Question:

That’s what I usually do, too, but sometimes the tippet is too long and I just want a knot in the right place, and not to join two lines together. The Float Stop knot at http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html that Guyz-N-Flyz pointed out looks perfect.

Ah that looks like a perfect knot then.  Good illustrations of knots too. Is this for deep water nymphing? bc. — I don’t care who you are, you are not walking on the water while I’m fishing.

Response:

http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html

An alternative would be a uni-knot made with a spare length of fishing line.  The standard slip-bobber knot used by bait fisherman actually is a nail knot and one can purchase individually prepared knots wrapped around plastic tubes.  But since most fly anglers can tie nail knots it would seem ridiculous to pay $3 for a package of three knots. I’d recommend that you use dacron (12 lb is good) becasue mono on mono could cause your leader, expecially where it’s composed of lighter test material, to curl from the heat if you decide to slide the knot to a different position. One problem with dacron however is that since it’s much thicker in diamter than mono and the desired result is that the finished knot form a barrel around the mono, it may be difficult to prevent the mono from kinking as you form the dacron knot unless you can maintain tension on the mono while simultaneously tying the knot.  Or yould tie the stopper knot at a relatively thick/stiff section of your leader, then slide it down to the desired position and then just pull on the tag ends to tighten.  But really, why bother with all that? Personally I like to use weighted putty instead of split shot. Mu

Response:

rw, I use a triple surgeons knot to tie on my tippet and place the split shot just above that.  http://www.flyshop.com/Tactics/12-96Knots/surgeon.html

That’s what I usually do, too, but sometimes the tippet is too long and I just want a knot in the right place, and not to join two lines together. The Float Stop knot at http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html that Guyz-N-Flyz pointed out looks perfect. BTW, I usually use a double surgeon’s knot, except when I’m joining fluorcarbon to regular mono, and then I use a triple. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

I would worry that the float stop knot would slip under the pressure from a split shot…  Wouldn’t a figure eight knot do the trick?  It won’t move, it will hold a split shot from sliding down, you can’t really expect to untie it, and the line strength is not reduced much.  I have used the figure eight as a stopper on ropes for years – never on fishing line.  On ropes there’s the advantage that it *is* pretty easily untied.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That’s what I usually do, too, but sometimes the tippet is too long and I just want a knot in the right place, and not to join two lines together. The Float Stop knot at http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html that Guyz-N-Flyz pointed out looks perfect.

Response:

I’m looking for a knot that I’ve never seen described and that may not even exist. The situation is that you have a very long tippet or an unknotted leader, and you want to add some splitshot not too far above the fly. To keep the splitshot from slipping, you want a knot, but what knot can you tie into the mono that doesn’t weaken it substantially? It seems like there should be one, but I’ve never heard of it.

Um, maybe this is some new-fangled terminal tackle problem, but if I understand what you mean by "splitshot," why not just crimp it down? I suspect I’m not altogether sure of what you mean, however, because….  Why would you put "some" (as in several?) on a tippet? TC, R

Response:

Um, maybe this is some new-fangled terminal tackle problem, but if I understand what you mean by "splitshot," why not just crimp it down?

I don’t like to "crimp down" splitshot onto fine tippet (meaning crimp down HARD). I suspect I’m not altogether sure of what you mean, however, because….  Why would you put "some" (as in several?) on a tippet?

It’s common to vary the weight frequently. We were sure doing that on the San Juan. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

rw, I use a triple surgeons knot to tie on my tippet and place the split shot just above that.  http://www.flyshop.com/Tactics/12-96Knots/surgeon.html There is also a good article here on nymphing: http://web.utk.edu/~ldecuir/tu/96oct.htm Do a page search on Henry’s FAQ. Don’t know if that is what you are looking for. bc. — I don’t care who you are, you are not walking on the water while I’m fishing.

Response:

rw, That sounds like the "Running Half Tangle" to me.

That one I know! I can tie it with my eyes shut, and often do. I don’t need one of your fancy tools to help me with that knot, Ernie. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Check out the Float Stop knot at the site below. http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html

All right! That’s exactly what I was looking for. Thanks, Opie. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

rw, That sounds like the "Running Half Tangle" to me.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m looking for a knot that I’ve never seen described and that may not even exist. The situation is that you have a very long tippet or an unknotted leader, and you want to add some splitshot not too far above the fly. To keep the splitshot from slipping, you want a knot, but what knot can you tie into the mono that doesn’t weaken it substantially? It seems like there should be one, but I’ve never heard of it. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Check out the Float Stop knot at the site below. http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html Opie  **Panhandling for a better tomorrow!**

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m looking for a knot that I’ve never seen described and that may not even exist. The situation is that you have a very long tippet or an unknotted leader, and you want to add some splitshot not too far above the fly. To keep the splitshot from slipping, you want a knot, but what knot can you tie into the mono that doesn’t weaken it substantially? It seems like there should be one, but I’ve never heard of it. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

I’m looking for a knot that I’ve never seen described and that may not even exist. The situation is that you have a very long tippet or an unknotted leader, and you want to add some splitshot not too far above the fly. To keep the splitshot from slipping, you want a knot, but what knot can you tie into the mono that doesn’t weaken it substantially? It seems like there should be one, but I’ve never heard of it. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

The situation is that you have a very long tippet or an unknotted leader, and you want to add some splitshot not too far above the fly. To keep the splitshot from slipping, you want a knot, but what knot can you tie into the mono that doesn’t weaken it substantially? It seems like there should be one, but I’ve never heard of it.

Just tie an additional piece of tippet to the end of your leader of same diameter as leader tippet using double surgeons or barrel knot and pinch the split over the knot. Good luck. Joel Axelrad

Response:

Question:

(Sandy’s observations snipped) — /* Sandy Pittendrigh                  –oO0

I think we’ve been down these threads before Sandy, but they are worth repeating.  I asked the question once before and never got a definitive answer (like you ever do in this group); What about crushing ants and rolling your ant pattern around in a bottle of crushed ants?  Work? Ethical?  I was stopped and questioned at length once by a game warden because he thought my Bio-Strike looked like Power Bait!  I might try the ant thing this summer though.  Mossy Creek Browns are notoriously pickey! Just an additional note here about the scent thing.  A Wildlife Biologist/Fraternity Brother always swore by Oil of Anise.  Said fish and small game couldn’t resist the smell.  What if some enterprising floatant maker developed Anise scented floatant?  Ant scented, Mayfly scented floatant lines? — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

Response:

Just an additional note here about the scent thing.  A Wildlife Biologist/Fraternity Brother always swore by Oil of Anise.  Said fish and small game couldn’t resist the smell.  What if some enterprising floatant maker developed Anise scented floatant?  Ant scented, Mayfly scented floatant lines?

I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F.

Response:

I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F.

If your gonna smear dead ants all over your fly then why not just hook a dead ant on the thing.  For that matter, why not dispense with the extra furry junk and just use the ant?  Let’s see, worms will hang on a hook easier than ants.  How about just using a worm and a big ball of strike indicater about 2 feet up the line?  Add to that a one piece bamboo "fly" rod and you have something which sounds familiar. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

Response:

Dear Chief the extra chili last night and they really enjoyed it. They howled alot during the night but seemed fine this A.M.  You forgot to take the extra set of underware I washed for you.  Perhaps you can borrow a pair from DEave, use your suspenders to keep them up.   Try to stay away from that Fontenberry guy, last time you went fishing with him you came home with alot of new dirty words and some screwed up opinions.  Take your celostral pill each  morning.your metamusal each night and don"t forget you should have one Manhatten each night. Your side of the tribe has never been able to handle firewater,

Response:

"Wayne Hart" wrote <snip Just an additional note here about the scent thing.  A Wildlife Biologist/Fraternity Brother always swore by Oil of Anise.  Said fish and small game couldn’t resist the smell.  What if some enterprising floatant maker developed Anise scented floatant?  Ant scented, Mayfly scented floatant lines? Wayne

How about giving the whole area a rotten egg scent after one of Dave LaCourse’s clave breakfasts?  It isn’t from Anise but that’s close. Ernie

Response:

Knowledge is power.

Excellent post Sandy. Mu, who spent the morning alternating between spinnerbaits and wooly buggers.  Didn’t bring my minoow trap though.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F. If your gonna smear dead ants all over your fly then why not just hook a dead ant on the thing.  For that matter, why not dispense with the extra furry junk and just use the ant?  Let’s see, worms will hang on a hook easier than ants.  How about just using a worm and a big ball of strike indicater about 2 feet up the line?  Add to that a one piece bamboo "fly" rod and you have something which sounds familiar. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine!

Man, y’all gotta complicate thangs…get a old field phone and a bucket…or for you wacky types, Nitromon S and a good defense lawyer…you can fish and check fer erl… R To crank is exercise…. To blast Dangerous!

Response:

Joe Fleischman writes: I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F.

Well hell, Joe!  I guess I can’t fish in my favorite waders.   Hmmmmm, come to think of it, they don’t smell like bait, they smell Dave

Response:

Ernie Harrison writes: How about giving the whole area a rotten egg scent after one of Dave LaCourse’s clave breakfasts?  It isn’t from Anise but that’s close. Ernie

Ernie, damn it, I resent that!  My breakfasts at the clave are eaten by all with much gusto and no complaints.  If you ever get your scrawny ass to one of these claves, I will prove it to you, if I have to force feed the %&# eggs to ya!  <g And then I will get my buddy Jeffy to deep fry you an egg in bacon grease and we will force you to eat it.  Then, we’ll seal you in your waders, and send you on your way.   And people will shun you, forever and ever. Dave

Response:

Indian Joe sends a smoke signal: Dear Chief the extra chili last night and they really enjoyed it. They howled alot during the night but seemed fine this A.M. You forgot to take the extra set of underware I washed for you.  Perhaps you can borrow a pair from DEave, use your suspenders to keep them up.   Try to stay away from that Fontenberry guy, last time you went fishing with him you came home with alot of new dirty words and some screwed up opinions. Take your celostral pill each  morning.your metamusal each night and don"t forget you should have one Manhatten each night. Your side of the tribe has never been able to handle firewater,

Golly, Forty, only you and I made IJ’s celebrity  list this time around.  That underware stuff — is that like Tupper-ware? Your Pal, DEave

Response:

Charlie Choc: My breakfasts at the clave are eaten by all with much gusto and no complaints.   Never knew you were the cook at Tooties (where I ate *my* clave breakfasts)<g. — Charlie…

That’s right, you never stay at clave central.  Put it this way, if you liked Tooties, you will love the breakfast IJ and I will fix you.  (pssst, don’t eat Jeffy’s eggs). Dave LaCourse

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Charlie Choc: My breakfasts at the clave are eaten by all with much gusto and no complaints. Never knew you were the cook at Tooties (where I ate *my* clave breakfasts)<g. — Charlie… That’s right, you never stay at clave central.  Put it this way, if you liked Tooties, you will love the breakfast IJ and I will fix you.  (pssst, don’t eat Jeffy’s eggs). Dave LaCourse

i’m workin on lasagna this year…hmmm…now, lemmesee, where’s the bacon grease… jeff

Response:

In the Great State of North Carolina, it is unlawful to desecrate the body of the dead.  Furthermore, anyone who *smears* the dead aunt onto a fly pattern is just plain sick!!

Umm, Rosanne Rosannadanna, that’s "ant".  Not "aunt", "ant". Regards, Jeff

Response:

My God man, don’t unbuckle that wader belt up wind! Fishing tip for the day:  A fisherman in neoprenes with a tight wader belt can be used to replace a punctured pontoon if you feed him enuf Burro Chilli.  Hint: ensure he is secured with a slip knot for easy release and to allow for expansion.                                     Frank Reid

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Joe Fleischman writes: I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F. Well hell, Joe!  I guess I can’t fish in my favorite waders.   Hmmmmm, come to think of it, they don’t smell like bait, they smell Dave

Response:

Folks, In the Great State of North Carolina, it is unlawful to desecrate the body of the dead.  Furthermore, anyone who *smears* the dead aunt onto a fly pattern is just plain sick!!

If you just hold it close to aunt Bea, though, it’ll pick up some of that gravy smell and that should work. — Charlie…

Response:

Folks, In the Great State of North Carolina, it is unlawful to desecrate the body of the dead.  Furthermore, anyone who *smears* the dead aunt onto a fly pattern is just plain sick!! Op

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F. If your gonna smear dead ants all over your fly then why not just hook a dead ant on the thing.  For that matter, why not dispense with the extra furry junk and just use the ant?  Let’s see, worms will hang on a hook easier than ants.  How about just using a worm and a big ball of strike indicater about 2 feet up the line?  Add to that a one piece bamboo "fly" rod and you have something which sounds familiar. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

Response:

You’ll have to ask Al for sure, but I think Tupper just wears big ol’ cotton panties…

Gee thanks.   That’s a visual I could have done without.  :-) Joe F.

Response:

Nice post.  The only thing I would question is the part about lateral lines left out of the fly fishing definition – I think everyone agrees a muddler minnow is a fly, and part of its appeal is supposedly that it gives off enough vibration to get a trout’s interest. Anyway, I think part of the reason some people are attracted to fly fishing is to challenge themselves to fool trout.  The less real the "bait/fly" is, the more challenge there is in the deception.  The more real it is, the less challenge.  How much people care to challenge themselves in this respect seems to be a very personal thing.  The more natural the whole *scenario* is, the more challenge.  Some people will set up a chum line of real beetles to be followed by their own beetle imitation.  I don’t know how legal that is, but it’s not entirely natural. Knowledge is power.

– Regards, Jeff Before you buy.

Response:

Golly, Forty, only you and I made IJ’s celebrity  list this time around.  That underware stuff — is that like Tupper-ware?

You’ll have to ask Al for sure, but I think Tupper just wears big ol’ cotton panties… — Charlie…

Response:

My breakfasts at the clave are eaten by all with much gusto and no complaints.  

Never knew you were the cook at Tooties (where I ate *my* clave breakfasts)<g. — Charlie…

Response:

Knowledge is power. I like to know things about fish behavior. I often try things just to see what will happen. Once my experiment is finished, my new experimental technique may or may not become a steady habit. But I seldom regret trying something once. There is a lot to be learned from bait fishing for instance. Years ago–when it was still legal to fish with sculpins in Montana–I used to go sculpin fishing once every two or three years. If you use barbless hooks and set the hook when you first detect the strike, you get to return the fish unharmed, if you choose to do so. More important, in a few short hours of sculpin fishing you can learn about large brown trout behavior what might take a lifetime of fishing with flies. I used bait fishing to make myself a better streamer fisherman. You can learn a lot about riffle feeding behavior too–by fishing with live nymphs. The feedback rate (the number of fish you catch) is so great you learn more in a very short period of time (when you fish with live nymphs). When fishing with live nymphs doesn’t work, for instance, you know the fish are asleep. You learn to recognize those times, and not to waste your time. When the fish *are* on the feed, you can catch so many more fish in such a short period of time, you don’t have to work with hunches anymore. You quickly learn how to size up a riffle: to know where the big ones lie and how the little ones line up behind. You learn how much weight to use, how much slack to throw, and how and when to wait for the strike. You can learn all of those things from fly fishing too, of course. But you learn it slower, over a much longer time period, and you reach conclusions with far less confidence when fly fishing—-because the feedback rate is so slow. We do what we want. I choose to bait fish occasionally because I learn from it. I fly fish frequently because I prefer to fish that way. PUNCHLINE:    The line between bait fishing and fly fishing can be substantially obscured.  I’ve been making soft-bodied, open-cell foam nymphs for years. They’re good looking nymphs. Because they’re soft, fish don’t spit them out. They swim around chewing on soft nymphs, which makes it easier to detect the strikes. With soft foam nymphs, you don’t necessarily get more strikes, but you definately feel more of them happen.   Then, the other day, while fishing in the Madison canyon, I found a fat golden stonefly nymph under a rock. I killed it on a whim: I crushed it up and squeezed the resulting paste into the body of a soft foam nymph. I rolled the soft foam nymph back and forth in the palm of my hand, in a puddle of bug paste. That (open-cell foam) nymph, at that point, became equally effective as a live bait. But I could cast it as far as my fly rod would reach. I caught one fish after another in a riffle I had been working steadily and unsuccessfully foam nymph, but without the bug paste. Now I’m not suggesting anybody else should do anything like this at all. But this is interesting information. Fish detect their prey by: 1) eye sight 2) by detecting vibrations with their lateral line 3) by smell. And smell, I think, is the most powerful attractant of all. Now that I think of it, perhaps fly fishing (for those who worry about categories and definitions) means fishing with a fly rod in a way that only targets the piscatorial visual cortex: IE with no help from the lateral line, nor from the (fishes) olfactory system. For those of us who enjoy breaking the rules occasionally (but still like casting with a fly rod), you can also target the lateral line–with lightweight fly rod wigglers. And you can target the olfactory system too (and still do long distance fly rod casting) by fishing with soft foam nymphs……and bug paste. — /* Sandy Pittendrigh                  –oO0  * http://nervana.montana.edu/~sandy  */

Response:

Question:

Does anyone know about fly fishing in the Copper Mountain Colorado area? I am planning a trip in August, ‘99. Thanks. Al Carlton

Response:

Al, the Blue river is only about 12 miles east of Copper while the Eagle river and Gore Creek around Vail are about 20-25 miles west.  All of these have outstanding fishing.  Best bet is the Blue in and around Dillon.  There is good access and fishing can be great.  In the town right behind the factory outlet from the just below the dam to the I 70 bridge holds some really large fish. Use mysis shrimp flies thats about all that works.  Good luck.

Response:

Does anyone know about fly fishing in the Copper Mountain Colorado area? I am planning a trip in August, ‘99. Thanks. Al Carlton

Try www.fishcolorado.com – great site and helpful owner/staff.  I was in the area too early this summer (last week).  Water should be great in August.  Good luck!

Response:

Question:

George and Darren are dead right about the potential problem wading with higher water flows.  But we have been OK even when the flows are near 5000CFS – the trick is to watch other fishermen to locate crossings and places it’s safe to wade.  When you see one take one step forward and float two steps back, he’s getting a bit deep.  And don’t forget if your wading partner is shorter than you she might find the water more difficult…and I speak from personal experience WHICH SHE’LL NEVER LET ME FORGET!  And in May, that is some COLD water.  Good luck,  Bruce V

Response:

In Durango, CO is Duranglers; they also have (had?) a shop right on the river in NM.  Good folks to me. BB

Response:

In Durango, CO is Duranglers; they also have (had?) a shop right on the river in NM.  Good folks to me. BB

Mr. G. — Visit: http://www.gink.com        http://www.xink.com        http://www.rodbuilding.com        http://www.rodbuilder.com All Writings & Rights Reserved

Question:

Well, I spent about 4 years there and I found a plain small bright neon green plastic worm drove the small mouths wild. — Eric From the Grand Canyon State. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am going to Star Lake in the Adirondacks later this June.  Also will visit nearby Cranberry Lake.  Both are in the northeast corner of the Adirondacks.  I am told the most common catches are smallmouth bass and trout, with occasional rock bass as consolation. Any advice for these lakes?  How about nearly streams?  We will be both fly fishing and spinning.  What kinds of flies, lures, or live baits? Techniques? Many thanks! Michael

Response:

I am going to Star Lake in the Adirondacks later this June.  Also will visit nearby Cranberry Lake.  Both are in the northeast corner of the Adirondacks.  I am told the most common catches are smallmouth bass and trout, with occasional rock bass as consolation. Any advice for these lakes?  How about nearly streams?  We will be both fly fishing and spinning.  What kinds of flies, lures, or live baits? Techniques? Many thanks! Michael

Response:

Most of my fishing is done in the Adirondacks. I have a web site with lots of advice regarding lure selection. Check it out. Email me if you have any questions (remove the nospam in the address) Matthew Carter "Fishing with Matt" http://www.albany.net/~buzzbait/fishing/index.htm

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Question:

Im looking for website’s and any other information on the purchase of an 8 foot Pram for Flyfishing. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. Tight Lines, Ernest V

Response:

There is a company called Spring Creek on Bainbridge Island who sells an 8′ pram which is the best I’ve seen.  49" beam 16" freeboard, fiberglass, 65#. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Im looking for website’s and any other information on the purchase of an 8 foot Pram for Flyfishing. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. Tight Lines, Ernest V

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Question:

I’m going to be in Ft. Myers, Florida in August.  Does anyone have any suggestions for fly fishing spots that are accessible on foot in the Ft. Myers beach, Sanibel Island area? –

Response:

-  GEORGE ,

You can cast for snook and trout right from the beach in the morning. It’s fun! Stop in at a fly shop and ask for some local patterns. You may even see some tarpon. Best of luck, Gary C. Floridian Fly Fisherman "Lie ? Me ? Never!  No, no, no, the truth is far too much fun !" – Captain Hook

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Question:

I am trying to find out where a good place to go fly fishing in the

early spring is.  It has to be running water and shallow enough to wade in and hopefully not tooooo many people.  Any tips will be greatly appreciated. Uhh….within an [n] mile radius of where ?  

  Money, travel no object ? If money & travel are no object, go to New Zealand.  It will be late summer – early fall there.  Bring hoppers! CQ

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I am trying to find out where a good place to go fly fishing in the early spring is.  It has to be running water and shallow enough to wade in and hopefully not tooooo many people.  Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

Northwest Nevada is normally very good in the eary spring  However this year is a big question mark after the floods.  If cold weater sets in and reduces the runoff, and the fish have not been washed away, rivers like the East Fork of the Walker fish real well    

Response:

I am trying to find out where a good place to go fly fishing in the early spring is.  It has to be running water and shallow enough to wade in and hopefully not tooooo many people.  Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

Response:

I am trying to find out where a good place to go fly fishing in the early spring is.  It has to be running water and shallow enough to wade in and hopefully not tooooo many people.  Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

Uhh….within an [n] mile radius of where ?   Money, travel no object ? TimW

Response:

I am trying to find out where a good place to go fly fishing in the early spring is.  It has to be running water and shallow enough to wade in and hopefully not tooooo many people.  Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

Hi Montana has some great early spring fishing. When I say early I’m talking about March and April before spring run off. The Bighorn is often very productive at this time and does not have the crowds you can expect during the summer. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 materials catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

Response:

Question:

I am a westerner now living in Virginia courtest of the US Navy.  I was getting my float tube all ready for spring to try some ffishing for bass (something I’ve never done) when my neighbor told me I was nuts.  He said that the lakes out here have plenty of snapping turtles and water moccasins, and that no one would be dumb enough to go out there in a float tube.  Then I realized that I have never seen one in any of the lakes out here.   Can any of you southerners give me some advice??                                                                               *Duke*

Response:

I’ve float-tubed numerous southern lakes and streams without incident. As long as you’re wearing shorts or pants — I wouldn’t worry about the snapping turtles. And the snakes seem to always move out of the way. Think about it — the sight of flippered-feet and legs dangling from an oversized donut must be a pretty frightening invasion to most water critters. Fear of snakes and such is a state of mind.

Response:

(snip) Think about it — the sight of flippered-feet and legs dangling from an oversized donut must be a pretty frightening invasion to most water critters. Fear of snakes and such is a state of mind.

We have a thing in the water here in Florida that *will* bite you.   It’s call ALLIGATOR!

Response:

Snakes haven’t been a problem, but I don’t use a tube in the East Texas waters that are full of snapping turtles.  Brian Camp, in Ft. Worth, has a great picture of a snapper clamped on to his fins!

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: :I’ve float-tubed numerous southern lakes and streams without incident. As :long as you’re wearing shorts or pants — I wouldn’t worry about the :snapping turtles. And the snakes seem to always move out of the way. :Think about it — the sight of flippered-feet and legs dangling from an versized donut must be a pretty frightening invasion to most water :critters. Fear of snakes and such is a state of mind. Amen, so have I.  I think his neighbor was having a little fun at his expense.  Never had a snapping turtle get close enough to try and shoo him away and all the "moc’s" took off for other parts with a simple tap of the rod tip a couple of feet ahead of them.  I wouldn’t waste more than 5 seconds worrying about it.

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I am a westerner now living in Virginia courtest of the US Navy.  I was getting my float tube all ready for spring to try some ffishing for bass (something I’ve never done) when my neighbor told me I was nuts.  He said that the lakes out here have plenty of snapping turtles and water moccasins, and that no one would be dumb enough to go out there in a float tube.  Then I realized that I have never seen one in any of the lakes out here.   Can any of you southerners give me some advice??                                                                              *Duke*

Duke – I once had a snapping turtle take a clouser minnow.  Needless to say, I did not bring him to the net.  Maybe with a 14-wt. rod, steel leaders, we could start a whole new branch of fly fishing…… Seriously, I agree with the other posts that you have little to fear from aquatic reptiles, unless there are alligators about.       Gene

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I am a westerner now living in Virginia courtest of the US Navy.  I was getting my float tube all ready for spring to try some ffishing for bass (something I’ve never done) when my neighbor told me I was nuts.  He said that the lakes out here have plenty of snapping turtles and water moccasins, and that no one would be dumb enough to go out there in a float tube.  Then I realized that I have never seen one in any of the lakes out here.   Can any of you southerners give me some advice??                                                                              *Duke*

I have had moccasins act very agressively while protecting the nesting area in late spring/early summer.  Otherwise,  moccasins seem reciprocate the respect you show them.

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I am a westerner now living in Virginia courtest of the US Navy.  I was getting my float tube all ready for spring to try some ffishing for bass (something I’ve never done) when my neighbor told me I was nuts.  He said that the lakes out here have plenty of snapping turtles and water moccasins, and that no one would be dumb enough to go out there in a float tube.  Then I realized that I have never seen one in any of the lakes out here.   Can any of you southerners give me some advice?? Don’t worry about em’. Just keep on good watch, (which you should be

on already) and don’t try to pick one up or approach closely. I’ve had some *very* close encounters and they all tried to run out of the country. Besides, most of the  snakes you see are water snakes, even if they are black. I was at a speech once and this guy was fishing from his float tube and had a 100 pound snapping turtle pulling his leg. No damage though. Make up your own mind, or get a boat.                    Aaron Zee

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The problem with snapping turtles is that it is impossible to get them to rise to a dry fly – just doesn’t happen.  But if you take a 2 or 1/0 weighted bass fly – pattern unimportant, leave it sitting in a chunk of liver overnight and slowly fish the riffles with a rapidly sinking line you’ll find that snappers put up a hell of a fight.  In parts of the Mississippi basin there is a spring run of alligator snappers which is really something.  Try tarpon tackle for these boys…  good luck.

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The problem with snapping turtles is that it is impossible to get them to rise to a dry fly – just doesn’t happen.  But if you take a 2 or 1/0 weighted bass fly – pattern unimportant, leave it sitting in a chunk of liver overnight and slowly fish the riffles with a rapidly sinking line you’ll find that snappers put up a hell of a fight.  In parts of the Mississippi basin there is a spring run of alligator snappers which is really something.  Try tarpon tackle for these boys…  good luck.

Actually, I find I can get ‘em on size 26 midges fished in front of a "cruising" snapper. Well maybe not, but I have actually seen red ears feeding on size 18 hatching midges before, so I bet it’s possible, and I have hooked red ears on the shell (hook got caught on underside on shell, did not penetrate anything) before while fishing streamers, they don’t put up a good fight though. Turtles: fly fishing’s new frontier… Aaron Zee

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Forget it. Nothing but frustration in store for you. Get some float tubes instead.

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I would like some information regarding the usefullneess of this boat for two persons flyfishing. Specifically:

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