Question:

ROFF Experts — Need some advice. I’m getting ready for some adventures and need some advice on best months for the following types of fish: Snook Permit Tarpon Bones I’m considering Florida Keys, Bahamas, Yucatan, Belize, etc. Any advice to offer?  Could also use some tips on good, reliable flyfishing guides in these locales. Regards Mike

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ROFF Experts — Need some advice. I’m getting ready for some adventures and need some advice on best months for the following types of fish: Snook Permit Tarpon Bones I’m considering Florida Keys, Bahamas, Yucatan, Belize, etc. Any advice to offer?  Could also use some tips on good, reliable flyfishing guides in these locales. Regards Mike

Easter Island. No regards, George Gehrke "go for the gold"

Response:

I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone flyfish Easter Island.  Are you serious? (My questions were) Mike

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ROFF Experts — Need some advice. I’m getting ready for some adventures and need some advice on best months for the following types of fish: Snook Permit Tarpon Bones I’m considering Florida Keys, Bahamas, Yucatan, Belize, etc. Any advice to offer?  Could also use some tips on good, reliable flyfishing guides in these locales. Regards Mike Easter Island. No regards, George Gehrke "go for the gold"

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – very nice indeed. the conditions you describe are mirrored here in the NC mountains at this time. one question willi, what do you grease the tippet with? With the atmosphere around here lately, I’m pretty sure you don’t want to know. Willi

i guess i should have been clearer….. a floatant or sinkant? …could care less about the brand names… walt — Walter G. Winter Ezflyfish.com:  http://www.ezflyfish.com Blue Ridge Book Gallery: http://users.boone.net/wgw/brbg.html

Response:

Autumn is my favorite time of the year in Colorado. The leaves are turning, the nights are cool but the days are warm, the tourists are gone, the rivers are low, clear and cool, and the fish are hungry.    (snip)    nice little vignette, troutmeister. wayno

It is a wonderful time of the year. Hopefully, Sir Louie and I will experience the same in a Grand River Autumn. Peter

Response:

Autumn is my favorite time of the year in Colorado. The leaves are turning, the nights are cool but the days are warm, the tourists are gone, the rivers are low, clear and cool, and the fish are hungry.

   Hungry and moody. I spent two hours yesterday afternoon on the river Willi and I call our home water. I was dazzled by the shimmering yellow aspen trees, and saddened by the feeling that another fine season of fishing is winding to a close. During my first hour on the water, I hooked 17 fine fish; every spot that looked like it may have EVER held a fish yielded one. About the time I started to feel like I was a pretty talented fisherman, the action ceased. I used every trick in the book to catch another five fish in two more hours. Sheesh.

Response:

Petah Charles writes: It is a wonderful time of the year. Hopefully, Sir Louie and I will experience the same in a Grand River Autumn. Peter

What?  You aren’t guarantying fine weather?  Well, if we get rained out (muddy waters and all), Joanne, Joanne and I will sit around a bottle of single malt and shoot the breeze. (Looking forward to it) Dave

Response:

i guess i should have been clearer….. a floatant or sinkant? …could care less about the brand names…

When fish have moved into shallow feeding areas and are feeding on small stuff ie midges, bwo’s etc. I use a floatant on the leader up until the last few inches. If there isn’t too much glare, you can follow the floating tippet and often see a flash from the fish taking the fly or see the tippet move with a take.  If there is too much glare, I’ll use a very small smear of florescent biostrike? (a putty like stuff)to give me something to follow. Takes are generally very subtle when fish are feeding on this small stuff. I use quill bodied flies quite a bit and if the quills are not coated with cement, they absorb water and sink well. Willi

Response:

Autumn’s soft, midday light that has lost its summer intensity, allows good fish to move into very shallow pockets of water with just enough current to hide them [snip] . Fights seem a bit more determined and the colors a bit more intense.

I drove over to your fine state a week ago for the first time, while I only fished the South Platte near Deckers and the eleven mile canyon, I managed to find a little solitude and hook some of your fine colorado fish with 20 and 22 BWO’s. I can’t tell you how great it was to be fishing again and while I’m sure there are better streams in CO than the So. Platte but for two days it was heaven to me. Great post and you are a lucky man to live in such a beautiful place. — Wayne Knight Expert in creating tailing loops and windknots Otherwise Fishless in Kansas Before you buy.

Response:

I like those warm days following a sub-freezing night when the fishing doesn’t start picking up until 11:00am, and then it’s over by 4:00pm. [good stuff snipped]

Great post, rw. Thanks for the imagery. You gotta love the crisp weather of the mountains in fall. –Steve

Response:

When fish have moved into shallow feeding areas and are feeding on small stuff ie midges, bwo’s etc. I use a floatant on the leader up until the last few inches. If there isn’t too much glare, you can follow the floating tippet and often see a flash from the fish taking the fly or see the tippet move with a take.  If there is too much glare, I’ll use a very small smear of florescent biostrike? (a putty like stuff)to give me something to follow. Takes are generally very subtle when fish are feeding on this small stuff. I use quill bodied flies quite a bit and if the quills are not coated with cement, they absorb water and sink well. Willi

gotcha….. I’ve tried floatant on my leaders and tippet for small midge fishing. I’m not sure if it helps or not but I do know that when I "mud" the tippet for emergers, very small nymphs, or wets I seem to get more takes. I also like to keep a tight line fishing this style with a little twitch every few seconds. Takes are generally sound with that style and for c/r the hook is usually in the mouth versus deeper in the throat or gills. I usually have a long leader/tippet, 12′ +, when fishing this way. report: for all you roffians headed’ this way, the delayed harvest rivers have been stocked for the fall/winter fishing. The Watauga is running low, we can’t seem to shake this drought. –Walt — Walter G. Winter Ezflyfish.com:  http://www.ezflyfish.com Blue Ridge Book Gallery: http://users.boone.net/wgw/brbg.html

Response:

The Watauga is running low, we can’t seem to shake this drought.

Supposed to rain this weekend up by Robbinsville (Forty effect I presume), maybe you’ll get some too. — Charlie…

Response:

I drove over to your fine state a week ago for the first time, while I only fished the South Platte near Deckers and the eleven mile canyon, I managed to find a little solitude and hook some of your fine colorado fish with 20 and 22 BWO’s. I can’t tell you how great it was to be fishing again and while I’m sure there are better streams in CO than the So. Platte but for two days it was heaven to me.

The Platte is/was a fine river. It holds many good fish. However, with its proximity to Denver and Colorado Springs it is the heaviest fished river in the state. The section around Deckers has the reputation of being a very difficult river, especially for people fishing it the first time. Congrats on having success. Willi

Response:

Autumn is my favorite time of the year in Colorado. The leaves are turning, the nights are cool but the days are warm, the tourists are gone, the rivers are low, clear and cool, and the fish are hungry. Autumn’s soft, midday light that has lost its summer intensity, allows good fish to move into very shallow pockets of water with just enough current to hide them.  Large fish wait in water barely deep enough to cover their backs to feed most efficiently on the small emerging bugs. A careless wade sends the fish shooting back into the pools leaving wakes of water in their path. A tiny fly on a long, light, greased leader is the key. A cast several feet above the lie lets the fly sink just enough to interest the fish. No weight, no indicator. Just a flash in the shallow water or the nudge of the floating tippet. Takes are hard and confident and the pressure from the strike sends the fish airborn. Fights seem a bit more determined and the colors a bit more intense. Willi

Response:

Autumn is my favorite time of the year in Colorado. The leaves are turning, the nights are cool but the days are warm, the tourists are gone, the rivers are low, clear and cool, and the fish are hungry.

    (snip)     nice little vignette, troutmeister. wayno

Response:

Autumn is my favorite time of the year in Colorado. The leaves are turning, the nights are cool but the days are warm, the tourists are gone, the rivers are low, clear and cool, and the fish are hungry.     (snip)     nice little vignette, troutmeister. wayno

very nice indeed. the conditions you describe are mirrored here in the NC mountains at this time. one question willi, what do you grease the tippet with? walt — Walter G. Winter Ezflyfish.com:  http://www.ezflyfish.com Blue Ridge Book Gallery: http://users.boone.net/wgw/brbg.html

Response:

Willie wrote;Autumn is my favorite time of the year in Colorado. The leaves are turning, the nights are cool but the days are warm, the tourists are gone, the rivers are low, clear and cool, and the fish are hungry.

This sounds like a fairy tale to me. I don’t think there will be an Autum in Texas this year…mabye in January. It is still in the mid 90’s and I have a hard time calling that Autumn. Big Dale

Response:

very nice indeed. the conditions you describe are mirrored here in the NC mountains at this time. one question willi, what do you grease the tippet with?

With the atmosphere around here lately, I’m pretty sure you don’t want to know. Willi

Response:

Autumn is my favorite time of the year in Colorado. The leaves are turning, the nights are cool but the days are warm, the tourists are gone, the rivers are low, clear and cool, and the fish are hungry.

That sounds like the Stanley area, Willi, but our Autumn probably comes earlier than yours. The good Autumn fishing here is at about 7000 feet. I like those warm days following a sub-freezing night when the fishing doesn’t start picking up until 11:00am, and then it’s over by 4:00pm. There are just enough hoppers to keep fish looking at the surface, but the serious fish-catching is done with common nymphs — the perfect setup for a "hopper/dropper" rig. The water is skinny and the fish are concentrated in holes. This is easy fishing, once you get there. I can roll out of bed late, build a fire, make coffee and bacon and eggs, and take my time planning the trip. Then I can come home in daylight. Perfect. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

one question willi, what do you grease the tippet with? With the atmosphere around here lately, I’m pretty sure you don’t want to know.

Red Mucilin works a lot better than G*** for greasing tippets. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Question:

….There is nothing more fun than tying flies from a Pheasant skin.

"Wolfgang wrote Geez Ernie, I don’t know quite how to put this Wolfgang "She said, that ain’t the way to have fun, son"

Wolfie, Just wait until you are 70 before commenting. Ernie

Wolfie, you don’t have to be 70 to agree with Ernie!  You can loose it by 48 too! — Padishar Creel "What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult to each other."  – George Eliot

Response:

irridescent body feathers,go to make up a Jack Gartside pattern, the Sparrow. A very versatile subsurface fly, can be nymph or minnow.                             Tom Littleton

Use the reddish colored ones for a rusty sparrow. Heavily weighted it is a great crawfish pattern. Fish it with the old Heave it and leave it technique. Everything on this fly moves with very little current. Big Dale – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Do you people know any pattern that requires pheasant feathers, other than the tail? Cheers, Peter.

I tie a nymph for lakes with the marabou type fluff from the rump feather and a dubbed body color to match the fluff with a gold rib. Looks like a really dark hares ear with a fluffy tail. Simple pattern to tie and is quite effective. Darin

Response:

This is simply not true.  Mobile fibres such as marabou, polar bear hear, cat fur, and several others will simply not behave like this.  If a fly tied with such fibres is placed in water and left immobile, the fibres tend to fill out to their full volume,and wave around with every nuance of the current.  When pulled through the water, the fibres compress as a result of the ensuing water resistance, and many such flies assume a streamlined, torpedo like appearance in such circumstances.

Hmm in my experience Polar bear is very stiff and brittle. THe attractive thing about polar bear is that it is translucent. Tying streamers with polar bear creates a baitfish imitation that is translucent, much like many baitfish. I find it nothing like maribou, and I had to promise to leave the damn cats alone Ernie,  There is a pattern up here in Maine, called the muddler hopper that uses those nicely patterned feathers from the back of the pheasant as a wing. essentially the pattern is a muddler headed hopper pattern, very effective and we fish them like dalhberg divers once they begin to sink. Brookies love ‘em Flyfish – countdown to the clave!

Response:

Hmm in my experience Polar bear is very stiff and brittle. THe attractive thing about polar bear is that it is translucent.

One word: Icelandic Sheep.  OK, 2. Regards, Jeff

Response:

The blue rump fleathers can be used as eyes on baitfish imitations or wound as hackles on soft hackle flies. Tom ‘for the children of the world’  is a non-profit organization in the state of Washington that aids the child victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.  Visit our website at: http://www.forworldschildren.org – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <snip Various short but passionate affairs with some materials, very often originally based on nothing more concrete than a desire to avoid wasting them, the plumulaceous base feathers from the common pheasant being a case in point, with rather disappointing results, have somewhat dampened my enthusiasm for experimentation in this regard. A hunting friend just gave me a complete pheasant skin to tie flies from. Apart from the tail feathers I use for various nymphs, I have not used pheasant  for any flies. Do you people know any pattern that requires pheasant feathers, other than the tail? Cheers, Peter.

–

Response:

This is simply not true.  Mobile fibres such as marabou, polar bear hear, cat fur, and several others will simply not behave like this.  If a fly tied with such fibres is placed in water and left immobile, the fibres tend to fill out to their full volume,and wave around with every nuance of the current.  When pulled through the water, the fibres compress as a result of the ensuing water resistance, and many such flies assume a streamlined, torpedo like appearance in such circumstances. When fished "sink and draw", that is to say, pulled, and then stopped, and then pulled again, such fibre bunches  tend to "pulse", as they are alternately compressed, and then released from compression. Presumably it is the apparent indication of life imparted by such "pulsing" and other movement, which causes many fish to attack them.  When fishing downstream ,on a tight line in heavy current for instance, such "pulsing" may be only slight, or even non existent, as the current is never weak enough to allow the fibres to fluff out to their full volume, and the flies retain a streamlined shape irrespective of manipulation by the rod and line. In heavy currents etc , other more robust, or springy, fibres must be used to achieve such effects.  The flies must be tied to suit the circumstances. Failure to appreciate this quite simple fact, will result in less fish being caught Some flies may have a particular shape or appearance in air, but it is not sensible to assume that they will retain such an appearance in water, which is quite obviously a completely different medium.  Their BEHAVIOUR, or FUNCTION, if you prefer,  may also be completely different.This is not entirely dependent on the materials used in their construction, but also the way in which they are used, and under what circumstances.  Wetting a fly and then looking at it in air is not a viable test, it must be completely immersed in water, and its various properties tested, if one wishes to know how it will behave under similar circumstances. Some things may be inferred from experience, or previous knowledge of certain fibres, without these tests, but only such tests are proof positive. You may check this quite easily, it is not necessary to take my word for it, just fill a sink with water and pull a fly tied like this through it. Then pull some others through as well, you will notice massive differences in their respective behaviour immediately. Exactly the same applies for soft hackled wet flies, which is why the patterns mentioned, when tied in this specific way, are not suitable for upstream fishing, or at least not as suitable as others.  Streamlined nymphal shapes, with a translucent, waving or "wriggling" body effect, as you put it, will only be apparent when the flies are pulled through the water, or at least held in the current, which is basically the same thing. Compressive fibre streamlining occurs as a direct result of water resistance. Without this they will not compress. Water resistance forces the fibres backwards, veiling the body, and this will then be an excellent imitation of an active swimming nymph. Or a fish for instance, in the case of some lures etc. This will only occur if the fly is pulled through the water, ( retrieved), or fished downstream on a tight line. In  ALL OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES the fly will not assume such an appearance. There are many variables here, and one may pursue such studies into realms of detail far beyond the scope or interest of most anglers. Various fibres behave in various ways, and there are a considerable number of excellent and valid reasons why most of these flies are tied with specific feathers. While it may be true that flies tied with somewhat less attention to detail, and with substitute feathers, still catch fish, it is my experience, and that of many others, that they are nowhere near as effective as the original patterns tied correctly.   If as you say you have noticed no difference, then that forces me to a number of conclusions. The first one is, if it does not matter as you say, then why are you arguing so vehemently against it? The second one is, as I know this to be an easily demonstrable fact, I am bound to assume that you have not tried it, as otherwise you could not possibly have a differing opinion. This subject is simply not a matter of opinion, it is a matter of known fact. The third one is, as I already stated, the originals, tied ( and fished! ),correctly, catch more fish. In order to know this you must have either tried it, or at least have it on hearsay that this is so. As you have obviously not tried the originals, or even apparently heard any reliable evidence to support this idea, you are in no position to argue as to its veracity. Fourthly, ease of tying is not my main criterion when tying flies, in fact it is not usually even a criterion at all. As an argument in favour of using less suitable materials, it is pure nonsense. If you can not tie flies using these materials, either due to a lack of manipulatory skill, or simply because you are unable to obtain them, then that is most unfortunate for you, but it is not a valid reason for arguing against others doing so. My flies are tied purely to catch fish, and they do so, with remarkable regularity and consistency. I do not really give a tinker

Question:

anyone have any experience with swift canoes. am looking at the temegami wondering how initial stability is needed for two large people to fish off of

Response:

I’m quite familiar with Swift Canoes (Mattawa, Kip, Winisk, all the solos, Mad, and Dumo).  The Temagami is a new boat (2000), that is similair to a Winisk in most dimensions, however is wider, deeper and has less bow rocker and more stern rocker.  That means that it will carry a bit more, be a bit slower and will have less stern drag.  The Winisk is a very nice boat.  It may not be my favorite tripping boat, but it is quick when properly trimmed and it has lots of flare for dryness, and soft chines to eliminate catching on waves.  Generally speaking the Winisk is a very nice canoe. As for balance the Winisk is easy to balance, however it exhibits the same old Swift wiggle you get in most of the Winters designed boats. It often puts first time paddler off.  What I’m speaking about is the wiggle in the initial stability that the boat develops with each stroke while paddling.  It’s hard to describe, but it is more of a feeling than anything else.  Once you paddle a mile or so you won’t feel it, but it is noticeable after paddling other boats that don’t wiggle.  The Winisk and all Swifts have impeccable secondary stability, a practiced paddler can put the one rail well below the water surface and not loose stability in a swift boat.  This is useful when executing sharp apex turns.  Swifts track well and compare well against similair canoes in all matters of performance. I recommend you take one for a paddle, try a Winisk too.  For that matter try a Bell Northwind, or a MRC Horizon, or several 17-18′ We-No- Nahs too (Sundower, Jensen, Minnesota II, Odyssey, and Champlain. Western Canoeing als makes a few comparable boats. PK Before you buy.

Response:

I’ll second everything that PK said.  I own the Winter-designed, 18-foot Swift Cirrus, 54 pounds in an expedition kevlar layup. The initial stability is poor.  The boat freely rocks through about 5 degrees with each stroke and scares beginners but it can be heeled until the gunwales are wet and just gets tighter and tighter as the angle increases.  I fly fish standing up in it. The quality of construction is superb with beautiful contrasting wood work for thwarts, seats and yoke.  Outfitting is thoughtful, with a sliding bow seat, molded-in flotation chambers with valves that can open to allow compensation for temperature expansion of the air inside and a nicely contoured carrying yoke. Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

Michael A. Barbalic writes: anyone have any experience with swift canoes. am

looking at the temegami wondering how initial stability is needed for two large people to fish off of

There are several Swift Canoe models listed among the reader’s gear reiviews at http://www.paddling.net/ , but not the model you mention in your post. You may find them useful anyway. Good luck! " If clean air and water and a healthy environment have not harmed you, please reciprocate."

Response:

Good point on the yoke, Tommy,  But I gotta tell you opt for the optional Shadow Yoke.  It’s worth it’s weight in Ash.  Your shoulders will thank you.  You will be thankful for years that you didn’t cheese on that one!! PK Before you buy.

Response:

PK, I think fitting a yoke is like fitting shoes.  When I bought my Cirrus at Collinsville Canoe and Kayak in Connecticut, they had three different contoured and one padded yoke models (not all Swift) in the store.  I carried a boat with each of them and then selected the Swift "Teal".  I liked it so well that I bought two more "Teals" to retrofit into other canoes. Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

Michael: I’m not familiar with the Temagami but I have owned 2 Swift Kipawa’s.  My current boat is one of the two. I think that they are fantastic boats.  Very well designed.  Great secondary stablility – as pointed out by other posters. Swift’s construction is impeccable IMHO and so is their customer service. I would suggest going out to one of their outdoor events if you can and paddling their boats.  Alternatively if you can make it to the Dwight store, Oxtounge lake is right in their backyard. One thing I would suggest is that if they don’t have the exact boat in stock that you are looking for (Trim, colour ect.), wait for it.  I’m sure that they will gladly set you up with a loaner if it takes a few weeks to build your dream boat. BTW:  I highly recommend their cherry trim.  It’s a wonderful wood.. quite pleasing to the eye . Good luck, -Aamer – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – anyone have any experience with swift canoes. am looking at the temegami wondering how initial stability is needed for two large people to fish off of

Response:

Yep the Cherry is nice, but I can tell you for a fact that if you plan to run whitewater in your boat, buy the ash.  It’s much stronger for the same weight. I had a friend that outfit his Dumo with cherry thwarts and yoke.  He went through the yoke, and two thwarts of cherry with only a good buise.  Sure it was lucky for him that he didn’t break his legs, buttttttttt…..  Thwarts shouldn’t break that easily PK Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

All, I found this experience to be fascinating. While fishing the Manistee river in western Michigan, Dad & I casually donned our gear and schlepped the few hundred feet from the car to a stairs leading down to the river. Upon landing we began sizing up the water and realized that we were probably in the wrong place, as the water was very featureless and deepened quickly from the banks that we found ourselves on.  Well, as we were feeling a bit lazy, we decided to give it a try anyway.  Walking upstream a few yards, I happened upon a little gravel bed that jutted into the river allowing me a few extra feet to wade so I walked out and started pondering what to fish.  Tried a few things, deep, shallow, etc with no luck.  Felt kinda like fishing a lake as there were no feature to speak of except (of course) the little gravel bed I was standing on (who was it that once said…"you can always tell the inexperienced fisherman because he is wading where he should be fishing and fishing where he should be wading?)  After about an hour of flailing about I happened to gaze down into the water and was shocked to see at least 5, yes five very large brown trout  feeding right next to my feet.  AHA! finally a challenge.  So I carefully proceded to fish every last fly in my box in every conceivable presentation style past these fish only to watch them move out of the way as my fly du seconde floated by.  After a while, I simply gave up and watched them feed, and began learning…. Russell

Response:

Russell,    You were probably dislodging insects with your feet and the fish were taking advantage of it.  This is not an uncommon occurrence in heavily fished waters where the fish get used to the fisherman. Ernie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I found this experience to be fascinating. <snip I happened to gaze down into the water and was shocked to see at least 5, yes five very large brown trout  feeding right next to my feet <snip Russell

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Russell,    You were probably dislodging insects with your feet and the fish were taking advantage of it.  This is not an uncommon occurrence in heavily fished waters where the fish get used to the fisherman. Ernie I found this experience to be fascinating. <snip I happened to gaze down into the water and was shocked to see at least 5, yes five very large brown trout  feeding right next to my feet <snip Russell

Ernie, You are probably right, however they seemed to also be feeding in front of me in the typical dodge and slide pattern.  It was awesome to watch. Russell

Response:

Question:

There has been some pretty good fishing on the flats behind the mangroves a little farther south if you like light tackle action. Just remember that the bays tend to be a mile wide and a foot deep so bring a good pole.

Response:

Gary, I’m taking my 27′ cruiser to Islamorado this coming Saturday for a week. Any comments on places to go or places to avoid while there? Thanks, TT

If you are passing by Miami, Dinner Key is a cool place to overnight. Pennekanmp is fun to dive at the Christ statue 25 07 3 . 80 17 8. In Islamorada: Holiday Isle is nut’s on the weekend  but fun. The World Wide Sportsman is the coolest store I’ve ever been in. Cool bar too. Good luck. Have fun….. Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "The only people who have any business fishing are  young boys and married men. Everyone else should be  out getting laid." …I said that

Response:

Well yeah….. Baca Grand now.

Is Boca Grande mainly tarpon?  And what would you consider the basic needs to tarpon fish there?  I hear you can land up to 200# ones. Captiva/Sanibel all the time. (Tween Waters) Flamingo. not now, unless your a blood doner. Palm Beach, Mosquito Lagoon, Islamorada. Have fun…… Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach

– While Genius and Stupidity have a lot in common.. One important difference to note is that Genius has its limits. Before you buy.

Response:

Is Boca Grande mainly tarpon?  

No, But this time of year you’ll have a good chance of getting a big fish. And what would you consider the basic needs to tarpon fish there?

A guide the first time out.  Call Capt. Pete http://www.floridaflyfishing.com or try  http://www.bocagrandefishing.com/ The Pass is no place for beginers. It’s crowded and dangerous. You’ll also need an extra hand to run the boat. You can fish them off the beach on live/cutbait/ artificials /fly. I would suggest Johnson Shoals off Cayo Costa just south of the pass. I jumped a 125+ fish  (on fly) over Memorial day while drifting Captiva Pass. The fish came close to jumping in the boat. Scared the crap out of me. If you want to stay there, try the condos at the north end of the island. It’s my favorite place in the state. Have fun. Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "The only people who have any business fishing are  young boys and married men. Everyone else should be  out getting laid." …I said that

Response:

Any great places to visit and great fishing outings that others have done who would share them would be greatly appreciated.  Would love your input as I plan my summer boating trips this year and next.

Well yeah….. Baca Grand now. Captiva/Sanibel all the time. (Tween Waters) Flamingo. not now, unless your a blood doner. Palm Beach, Mosquito Lagoon, Islamorada. Have fun…… Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "The only people who have any business fishing are  young boys and married men. Everyone else should be  out getting laid." I said that

Response:

Gary, I’m taking my 27′ cruiser to Islamorado this coming Saturday for a week. Any comments on places to go or places to avoid while there? Thanks, TT – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any great places to visit and great fishing outings that others have done who would share them would be greatly appreciated.  Would love your input as I plan my summer boating trips this year and next. Well yeah….. Baca Grand now. Captiva/Sanibel all the time. (Tween Waters) Flamingo. not now, unless your a blood doner. Palm Beach, Mosquito Lagoon, Islamorada. Have fun…… Capt. Gary S. Colecchio West Palm Beach "The only people who have any business fishing are  young boys and married men. Everyone else should be  out getting laid." I said that

Response:

 I have been researching and planning for a few years and this weekend have finally landed the right boat for the right price.  I live in North Central FL and want to know the places to go and things to do with my new boat.  I have a Proline 190 CC with a 150hp Johnson. I have heard that Cumberland Island is a nice trip, Caladesi Island is nice.  I know that scalloping season starts up in July.  And have fished out of Cedar Key numerous times with friends. Any great places to visit and great fishing outings that others have done who would share them would be greatly appreciated.  Would love your input as I plan my summer boating trips this year and next. — While Genius and Stupidity have a lot in common.. One important difference to note is that Genius has its limits. Before you buy.

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Question:

I think you might be missing the point.  You are not Orvis.  Orvis makes a lot of money off their products and they are pretty big as fishing companies go.  While YOU might not be able to make a living giving fishing instruction for free, Orvis COULD.  The question is whether it would be better off in the long run to give them free or not. … Don’t look now Jeff, but Orivs HAS been in the business for the long run for a very long time.  Their practices don’t seem to have hurt them a great deal. …

I completely agree.  I was just pointing out what I thought the *question* was, not the answer Regards, Jeff

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Wolfgang,    You don’t mean that, you know what happens when you turn a hobby into a profession don’t you? Ernie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ……guides, professional fly-dressers, ski-teachers, tennis and golf pros etc. Whores, one and all.  That’s what it means to do it for money.  Would that I could do so! Wolfgang who’s been giving it away for free for far too long.

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I charge people a pretty solid hourly rate to teach them fishing, casting and fly tying. It’s taken me 35 years to get the experience I have today and I went to considerable effort (and expense) to get the qualifications I hold. I put a value on my time (and a price)  … even if you don’t

Well, it’s taken me 40 years to get my experience, (I’m a slow learner), and I am always willing to help a newcomer with tying or fishing free of charge. Furthermore, all things considered, I feel I put a higher value on my time even though I don’t attatch a price tag to it. If you don’t understand that concept, then there’s no way I can explain it to you. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

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I charge people a pretty solid hourly rate to teach them fishing, casting and fly tying. Well, it’s taken me 40 years to get my experience, (I’m a slow learner), and I am always willing to help a newcomer with tying or fishing free of charge.

If I’m not mistaken Tony is a professional casting instructor. I wouldn’t charge anything for sharing what little I know about flyfishing, but it would be a cold day in hell before I set up a Unix lab gratis. — Ken Fortenberry

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If you don’t understand that concept, then there’s no way I can explain it to you.

That belongs on http://www.vandruff.com/art_converse.html <g. — Charlie…

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Very difficult subject this.  Tony is an independent angling professional, he writes a lot about it, and he also has some of the best instructor qualifications available, which are quite difficult to achieve, he has to live from it. He really has no other option than to charge for it, and as he is good, he charges more. It is not really sensible to compare what he does to Orvis

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It is starting folks….water conditions are excellent and breaking into the low 40’s.  Hold on to your rods.  Six fish landed yesterday by folks all between 2 and 4 lbs. Good Luck. James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings

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 It is starting folks….water conditions are excellent and breaking into the low 40’s.  Hold on to your rods.  Six fish landed yesterday by folks all between 2 and 4 lbs. Good Luck. James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings

Wow: They start young in Vermont.  I already weighed over 8 lbs when I was born. (sorry, couldn’t resist.  I’m just jealous: most of our rivers are still frozen, and we don’t have rainbows here in New Brunswick). Brent

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Question:

I have not heard of any in the western part of the state or in Southern Indiana (I’m in Evansville).  Fort Campbell north of Nashville Tenn is supposed to have a trout stream, and eastern KY must, but I’m not familiar with them.  Tight lines. Bill Mack

The fisheries people Frankfort have a document listing all of the trout streams in Kentucky.  Check the Regs booklet wherever you get a license or call information for the Dept of Fish & WildLife.  The cold water fisheries expert is a guy named Jim Axon (sp?). Believe it or not, there are several streams in KY with self sustaining populations of wild trout (brookies).  But they are extremely small, hard to get to, and harder to fly fish. As I remember it, most of the trout streams are south and east of Lexington. There are put and take rainbow fisheries at a number of tailwaters (such as below Buckhorn Lake).  In the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area there are "put-grow-and-take" brown trout fisheries is Rock creek and also trout in some smaller creeks.In the Red River Gorge area there is Swift Camp Creek, Coal Slab Creek and Chimney Top Creek plus a few smaller ones.  Another P-G-T brown stream is the Dix River tailwater below Herrington Lake dam just south of Lexington.  You’ll need a boat as access is limited for this one. I’m told that the vast majority of all the trout in KY are in the Cumberland River tailwater in the area from Burkesville on down.  This is a big river, a boat is best, but there are some wading access points. The state record brown and it’s twin (both 18 lb. +) came from here.  There’s a fly shop in Lexington that can tell you more, but I can’t remember the name (might try the Orvis 800 number and ask for their dealers in KY).  Indiana’s St. Joseph is the only trout/ steelhead/salmon river I know of in the state. Sorry, I don’t know of any cold water closer to Louisville, but consider giving stream fishing for smallmouth bass a try, they can be a blast on a fly rod and #4 yellow popper! Tight Lines…. Jeff Clark       Dayton, OH

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I have not heard of any in the western part of the state or in Southern Indiana (I’m in Evansville).  Fort Campbell north of Nashville Tenn is supposed to have a trout stream, and eastern KY must, but I’m not familiar with them.  Tight lines. Bill Mack

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says… I am about to move to Louisville, Ky and wondered if anyone knew of any good rivers or streams in Kentucky or Southern Indiana to fly fish for trout. Thanks, Allan Meguiar

The are allegedly trout in the Cumberland River between Wolf Creek dam and Burkesville.  You can get there in a couple of hours on US 127.  Fishing is very sensitive to discharge schedule from dam.  Good luck.  I hope you have more luck than me! Jim Gallt

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I am about to move to Louisville, Ky and wondered if anyone knew of any good rivers or streams in Kentucky or Southern Indiana to fly fish for trout. Thanks, Allan Meguiar

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Hey, how ’bout some content in this post? You sparked my interest!

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Hey, how ’bout some content in this post? You sparked my interest!

This item sparked my interest too, so I’ll start.   I recently tried a new product for saltwater tying.  It’s colored hot glue (pink, orange, amber, green and many others available) for tying Mother of Epoxy (Glue) type bonefish and permit flies.  It is really easy to use this stuff.  Just add bead chain eyes to a saltwater hook.  Drop on a wad of hot glue, dip in water for 3-5 seconds, and it’s cool enough to mold with your hands.  If you don’t like the way the head turned out, you can dip it in very hot water and remold.   This colored hot glue is available at the craft store for aboout a tenth of the price of the fly shop (as are doll eyes and lots of other good stuff for saltwater flies). I recently went to Belize and a hot glue fly (regular tan glue) with a tuft of tan bucktail was red hot for bonefish. John Woodling Sacramento, CA

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Hey John , great post last month’s saltwater fly mag had a guy making these molds and cranking out some gorgeous deceivers…. 1. did you use a mold yourself? 2. Can you share the Namebrand and bottle size of the    stuff you are using? 3. what size hooks are you using 1/0-3/0?? 4. what do you use for Sacramento stripers? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -thanks?

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last month’s saltwater fly mag had a guy making these molds and cranking out some gorgeous deceivers…. 1. did you use a mold yourself?

That’s the beauty of hot glue, you don’t need a mold, you just mold it with your fingers.   For deceiver heads, I use epoxy.  It dries a lot clearer and harder.  You don’t need a mold, but you do need a slow rpm motor to turn these after you apply the epoxy (5 minutes) until it hardens. 2. Can you share the Namebrand and bottle size of the

   stuff you are using? I don’t recall the brand name, but they are standard size glue sticks. The fly shop also has a glue gun, and like everything else in a fly shop, it costs twice what the same thing costs in the hardware store. 3. what size hooks are you using 1/0-3/0??

For mother of glue flies for bonefish I use 4’s and 6’s 4. what do you use for Sacramento stripers?

I haven’t fished for them, but a lot of the Dan Blanton patterns are probably good. <<   John K. Woodling   < Sacramento, CA

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writes: 4. what do you use for Sacramento stripers? I haven’t fished for them, but a lot of the Dan Blanton patterns are probably good. <<   John K. Woodling   <

I’v had good luck with chartreuse patterns for clear water (like surf or fast moving tidal rivers) and yellow patterns for muddy water (like back bays). I noticed that blue and white also works in either environment, but I was using clousers, not deceivers. HighHooks-n-TightLines,       Jose

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Quoting jwoodling1 from a message in rec.outdoors.fishing.fly     2. Can you share the Namebrand and bottle size of the     stuff you are using?     I don’t recall the brand name, but they are standard size glue sticks.     The fly shop also has a glue gun, and like everything else in a fly    shop, it costs twice what the same thing costs in the hardware store. This sounded like a great idea so I stopped by the arts & crafts store on the way home.  I picked up a low temp glue gun for $3.29 and a pack of 49 glue sticks in a variety of colors for $4.49.  Will give it a try this weekend. Jim in Southern California

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This sounded like a great idea so I stopped by the arts & crafts store on the way home.  I picked up a low temp glue gun for $3.29 and a pack of 49 glue sticks in a variety of colors for $4.49.  Will give it a try this weekend. Jim in Southern California

I wrote a short piece for American Angler back in 1986 or so, about using hot glue guns for fly tying. I still use them occasionally, for big flies (like some salt water flies). But there are drawbacks. The faster the hot glue hardens (higher melting temps) the stronger the glue is, and the harder it is to use, becuase the stuff sets up so fast. Low temperature glues are easier to work with, but the damn flies melt right in you fly box on a hot day. The only practicle solution is to use high temp glues, and learn how to work very fast.   Good hardware stores (the ones that cater to tradesmen) carry a variety of hot glue sticks, with faster and slower, hotter and cooler melting temperatures. Steer clear of "clear-colored" sticks. Clear hot glue sticks were developed for florists, for obvious reasons, but clear hot glue sticks have the lowest bonding strength. —

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: Quoting jwoodling1 from a message in rec.outdoors.fishing.fly :     2. Can you share the Namebrand and bottle size of the :     stuff you are using? :     I don’t recall the brand name, but they are standard size glue sticks. :     The fly shop also has a glue gun, and like everything else in a fly :    shop, it costs twice what the same thing costs in the hardware store. : This sounded like a great idea so I stopped by the arts & crafts store on the : way home.  I picked up a low temp glue gun for $3.29 and a pack of 49 glue : sticks in a variety of colors for $4.49.  Will give it a try this weekend. So did I.   Bryan : Jim in Southern California

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