Question:

Hello Jan, I am not a flyfishermen yet, but there’s are some in San Francisco. I am in no way affiliated with any fishing shops. San Francisco: Fly Fishing Outfitters (415) 781-3474 there are others… check out their link: http://www.scottflyrod.com/sfr/Dealers/dwstcost.html LELAND FLY FISHING OUTFITTERS 463 BUSH ST SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108 USA ph: 415-781-3474 URL: http://www.flyfishingoutfitters.com Go the www.sageflyfishing.com and they have a dealer locator also. We also have a flyfishing expert at TackleTour if you have any additional questions. www.tackletour.com Jack Ip Senior Editor of TackleTour http://www.tackletour.com Hey everyone, I’ll be comming to SF in a couple of months and since Scott and Sage rods are pretty expensive here in europe I hope to do some shopping while there. Where would you recommend that I’d go look-see for fly rods in SF ? Best, Jan, Denmark

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Hey everyone, I’ll be comming to SF in a couple of months and since Scott and Sage rods are pretty expensive here in europe I hope to do some shopping while there. Where would you recommend that I’d go look-see for fly rods in SF ? Best, Jan, Denmark

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Hey everyone, I’ll be comming to SF in a couple of months and since Scott and Sage rods are pretty expensive here in europe I hope to do some shopping while there. Where would you recommend that I’d go look-see for fly rods in SF ?

<SHAMELESS PLUG Hey there Jan – Our San Rafael store is just about 15 minutes north of the Golden Gate bridge – we’ve been a  Sage Dealer since there were Sage dealers, and have Scott, Winston, G. Loomis, St. Croix and others. Location & Maps: http://www.westernsportshop.com/stores.html General Fly Fishing Dept Info: http://www.westernsportshop.com/flyf.html If you manage to get out on March 2-3rd, we’ll be at the Fly Fishing Show in San Rafael, along with many manufacturers and a lot of events. Fly Show Info: http://www.flyfishingshow.com/marin.html We also run our own Fly Fishing Fair – the first Saturday in May, but this year it will be up at our Santa Rosa store (about an hour north of the GG Bridge).  We’ll have more info on our website as it gets closer. Have a safe trip! — Jim —      http://www.westernsportshop.com Western Sport Shop Discussion forums –      http://www.westernsportshop.com/forums.html Western Sport Shop Email Newsletter Signup –      http://lists.westernsportshop.com/mailman/listinfo/wss-newsletter

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Hey everyone, I’ll be comming to SF in a couple of months and since Scott and Sage rods are pretty expensive here in europe I hope to do some shopping while there. Where would you recommend that I’d go look-see for fly rods in SF ?

The Internet: George Gehrke http://www.gink.com

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Question:

Great story snipped. I am not quite sure if he is really serious, but it is a nice story anyway. TL MC

My wife understands that when I say that I’m going down to the pond for an hour of fishing after work, to not expect me till after dark.  Then again, when she is sewing on a quilt and she tells me "just one last thread," then I know not to expect her in bed till dawn. The local pond that I fish is near a church.  The carillon rings on the half hour.  I’ve often wondered while fishing if the thing is broken ’cause that damn thing just rang "five minutes ago."  Especially true when the fish are seriously biting.         Frank

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I’m surprised you didn’t know the scientific fact that all areas around fishing ponds are time warps, the amount of warp in direct proportion to the size, number and hunger factor of the fish. If all the above are negative the time line elongates, if positive it shortens. — John Popp in Sanford Fl.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Great story snipped. I am not quite sure if he is really serious, but it is a nice story anyway. TL MC My wife understands that when I say that I’m going down to the pond for an hour of fishing after work, to not expect me till after dark.  Then again, when she is sewing on a quilt and she tells me "just one last thread," then I know not to expect her in bed till dawn. The local pond that I fish is near a church.  The carillon rings on the half hour.  I’ve often wondered while fishing if the thing is broken ’cause that damn thing just rang "five minutes ago."  Especially true when the fish are seriously biting.         Frank

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Angelic poetry snipped.    Thank you again Mike, you continue to touch our souls with a common truth.  Where surfers may have the "Endless Summer," fisherman will always have that "one last cast."        Frank

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Angelic poetry snipped.    Thank you again Mike, you continue to touch our souls with a common truth.  Where surfers may have the "Endless Summer," fisherman will always have that "one last cast."        Frank

There are indeed several casts in any anglers armoury, irrespective of his skill, knowledge or experience,  which have a very special magic. One is the first cast, and then there are also the innumerable "last casts" !:) Four years ago, I visited Denmark with my wife, fairly early in the year. We had a small house almost directly on the beach. These are very cheap indeed in the off season, and we have done this a few times. My wife fishes a little, and indeed possesses all the relevant certificates, ( she often explains to people that she only took the exams so she could understand what the hell  I was jabbering on about more than half the time). On this particular occasion, it was bitter cold and snowing rather heavily. Due to heavy cloud cover, the night started to darken early as well, and I hoped this would bring some fish closer in. After a couple of hours of braving the vicious wind, and viewing the unusual spectacle of heavy surf on the Baltic, my wife decided she would rather pack in, go to the house and read for a while instead. Intimating these sentiments to me was rather difficult, as I was standing in the surf almost up to my chest, quite a way away,  fighting to avoid  being bowled over, and having just hooked my first fish of the day. Unusually again, there were a couple of anglers in the immediate vicinity, ( some idiots will go out in even the most disgusting weather), and as our conversation consisted of screaming at each other over the wind and waves, they were perforce party to the exchange, which went like this; "I

Question:

[deleted] I need to just fish. Tim,…sometimes you can get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right…, Long

Indeed (than, should this be "fishing through foul weather can have profound affects on perception"  ? ;o ) — Halfordian Golfer

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< great advice snipped Thanks Mike, I am still very new to this,,,working on my 3rd year of excessiveness. Funny thing, today while fishing a larger river in the pouring rain, something just sorta clicked, and Man you should have seen the beautiful tight loops I was throwing, one after another. I think maybe it came to me to quit worrying about what my arm is doing and think more about throwing loops in the line. I think maybe I think too much sometimes…I need to just fish. Tim,…sometimes you can get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right…, Long

Ya, even on ROFF <g Most curves in the leader are caused by too much power.  If the cast is overhead, it’ll tuck under.  A sidearm cast produces a considerable sideways curve.  A semi-sidearm cast with too much power by a right hander will produce a left curve. You’ll know for sure if you execute a perfect overhead cast and produce no curve. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

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< great advice snipped Thanks Mike, I am still very new to this,,,working on my 3rd year of excessiveness. Funny thing, today while fishing a larger river in the pouring rain, something just sorta clicked, and Man you should have seen the beautiful tight loops I was throwing, one after another. I think maybe it came to me to quit worrying about what my arm is doing and think more about throwing loops in the line. I think maybe I think too much sometimes…I need to just fish. Tim,…sometimes you can get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right…, Long

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – When casting my leader often lays out with a distinct left curve to it…the leader usually turns over nicely butthe last couple of feet of leader seem to want to go to the left,,,never the right. Any suggestions on what to look for to correct this? Thanks, Tim Long straight behind.  ALL curl casts are due to a side finish of the tip. It can be of great use Tim if your a natural at it.  The question now is, can you do it the opposite direction? LOL! — #

Of course it is possible.  A right handed caster would perform this feat by casting over his head and left shoulder.  The beauty of a wooded stream is that all permutations of casting eccentricies are quite pertinent indeed. I myself adore  the small streams with a small  <7 footer.  I really like the adaptable casting that these small water courses provide.   However, there is a downside of such activities.  One such aspect is the peculiarness of long lining (90 plus feet) over stillwaters.  Several years ago,  and with less sophisticated equipment,  I was able to accomplish this task routinely.  However, lately,  I have been experiencing "technical hitches". After many summers of stream only angling,  I fished this winter a couple of times, on a lake with a new 9 foot 6 weight  and an old WF #6F.  I hadn’t cast a fulll line for a long time,  and had little difficulty doing so, except for the presentation,  which to be frank,   was awful.  I was shocked to say the least.   Anyway,  I scrutinised as much as I could,  but still slapped the water  with a downward thump of the tip, or worse,  a folded up leader.  I reckoned too much forward power,  for the down thump,  like in if you were to cast with flyline only,  no leader (that fishtail thump),  yet in that trip was unable to solve the casting problem.  I’ll have to do more practice  and observations and hopefully I’ll sort this distressing problem out!

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When casting my leader often lays out with a distinct left curve to it…the leader usually turns over nicely butthe last couple of feet of leader seem to want to go to the left,,,never the right. Any suggestions on what to look for to correct this? Thanks, Tim Long

It’s usually the "speed up and stop" portion of the cast that is the problem. If it’s not made straight ahead  you’ll get a curve in your cast. –tony

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I have learned to control it…and even used this to my advantage a time or two. I just can’t seem to use it to my advantage on a consistent basis. Tim, Lefty I ain’t, Long Tim, I have a tape of Lefty Kreh doing exactly that on purpose, useful for reaching around obstructions in the water (boulders, etc.) He does that at shows, too. Last year one of my sons was wearing a red jacket and Lefty put a (hookless) fly on his shoulder, after announcing he would of course<g. — Charlie…

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I heard/read somewhere that years ago people were taught to cast with a book under their arm as a lesson to keep your arm in close to your body. Is this still relevent? As I pantomime my casting stroke I notice my forearm pointing away from my body,my upper arm staying pretty close to my body, much like throwing a baseball. I think maybe I have developed this out of need due to fishing in areas that have alot of cover. Does the curve come from the end of the casting stroke,,,I should be able to cast side arm and not have this curve,right? Tim

This is true, keeping your elbow and arm close to your body increases the power and accuracy of your stroke.  There are many ways of casting, some are good and some are not so good. If you manage to get your fly where you want it to go, and you are happy with the results,

Question:

Observations are exactly what I’m looking for and I appreciate yours. How did you find the rod builder and what made you decide to go with them vs. others?

Ian:  I’ve purchased two custom rods.  One from a local guy I knew, who did really nice work.  The other was to support a TU fundraiser – but it was also a beautiful rod that I would have purchased anyway, even though I didn’t know the craftsman.  For the price, I don’t think you can ever surpass a custom rod by a quality builder, which is why I would buy one again. mark faulkner

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Observations are exactly what I’m looking for and I appreciate yours. How did you find the rod builder and what made you decide to go with them vs. others

In my case the rod builder is a member of our local flyfishing club.I had seen his work and I liked it so I went with him as a rodbuilder. Big Dale

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Well…to be honest ALL my rods are custom rods.  I build them myself. It costs considerably less.  If people only knew how EASY it was to build good rods, and how much less expensive, there would be a lot fewer commercial rods being sold. The only reasons I would by a custom rod are: 1) they are a technology I cannot build (like bamboo) 2) I know the builder and want a keepsake 3) the builder does something particularly artful (like fancy threadwork) and I have more money than I know what do to with — James A. Foster                                Assoc. Prof Center for Secure & Dependable Computing/SCI   U. of Idaho http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/~foster              208.885.7062 pgp key at: ftp://ftp.cs.uidaho.edu/pub/foster/pgp-key.asc

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SNIP . I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares

SNIP So….get any inquiries . . .? john

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A couple of things. Are you referring to ‘hand built rods’ or rods built to ‘custom specifications’ ?. I don’t mean to be obtuse, but some anglers have asked for more (or less) guides than the ’store bought’ ones. I have 1/2 dozen ‘hand built’ rods that out-perform anything made in a factory.  Spines are aligned perfectly, and guides are positioned for optimum performance.   But this builder designed the blanks, and tests each one individually, before wrapping.  They go as far as to hand turn the corks, and ensure the ‘foot’ of each guide does not cut the finish of the rod.  (lifetime guarantee, and they cost lots) Another company’s ‘hand built’ rod was so awful, I returned it within a month. Turns out, they can build rods, but not very well.  Others found 8 weight tips on 6 weight butts.   (If something broke, they took whatever piece was available, and put it together.)   Just because he could wrap guides on a blank, did not make him a ‘rod builder’.  And he claimed that he manufactured his own blanks.  Fat Chance. Just an unskilled entrepeneur trying to enter a niche market. Regards – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a custom rod builder. I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares but I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

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I’m a custom rod builder. I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares but I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there.

I’ve considered this issue often and have bought from both sides of the proverbial fence ("store bought" and "custom"). What generally makes my decision is when I want a specific rod with specific components that I can’t get from the manufacturer at any reasonable price. So to my collection of lovely store-bought Winstons and fully functional if not as "pretty" Sages, I have a number of custom rolled rods built on IM6 blanks, and a salt water casting cannon custom built on a Loomis GLX blank – with ultra-premium hardware – and with threadwork and finish that’ll make you pee your pants… All of these rods came with warranty cards for the blanks and were built by either my dad or Dan Trela (a small plug for DT Kustom Rods)… /daytripper

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I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Some purchasers may be concerned about the warranty.  Unless the manufacturer of the blank is passing through its warranty (I’m not sure if manufacturers do that or not), the only warranty available is what you would provide.  To put it bluntly, if you skip off to Siberia or die next year, who’s around to honor the warranty even if you offered one?  The odds are much better that Orvis. Loomis, etc. will be around if and when you need the warranty.

I build Sage blanks and I pass on the Sage warranty card to the purchaser. I’m not sure about other blank manufacturers though. I warranty the rest of the rod and I can see your point on that. Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

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I also think that rods can be an impulse buy for some people.  Getting a custom rod made takes time. No instant gratification. It’s the same thing with cars, most people buy off the lot instead of waiting for a car to be made to their specifications. Willi

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I build Sage blanks and I pass on the Sage warranty card to the purchaser. I’m not sure about other blank manufacturers though. I warranty the rest of the rod and I can see your point on that.

Ian – I should add that I have purchased custom made rods – for the same reasons noted by Big Dale in his response.  My comments were not meant as a criticism, just an observation in response to your inquiry. Mark Faulkner

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[SNIP] Ian – I should add that I have purchased custom made rods – for the same reasons noted by Big Dale in his response.  My comments were not meant as a criticism, just an observation in response to your inquiry. Mark Faulkner

Observations are exactly what I’m looking for and I appreciate yours. How did you find the rod builder and what made you decide to go with them vs. others? Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

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I’m a custom rod builder. I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares but I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

I think as said before most really cannot tell what they are getting in a custom unless they have one in thier hand. You can go to any shop and take a look at any factory rod and decide what you like. As for custom well, unless you know of someone who has a rod from a particular rodmaker, or the rodmaker has an outstanding reputation, you really have to take a chance. Most of us who have really just started out as rodmakers know what that is like, most customers will inquire and are not sure. Most anglers really are looking for cosmetic quality in a custom rod, they feel if its custom it needs to be perfect. I agree, but most will not want to pay the price for the special attention to detail nedded to acheive this quality. So they end up with factory rod with poor cosmetics, then if they are not satisfied they can simply return the rod to the factory and get another. Now the anglers who are looking for performance more than likely will go to the custom rodmaker because they want a quality performing rod. This way they can relay information to the rodmaker and get a rod that performs to their specific needs. May be a nymphing rod or dry fly rod, in anycase they get what they want. Warranty is another issue, for most rodmakers its simply not reasonable to give a lifetime warranty on custom jobs. Some do, but I feel with the attitude of most warranty lovers, rodmakers will be repairing rods for nothing for quite sometime.

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or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod,

I had a rod built for me a few years ago. I ordered the Scott rod blank from their local dealer and gathered the parts I wanted for the rod and had a guy build it for me. It ist one of their old style 8′8"`3`weight rods. I wanted a cap and sliding ring reel seat with a rosewood insert. Scott did  not make one like that and I hate the sliding ring set-up over cork. The guy did a beautiful job: I got what I wanted; itcost no more than a factory rod would have cost;and I could not be happier. It is still my favorite rod for fishing for my beloved bluegills out of a boat. I think that just about says it all….isn’t this what custom built rods are all about?   Big Dale

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I agree that warranty and name are  strong selling points. I never buy a rod unless I have fondled it and cast it, custom rod builders are unfortunately not usually down the street where I can do this. Jim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Some purchasers may be concerned about the warranty.  Unless the manufacturer of the blank is passing through its warranty (I’m not sure if manufacturers do that or not), the only warranty available is what you would provide.  To put it bluntly, if you skip off to Siberia or die next year, who’s around to honor the warranty even if you offered one?  The odds are much better that Orvis. Loomis, etc. will be around if and when you need the warranty. Mark Faulkner

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I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there.

Some purchasers may be concerned about the warranty.  Unless the manufacturer of the blank is passing through its warranty (I’m not sure if manufacturers do that or not), the only warranty available is what you would provide.  To put it bluntly, if you skip off to Siberia or die next year, who’s around to honor the warranty even if you offered one?  The odds are much better that Orvis. Loomis, etc. will be around if and when you need the warranty. Mark Faulkner

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I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Some purchasers may be concerned about the warranty.  Unless the manufacturer of the blank is passing through its warranty (I’m not sure if manufacturers do that or not),

Generally they do … you should check with the manufacturer or a authorized retail dealer. You should note though that they will only warranty the blank and the warranty may be void if in their opinion the blank failure was related to the work done by the custom rod builder. RalphH

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I’m a custom rod builder. I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares but I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

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Question:

Oh please Oh please they beseech, that man we just have to impeach, they ought to go fishing, instead of just wishing, besides,  they

Question:

Just found this really neat site – the Gadabout Gaddis Fishing Page! Geez, this guy was one of the first television shows on tv. Gadabout was my hero. He wasn’t like the dumb fishin shows of today. This guy flew his own plane to remote spots on a whim. Man, I’d love to catch some of those old shows. Here’s the site: http://www.seakayaker.com/gaddis/gadabout.htm Vin Man

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WOW !!!!    Thanks A Lot !!!! I thought everybody had forgotten about my boyhood hero.  I didn’t know about his page on the Net !!! When I started Fly Fishing back in 1968. I knew of no one who Fly Fished except Gaddabout and myself.  My parents bought me a cheap Roddy Fly Rod, a line that was supposed to match the rod, and a cheap fly tying kit. Wow! Did I ever have fun with Bluegill. His page brings back some GREAT memories – Almost brings tears to my eyes. How I’d like to go back and join Gaddabout now. Thanks, Bill — William Endicott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just found this really neat site – the Gadabout Gaddis Fishing Page! Geez, this guy was one of the first television shows on tv. Gadabout was my hero. He wasn’t like the dumb fishin shows of today. This guy flew his own plane to remote spots on a whim. Man, I’d love to catch some of those old shows. Here’s the site: http://www.seakayaker.com/gaddis/gadabout.htm Vin Man

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Question:

Being fairly new to fly fishing (3 year only)  I wonder what to use up at Invermoriston at the end of May for salmon. Any suggestions angela

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You might be better posting this on uk.rec.fishing.game as well, there should be someone with local knowledge. — Regards Peter (Remove "nospam"to email)

:Being fairly new to fly fishing (3 year only)  I wonder what to use up at :Invermoriston at the end of May for salmon. Any suggestions :angela : :

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Question:

There is a fly tying cd (perhaps 2) available in both Mac and PC-compatible format (but not necessarily the same cd). Anyway, has anyone know of or have seen a reputable mail order firm that offers these at a discount? — dept of math/cs ut martin

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There is a fly tying cd (perhaps 2) available in both Mac and PC-compatible format (but not necessarily the same cd). Anyway, has anyone know of or have seen a reputable mail order firm that offers these at a discount?

Hi Jim I think the CD you are looking for is Tying Flies for Trout by Dick Stewart and Farrow Allen.  It’s available through Bob Mariotts at 800-535-6633 (orders) or 800-367-2299 (fax orders).  Also get his catalog, it’s the most incredible catalog/information source you’ll ever see. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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Question:

Does anyone have any tips or experience on fishing the Wissahickon in Philadelphia?

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: Does anyone have any tips or experience on fishing the Wissahickon in : Philadelphia? Get a tetannus shot before you venture in.

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Does anyone have any tips or experience on fishing the Wissahickon in Philadelphia?

What…God doesn’t know?

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I fished the Wissahickon when I was a kid. They would stock it with trout, but if you ate one that was in the water too long it tasted like soap. The stream is muddy and tough to get down to in areas near Bells Mill and Valley Green if you want to wade. I would suggest that you go upstream near Flourtown where there’s a park that has open banks and the stream is a bit shallower and, if memory serves, may be better all around for fly fishing. Good luck

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Question:

You can fish the streams in the park productively all Summer long, but they do get low and the fish get squirrely.  Heating is not so much a problem as low water.  Try the upper Hughes, the Hazel (if it’s open this year) and the upper Conway.  Learn to crawl on your belly, and hide behind the boulders.  I know nothing about Naked Creek.  As a sidelight, there are a bunch of decent limestones in the general area as well.  Buffalo Creek is one of the better ones.  Call Harry Murray in Edinsburg, VA.  He has a pharmacy/ fly shop.  Nobody is better versed on these streams than he.  I don’t have his number.  Call dir assist. and get the number for Murray’s fly shop in Edinsburg.

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We fish the lower Shenandoah year round for Rainbow and Brown trout. We take good size trout from about 12 streams with regular success. The trophy trout areas are good but the smaller spring fed streams hold fish year round and have less fishing pressure. In addition to Murrays, I would recommend the Mossy Creek Flyshop in Bridgewater to get info on Smithy Creek, Mossy as well as the Bull Pasture. I would contact the Orvis store in Roanoke to get the flies and hatch info on Lower Jackson, Back Creek, Upper Jackson, Tye, South, Irish, Pedlar and Upper Maury. Ron Bennett Flyfishing Virginia L.L.C. (804) 467-6668

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How late can one fish in the Shanendoa trout streams productively? I’m told they get to warm by "summer." I want to fish Naked Creek in mid Jun e.

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