Question:

What do you not like about fly fishing today? Today? Well, it was a bitch to get a good soft drop over the cube walls, steeple casts are bitch with a 10 foot ceiling, and I kept foul-hooking our group secretary. /daytripper (I need a 4 foot rod for "office fishing", I think…)

I got one you can try.  Shall I bring it to the Spring Fling?

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What do you not like about fly fishing today?

Mostly that it didn’t happen today.

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Yes, I too fear those menacing gun-toting steaks.

Yeah, but they’re pretty rare.

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Yes, I too fear those menacing gun-toting steaks. Yeah, but they’re pretty rare.

LMAO!

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What do you not like about fly fishing today?

Stupid questions.      - Ken — "During my service in the United States Congress, I took the  initiative in creating the Internet."  - Al Gore

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What do you not like about fly fishing today?

It’s too cold out; most of the ponds are still frozen. And don’t get me started about the high country. I’m not too crazy about the gun-toting snakes either. — Rusty Hook Laramie, Wyo Before you buy.

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What do you not like about fly fishing today?

all the damn people in my way as i try to shoot 150 yards over/under/through endangered rhododendron on quismeahss creek…. pisses me off !!! another pisser…. uhmm…. dumb queries. waldo

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Yes, I too fear those menacing gun-toting steaks. Opie in NC – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What do you not like about fly fishing today? It’s too cold out; most of the ponds are still frozen. And don’t get me started about the high country. I’m not too crazy about the gun-toting snakes either. — Rusty Hook Laramie, Wyo Before you buy.

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You should see the English ones !  Drive you mad they can ! TL MC — "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

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Yes, I too fear those menacing gun-toting steaks. Yeah, but they’re pretty rare.

Mostly.  But there’s one TBone that tends to be over done.

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What do you not like about fly fishing today?

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What do you not like about fly fishing today?

Today? Well, it was a bitch to get a good soft drop over the cube walls, steeple casts are bitch with a 10 foot ceiling, and I kept foul-hooking our group secretary. /daytripper (I need a 4 foot rod for "office fishing", I think…)

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hairy Trout writes: Now we have Hairy Trout telling us that "David H is real."  But, who is Hairy Trou?.  Can we trust him?  Is he just another of Mr. G’s aliases? Look in GG’s archives and see if you can find references to Doug Knight. That’s who ‘hairy’ is, he actually went to work with George for a while but things ‘didn’t work out’<g. <g is right. "didn’t work out" may be the understatement of 1999… It’s more like wouldn’t work out. The Company was to be turned over to my control but it wasn’t.  And when it was I was treated as a mere Forman. Big fukin’ Joke. The real fraud was that he was wasting my time. In reality he couldn’t make his mill work. I DID. When I left, my secrets went with me. I figured that the time I spent there was worth at least 15K plus expenses. There were many promises made which were basically worthless. Much like everything else about the operation. Rub the Genies Lamp. What he learned in 8 months I learned in 6 short weeks and that frightened him. There a has been a toughen biting silence on my part since August

All I can say, Doug, is live and learn.  You obviously can not trust some people.  I am willing to bet that Dave H. is either one of George’s employees, or a new found friend not yet corrupted.  I think most appreciate your candid remarks about George and his operation.  Perhaps Dave H.  will soon join you. Dave L.

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And Dave H earns the Plonk of the Week Award. THIS IS SPAMING

<ad nauseum

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THen would he have qualified as a ff’er? If so maybe HE could have shown me how to cast properly and then be able to enjoy more of this sport<G Inner demons have kept me at this game and I am afraid mine will keep me on the river and the tying bench as well. Ghosts of fish to be caught and those that got away will haunt me forever!! Merry Xmas to all Pierre – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – THIS IS SPAMING THIS IS SPAMING THIS IS SPAMING An appropriate simile would be that of Edgar A. Poe.  A brilliant man, a literay giant.  But alas there the simile ends.  For he too was driven by the inner demons.  Suffering bouts alcholic binges, he would abstain and attempt self medication with available depressants, much like some do today with anti-depressants…so ineptly named. The chemical imbalance somewhat interuppted, he would again then be functional for a short while before the manic-depressive personality disorder manifested itself. Thank god he didn’t have the internet……the good would have been lost among the endless drivel. A shame too, that they didn’t have a good twelve step program at that time, for it deals with the manner of ones thinking, the drinking being only a symptom. Who votes that we forward every damned item in this newsgroup to our own….E.A. Poe…oughta occupy his damend fingers for a while, eh?…. by the way….the kid really got off on the norad/santa thing…..thanks for

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<snipped Dave, I did a little investigating.  Mr. David Henney’s ISP is southwind.net, which is based out of Wichita, Kansas and they outsource their news service to bcandid.com.   bc.

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says… THen would he have qualified as a ff’er? If so maybe HE could have shown me how to cast properly and then be able to enjoy more of this sport<G Inner demons have kept me at this game and I am afraid mine will keep me on the river and the tying bench as well. Ghosts of fish to be caught and those that got away will haunt me forever!! Merry Xmas to all Pierre

Ah Pierre, You should not have to complain! I hear it is warmer out your way that this end of the earth! Head out to the outlet from Bonnybrook and do some Catch and Release! The output from the plant is warmer and the trout should still be lingering around there! I am not sure what the water flow is on the Bow now but if I recall correctly it should be pretty low in the winter… — Michael Era

Question:

Will be fishing at Spinney and/or Eleven Mile in a few days.  Any info on northern pike or other fishing would be appreciated.  Thanks

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Will be fishing at Spinney and/or Eleven Mile in a few days.  Any info on northern pike or other fishing would be appreciated.  Thanks

Big spoons in the 2-3 ft deep weedy shallows if you are casting. Black or yellow zonkers or BIG wolly buggers in the same place if you are fly fishing. If you have to fish from shore, you are pretty much out of luck. cheers oz

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Call this number for info- 1-719-748-3424  Elevenmile Store This is an article(1997) from Fishng & Hunting MAG Sleep Late, then fish the shallows at Elevenmile Resevoir and you’ll catch Northern Pike.  Pike aren’t noted for being early feeders so theres no point in fishing the lake until after 10 am.  The bite gets underway in late morning, then it tapers off in early afternoon and picks back up again around 5:30 pm. Elevenmile is loaded with pike.  The majority of them are in he 18-26 inch range but there are some fish over 30 inches in the lake, and probably some are getting close to 40 inches now. Some of the favorite spots include: Parking lot cove- west of the Corral Cove parking lot East Bay The Columnist, Ed Marsh prefers to use Stickbaits, like the Luhr Jenson Minnow in the fire tiger pattern(4 1/2 inches) All of the coves mentioned are shallow and weedy, and you definetly need waders to fish them properly.  From the shoreline you simply cannot cast far enough to cover enough water for fishing. Another bit of advice.  If you go there, the afternoons here in Colorado are very windy, so don’t go too far in a belly boat(Experience!) Most people I know who go to Elevinemile for pike use large Rapalas colored like Rainbow Trout and do pretty well. Also, if you use smaller spoons, you’ll probably hook up with some of the trout that haven’t been eaten by the Pike! Dan Dow Check my page- http://community-2.webtv.net/dandow/KINGFISHEROFTHEWORLD/page2.html thanks!

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Going to Colorado next week to fish for northern pike.  Any tips would be appreciated.  Thanks, Ed.

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where do you expect to find northern pike in Colorado? there  are a few lakes on the front range where the tiger musky has been stocked but i never heard of any northern in colorado.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Going to Colorado next week to fish for northern pike.  Any tips would be appreciated.  Thanks, Ed.

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What lakes are you fishing?  Bring your coat! Going to Colorado next week to fish for northern pike.  Any tips would be appreciated.  Thanks, Ed.

Before you buy.

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From what I’ve heard, there’s plenty of pike in various Colorado lakes, albiet I’ve heard there somewhat over populated and sizes tend to run on the hammer handle size. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – where do you expect to find northern pike in Colorado? there  are a few lakes on the front range where the tiger musky has been stocked but i never heard of any northern in colorado. Going to Colorado next week to fish for northern pike.  Any tips would be appreciated.  Thanks, Ed.

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Spinney Mountain Reservoir has plenty. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – From what I’ve heard, there’s plenty of pike in various Colorado lakes, albiet I’ve heard there somewhat over populated and sizes tend to run on the hammer handle size. where do you expect to find northern pike in Colorado? there  are a few lakes on the front range where the tiger musky has been stocked but i never heard of any northern in colorado. Going to Colorado next week to fish for northern pike.  Any tips would be appreciated.  Thanks, Ed.

Before you buy.

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Question:

Hi Bob, I have never fly fished for or oio in Hawaii.  I don’t fish much anymore since fishing is not that good.  I remember fishing for them with lures using ultralight spinning gear when they were more plentiful. I fished the shallow reefs especially in the sandy holes.  I used yellow feathered gig or buck tails.  Plastic lures worked too.  I would bounce them in the sand. I caught fish over five pounds.  Once I hooked them, I would walk out to them rather than reeling them in.  The coral would cut the line if I tried to reel them in.  I lost more fish than I brought in, but it sure was a lot of fun.  I fished ultrlight using four pound test line.  I’m sure you could use the same techniques using fly gear. One of my favorite places used to be on the reef across the channel from Ft. Derussey.  The shallow surf in Bellows produced small oio also. I’ve also caught them on reefs and sand bars in Kaneohe.  All this was ten-thirty years ago. Aloha, Fred E. Nakaguma Aiea, Hawaii I’d like to try for bonefish (Oio) here in Hawaii. I’m looking for someone who’s done it to get some ideas of where and how to start. I’m retired now and have the time to learn. Aloha – bob    ooo_ — http://www.aloha.net/~bgraham

– Sincerely, Fred E. Nakaguma Aiea, Hawaii

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I’d like to try for bonefish (Oio) here in Hawaii. I’m looking for someone who’s done it to get some ideas of where and how to start. I’m retired now and have the time to learn. Aloha – bob    ooo_ — http://www.aloha.net/~bgraham

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Bob, I have been hearing of bonefish in Hawaii for fifteen years. I hope it is true. Remembering back, those bones were caught off the rocks. Start with a good shrimp, crust’s, or small minnow pattern. Then start changing your flylines. If you are fishing 8,9, or 10 weights… I have some lines (shooting heads and full sink), that I can send you for free. Just let me know your address. I would be more than willing to help in your quest. Bob, It is guys like you that search and find new undiscovered fisheries. God Bless You, and good luck. Sincerely, Capt. Greg Rahe

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I’d like to try for bonefish (Oio) here in Hawaii. I’m looking for someone who’s done it to get some ideas of where and how to start. I’m retired now and have the time to learn. Aloha – bob    ooo_ — http://www.aloha.net/~bgraham

Hi Bob, There are bones in the ‘islands’, but they are referred to as ‘deep water’ bones. I think if you can find some water that is 2 feet deep, you might be successful. The south side of Molokai is all shallow flats. If you go there for a week, I think you might be able to find some bones on these shallow flats. Warmer weather is better, so I would not expect them to be on the ‘flats’ in cool weather. There is a guide out of the Hotel Molokai that can take you for bones and trevally. If you can ask around and find any other shallow areas, you might find some bones on any island. Catching bones in deep water on bait is not anything to get excited about. The big deal with bones is finding them in 12" of water about 100 yards from the drop off.  They like the incoming tide and feed on the bottom. An 8 weight rod, floating line, 9′ 0x leader, Crazy Charlies in Gold, Pearl or Pearl Orange, light colored Polarized glasses, hat, sun screen and foot protection are some of the essentials for bone fishing. Bill Kiene www.kiene.com

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Question:

i have noticed some of the most attractive women are found at the pay lakes  i have been visiting does anyone else notice this?

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i have noticed some of the most attractive women are found at the pay lakes  i have been visiting does anyone else notice this?

I dunno.  I never notice the really good looking ones at the pay lakes until I’m into my second 12-pack.   *                                                               * *  ENTOMOLOGIST    ANTIQUE TACKLE COLLECTOR    ALL-AROUND NUT   *

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Ha Ha!          I got a good chuckle outta THIS one!  I happen to WORK at a "pay lake" and my sentiments would have to be along the same lines as Creek Chub’s comment! ::ahem:; except when my girlfriend is visitng (as she is looking on as I post this!!) Happy fishing!

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Wow, and I thought I was running out of topics to talk about during the "off season". – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -i have noticed some of the most attractive women are found at the pay lakes i have been visiting does anyone else notice this?

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JB,     You might like hanging out at some at some Trailer Parks too. I hear they have some mighty fine females there too!! Good Luck :~) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i have noticed some of the most attractive women are found at the pay lakes  i have been visiting does anyone else notice this?

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i have noticed some of the most attractive women are found at the pay lakes  i have been visiting does anyone else notice this?

OK, I give up…….  what is a "pay" lake? Hans

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OK, I give up…….  what is a "pay" lake? Hans

Hans,  A pay lake is a stocked lake that you pay to fish at. Usually a set fee, but some charge by the fish or pound. Generally these are catfish and trout type stockings, but I have seen most all kinds being offered. I remember 1 guy at the Fishermans Dude Ranch in Des Plaines Il took all his kids fishing. He didn’t realize this was a by the pound, and these trout were starving. It cost him $65.00 to get out of there and this was 30 years ago. I went there because I wanted to see what it was like to catch trout on a fly. Illinois didn’t have many trout streams back in the 60’s. Used a barbless hook and made a big deal everytime they came off. Had the time of my life, at least for a teenager. Mark Brandt Are you a walleye Fanatic, Try The Walleye List at http://members.iquest.net/~mbrandt  where over 220 walleye anglers discuss walleye fishing via e-mail every day.

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OK, I give up…….  what is a "pay" lake? Hans

A pay lake is a stocked lake or pond that you pay a fee to fish at. Usually these are stocked with either catfish or trout, altho I have seen where all species are available. You either pay one set fee for a limit of fish or as many as you want and you pay by the fish or weight. You have to watch it at these types tho. Back when I was a teenager I used to go to the Fishermans Dude Ranch in Des Plaines Il to fly fish for trout. I knew this was a pay by the pound place, but in the 60’s this was the only trout stream I had access too. I would use a barbless hook and play the fish until it came off. I would take home maybe 1 fish. One time I was there and this guy brings in all his kids. They supplied poles if you needed them. Well this guy walked out of there with $65 worth of trout, and this was 30 years ago. They watched you like a hawk, couldn’t throw any back. Seems like so long ago. Mark Are you a walleye fanatic. Try joining The Walleye List at http://members.iquest.net/~mbrandt where over 220 walleye anglers discusss walleye fishing via e-mail.

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NO

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK, I give up…….  what is a "pay" lake? Hans Hans,  A pay lake is a stocked lake that you pay to fish at. Usually a set fee, but some charge by the fish or pound. Generally these are catfish and trout type stockings, but I have seen most all kinds being offered. I remember 1 guy at the Fishermans Dude Ranch in Des Plaines Il took all his kids fishing. He didn’t realize this was a by the pound, and these trout were starving. It cost him $65.00 to get out of there and this was 30 years ago. I went there because I wanted to see what it was like to catch trout on a fly. Illinois didn’t have many trout streams back in the 60’s. Used a barbless hook and made a big deal everytime they came off. Had the time of my life, at least for a teenager. Mark Brandt Are you a walleye Fanatic, Try The Walleye List at http://members.iquest.net/~mbrandt  where over 220 walleye anglers discuss walleye fishing via e-mail every day.

Hey thanks for the memories – I used to take the kids to that place just off the tollway to get a fish ( trout) when we could not catch someting at Busse lake or others – had to mash down the hooks so they would lose them . The trout always tasted funny kind of like algae…But they were nice looking….. Former Chicagoan

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Question:

Im being hauled up to a wedding this weekend in Iron Mtn, MI. Anyone know of an accessible stream to fly fish in.  Ive got all morning Saturday and Sunday. I’d like to make this worthwhile. Please post or reply to below. — Any company and/or person sending ‘junk’ mail, comonly refered to as ‘SPAM’, to the above email address to promote or endorse any service or product that was not intially requested by the holder of the above email address agrees to the receipt of up to 20 MEG of random and possibly infected mail or files.

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Im being hauled up to a wedding this weekend in Iron Mtn, MI. Anyone know of an accessible stream to fly fish in.  Ive got all morning Saturday and Sunday. I’d like to make this worthwhile.

Actually, virtually every creek and river has trout in it.  When you go to buy a license in Wisconsin, you will receive a trout waters map showing all streams with trout in them.   Bring some Griffith’s Gnats, Blue-Wing Olives and a few Caddis’ along with whatever nymphs you like and enjoy. Jon Russell FlyFish Minnesota

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Question:

Anyone know where i can download a fly fishing or trout screen saver for free? thanks grant

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kauffman streamborn web site – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone know where i can download a fly fishing or trout screen saver for free? thanks grant

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Question:

I am planning a trip to Montana in mid to late September and could use some advice on fly selection. My  girfriend will be fishing the Yellowstone, Madison, and in the park. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

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I am planning a trip to Montana in mid to late September and could use some advice on fly selection. My girlfriend and I will be fishing the Yellowstone, Madison, and some in Yellowstone Park. I would like to tie as many flies as possible before the trip. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

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I am planning a trip to Montana in mid to late September and could use some advice on fly selection. My girlfriend and I will be fishing the Yellowstone, Madison, and some in Yellowstone Park. I would like to tie as many flies as possible before the trip. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Hi Tim, In September, in particular, the browns are quite active preparing to spawn. Preparing for this results in two activities: gorging lots of food to build up necessary fat deposits for spawning, and protecting their spawning lies from predators. Both activities result in excellent streamer fishing from September to November. Be prepared with a selection of Muddlers, Woolly Buggers, Matuka and Woolhead Sculpins, and Zonker patterns, to name a few of the more locally popular flies. September is also a fine time here for insects. Hydropsyche caddis are still emerging heavily on all the rivers (size 14-16, pale green & tan), as well as the late emergence of Rhyacophila (the "Bright Green Caddis Larva," size #14-16, olive adult). Baetis become the dominant mayfly (olive, size #18-22 with smaller sizes more typical of the fall emergence), with Mahogany duns (brown, size 14) providing late season action for the larger mayflies, especially on the Gallatin River. There are lesser hatches which are also "locally" important on some rivers, including Tricos (Madison), Attenella (upper Yellowstone), etc. I’d also suggest that you contact local fly shops for the area you’ll be visiting, including Jacklin’s in West Yellowstone and Montana Troutfitters or The River’s Edge in Bozeman. They can provide you with locally effective "hot" patterns and up-to-date fishing reports. Good Luck, Ryan Jordan J&J Flies (Bozeman)

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I had good luck using a PMD nymph at Buffalo Ford last Sept. Not much else was working at the time. Frank Cada

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I am planning a trip to Montana in mid to late September and could use some advice on fly selection. My girlfriend and I will be fishing the Yellowstone, Madison, and some in Yellowstone Park. I would like to tie as many flies as possible before the trip. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Hi Tim You will need a series of Bead Head nymphs and Hare’s Ear Nymphs #10 – #16, assorted Wulffs #12 – #18, Parachute Adams #16 – #20, assorted Compara Duns #14 – #22, Elk Hair Caddis #12 – #20 both light and dark,   Real important for that time of years is #8 Grass Hoppers — my favorite is a Whit’s Hopper or something similar.  By the time September rolls around the fish will have seen many different Hopper patterns and the more realistic the better.  This is especially true in the Park.  The fish on Slough Creek as an example will often "nudge" a hopper patterns several times before taking it.  It’s important that you not strike when they nudge the fly but wait for them to take it.  It can be a real nerve racking experience but a lot of fun as well. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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It matters a GREAT deal WHERE on the Yellowstone you’ll be fishing.  The Yellowstone, as you know, is a very large river that can be broken down into several sections.  If you can be more specific as to the area you’ll be fishing, I’ll tell you the information you want to know.

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I am planning a trip to Montana in mid to late September and could use some advice on fly selection. My girlfriend and I will be fishing the Yellowstone, Madison, and some in Yellowstone Park. I would like to tie as many flies as possible before the trip. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

Have some hoppers for warm days. Wooly buggers in whatever fancies you. I like black with a touch of flash and the Bakers hole special which is yellow and brown with a touch of flash. Bead head Hares ears in a variety of sizes and bead head Prince seems to work on the Madison. Definitely have some size 18-22 pmd type emergers in pale yellow. Last year this was our most effective fly on the madison the first week of October. (I still after all these years can’t figure out how those trout see those flies in all that rough water!) Fished them with a small strike indicator on the nymphs and like a dry for the emergers. I personally still used the strike indicator on th emergers cause I sure can’t see the fly. I would also still have the basics in a variety of sizes like Wulfs Adams, Caddis and sparkle duns, but the nymphs were most productive for us. The Wooly Buggers were the most productive on the Yellowstone above Le Hardy Rapids. Kevin Williams

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I am planning a trip to Montana in mid to late September and could use some advice on fly selection. My girlfriend and I will be fishing the Yellowstone, Madison, and some in Yellowstone Park. I would like to tie as many flies as possible before the trip. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

I suggest calling Madison River Outfitters in West Yellowstone.  (I don’t feel comfortable publishing phone numbers, but I’m sure you can call information.)

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Question:

Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks!

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Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks!

About the best source for panfish fly patters is: Stewart, Dick.  Flies for bass & panfish /  1st ed.  Intervale, NH : Northland Press ; New York, NY : Distributed by Lyons & Burford, c1992.  v, 80, [7] p. : col. ill. ; 29 cm. If that’s not locally available, her are some suggestions: The traditional favorites are various rubber legged sinking flies with names like ‘Brim killer" and so on.  A simple, efective and easy to tie fly of this sort that I use a great deal is as follows: Lightly weight a #8 or 10 nymph (or baitholder) hook with lead wire. Tie in a lenght of medium black (or olive, hot pink, white, etc.) chenelle and wind to front making a "fat" body.  Tie in two long (2") strands of rubber hackle (white, black or to match body color) in the center, and pull the 4 ends back.  Wrap in a head, and whip finish.  Trim the rubber hackles to about twice the lenght of the fly.   Other simple sinking flies that work well for Bluegill are wooly worms, gold ribbed hare’s ear nymphs, peacock herl bodies with black or brown tail and wet fly hackle, black gant, bee patterns, small streamers, small wooly buggers, & mini-jigs. For surface bugs, the traditional cork poppers – sneakey Peets, pan pops, etc., are very good, but not worth tying given their cost vs. the time to make them.  Small (6 to 10#) hair bugs are good, and if you want to use dry flies, irresistibles or other deer hair body flies hold up well, as do hoppers, mudlers, etc. Basically, amuse yourself.  If you like it, the bluegill will too.   —

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Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks!

On the surface I have used small hard bodied poppers #10/12 in black or yellow and hair wing dry flies like a Humpy or Irresistible #10/12.  Under water I have had good luck with a black wet fly.  A little wooly worm, soft hackle fly or nymph #10/12. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks!

I have found the Pass Lake pattern to be very effective for spring Bluegills.

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Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks!

A black beadhead wooly bugger fished at sundown, and right after, did the trick for me today.

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I admit I may be missing out on something, but I have literally only used one fly for panfish and caught hundreds over the years: a tiny yellow cork/balsa popper! Throughout the summer, I have never felt the need to fish underwater, as bluegill are 100% willing 100% of the time to savage a surface fly. At least, this is the case around the mid-Atlantic region. I _always_ catch them right along the edges of rivers and streams, in the shade under the banks. Scott (who sometimes believes fishing with wet flies is a glorified form of bait fishing!)

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        Jack Ellis (author of The Sunfishes) and I publish a newsletter every month that is devoted entirely to warmwater fly fishing (esp. bluegills).  Anybody who’d like to receive a couple of free samples just needs to email me their postal address and full name.  We feature patterns and tying tips in each issue.                                                 Brian

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Bivisibles work great!!  Use soft hackles on a size 12 or 14 and fish as a wetfly.  Quick inch retrieves with pauses between seem to really excite gills.  This is a favorite technique (of mine) in weedy ponds.   Color preference varies with light conditions. DBZ

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writes: Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks!

   I haven’t fished for bluegills for 25 years, and rather miss them.  My experience: on the spawning beds, nearly anything works.  In the summer, when the fish are scattered and lying deeper, two patterns really worked well — black gnat (#10 or so) with or without the wings, and a sort of spider that the local hardware store sold for two bits which had a soft vinyl body (like those Creepy Crawlies that kids make) and rubber legs. Crappies seem to like larger flies, esp. tinsel bodied patterns, and light, bright colors, yellow, white, pink.  Bluegills seemed more interested in buggy, naturalistic colors, # 10 or smaller.  The vinyl-bodied bug (a slow sinker) was effective at least partly because the fish didn’t spit it out.  See if you can borrow the neighbor kid’s Mattell machine, perhaps?   — Kilchis

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: Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks! I tie a large elk hair caddis(size 10 or 12), tan or florescent body, furnace hackle and a gold rib.  Use about twice as much wing as normal, coat the clipped head with Sally Hansens and you have a fly that dives pulling a lot of air under with the over large wing. Good luck, Bob Capistrant

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tw Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks! i like to use a threadfin shad, maybe size 10-12. it is a very natural minnow imitation which in springtime is larger than the current year-class fry, but smaller than the previous year-class. that makes it a very tempting morsel both for crappies and the larger bluegills. i find that the smaller bluegills will eagerly go after small bugs (nymphs, gnats, etc) but will be a leetle more hesitant about attacking a minnow. hence the streamer seems to work well for mixed panfish beds (i.e. crappies, bluegills, in several year classes). but the threadfin shad is expensive! 2-3$ per. does anybody have a recipe for it? it would be great if i could manufacture them myself. i suppose the reason for the high price is that it has an epoxy body (???). it has a tiny tuft of marabou tail. the body has 3 black spots on each side. the body is silvery, dark back, light belly. the good news is that i only need 2-3 of them each spring, since each one will catch about 50 fish before it disintegrates. ra. — Richard Atkins              Phone: (612) 951-7339           Honeywell Technology Center FAX:   (612) 951-7438 MN65-2200     3660 Technology Drive                                      

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Does anyone have a suggestion for spring Bluegill patterns? Thanks!

Tom: Here’s a suggestion on something called a "Pus Fly" (don’t blame me, I didn’t name it).  I read about it on the wall of Jene Hughes’ fly shop in Des Moines, the 2nd. Ave. Bait Shop, and have been using it for two seasons now. Use a size 8-12 3x nymph hook and chartreuse thread.  Tie in a piece of bead chain so the hook rides upside down.  Tie the chain "eyes" about a quarter of an inch back from the eye of the hook.  Tie in a short tail of chartreuse marabou, and then tie a stubby body of some sort of chartreuse material (I’ve used chenille, ice chenille, body wool, and even floss) to just behind the bead eyes.   Tie in one or two turns of chartreuse or green hackle.  Finish by building cross-tying around the bead eyes and then tapering a kind of long, sloping nose down to the hook eye.  Coat the nose fairly heavily with head cement (you’ll catch a LOT of fish on each fly).  The finished fly has a little resemblance to a Crazy Charlie bonefish fly. You can also tie them in purple, black, orange, and white (sort of my descending order of preference). My most effective way to fish it is anywhere from 18" to 4 feet under a fair-size bass or bluegill popper.  The popper acts as a strike indicator but also can catch a lot of fish on its own. The ice just went out on our farm ponds about three weeks ago, and I’ve already caught several dozen pretty nice ‘gills on these flies.  They seem to work particularly well during early spring and late fall, but will work all year. Enjoy, Bob

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My schedule will allow a trip to Northern California the first or second week of November.  How does the McCloud fish during this time(AH DI NAH)? Hatches? Flies?  What should I expect in the way of weather. Other suggestions for a week this time of year trout-bumming around? Reed Guice

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My schedule will allow a trip to Northern California the first or second week of November.  How does the McCloud fish during this time(AH DI NAH)? Hatches? Flies?  What should I expect in the way of weather. Other suggestions for a week this time of year trout-bumming around? Reed Guice

Reed  It has been my experience that it will rain, hatches will be small if at all.and HUGE browns will eat sculpins till Midnight !! It may be late for most bugs,maybe a few Fall Caddis, Baetis etc .I think the season close’s the 15th so check.   Harry

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Ah, the McCloud River.  The season closes 11/15.  Stonefly nymphs, orange stimulators for the Oct Caddis, adams 14, glo bugs, orange soft hackles, bead head caddis olive and orange will all work well.  There hasn’t been much of the famed Oct Caddis hatch so far because it hasn’t really gotten cold yet.  Early Nov could be perfect.  Of course there is a computer game called Fly Fishing the McCloud River that I saw in Orvis SF that would probably tell you exactly what will be going on in November Big Rock

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