Question:

<SNIP the eye, put marabou collars on them, and finished with a built-up epoxy head).   The fishhair stood up, but the marabou got creamed. What would be a good recipe for my needs and what would be a good collar substitute?  Thanks, Adam

Go to your local hardware store, have a  look at the synthetic cords.  They come in a whole range of colours, including fluorescents. When shredded and combed out, ( Use a wire brush),these make indestructible wings for flies. Use short bits for the collars. The stuff does not soak up water, and is easy to cast. TL MC

Response:

Going to fly fish for big peacock bass in the Amazon this October.  Problem is that you have to throw flies all day long, using anywhere from an 8 to a 10/11 wt. rod.  Now, the traditional flies are usually at least 6-8" long and damn wind resistant.  So you get the idea about having your arm replaced at the end of each day. Anyway, I’d like to make up a mess of 6" streamers that will have a nice profile, but yet be not too wind resistant.  One suggestion was to pattern them after Deceivers, but without feathers (as the peacocks will rip them up pronto).  I’m not the greatest tyer and I look to make the flies pretty much down and dirty.  These fish are so aggressive that one doesn’t need to be fancy with their tying.  So, I’d like some help with the type of materials to use that will give me the profile and yet be easy to throw.  Also, I would imagine that if one was to make a deceiver sans feathers, once again certain materials would be better than others.  For example, I’ve fish the peacock in Venezuela (fish went up to 17#), and made relatively thin streamers out of fishhair or bozo hair (just tied on several different colors behind the eye, put marabou collars on them, and finished with a built-up epoxy head).   The fishhair stood up, but the marabou got creamed. What would be a good recipe for my needs and what would be a good collar substitute?  Thanks, Adam

Response:

Question:

found his home page…. http://pavonpayara.com/ john

Response:

What a wonderful country full of pleasant people who love to fly fish. I spent three weeks in country on both islands and would go back in a heart beat. The exchange rate is close to 2-1, I found that lodging, food, guides, most services are where you will save money, it’s the airfare that hurts. I hired a guide in the Toupo area who got me into large fish and gladly instructed me on the local waters. The currency denominations are the same, they speak english, there is almost no crime, and there are no native or wild mammals or reptiles to spook you in the bush. GO TO NEW ZEALAND AND YOU WILL WANT TO MOVE THERE!!!!!!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife, of 27 years, has expressed interest in a fly fishing vacation at the end of this year.  Although she has tied flies for years, she finally got the serious fly fishing bug (pun intended) this season and we fish, at least, one evening a week and 2 weekends a month (weather permitting).  For our vacation, she wants something warm and fly fishingish…With all your world travelers in ROFF maybe you can give some suggestions.  Money, of course, is an issue, but we could come up with somewhere around a total budget of  $3000-$4000 USD (for the both of us, air fare included) and we live near Portland, Oregon (indian for "it rains all winter") <G Any and all suggestions would be appreciated…Salt, fresh it doesn’t matter…(I have only fly fished salt water a few times in San Diego)… Padishar Creel — Alive and well and fully employed…

Response:

That’s one of the prime times of the year to fish for Peacock Bass. You can actually negotiate better deals due to the season…..Americans stay home at Christmas. . . usually.

Um, so did you actually *catch any fish* on your recent Peacock Bass trip? I recall seeing a short trip report outlining your drinking endeavors with the promise of more info to come, but then I never saw anything else. I completely forgot to ask you about it at the Penn Clave. –Steve

Response:

Welll….I was actually there in there slow season, if there is one. My best was a twelve and a half pounder (peacock).  I was a trifle unprepared for the payara. john

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That’s one of the prime times of the year to fish for Peacock Bass. You can actually negotiate better deals due to the season…..Americans stay home at Christmas. . . usually. Um, so did you actually *catch any fish* on your recent Peacock Bass trip? I recall seeing a short trip report outlining your drinking endeavors with the promise of more info to come, but then I never saw anything else. I completely forgot to ask you about it at the Penn Clave. –Steve

Response:

That’s one of the prime times of the year to fish for Peacock Bass. You can actually negotiate better deals due to the season…..Americans stay home at Christmas. . . usually. Scour the net (minor searching) for Peacock Bay Lodge and check out what there is to offer, follow a link or two and see what there is in the way of Payara fishing ( big rods, deepsinking lines and gigantic streamers….) If you like what you see, then contact the owner of Peacock Bay Lodge, Harley Lezama. His brother owns Indian Camp for Payara (that camp currently has the worlds record.) You can get a much better deal by dealing direct and avoiding the outfitters who charge roughly 30 to 40 percent mark up. telefax 58-854629. john (ps. I plan on going back there with the Mrs.)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife, of 27 years, has expressed interest in a fly fishing vacation at the end of this year.  Although she has tied flies for years, she finally got the serious fly fishing bug (pun intended) this season and we fish, at least, one evening a week and 2 weekends a month (weather permitting).  For our vacation, she wants something warm and fly fishingish…With all your world travelers in ROFF maybe you can give some suggestions.  Money, of course, is an issue, but we could come up with somewhere around a total budget of  $3000-$4000 USD (for the both of us, air fare included) and we live near Portland, Oregon (indian for "it rains all winter") <G Any and all suggestions would be appreciated…Salt, fresh it doesn’t matter…(I have only fly fished salt water a few times in San Diego)… Padishar Creel — Alive and well and fully employed…

Response:

Mark, Any or all…doesn’t matter would enjoy any of those species.  Deb is a novice and I am an intermediate fly fisherman…so probably the least challenging of the species would be a better choice…but I enjoy fly fishing, not just catching…so we be game for anything…I assume snook would be the least challenging fish on your list… Padishar Creel

Response:

. "New Zealand On A Budget"  And in that vein, I would be contacting fellow Roffian, (and my adopted brother), Clark Reid.  He’s a guide down there.  Evidently, not too bad a fly tyer either.  His cicada pattern is in Umpqua’s book "The World’s 1,100 Best Flies."     I gotta agree with Trip.  Airline price wars, perfect time of year, New Zealand economy right now, it all points to a trip to a faraway land, where the "speaka da English," but have some incredible, unspoiled fishing in incredible, unspoiled surroundings.     For most of the same reasons, Argentina would also be wonderful. Hey, if you believe the press, one out of 25 sea run browns CAUGHT in late November is over 20 lbs.  Now that would be fun.        Frank R.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife, of 27 years, has expressed interest in a fly fishing vacation at the end of this year.  Although she has tied flies for years, she finally got the serious fly fishing bug (pun intended) this season and we fish, at least, one evening a week and 2 weekends a month (weather permitting).  For our vacation, she wants something warm and fly fishingish…With all your world travelers in ROFF maybe you can give some suggestions.  Money, of course, is an issue, but we could come up with somewhere around a total budget of  $3000-$4000 USD (for the both of us, air fare included) and we live near Portland, Oregon (indian for "it rains all winter") <G Any and all suggestions would be appreciated…Salt, fresh it doesn’t matter…(I have only fly fished salt water a few times in San Diego)… Padishar Creel — Alive and well and fully employed…

That time of year? Permit? Tarpon? Bone fish Snook? M. Wm.

Response:

"New Zealand On A Budget" /daytripper (That’s where I’d be headed, anyway! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -My wife, of 27 years, has expressed interest in a fly fishing vacation at the end of this year.  Although she has tied flies for years, she finally got the serious fly fishing bug (pun intended) this season and we fish, at least, one evening a week and 2 weekends a month (weather permitting).  For our vacation, she wants something warm and fly fishingish…With all your world travelers in ROFF maybe you can give some suggestions.  Money, of course, is an issue, but we could come up with somewhere around a total budget of  $3000-$4000 USD (for the both of us, air fare included) and we live near Portland, Oregon (indian for "it rains all winter") <G Any and all suggestions would be appreciated…Salt, fresh it doesn’t matter…(I have only fly fished salt water a few times in San Diego)… Padishar Creel — Alive and well and fully employed…

Response:

My wife, of 27 years, has expressed interest in a fly fishing vacation at the end of this year.  Although she has tied flies for years, she finally got the serious fly fishing bug (pun intended) this season and we fish, at least, one evening a week and 2 weekends a month (weather permitting).  For our vacation, she wants something warm and fly fishingish…With all your world travelers in ROFF maybe you can give some suggestions.  Money, of course, is an issue, but we could come up with somewhere around a total budget of  $3000-$4000 USD (for the both of us, air fare included) and we live near Portland, Oregon (indian for "it rains all winter") <G Any and all suggestions would be appreciated…Salt, fresh it doesn’t matter…(I have only fly fished salt water a few times in San Diego)… Padishar Creel — Alive and well and fully employed…

Response:

Question:

Got to go out for a few hours today. It was notable in the fact that of three folks fishing that little puddle of water I was the only one catching. Why? Well could it be due to the fact that I was FLY FISHING?!?! Heh.

(great trip report snipped) Michael – this confirms my experience that some interesting fishing can be found in the oddest places – we just need to be alert to the opportunity. Mark Faulkner

Response:

Michael – this confirms my experience that some interesting fishing can be found in the oddest places – we just need to be alert to the opportunity. Mark Faulkner

Too true! I know this one spot that looks alright and it right off of route 42 after the Walt Whitman Bridge just before the turn off for Deptford Mall. Right under one of the over passes. I think I am gonna try it this summer! — Michael Era

Question:

I would like the groups opinion on a magnetic fly holder for your vest. It would consist of a plastic mold shaped like a fly reel or a trout head. It would not be too large. I would mount a rare earth magnet from behind in the center. The plastic would have nice detail. The magnet would not be so large or weigh a ton, but will hold a bunch of flies without falling off. Retail for $5.99 – Any thoughts? — Rick Maston RM Specialties http://www.canoeoutriggers.com

Response:

Hey that’s a great idea. The one I bought a Orvis a few years ago works great. sf

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would like the groups opinion on a magnetic fly holder for your vest. It would consist of a plastic mold shaped like a fly reel or a trout head. It would not be too large. I would mount a rare earth magnet from behind in the center. The plastic would have nice detail. The magnet would not be so large or weigh a ton, but will hold a bunch of flies without falling off. Retail for $5.99 – Any thoughts? — Rick Maston RM Specialties http://www.canoeoutriggers.com

Response:

Missed the original post. Have wondered whether magnetized hooks (as a result of using a "tach-it" type fly box) might have a weak field that fishies might not like.

Response:

I would like the groups opinion on a magnetic fly holder for your vest.  - Any thoughts?

I use magnets to hold hooks and various other thing at my tying bench but would never use them on the stream.  It’s hard enough to navigate through brush or even to make routine casts without losing flies (even with barbed hooks) from a normal drying patch.  I can’t imagine a magnet strong enough to keep flies from evaporating from one’s vest.

Response:

I use magnets to hold hooks and various other thing at my tying bench but would never use them on the stream.  It’s hard enough to navigate through brush or even to make routine casts without losing flies (even with barbed hooks) from a normal drying patch.  I can’t imagine a magnet strong enough to keep flies from evaporating from one’s vest.

I have this problem with barbless hooks (where I’m required to use them). A while back, Mike Connor suggested a perforated (i.e., ventilated) 35mm film capsule for temporary storage of ‘used’ flies. Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

Response:

Tony, 35mm film capsules have many uses in fly fishing. 1. Shipping or carrying flies so they don’t get crushed. 2. Holding powdered desiccant for drying flies. 3. Holding small quantities of Albolene to use for waterproofing your fly. 4. Keeping an insect for later study. 5. Keeping split shot. Ernie Harrison Have you tried a Blood Knot Machine?  http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have this problem with barbless hooks (where I’m required to use them). A while back, Mike Connor suggested a perforated (i.e., ventilated) 35mm film capsule for temporary storage of ‘used’ flies. Tony Deacon

Response:

Tony, 35mm film capsules have many uses in fly fishing. 1. Shipping or carrying flies so they don’t get crushed. 2. Holding powdered desiccant for drying flies. 3. Holding small quantities of Albolene to use for waterproofing your fly. 4. Keeping an insect for later study. 5. Keeping split shot.

And the rest! Been using them for all sorts of things for years, but Mike’s suggestion was new to me. Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

Response:

Try using the clear ones as dubbing containers. A 1/2" hole ( to taste, and to suit dubbing ) drilled in the base, fill the capsule, cap it, stand it on its cap in a suitable tray.  Great for all sorts of dubbing materials. With a smaller hole, wool,  floss, chenille, etc, may also be stored very well. Poke one end of the stuff through the hole, fill the container with the remainder, cap it, and place it in your tray. I prefer the black ones as "drying boxes", they heat up almost as well as UPS trucks it seems !  A small hole drilled in the side makes them excellent wire dispensers as well, saves horrible great tangles of fine brass wire on the bench !  If you use a few sewing spools for fine tippet material, you can get four or five of these in a container, drill small holes at the relevant spots, bingo, a super tippet dispenser, pack a little cotton wool in the container to keep the spools from jiggling about.  If you need a bigger one for larger spools, a short length of plastic drainpipe from your local DIY market works even better. You can buy the caps there as well. TL MC

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tony, 35mm film capsules have many uses in fly fishing. 1. Shipping or carrying flies so they don’t get crushed. 2. Holding powdered desiccant for drying flies. 3. Holding small quantities of Albolene to use for waterproofing your fly. 4. Keeping an insect for later study. 5. Keeping split shot. And the rest! Been using them for all sorts of things for years, but Mike’s suggestion was new to me. Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

You’d better save up those film capsules while you can. In a few years everything will be digital and you’ll have a hard time even finding 35mm film. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Tony, 35mm film capsules have many uses in fly fishing.

I’ve noticed that persons of a certain era and background tend to instinctively shake those containers when they pick them up. Joe F.

Response:

Tony, 35mm film capsules have many uses in fly fishing. I’ve noticed that persons of a certain era and background tend to instinctively shake those containers when they pick them up.

What is the era and background?  What does that mean? Vern

Response:

Joe,    I think this was a carry over from the days when they were made of metal, black or red plastic and you couldn’t tell if there was anything in them unless you opened them or shook them.  The younger generation that have only seen the ones made of translucent plastic probably won’t have that affliction. Ernie Harrison Have you tried a Blood Knot Machine?  http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tony, 35mm film capsules have many uses in fly fishing. I’ve noticed that persons of a certain era and background tend to instinctively shake those containers when they pick them up. Joe F.

Response:

Tony, 35mm film capsules have many uses in fly fishing. I’ve noticed that persons of a certain era and background tend to instinctively shake those containers when they pick them up.

Don’t Bogart that film my friend, pass it over to me!

Response:

What is the era and background?  What does that mean?

I’ve always said that a straightforward question deserves a straightforward answer, so: From my perspective, I was referring to the late ’60’s and early ’70’s when small quantities of certain illegal substances, primarily marijuana, was stored in these convenient little containers.   The freshness, portability, and cheapness of the container being matched by its commonality and opacity. Accordingly, it was very much a favorite among those inclined to partake of that substance. The container’s opacity, while providing some security against the inquisitive eyes of mom, dad or "the man", also prevented its owner from knowing whether the container in quetion was full, empty, or contained film. Thus, it was necessary to shake the container upon lifting to listen for that telltale herbal sound. As for me of course, I never touched the stuff.   I don’t even know what it looks like.   Honest.   What was the question again? Joe F.

Response:

… From my perspective, I was referring to the late ’60’s and early ’70’s …

From a somewhat younger perspective, I know peers from the mid ’70’s that also automatically do the "canister shake test". — Ken Fortenberry- Never touched the stuff either

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What is the era and background?  What does that mean? I’ve always said that a straightforward question deserves a straightforward answer, so: From my perspective, I was referring to the late ’60’s and early ’70’s when small quantities of certain illegal substances, primarily marijuana, was stored in these convenient little containers.   The freshness, portability, and cheapness of the container being matched by its commonality and opacity. Accordingly, it was very much a favorite among those inclined to partake of that substance. The container’s opacity, while providing some security against the inquisitive eyes of mom, dad or "the man", also prevented its owner from knowing whether the container in quetion was full, empty, or contained film. Thus, it was necessary to shake the container upon lifting to listen for that telltale herbal sound. As for me of course, I never touched the stuff.   I don’t even know what it looks like.   Honest.   What was the question again? Joe F.

 And of course Joe, those of us that, from time to time, had such containers in our possesion, never, at any time, inhaled!!  No- not ever!!- unless faced with those occasional medical emergencies. Jim Mc

Response:

Now *that’s* a funny .sig!! –Steve

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – From a somewhat younger perspective, I know peers from the mid ’70’s that also automatically do the "canister shake test". — Ken Fortenberry- Never touched the stuff either

Response:

Joe,   I think this was a carry over from the days when they were made of metal, black or red plastic and you couldn’t tell if there was anything in them unless you opened them or shook them.  The younger generation that have only seen the ones made of translucent plastic probably won’t have that affliction.

Today’s are translucent?  The ones I use are made of black plastic. I’ll admit I’ve never seen one made of red plastic though.      - Ken — "Time is but the stream I go a-fishin in. I drink at it, but while I  drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. It’s thin  current slides away, but eternity remains."    - H.D. Thoreau

Response:

Today’s are translucent?

Yes, Fuji film comes in a translucent container.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What is the era and background?  What does that mean? I’ve always said that a straightforward question deserves a straightforward answer, so: From my perspective, I was referring to the late ’60’s and early ’70’s when small quantities of certain illegal substances, primarily marijuana, was stored in these convenient little containers.   The freshness, portability, and cheapness of the container being matched by its commonality and opacity. Accordingly, it was very much a favorite among those inclined to partake of that substance. The container’s opacity, while providing some security against the inquisitive eyes of mom, dad or "the man", also prevented its owner from knowing whether the container in quetion was full, empty, or contained film. Thus, it was necessary to shake the container upon lifting to listen for that telltale herbal sound. As for me of course, I never touched the stuff.   I don’t even know what it looks like.   Honest.   What was the question again? Joe F.

I have a story about that. Many years ago, in my hippie days, a friend and I were visiting Glacier Park and we decided to drive up to the Canadian park. When we reached the Canadian border we were appalled when the border guard asked us to open the glove compartment. Our stash wasn’t in there, but it easily could have been. Shaken by this experience, we decided not to carry any controlled substances back to the US. We rolled an enormous doobie and tossed the rest out. (This was when decent stuff was relatively cheap.) We rolled up to the US border station with smoke literally billowing out of the car windows. The border guard sized us up and decided to inspect the entire contents of our car. Dazed and confused, we unloaded about a ton of camping junk from the trunk, in front of a Boy Scout troop that was probably working on their law enforcement merit badges. He went through every pocket of each pack, and even looked under the spare tire. After finding nothing incriminating in the trunk, the immigration dude started inspecting the passenger compartment. He went right for the area under the driver’s seat, pulled out a paper bag full of plastic 35mm film canisters, and asked sarcastically, "Take a lot of pictures, do you boys?" "Yes, sir!", we smirked. He opened the canisters and found … exposed film. I kept it there to keep it out of the sun. He sent us on our way. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

< Never touched the stuff either Yeah, yeah …..and even if you did, you didn’t inhale. Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

Response:

Don’t Bogart that film my friend, pass it over to me!

Roooooolllll another one, just like the other one. TL, TD

Response:

Never touched the stuff either Yeah, yeah …..and even if you did, you didn’t inhale.

And even if he did inhale, he didn’t *really* enjoy it.

Response:

Today’s are translucent? Yes, Fuji film comes in a translucent container.

That explains it, I buy Kodak.      - Ken — "Time is but the stream I go a-fishin in. I drink at it, but while I  drink I see the sandy bottom and detect how shallow it is. It’s thin  current slides away, but eternity remains."    - H.D. Thoreau

Response:

Sounds like you’re a shoo-in if you ever decide to run for public office. –Steve

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a story about that. [story about an enormous doobie deleted]

Response:

Question:

Can anybody help with my planned RV trip from Vancouver to Mexico? I would be obliged if any readers could provide me with good routes, places to visit and decent fishing spots along the way. Additionally can anyone recommend a reputable RV rental company in the USA or Canada? Thank you.                                Pattayaman, England Before you buy.

Check out http://www.prd.state.or.us/ for help on planning the Oregon chunk of your trip. And let me know if you need mroe info. Thanks. — Chris Havel Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. www.prd.state.or.us

Response:

Where in Mexico do you want to go? How much time do you want to spend? Is fishing your main interest? What kind of fishing? Other interests? A "one way" rental, picking up in one country and dropping off in another is going to be very difficult: impossible in Mexico.

  Yup.   You might have to fly into Vancover then come down to Seattle and then rent an RV, returning in say in San Dieago. Which would require one of the larger firms (Cruise America, etc). Anything other then one of the large national firms (Cruise Canada, Cruse America, etc) would require you to return the RV to the point of rental. — RV and Camping FAQ http://kendaco.telebyte.com/rlindber/rv   If Windows is the answer I would really like to know what the question is

Response:

Can anybody help with my planned RV trip from Vancouver to Mexico? I would be obliged if any readers could provide me with good routes, places to visit and decent fishing spots along the way. Additionally can anyone recommend a reputable RV rental company in the USA or Canada? Thank you.                                Pattayaman, England Before you buy.

Response:

Where in Mexico do you want to go? How much time do you want to spend? Is fishing your main interest? What kind of fishing? Other interests? A "one way" rental, picking up in one country and dropping off in another is going to be very difficult: impossible in Mexico. Ed Kipling – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anybody help with my planned RV trip from Vancouver to Mexico?                                Pattayaman, England Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

 East of Aspen, there

Question:

Lost my hiking hat in the Chattooga River above Dam Sluice on section one . White hat with many patches from South Carolina state parks, Canadian National Parks (Fundy, Cape Breton, and Gros Morne) patches, and Foothills Trail patches. A lot of memories down the river! If found,  please e-mail: Thank you. James Alverson

Response:

I tried out a couple Feathercraft folding kayaks today and was quite surprised at how well they handled.  I’m seriously thinking about getting one because of the ease of storage and transport. I’d appreciate any experiences you may have with Feathercraft or any other folding kayaks.  I’m mostly interested in ocean day trips and maybe playing in the surf. Thanks,   Ray Roux

Response:

I tried out a couple Feathercraft folding kayaks today and was quite surprised at how well they handled.  I’m seriously thinking about getting one because of the ease of storage and transport. I’d appreciate any experiences you may have with Feathercraft or any other folding kayaks.  I’m mostly interested in ocean day trips and maybe playing in the surf. Thanks,  Ray Roux

You didn’t mention which models you tried, which is important since they have four singles (in order of size) K-Light, Short Touring, K-1, Khatsalano.  Each has its benefits and idiosyncracies. Probably the best for playing in surf is the Short Touring.  It is around 13.5 feet in length but is a whitewater boat at heart and will turn on a dime.  It is also the strongest boat they make in that it incorporates square aluminum tubing as opposed to round (BTW, the hull on all of them is the same, high grade, expedition weight hypalon sourced from France, perhaps the best source for such).  The square stuff is also used in the company’s double, the K-2.  The Short Touring is a bit more difficult for sea kayaking and does require the flip-up skeg option or a rudder to go straight (the skeg is the better of the options for this as all you are looking for is tracking). The K-Light is also a good choice all around for day trips, open water and some surfing.  It is lighter built than other models but tracks well, turns well, and is a delight to paddle; its shorter length, 12 ft. 10 inches also makes it nice for surfing.  The price is right too at $1800 (the other models are considerably more with the Short Touring at around $3000 if I’m not mistaken.). The K-1 tracks extremely well and is a full-fledged ocean touring boat. Like any regular sea kayak it is a bit limited in surf playing but will get you through a surf okay.  It costs just shy of $4000, so consider this choice carefully.  If camping is your game and you want to take weeks of goodies, this is the boat. (It’s around 16 feet long) The Khatsalano, the newest model of the Feathercraft fleet, is a true Greenland styled boat, narrow in beam, upswept ends, and almost 18 feet long.  It comes in two versions, with and without air tubes or sponsons along the side (most foldables have such perimeter tubes including all the Feathercraft mentioned previously).  Both do require good bracing skills and are best for those who know all the Greenland style paddling, bracing, rolling and sculling techniques.  The one with air tubes is the more easily manageable with only a token level of such skills.  The one without demands you have such skills in spades.  It is a $4100 boat, quite expensive. I really would like to answer your question about experiences with other folding kayaks but that would take tons of space and time since I’ve been in just about all of them over the last eight years and even wrote a book regarding folding kayaks.  You might do well to go to one of those coffee shops masquerading as bookstores, get a copy of my book (The Complete Folding Kayaker, McGraw-Hill, 1994) and read over an expresso or latte to learn more about the range of possibilities with folding kayaks and specifics on other available models. If you have specific questions regarding any model, e-mail me or call. ralph diaz — Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 "Where’s your sea kayak?"—-"It’s in the bag."

Response:

Following up on my last post (pardon me): Get a copy of Ralph Diaz’ book _The Complete Folding Kayaker_.  It has a lot of information on folding boats and if the comments on the K-1 are any guide I’d say the information presented is very accurate and reliable. If you want a really beautiful boat, look at the Feathercraft Khatsolano, a Greenland-style boat.  If I were buying now, and assuming it turned out to be not too advanced a boat for me, I’d probably buy the Khat or maybe the "-S" version (with sponsons) jut because it is gorgeous.

Response:

: I tried out a couple Feathercraft folding kayaks today and was quite : surprised at how well they handled.  I’m seriously thinking about getting : one because of the ease of storage and transport. : I’d appreciate any experiences you may have with Feathercraft or any : other folding kayaks.  I’m mostly interested in ocean day trips and maybe : playing in the surf. : Thanks, :   Ray Roux I bought a Feathercraft K-Light this spring. I really like the way

it handles, although have not yet used it in heavy waves. It went very well in strong headwinds and I was able to keep it nicely on course with side winds. (I do not have a rudder), Re. assembly. I keep mine assembled and car top it, but have taken it down and put it together 3 times now. The first time took me (blush) an hour and a half, straight from the box. The second time was 30 minutes, and the last time including greasing all the connections and putting on the two hatch covers, 25 minutes. I think I can do much better than that with a little practice. It helps to mark some of the parts so that I know which way round they go. I have used the boat on lakes so far, but plan to take it to the coast any chance I get.There seems to be lots of room for gear and I think I could easily pack it for a week’s trip. Hope this helps.

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I tried out a couple Feathercraft folding kayaks today and was quite surprised at how well they handled.  I’m seriously thinking about getting one because of the ease of storage and transport. I’d appreciate any experiences you may have with Feathercraft or any other folding kayaks.  I’m mostly interested in ocean day trips and maybe playing in the surf.

We have two K-1’s and have done a little paddling in them so far — in Puget Sound, off Monterey, and off San Diego.  In this admittedly limited experience we found them to be stable (noticeably more so than the hardshells I’ve tried), reasonably fast (better than some plastic boats I’ve tried; I don’t have experience in fancy Kevlar boats to compare), comfortable, roomy (we were able to fit camping gear, a two-burner Coleman stove, and a pair of crutches in ours without problems), of high build quality (after inspecting the pieces, I understand why they cost so much — there is a ton of machining, welding, anodizing, sewing, etc. in each boat; much more manufacturing effort than in hardshells), easy to store in the closet and ship by airplane, and (the only negatives) heavy to haul around (at the airport, rent a baggage cart!) and rather a chore to put together (despite practice, it still takes me 1/2 hour per boat with some effort.)   All in all, we love our boats and even if I had a garage to store a fully-assembled boat in, I’d probably still buy a Feathercraft because I like how it paddles and _love_ being able to fly somewhere fun and then paddle _my_ boat, not some rental boat.  I’d just leave it assembled! The K-1s track well, turn well with rudder and OK without (keeping in mind that it is a sea kayak meant to go straight.)  I haven’t much surf experience and can’t say how they would handle there.  The sea sock makes me feel very secure and the hatches seem pretty much watertight.   There is less water at the bottom of my wife’s boat after a day of paddling (1cup) than in the typical plastic boats we’ve tried; my boat may have a little "weep" or maybe I’m just a messy guy since there is usually a little more (2 cups), but again not a troublesome amount.  The hulls show no damage or really any wear, although we are careful with them too. I also demo’d the K-Light and thought it was a nice boat, and the lower price and 33-pound weight was tempting.  Because we wanted room for week-long trips, we went for the K-1’s.  The longer wider boat also felt a little more reassuring.  We also tried the K-2 but had no prior experience in a double so can’t really comment. One thing about the Feathercrafts: because of their hardshell-style cockpits they aren’t so handy for fishing, carrying coolers to the beach party, lazing around and getting a tan, and so on.  If I wanted more versatility I would also look at the Klepper and Folbot which have open cockpits.

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: I tried out a couple Feathercraft folding kayaks today and was quite : surprised at how well they handled.  I’m seriously thinking about getting : one because of the ease of storage and transport. : I’d appreciate any experiences you may have with Feathercraft or any : other folding kayaks.  I’m mostly interested in ocean day trips and maybe : playing in the surf. : Thanks, :   Ray Roux Hello Ray, I bought a Feathercraft K-1 last summer and have been out in it around 18 times. I also bought it for its convenience in storage (I live in an apartment) and I also was very impressed with how it handled. BUT, I have found that the assembly and disassembly is a pain when one is using it primarily for day trips. It really takes 45 minutes to an hour to assemble and another 45 minutes to disassemble. When one just wants to get out for a day’s paddle that extra 1-2 hours is a drag.  And if one is paddling with folks who have hardshells, they aren’t too happy waiting for one to put part A into part B.  I now leave my boat assembled for the season (My landlord lets me store it in the basement). If you are ONLY interested in day trips (I do plan to do kayak touring) then you should consider the smaller Feathercraft. The K-Light is said to be much much easier to assemble and disassemble and also is highly rated for handling. The K-light is also a lot less expensive that the K-1. –Doug Denholm —         P.O. Box 79226                       Waverley, MA 02179     "We’ll burn that bridge when we get to it."  

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Question:

Greetings, So… we’re back from a great MTB camping trip out to a place called Capp’s Crossing.  Its about 14 Miles south of Hiway 50 just past Placerville in the Sierra National Forest in California.   Nice small camp site next to a running stream.  The camp site was well maintained and there was lots to do (Rock Climbing, Hiking, Swimming, Fly Fishing, MTBing, Strategic Naping, etc.) The trails in the area are generally usage maintained logging and 4WD road.  Some of the road haven’t been maintained in years, are over grown and make for a wild, rather technical run which includes running over downed logs of various sizes, deep slit tracks, erosion berms, rock gardens and a couple of drop-offs. Riding these trails was a blast but it was the first time I had encountered deep, deep slit.  This stuff was fine as talc and about 3 inches deep.  Just running straight through it  kicked up clouds of dust that coated everthing.  Riding in this stuff was a challenge.  It offers substancial rolling resistance such that rolling  into it at speed would catch you off guard and almost throw you. Anyway,  riding through this stuff felt like my backend was loose.  It would feel like it was sliding around, sideways.  My rear WTB ‘raptors did great on the climbs but my guess is that the tread pattern is optimized for climbing (duh!) and not for holding laterally (therefore, you slide).  Cornering was tough too.  I think I started getting better traction on corners when I would lean the bike way over thereby engaging the outside edging knobs.  The big trick was to stay in front so you could breath.  Otherwise you were riding in a dust storm. So you would exit the slit bed and run smack into a rock garden. Sometimes uphill, sometimes down.  Boulders ranged in size from marbles to softball.  To add to the challenge, the garden was rutted where other 4WD have driven.  That made staying on the line you chose very hard – but fun.  You had to change techniques quickly and keep up the speed lest you lose momentum, stop and be cursed by you riding buddy behind you (who can’t see you through the dust). Now with this combo of terrain I tried to keep my front pressure up at around 40 and my rear at 35 or so. Correct my if I’m wrong but for the slit you want lower TP for more tire surface area and for the rocks you want a higher TP to prevent snake-bites.  Snake-bites aside, is it generally better to run a lower TP? 35 and 30? Lower?  Too low?  Also, anyone have a experience with realy soft slit?  Tips on bike handling? ( While you at it any tips on bike handling on fire road gravel – you know, sharp, crushed rock over hard pan.  I alway get the feeling my tires are breaking traction cause the rock just rolls.) Thanx,                 _Marc Marc E. Strohwig                                Opinion? Mine, mine, mine!! System Architect SEI SIG                                           Compuserve: 70613.502   FAX: (510) 645-3096

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over downed logs of various sizes, deep slit tracks, erosion berms, … encountered deep, deep slit.  This stuff was fine as talc and about 3 … So you would exit the slit bed and run smack into a rock garden. … anyone have a experience with realy soft slit?  Tips on bike handling?

SILT. SILT. SILT. SILT. SILT. Slit: a long, narrow cut, tear or incision Silt: a sedimentary material composed of fine mineral particles (Sorry.  I don’t normally correct typos but when it is the subject of your message and you use it over and over again, it would be helpful if you spelled it right.  Same goes for the guy who wants "DISK BREAKS."  I think most of us would prefer to not break anything.) -Robin

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Question:

I guess little things in life please me; last weekend while tying some flies with a friend, his father showed us the trick of how to tie the head of a Muddler Minnow. I had always marvelled at these seemingly intricate flies and wondered "How in the world do you tie this?".

Pete,      Cool, huh?  As Scott indicates in response to this same posting, spinning deerhair is a basic technique that’s been around a long time. You can also spin other materials such as wool (woolhead sculpins) tow yarn (glow bugs) or any hollow animal hair.      Back in high school I reluctantly began tying commercially for local fly shops and a large mailorder firm.  I tried to stick mostly to custom tying because it didn’t get as boring (I would tie dozens of a pattern and color rather than grosses) and I made better money. Excellent spending (fishing) money for a teen by the way.  Anyway, I tied tons of muddlers.  Popular fly.  To form the head on a muddler you shouldn’t need to spin more than one clump of hair.  First, always use a heavier than normal thread when spinning hair.  Cut a suitable sized clump and stack the tips (even the hair tips).  These tips will form your muddler’s collar.  Make two loose wraps of thread around the hair and hook with the tips of the hair positioned to form the collar (usually about half way down the hook shank).  Begin to tighten your thread to flare the hair and wrap through the flared deerhair. Tie off and trim the flared butt ends and some of the tip ends of the deerhair.  The muddler should take less than 5 minutes to tie plus it’s a great fly.  I think you’ll find this method for muddler heads quicker, easier, and neater.  Have fun tying! John

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I guess little things in life please me; last weekend while tying some flies with a friend, his father showed us the trick of how to tie the head of a Muddler Minnow. I had always marvelled at these seemingly intricate flies and wondered "How in the world do you tie this?". The trick is that you take deer hair and wrap it to the hook near the head, splitting the length of the hair in 2.  As you let go of the deer hair, it fans out in a perpendicular fashion to the hook.  After wrapping several bunches of deer hair to the hook, the previous bunches get pushed backwards.  Then you just trim away the bulk of the dear head and sculpt the head of the muddler minnow. Its quite simple !  What a revelation!  I tied my 1st muddler and it looked AWESOME.                                                         pete                                                                            |_    

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Its quite simple !  What a revelation!  I tied my 1st muddler and it looked AWESOME.

The "trick" you describe is pretty much standard practice (its called hair spinning and is described in many fly tying books).. You did say in your original message that you were just trimming the hair to shape the head..  After you trim, you can use a match (or lighter if youre careful) to further refine the head’s shape.. Scott —             |                UUCP: ..!uunet!plains!wilken       |               | WWW page -= http://www.cs.ndsu.nodak.edu/~wilken |

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Question:

used to fish that in the olden days, back in ‘56 and ‘57.  Good to great fishing then, and nice little brookie fishing in upper stretches.  Most memorable occasion:  in a bar in Frederick a drunk came up to me and informed me in a horrified voice that my hat was full of bugs!  Often think of that – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any opinion’s on Big Hunting Creek in Maryland? I was there today and it was horrible. All of the "locals" didn’t fair much better, no one had more than one. I heard this was supposed to be great. Did I pick a bad day or what? |                                        | |  …and go fast too."                  |     Lehigh University |                    -Edgar Grospiron    |

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  I live about 20 minutes from Big Hunting creek. Have fished it for 35+ years and frankly don’t fish it much anymore.  The folks who want to throw hatchery slugs in there, instead of allowing a decent population of wild brown and brook trout to have the place upset me.  The dam folks do keep a steady if at times extremely sparse flow of water on it.  It seems they are more interested in the lake above then the creek below.  I learned to fly fish there when I was a kid and Fish the pocket water: I like little brown trout clouser  style streamer , to catch very pretty native browns, avoid pools full of rainbow slugs !!!                               Regards   leo

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No Rob, it’s not only you.  I was at Hunting Creek a week ago.  Conditions were favorable (sunny/partly cloudy; 60+degrees) with some BWO coming off.  The fish, although present, showed no interest.  Not a nibble all day. This is about par for many of my trips to Hunting Creek.  The best I’ve done up there is three Rainbow over 12" on a day last summer. Incidentally, Western Maryland is worth the trip! Jack Van Horn

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Hey fellas-  Can I jump in with my 2 cents worth? I enjoy BHC but do agree it could be better. I also learned to float a fly there ’bout 5 years ago. Maybe that’s why I’m fond of the place… I was there Sun Apr 8. There was decent blue quill hatch coming off (#14-16) and the fish were rising til 3 or 4 pm. I caught 6 browns and must have hooked and lost that many more.  My best day was during the fall of 93 when I caught 26 fish one day, all on an inchworm I came up with. Maybe THAT’S why I’m fond of the place… <g.  For a more pure fishing experience try fishing above the lake. Hardly no pressure, ALL wild browns and brooks and a workout climbing the rocks. A McMurry ant always works good for me.  I would be in favor of some put and grow stocking but agree that the rubber rainbows degrade the experience. Even tho’ I did catch a 26" once there. (I had to throw that in, forgive me.)  Thanks for letting me sound off on a stream I love to fish. Jack, do I know you from NCCTU?

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