Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife and I are college professors who are retiring this month. We’d like to cruise. We are currently shopping for an older Prout 37. Meanwhile, we need to improve our sailing skills. Could we barter you teaching us to sail for us teaching you our skills? Our competencies include: computer skills (both of us have extensive teaching experience), writing (wife has experience in teaching composition), fly-fishing (husband has 30 years of teaching experience) References available. We have motor home in Orlando, Florida, will travel to you. or Cell phone: 541.953.7081

Ahoy Captain Bob: Live in Cocoa, FL area so just east of Orlando.  When I turned 40 took a break from job–a "sabbatical" that turned into ALL seven years.  During that time did a lot of sailing.  One trip was Gibraltar to Barbados as crew on a Prout 37! No longer own a boat<sigh but will trade knowledge for chance to sail<grin. Allan "He who would go to sea for pleasure, would go to hell for a pastime."                          -old British saying

Response:

My wife and I are college professors who are retiring this month. We’d like to cruise. We are currently shopping for an older Prout 37. Meanwhile, we need to improve our sailing skills. Could we barter you teaching us to sail for us teaching you our skills? Our competencies include: computer skills (both of us have extensive teaching experience), writing (wife has experience in teaching composition), fly-fishing (husband has 30 years of teaching experience) References available. We have motor home in Orlando, Florida, will travel to you. or Cell phone: 541.953.7081

Response:

For years I dreamed daily (almost continuously) of buying a Prout 37 or 39 and taking off.  When the time came, however, we chose a PDQ36 as being more appropriate for the type of cruising we’re doing – mostly ICW and coastal. At the boatshow where we made our final decision PDQ and Prout were next to each other – we went back and forth between them and kept concluding the PDQ was a better fit.  We’ve had no regrets, though during those rare moments that I dream about sailing around the world, its in a Prout 45! -jeff "The sport that requires the least effort" Albert Einstein on Sailing

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife and I are college professors who are retiring this month. We’d like to cruise. We are currently shopping for an older Prout 37. Meanwhile, we need to improve our sailing skills. Could we barter you teaching us to sail for us teaching you our skills? Our competencies include: computer skills (both of us have extensive teaching experience), writing (wife has experience in teaching composition), fly-fishing (husband has 30 years of teaching experience) References available. We have motor home in Orlando, Florida, will travel to you. or Cell phone: 541.953.7081

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Question:

What happened to my original thread?

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What is a boobie? Buzzer?

Hi Michael, A Booby is a particular type of lure, I’m surprised no-one has described one sooner. Take for example a Black Booby. Hook            Long shank #10 Tail            Black marabou Body            Black chenille with silver rib   Hackle          Black cock The Booby bit           Two polystyrene/ ethafoam beads about 3/16" diam tied at the eye of the hook. The beads are encased in a small piece of nylon stocking and tied in with a figure of 8 whipping (better still a piece of surgical rubber such as condom rubber – waterproof see!) Fished on a very short leader, about 18" with a fast sink line. Allow to sink to the bottom and retrieve slowly. Takes can be vicious. As a method of fishing, I agree with one contributor to this thread, it is boring, but just the thing when you want a bit of a rest to sip that single malt. — Bill http://www.graigroad.demon.co.uk

Response:

<snip questions answered by Michael 3. Why does my Airflo 7000 floating line start to sink?

Probably a bit dirty. Clean it with a very mild detergent solution, rinse well then treat it with Mucilin. 6. … How about Boobies?

Don’t know anything about UK boobies, but here in the states if you want boobies, especially the gorgeous, perky young ones, it’s best to troll with a late model sports car. — Ken Fortenberry

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Nice one!

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Sometimes you just don’t know the depth to fish. In that case I use a sinking line (they sink at different rates, so make certain you know your line). On the first few casts I’ll let it sink for 5 seconds before I start retrieving. I then go to 10 seconds and so forth until I find the correct depth.  Not as scientific as some methods,  but it usually works if you have enough patience. DLH – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 1. Any general rules for depth  (when I cant see the fish) Depth will primarily depend on what the fish are feeding on, and the temperature of the water.  On a hot summer day, you often get a layer of very warm water on top, and cool water underneath.  In winter you get the opposite effect.  Fish will therefore be deep.  (How deep will depend on lake and feeding behavior).  While in early spring, optimum temperatures will be in the top layer, as in late fall.  At some times of the year, fish can be anywhere in the water column. 2. Any general hotspots Generally fish hang out where there is 1) food; 2) optimum temperature; 3) protection from predators.  Typical hotspots include: — in spring fed lakes, in summer, springholes where cool water enters the lake, producing optimum temperatures — inlets, where incoming streams wash in food and/or produce optimum temperatures — drop offs which provide deep water protection with easy access to shallows holding bait fish for food. 3. Why does my Airflo 7000 floating line start to sink? Beats me. 4. How do I guess what colour buzzer etc to use? Is a buzzers a streamer/bucktail?  Try to check out baitfish in lake. If you can’t determine, start with something close to the bottom color, e.g. brown, olive. 5. Does the size of fly depend on lake size? Not necessarily. 6. Is it easier to catch with a lure/ streamer than nymph or buzzer? How about Boobies? What is a boobie? Buzzer? Michael — www.geocities.com/yosemite/falls/3363 Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

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Don’t know anything about UK boobies, but here in the states if you want boobies, especially the gorgeous, perky young ones, it’s best to troll with a late model sports car.

Cash works as well as the sports car Ken, and its a great deal less bulky, but somehow I’ve managed to lose the manual on how to acquire either.  Can you help me out here?

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… I’ve managed to lose the manual on how to acquire either.  Can you help me out here?

Buy low, sell high. Hope this helps. — Ken Fortenberry

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1. Any general rules for depth  (when I cant see the fish)

Use a weigted nymph or streamer ( lure )  and "count down"  until you get a strike.  Technique is cast, count until bottom is felt, retrieve. Cast again, count minus ten ad retrieve etc.  This works best with sinking lines, but will also wortk with nymphs etc on a very long leader. 2. Any general hotspots

Around sunken hedges and similar, it takes a while to get to know the hotspots on stillwaters.  One tip though, do not fish with the wind at your back just because it is comfortable. Fish into the wind, and try the margins first before wading in etc. If the prevailing wind has been in the same direction for some time lots of surface food etc will be very close to the bank opposite to the direction the wind is blowing. A woolly bugger or wormfly or stick fly drawn over the stones etc especially in a slight wave right in the margins is usually successful. Dont forget to try dry flies, Chew and Blagdon are noted for the good surface activity. Hoppers, and similar are a good bet. 3. Why does my Airflo 7000 floating line start to sink?

It may be dirty, clean it with warm soapy water. Most things from Airflo are rubbish, includng their lines and rods. Buy a Cortland !!!!!!! 4. How do I guess what colour buzzer etc to use?

Try black first, then brown , then green then red, or fish a team to start with and use the one that gets the most hits. It is also possible to see buzzers hatching, take a small pair of binoculars along, and scan the water carefully. The shucks from the last hatch will ofetn be floating in the margins, and also check the spiders webs on the bushes in the area, these will have example of the last hatches stuck in them. Saves a lot of guesswork. Also you can ask one of the regulars, they are usually happy to help. Just dont clump up like a bloody elephant and disturb anyones fishing. Wait if necessary until they stop for a smoke or something. 5. Does the size of fly depend on lake size?

No, it depends on the size of the natural which you wish to imitate. Lake size is immaterial. Buzzers vary in size considerably, but sizes 12 14 and 16 are common. A snipe and purple and a partridge and orange are also excellent buzzer imitations, and catch remarkably well. 6. Is it easier to catch with a lure/ streamer than nymph or buzzer? How about Boobies?

Depends what you mean by easy. Lure fishing means continuous long casting with basically a fish imitation. It is sometimes very successful, sometimes not.  Buzzers ( midge pupae, Chironomid = non biting midges )  are usually fished static, or at least evyr slowly indeed,in the surface film. Booby fishing is usually quite deadly, technique = sinking line, short leader, no more than three feet, and down to ten inches. Cast sinking line out, allow to sink to bottom, retrieve in short pulls which causes the foam headed booby to dive towards the bottom like a fry heading for shelter. Bright fluorescent boobies work well for rainbows, more sober colours, black brown etc for browns. The technique is effective but boring. Tight lines ! Mike Connor

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<snip questions answered by Michael 3. Why does my Airflo 7000 floating line start to sink? Probably a bit dirty. Clean it with a very mild detergent solution, rinse well then treat it with Mucilin.

Hi Ken, I would beg to differ, you should on no account treat modern floating lines with Mucilin, this will damage the coating. If a dressing is required Cortland line dressing is about the best. TL MC

Response:

Hi Ken, I would beg to differ, you should on no account treat modern floating lines with Mucilin, this will damage the coating. If a dressing is required Cortland line dressing is about the best.

Hmm. There are two Mucilins. The red Mucilin is mostly animal fat and has never hurt any of my lines so far as I can tell. The green Mucilin is a silicone paste and I’m not familiar with it. I find the Cortland to be somewhat hard to apply because it tends to clump up and make a mess. Have you tried the PZ Plasticiser ? I haven’t but it sounds good. — Ken Fortenberry

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<SNIPPED Have you tried the PZ Plasticiser ? I haven’t but it sounds good. — Ken Fortenberry

Hi Ken, I spoke to the former president of Cortland not long ago on this very subject. He confirmed that dressings, other than those recommended by the manufacturer, should be avoided.  At one time it was of no particular consequence, as long as you avoided petrochemical derivatives and one or two chemicals like DEET, and some suntan lotions  or similar. Nowadays the line coatings are so complex that it is best to avoid dressings at all if you are not sure what to use. The possibilites are in the meantime endless, even not taking things like albolene,  rain-x, vaseline,   and God knows what else into account, I do not use these, simply because I do not know what is in them, and what effect it may have on my line. I do not doubt for one second that some of them work very well.  The Cortland dressing is the best I have found up to now, I wash my lines after every outing in warm soapy water, let them dry,to the floaters I then apply a thin coat of the Cortland stuff by pulling the line slowly through the applicator and buff it off again using a soft cloth.  Never had a problem, and I have some lines that are well over ten years old and still in regular use. I have some even older ones as well, but they are a bit stiff, so I dont use them anymore. Some pastes contain solvents besides the dressing, this will at first do no obvious harm to the line, but after a while the plasticizers will be leeched out and small cracks will start to appear, shortly after that the line becomes useless.  I have seen lines damaged very badly after only being used a dozen times, it was not always possible to find out why, and may in fact have been faulty lines occasionally, but in the main the damage was due to incorrect line dressing or contamination, and on several occasions heat stress, or fume damage ( line left in boot [trunk] of car with petrol [gas] tanks etc ), fine grit adhering to some line dressings will also damage a line very quickly indeed, which would not happen if there was no dressing on it. I can see no point in buying a nice expensive line and then using some cheap dressing of largely unknown content and efficiency on it.  I dont put olive oil in my car engine either, although this would work, and be cheaper, but with what effects and for how long ? I buy the best engine oil I can get which the manufacturer recommends. While it is probable that the potential damage done by certain products is minimal, why take the chance ?  For the same reason I dont use the plasticizer products, they contain solvents which contain the plasticizers, and these may have a deleterious effect on the line with time. The plasticizer content in most modern products is designed to last the normal useful life of the product, it is unlikely that additives will extend this useful life by much if at all. The plasticizers added at manufacture are an integral component  of the plastic, those added at a later stage will only affect the surface of the line if at all, deep penetration would require a transport medium such as a solvent, and there you have "catch 22" again. I know a guy who uses bacon fat to treat his line and his leaders and his flies when necessary, and he swears the "flavour" helps as well, he may be right, but I think I will stick to my method for the time being. Tight lines ! Mike Connor

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it’s dirty….clean it with a soft soap..treat it with cortland or airflo dressin, and wallah…as new. the airflo 7000ts is a fine and genuine hi-tech fly line for y2k and beyond. if you ain’t fished it… your loss. a blatant advertisement brought to you by the likes of that dastardly self promoter, laurie and jo wooer, dahlwhinnie sipper this fine eve (thanks t.), and general rascal, wataugan walt… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <snip questions answered by Michael 3. Why does my Airflo 7000 floating line start to sink? Probably a bit dirty. Clean it with a very mild detergent solution, rinse well then treat it with Mucilin. Hi Ken, I would beg to differ, you should on no account treat modern floating lines with Mucilin, this will damage the coating. If a dressing is required Cortland line dressing is about the best. TL MC

– Ezflyfish.com                 Blue Ridge Book Gallery Quality Gear & Service        Used & Out-of-Print Books http://www.ezflyfish.com      http://www.abebooks.com/home/BLUEBOOKS P.O. Box 5112  Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828)963-5001

Response:

1. Any general rules for depth  (when I cant see the fish) 2. Any general hotspots 3. Why does my Airflo 7000 floating line start to sink? 4. How do I guess what colour buzzer etc to use? 5. Does the size of fly depend on lake size? 6. Is it easier to catch with a lure/ streamer than nymph or buzzer? How about Boobies? Thanks in advance

Response:

1. Any general rules for depth  (when I cant see the fish)

Depth will primarily depend on what the fish are feeding on, and the temperature of the water.  On a hot summer day, you often get a layer of very warm water on top, and cool water underneath.  In winter you get the opposite effect.  Fish will therefore be deep.  (How deep will depend on lake and feeding behavior).  While in early spring, optimum temperatures will be in the top layer, as in late fall.  At some times of the year, fish can be anywhere in the water column. 2. Any general hotspots

Generally fish hang out where there is 1) food; 2) optimum temperature; 3) protection from predators.  Typical hotspots include: — in spring fed lakes, in summer, springholes where cool water enters the lake, producing optimum temperatures — inlets, where incoming streams wash in food and/or produce optimum temperatures — drop offs which provide deep water protection with easy access to shallows holding bait fish for food. 3. Why does my Airflo 7000 floating line start to sink?

Beats me. 4. How do I guess what colour buzzer etc to use?

Is a buzzers a streamer/bucktail?  Try to check out baitfish in lake. If you can’t determine, start with something close to the bottom color, e.g. brown, olive. 5. Does the size of fly depend on lake size?

Not necessarily. 6. Is it easier to catch with a lure/ streamer than nymph or buzzer? How about Boobies?

What is a boobie? Buzzer? Michael — www.geocities.com/yosemite/falls/3363 Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

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Question:

I maybe taking a job in Deerfield, IL (Lake county) and will probably live in Northern Illinois or Souther Wisconsin.  Can Anyone tell me what to expect in the way of Fishing.  I am currently Living in CT where there is fishing aplenty.  Any info would be greatly appreciated. Jon

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I maybe taking a job in Deerfield, IL (Lake county) and will probably live in Northern Illinois or Souther Wisconsin.  Can Anyone tell me what to expect in the way of Fishing.

The only fly fishing in Northern Illinois is for bass, crappie, blue gill, and other pan fish.  At times it can be very good. Wisconsin is another story.  South-west Wisconsin is loaded with some of the finest spring creeks around.  They are teaming with browns, rainbows, and brookies.  South-east all along Lake Michigan has many streams with runs of steelhead, and salmon. There is a lot of great fly fishing in Wisconsin. Joel Axelrad

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Question:

I’ll be travelling to Atlanta and I was wondering if I should carry my FF equipment with me. Any help? If yes, I’d apreciatte any info about places, access, equipments recommended any other suggestion. Thanks a lot, Pablo. BS.AS-Argentina

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I’ll be travelling to Atlanta and I was wondering if I should carry my FF equipment with me.

Yes If yes, I’d apreciatte any info about places, access, equipments recommended any other suggestion.

Email me with what you’re interested in and I’ll try and help. You have your choice of wild or stocked, large tailwaters or small freestones, trout or bass…etc Wayne Knight Geneva IL                            

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Question:

Can anyone tell me the EASIEST way to tie my fly to the leader?  I’m new to the sport and have all thumbs!            Thanks,    Dee

Deanna, I didn’t see the original post, so this may knot be applicable if you’re into  freshwater trout: Being adverse to labor as I am, I install a loop (whip finnish) in the end of my fly lines. Or if a dealer installs it, I have had a short butt section attached by a nail not and loop the end of the butt. ( I don’t like the nail knot version much , experienced breakoffs on bigger fish.)  I assemble all my leaders with bimini twist (not an easy knot) end loops shortened by surgeons knots (easy knot) .  Anyway, this allows quick and easy loop to loop connections and fast leader changes. Get yourself a book on knots at the library. I found Lefty Krehs very handy. Best of luck, Gary C. "The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once."  - Buckaroo Banzai

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<< Can anyone tell me the EASIEST way to tie my fly to the leader?  I’m new to the sport and have all thumbs!            Thanks,    Dee I hate to be a spoil-sport, but wouldn’t it be easier for the lady to go to her nearest fly-shop and ask the nice gentleman (lady?) behind the counter.  A picture is worth ten thousand words. Dave L.

Spoil Sport! — Tight Threads,         Charley Renn         Corvallis, OR

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That trouble maker Charley Renn writes: << << Can anyone tell me the EASIEST way to tie my fly to the leader?  I’m  new to the sport and have all thumbs!            Thanks,    Dee I hate to be a spoil-sport, but wouldn’t it be easier for the lady to go to her nearest fly-shop and ask the nice gentleman (lady?) behind the counter.  A picture is worth ten thousand words. Dave L.

Spoil Sport! — Tight Threads,         Charley Renn         Corvallis, OR Dave L.

Response:

Hi R.A., that sounds like the knot I use, the Running Half Tangle? — Remove NOSPAM to send E-mail Ernie Harrison – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone tell me the EASIEST way to tie my fly to the leader?  I’m new to the sport and have all thumbs!            Thanks,    Dee Hi Dee, I use a really simple knot…can’t remember its name…will try to describe how to tie it: 1.  Thread the tippet through the eye of your fly, so that around a foot of tippet is sticking out from the hook eye. 2.  Let go of the fly for now. 3.  form a loop with the tippett material, about 4 inches in diameter 4.  tie an "overhand knot" around the tippet.  You should now have a "slip knot" and a 4" loop in your tippett. 5.  reach through this loop with your thumb and forefinger, grasping the fly further down on your line, and pull the fly back through the loop. 6.  Using your fingers to hold back the hackle, snug down the knot, removing the loop, and trim the tag end. This knot is quite strong, and I use it for all dries/wets/and nymphs from size 10 to 22.  For streamers or larger flies, I use an improved clinch knot.   Hope you can decipher the instructions! Regards, R.A. Skehan

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<< Can anyone tell me the EASIEST way to tie my fly to the leader?  I’m new to the sport and have all thumbs!            Thanks,    Dee

I hate to be a spoil-sport, but wouldn’t it be easier for the lady to go to her nearest fly-shop and ask the nice gentleman (lady?) behind the counter.  A picture is worth ten thousand words. Dave L.

Response:

Can anyone tell me the EASIEST way to tie my fly to the leader?  I’m new to the sport and have all thumbs!            Thanks,    Dee

Hi Dee, I use a really simple knot…can’t remember its name…will try to describe how to tie it: 1.  Thread the tippet through the eye of your fly, so that around a foot of tippet is sticking out from the hook eye. 2.  Let go of the fly for now. 3.  form a loop with the tippett material, about 4 inches in diameter 4.  tie an "overhand knot" around the tippet.  You should now have a "slip knot" and a 4" loop in your tippett. 5.  reach through this loop with your thumb and forefinger, grasping the fly further down on your line, and pull the fly back through the loop. 6.  Using your fingers to hold back the hackle, snug down the knot, removing the loop, and trim the tag end. This knot is quite strong, and I use it for all dries/wets/and nymphs from size 10 to 22.  For streamers or larger flies, I use an improved clinch knot.   Hope you can decipher the instructions! Regards, R.A. Skehan

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Can anyone tell me the EASIEST way to tie my fly to the leader?  I’m new to the sport and have all thumbs!            Thanks,    Dee

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have the opportunity to teach up outside of Bethel.  I’m very much aware of the difference in geography and the general feel of the area. I’d be interested in any input from someone who has been there as to what sorts of outdoors activities can be done there.  Thanks. well, subsistence outdoor activities (hunting, fishing, gathering wild plant foods and medicines) are the culture in the area.  i mean those folks really do live off the land, and they usually waste absolutely nothing.  i mean that when they trap for muskrats, they not only sell the fur, they make muskrat soup and the meal is not considered over until everyone has cracked the bones and sucked out the marrow.  then the trapper returns the cleaned bones to the area where the animal was killed, to honor its spirit. this culture has very different values than you are probably used to, and a world view that is alien to most white folks.  if you are really considering moving to the YK delta to teach, you should immediately cross-cultural communication, a video of a college lecture series by father michael oleksa, a russian orthodox priest married to a yup’ik woman from aniak.   from a strictly "sports" point of view, this is a very wet river delta area, very rich in fish and wildlife.  small boats and float planes are the primary means of transportation in summer, and snowmobiles in the winter.  the kuskokwin and its tributaries are the primary transportation corridors. you’re starting a little late to move this year, because most folks order their winter groceries early in the spring so they can be delivered by boat during the summer. be prepared for *severe* culture shock.

I once had a chance to teach in Barrow.  But I turned it down and stayed in Kenai area instead.  I had heard it can be tough for a non-native to function up there, that it’s a very closed place to "foreigners" (although some of my friends love it out in the bush).  In the end, eventhough I love the outdoors, "cross-cultural" experiences, and am a fanatical wilderness camper, I just didn’t want to live somewhere where I couldn’t get in my car and leave once in the while on the weekend.  You do have to be willing to try to live there, get to know people, and don’t think just because you make a lot of money that you can afford to fly out of there anytime you want. I do recall that once in a biology class, we were dissecting cats and a Yup’ik girl said something to the effect, "Why don’t we do seals?"  She said she could cut up a seal in fairly short period of time (I don’t remember what it was).  To which I replied, "If we cut up a seal in the lab, we won’t be able to eat it since the lab is full of chemicals and stuff.  We’d have to throw it away."  She thought that was a pretty good answer. I now work with, at least, a couple of Apache students every year.  One of the most difficult things to get them to participate in the class.  They don’t talk much.  Although I admire the fact that, unlike whites, Apaches only talk when they really have something to say, don’t feel the need to impress everyone by being clever or running their gums constantly, and they spend a lot of time listening, it does kind of make white man educational methods a bit difficult to use. My most interesting native job prospect turned out to not be interesting.  I once applied for a job on the south rim of the Grand Canyon.  My thinking was that I could be in the boonies, maybe get to know some of the natives, but still be able to get away once in the while on the weekends.  I had a telephone interview which seemed to go pretty well.  But when I got out a map, I couldn’t find the town on it.  So I called back for that information, got it, and hung up.  About 30 minutes laters, a member of the search committee called me back and in a serious voice said, "The committee feels that there is something you need to know about this town.  Many of the people here are polygamous Mormons.  Your wife won’t be able to work here and you will probably want to live in St. George, UT which a more normal town."   Well, I decided I wasn’t quite that adventurous.  However, if either Barrow or northern Arizona call again, I think I’m ready for it. Quotes of the Week:   I have learned that the swiftest traveler is he that goes afoot." "To make a railroad round the world available to all mankind is equivalent to grading the whole surface of the planet." Walden, Henry David Thoreau

Response:

I have the opportunity to teach up outside of Bethel.  I’m very much aware of the difference in geography and the general feel of the area. I’d be interested in any input from someone who has been there as to what sorts of outdoors activities can be done there.  Thanks.

well, subsistence outdoor activities (hunting, fishing, gathering wild plant foods and medicines) are the culture in the area.  i mean those folks really do live off the land, and they usually waste absolutely nothing.  i mean that when they trap for muskrats, they not only sell the fur, they make muskrat soup and the meal is not considered over until everyone has cracked the bones and sucked out the marrow.  then the trapper returns the cleaned bones to the area where the animal was killed, to honor its spirit. this culture has very different values than you are probably used to, and a world view that is alien to most white folks.  if you are really considering moving to the YK delta to teach, you should immediately cross-cultural communication, a video of a college lecture series by father michael oleksa, a russian orthodox priest married to a yup’ik woman from aniak.   from a strictly "sports" point of view, this is a very wet river delta area, very rich in fish and wildlife.  small boats and float planes are the primary means of transportation in summer, and snowmobiles in the winter.  the kuskokwin and its tributaries are the primary transportation corridors. you’re starting a little late to move this year, because most folks order their winter groceries early in the spring so they can be delivered by boat during the summer. be prepared for *severe* culture shock. Unsolicited commercial email to my corrected address is subject to prosecution under 47 USC 227(b)(1).  E-mail and Reply-to disguised to prevent Spam and to suggest that SPAMBOTs which harvest sigfiles will like replies Virtual Juneau          http://www.alaska.net/~dpharris

Response:

snip  and Reply-to disguised to prevent Spam and to suggest that SPAMBOTs which harvest sigfiles will like replies Virtual Juneau          http://www.alaska.net/~dpharris

Dennis ‘hit the nail on the head’! By the way…which village is it? Steve

Response:

I have the opportunity to teach up outside of Bethel.  I’m very much aware of the difference in geography and the general feel of the area. I’d be interested in any input from someone who has been there as to what sorts of outdoors activities can be done there.  Thanks.

Response:

Question:

[...] The only unquestionably true, authentic, genuine trout is the brown, _salmo trutta_.

Not quite true.  There is also Salmo salar, the atlantic salmon which is actually a trout (at least the last time I looked – it may have been reclassified since…) Regards, John — Dr. John Hardie Indiana University Cyclotron Facility

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  <snip a lake trout. I was under the impression that the tell-tale sign of their chardom is the white band on the bottom of their bottom fins,   <snip

I have caught and also seen photographs of brown trout having white (or at least cream-colored) leading edges on some of their fins.  I don’t recall seeing this on the pectoral fins. August K. Watercolor Fish Art http://www.eskimo.com/~augustk

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Brook trout are charr, not trout — James R. Babb – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –    Excuse my ignorance, but a friend of mine is convinced, and tried to convince me, that Brook Trout aren’t actually trout. Does anyone have an opinion on this?                    thanks.

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[...] The only unquestionably true, authentic, genuine trout is the brown, _salmo trutta_. Not quite true.  There is also Salmo salar, the atlantic salmon which is actually a trout (at least the last time I looked – it may have been reclassified since…) Regards, John — Dr. John Hardie Indiana University Cyclotron Facility

To every one who is watching this thread: Do you think the fish know this?  I hope the brookie’s ego doesn’t get bruised.  So let me get this: some trout and  salmon are really char, but there is a salmon that is really a trout.  White wine from red grapes is called blush, Tomatoes are fruit, but ketchup is a vegetable,  peanuts aren’t nuts or peas.  We park in a driveway and drive on a parkway. Class dismissed! all kidding aside, thanks for the info, this is why NG’s are here so we can learn something and have some fun at it.  

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I note Robert that you are from Maine and commented on brook trout. I am an outdoors columnist in Canada, and am curious about two subspecies of rare trout. One I believe exists in Maine. Do you have any info. on this? I ask because I am interested in trout and enjoy catching (primarily release most) unusual or rare strains.

Is it safe to presume that you’re referring to Blueback trout? Actuaally another artic char subspecies – and a rare if not endangered one, for sure. Or perhaps the Sunapee Golden trout (actually Yet Another Rare Artic Char – Salvilinus alpinus oquassa)? btw: Being a neighbor to our north, are you familiar with the Red Trout – which is native to Quebec – and another member of the Salvilinus alpinus group? I believe all three of these fish are described as "relics" today… Cheers! /dave <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< < Digital Equipment Corp.       Alpha Server Engineering < < Parker Street Campus            Maynard, Massachusetts   < <        Charter Member of "Curmudgeons Unlimited"       < <<<<<<<<<<<< AMA 548313 <<<<<<<<<<<< Disclaimer: Opinion and content is mine alone, and unlikely             to be shared by my employer, etc…

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Thanks, John, for starting such an interesting thread on the truth about Brookies… I’d like to suggest that everyone interested in the origins, history, genetic makeup of our favorite fish, read a new book by ichthyologist Nick Karas entitled, appropriately,  BROOK TROUT. It is being published by Lyons & Burford and should be in stores in late March/early April. Email me if you have any questions…  Krista

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If Brookies aren’t trout, they’re doing a damn fine imitation. Anglerboy

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The bull trout and Dolly Varden, which are char, also have the white tipped fins.

So do some strains of rainbows. Though not the hatchery trout I see. John Nesselrode Shawnee, KS

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   Excuse my ignorance, but a friend of mine is convinced, and tried to convince me, that Brook Trout aren’t actually trout. Does anyone have an opinion on this?                    thanks.

Brookies aren’t trout … they’re char.

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their chardom is the white band on the bottom of their bottom fins, though I don’t know if other char have this too; would be interested in hearing. The bull trout and Dolly Varden, which are char, also have the white tipped fins. -Burton

In Scotland our native Arctic Char have the beautiful white outline too. Just Pete Marrow   work:  http://www.gsrg.nmh.ac.uk/   play:  http://www.gorp.com/gorp/activity/scottish_ff_faq.htm

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In article    Excuse my ignorance, but a friend of mine is convinced, and tried to convince me, that Brook Trout aren’t actually trout. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

Systematic taxonomists classify the fish we know as "brook trout" as belonging to the genus _Salvelinus_ (the chars) and not _Salmo_ (the trouts).  The "lake trout" is also a char, but for some reason the popular name of the "Arctic char" (_Salvelinus alpinus_) recognizes that this fish is indeed a char.  There are minor differences between chars and trouts, which are usually of interest only to fisheries scientists.  The clearest visible difference between chars and trouts is that char have lighter-colored spots on a darker-background body, while trout have dark spots on a lighter body.  Scientific names and classifications shift and change; you probably know that the rainbow trout, long considered a true trout (_Salmo_) was reclassified several years ago and placed among the Pacific salmon (_Oncorhyncus_).  But this reclassification didn’t cause rainbow trout to immediately die after spawning, like all their brethren in _Oncorhynchus_.  A wild, native brook trout is a wonderful creature, no matter what name we give it. Woods Hole, MA   USA

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Brook trout are not true trouts! They are a member of the char family so they are actually the small cousins of lake trout, artic char and dolly varden.   But enough of genetic, they’re great pan fried!                                      Leif da Lucky

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I note Robert that you are from Maine and commented on brook trout. I am an outdoors columnist in Canada, and am curious about two subspecies of rare trout. One I believe exists in Maine. Do you have any info. on this? I ask because I am interested in trout and enjoy catching (primarily release most) unusual or rare strains. Tight Lines Don Stokes Outdoors Columnist

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In article       Excuse my ignorance, but a friend of mine is convinced, and tried to convince me, that Brook Trout aren’t actually trout. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Systematic taxonomists classify the fish we know as "brook trout" as belonging to the genus _Salvelinus_ (the chars) and not _Salmo_ (the trouts).  The "lake trout" is also a char, but for some reason the popular name of the "Arctic char" (_Salvelinus alpinus_) recognizes that this fish is indeed a char.  There are minor differences between chars and trouts, which are usually of interest only to fisheries scientists.  The clearest visible difference between chars and trouts is that char have lighter-colored spots on a darker-background body, while trout have dark spots on a lighter body.  Scientific names and classifications shift and change; you probably know that the rainbow trout, long considered a true trout (_Salmo_) was reclassified several years ago and placed among the Pacific salmon (_Oncorhyncus_).  But this reclassification didn’t cause rainbow trout to immediately die after spawning, like all their brethren in _Oncorhynchus_.  A wild, native brook trout is a wonderful creature, no matter what name we give it. Woods Hole, MA   USA

Hi Bob Great bit of information. I hope you don’t mind if I save it for future reference. Good Tying &…. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

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: :         Excuse my ignorance, but a friend of mine is convinced, and tried : to convince me, that Brook Trout aren’t actually trout. Does anyone have : an opinion on this? : :                         thanks. : We tend to generically treat them as trout, however they are char.  Char are : distinguished by the white at the tips of their fins. I believe they real difference is in the dentition.  Char have teeth on their tongues and true trout (salmo) don’t.  At least I believe thats where the teeth differ. — Isaac(Ike) B. Wilder That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

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: John, : Best to concede early on this one.  Brook trout are not truly trout, but : rather char.  All fall under the family heading of salmonid and then brook : trout fall in the salvelinus genus, rainbows in the oncorhynchus genus and When did rainbows get reclassified?   I would find placing them in the oncorhyncus genus very difficult.  Their physiology is very differnt as well as physical characteristics.  Was this done based on molecular genetics? : browns in the salmo genus. The practical distinction is that char have : light spots on a dark background.  There are skull structure differences. : Char scales are especially tiny in comparison as well.  Hope this helps. : James Ehlers : Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service : Underhill, VT — Isaac(Ike) B. Wilder That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : :         Excuse my ignorance, but a friend of mine is convinced, and tried : to convince me, that Brook Trout aren’t actually trout.  Does anyone have : an opinion on this? : :                         thanks. : We tend to generically treat them as trout, however they are char.  Char are : distinguished by the white at the tips of their fins. I believe they real difference is in the dentition.  Char have teeth on their tongues and true trout (salmo) don’t.  At least I believe that’s where the teeth differ.

Colour is more visible, but teeth are more reliable.  Char (or equally correctly charr) have only a few teeth on the front of the vomer (broadly speaking the palate), and trout have a full set of vomerine teeth. Generally, charr have light spots, and trout have dark spots. I owe these tidbits to Calabi’s "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fly-Fishing."

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In article    Excuse my ignorance, but a friend of mine is convinced, and tried to convince me, that Brook Trout aren’t actually trout. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

Technically, your friend is right.  The brook trout is a char, genus -salvelinus- .  The other members of this genus are the lake trout, dolly varden, bull trout, arctic char, and European char.  The whole issue of what’s a true trout has recently been stirred up by biologists who have reclassified the rainbow, cutthroat, and golden trout into the genus _oncorrhyncus_ with the Pacific salmon (chinook, coho, chum, et al).  The only unquestionably true, authentic, genuine trout is the brown, _salmo trutta_.      On the other hand, who cares?  The members of the genera salvelinus, salmo, and oncorrhyncus resemble each other closely in general morphology.  If common usage makes brookies, lakers, dollies, bulls, ‘bows, cutts, and brownies all trout, that’s fine with me.  –Roger

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*  The only unquestionably true, authentic, genuine trout is the brown, _salmo trutta_.      Actually, the Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, also belongs to the same genus as the brown trout.  Just thought I’d add a little more confusion to everyone’s day. el coyotero

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –         Excuse my ignorance, but a friend of mine is convinced, and tried to convince me, that Brook Trout aren’t actually trout. Does anyone have an opinion on this? John: Don’t think it’s a matter of opinon, as the other more technical minded responder wrote, they are a char. So, if my recollection is correct, is a lake trout. I was under the impression that the tell-tale sign of their chardom is the white band on the bottom of their bottom fins, though I don’t know if other char have this too; would be interested in hearing. Cheers TB

//snip TGB, you’re right regarding Brook trout and lake trout belonging to the char family (salvelinus). Other north american char are bull trout, dolly varden, sunapee, siscowet and – arctic char. All char species have light spots and light bands on their bottom fins; the coloration is more or less pronounced and varies from white (e.g. arctic char) to pale pink  (e.g. dolly varden) and yellowish (e.g. lake trout), depending on the species. /Tord

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        Excuse my ignorance, but a friend of mine is convinced, and tried to convince me, that Brook Trout aren’t actually trout. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

John: Don’t think it’s a matter of opinon, as the other more technical minded responder wrote, they are a char. So, if my recollection is correct, is a lake trout. I was under the impression that the tell-tale sign of their chardom is the white band on the bottom of their bottom fins, though I don’t know if other char have this too; would be interested in hearing. Cheers TB The workings of great institutions is mainly the result of a vast mass of routine, petty malice, self-interest, carelessness, and sheer mistake. Only a residual fraction is thought." Santayana

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –         Excuse my ignorance, but a friend of mine is convinced, and tried to convince me, that Brook Trout aren’t actually trout. Does anyone have an opinion on this? John: Don’t think it’s a matter of opinon, as the other more technical minded responder wrote, they are a char. So, if my recollection is correct, is a lake trout. I was under the impression that the tell-tale sign of their chardom is the white band on the bottom of their bottom fins, though I don’t know if other char have this too; would be interested in hearing.

The bull trout and Dolly Varden, which are char, also have the white tipped fins. -Burton

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        Excuse my ignorance, but a friend of mine is convinced, and tried to convince me, that Brook Trout aren’t actually trout. Does anyone have an opinion on this?                         thanks.

We tend to generically treat them as trout, however they are char.  Char are distinguished by the white at the tips of their fins. -Burton

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        Excuse my ignorance, but a friend of mine is convinced, and tried to convince me, that Brook Trout aren’t actually trout. Does anyone have an opinion on this?                         thanks.

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John, Best to concede early on this one.  Brook trout are not truly trout, but rather char.  All fall under the family heading of salmonid and then brook trout fall in the salvelinus genus, rainbows in the oncorhynchus genus and browns in the salmo genus. The practical distinction is that char have light spots on a dark background.  There are skull structure differences. Char scales are especially tiny in comparison as well.  Hope this helps. James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Underhill, VT

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Question:

We are announcing the opening of a new full service catch and release flyfishing  resort located in North Central Colorado, near Walden, Colorado.  The new lodge  has a maximum capacity of 12 anglers per week and features gourmet foods,  outstanding new accommodations and twelve miles of virgin headwaters of the North Platte that have never been fished by the public.  Good populations of  browns, brookies, rainbows, cutthroats and cutbows in the same water.  All walk  and wade.  Guided.  Instruction available.  No extra costs.  For further  information, check out http://www.paloverde.com/~lilgriz/lgc.html or e-mail Tatum, Paradise Valley, Arizona  85253, or call 602-952-9732 for brochure.

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We are announcing the opening of a new full service catch and release flyfishing  resort located in North Central Colorado, near Walden, Colorado.  The new lodge  has a maximum capacity of 12 anglers per week and features gourmet foods,  outstanding new accommodations and twelve miles of virgin headwaters of the North Platte that have never been fished by the public.  Good populations of  browns, brookies, rainbows, cutthroats and cutbows in the same water.  All walk  and wade.  Guided.  Instruction available.  No extra costs.  For further  information, check out http://www.paloverde.com/~lilgriz/lgc.html or e-mail Tatum, Paradise Valley, Arizona  85253, or call 602-952-9732 for brochure.

If you need a review, please call… Tim Walker Colorado Virgin Fishing Water Critic At Large

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Far be it from me to criticize anyone trying to turn a buck, but it strikes me that this is what gives flyfishing a bad rep.  Oh well, it’s opening day in Pennsylvania tomorrow, the streams are well stocked, and it’s time for me to go out back and dig a few worms.  Anyone know where I can get some Powerbait between now and 8a.m.?                                          Mark Faulkner

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(Frogspritz) writes: Far be it from me to criticize anyone trying to turn a buck, but it strikes me that this is what gives flyfishing a bad rep.  Oh well, it’s opening day in Pennsylvania tomorrow, the streams are well stocked, and it’s time for me to go out back and dig a few worms.  Anyone know where I can get some Powerbait between now and 8a.m.?                                         Mark Faulkner

Oh, I thought he meant flyfishing resort water with some new Colorado virgins in it. I was trying to figure out how they made those girls virgins again.

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Question:

suggest attractor patterns as well as the standard hare’s ears, zug bugs, and hatch matches….like caddis in June.  I am suprised that you can get into the palisades area in early June.  Last year this was solid snow until August

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I have a customer who’s going to be in the High Sierra’s around Bishop, California, the last week in June. He’s interested in any fly-fishing opportunities there, particularly in the Alpine lakes and Pallisades Glacier areas. Any information on local shops, patterns, etc., would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Jim McKay Henry Weston Outfitters

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Question:

The original remark may be humorous to a man, but not to many of the women who may be exploring fly fishing on the internet. This type of attitude and mind set on the stream or anywhere else is not always comfortable to everyone.

I dont’s intend to speak for everyone nor to make everyone comfortable.  All I know is that I only read one response (yours) that took offense at my little joke.  I know that there are quite a few women that read this group and none of them seemed to take offense at it either.  I did, however, see at least one response from a woman that takes offense that the industry seems intent on selling equipment "designed" specifically for women.  I contend that trying to turn flyfishing into a non-gender neutral sport is more damaging then my little joke could ever be.  I’d also like to believe that a sense of humor is a gender neutral attribute as well. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

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The original remark may be humorous to a man, but not to many of the women who may be exploring fly fishing on the internet. This type of attitude and mind set on the stream or anywhere else is not always comfortable to everyone.

Uh Oh, someone’s going to save us all from the evils of politically incorrectness.  Lighten up. Jerry Cobb Nashville, TN

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Lighten up?…NO I DON’T THINK SO….saying something like tits on the grips is not funny, it’s not mature, and it doesn’t belong here.

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Seems to be any rod that can be taken apart has a male AND a female end!

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 guess some women just, want to be "Fashion Barbie"…

I’d like to point out that women have been less than pleased with the manufacturers who have tried to make them into "Fashion Barbie."   It has to be the most negative comments I’ve hear at women’s flyfishing club meeting.  Most, being conservationists, are into greens and browns and wouldn’t be caught dead in pink or purple on a stream.

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You ought to see what has happened to the diving equipment industry. All these wild colors for wet suits, fins, masks, snorkles, tanks, regulators, knives, gauges, bc’s. You’re supposed to be color co- ordinated for the fish! An then you go down…..guess what happens to all those colors at 80 feet? Yup, unless you have a strobe flash on all that fancy equipment, it all looks the same.  :) What you are seeing in ffing equipment is the same thing except it doesn’t go away when it goes into the woods. Bees and yellow- jackets do like yellow and pink, though. :OOO– Bill Fashion plate of leftover GI olive drab equipment…..

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The original remark may be humorous to a man, but not to many of the women who may be exploring fly fishing on the internet. This type of attitude and mind set on the stream or anywhere else is not always comfortable to everyone.

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Your remark regarding women’s rods possibly having breasts is rather ignorant…one would like to believe that even you would see that there is no place for that sort of comment in the fly fishing community. Good grief, are you suggesting that the "fly fishing community" is humorless? You know, now that I consider a good protion of the posts

Sexism, bigotry, and general boorishness is NOT considered humor in a public place.  This is a public forum, not the locker room.  Some humor will always be appropriate in the locker room and nowhere else.  It might serve some of you well to learn when and where such humor is appropriate. —— Mike Tucker-  The Virtual Flyshop Web: http://www.flyshop.com Phone: 970/225-6445

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The largest diameter grip I ever made on a fly rod was for a woman. The lady in question had tendonitus (sp?) in her hand and the small diameter grips on her factory made rods made it much worse. After using the rod I built her, she came back and had me replace the grips on all of her rods. Trying to generalize by gender is, IMNSHO, Bullsh*t. — Phil Koenig Manhattan Custom Tackle Ltd. http://fishdoc.com./ "I’m the boss,so WHATEVER I say is OK"

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Your remark regarding women’s rods possibly having breasts is rather ignorant…one would like to believe that even you would see that there is no place for that sort of comment in the fly fishing community.

Oh give me a break.  It was a joke, actually one I stole from George Carlin from his observation in describing a brand of womens cigarettes. I agree with the other person that mentioned that creating a flyrod for women is just a bit insulting.  Flyfishing is as a gender neutral sport as you can get and I don’t understand why people are trying to turn it into something otherwise.  Actually, I do.  Equipment manufacturers are just trying to sell more merchandise.  Women step into their waders the same way I do and can fart around on the stream as well as the next guy. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sounds like hype to me…a little sand paper will make the grip smaller…I can almost live with the mauve vest, and the burgandy waders, but this idea that fishing has to be *marketed* to women seems like an insult to women to me.  When Orvis says "here you go women, a flyrod just for you", they sound as if they are saying all our other rods are for men and not for you. It’s a nothing but an insulting gimmick in my mind DAMN RIGHT, Craig.. All Orvis did was put on a smaller grip..Like ALL women have little hands (like Frenchmen;)). I don’t think so!!!! If I can handle a SAGE 9′8Wt .. and 7+" of real man;).. like most REAL outdoors women can.. and have done for years…It is down right insulting! It’s like Walker says,"A cash flow runs through it". By the way, I have brown waders and a green vest, I look like a cute little tree on the stream,(stealth…it’s an Art!); not like "Barney". I guess some women just, want to be "Fashion Barbie"…

Who knows.  Maybe there will be a market for "Catskill Barbie" and "Catskill Ken". I personally want to catch fish..that’s why it’s called fishing….that’s why I’m out there, and none of my equipment has a cute little white "O" on it!! ….and NO,John F. the rods don’t have little breasts on them..the grips are still the basic "penis" shape, they have always been… Tickles, &"Bear "hugs for Charley

And as someone pointed out awhile back,  "queer" flyfishers like to hold the rod with the other hand because it feels like someone else is holding it. In flyfishing size doesn’t matter. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

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Your remark regarding women’s rods possibly having breasts is rather ignorant…one would like to believe that even you would see that there is no place for that sort of comment in the fly fishing community.

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Sounds like hype to me…a little sand paper will make the grip smaller…I can almost live with the mauve vest, and the burgandy waders, but this idea that fishing has to be *marketed* to women seems like an insult to women to me.  When Orvis says "here you go women, a flyrod just for you", they sound as if they are saying all our other rods are for men and not for you. It’s a nothing but an insulting gimmick in my mind

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Your remark regarding women’s rods possibly having breasts is rather ignorant…one would like to believe that even you would see that there is no place for that sort of comment in the fly fishing community.

Good grief, are you suggesting that the "fly fishing community" is humorless? You know, now that I consider a good protion of the posts to this group you may be right. It seems that the computerized fly fisherman spending time on this group are endowed with an excess of selfimportance and no fun whatsoever. How about we all take a giant step back and a look at the big picture. We are really just a small, insignificant piece of that picture.  Just enjoy you days astream and not make it into more than it is – fishing.

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Sounds like hype to me…a little sand paper will make the grip smaller…I can almost live with the mauve vest, and the burgandy waders, but this idea that fishing has to be *marketed* to women seems like an insult to women to me.  When Orvis says "here you go women, a flyrod just for you", they sound as if they are saying all our other rods are for men and not for you. It’s a nothing but an insulting gimmick in my mind

DAMN RIGHT, Craig.. All Orvis did was put on a smaller grip..Like ALL women have little hands (like Frenchmen;)). I don’t think so!!!! If I can handle a SAGE 9′8Wt .. and 7+" of real man;).. like most REAL outdoors women can.. and have done for years…It is down right insulting! It’s like Walker says,"A cash flow runs through it". By the way, I have brown waders and a green vest, I look like a cute little tree on the stream,(stealth…it’s an Art!); not like "Barney". I guess some women just, want to be "Fashion Barbie"…I personally want to catch fish..that’s why it’s called fishing….that’s why I’m out there, and none of my equipment has a cute little white "O" on it!! ….and NO,John F. the rods don’t have little breasts on them..the grips are still the basic "penis" shape, they have always been… Tickles, &"Bear "hugs for Charley …..N.

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.Your remark regarding women’s rods possibly having breasts is rather ignorant…one would like to believe that even you would see that there is no place for that sort of comment in the fly fishing community.

First Day being a P.C. Cop in Owl Creek…Huh? Honey, if you think John’s comment was ignorant..maybe you should haul your ass over to R.O.F.F.PC ONLY!!! or R.O.F.F.H. (humorless);…  (Tim, these weren’t on your list…please add.) Some of us aren’t PC on the P.C., but don’t worry, after we die, we will burn in Hell….Remember, life’s a bitch, and 7X tippet breaks….. Tickles;) …N.  

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(PWullenweb) writes: A few brands offer a women’s version (e.g. Orvis’ Mary Orvis Marbury), but I’m not sure if there is a significant or logical reason to go with those other than the lighter weight.

Th only difference between the Orvis "MOM" rod and the Orvis "Trout" rod is the handle.  Both are 8 ft. 6 wt. fullflex rods made out of the same blank.  The MOM rod has a handle that has been turned down for smaller hands.   You would be best served by casting the appropriate rods for the conditions you will fish until you find one you like, and if you want a smaller handle on it, any custom rod maker can turn the handle smaller for just a few $.  Size and weight is not a problem. All three of my kids started with 8 1/2 to 9  foot rods when they were between 9 and 11 years old.                                                            Dan Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

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Hi Pluck, The ‘womens rod’ is a silly idea. I don’t believe that a rods purpose or application changes with gender. The rods purpose is to cast a line and play a fish. Seems as silly as a ’soft periwinkle’ fishing vest. My ideas on rods are governed by the fact that I build bamboo but for trout a 7 1/2 ft 4 or 5 in a fast action is a good place to start. For smallmouth bass I woul choose an 8ft parabolic action rod for a  5/6 weight. Good fishing, A.J. Thramer

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I’m new to fly fishing and am looking to buy a rod.  A few brands offer a women’s version (e.g. Orvis’ Mary Orvis Marbury), but I’m not sure if there is a significant or logical reason to go with those other than the lighter weight.  I’d like to make this rod somewhat of an "all arounder", at least for the present.  Most of the time I’ll be on a small upstate NY lake, fishing from shore or in a boat for panfish, trout, as well as smallmouth and largemouth bass.  I’d like though to be able to take this rod to fish in some nearby streams.  Info on length, line weight and/or model would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance. Puck Wullenweber Ithaca, NY

Response:

Pluck, Women can fly fish better then men and its not the rod!! I suggest a week vacation in July, Aug. or Sept at the Hawley MT. Ranch, where you can Fly Fish, ride horese,hike or just read a book, Its just 25 miles north of Yellowstone Park.   We do a lot of things other than fishing. Just ask!!! BBlewett

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I’m new to fly fishing and am looking to buy a rod.  A few brands offer a women’s version (e.g. Orvis’ Mary Orvis Marbury), but I’m not sure if there is a significant or logical reason to go with those other than the lighter weight.  I’d like to make this rod somewhat of an "all arounder", at least for the present.  Most of the time I’ll be on a small upstate NY lake, fishing from shore or in a boat for panfish, trout, as well as smallmouth and largemouth bass.  I’d like though to be able to take this rod to fish in some nearby streams.  Info on length, line weight and/or model would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance. Puck Wullenweber Ithaca, NY

I think lighter weight is one critical factor, the other being the size of the grip. Rods not designed for women may have grips that are larger than you are comfortable with (depending of course on whether you have large hands.) If you can find a comfortable grip you can use it – most quality rods are pretty light anyways.

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The possible difference with woman’s rods would be in the grip.  Possibly smaller than normal.  I would suspect that it is generally hype and marketing.  Try both and let me know.   For suggestions for a rod, I would suggest a 5 or 6 weight.  You are asking a lot for a rod to do all you want it to do and still be fun.   I lean towards the 5wt for the fun factor with trout and panfish.  You would have to use small poppers & deerhair bugs with the 5 wt due to the wind resistance.  Also, make sure the rod is 9′. If your starting out you’ll ask for 1 rod to do it all.  After a few years thought, you’ll own about 4 rods (trust me, I’ve been there)!

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I’m new to fly fishing and am looking to buy a rod.  A few brands offer a women’s version (e.g. Orvis’ Mary Orvis Marbury), but I’m not sure if there is a significant or logical reason to go with those other than the lighter weight.

<snip Hi, My recommendation would be for you to locate a reputable local dealer and cast as many rods as possible in your price range. The rod that ends up working the best for you may or may not be a women’s version. I think it’s much more important how the fly rod works than what it says on the label. I hope this helps,   Alan.   Alan Barnard   Kiene’s Fly Shop   Sacramento, California   WWW Fly Tyer   http://www.ns.net/~barnard

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Pluck, Women can fly fish better then men and its not the rod!! I suggest a week vacation in July, Aug. or Sept at the Hawley MT. Ranch, where you can Fly Fish, ride horese,hike or just read a book, Its just 25 miles north of Yellowstone Park.   We do a lot of things other than fishing. Just ask!!!

Womens fly rods?  What, do they have little breasts on them or something? Just to clarify a couple of things.  The name was "Puck", not "Pluck". Since I also live in Ithaca I know that we can flyfish (a five minute walk for me to the nearest stream from my front door), ride horses (there’s a B&B place about 1000′ down the road of me that is a horse ranch), hike (across my driveway and 100′ in the other direction from the B&B are trailheads which go into a wildlife reserve, and I can read a book just about anywhere.  I’ll let you sleep on my couch for half of what your ranch charges. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

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