyone familiar with the area? How is the fishing? Accomodations? other recreation? Anything you can tell me would be greatly appreciated.

Response:

I received a vacation kit from Maine inland fisheries. I found it interesting that three of the five landlocked salmon over fve pounds caught in the state in 1997 came from Long Pond in the Belgrade lake region. Is anyone familiar with the area? How is the fishing? Accomodations? other recreation? Anything you can tell me would be greatly appreciated.

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Question:

This is true.  Bass are funny like that.  My youngest son and I were out on a lake one morning when It was drizzling rain.  We couldn’t keep fish off our baits.  I even had one hit a plug floating on the surface while I was trying to unhook Brian’s fish.  We caught 21 that morning.  Best day ever for bass. -Burton

Did YOU read the subject line before posting? MikeH

Response:

: The absolute worst time to fish is when a low pressure front is passing : through.  Changes in the barometric pressure affect all kinds of fish.  Their : balance system gets screwed up and they like to hold tight to cover and not : move.  Bass seem to bite better on cloudy days, but I’ve had no problems Sometimes it depends on intensity. One of the most memorable days I’ve had fishing came fishing for bass in Ohio. I was by myself in my 12′ canoe, and the morning was slow, but started to pick up. Then a front began closing in — the biggest, darkest, most defined storm front I’ve ever seen. I half expected a tornado to spawn, and had I been farther in the midwest it probably would have been certain. But the 1.5 hours before I got drenched was incredible. The bass were slamming my buzzbait so hard…not a single short strike…and they’d come leaping out 2, 3 times. It was great. In the end, I had "only" 7 hookups — but this was a C+K public lake (not even slot limits), and normally I’d have to work hard to catch one keeper sized bass all morning. But I remember each one, and I wouldn’t want to have caught any more. Since then, I’ve never been fortunate enough to be out fishing when a front like that has passed through. But I’m waiting. JonCook.

Response:

Then a front began closing in — the biggest, darkest, most defined storm front I’ve ever seen. I half expected a tornado to spawn, and had I been farther in the midwest it probably would have been certain. But the 1.5 hours before I got drenched was incredible. The bass were slamming my buzzbait so hard…not a single short strike…and they’d

This is true.  Bass are funny like that.  My youngest son and I were out on a lake one morning when It was drizzling rain.  We couldn’t keep fish off our baits.  I even had one hit a plug floating on the surface while I was trying to unhook Brian’s fish.  We caught 21 that morning.  Best day ever for bass. -Burton — L. Burton Hawley         2330 NW Hummingbird Corvallis, OR

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The absolute worst time to fish is when a low pressure front is passing through. snip… Well here in Minnesota, the walleye fishermen jump up and down when a low pressure system is passing through.  Lots of wind and clouds make for a good walleye Also see my post to Fishing for Quality.  I had my best day last year during a rain storm if that means anything. Anyway, for me a good day fishing beats most anything. Mike HDid you read the subject line before making this post?

-Burton — L. Burton Hawley           2330 NW Hummingbird Corvallis, OR

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The absolute worst time to fish is when a low pressure front is passing through. snip…

Well here in Minnesota, the walleye fishermen jump up and down when a low pressure system is passing through.  Lots of wind and clouds make for a good walleye bite.  Also, as a muskie fishermen I would fish in a hurricane if we had ‘em.  Instead I’d fish in snow storms in November and have the best muskie fishing of the year. Also see my post to Fishing for Quality.  I had my best day last year during a rain storm if that means anything. Anyway, for me a good day fishing beats most anything. Mike H

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A little ryme I heard a long time ago goes:    Wind from the East, fishing is least.    Wind from the West, fishing is best.    Wind from the North, don’t salley forth. Don’t remember if there was one about the South!

But when the wind is from the South, It blows the fly to the fish’s mouth. A northeast wind is bad news around here. Woods Hole, MA   USA

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – the whole river seems dead. Are there any known environmental effects on trout feeding?  What conditions should one try to seek or avoid. The only advice I’ve heard is that cloudy days are better than sunny days. The absolute worst time to fish is when a low pressure front is passing through.  Changes in the barometric pressure affect all kinds of fish.  Their balance system gets screwed up and they like to hold tight to cover and not move.  Bass seem to bite better on cloudy days, but I’ve had no problems catching trout in all kinds of weather in a variety of temps.  I have also had trouble catching fish on very windy days (although that might have been a low pressure front moving now that I think about it). A little ryme I heard a long time ago goes:         Wind from the East, fishing is least.         Wind from the West, fishing is best.         Wind from the North, don’t salley forth. Don’t remember if there was one about the South! Tight Lines, -Burton

Wind or naught, don’t sit there and rot. — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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the whole river seems dead. Are there any known environmental effects on trout feeding?  What conditions should one try to seek or avoid. The only advice I’ve heard is that cloudy days are better than sunny days.

The absolute worst time to fish is when a low pressure front is passing through.  Changes in the barometric pressure affect all kinds of fish.  Their balance system gets screwed up and they like to hold tight to cover and not move.  Bass seem to bite better on cloudy days, but I’ve had no problems catching trout in all kinds of weather in a variety of temps.  I have also had trouble catching fish on very windy days (although that might have been a low pressure front moving now that I think about it). A little ryme I heard a long time ago goes:         Wind from the East, fishing is least.         Wind from the West, fishing is best.         Wind from the North, don’t salley forth. Don’t remember if there was one about the South! Tight Lines, -Burton — L. Burton Hawley           2330 NW Hummingbird Corvallis, OR          "Those children that you spit on           as they try to change their worlds,           are immune to your consultations,           and quite aware of what they are going through."      "Changes"      David Bowie

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Question:

.. the problem is with the fonts in netscape … it seems to pick up a wierd font when setting it up.. especially the earlier netscapes. go into the fonts list and find the offending font and get rid of it, netscape then picks another … – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – keyboarded:

Question:

Which do you prefer, monofilament or braided leaders, and under what conditions?  What do you like about it? The reason I’m asking this question is that I’ve been going back and forth for years on it and I can’t seem to make up my mind. I’m new to this group and I apologize if this has already been beat to death…

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: Which do you prefer, monofilament or braided leaders, and under : what conditions?  What do you like about it? Braided leaders are great for a lot of situations in fishing. The only problems with them are that there is a little of bit of built in stretch. The other is that the flyfisher can’t easily design and build a leader out of that stuff like he can with mono. I do use braided sinking leaders a lot, but I prefer mono for all my floating leaders because I like to tie my own the way I like them. Jon Porter

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I’m a dry fly  nut. I dont like the way a braided leader snakes on the water. It turns a fly over very nicely, but I feel you dont get  near as long of a drag free float as you do with a knotted leader of george Harvey’s or similar design.         If you nymph alot, I think they’re fine. It sure is easy to use, but for the most part, I don’t care much for braided leaders. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Which do you prefer, monofilament or braided leaders, and under what conditions?  What do you like about it? The reason I’m asking this question is that I’ve been going back and forth for years on it and I can’t seem to make up my mind. I’m new to this group and I apologize if this has already been beat to death…

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I meant to say, I do not like the way that a braided leader does NOT snake on the water,   oops : – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’m a dry fly  nut. I dont like the way a braided leader snakes on the water. It turns a fly over very nicely, but I feel you dont get  near as long of a drag free float as you do with a knotted leader of george Harvey’s or similar design.    If you nymph alot, I think they’re fine. It sure is easy to use, but for the most part, I don’t care much for braided leaders. Which do you prefer, monofilament or braided leaders, and under what conditions?  What do you like about it? The reason I’m asking this question is that I’ve been going back and forth for years on it and I can’t seem to make up my mind. I’m new to this group and I apologize if this has already been beat to death…

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Which do you prefer, monofilament or braided leaders, and under what conditions?  What do you like about it? The reason I’m asking this question is that I’ve been going back and forth for years on it and I can’t seem to make up my mind. I’m new to this group and I apologize if this has already been beat to death…

Braided leaders died in Nor Cal about 5 years ago. Fly fisherman here buy knotless mono tapered leaders. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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Dan Garcia pretty much hit the nail on the head with braided leaders. I’m not a leader fiddler beyond the tippet size and length. I use braided leaders in two lengths for all of my dry fly fishing. It has worked from the Deschutes to Silver Creek for me. Braided leaders aren’t that great for deep nymphing, the line is much bigger in diameter than comparible mono. The one situation I use the braided leader is chironomid fishing on lakes. I hate the way strike indicators get in the way when landing a fish. So I tie on a beadhead chironomid on a 14+ foot leader and put a liberal amount of floatant on the first two feet of the braided butt section. The floating section is my strike indicator. For nymphing, I like to use hinged leaders, and I like to roll my own for that. –DBLHAUL–

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(Eric Mintz) writes: Which do you prefer, monofilament or braided leaders, and under what conditions?  What do you like about it? The reason I’m asking this question is that I’ve been going back and forth for years on it and I can’t seem to make up my mind.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of leaders. Braided leaders cast much better and more accurately than mono leaders due to the suppleness of the braid.  When using "normal leaders" as the loop gets to the  leader the loop opens up (sometimes a lot) because the leader is stiffer than the fly line.  Braided butt leaders don’t open up because they transfer the energy of the cast much more effectively due to their suppleness, and they allow better precision on "one shot" casts (such as those from a drift boat as you’re drifting downriver).  Because of their improved transfer of energy they allow you to cast longer leaders more easily.  12 foot leaders are a snap to cast with this type of leader. They also allow better drifts on the water because of this suppleness.  If you are fishing 6X & 7X tippets with a braided butt leader you will land more fish because the braid stretches quite a bit more than regular monofilament and is more forgiving of mistakes and sudden shock.  The braided section will last for years and all you have to do is replace the tips as you wear them out.  You can tie up your own tips to save money if you like.  The tip sections on the Orvis braided leaders taper within the first foot to the final tippet size.  You can add a straight 4 ft. section of 3X or 4X, but need to step it down to go to 5X or smaller if you tie up your own tip sections.  The loop to loop connections in the braid are clean and easy to use connections. But all is not rosy in paradise, and as is typical with flyfishing, you get something, you give something up.  All leaders will absorb enough water to sink into the surface film within about 10 minutes if not treated with fly floatant.  When they do, it not only makes mending the leader impossible, it causes leaders to spray water on the cast. The braided leaders do this is spades because all the little spaces between the braid will capture and hold water if not treated.  If you rub some paste floatant into it before you start fishing, no problem.  If you don’t, big problems.  Orvis now has some "floating" braided leaders that are impregnated with a substance that cures this problem but it is only available in 9 ft. lengths.  The braided section of the leader (the Orvis braided butt leaders have 4 ft. of tip section and the rest is a tapered braided butt) is not clear as mono is and may not be as subtle.  I believe the added suppleness and the improved drifts I get more than compensate for this myself, but there is a definite difference and you must be more careful about "lining" fish.  The biggest disadvantage with braided leaders is that you have fewer adjustment options on the stream.  They come in 7 1/2ft., 9ft., 12ft., and now 16 ft. lengths which will satisfy the requirements of most people, but if you like to fiddle with your leader design by changing the butt and the tippet design, you are out of luck.  You can easily make the tip section an additional foot longer or so, but that’s about it.  You can’t adjust the length of the butt section because you’d have to cut and splice the braid to do so. I would say that the braided leader offers a lot of advantages for most people, but if you like to tailor your leader to a specific purpose at a specific time, use the mono and become very good at tying knots.  I personally used the braided leaders for a number of years but have become one of those "leader fiddlers" and have gone back to mono because of the ability to cut off and/or add material at a moments notice which I probably do entirely too often, but I enjoy it so I do.                                 Hope this helps,                                       Dan Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

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Question:

I will be relocating to the Balt. area in July, probably NW of the city. Does anyone know how the fishing is in that area? Is there a TU group there? Also could use some info. on places to live. The only thing I’m locked into is the Balt. area, so I’m flexable as to where I can move. Preferably somewhere that has a great trout stream in my backyard! Thanks

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I will be relocating to the Balt. area in July, probably NW of the city. Does anyone know how the fishing is in that area? Is there a TU group there? Also could use some info. on places to live. The only thing I’m locked into is the Balt. area, so I’m flexable as to where I can move. Preferably somewhere that has a great trout stream in my backyard!

I attended my first meeting of the Gaithersburg, Md Chapter of TU last night. The guest speaker was a Professional Fly Casting Instructor whoes home waters are the Patapsco River which emptys into Baltimore Habor. He lives in Ellicott City, MD (on the Patapsco) and seemed very knowledgable. His name is Philip Krista (410-461-3007). — Alvin E. Crane 512 Suffield Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20878-2679 Voice: 301-208-8114  Fax: 301-208-8681

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The Patapsco above Ellicott City (more specifically RT. 40 bridge to the dam at Daniels) is a ball to fish for smallmouths and redeyes.  It’s a small stream, easy to wade and full of fish.  Favorite stretch?  The 100 yard stretch below the island at the steel bridge at Old Frederick Rd.   The stream bed is full of junk tires, and there’s a bass in the middle of every one.  Yellow marabou muddler minnows, #6 or 8.  Don’t forget the Potomac River, either.  It’s within an hour of Baltimore, and great to float or wade.  

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Question:

Can you help a friend of mine with suggestions of where to go dry fly fishing in the Crested Butte area during the July 4th holiday period.  He is interested in both guided and wadable non-guided time.  Cutthroats and rainbows would be perfect.    Bob Jameson,  Perkiomenville,PA

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Can you help a friend of mine with suggestions of where to go dry fly fishing in the Crested Butte area during the July 4th holiday period.  He is interested in both guided and wadable non-guided time.  Cutthroats and rainbows would be perfect.    Bob Jameson,  Perkiomenville,PA

Check out the Rocky Mountain Flyfishing Center, they have very current info  http://www.xmission.com/~gastown/flyfishing/index.html I just checked and they have some good stuff on the Gunnison Basin. South of Crested Butte is Almont,  upstreasm of Almont (the Taylor River) is Taylor Reservoir.  for .4 miles from the damn is catch-release, some real hogs! Average 4.5 lbs! Also in the area is Spring Creek Reservoir and a multitude of streams. We have very high streams right now so best to call ahead: ALMONT Three Rivers Resort/Willowfly Anglers Box 339 Almont, CO 81210 (970) 641-1303 GUNNISON High Mountain Drifter 211 E. Tomichi (in the Amoco) Gunnison, CO 81230 (970) 641-4243 1-800-793-4243

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Question:

| In some cases, rainbows have been stocked into rivers. One | example of this is the River Derwent which is a tributary of | the River Tyne here in the NE of England. The Tyne, I should | point out is now a rapidly improving salmon river now that | estuary pollution has been cleared up (!!almost!!). | I thought the Wye in Derbyshire was the only English river with a natural population of rainbows. If the Derwent has them reproducing, i would love to hear more. Of course, most of the chalk-streams have been ruined by overstocking of both rainbows and browns. | | There have, however, been some reports of rainbows being | caught at sea by commercial fishermen but these have been | ignored by the government agencies responsible for overseeing | fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries aka MAFF and | the National Rivers Authority aka NRA) who apparently just | didn’t believe it possible until one had been slapped across | the table. Give me a ring about this, at work — 071-956-1682 — and I willput you through to my frinsd the rural affairs correspondent. It would make a good story if we talked to kthe netsman. | | Yesterday evening I was talking with a local netsman who told | me he had been catching quite a number recently and had just | succeeded in convincing the NRA that they existed. These fish | are, according to this guy, akin to steelheads with a mouth | full of teeth, and are voracious feeders. Furthermore they are | not small, running to several pounds. Completely different | from the tame little fish reservoir anglers are used to!! | | What worries me about this is the possibility that these | things are going to start running up our salmon rivers. I | don’t know if they’re going to continue feeding in freshwater. | If so, on what? Not nymphs and flies I expect, unless they | lose those teeth. In Denmark and Southern Sweden, many of the rivers with trout farms on them have a run of steelhead, too. Certainly the Goeta Aelv (which runs through Gothenburg) did. We used to catch them occaionally in the stuary while trying for sea trout. They did not real harm: certainly a lot less than the greedy touristic masses of stocked, non-migratory fish. — Religious Affairs Correspondent | phone +44-71-253-1222 xt 1682 | London, England                 | I’m not paid to have opinions |

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Informed opinion has it that these fish will not breed naturally in our waters and the presence of overwintered, egg bound females in the early part of our season (March) would seem to confirm this.

Aren’t they spring spawners? If so then March would be pre spawn period. Anyways, it may be just possible that they are laying eggs but the habitat does not induce success. Would there be a clear creek for one of the lakes that they could run for spawning? What worries me about this is the possibility that these things are going to start running up our salmon rivers. I don’t know if they’re going to continue feeding in freshwater. If so, on what? Not nymphs and flies I expect, unless they lose those teeth.

Steelhead are spring spawners by nature and will eventually revert back to spring spawning after several generations. This means most will run the rivers in the spring. But some run the rivers in the fall holding overwinter. The fall runners would probably feed on loose salmon eggs, insects, minnows. But during winter their metabolism is slow and would suspect they don’t feed much. In the sea they feed to grow but in the river they would feed to sustain energy spent. So can I ask you all for some info about these things in the wild?? 1. If they do run our rivers and continue to feed avidly, will they threaten existing fish stocks of salmonids by feeding on eggs, fry or smolts.

I doubt this especially if you have a healthy run of salmons. 2. What breeding conditions do they need?

Same as a salmon but they probably would have a higher fry success rate than salmon. 3. Do they run a river, breed and die/return to the sea like atlantic salmon?

Run, spawn, return. or 4. Will they run up a river, graze until the larders empty and then return to the sea?

No! This could be a real problem for us, I’d appreciate some or any info you might have. Finally, In the event the River Tyne ends up with a steelhead run know any good fly patterns??  =8-(

Anything black works here, nymphs, wigglers. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Tight lines

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Hi! In the UK our experience with rainbows has, in the past, been largely limited to stillwaters (mostly reservoirs), which are stocked with hatchery reared fish at intervals. I understand, **though I may be completely wrong on this**, that two basic types (shasta and steelhead) were imported into this country a number of years ago but that insufficient care/understanding by breeders has lead to a thorough mixing of the two. What we have now, in nearly all stillwaters, are, as you can guess, pretty poor specimens which apparently bear absolutely NO RESEMBLANCE WHATSOEVER to the REAL thing. You can, however, still pick up obviously different fish which, presumeably, relate more closely to either of the wild types. Informed opinion has it that these fish will not breed naturally in our waters and the presence of overwintered, egg bound females in the early part of our season (March) would seem to confirm this. In some cases, rainbows have been stocked into rivers. One example of this is the River Derwent which is a tributary of the River Tyne here in the NE of England. The Tyne, I should point out is now a rapidly improving salmon river now that estuary pollution has been cleared up (!!almost!!). There have, however, been some reports of rainbows being caught at sea by commercial fishermen but these have been ignored by the government agencies responsible for overseeing fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries aka MAFF and the National Rivers Authority aka NRA) who apparently just didn’t believe it possible until one had been slapped across the table. Yesterday evening I was talking with a local netsman who told me he had been catching quite a number recently and had just succeeded in convincing the NRA that they existed. These fish are, according to this guy, akin to steelheads with a mouth full of teeth, and are voracious feeders. Furthermore they are not small, running to several pounds. Completely different from the tame little fish reservoir anglers are used to!! What worries me about this is the possibility that these things are going to start running up our salmon rivers. I don’t know if they’re going to continue feeding in freshwater. If so, on what? Not nymphs and flies I expect, unless they lose those teeth. So can I ask you all for some info about these things in the wild?? 1. If they do run our rivers and continue to feed avidly, will they threaten existing fish stocks of salmonids by feeding on eggs, fry or smolts. 2. What breeding conditions do they need? 3. Do they run a river, breed and die/return to the sea like atlantic salmon? or 4. Will they run up a river, graze until the larders empty and then return to the sea? This could be a real problem for us, I’d appreciate some or any info you might have. Finally, In the event the River Tyne ends up with a steelhead run know any good fly patterns??  =8-( Tight lines

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…two basic types (shasta and steelhead) were imported…

For *trout*, I believe most of Europe was stocked with "Eagle Lake" rainbow – a lake not far from Shasta in California, USA. For *steelhead*, I could only guess you have the Skamania steelhead from Washington State, USA.   It has been selected for transplant all over because of its suitability with hatchery operations (i.e. cheap and easy to raise). Trout and steelhead are different critters.   Trout are landlocked, and steelhead are typically sea-run, though if you landlock them, they’d probably do fine – the great lakes in the U.S. are an example where they do just fine, and make runs, the only difference is their ocean is freshwater. What we have now … apparently bear absolutely NO RESEMBLANCE …

The U.S. was stocked primarly with two strains of brown trout from Europe.   Old timers said it was once possible to tell them apart. Now they too have interbred and don’t look quite like the real thing.   Still fun to catch though Informed opinion has it that these fish will not breed naturally in our waters and the presence of overwintered, egg bound females in the early part of our season (March) would seem to confirm this.

Rainbows and cutthroat are spring spawners. Steelhead spawn from fall to spring, depending on latitude.   I suspect you’re close to Oregon and Washington – winter (December) through spring (late April) spawning. Only guessing – stocking stillwaters isn’t too successful (spawning wise) for trout.    Most lakes for example in Oregon, were stocked with trout in the 1920’s, or there abouts, and require repeat stockings every few years.   Only those lakes with small creeks incoming, or gravel banks with lots of hydrodynamics, seem to maintain populations without stocking. Rivers however, trout stock fairly easily.   Ditto steelhead if they have a large body of stillwater and running water to run between. There have, however, been some reports of rainbows being caught at sea by commercial fishermen …..

Wouldn’t surprise me. Some Atlantic Salmon were raised next to a coastal stream in Washington State – some accidently got into the river.   Recently, there have been reports of *large* Atlantic Salmon being caught.   I could imagine the Steelhead in Europe finally establishing themselves. What worries me about this is the possibility that these things are going to start running up our salmon rivers. I don’t know if they’re going to continue feeding in freshwater. If so, on what? Not nymphs and flies I expect, unless they lose those teeth.

I don’t know the spawning period for Atlantics.   Read the article enclosed below – there will certainly be competition at some points in the life cycle.   BTW – Young steelhead (egg – alvein – parr – smolt) are aggressive feeders of anything while in fresh water, which is usually from 6 to 24 months, some 36 months. 1. If they do run our rivers and continue to feed avidly, will they threaten existing fish stocks of salmonids by feeding on eggs, fry or smolts.

Adult Steelhead only come into fresh water to spawn, and don’t feed much.   Also, unlike Atlantics, they don’t do as much repeat spawning. In a given run, maybe 35% are one time repeaters, 10% two time. 2. What breeding conditions do they need?

For Steelhead, Very fast tailout water – 3 to 5 mph or up to 8 kph.  Small gravel in tributaries.   For early incoming steelhead, deep holding pools prior to the spawning season. 3. Do they run a river, breed and die/return to the sea like atlantic salmon?

Yep, except more Atlantic repeat the process. 4. Will they run up a river, graze until the larders empty and then return to the sea?

What’s a larder? know any good fly patterns??  =8-(

Many Atlantic Salmon patterns have been modified for Steelhead. Thomas Gilg FYI – From a back issue of our clubs newsletter:                 Mid-Willamette Fly Fishers Newsletter VOLUME X NO.5                                           May 1993 *** Introduction to Stream Habitat Improvement *** Summarized and adapted by Frank Cochrane from ODF&W publication "An Introduction to Stream Habitat Improvement" For a stream to produce large numbers of trout or salmon, the stream habitat must be in good condition.  This requires cold, clean water, food, and cover.  Most of Oregon’s streams have been degraded by man’s activities.  Therefore, the streams cannot support as many fish as they once could. Loss of spawning gravels, rearing areas, streamside vegetation, instream woody debris, and access to productive areas are some of the major results of man’s careless treatment of the aquatic environment. Many of those problems can be overcome in sections of some streams through habitat improvement projects.  The Conservation Committee is presently looking into possibilities for meaningful projects by the Mid Willamette Fly Fishers to improve the aquatic habitat in some of the nearby streams — and improve our fishing opportunities.  The material below gives an introduction to the basic principles of stream habitat improvement. The "Bottleneck Concept" If some limiting factor exists, a stream’s fish production is restricted or "bottlenecked".  Fish numbers are lower than optimum as a result.  Here are two examples:    o If spawning area is limited, spawning success is low.      Therefore, fish numbers are restricted by the small      number of eggs that hatch and develop into fry.    o If the rearing area is poor or the food supply is      inadequate, the fish become stunted or their numbers      are reduced.  Therefore, the mature fish are not      healthy, or there are not many mature fish. In either case, fish numbers cannot be increased until the stream habitat is improved and the bottleneck is reduced. It is important to understand what is limiting fish production in a particular situation so that efforts to increase the numbers of fish are not misdirected and wasted. What are common Habitat Problems?    o Water Quality.  Temperatures may be too high for trout      or salmon.  Various types of pollution may be having a      negative effect on fish and aquatic insect production.    o Barriers to Production Areas.  These may be either      natural, such as falls or log jams, or man- made, such      as dams and improperly installed culverts.    o Abused Riparian Zone.  Overgrazing, logging, road      building, and urban development often result in loss of      streamside vegetation.  Good plant growth along a      stream provides shade that helps keep water cool,      reduces erosion and silt loads, and contributes insects      to the fish food supply.    o Lack of Spawning Area.  Some streams lack suitable      spawning areas because of scouring by floods, channel      alterations from human activity, or the lack of proper      size gravels in the stream.    o Inadequate Juvenile Rearing Areas.  A mixture of      riffles and pools, undercut streambanks, side channels,      and instream boulders plus a certain amount of large      woody structures are necessary to provide juvenile fish      with an environment for survival and growth.    o Adult Holding Areas are Missing.  Adult fish need pools      for hiding and resting.  This is especially true for      some salmon and steelhead that return several months      before spawning.  Many streams lack sufficient holding      pools for adults. How to Conduct a Project to Improve Stream Habitat Each project to improve stream habitat requires individual consideration to tailor it to the need and the site.  The steps below are essential for a successful project.   1. Identify the Problem.  Before starting a project to      improve stream habitat, we need to find out where and      what is needed, with the help and guidance of ODF&W or      other fishery professionals.  Stream surveys must be      done to collect appropriate information, and the      results must be evaluated.  What are the bottlenecks?   2. Prescribe a Treatment.  We should determine what      actions can be taken to reduce the bottlenecks.   3. Treat the Bottlenecks.  The treatment prescribed above      is then carried out.   4. Evaluate the Results.  Is the treatment accomplishing      the desired result?  We should consider both short and      long term effects.  Are there more healthy fish in the      stream?  Are there lessor bottlenecks that need      treatment?   5. Maintain the Habitat Improvement.  Periodic inspection      and maintenance may be needed to ensure the retention      of any beneficial effect. It is sometimes tempting to get in too big of a hurry to do Steps 1, 4 and 5.  Let’s not fall into that trap! Look for more from the Conservation Committee in the near future concerning projects to improve stream habitat — and to improve fishing opportunities at the same time.

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