Question:

Well, I’ve hinted at it; and now it’s time to start writing in ink.   I’m proposing a ROFF mini-clave in Altmar, NY to catch a few salmon, drink a few beers, and tell a few lies.   At this late date, accommodations in the entire area should be nigh on impossible to obtain; but I have already reserved two large rooms at Malinda’s for Thurs., October 17 thru the 20th. One room is essentially full already; but the other sleeps 3 or 4 should any intrepid souls want to make definite plans for that weekend. I’m willing to bet that most folks interested will already be familiar with the area; but any questions about the fishing, fly selection, places to eat, lodges, etc. will be cheerfully answered for those who are not; and I’ll even put up a web site if necessary. So consider this a preliminary announcement.   More info will be provided as needed. Joe F.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, I’ve hinted at it; and now it’s time to start writing in ink.   I’m proposing a ROFF mini-clave in Altmar, NY to catch a few salmon, drink a few beers, and tell a few lies.   At this late date, accommodations in the entire area should be nigh on impossible to obtain; but I have already reserved two large rooms at Malinda’s for Thurs., October 17 thru the 20th. One room is essentially full already; but the other sleeps 3 or 4 should any intrepid souls want to make definite plans for that weekend. I’m willing to bet that most folks interested will already be familiar with the area; but any questions about the fishing, fly selection, places to eat, lodges, etc. will be cheerfully answered for those who are not; and I’ll even put up a web site if necessary. So consider this a preliminary announcement.   More info will be provided as needed. Joe F.

Joe- It’s a really busy semester for me, but I might be able to swing by on the weekend (yeah, I know about the crowds, but it will be for the comeraderie and not the fishing).  Joe Verdone might be interested as well.  I don’t think we’ll be needing accomodations, we’re a stone’s throw away — Scott Reverse first field of address to reply

Response:

Well, I’ve hinted at it; and now it’s time to start writing in ink.   I’m proposing a ROFF mini-clave in Altmar, NY to catch a few salmon, drink a few beers, and tell a few lies.  

Those salmon aren’t, like, trying to spawn, are they? — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Well, I’ve hinted at it; and now it’s time to start writing in ink. I’m proposing a ROFF mini-clave in Altmar, NY to catch a few salmon, drink a few beers, and tell a few lies. Those salmon aren’t, like, trying to spawn, are they?

They sure are.  They swim right into the loving hands of the folks at the hatchery, where the hens get squeezed like bagpipes and the males are emptied like a tube of toothpaste. Pete

Response:

Those salmon aren’t, like, trying to spawn, are they? They sure are.

In that case, I’m afraid it’s unethical. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

In that case, I’m afraid it’s unethical.

Ethics on the Salmon River are as rare as a 2 – minute steak. Pete Collin

Response:

Pete?  "Flyfishing," is not a generalization sport which is as rare as a 1 minute steak. George Gehrke :  ) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In that case, I’m afraid it’s unethical. Ethics on the Salmon River are as rare as a 2 – minute steak. Pete Collin

Response:

Question:

First of all, do not attempt to attribute things to me that I did not say, by incorrect interpretation.  My reply to the original post read: "I wonder why somebody does not shoot you.  It would be an act of kindness to humanity." This is not open to interpretation. The statement is clear and complete, there is no ambiguity.

I agree that it’s clear.  An "act of kindness to humanity" is "good". You offered me useless, condescending,  and unsolicited advice…

On the contrary, I implied you had something good to offer when you post fly fishing information.  What you perceived as advice was actually a lighthearted way of saying I don’t approve of what you said.  As I’m sure you’d agree, there are times when something disagreeable is said in ROFF, and times when someone feels compelled to speak against it.  Perhaps I should have replaced the lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek tone of voice in the post with a simple "that was uncalled for and I don’t like it."  Then you couldn’t interpret it as condescending, or advice.  It was a statement of disapproval, nothing more.  …There are no "lines" here, which have not already long since been crossed, as people never tire of reiterating.

I think George clearly "crossed the line" when he wished Charlie Choc dead. If someone hadn’t flamed him for it first, I would have.  Let’s keep things in perspective.  We are talking about George Gerhke, not Timothy McVeigh. Timothy McVeigh deserves to die. This is an extremely  serious personal confrontation between myself, and another person. It is being carried out here because this is where it started, and because it is also of general interest.

If it is of general interest, then why would you tell me to keep out of it? If it’s personal, then why is it in public?

Response:

At this particular point I would like to take the opportunity of apologising to Jeff Connelly.  It was not my intention to be quite so personally insulting towards you. Upon reading the post again, I was indeed a little harsh on you, and there was no reason to jump on you like that. The sentiments expressed reflect my thoughts exactly, but it was unfair to direct them at you personally. I know you basically meant well. Please accept my apologies.

Accepted.  I apologize for sounding like a wise guy.  My intent wasn’t to be condescending, it was: "I think that kind of talk is out of line."  I’d say the same thing no matter who said it.  I think you and I basically feel the same way about things around here.

Response:

I think George clearly "crossed the line" when he wished Charlie Choc dead. If someone hadn’t flamed him for it first, I would have.  Let’s keep things in perspective.  We are talking about George Gerhke, not Timothy McVeigh. Timothy McVeigh deserves to die.

Jeez Connelly, what planet do you live on?  Get a grip man.  Wishing someone dead is not an uncommon thing.  It’s something everyone has longed for at one time or another, and it doesn’t make one evil, uncaring, or even noteworthy.  Each and every one of us deserves to die in someone’s estimation.  Big deal.  Let’s keep thing in perspective here; it’s not as if he wants to deprive him of the right to vote or something. Wolfgang

Response:

Jeez Connelly, what planet do you live on?  Get a grip man.  Wishing someone dead is not an uncommon thing.  It’s something everyone has longed for at one time or another, and it doesn’t make one evil, uncaring, or even noteworthy.  Each and every one of us deserves to die in someone’s estimation.  Big deal.  Let’s keep thing in perspective here; it’s not as if he wants to deprive him of the right to vote or something.

Wolfgang, why don’t you just shrivel up and die.  Hey, that felt good!  Can I have your fly tying stuff?

Response:

I only wonder if the FBI Agent that shot the little baby and the mother though the screen door AT RUBY RIDGE will be at Timothy McVeigh’s side holding the last needle clamp? My question is this.  What is the point?  If anyone thinks this execution is going to make people feel good, I don’t think so. I wouldn’t be surprised if McVeigh sneers or smiles at everyone before the State kills him.  But what is his point?  What is the message Timothy McVeigh has been trying to get across?  If anyone has an opinion? I wonder, in some strange way, if society may end up making him a martyr agaisn’t the politically incorrect?  Usually, there is an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a crime for a crime? What a mess.  Exactly, what the hell is going on?  This man doesn’t care if they kill him.  He is going to his death, satisfied and convinced it was worth it all.  But?  WHAT was worth it?  What is his motive and will it pay off in the long run IF there IS a light at the end of the McVeigh tunnel/mystery? Strange? http://www.msnbc.com/news/557958.asp — George Gehrke   "All’s Fair With Fur or Feather" (gg) http://www.gink.com/chat  questions & answers site 7 PM Weekdays Pacific Time

Response:

I only wonder if the FBI Agent that shot the little baby and the mother though the screen door AT RUBY RIDGE will be at Timothy McVeigh’s side holding the last needle clamp?

You who have so much knowledge of things concerning flyfishing insist on posting not only off-topic stuff, but subjects you know will start a controversy with you right in the middle, I suspect right where you want to be. First off, this dipshit killed 168 innocent people, none who had a damned thing to do with Ruby Ridge, and he deserves to die.  That he apparently has a death wish (or wants to be seen as a martyr) is of no consequence in these proceedings. Secondly George, it is not the State of Indiana who is killing him, it is the US Government, the place of execution just happens to be in Terre Haute, IN. not that I give a crap where he dies. Frank Church

Response:

snipped to save room: Secondly George, it is not the State of Indiana who is killing him, it is the US Government, the place of execution just happens to be in Terre Haute, IN. not that I give a crap where he dies. Frank Church

I’m sure not many people do.  You’re right about it being a Federal Case.   Just forget it.  You’re right. — George Gehrke   "All’s Fair With Fur or Feather" (gg) http://www.gink.com/chat  questions & answers site 7 PM Weekdays Pacific Time

Response:

I wonder why somebody does not shoot you.  It would be an act of kindness to humanity. MC

Response:

I wonder why somebody does not shoot you.  It would be an act of kindness to humanity.

Slack off Mike before you become what you hate.  Find your way back to the fly fishing posts where you can do some good.  I’m sure your stretched blood vessels will thank you in the morning.

Response:

Slack off Mike before you become what you hate.  Find your way back to the fly fishing posts where you can do some good.  I’m sure your stretched blood vessels will thank you in the morning.

You just do not get it, do you? I must have done something really special at one time or another to deserve all the wonderful free advice I am getting lately. In order to become anything even remotely resembling Gehrke, to whom I assume you are referring, I would require, at the very least, a frontal lobotomy, a minimum forty years of practice at being the biggest arsehole extant, and my balls cut off. Even then, it is still doubtful whether I could ever be evil, dishonourable, or stupid enough to fill the bill. One last time, I do not hate Gehrke.  It is not possible for a sensible man to hate a thing. I did not hate the dog that bit my wife once, right outside our house, I simply destroyed it before it could bite her or anybody else again. I jumped on it and  broke its neck, although it also bit me twice in the arms. At least two ineffectual wankers who were present, including the owner of the beast, complained about that too, and attempted to prevent me from grabbing the animal in the first place. They can thank their lucky stars they did not cause me any real problems, or really get in my way, especially as my wife was still bleeding badly from the bite when the police arrived some time afterwards. All the stupid bastards could do was moan about the poor dog. Even the policemen were disgusted at them, especially after seeing the wound in my wife

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

Response:

< 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

Response:

< 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

Response:

- 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!

Response:

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

Response:

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…

Response:

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:

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

Response:

Question:

This month’s cover kit comprises a miniature rose sampler kit with wooden frame. p6 Cross Stitch World: news and giveaways p8 A Place in the Country: a picture of a thatched cottage with a profusion of flowers around it designed by Sheila Hudson. (28hpi jobelan; stitch count: 110 high x 140 wide). (All charts in black and white) (See Cool and Simple below) p12 Heart Sampler: lovely pastel sampler using white cotton perle for depth and texture, designed by Christine Ann Martin ( 32hpi jobelan, some beading, wildflowers threads, 218 high x 166 wide; kit available by mail order). p19 Your Letters p20 A Royal Romance: lovely carousel horses – Guinevere and Lancelot – designed by Sue Cook (28hpi evenweave, essential because of large use of fractional stitches, use of Anchor marlitt, Kreinlitt blending filament, Mill Hill beads and charms, tassels and couching; 135high x 100 wide). p26 The Perfect Figurine: article about Royal Doulton with address for cross stitch kit tie-ins. p29 Poppy Cushion: dramatic cushion design by Sue Page (28 hpi jobelan, 129highx129 wide). p32 In the Swim: kit reviews with a fish theme: Fisherman and his Catch by Eva Rosenstand; Fly Fishing by Heritage; Orca Trio by Cross My Heart Inc; and Fishing Sampler by Anchor (Penelope). p34 Classic Collection: a selection of Thank You cards by Debra Page. p39 Out of the Blue: last of the white on blue floral designs by Lesley Brankin to complete the cushion or to use separately. (28hpi evenweave; 133 high x 109 wide – 4 of the flowers plus border; kit available). p42 The Circus, Bath: the delightful Georgian terrace, composed by Christine Sylvester of Abacus Designs (14hpi aida; 74 high x 123 wide). p47 A Chart for Baby: chart reviews with a baby theme. p48 Cool and Simple: A lovely 3-panel sampler by Sue Page (28 hpi jobelan; use of satin stitch, Algerian Eyes, Eyelets and Diamond eyelets, which are all explained; kit available, although it is not mentioned in the mail order section but a kit for the Summer Cottage, see above, is). p54 Fragrant Stitches: round trinket box lid (designer not attributed) of dog roses and rose hips (32hpi evenweave in dark green, 51 high x 49 wide) p60 Do not disturb: door name plates for kids, again not attributed, full alphabet given (14hpi aida; 24 high x 130 wide). NEXT MONTH: lovely rose and lilies firescreen project, Golden Sun Angel, striking Barn Owl and Autumn Sampler. Free floral card kit plus 3 illustrated cards and envelopes. Dianne

Response:

How does one subscribe to this publication? thanks, Angie who can never have enought XS mags.

Response:

How does one subscribe to this publication? thanks, Angie who can never have enought XS mags.

Hi Angie, If you buy any of the x-stitch magazines there is a card or a page which you can fill in and send back to the publisher. Yours in Stitching Sharon ****** — Sharon D Ward http://www.danesholme.demon.co.uk

Response:

Question:

C’mon you people, admit it, let share some carp on the fly stories.  These stalwart fighters have been much maligned over the decades regarding their worth as a worthy adversary. I know some of you have forsaken the Trout for the coarseness of what’s still considered in Europe as a noble Fish. The Carp.  Philosophical retorts as well as pragmatic advice on how to catch the suckers is welcome.   (Have tried steelhead type egg flies with little success for starters).

Response:

C’mon you people, admit it, let share some carp on the fly stories.

These stalwart fighters have been much maligned over the decades regarding their worth as a worthy adversary. I know some of you have forsaken the Trout for the coarseness of what’s still considered in Europe as a noble Fish. The Carp.  Philosophical retorts as well as pragmatic advice on how to catch the suckers is welcome.   (Have tried steelhead type egg flies with little success for starters). Danezen,  A friend and I caught a number of carp of 3 to 5 pounds on #14 GRHE in clear quiet water.  Fished the fly with a slow finger winding retrieve.  They make a lot of noise splashing as the hook is set and the first 3 minutes are a good fight…. then it is a down and dogged pull without much character to it until you bring them to net… Seem to lack the stamina of a salmonid. Alan E. Hoover Anglers’ Rest Powhatan, Va        *the trout teach many, lessons*

Response:

I know some of you have forsaken the Trout for the coarseness of what’s still considered in Europe as a noble Fish. The Carp.  Philosophical retorts as well as pragmatic advice on how to catch the suckers is welcome.  

In the absence of other fish, Carp is King. In the presence of other fish, carp is an abomination.

Response:

I have had some success using maribu jigs with hackle bodys, fished off docks and presented like you would to a trout. them buggers can be alfull picky. lots of fun on 2 pound line. The guy crappie fishing next to me about had a heart attack when I landed a 6 pounder on 2 pound line. bright colors seem to help. crashawk

Response:

A number of years ago, I was fishing 11 Mile Reservoir for Pike. I was casting a large black Bunny Fly that had been very successful for me netting me a number of Pike up to twenty pounds. I was fishing a wind swept shoreline from a belly boat & was casting into the roiled water near the bank, retrieving the fly back into the clear. The Pike I had been catching were sitting right at the edge of this line. I made a cast very near the shore & thought that I had snagged. Then all hell broke loose. Following a huge swurl, the fish took off like a freight train running toward the middle of the lake. With an eight weight & a heavy leader, I was unable to slow the fish. When I reached my backing, I turned around, held my rod above my head, & kicked as hard as I could to keep the fish from taking all the line. I followed the fish as well as I could, without being able to gain any line. Finally just when the spool was nearly empty, it stopped. I regained some line by getting right over the fish. Then the work began. For what seemed to be a half hour, I followed the fish, got towed by him, gained line, lost line. I felt I had hooked a CO record pike.I finally gained enough line that I saw the fish. I was *VERY* dissappointed when I saw it was a carp. When I finally landed it, I guestimated it at over twenty pounds, similar in weight to some of the bigger pike I had caught. Over the next few days, my mind kept going back to the battle with this fish. I was probably the most exciting, hard fought battle I’d had with a fish. This turned around my thinking about carp. I now fish for them with dries when they’re surface feeding, & will fish for them with nymphs etc. I find that small flies, as a whole, fish better.   Willi

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – C’mon you people, admit it, let share some carp on the fly stories.  These stalwart fighters have been much maligned over the decades regarding their worth as a worthy adversary. I know some of you have forsaken the Trout for the coarseness of what’s still considered in Europe as a noble Fish. The Carp.  Philosophical retorts as well as pragmatic advice on how to catch the suckers is welcome.   (Have tried steelhead type egg flies with little success for starters). There is a story in the current California Fly Fisher about sneak fishing for large carp in ponds in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Written by Seth Norman with photos by Valentine Atkinson. He scored on egg flies. The fish were spooky. The proper camoflage would be to dress as a bum and cast a short rod from a park bench.

Laugh.  I really miss my subscription to that magazine but I no longer live in California.  If you (the generic you) live in California, and you flyfish,  I highly recommend a subscription to the magazine. -Mark Vinsel BTW, in case this rare willingness to write on your favorite quarry inspires you to want to subscribe, Cal FFer can be reached at: P.O. Box 40429 San Francisco, CA,  94140 (415) 284-0313

At one time they had an email address as well but were having trouble with their service provider and I haven’t seen anything from them in a long time.  I had a good feeling about them when I first subscribed to the magazine and they apologized for not getting back so soon because the staff was out fishing. John Fereira

Response:

Question:

Does anyone know of a comprehensive list of private, daily or annual fee-based fishing areas in California? I have compiled a list of a dozen or so, but I would like a larger base of data. It seems that the landowners either try to market themselves, often badly, or the lease the fishing rights to a large fly shop or fishing club. The only large, organized clubs I have found that lease trepass rights on an anuual basis are hunting clubs like Wilderness Unlimited.

Response:

Does anyone know of a comprehensive list of private, daily or annual fee-based fishing areas in California? I have compiled a list of a dozen or so, but I would like a larger base of data. It seems that the landowners either try to market themselves, often badly, or the lease the fishing rights to a large fly shop or fishing club. The only large, organized clubs I have found that lease trepass rights on an anuual basis are hunting clubs like Wilderness Unlimited.

In Northern California, the Fly Shop in Redding, CA has been the most sucessful. They have a nice cross section of well run private waters. 800/669-FISH William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

Response:

Question:

Okay, I tie on a dry fly and go out and fish.  But I don’t catch anything and want to change my fly (as opposed to closing my fly).  How do I do this?  Cut the old one off?  Untie (how) the fly that is already on?  What?  Sure sound like dumb but important questions to me and I hope someone can help a beginner.  Thanks. — Gerald Strom University of Illinois at Chicago

Response:

Okay, I tie on a dry fly and go out and fish.  But I don’t catch anything and want to change my fly (as opposed to closing my fly).  How do I do this?  Cut the old one off?  Untie (how) the fly that is already on?  What?  Sure sound like dumb but important questions to me and I hope someone can help a beginner.  Thanks. —

cut it off…put the dry on you hatband of drying patch… if this makes your tippet too short then cut this off and replace it too… TimW

Response:

Okay, I tie on a dry fly and go out and fish.  But I don’t catch anything and want to change my fly (as opposed to closing my fly).  How do I do this?  Cut the old one off?  Untie (how) the fly that is already on?  What?  Sure sound like dumb but important questions to me and I hope someone can help a beginner.  Thanks.

Hi Gerald First off there is no such thing as a dumb question.  That’s what this group is all about — questions and answers. When you want to change a fly just cut one off and tie on another.  There are special nippers made for this purpose OR if you don’t have one a small finger nail clipper will work just fine.  When I first started I used a finger nail clipper on a loop of old fly line around my neck for several years. There are several different knots used to tie on flies.  You can go to the library and find a book on fly fishing or check at your local fly shop.  There is a neat little book (about 3"x5") on knots available today.  I personally like the Uni Knot but there are other good knots as well.  Many of the fly line manufacturers include knot tying instructions with there fly line.  Also I have an old aluminum Perine fly box that has the knot tying instruction on the front of the box. Keep asking the questions and I’m sure you’ll find someone more experienced on this group who will help. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT(96 catalog)

Response:

Okay, I tie on a dry fly and go out and fish.  But I don’t catch anything and want to change my fly (as opposed to closing my fly).  How do I do this?  Cut the old one off?  Untie (how) the fly that is already on?  What?  Sure sound like dumb but important questions to me and I hope someone can help a beginner.  Thanks. —

I must admit that I have never thought about it till now.  basicly i cut (bite) the old one off,  I guess that this results in the tippet ( end of the leader) becomming shorter and shorter.   In the UK you can get in small "snap" links from Mustard which are designed for easy fly changing Julian

Response:

Just cut fly off as close to hook as as possible then tie on new fly.Best to have someone show you improved clinch knot or uni knot

best of luck -jkralic

Response:

Heck, if you haven’t caught the darn thing in a tree behind you, you can’t be that dumb… Just snip it off and buy lots of tippet.

Response:

writes: Okay, I tie on a dry fly and go out and fish.  But I don’t catch anything and want to change my fly (as opposed to closing my fly).  How do I do this? Cut the old one off?  Untie (how) the fly that is already on?  What?  Sure sound like dumb but important questions to me and I hope someone can help a beginner.  Thanks.

No need to apologize for your question.  the only stupid question is the one that doesn’t get asked.  Enjoyed the pun by the way ;^ When you want to change flies, you simply cut off the first one and tie on another. Eventually this will shorten your tippet (if you don’t lose it to a fly eating tree or bush first, or cast some wind knots into it), but then you cut that off and tie on a new piece.  Orvis has a waterproof knot booklet for about $5 that has the appropriate knots listed and how to tie them. Personally I use the Orvis knot to tie on most trout flies and a Trilene knot to tie on any fly large enough to pass the tippet through the eye twice (large streamers, bass flies, steelheadsalmon flies, saltwater flies).  On flies that I want to use a lot of action on I will often use a Duncan’s loop.                            Hope this helps,                                      Dan Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

Response:

In follow up to one beginners question to another, does it matter what size leader you use as long as the tippet is a smaller size? Do I need to change leaders if I’m going to the trout stream after I’ve been fishing for bluegill in a pond, or just the tippet? Thanks. D. Lowe

Response:

In follow up to one beginners question to another, does it matter what size leader you use as long as the tippet is a smaller size? Do I need to change leaders if I’m going to the trout stream after I’ve been fishing for bluegill in a pond, or just the tippet? Thanks. D. Lowe

I myself work on the premise that my tippet should be either the same or one size smaller than the tip section of my leader. For determining the end "tippet" size a good general rule is too devide your hook size by three. Example: Size 12 adams – use a 4x tippet. Reel simple

Response:

In follow up to one beginners question to another, does it matter what size leader you use as long as the tippet is a smaller size? Do I need to change leaders if I’m going to the trout stream after I’ve been fishing for bluegill in a pond, or just the tippet? Thanks. D. Lowe I myself work on the premise that my tippet should be either the same or one size smaller than the tip section of my leader. For determining the end "tippet" size a good general rule is too devide your hook size by three. Example: Size 12 adams – use a 4x tippet. Reel simple

One approach is to use a 3X leader and then step down to the desired tippet size  using 6 – 8 inch long transition sections.  For example, if you want to use a 6X tippet, you would use 8 inches of 4X and 8 inches of 5 X between the leader and tippet section. This way you only carry one size leader. Regards, Chuck

Response:

One approach is to use a 3X leader and then step down to the desired tippet size  using 6 – 8 inch long transition sections.  For example, if you want to use a 6X tippet, you would use 8 inches of 4X and 8 inches of 5 X between the leader and tippet section. This way you only carry one size leader. Regards, Chuck

Not a bad idea Chuck except for me personally I find it very difficult to  tie on those little pieces of tippet material while there is a feeding frenzy going on. For some reason my fingers and brain seem to disconnect while whatching trout splashing and jumping all around me, not to mention the problem of cold fingers or low light. I generally carry a range of leaders sizes 3x-6x pretied with 3 feet of tippet section done while at home whatching a fishing show or something. This allows me more time to fish and less aggravation on the water. I only tie on the water if I have to. Tight lines Russ

Response:

(DLowe21757) writes: In follow up to one beginners question to another, does it matter what size leader you use as long as the tippet is a smaller size? Do I need to change leaders if I’m going to the trout stream after I’ve been fishing for bluegill in a pond, or just the tippet? Thanks. D. Lowe

Boy this can be a can of worms! Commercial knotless tapered leaders consist of three parts – butt section (which is heavy and level or very slightly tapered), the tapering section (which rapidly tapers down to your tippet size), and the tippet section (which is also level and the part that you tie onto the fly).  So your leader already has a tippet on it.  You can replace the tippet as needed as you break it off or cut it down from changing flies.  Much less expensive to tie on a new tippet section than to change an entire leader every time you mess up the tippet.  You can also change how your leader performs by cutting back or adding tippet.  If you add tippet you will get more slack out near the fly, if you cut back tippet you will get more power delivered to the fly resulting is less slack and more ease in turning over large flies or regular flies in windy conditions.  You can play around with the butt section in the opposite manner to accomplish the same thing, but that means tying two knots instead of one.  And of course if you really want to get carried away you can vary both to fine tune the leader to your needs. A good approximate guide to which tippet size to use is to divide the size of your fly by 3 and use the resultant number for your tippet X number. For instance: size 18 fly divided by 3 = 6X tippet, size 12 divided by 3 = 4X, size 16 divided by 3 = 5X and a little left over.  In slow clear water with spooky trout you may have to go one X smaller, and in fast pocket water you may be able to go one X larger.  Listen to what the fish say, they’ll tell you. Length of leader is more a function of the water type than anything else. We use longer leaders for greater subtlety (less obtrusive than the fly line) and more suppleness.  Long leaders – 9 to 12 ft.- are most commonly needed in slow clear water with spooky trout.  That is because the trout gets a long time to inspect your fly in slow water and are typically more critical of drag.  Short leaders – 6 to 7 1/2 ft. – are used in faster water for better control with typically larger flies in fast water conditions.  In fast water the trout gets only a short time to see your fly before he takes it or rejects it and there is not usually as much food available (harsher conditions) so he tends to be more opportunistic than in the slower water conditions.  Since we don’t need the added subtlety and suppleness of the longer leader in faster conditions we don’t use it. Always best to use the shortest heaviest leader you can get away with. Again listen to the trout.   If the trout aren’t taking your fly you probably need to go longer and finer.  Sometimes the shortest stoutest leader that will work is a 12 ft. 6X or 7X leader.                      Hope this helps,                              Dan Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

Response:

Question:

Friends from England expect visit Vanc. Isl. -Nanaimo and north- late June / early July.They would like to do some flyfishing, prefer dry fly, either fishing lakes from canoe or river wading.  Would appreciate any suggestions of suitable waters and reccommened fly patterns. Thanks in advance

Response:

Friends from England expect visit Vanc. Isl. -Nanaimo and north- late June / early July.They would like to do some flyfishing, prefer dry fly, either fishing lakes from canoe or river wading.

For fly patterns, etc. Roderick Haig-Brown’s books are unbeatable:  he lived there (besides being one of the top angling writers of the century.) For geography, the best source 20 years ago was paperback guidebooks by Alec Merriman of the Victoria Daily Colonist, published by Saltaire. Your friends should also be aware of tidewater fishing for sea-dwelling cutthroat trout, which many people think the best summer angling on Vancouver Island. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

Contact: 1. Murphy’s Sportsfishing Centre in Port Alberni, B.C. (on the island), 4213 Princess Ave., V9Y 5R2, 604-723-8022 2. http://deepcove.com/fish_hotline/ 3. http://vvv.com/flyfish/ 4. http://www.nwlink.com/~mmurphy/wbc.html B. PS. Can someone tell me how to take bookmarks and imbed them into a e-mail/post? Or at least how to copy the text and paste it. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Friends from England expect visit Vanc. Isl. -Nanaimo and north- late June / early July.They would like to do some flyfishing, prefer dry fly, either fishing lakes from canoe or river wading. Would appreciate any suggestions of suitable waters and reccommened fly patterns. Thanks in advance

Response:

Question:

I live in CO., and I’m planning on doing some fly fishing for lake trout this year.  I know several places to go, but I don’t know what flies or techniques to use.  Please post any suggestions on fly patterns and methods to use for lake trout.

Response:

planning on doing some fly fishing for lake trout this year.  I know several places to go, but I don’t know what flies or techniques to use.  Please post any suggestions on fly patterns and methods to use for lake trout."     I’ve never ffed in CO, but in CA I’ve had some success with calebaetis sparkle duns, fished in shallow water near weed beds, during the mid-day hatch.  Fish were taking size16, but that was last Sept–maybe larger in spring.  Some swear by nymphs, like a PT, but I find drys easier & more fun when fish will take them.  By the way, the lake I’m talking about has a water temp around 47 deg F, even in warm weather, and I fish from a boat.  

Response:

I live in CO., and I’m planning on doing some fly fishing for lake trout this year….

I go for lakers in NH on a regular basis.  Almost always trolling large (2,4 6X-10X) streamers, especially early in the year.  Gray ghost, red ghost, Lake St. John are some good patterns.  See American Angler on tying New England streamers from this winter.  Have fun. Martin

Response: