Question:

The fates have decreed I must go to Rockport, Texas this weekend and could have time to fish Monday and/or Tuesday.  I’m not after anything specific but am *not* equipped to fish the salt.  Hell, bluegills will be just fine…..any suggestions?  No boat this trip. Frank Church

Response:

Frank, Since I don’t see much advice – I can offer my 2cents – the area you’ll be in is a tough one to come up with "non salt" unless you want to drive a long distance. If your interested I’ll post a map of the area and a few suggestions on possible light saltwater flyfishing. Gary

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The fates have decreed I must go to Rockport, Texas this weekend and could have time to fish Monday and/or Tuesday.  I’m not after anything specific but am *not* equipped to fish the salt.  Hell, bluegills will be just fine…..any suggestions?  No boat this trip. Frank Church

Response:

Thanks Gary, but that being the case I’ll just drop my load and hustle on home. I’ll work on my dispatcher to get me a run to Florida instead. Frank Church – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Frank, Since I don’t see much advice – I can offer my 2cents – the area you’ll be in is a tough one to come up with "non salt" unless you want to drive a long distance. If your interested I’ll post a map of the area and a few suggestions on possible light saltwater flyfishing. Gary The fates have decreed I must go to Rockport, Texas this weekend and could have time to fish Monday and/or Tuesday.  I’m not after anything specific but am *not* equipped to fish the salt.  Hell, bluegills will be just fine…..any suggestions?  No boat this trip. Frank Church

Response:

Question:

Having become more than slightly intereted in the maine clave…..a question or two if I may.. Dave did you say you thought they were out of camps…i.e. cabins? apparently i can’t get there from here and can only get so close….then they have to transport me….right? Are there campfrounds, as in tents, available. Could a person bring their own boat? Am I a day late and a dollar short? ps……any boddy into the travel buddy thing?

Response:

John writes: Having become more than slightly intereted in the maine clave…..a question or two if I may.. Dave did you say you thought they were out of camps…i.e. cabins?

There is room in Steve Zimmerman’s cabin. apparently i can’t get there from here and can only get so close….then they have to transport me….right?

Right. Are there campfrounds, as in tents, available.

The campfrounds and the campgrounds close the week before the clave.   Could a person bring their own boat?

Yes. Am I a day late and a dollar short?

No. ps……any boddy into the travel buddy thing?

If you want to go to the clave, John, I can probably get you in.  But, remember, the "coupon" is not good for the clave.  Pick a time….. Dave

Response:

Having become more than slightly intereted in the maine clave…. ….any boddy into the travel buddy thing?

John, there is a campsite very close to Middle Dam and Lakewood Camps that is administered by the South Arm Campground. http://www.atlanticcapitalcorp.com/southarm/index.html South Arm, the main campground, closes on Monday September 11. There is a possibility they could be talked into letting us use the wilderness campsite for the rest of the week, though. I have talked with the guy and he seems agreeable enough. It takes a boat to get from South Arm to the campsite, it’s about four miles. If, and this is a BIG if, I can make it I’d be staying at that campsite with Kristine & Kipper the hound. I’m not gonna be able to do a guys only trip twice in one year. I’m gonna sell this to Kristine as a trip to Vermont, New Hamshire, Maine and a return through Montreal with a couple of days of fishing thrown in. What kinda boat you got ? — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

John,  It’s a long tradition in Maine to just pull over on a dirt road and camp, if the camps Ken mentioned don’t want you on their plot, just find a nice clear spot and setup. As long as you don’t build a campfire you will not be hassled about it. Back when I had a pickup with a cap, and not the ‘dadmobile’ that I drive today, I often just camped in the bed of the truck.  I’m probably coming up to the clave for a day and a night (dates are TBD) and will probably be using my tried and true just find a wide spot in the road and camp technique. Flyfish

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Having become more than slightly intereted in the maine clave…..a question or two if I may.. Dave did you say you thought they were out of camps…i.e. cabins? apparently i can’t get there from here and can only get so close….then they have to transport me….right? Are there campfrounds, as in tents, available. Could a person bring their own boat? Am I a day late and a dollar short? ps……any boddy into the travel buddy thing?

Response:

Hmmmmmm…..curiouser and curiouser….I’ve got a 16′ aluminum with a 35 horse motor….floor, bass seats, steering wheel,,,(or is it tiller?)…… You can stop in and pick up my boat and then I’ll fly out and you can pick me up at the airport!!!!!! that or we’ll let the girls tow it and *we’ll* fly out!….john – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Having become more than slightly intereted in the maine clave…. ….any boddy into the travel buddy thing? John, there is a campsite very close to Middle Dam and Lakewood Camps that is administered by the South Arm Campground. http://www.atlanticcapitalcorp.com/southarm/index.html South Arm, the main campground, closes on Monday September 11. There is a possibility they could be talked into letting us use the wilderness campsite for the rest of the week, though. I have talked with the guy and he seems agreeable enough. It takes a boat to get from South Arm to the campsite, it’s about four miles. If, and this is a BIG if, I can make it I’d be staying at that campsite with Kristine & Kipper the hound. I’m not gonna be able to do a guys only trip twice in one year. I’m gonna sell this to Kristine as a trip to Vermont, New Hamshire, Maine and a return through Montreal with a couple of days of fishing thrown in. What kinda boat you got ? — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

I’m not gonna be able to do a guys only trip twice in one year. I’m gonna sell this to Kristine as a trip to Vermont, New Hamshire, Maine and a return through Montreal with a couple of days of fishing thrown in.

Now yer usin the ol noggin.  If Kristine is actually your wife, then maybe I should take some pointers from you – I’m just practicing for it right now, trying to "sell" the Maine trip Regards, Jeff

Response:

Question:

DITTO!…’cept my vest got heisted outta my van last week and you guessed, the reel was in my vest…….john

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Mark, I have an old Pfluger Medallist and the clicker broke. After using it like that for a while I decided I liked it better without the noise and never tried to fix it. Ernie Harrison Keep Livestock Away From Our Rivers and Streams. I was fishing today (no I haven’t caught anything yet) and my reel broke. It was a cheap combo, 6.5 ft setup that only cost me $23 anyway (yeah guys, I just switched the line over to it this morning from that old Pfleuger Medallist I talked about in a previous post!), but I didn’t want to move up to a better outfit until I started to catch some fish and felt confident in selecting a better rod. Unfortunately with the reel breaking (the metal ring that holds the clicker in place broke off, <snip

Response:

<snipped Hi Jim, This is one hell of a gesture of good faith. It reminds me of a story one of my local fly shop owners once told me. He was just leaving the stream one morning to go open his shop when he came across another fisherman who had just broken his rod and was upset. The shop owner just handed him his rod without even thinking about it and told him where the shop was so that he may return the $600-800 dollar rod and reel. After getting to the shop he realized that he’d just given his rod to a complete stranger. The guy did return the rod and reel later that day and said that he’d had a great day on the water. Darin

Response:

One of the best "starter" sets I’ve seen is the L.L. Bean Quest.  The only thing that might need replacing is the line that comes with it.  These come in around $110-$120.  My personal opinion is that if you keep buying the really low end stuff you soon could have bought something better. L. Baird

Response:

Mark- gosh you sure don’t lack for enthusiasm and persistance!!! From you previous post "Need more help" I surmise that you are now left with 1.  A 8.5 ft 6 wt rod 2.  A 6.5 ft 4/5 wt rod 3.  Probably a 6 wt line that was on the Pflueger Medalist before you switched it over to the smaller reel that self destructed. 4.  That you were having trouble casting the 6.5 ft setup. Several thoughts.  First, it is quite possible that you are overpowering the 4/5 wt rod by using, what I would imagine was a 6 wt line on the Pflueger.  This may explain your casting frustrations. Second, as to your reel problem.  I’ll make you a deal- Email me your mailing address and I’ll loan you a new Cabela’s Graphite Reel for 5/6 wt line under the following conditions.  You must return it in whatever condition it might be in after use if you either loose interest and stop fly fishing or, more likely, you catch a fish on a fly and become an instant gear whore – resulting in a condition that will leave you not batting an eye before ordering that $170.00 combo – and that’s just for starters.  After you move up in quality you will no longer need the Cabela- in fact , may even look down your nose at it.  But return it anyway so that I can pass it on again.  Deal?? I’d suggest that you load the 6 wt line on this reel and match it with the 8.5 ft 6 wt rod.  This will give you a more balanced rig and, if you are still fishing those small streams, allow you to roll cast all day long, with the added benefit of being able to get to larger waters and more windy conditions later. Regards, Jim McCreary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I was fishing today (no I haven’t caught anything yet) and my reel broke. It was a cheap combo, 6.5 ft setup that only cost me $23 anyway (yeah guys, I just switched the line over to it this morning from that old Pfleuger Medallist I talked about in a previous post!), but I didn’t want to move up to a better outfit until I started to catch some fish and felt confident in selecting a better rod. Unfortunately with the reel breaking (the metal ring that holds the clicker in place broke off, I suppose I might be able to figure some way of glueing another piece of metal in there but it wouldn’t hold), I need to get a new one. I was just looking through the cabela website and noticed all of the inexpensive combo sets they have. If I had the cash, I would have just gone ahead and gotten the Orvis Clearwater combo from the local Orvis store for $159, but I really don’t feel comfortable spending that much as of yet (though I do have the itch!). My question is: Has anyone ever used/purchased one of the combos found on cabelas website like the Scientific Angler, Cabelas Letort, or the Pfleuger Medallist combo (though at only $29.95 I’m a bit hesitant to go with the Pfleuger combo). Any other combos worth taking a look at for under $75? Or should I just put out the dough for either the Cortland from Cabelas at approx $160 or the Orvis Clearwater combo for $160? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I would just buy an Orvis Clearwater reel ($29) to match my present rod, but the rod is only 6.5 ft and is tough to cast for a beginner. Thanks One more thing: has anyone here used/purchased the $159 Orvis Clearwater combo? What do you think?

Response:

Mark, I suppose I might be able to figure some way of glueing another piece of metal in there but it wouldn’t hold), I need to get a new one.

If you want to keep things as cheap as possible until you’re catching fish, why not try exchanging the broken reel at the store from which you bought it? Has anyone ever used/purchased one of the combos found on cabelas website like the Scientific Angler, Cabelas Letort, or the Pfleuger Medallist combo (though at only $29.95 I’m a bit hesitant to go with the Pfleuger combo). Any other combos worth taking a look at for under $75?

I’ve not purchased any rods from Cabelas, but that’s only because I build my own rods.  However, I _have_ purchased one of their Cahill II reels ($39) and it’s just fine.  It ain’t as pretty as my Lamsons, and its click drag is a little noisy, but it’s a solid, functional, lightweight, all-metal reel.  No complaints.  My wife and I also bought their Gore-Tex wading jackets and they are superb. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy anything from Cabelas because they have a "satisfaction guaranteed" policy. Cabelas new Christmas Catalog has what may be a HOT opportunity: A Scientific Anglers Concept Combo on sale for $49.95 (pg 268, item # LK-31-1295).  That’s about what you’d pay for a decent line alone! Hey, if you don’t like it, send it back.  If you do, but eventually "outgrow" it, you’ll have a decent "loaner" for a buddy. Wes Peterson LexCraft Data Services

Response:

says… I was fishing today (no I haven’t caught anything yet) and my reel broke.

Dude that sucks no matter how cheap the reel is… I can certainly empathize. It was a cheap combo, 6.5 ft setup that only cost me $23 anyway (yeah guys, I just switched the line over to it this morning from that old Pfleuger Medallist I talked about in a previous post!), but I didn’t want to move up to a better outfit until I started to catch some fish and felt confident in selecting a better rod.

Rod aside, the one thing I learned is that a changeable reel is good! you can prespool various line types for different conditions. The trick is picking the reel… Read on…  Unfortunately with the reel breaking (the metal ring that holds the clicker in place broke off, I suppose I might be able to figure some way of glueing another piece of metal in there but it wouldn’t hold), I need to get a new one. I was just looking through the cabela website and noticed all of the inexpensive combo sets they have. If I had the cash, I would have just gone ahead and gotten the Orvis Clearwater combo from the local Orvis store for $159, but I really don’t feel comfortable spending that much as of yet (though I do have the itch!). My question is:

Ok, So my two cents are: Look for USED gear. I know I am beginning to sound like an add for the place but the Sporting Gentleman in Media had used gear. A buddy picked up a nice fenwick reel with a spare spool for $35! Aside from a little missing paint the reel was wonderful! I am know I am gonna start looking at this avenue to build up my arsenal. After all I don;t need no name brand or flashy gear. I wanna catch fish! — Michael Era

Question:

I will be in Australia’s Northern Territory (near Darwin) in late August through September. I was hoping someone could offer some advice as to what weight rods I should bring and what type of flies. Any help will be greatly appreciated. -Alex Hill

Response:

I will be in Australia’s Northern Territory (near Darwin) in late August through September. I was hoping someone could offer some advice as to what weight rods I should bring and what type of flies. Any help will be greatly appreciated. -Alex Hill

from what appears to be the area you are describing. He has developed some flies that were effective enough for his son to establish a new world record on one of the fish (I don’t remember the name)in a line/tippet class. Please mention Flymaker during your communication. It will probably cause him to be more willing to be of assistance.

Response:

I will be in Australia’s Northern Territory (near Darwin) in late August through September. I was hoping someone could offer some advice as to what weight rods I should bring and what type of flies. Any help will be greatly appreciated. -Alex Hill

Hi Alex, What sort of fish do you want to catch? Freshwater rivers and billabongs (lakes) – barramundi are not really on the bite at that time of year, but saratoga are and are excellent sport on 8-10 wt rods with surface flies like dahlberg divers. Saltwater is excellent in August-September with large spanish mackerel (king mackerel?), longtail tuna, queenfish and giant trevally all close to Darwin. I will try to get some Darwin guides email addresses or phone numbers for you. Cheers John Knight Sydney Fly Rodders’

Response:

Question:

I have sold my tools and materials, now I am offering my books and magazines.  $35.00 + shipping takes all. "Expert Fly-Tying,"  Paul Fling & Donald Puturbaugh, 1986 "Favorite Flies and Their Histories," Mary Orvis Marbury, 1892 (1995 reprint) "Fly-Tyer Pattern Bible," 1985 "Creative Fly-Tying & Fly Fishing," Rex Gerlach, 1974 "Practical Flies & Their Construction," Lacey Gee & Erwin Sias, 1966 My homemade note book with appx. 675 patterns, most with color pictures "Fly Tyer"  Aug ‘84, Nov ‘84, Spring ‘85, Fall ‘85 "American Fly Tyer:"  Spring ‘86-Winter ‘87, most issues "American Angler & Fly Tyer"  Spring ‘88-Fall ‘90, most issues "American Angler"  jan’91-June ‘91 If interested, email Jim at the above email address

Response:

Thanks to all of you who responded.  I sold the books to the first e-mail response I received. Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have sold my tools and materials, now I am offering my books and magazines.  $35.00 + shipping takes all.

Response:

Question:

I’m building an 8 ft, 6 weight, 3 piece fly rod. I haven’t been able to find any guild spacing charts that cover this variety. Anyone have any experience with this? I’m also interested in the component types and sizes that you use.

Call the company that made the blank, and speak to one of their rod builders.  They will tell you the spacing for that rod, and it will be more accurate than any generalized formula.  Then, if you want to be really sure, tape the guides on and test before you do any wrapping. CQ

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m building an 8 ft, 6 weight, 3 piece fly rod. I haven’t been able to find any guild spacing charts that cover this variety. Anyone have any experience with this? I’m also interested in the component types and sizes that you use. Thanks, Don All MEASUREMENTS are in INCHES from the tip down. This example is for 1 stripping and 8 snake guides. TIP 4 8 14 21 29 37 45 and a half 54 65 (stripping) You might also consider picking up a book on rod making, this will ensure that you tune your rod for the best performance. In addition, don’t be afraid to add 1 or 2 snake guides, this will give you better line control, and increase your distance on your cast. You Also find that, mending your line on the water is alot better too.For components, I would probably use standard snake guides and ceramic stripping guides, and a chrome tip top. Talk to a fly shop for these components, or tackle dealer. They can set you up with the right ones that you need. One warning though, some of SCSI, or fuji guides are expensive…….O.K  Neil

Response:

Last time I had trouble with the guide spacing the guide was me and I floated into a sweeper tree and replaced everybody’s hat with a large, pissed-off water spider. Dave

Response:

Contact Blue Ridge Rod Company at (410) 224-4072. Their catalog has a guide psacing chart for rods from 6′6" to 10". Good source of info in general. Good wrapping! Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m building an 8 ft, 6 weight, 3 piece fly rod. I haven’t been able to find any guild spacing charts that cover this variety. Anyone have any experience with this? I’m also interested in the component types and sizes that you use. Thanks, Don

Response:

I’m building an 8 ft, 6 weight, 3 piece fly rod. I haven’t been able to find any guild spacing charts that cover this variety. Anyone have any experience with this? I’m also interested in the component types and sizes that you use. Thanks, Don

Response:

Don:      The guide spacing charts are okay for starters, but you really want to try the "fit" before you actually wrap them. I use masking tape to hold them in place and then actually cast the rod to see how it sets up. When flexed, you don’t want too much of an angle between the guides, and conversely, you also do not want too many guides, as they will slow the line down. Also, an oversized stripping guide may improve the line flow when casting. Try it first, and then do your wrapping. Good luck! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m building an 8 ft, 6 weight, 3 piece fly rod. I haven’t been able to find any guild spacing charts that cover this variety. Anyone have any experience with this? I’m also interested in the component types and sizes that you use. Thanks, Don

Response:

I’m building an 8 ft, 6 weight, 3 piece fly rod. I haven’t been able to find any guild spacing charts that cover this variety. Anyone have any experience with this? I’m also interested in the component types and sizes that you use. Thanks, Don

Don: The Dale Clemens book on rod building has formulas which will get you close to the correct spacing.  You could also take a tape measure into a local flyshop to get measurements off a factory rod.  Initially, you will want to tape the guides on, then string the rod up to give it a ’stress test’ ( i.e. anchor the butt against a wall or have someone hold it while you bend the rod with the line as if a fish were on ).  Adjust the guide positions to minimize the distance between the line and the rod.  You may find that an extra guide is needed, especially near the tip.  ( This test is a good idea even if you have the factory recommended spacing for your blank. ) Also, while the guides are taped on, take the rod out and cast it to see how it feels.  At this point you can experiment with the position of the stripping guide by putting it as far up the rod as it will go before you start getting ‘line slap’.  The higher up it is, the less drag you’ll have. As far as component size goes, consider using guides a little larger than normal as suggested by LA Garcia.  This is especially important with the stripping guide.  Your rod may not look as sleek as factory rods, but you’ll cut down on drag through the guides when you’re casting. Good luck! Dave Welch

Response:

Don, According to a guide spacing and sizing chart I received from Powell Rod Co. you would need  two 1/0, three 1, one 2, one 3, one #8, and one #10. Spacing is by inches from the tip top to the toe of the rear foot of each guide. 5", 10", 16", 23 1/8", 30 1/2", 38 1/4, 46 1/2", 55 1/2", 66 1/4". If this spacing doesn’t work out for you, usually the rod blank manufacturer can supply you with a spacing chart. Good luck to you. Shad Sterzick Gulpers Fly Fishing Outfitters http://www.xmission.com/~gulpers – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m building an 8 ft, 6 weight, 3 piece fly rod. I haven’t been able to find any guild spacing charts that cover this variety. Anyone have any experience with this? I’m also interested in the component types and sizes that you use. Thanks, Don

Response:

Question:

That’s because you’re a gimp!

Response:

I’M TELLING YOU THIS IS THE TRUTH. THERE IS PRACTICALLY NO PRESSURE ON THIS STREAM, AT LEAST WHEN I WAS FISHING IT BACK IN ‘92 -’95, AND IF YOU EXERCISED THE LEAST BIT OF RESTRAINT AND WERE AT LEAST A LITTLE BIT STEALTHY (SP?) YOU COULD BUST THESE BAD BOYS WITH REGULARITY ON ROYAL WULFFS AND YELLOW HUMPYS. THAT MAY NOT BE THE CASE ANYMORE WITH ALL THE GODDAMN CALIFORNIANS AND NORMAN MACLAIN WANNABES TROMPING THROUGH THE WATER LIKE SOLDIERS ON THE BEACHES OF NORMANDY. THE WEST END OF THE CREEK JUST BEFORE IT’S CONFLUENCE WITH THE EAGLE RIVER IS EXCEPTONAL. AND IN THE WINTER IT’S EVEN BETTER. PRESSURE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : I can confirm that you can catch 20+ inchers in the town of vail.  I’ve : only been up there one day and I hooked into a couple 15"-ers but as I : was kayaking another day I saw some other people catching larger ones and : the guide at the fly store was telling tales of 25" fish he had cought : that week. Wow.  A 25" rainbow in a mountain stream (without a lake at the bottom) is a rare thing these days.  I’m sure the rarity is increased in the middle of town.  Good catch indeed. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

That’s great, now I can walk across the street for a Big Max—-T Wigs—–

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This "Trout in Town" thing is not only real, it is the norm around here in Colorado. In fact Mr. Fletcher, I’ll show you a spot in Colorado where you can catch a 24 incher behind a major busy grocery store. TimW         well, boys, i’d be proud to show you where you can catch a 12 inch rainbow so far from any real town that you forget the color of traffic lights.  but there would be damn few 24 inchers.  and the folks you’d be fishin with talk funny.                 a. wayne harrison

lets go. TimW

Response:

: I can confirm that you can catch 20+ inchers in the town of vail.  I’ve : only been up there one day and I hooked into a couple 15"-ers but as I : was kayaking another day I saw some other people catching larger ones and : the guide at the fly store was telling tales of 25" fish he had cought : that week. Wow.  A 25" rainbow in a mountain stream (without a lake at the bottom) is a rare thing these days.  I’m sure the rarity is increased in the middle of town.  Good catch indeed. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

Response:

This "Trout in Town" thing is not only real, it is the norm around here in Colorado.   In fact Mr. Fletcher, I’ll show you a spot in Colorado where you can catch a 24 incher behind a major busy grocery store. TimW

        well, boys, i’d be proud to show you where you can catch a 12 inch rainbow so far from any real town that you forget the color of traffic lights.  but there would be damn few 24 inchers.  and the folks you’d be fishin with talk funny.                 a. wayne harrison

Response:

Gore Creek has some pretty big fish and they ain’t all that tame. I haven’t caught a 20" trout there but I’ve no trouble believing that there are fish that big and larger. Catching them is a bit tricky, however.  Jeff

Response:

I can confirm that you can catch 20+ inchers in the town of vail.  I’ve only been up there one day and I hooked into a couple 15"-ers but as I was kayaking another day I saw some other people catching larger ones and the guide at the fly store was telling tales of 25" fish he had cought that week. Leave a few for me and remember a lot of the area is restricted fishing. TJ

Response:

I particularly like bashing stockers for the smoker in front of the tourists at the rest areas along I-70. And I can never understand why some of the folks on here think you taunt them…

They’re too sensitive. TimW

Response:

: I can confirm that you can catch 20+ inchers in the town of vail.  I’ve : only been up there one day and I hooked into a couple 15"-ers but as I : was kayaking another day I saw some other people catching larger ones and : the guide at the fly store was telling tales of 25" fish he had cought : that week. Wow.  A 25" rainbow in a mountain stream (without a lake at the bottom) is a rare thing these days.  I’m sure the rarity is increased in the middle of town.  Good catch indeed.

The chances are very, very good that this was a brooder released (sent to pasture) by the CDOW.   Gore creek can not support this sized fish naturally. TimW

Response:

: You should see the holding pools and trout observation structure (it is : cool, like a sea world underground view into a large hole below a rapid) : in Boulder, Co.  Many, may big fish.  Lots are the DOW brooders sent to : pasture. And that is really the thought behind my post.  I know Boulder pretty well, and I don’t recall "many, many big fish".  No wonder, when one considers the number of kids splashing around in the water and homeless people looking for chow.  I do know there are quite a number of fish in Boulder Creek downtown, I just didn’t believe they were large.  Now I do.   I’ve always admired Missoula with the Clarks Fork running through town. Noon whistle bell rings and the folks head to the river with their rods. One o’clock comes and they go back to work. : Grizzly King.  Again, ‘parkish’.  I particularly like bashing stockers : for the smoker in front of the tourists at the rest areas along I-70. And I can never understand why some of the folks on here think you taunt them… : In fact Mr. Fletcher, I’ll show you a spot in Colorado where you can catch : a 24 incher behind a major busy grocery store. I do that all the time.  The trick is to hide behind a box and then jump out when they toss the overripe salmon in the garbage.  I often hear "good catch". What is that story by McGuane where he walks through town and catches fish? — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

Response:

: Hey everyone, : I have a question. If you only had one evening to fish within a : half-hour of Vail, where would you choose to fish? I am going up : there tomorrow and would like your insight. : Thanks : JS  Homestake Creek, south of Minturn. It’s beyond Battle Mt. and Redcliff.  Turn right at the cabin with the Hummingbird feeder to cross a small  bridge on the creek. Anywhere on the ~8 miles to Homestake Res. has  nice little Brookies. Clean water, no tailing drainage, unlike the  Eagle near Minturn. Even if you don’t catch anything, it’s an interesting  drive past Battle Mt.  Tallyho !  Alpha Kilo

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:  Homestake Creek, south of Minturn. It’s beyond Battle Mt. and Redcliff. :  Turn right at the cabin with the Hummingbird feeder to cross a small :  bridge on the creek. Anywhere on the ~8 miles to Homestake Res. has :  nice little Brookies. Clean water, no tailing drainage, unlike the :  Eagle near Minturn. Even if you don’t catch anything, it’s an interesting :  drive past Battle Mt. I’ve heard that it is absolutely useless to use surface flies on the fish near Minturn.  Nothing works but nymphs.  I guess they have so much lead in them that they can’t get to the surface to go for a dry fly.  They just sink to the bottom.  Dynamite doesn’t even bring them up.  True? — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

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:  Homestake Creek, south of Minturn. It’s beyond Battle Mt. and Redcliff. :  Turn right at the cabin with the Hummingbird feeder to cross a small :  bridge on the creek. Anywhere on the ~8 miles to Homestake Res. has :  nice little Brookies. Clean water, no tailing drainage, unlike the :  Eagle near Minturn. Even if you don’t catch anything, it’s an interesting :  drive past Battle Mt. I’ve heard that it is absolutely useless to use surface flies on the fish near Minturn.  Nothing works but nymphs.  I guess they have so much lead in them that they can’t get to the surface to go for a dry fly.  They just sink to the bottom.  Dynamite doesn’t even bring them up.  True?

but it’s really worth it, ’cause you can catch a 4 inch fish and honestly tell the boys in the shop that you nailed a 6 pounder…. TimW

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You have a gold medal stream running right through the heart of Vail, Gore Creek. Twenty inch rainbows on attractors. The best in town fishing in Colorado.

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Rick, : You have a gold medal stream running right through the heart of Vail, : Gore Creek. Twenty inch rainbows on attractors. The best in town : fishing in Colorado. I find this to be a remarkable statement, that 20 inch bows can be caught in town.  If it is true, that is the ultimate "tame" fish.

        I can readily believe that you could read something like this in         a brochure published by the Vail Chamber of Commerce, but don’t         bet your firstborn on it.  Nor should you put much stock in the         "Two Trout Over 16 Inches" signs; if you read the shocking reports         you will quickly realize that they’re really just a statistically         and politically correct way to say "Catch and Release".         However, in a stream not far away …                                                   Tom

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: You have a gold medal stream running right through the heart of Vail, : Gore Creek. Twenty inch rainbows on attractors. The best in town : fishing in Colorado. I find this to be a remarkable statement, that 20 inch bows can be caught in town.  If it is true, that is the ultimate "tame" fish. Can anyone confirm whether J&J’s assertion is true?

This is not only true, but it is the trend in urban stream reclamation. The Roaring Fork through Aspen is the same way.  "Parkish", I would call it. You should see the holding pools and trout observation structure (it is cool, like a sea world underground view into a large hole below a rapid) in Boulder, Co.  Many, may big fish.  Lots are the DOW brooders sent to pasture. The planners in Glenwood have planned and started construction on a bike path along the Fork through town.  They rollerblade in bikinis along the colorado through the Glenwood Canyon, and you need to be careful where you hurl the Grizzly King.  Again, ‘parkish’.  I particularly like bashing stockers for the smoker in front of the tourists at the rest areas along I-70. The best section of the Blue (trust me) *IS* in the Heart of Silverthorne, problem here is property access.  Same in Breckenridge, Ouray etc. etc. This "Trout in Town" thing is not only real, it is the norm around here in Colorado.   In fact Mr. Fletcher, I’ll show you a spot in Colorado where you can catch a 24 incher behind a major busy grocery store. TimW

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: You have a gold medal stream running right through the heart of Vail, : Gore Creek. Twenty inch rainbows on attractors. The best in town : fishing in Colorado. I find this to be a remarkable statement, that 20 inch bows can be caught in town.  If it is true, that is the ultimate "tame" fish. Can anyone confirm whether J&J’s assertion is true? — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

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writes: Hey everyone, I have a question. If you only had one evening to fish within a half-hour of Vail, where would you choose to fish? I am going up there tomorrow and would like your insight. Thanks JS

Js, I think that would be Beaver Creek in Beaver Creek (just outside of Vail) I hear that’s some good small stream fishing but, haven’t tried it yet. Probably some mosquito’s, elk hair caddis, small humpy’s, ect… would work just fine. Best of luck….Cliff

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Hey everyone, I have a question. If you only had one evening to fish within a half-hour of Vail, where would you choose to fish? I am going up there tomorrow and would like your insight. Thanks JS

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Hey everyone, I have a question. If you only had one evening to fish within a half-hour of Vail, where would you choose to fish? I am going up there tomorrow and would like your insight. Thanks JS

Why not fish Gore Creek, which possesses Gold-Medal waters right through the city of Vail?  Eagle and Colorado Rivers are close-by and are always nice rivers… — MORGAN P. BROWN                 Colorado School of Mines                 Rice University                 Phone:   (303) 215-9190 URL:     http://timna.mines.edu/~mbrown                http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~mpbro

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Question:

If you don’t mind sharing, where are the secret holes. My wife and I will be there later this week and would love a little help as I’m hoping she’ll catch something memorable and get a little hooked herself. We’ll be in the area only for a 24 hour period. We’ll be staying in manchester and the next day heading to West Lebanon, NH. Any suggestions for any other places we might hit  would also be appreciated. Ira Clair

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Try the Nature Conservancy pond up on the hill above Manchester. Plenty of room to cast or wade, and some very large trout. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly If you don’t mind sharing, where are the secret holes. My wife and I will be there later this week and would love a little help as I’m hoping she’ll catch something memorable and get a little hooked herself. We’ll be in the area only for a 24 hour period. We’ll be staying in manchester and the next day heading to West Lebanon, NH. Any suggestions for any other places we might hit  would also be appreciated. Ira Clair

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Bad news the legend of the Battenkill is the mith of the battenkill.  My son-in-law ans I were up there July 4th weekend all excited about fishing the great battenkill.  The average size of the fish we caught was 3"  yes thats three inches.  good luck but don’t be depressed if the big ones aren’t there

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Bad news the legend of the Battenkill is the mith of the battenkill.  My son-in-law ans I were up there July 4th weekend all excited about fishing the great battenkill.  The average size of the fish we caught was 3"  yes thats three inches.  good luck but don’t be depressed if the big ones aren’t there

They really are in the ‘kill, but big browns don’t come out for the fireworks too often.     steve d.

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Question:

        I’ve fished in this area with aguide by the name of Bob Marvin. We often go into the 10,000 Islands and fish for snook and reds. But I did get there once when the weather was bad, and he suggested we go out at 3:30 am and fish the lights around the docks and up against the shore.  If your run streamers through the dock lights, you can catch all the 3-4 lb jacks you can handle, and occasionally a bigger snook will give you a jolt.  You’ll get lost and die if you go into 10,000 Islands on your own, butyou could fish the docks in the dark of early mornign on your own and have a lot of fun. Evry now and then, something grabs your fly, turns to run, and severs your line! Great thrill. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : I will be in Marco the week after Easter.  Can anyone tell me good : prospects for flyfishing?  Maybe a guide for tarpon or snook.  Any idea : how much I should pay. My parents’ condo is Tower 1. My family went there last july and there are great place for flyfishing. I hired the guide (I could not remember what is his name) and flyfishing at ten thousand island. If you happen to be at Tiger tail ( I think it is wrong name). You can flyfishing right on beach. I did caught some fish out there but only right before sunrise.         Ocean         Beach                                                                                                                /                                                                 /         Tiger tail                                         Tower 1             Tower2             Tower 3               Tower 4 It is not to scale. You will see the fishes jump all over at tiger tail. It happened in july but you will be there in april. I never been there in April. Please let me know about it. I used white flies size #2 hook. Good Luck!!! Dale R. Fine

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I will be in Marco the week after Easter.  Can anyone tell me good prospects for flyfishing?  Maybe a guide for tarpon or snook.  Any idea how much I should pay.

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: I will be in Marco the week after Easter.  Can anyone tell me good : prospects for flyfishing?  Maybe a guide for tarpon or snook.  Any idea : how much I should pay. My parents’ condo is Tower 1. My family went there last july and there are great place for flyfishing. I hired the guide (I could not remember what is his name) and flyfishing at ten thousand island. If you happen to be at Tiger tail ( I think it is wrong name). You can flyfishing right on beach. I did caught some fish out there but only right before sunrise.          Ocean          Beach                                                                                                                 /                                                                  /         Tiger tail                                         Tower 1             Tower2             Tower 3               Tower 4 It is not to scale. You will see the fishes jump all over at tiger tail. It happened in july but you will be there in april. I never been there in April. Please let me know about it. I used white flies size #2 hook. Good Luck!!! Dale R. Fine

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Question:

Can you please expand on the light colored clothing/lyme disease comment.  Does it help you spot ticks and pick them off before they bite?

As a kid in Maryland, I was told ticks prefer darker colors.  I suppose the camaflouge theory kicks in. Thomas Gilg

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Black Flies??? They are attracted to bright/dark colors and anything that has scent. Some people get more bit than others. Taking vitamin B suppose  to help reduce the # of bites. Clothes should be washed with non-scented soap. Besides Deet, you can put baby oil on you skin which drowns the flies (good for suntanning). By July, they are pretty much gone. Oh ya, make sure you socks go over you pants. Put Deek around the shirt near your belt. they love to crawl in!!! I use to work in the Wawa area for 3 summers. The 3rd summer I got bit maybe 4/5 times for working 7 weeks in the bush plating trees compared to 30/40 the first summer. And the bites healed much quicker the 3rd summer (some sort of ammune system). I’ve seen indians walk aorund with no protection and not get bit. We’re talking about 10,000 black files swarming aroung your head while you work. I use to spray Deet on my hard hat and it would kill 1,000 flies a day. When people complain about a few black flies, I say it is nothing…

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| |  DW 3.  Use insect repellant.  DEET is still the best, although questions |  DW about its safety for long term exposure have been raised.  I suggest a |  DW spray or pump format for two reasons.  First, you can spray clothing |  DW around where they are going to land and crawl and thus keep them off. |  DW Second, you can keep the palms of your hands relatively clean of the |  DW stuff – it will remove the paint from a pencil in a day of use and |  DW likely has a similarly disturbing effect on fine rod finishes, |  DW fly-lines, painted lures etc.  Be sure to spray INSIDE your clothing |  DW in the areas they are likely to try to enter (neck, cuffs, ankles or |  DW whatever) | |  I never use DEET based products because of what it does to lines.  I prefer The notion that DEET weakens mono fishing line has been scientificily disproved in a conclusive experiment by my daughter for a science fair experiment.  She exposed lengths of stren to a number of substances for a period of time in excess of a day and measured the breaking strength.  The substances included gasoline, outboard motor oil, DEET, bourbon, and water.  The only one that weakened the line was water.   Unfortunately the only people who looked at her exhibit were guys wearing camo and there weren’t to many of those.   |  vinegar because it works just as well and doesn’t weaken mono.  As for |  wearing light coloured clothing it is more important for the prevention of |  lyme disease, but the fact that the black flies prefer darker colours |  doesn’t hurt. | | ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12 | — | | — Del Cecchi  

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| |  DW 3.  Use insect repellant.  DEET is still the best, although questions |  DW about its safety for long term exposure have been raised.  I suggest a |  DW spray or pump format for two reasons.  First, you can spray clothing |  DW around where they are going to land and crawl and thus keep them off. |  DW Second, you can keep the palms of your hands relatively clean of the |  DW stuff – it will remove the paint from a pencil in a day of use and |  DW likely has a similarly disturbing effect on fine rod finishes, |  DW fly-lines, painted lures etc.  Be sure to spray INSIDE your clothing |  DW in the areas they are likely to try to enter (neck, cuffs, ankles or |  DW whatever) | |  I never use DEET based products because of what it does to lines.  I prefer |  vinegar because it works just as well and doesn’t weaken mono.  As for |  wearing light coloured clothing it is more important for the prevention of |  lyme disease, but the fact that the black flies prefer darker colours |  doesn’t hurt. | Peter, Can you please expand on the light colored clothing/lyme disease comment.  Does it help you spot ticks and pick them off before they bite?                         -Pat.

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 DW 3.  Use insect repellant.  DEET is still the best, although questions  DW about its safety for long term exposure have been raised.  I suggest a  DW spray or pump format for two reasons.  First, you can spray clothing  DW around where they are going to land and crawl and thus keep them off.  DW Second, you can keep the palms of your hands relatively clean of the  DW stuff – it will remove the paint from a pencil in a day of use and  DW likely has a similarly disturbing effect on fine rod finishes,  DW fly-lines, painted lures etc.  Be sure to spray INSIDE your clothing  DW in the areas they are likely to try to enter (neck, cuffs, ankles or  DW whatever)  I never use DEET based products because of what it does to lines.  I prefer  vinegar because it works just as well and doesn’t weaken mono.  As for  wearing light coloured clothing it is more important for the prevention of  lyme disease, but the fact that the black flies prefer darker colours  doesn’t hurt. ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12 —

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– …  I was wondering if indeed the black – flies are going to be a problem? and if they are, what is the best – way to prepare for them. In my career in field geology I have had many close encounters with black flies and, while not claiming to be a total expert, can offer the following advice. Black flies attack by crawling around on your clothes until finding an entry point, or landing directly on skin then crawling around.  They tend to bite where their exploration is stopped by restrictions such as a belt, top of socks, hat brim etc.   This modus operandi should be kept in mind when designing your defences. 1.  Wear clothing with a minimum of entry points – no loose cuffs, tuck pants into socks, wear a snug T-shirt under your regular bush shirt, no stylishly ripped jeans. 2.  Keep clothing as light a colour as possible – they love dark colours, especially blue denim, and will land preferentially on those wearing darker clothes.  (This one is often not easy on longer trips if laundry facilities are not handy and the bush is dirty.) 3.  Use insect repellant.  DEET is still the best, although questions about its safety for long term exposure have been raised.  I suggest a spray or pump format for two reasons.  First, you can spray clothing around where they are going to land and crawl and thus keep them off. Second, you can keep the palms of your hands relatively clean of the stuff – it will remove the paint from a pencil in a day of use and likely has a similarly disturbing effect on fine rod finishes, fly-lines, painted lures etc.  Be sure to spray INSIDE your clothing in the areas they are likely to try to enter (neck, cuffs, ankles or whatever) 4.  Electronic repellants (ultrasonic etc) DO NOT WORK ON REAL, WILD BLACKFLIES.  If you want to try them out be sure you have DEET for emergency backup when you discover this for yourself. 5.  By July they may have thinned out a bit, but will certainly be out in force in evenings and still days.  Deer flies are more of a nuisance on hot sunny days but they do not care about repellant so don’t waste it on them.  (They are slow enough to catch and crunch by hand.) 6. Above all, remember to have fun.  No matter how bad the flies have been in my experience, when I look back to all the trips it is not the flies my mind conjures up when pulling out memories.  They are a large frustration at the time, but you will forget them (until next time) as long as you don’t get physically ill from an overdose.  This only happens to little kids who don’t put on any repellant at all and have a small body size to absorb the toxins. Have a good trip. (The worst flies I ever met were NOT in the Sault Ste Marie area at all, BTW.) Regards…Dennis Waddington —

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