Question:

Have planned a week here during  early July 2002 and would love to know if there are any opportunities to do any flyfishing. Your wisdom and experience would be appreciated !! Thanks,

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Have planned a week here during  early July 2002 and would love to know if there are any opportunities to do any flyfishing. Your wisdom and experience would be appreciated !!

Thom, I visited St. Lucia in 1992. I had a great time, but never went flyfishing. If you are into scuba diving and/or snorkeling, you can’t beat the coral canyons  there! I wish I had more info for you. It’s a beautiful island nation. Be sure to take your camera and a polarizing filter. The waters off the island are truly tropical. Good luck! Danny McMillin — Danny McMillin — Remove XX from email address to reduce spam.

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Question:

Maybe a foolish question but i wonder if there are river maps available? The US Corps of Engineers publishes inexpensive river charts for the navigable river systems under their control. Most areas also have cruising guides available. — Skipper

Depending upon which Corps of Engineers Region you’re in you can get maps from http://www.usace.army.mil/         —Hutch * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

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Hello, I live on Crooked River in SE Georgia. I found a map (of sorts) at a Flyfishing shop. It isn’t "exact" and at least in the case of this river, it changes somewhat because of the flow of the river – we have tides because of being so close to the ocean – and there is continual changes in sand bars, etc. But the chart is certainly better than nothing and gives good views of major inlets, marshes, etc. So you might want to check out some Flyfishing shops in your area. Regards, liz Maybe a foolish question but i wonder if there are river maps available? The US Corps of Engineers publishes inexpensive river charts for the navigable river systems under their control. Most areas also have cruising guides available. — Skipper

Before you buy.

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Maybe a foolish question but i wonder if there are river maps available?

The US Corps of Engineers publishes inexpensive river charts for the navigable river systems under their control. Most areas also have cruising guides available. — Skipper

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Question:

George, For the 3 wt. we need a medium action.  I like a fast action rod because of my casting style but for small streams and casting tippet most of the time, the slower action is more accurate and has more finesse.  Since we are talking mostly Brook trout and small stream fishing I have been working on a name.  No blockbuster yet comes to mind.  So far its Little Bastard, Small Stream Bastard, Mr. Rapidan Bastard (Monteague had a Rapidan many years ago), or that Bastard Brookie.  Still needs work. Wayne to fish is human….to release divine. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – parties, such as finding some really GREAT Tonkin Cane.  Since I don’t take things for granted Wayne, I would rather admit up front that I may be blind sided, but I assure you, once I have the Cane and the forms I can get yours out just so I can keep my word, if need be.  (I have the tapers)  Do you want a medium or fast fly rod for a three weight? I’m trying to think of a Model name for the 6.5′ .  See the Bastard Page on the web.  I need help in this area. George Wayne To fish is human…to release divine. Folks, the more i read, the less i know.. having been away for several week,s I note that resident most hated/most loved roff guy g g is working on "the bastard"!?!? could someone please clue me in… clearly it is a fly rod and not some bizarre confession. Enquiring minds want to know! edwin —

Question:

Where did the word "redd" initiate…?

redd (r

Question:

I plan to be in Carlsbad, NM, the first part of October, 1998.  Does anyone know of any fly fishing places in that area? Thanks Al Carlton

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Not for any cold water species !  That IS the desert southwest .

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Question:

I don’t think I would have known or appreciated the difference between the $30.00 rod and my Sage. The next year I bought the Sage having the knowledge to appreciate the difference.

Me too- only the other way around. After having fished with the high-falootin LLs and RPls for a couple of years, a buddy of mine who mfgs IM6 kits gave me two of his 99 dollar wonder rods. Now I wonder why the hell I spent all that loot for the Sage sticks.   Just shows to go ya.

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If you can still find one, a Fenwick Eagle or one of Cabela’s lessor priced rods might be a good by to start with.  Or be a MAN and get an Eagle Claw 4 piece fiberglass Spin/Fly rod for 7 wt. line.  This thing weighs in the pounds, not ounces, and if you use one all day your arm will simply fall off!  This rod will make you appreciate any dedicated graphite fly rod.  I have found that as I acquired better technique, I could truly tell the difference in rods.  As in all hobbies, you will find among fly fishers a certain group of "reverse" snobs who seem to feel that the only way to be a true disciple is to disdain anything top quality as being "too expensive" and "not worth it" and "a Dildofly Deluxe form K-Marts is just as good as a Thomas & Thomas" or "Orvis makes junk". etc.  They use crap and then belittle everything else in order to justify their choice.  I have all kinds of rods and the best feeling and casting rods are also the most expensive, a Sage SP 9′ 6 wt and a R.L. Winston LT 9′ 5 wt.  My other stuff is good but these are the cream of the crop.  Save your money and buy what you want. Don’t let some yo-yo tell you what a dumbass you are for buying quality.  I’m sure this will infuriate some folks but as my ol’ daddy once said, "Po’ folks have Po’ ways." – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So did anyone have any suggestions for good rods in this price range. I recently saw an article in a magazine calling a pflueger rod a best buy but I can’t remember the model name of the rod. Jason, I would suggest that you try a Cortland setup, or one of the starter kits from Cabela’s. I’ve seen both for less than $100.00 and I’ve used them – they work fine. I’ve been flamed regularly for suggesting inexpensive (as opposed to cheap) flyfishing gear, but I really believe it’ll work well for you. Get an inexpensve setup and practice, practice, practice. Frank Longtine                           The Second Amendment protects your liberties, 1984 Ford                                 not your hunting rights. 1997 Rokon Trail Breaker 1993 Specialized Stumjumper Two Good Feet

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try HI_TECh tackle at 414/268-9665, very favorably review in FR&R, March 1996, for (can you guess?) 40.00 to 54.99, I have 3 from 4 to 6 wt.  great back up or beginners rods.  Made in Korea

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So did anyone have any suggestions for good rods in this price range. I recently saw an article in a magazine calling a pflueger rod a best buy but I can’t remember the model name of the rod. Thanks in advance, Jason Schwartz

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So did anyone have any suggestions for good rods in this price range. I recently saw an article in a magazine calling a pflueger rod a best buy but I can’t remember the model name of the rod.

Jason, I would suggest that you try a Cortland setup, or one of the starter kits from Cabela’s. I’ve seen both for less than $100.00 and I’ve used them – they work fine. I’ve been flamed regularly for suggesting inexpensive (as opposed to cheap) flyfishing gear, but I really believe it’ll work well for you. Get an inexpensve setup and practice, practice, practice. Frank Longtine                           The Second Amendment protects your liberties,   1984 Ford                                 not your hunting rights.       1997 Rokon Trail Breaker                       1993 Specialized Stumjumper Two Good Feet

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I’ll second that. I started out with a $30.00 rod. It worked just fine for my first year of fly fishing. When I first started out, I don’t think I would have known or appreciated the difference between the $30.00 rod and my Sage. The next year I bought the Sage having the knowledge to appreciate the difference.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -So did anyone have any suggestions for good rods in this price range. I recently saw an article in a magazine calling a pflueger rod a best buy but I can’t remember the model name of the rod. Jason, I would suggest that you try a Cortland setup, or one of the starter kits from Cabela’s. I’ve seen both for less than $100.00 and I’ve used them – they work fine. I’ve been flamed regularly for suggesting inexpensive (as opposed to cheap) flyfishing gear, but I really believe it’ll work well for you. Get an inexpensve setup and practice, practice, practice. Frank Longtine

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Question:

EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE ORDERED HAS EVENTUALLY DIED.  I STOPPED BUYING FROM THEM SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

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A much cheaper way to get the Wayside catalog is to buy that little something from Parks Seeds. I’ve been getting both for several years now, even though I’ve never bought anything from Wayside. I’m not very likely to either, since their zone ratings are complete hogwash, and their offerings are much more tailored to their climate than mine. — Kay Cangemi New York, USDA zone 5

Thank you all for sparing me from Wayside! I found a nice big fat shrubby blue hibiscus at one of our local garden shops for $14.95 and I can find the asclepsis tuberosa ice ballet at the schlocky but usually ok places like Gurney’s or Jungs for 4 bucks. As for the clethra — the "plethra" of negative comments were validated Thanks to you all again. And Wayside, keep sending me those catalogs. They’re a great read! Judy VW Indy Zone 5 — Don’t like my driving? Call 1-800-BITE-ME.

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I’ll have to admit that many years ago, it was Wayside Gardens that really piqued my interest with their catalog.  Yes, they are quite pricy, but they also stand by everything they sell. However, if you want to spend the time to look around, you can find just about all the items available from smaller nurseries (plain paper catalogs, no pictures, etc) for a lot less. — Don Martinson "There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness is the true method." – Herman Melville, Moby Dick, Chap. 82

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I think Wayside is worth it just for the catalog, so I try to buy a "little something" from them every year, just to get the catalogs. However, they are completely overpriced!  Bluestone Perrenials also gets my vote. Kathleen Zone 6 – New Jersey

 I too think Wayside is way to high, and I have ordered from Bluestone Perennials every year. Bluestone gets my vote too. Mary Zone 5 St. Louis

Response:

… since their zone ratings are complete hogwash, and their offerings are much more tailored to their climate than mine. — Kay Cangemi New York, USDA zone 5

  You had your chance when they were in Ohio.  Then I always had to subtract one (still do actually) for the southern limit of their zones. — Lloyd Fortney http://www.phy.duke.edu/~fortney/ has links to my garden, flower, flyfishing, and travel JPEG images as well as teaching, research, and stuff like that

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I think Wayside is worth it just for the catalog, so I try to buy a "little something" from them every year, just to get the catalogs. However, they are completely overpriced!  Bluestone Perrenials also gets my vote. Kathleen Zone 6 – New Jersey

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I think Wayside is worth it just for the catalog, so I try to buy a "little something" from them every year, just to get the catalogs. However, they are completely overpriced!  Bluestone Perrenials also gets my vote.

A much cheaper way to get the Wayside catalog is to buy that little something from Parks Seeds. I’ve been getting both for several years now, even though I’ve never bought anything from Wayside. I’m not very likely to either, since their zone ratings are complete hogwash, and their offerings are much more tailored to their climate than mine. — Kay Cangemi New York, USDA zone 5

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Wayside used to be a good source.  I know their prices are outlandish, but the yr’s guarantee is a good perk.  This yr not only did it take Wayside more than 3 mos to get my order out, the quality was really poor.  Several items were backordered, and on some I’ve already requested refunds because they were dead or died soon after planting.  Don’t waste your money anymore on Wayside – try Bluestone Perennials. Linda Slusser – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m about to take the plunge. They have a blue hibiscus, a vanilla scented butterfly weed and something called a clethra alnifolia rosea (aka:summersweet). But the prices — they are INSANE!!! So before I spend all my birthday bucks on overpriced dreck, please let me know yea or nay. Who here has ordered and what happened when you did? Is Thanx Judy Indy Zone 5 — Don’t like my driving? Call 1-800-BITE-ME.

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I’m about to take the plunge. They have a blue hibiscus, a vanilla scented butterfly weed and something called a clethra alnifolia rosea (aka:summersweet). But the prices — they are INSANE!!! So before I spend all my birthday bucks on overpriced dreck, please let me know yea or nay. Who here has ordered and what happened when you did? Is Thanx Judy Indy Zone 5 — Don’t like my driving? Call 1-800-BITE-ME.

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Question:

Master New England fly tyer, Bill Thompson shaes his secrets for creating five great flies that really work in New England rivers, lakes and streams.  Over one and a half hours long and loaded with stories and some of the best fly tying instruction found anywhere.

[ index.htm 5K ]

RickDavidson Photography and VideoPO Box 1046 Pleasant St. Plaza Conway, New Hampshire 03818 603-447-6008, 800-447-6008,Fax: 603-539-3281

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Services:WeddingsSenior PortraitsFamily portraitsDocumentaries and Special Interest VideosStock photographsSome examplesGreetings from Mt. Washington Valley , New Hampshire. Our photographystudio is in friendly Conway Village. We are just around the corner fromMt. Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast. We are known for greatskiing and beautiful scenery. New Hampshire is mostly woods, lakes, riversand mountains. In other words, a photographer’s paradise. Many of our weddingstake place in the the great out of doors. A high percentage of our highschool seniors opt for rustic motifs that reflect their own interest inoutdoor activities.COMING SOON: Right now we are working on a videoabout the personalities of fly fishing. Quiet Learning featuressuch local fly fishing personalities as Bill Thompson, Dick Stewart, DickSurette, Wendell Folkins. The national celebrites who have contributedto this effort include Lefty Kreh, Cathy and Barry Beck, Dave Whitlock,Jack Dennis, Mike Lawson, and Gary LaFontaine.AVAILABLE NOW:Innovative Twists on New and Traditonal Wicked Good Flies forNew England with Bill Thompson. Master fly tyer Bill Thompson shareshis secrets for creating five flies that really work in New England rivers,lakes and streams. This video features flies that were originally developedfor fishing other parts of the country. Bill shows you how to adapt theseeffective flies for New England Waters. This collector’s item is an essentialaddition to any fly tyer’s library. If you are looking for new ideas, thisis the tape for you. While this tape assumes some knowledge of fly tying,all levels of tyers will benefit from Bill’s instructive tips and wisdom.This tape is available at outlets throughout New England or you may orderdirectly, now, e-mail Rick DavidsonVideo. Only $29.99 plus S+HALSO COMING SOON: A new tape with Bill Thompson.This time Bill discusses some of the most famous flies that originatedin Maine. This video will feature on location photography, fly tying instructionand the history of each fly. Reserve you copy now and save.Special pre-release price $19.99. e-mail RickDavidson Video. Don’t miss this one. Bill’s tapes are both entertainingand informative. No one tells a fly fishing story like Bill Thompson.Need photographic services in New Hamsphire? Contact RickDavidson Photography and Video. Call 603-447-6008, 800-447-6008, Fax: 603-539-3281,

Some of my pictures of the area:Mt Chocorua – ChocoruaSwift River Covered Bridge- ConwayThe railroad station – NorthConwayOurnext door neighborCheck out some more of our photography at the StonehurstManor’s Home Page.Other links:Mount WashingtonValley, JourneysNorth, Kennett High School.

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Web page and photographs by Rick DavidsonWe accept MC/VisaGo BackThispage created with Netscape Navigator Gold. This is just the beginning.We are still learning.

This page last updated on January 20,1997.Copyright

Question:

Planning to go to Cabo in mid May.  Need as much info on guides that specialize in fly fishing.  Any info on best patterns etc would be very helpful.  Have been told that a guide for fly fishing would be about $250 for 1/2 day…seems a bit high?

Response:

Fly fishing opportunities abound in Cabo and surrounding areas. You certainly could spend $250 a day for a guide, or you could hire a local *panga* (open skiff) for about $100 a day. Large schools of Jacks, Pacific Yellowtail, and my favorite – Roosterfish abound. The owners of these boats will probably not be *fly*fishing guides, but rather local smalltime fisherman looking looking to pocket $100 greenbacks for the day. They know where the fish are, and their small boats can get you to the breaks where the fish congregate. You may consider San Jose del Cabo and/or La Paz. Nearby, lots of raentable boats. Also, you can almost always catch fish from any rocky outcropping that far down in Baja. On sandy beaches, keep your eyes out for Corbina in 4"-12" feeding on sand crabs. The water may be too warm, but if they are there, they’re going to be big ones. Good Luck, Jojoe, New York City

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Question:

My cocern with Pike would be ythe necessity to use some sort of wire leader to defeat the teeth.   While I’ve never caught one one a fly rod I have caught them on lures and a steel leader is necessary. But what a fight it would be!

        Appropos to the pike and steel leader, last summer I was fishing off a dock in the Rideau River near here. I usually fish trout in lakes and was using a 3# tippet with a small nondescript green wet fly, about #12. I was trying for bass, I think a #7 rod and line. Anyway, I had a hard strike and very soon realized that it was no bass but a small muskie, about 36". Well, I had no expectations whatsoever of landing the fish but fought on valiantly anyway until the fish decided to go under the dock. My attempt to pass the rod under failed and I lost the fish when the line caught in the dock and the tippet-fly knot failed.         What I gathered from all of this is that the fish was hooked in the corner of the mouth and as a consequence, the teeth did not have an opportunity to touch the tippet. I have not been back to the spot again to attempt to test the theory but hope to this summer.         Earlier last year, in attempting to entice a pike in the Ottawa River, I had tied up some gaudy attractor flies on #6 X4 long shanks with a relatively fine coated braided steel snell. Even with the heaviest leaders, these were at the upper level of weight for casting and it was this experience that led me to try the Rideau without a steel tippet. —

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My cocern with Pike would be ythe necessity to use some sort of wire leader to defeat the teeth.  

I’ve caught a lot of them on flies and yes a wire leader is a necessity if you actually intend to land them. Not to say you can’t catch them without the wire, but they tend to snip off even heavy mono tippets. Keep it short, 6" or so and you should be fine. Now if you _REALLY_ want to try something scary, try them out of a float tube!!! The bigger ones are _quite_ interesting to handle in your lap! *** Lance

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Hi All. Pike on a fly rod are *GREAT*!  Here are my suggestions. 1) 7 wt or heavier.  Make sure that you have backing on the reel, and that the drag is smooth.  Trust me on this one.  Most of the time you won’t need it, but every now and then, watch out. 2) You should (must?) use some kind of a shock tippet.  Either wire or 25-50 lb mono.  I used to use about 6" tied to the end of a 0x leader. 3) Generally, use large streamers.  Sometimes the gaudy ones work, sometimes the more realistic ones.  Big muddlers are great.  Mickey Finns are also good.  Size depends somewhat on where you are fishing, but a 15" pike will be able to eat just about anything you throw at it, so size 2 or bigger is not out of the question.  Pike get much bigger than this of course. 4) Fish the streamer in sharp fast jerks along the edges of weedbeds. The strike is usually brutal, but somethimes the pike will just follow the fly right up to the point at which you make the next cast, then nail it just as you start your backcast.  This almost always loses a fly.  Oh well, it’s worth it. Have fun.  By the way, watch out for the teeth – the bites are painful. Regards, John — Dr. John G. Hardie Indiana University Cyclotron Facility

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Pike can be very interesting. Several years ago I was prowling the banks of the North Saskatchewan River (inside the city of Edmonton) and I saw a group of anglers all kind of excited. It was near noon on a bright day in June and some of the group were wearing polarized glasses. They had spotted a fair-sized Pike just hanging in the slack water just past the drop off. They had tried to get a reaction from a whole bunch of spoons, jigs and bait. The old slough-shark just hung there like in mid-air and just ignored everything.  I had a #7 fly-rod and a rather ugly- looking muddler which I had attempted to tie. I was not using any special leader or anything. I catch a lot of pike on jigs with no leader and don’t lose that many because they seem to take it on the lip. Anyway it was no big deal to cast to the pike because he was just six or eight feet from the bank. Maybe the bright light made it hard for him to see because he just basked and didn’t move. I let the muddler drift by him a couple of times and he just ignored it. I them let it drift near his nose and gave it a couple of short, sharp jerks. He nailed it. It was quite a fight. River pike just seem to have a lot more in them than the ones in our prairie lakes. He was about four pounds and a lot of fun to play. He had swallowed the fly and the leader went to the side of his mouth and missed the teeth. I would have let him go but the fly had caused some major bleeding. I gave him to one of the chinese fellows who spotted him in the first place. It is kind of neat to think that fly fishing can be the best way to take a pike. (ps If this message isn’t too clear, please forgive as it is my first posting to a newsgroup)

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You also might try some saltwater streamers, particularly Lefty’s Deceivers. And for a good idea of how to construct a steel tippet, check out a saltwater flyfishing book to see what’s used for bluefish, which have teeth even nastier than a Great Northern’s.

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Pike with a fly?

The largest "trout" I ever caught turned out to be an 11 pound Northern. I was fishing the Wolf river in Wisconsin (nymphs) and thought I had hooked a world record Brown. Great fight. Labbe

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I’ve heard that Duramax kevlar braided stuff probably won’t cut on a pike’s teeth, although it makes a crappy leader because it’s so limp. How about 2 feet of it as tippet, anyone ever used it for pike? In a few lakes out here, pike and pelicans are really doing a number on the trout populations, I’ve heard of people throwing the pike to the pelicans (when they’re of legal size, we have slot limits on pike most lakes) to feed the pelicans and reduce the number of predator fish. First time I saw a pelican in the rocky mountains, I sure did a double take… — Cray Computer Corporation    http://www.craycos.com/~ferguson/ferguson.html Colorado Springs, CO                                     Solely my opinions

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Fear not about "clarity", first poster. Your story was nice, concise, and fun! Thanks. — David A. Calderisi

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