Question:

Hello everyone! I’ve really enjoyed a couple of fish documentaries I’ve seen on TV lately. I thought I’d prepare for the cabin fever by getting a couple of such documentaries (or just general fishing stories) on DVD, if I could find some good ones. Anyone seen any good river/fish documentaries or fishing programs on DVD? — Jarmo Hurri address or apply rot13 to header email address.

Response:

Hello everyone! I’ve really enjoyed a couple of fish documentaries I’ve seen on TV lately. I thought I’d prepare for the cabin fever by getting a couple of such documentaries (or just general fishing stories) on DVD, if I could find some good ones. Anyone seen any good river/fish documentaries or fishing programs on DVD?

Fly Fishing Yellowstone Hatches, w/ Craig Mathews

Response:

Anyone seen any good river/fish documentaries or fishing programs on DVD?

Jeff Fly Fishing Yellowstone Hatches, w/ Craig Mathews Looks pretty interesting, thanks. — Jarmo Hurri address or apply rot13 to header email address.

Response:

Question:

| One of the benefits of living out on the California coast is the ability | to fly across the ocean with a view of a rugged coastline and | breathtaking, pristine wilderness.  I did this today, took off from my | home airport at Little River and flew over the village of Mendocino and | out a few miles offshore to practice some stalls and look at the | continent. | | I was at about 2500 feet when I looked down and saw an interesting boat, | very long.. hey, is it submerged?  That looks like another one next to | it….  and then it dawns on me that they are two whales swimming north | at about 5 knots.  I compared their size with a fishing boat 1/2 mile | away and realized that they were at least 80 feet long and were probably | blue whales, which do migrate past Mendocino point a few times a year. | | I circled them a few times and then left them alone to continue their | journey.  Quite amazing. That is one of the benefits of ‘flying’.  And it doesn’t matter where you live.  Just the scenery is different. I saw a nest in some high power towers.  On closer examination it was an Osprey nest and there were two young Ospreys in it.  I did ‘turns around a point’ several times.  Then my instructor said that we should leave now.  He said that the parent Ospreys are very protective and will attack your plane from below.  The Osprey doesn’t win, but neither do you.  Apparently he had some experience with some.  But it was neat. I wish I could have seen your whales.  Maybe someday … — Rob http://www.dnc.net/users/rlmiller/

Response:

Tops are high enough, though the bottoms are the problem when the marine layer creeps onshore.  Little River is often socked in at 200ft on the west end and clear as a bell on the east end.  My house 10 miles north is that way all the time too during the summer.  Today, for example, it was very clear at 11am when I went up, though there was no horizon due to the marine layer about 15 miles out.  By afternoon it was onshore—it was foggy in town but clear at my place, probably similar situation at the airport. Weather is a fascinating lesson in geography. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tops generally high enough to sock in Little River? seriously, seems to be around until 10am or so, then back mid-afternoon.  We have a high offshore today and relatively warm weather which helps drive things out early, though I hear the subsequent trough is building and we will have more fog and wetness over the weekend.  So much for working in the garden (or going flying)

Response:

Thanks.  I like to listen to "local knowledge" when it’s available. Don – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tops are high enough, though the bottoms are the problem when the marine layer creeps onshore.  Little River is often socked in at 200ft on the west end and clear as a bell on the east end.  My house 10 miles north is that way all the time too during the summer.  Today, for example, it was very clear at 11am when I went up, though there was no horizon due to the marine layer about 15 miles out.  By afternoon it was onshore—it was foggy in town but clear at my place, probably similar situation at the airport. Weather is a fascinating lesson in geography. Tops generally high enough to sock in Little River? seriously, seems to be around until 10am or so, then back mid-afternoon.  We have a high offshore today and relatively warm weather which helps drive things out early, though I hear the subsequent trough is building and we will have more fog and wetness over the weekend.  So much for working in the garden (or going flying)

Response:

Tops generally high enough to sock in Little River? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – schedule?  not much of a schedule unless you count "always present" seriously, seems to be around until 10am or so, then back mid-afternoon.  We have a high offshore today and relatively warm weather which helps drive things out early, though I hear the subsequent trough is building and we will have more fog and wetness over the weekend.  So much for working in the garden (or going flying) Cool.  What kind of schedule is the costal stratus on this time of year? Don One of the benefits of living out on the California coast is the ability to fly across the ocean with a view of a rugged coastline and breathtaking, pristine wilderness.  I did this today, took off from my home airport at Little River and flew over the village of Mendocino and out a few miles offshore to practice some stalls and look at the continent. I was at about 2500 feet when I looked down and saw an interesting boat, very long.. hey, is it submerged?  That looks like another one next to it….  and then it dawns on me that they are two whales swimming north at about 5 knots.  I compared their size with a fishing boat 1/2 mile away and realized that they were at least 80 feet long and were probably blue whales, which do migrate past Mendocino point a few times a year. I circled them a few times and then left them alone to continue their journey.  Quite amazing.

Response:

schedule?  not much of a schedule unless you count "always present" seriously, seems to be around until 10am or so, then back mid-afternoon.  We have a high offshore today and relatively warm weather which helps drive things out early, though I hear the subsequent trough is building and we will have more fog and wetness over the weekend.  So much for working in the garden (or going flying) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Cool.  What kind of schedule is the costal stratus on this time of year? Don One of the benefits of living out on the California coast is the ability to fly across the ocean with a view of a rugged coastline and breathtaking, pristine wilderness.  I did this today, took off from my home airport at Little River and flew over the village of Mendocino and out a few miles offshore to practice some stalls and look at the continent. I was at about 2500 feet when I looked down and saw an interesting boat, very long.. hey, is it submerged?  That looks like another one next to it….  and then it dawns on me that they are two whales swimming north at about 5 knots.  I compared their size with a fishing boat 1/2 mile away and realized that they were at least 80 feet long and were probably blue whales, which do migrate past Mendocino point a few times a year. I circled them a few times and then left them alone to continue their journey.  Quite amazing.

Response:

Cool.  What kind of schedule is the costal stratus on this time of year? Don – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – One of the benefits of living out on the California coast is the ability to fly across the ocean with a view of a rugged coastline and breathtaking, pristine wilderness.  I did this today, took off from my home airport at Little River and flew over the village of Mendocino and out a few miles offshore to practice some stalls and look at the continent. I was at about 2500 feet when I looked down and saw an interesting boat, very long.. hey, is it submerged?  That looks like another one next to it….  and then it dawns on me that they are two whales swimming north at about 5 knots.  I compared their size with a fishing boat 1/2 mile away and realized that they were at least 80 feet long and were probably blue whales, which do migrate past Mendocino point a few times a year. I circled them a few times and then left them alone to continue their journey.  Quite amazing.

Response:

One of the benefits of living out on the California coast is the ability to fly across the ocean with a view of a rugged coastline and breathtaking, pristine wilderness.  I did this today, took off from my home airport at Little River and flew over the village of Mendocino and out a few miles offshore to practice some stalls and look at the continent. I was at about 2500 feet when I looked down and saw an interesting boat, very long.. hey, is it submerged?  That looks like another one next to it….  and then it dawns on me that they are two whales swimming north at about 5 knots.  I compared their size with a fishing boat 1/2 mile away and realized that they were at least 80 feet long and were probably blue whales, which do migrate past Mendocino point a few times a year. I circled them a few times and then left them alone to continue their journey.  Quite amazing.

Response:

Question:

I got the Champion today and had a tournament tonight, so my first ride was blasting out of the gates as my number was called.  Not a pretty sight.  I punch it and the jumped on plane then cavitated and sunk a$s end into the water. Never had a boat with a hydrofoil on it before, is this common? Ok, I eased it onto plane trimmed up the motor boat and away we go.  Get to the spot I want to start at, ok, how do I get the troll motor in the water (Its an Autopilot with cordless foot pedal and I never had one of these either).  So I start pushing buttons but nothing is happening.  So I kick the motor and it pops into the water.  Ok, now how do I steer this thing! Ok, the pedal doesn’t rock forward or backwards but it does rock side to side and the motor turns.  Has a rocker switch for continuous and another rocker switch for intermittent.  Ok, by this time I am ready to drift right into someone’s dock.  This non-cable troll motor is actually easier to use once you get use to it (but it took me about 2 hours to get fully adjusted to using it).  But in the mean time, I look at all the electronics.  I have a Lowrance X5 on the console, a Lowrance 2260 Flasher on the bow and a 400TX Hummingbird LCD.  Of course I never had any of these units either so I’m trying to learn them on the fly as I’m fishing in a tournament. I have made enough noise in this area that I decide to move to my next area. Ok, how do I get the troll motor up?  Grab the head and pull it and it turns and stores itself away.  Trim the motor down, Punch it, the boat pops out of the water instantly – cavitates and sinks as$ end into water (is this caused by that hydro foil?).  Ease it up onto plane and away I go, trim up the motor and I’m flying.  The steering is a little stiffer than I’m use to and I have to fight it to make a left.  Turns right on a dime.  Handles rough water very nice. — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

Craig, Take that stupid hydrofoil p.o.s. off that boat, it doesn’t need it.  Please email me with specifics on Model, motor, HP, prop etc.  We’ll get that rig lined out right for you.  Every Champion made should have a 3 second hole shot without some barnyard hardware hanging off of it. Pat

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got the Champion today and had a tournament tonight, so my first ride was blasting out of the gates as my number was called.  Not a pretty sight.  I punch it and the jumped on plane then cavitated and sunk a$s end into the water. Never had a boat with a hydrofoil on it before, is this common? Ok, I eased it onto plane trimmed up the motor boat and away we go.  Get to the spot I want to start at, ok, how do I get the troll motor in the water (Its an Autopilot with cordless foot pedal and I never had one of these either).  So I start pushing buttons but nothing is happening.  So I kick the motor and it pops into the water.  Ok, now how do I steer this thing! Ok, the pedal doesn’t rock forward or backwards but it does rock side to side and the motor turns.  Has a rocker switch for continuous and another rocker switch for intermittent.  Ok, by this time I am ready to drift right into someone’s dock.  This non-cable troll motor is actually easier to use once you get use to it (but it took me about 2 hours to get fully adjusted to using it).  But in the mean time, I look at all the electronics.  I have a Lowrance X5 on the console, a Lowrance 2260 Flasher on the bow and a 400TX Hummingbird LCD.  Of course I never had any of these units either so I’m trying to learn them on the fly as I’m fishing in a tournament. I have made enough noise in this area that I decide to move to my next area. Ok, how do I get the troll motor up?  Grab the head and pull it and it turns and stores itself away.  Trim the motor down, Punch it, the boat pops out of the water instantly – cavitates and sinks as$ end into water (is this caused by that hydro foil?).  Ease it up onto plane and away I go, trim up the motor and I’m flying.  The steering is a little stiffer than I’m use to and I have to fight it to make a left.  Turns right on a dime.  Handles rough water very nice. — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

First off.. WOW!! NICE RIG!! I am *very* envious of you .  From what I know, and it ain’t alot mind you, that sinking problem doesn’t sound right. I would recommend taking that Hydrofoil off, as I don’t know the specifics of your boat, but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t need it.  I’ve seen a Champion with a 150 Johnson do a holeshot in the time it took me to go to full throttle!  Maybe try playing with your trim on your holeshot some, when the ass end starts heading into the water, start trimming your motor in, that may help.   Just out of curiosity, what model/HP is it? Good luck, and good fishin’!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got the Champion today and had a tournament tonight, so my first ride was blasting out of the gates as my number was called.  Not a pretty sight.  I punch it and the jumped on plane then cavitated and sunk a$s end into the water. Never had a boat with a hydrofoil on it before, is this common? Ok, I eased it onto plane trimmed up the motor boat and away we go.  Get to the spot I want to start at, ok, how do I get the troll motor in the water (Its an Autopilot with cordless foot pedal and I never had one of these either).  So I start pushing buttons but nothing is happening.  So I kick the motor and it pops into the water.  Ok, now how do I steer this thing! Ok, the pedal doesn’t rock forward or backwards but it does rock side to side and the motor turns.  Has a rocker switch for continuous and another rocker switch for intermittent.  Ok, by this time I am ready to drift right into someone’s dock.  This non-cable troll motor is actually easier to use once you get use to it (but it took me about 2 hours to get fully adjusted to using it).  But in the mean time, I look at all the electronics.  I have a Lowrance X5 on the console, a Lowrance 2260 Flasher on the bow and a 400TX Hummingbird LCD.  Of course I never had any of these units either so I’m trying to learn them on the fly as I’m fishing in a tournament. I have made enough noise in this area that I decide to move to my next area. Ok, how do I get the troll motor up?  Grab the head and pull it and it turns and stores itself away.  Trim the motor down, Punch it, the boat pops out of the water instantly – cavitates and sinks as$ end into water (is this caused by that hydro foil?).  Ease it up onto plane and away I go, trim up the motor and I’m flying.  The steering is a little stiffer than I’m use to and I have to fight it to make a left.  Turns right on a dime.  Handles rough water very nice. — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

ROFL! Wish all of my competition was so prepared! We’ve all been there. Want to get the new toys goin ASAP. You didn’t mention if you also got plauged with the new boat jinx? Any fish? Dan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got the Champion today and had a tournament tonight, so my first ride was blasting out of the gates as my number was called.  Not a pretty sight.  I punch it and the jumped on plane then cavitated and sunk a$s end into the water. Never had a boat with a hydrofoil on it before, is this common? Ok, I eased it onto plane trimmed up the motor boat and away we go.  Get to the spot I want to start at, ok, how do I get the troll motor in the water (Its an Autopilot with cordless foot pedal and I never had one of these either).  So I start pushing buttons but nothing is happening.  So I kick the motor and it pops into the water.  Ok, now how do I steer this thing! Ok, the pedal doesn’t rock forward or backwards but it does rock side to side and the motor turns.  Has a rocker switch for continuous and another rocker switch for intermittent.  Ok, by this time I am ready to drift right into someone’s dock.  This non-cable troll motor is actually easier to use once you get use to it (but it took me about 2 hours to get fully adjusted to using it).  But in the mean time, I look at all the electronics.  I have a Lowrance X5 on the console, a Lowrance 2260 Flasher on the bow and a 400TX Hummingbird LCD.  Of course I never had any of these units either so I’m trying to learn them on the fly as I’m fishing in a tournament. I have made enough noise in this area that I decide to move to my next area. Ok, how do I get the troll motor up?  Grab the head and pull it and it turns and stores itself away.  Trim the motor down, Punch it, the boat pops out of the water instantly – cavitates and sinks as$ end into water (is this caused by that hydro foil?).  Ease it up onto plane and away I go, trim up the motor and I’m flying.  The steering is a little stiffer than I’m use to and I have to fight it to make a left.  Turns right on a dime.  Handles rough water very nice. — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

Kill the hydrofoil Craig, it’s keeping you down.  You’ll see the difference instantly.  Why would anyone put that stupid thing on the Champion? Warren2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got the Champion today and had a tournament tonight, so my first ride was blasting out of the gates as my number was called.  Not a pretty sight.  I punch it and the jumped on plane then cavitated and sunk a$s end into the water. Never had a boat with a hydrofoil on it before, is this common? Ok, I eased it onto plane trimmed up the motor boat and away we go.  Get to the spot I want to start at, ok, how do I get the troll motor in the water (Its an Autopilot with cordless foot pedal and I never had one of these either).  So I start pushing buttons but nothing is happening.  So I kick the motor and it pops into the water.  Ok, now how do I steer this thing! Ok, the pedal doesn’t rock forward or backwards but it does rock side to side and the motor turns.  Has a rocker switch for continuous and another rocker switch for intermittent.  Ok, by this time I am ready to drift right into someone’s dock.  This non-cable troll motor is actually easier to use once you get use to it (but it took me about 2 hours to get fully adjusted to using it).  But in the mean time, I look at all the electronics.  I have a Lowrance X5 on the console, a Lowrance 2260 Flasher on the bow and a 400TX Hummingbird LCD.  Of course I never had any of these units either so I’m trying to learn them on the fly as I’m fishing in a tournament. I have made enough noise in this area that I decide to move to my next area. Ok, how do I get the troll motor up?  Grab the head and pull it and it turns and stores itself away.  Trim the motor down, Punch it, the boat pops out of the water instantly – cavitates and sinks as$ end into water (is this caused by that hydro foil?).  Ease it up onto plane and away I go, trim up the motor and I’m flying.  The steering is a little stiffer than I’m use to and I have to fight it to make a left.  Turns right on a dime.  Handles rough water very nice. — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

Did you catch any fish? Lakeland Florida

Response:

If I was fishing a Musky tournament I would have won.  But not one bass, not even a dink! — Craig Baugher Belleville, Michigan Website: http://gl3loomis.home.att.net/

Response:

Question:

.. the problem is with the fonts in netscape … it seems to pick up a wierd font when setting it up.. especially the earlier netscapes. go into the fonts list and find the offending font and get rid of it, netscape then picks another … – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – keyboarded:

Question:

I’ll be in Georgia for 6 days (visiting in-laws…) and would love an excuse to get out for a spell. They live near Columbus, but I generally fish only in Eastern Sierra (Northern California). Any suggestions? A good fly shop to call? Thanks! — Fish more, Fret less…

Response:

I’ll be in Georgia for 6 days (visiting in-laws…)

In that part of Georgia you’ll only find warmwater fishing. Callway Gardens at Pine Mountain offers some great float tube fishing for large bream and bass. If you can get up to Atlanta, we have the Hooch; and if you have time to get into the mountains, there are too many opportunities to list here. Let me know more about your plans — maybe I can be of more assistance. — Visit Dave Teffeteller’s Fly Fishing Guides Home Page http://www.olfart.com

Response:

Question:

The leatherman and similar tools, and fatly featured swiss knives are bulky and heavy in the pocket.  I use a thin swiss knife or small pocket knife and a pair of the smallest size Channellock brand slip-joint pliers. The channellocks have the slip joint and can just barely stretch to grip a spark plug, yet are small enough to pinch down barbs as small as size 18. They are handier for automotive purposes than needlenose because of the range of grip and the mechanical advantage of their design, though this is not a concern if you carry a good tool kit in your vehicle. At the tip they bite good enough to clip leader material. They are usually adequate for removing hooks for fly fishing where the hooks tend not to be deep in the mouths. Beware of the lookalike brands as they tend to break when you need to really clamp down. One thing I have discovered is that you can open cans or bottles with any sharp pocket knife with a good carbon steel blade. Mark Vinsel http://www.lanminds.com/local/vinnie/gallery.html

Response:

(DPortw8840) writes: I can think of any number of situations where I certainly would take any of them over nothing! I can think of any number of situations where I would take a stick over nothing. To me the biggest advantage of the S.A.K. is I always have one in my pocket.

The two aren’t mutually exclusive.  I have carried a pocket knife daily for more than 40 years.  I recently switched to a SAK after having carried a single-blade lock-blade Gerber/Buck (depending on what I bought when I lost my old one) for nearly 20 years.  I appreciate the utility of the SAK, but that doesn’t mean it’s always the best tool for the job. When I was in the military I always wore a belt knife of some sort, either a big Buck folder, a rigging knife, a large blade (6") sheath knife or a boot knife, but I always had my current favorite pocket knife tucked away somewhere.  I’ve carried as many as three at a time, depending on the situation and need. When the situation requires it I carry a Leatherman, too.  Either on my belt or in the tank bag of my motorcycle.  But I usually take it off when I wear a suit.  It tends to scuff the lining of the jacket.

Response:

: 1) All stainless steel construction… but matte finished! Nothing shiny : or reflective. : But not a very rust resistant stainless steel.  Mine rusted and pitted : after one exposure to saltwater. Saltwater is so corrosive that it will affect even stainless steel. ALWAYS wash your gear with lots of fresh water after being around the salt. : 3) On the Gerber tool, the extra stuff is _inside_ the handles, as : opposed to outside on the Leatherman. Why was this important? Well, : think about which handles are more comfortable to squeeze hard… :  _     _              _   _ :  _|   |_        or   |_   _|  as viewed from the end of the tool. :    (L)                 (G) That is the only complaint about the leatherman. But the "cutting" affect from the handles is not noticable until I use a lot of force on the pliers. And that force is more than the tool was designed for! Remember that the pliers are needle-nose. How much force do you use on those? : The Gerber tools are MUCH easier on the hands… kinda important if : you’re cutting wire… or big hooks. : In addition, this means that the Gerber tool’s blades _can’t_ close back : on the handle while in use… a nifty finger-saving feature that the : Leatherman _doesn’t_ have! Not true. If you find the tools folding back on you, then you need to close the handles on the Leatherman. The only tool on that knife that is to use with the handles open is the pliers. By closing the tool, you are using a sort of "blade lock". : I’ve used mine to cut wire and hooks, fix battery terminal cables, : dispatch northern pike and clean them (though it’s NOT a particularly : GOOD fillet knife… just all I had available! The blade isn’t flexible : enough.) Tighten various screws around the house, and even cut a 1" limb : off of a tree… I was too lazy to go back and get the saw! <G Leatherman can do all that, and is a more compact tool to boot! Jon Porter

Response:

(DPortw8840) writes: I can think of any number of situations where I certainly would take any of them over nothing!

I can think of any number of situations where I would take a stick over nothing. To me the biggest advantage of the S.A.K. is I always have one in my pocket.             Jim

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ll start this by stating my preference for the Leatherman. It is more substantial in it’s manufacture and is easily carried on your belt. The tool selection is more than practical and are more apt to be used than those provided in the Swiss Army Knife. The place I used to work sold Leatherman, Swiss Army, Gerber, and the Leatherman copy (Avoid these! They’re TRASH!) Leatherman DOES make 3 or 4 models… but don’t neglect the Gerber version of the tool, either. Here’s why I bought my Gerber… 1) All stainless steel construction… but matte finished! Nothing shiny or reflective. 2) ONE HAND opening of pliers. Pull it out, snap your wrist, and the pliers are ready to use. Just the thing for handling pike! 3) On the Gerber tool, the extra stuff is _inside_ the handles, as opposed to outside on the Leatherman. Why was this important? Well, think about which handles are more comfortable to squeeze hard…   _     _              _   _   _|   |_        or   |_   _|  as viewed from the end of the tool.     (L)                 (G) The Gerber tools are MUCH easier on the hands… kinda important if you’re cutting wire… or big hooks. In addition, this means that the Gerber tool’s blades _can’t_ close back on the handle while in use… a nifty finger-saving feature that the Leatherman _doesn’t_ have! I’ve used mine to cut wire and hooks, fix battery terminal cables, dispatch northern pike and clean them (though it’s NOT a particularly GOOD fillet knife… just all I had available! The blade isn’t flexible enough.) Tighten various screws around the house, and even cut a 1" limb off of a tree… I was too lazy to go back and get the saw! <G Comes with a velcro-closing cordura belt case, too… Very nice.

Hi Joe, Based on your comments regarding the Gerber tool, I’m going to give one a try.  I’ve used the Leatherman for a couple of years and you are tight.   When you use the pliers on any tough material the Leatherman handles are rough on the hands — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog)

Response:

I’ll start this by stating my preference for the Leatherman. It is more substantial in it’s manufacture and is easily carried on your belt. The tool selection is more than practical and are more apt to be used than those provided in the Swiss Army Knife.

Having used the Leatherman, the Swiss Army Knives, and the Gerber Multi-Plier, my preference is for the Gerber Multi-Plier, and particularly the new needle nosed version.  I like the way that I can bring it into play with one hand over fumbling around with the Leatherman, and I like the way that the sharper edges of the handle are inside on the Gerber, as opposed to digging into your hand on the Leatherman.  The one thing that I don’t like about the Gerber is the way that the sides of the handles come together.  Your learn rapidly to keep your fingers out of there! All of the three are good tools for what they were designed, and I can think of any number of situations where I certainly would take any of them over nothing!

Response:

: I’ll start this by stating my preference for the Leatherman. It is : more substantial in it’s manufacture and is easily carried on your : belt. The tool selection is more than practical and are more apt to be : used than those provided in the Swiss Army Knife. For my vote as a practical SURVIVAL tool, I chose the Leatherman.  The Swiss Army knife is very useful in all of it’s models and configurations. But I find the Leatherman to be compact, very sturdy, and with the combination of tools that I need for my outdoor activities. I have used it for trips into the wilderness for up to a week at a time. It is also a very useful tool for me at work. I carry it almost full time while I go about my daily business. Jon Porter

Response:

I’ll start this by stating my preference for the Leatherman. It is more substantial in it’s manufacture and is easily carried on your belt. The tool selection is more than practical and are more apt to be used than those provided in the Swiss Army Knife. 1) All stainless steel construction… but matte finished! Nothing shiny or reflective.

But not a very rust resistant stainless steel.  Mine rusted and pitted after one exposure to saltwater. 2) ONE HAND opening of pliers. Pull it out, snap your wrist, and the pliers are ready to use. Just the thing for handling pike!

Until you get a little dirt/grit in the mechanism.   3) On the Gerber tool, the extra stuff is _inside_ the handles, as opposed to outside on the Leatherman. Why was this important? Well, think about which handles are more comfortable to squeeze hard…  _     _              _   _  _|   |_        or   |_   _|  as viewed from the end of the tool.    (L)                 (G) The Gerber tools are MUCH easier on the hands… kinda important if you’re cutting wire… or big hooks.

They’re easier on your hands, until the can opener breaks and slips into the hand holding the can.  That’s what happened with mine.   In addition, this means that the Gerber tool’s blades _can’t_ close back on the handle while in use… a nifty finger-saving feature that the Leatherman _doesn’t_ have! I’ve used mine to cut wire and hooks, fix battery terminal cables, dispatch northern pike and clean them (though it’s NOT a particularly GOOD fillet knife… just all I had available! The blade isn’t flexible enough.) Tighten various screws around the house, and even cut a 1" limb off of a tree… I was too lazy to go back and get the saw! <G Comes with a velcro-closing cordura belt case, too… Very nice.

Leatherman comes with a snap closing "leather" belt case. Gerber was, however, quick to replace the one I returned to them.

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I’ll start this by stating my preference for the Leatherman. It is more substantial in it’s manufacture and is easily carried on your belt. The tool selection is more than practical and are more apt to be used than those provided in the Swiss Army Knife.

The place I used to work sold Leatherman, Swiss Army, Gerber, and the Leatherman copy (Avoid these! They’re TRASH!) Leatherman DOES make 3 or 4 models… but don’t neglect the Gerber version of the tool, either. Here’s why I bought my Gerber… 1) All stainless steel construction… but matte finished! Nothing shiny or reflective. 2) ONE HAND opening of pliers. Pull it out, snap your wrist, and the pliers are ready to use. Just the thing for handling pike! 3) On the Gerber tool, the extra stuff is _inside_ the handles, as opposed to outside on the Leatherman. Why was this important? Well, think about which handles are more comfortable to squeeze hard…   _     _              _   _   _|   |_        or   |_   _|  as viewed from the end of the tool.     (L)                 (G) The Gerber tools are MUCH easier on the hands… kinda important if you’re cutting wire… or big hooks. In addition, this means that the Gerber tool’s blades _can’t_ close back on the handle while in use… a nifty finger-saving feature that the Leatherman _doesn’t_ have! I’ve used mine to cut wire and hooks, fix battery terminal cables, dispatch northern pike and clean them (though it’s NOT a particularly GOOD fillet knife… just all I had available! The blade isn’t flexible enough.) Tighten various screws around the house, and even cut a 1" limb off of a tree… I was too lazy to go back and get the saw! <G Comes with a velcro-closing cordura belt case, too… Very nice. — Joe Ellis         o/~ The Synthetic Filker o/~ |    TesserAct Studios  ()X  Darwin (;        Now on the Web at      |   Fairfield, OH 45018  //~~~LL~~~~LL~  http://shell.idt.net/~ellis69 |  New Dimensions In Filk!

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I’ll start this by stating my preference for the Leatherman. It is more substantial in it’s manufacture and is easily carried on your belt. The tool selection is more than practical and are more apt to be used than those provided in the Swiss Army Knife.

Hi J&J, I like my Leatherman much better than my Swiss Army Knife for the things I use a combo tool for.  I particularly like the plier feature of the L which my SAK does not have. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog)

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says… I’ll start this by stating my preference for the Leatherman. It is more substantial in it’s manufacture and is easily carried on your belt. The tool selection is more than practical and are more apt to be used than those provided in the Swiss Army Knife.

I used to have a Leatherman, but he started getting just a wee bit too toppish.   Left him in a bar one night. David

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I’ll start this by stating my preference for the Leatherman. It is more substantial in it’s manufacture and is easily carried on your belt. The tool selection is more than practical and are more apt to be used than those provided in the Swiss Army Knife.

Agree, as long as you don’t get one of those cheap knock-offs.  Real pieces of garbage, extremely stiff pliers that don’t close, knives as sharp as a dorsal fin, etc. Get the real thing, or a quality competitor.

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I’ll start this by stating my preference for the Leatherman. It is more substantial in it’s manufacture and is easily carried on your belt. The tool selection is more than practical and are more apt to be used than those provided in the Swiss Army Knife. Agree, as long as you don’t get one of those cheap knock-offs.  Real pieces of garbage, extremely stiff pliers that don’t close, knives as sharp as a dorsal fin, etc. Get the real thing, or a quality competitor.

I found a pair of the $15 fishing pliers with wire cutter on a beach about 4 years ago and they work fantastic. Offshore Anglers & Cabelas have them. They don’t have as many gadgets as a Letherman, but I haven’t noticed it to be a problem so far.                                                         jc

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I’ll start this by stating my preference for the Leatherman. It is more substantial in it’s manufacture and is easily carried on your belt. The tool selection is more than practical and are more apt to be used than those provided in the Swiss Army Knife.

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Question:

I’m headed for Potter county, PA weekend of 7/12. Local hatch chart calls for a "slate drake." Anyone have a recipe for this fly? I don’t see it in my reference materials. Thanks.

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I’m headed for Potter county, PA weekend of 7/12. Local hatch chart calls for a "slate drake." Anyone have a recipe for this fly? I don’t see it in my reference materials. Thanks.

There was a big brown drake hatch on Skaneateles lake (one of the Finger Lakes in NY) last week and I talked to a guy that fished it and did rather well.  He runs a flyfishing shop a couple of miles from the lake (right on Skaneateles creek) and he showed me the flies that he used. I don’t know the size of the slate drakes that you’re trying to immitate but the brown drakes were tied on size 8 hooks comparadun style.  If you don’t get any specific recipe’s I’d get some dark microfibbets or dark blue dun and make a split tail, add some dark grey dubbing, and tye on some dark deer hair comparadun style.   — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

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I’m headed for Potter county, PA weekend of 7/12. Local hatch chart calls for a "slate drake." Anyone have a recipe for this fly? I don’t see it in my reference materials. Thanks.

The slate drake is a colorful name for the Isonychia dun.  I’m sure your reference has patterns for this.  If not, try posting at rec.outdoors. fishing.fly.tying.

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Question:

: I’ve tried several times to subscribe to rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying : through AOL’s expert add – I get a message telling me this group is : "invalid"  Any suggestions would be appreciated. Wait.   the group is not officially formed yet. Check elsewhere in the group for RESULTS: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying vote Jon Porter

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I’ve tried several times to subscribe to rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying through AOL’s expert add – I get a message telling me this group is "invalid"  Any suggestions would be appreciated. Bill Battles

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Question:

We are planning a warm weather bonefishing vacation for mid February.  My son and I want to try flyfishing for this great saltwater fish for the first time in a location that will provide good, relaxing beach time for my wife. I  know nothing about the possible seasonable impact on the quality of the fishing.  I am looking for help on where we should plan to go in February (Florida Keys, Bahamas, Carribean, Mexico?).  Please advise.

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You could try any of those locales,but at that time of year, the farther south you go the better your chances for good weather. I’d put my money on Belize, and again the farther south the better. Look into going to Placentia. Even if you have bad weather, you can always go up into the monkey river to fish and there are lots of diversions for non fishing people. The Bones are small but plentiful,and there are Tarpon and you can expect to see LOTS of Permit. If the weather is VERY good you can go out to the reef and catch just about anything. Phil

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Question:

Any Ideas on what’s hot and what’s not??  Please post them.  Thanks

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From what I’m told the Deerfield is one of the best rivers in the East for fly fishing. It’s up in North Western MA. Best points of entry along Route 2.

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