Question:

You want skeeters?  Try Western Montana.  Mosquitos are their state bird!  After they drained me, they even offered me a glass of orange juice! Gus Weber

If the Red Cross could train them, they wouldn’t need volunteers.

Response:

I didn’t want to explain the cause of my injuries to the attending physician, if Angelfire has such a thing.

Hahahaha!  Those flies are deadly…… nothing compared to the skeeters in Bismark, ND though. Did you go to the Vietnam Memorial? Hunter

Response:

Thanks again Bob. On my recent trip to CO this past August we were going to stay at The Spa because they now have a small RV park with hookups for about 6 or so RVs, but alas only for fully self contained units and they don’t allow pets.  The massages across the street are excellent BTW. We ended up right outside town at a RV park right on the San Juan River (I think it’s called Riverview, it’s on the left as you are leaving town on Hwy 160 going toward Wolf Creek Pass) with a nice little pond of their own. Very friendly and helpful people.  I’ve been there before. The other thing I might mention is that just before you get to Wolf Creek Pass there is a turnout on the right that lets you take a nice hike up to the headwaters of the San Juan River.  It’s a nice (uphill) hike and the falls at the top are beautiful. — Peace, Love and Serenity, Madeleine

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A few notes of passing interest…. Chama, New Mexico I stayed in the Rio Chama RV Park, a nice piece of cottonwood bottom right along the river, next to a trestle bridge for the Cumbres and Toltec steam excursion train.  The Station is about a half mile west. While watching the horrible news on TV that evening, I heard a couple of loud spaced reports, like shotguns going off nearby.  I thought, "It’s black powder season – but in town?" I went down to the tracks and met one the guys who ride around in golf carts helping people park their houses.  He was walking back from the woods along the track. "Somebody shooting down here?" "Nah.  That was me.  Firecrackers.  Them bears are tryin’ to climb the fence again." It turns out that a sow and 2 cubs had been getting into the garbage cans, and apparently tore up a screen door the day before.  One of the weapons used by the Forest Service to control them is rubber bullets, which are packed with a light powder charge into a 12 gauge shotgun shell.  On request, they pass them out in small numbers to residents. I heard one fellow laughing about his "doofus" neighbor who picked up a few and then realized he only had a 20 gauge to shoot them with. Pagosa Springs, Colorado I have been coming to Pagosa to ski for 20 years.  I always stayed at the Spa Motel, to make use of the hot spring baths, the swimming pool, and the occasional massage.  One of my favorite memories of this place is the year it snowed so much the ticket office at Wolf Creek was buried, and the whole enterprise was shut down for days.  I eventually escaped to Purgatory, pointing my Bronco carefully down the middle of the white space between the humps of the fencing along the buried highway, hoping to stay on the road.  But the night before I left, I spent an interesting hour in the warm swimming pool, watching those big heavy flakes crowd down out of the black sky, plopping into the pool around me.  I’m sure they didn’t really hiss as they hit the water, but that’s the way I remember it. The swimming pool is still ok, but I am sorry to report the indoor soaking pool is not being maintained properly.  This may be just one bad day, so check it out if you come through.  They give out flannel sheets to wrap up in when you are steaming, and you can lay back on benches and drift off till you cool down and go back in.  The water is still 108 degrees, or maybe more, but when I went it hadn’t been cleaned in a while.  There was stuff floating on the surface, and it had an oily feel, and the whole room smelled like some sort of nasty soup or old dish water. The good news is that the place across the street (The Springs) is greatly improved from my last visit.  These are a series of outdoor pools (bathing suit required) in tiers down to the river, going from 110 degrees down to tepid.  If I were just a little bit younger, I’d have to say the babes in string bikinis ain’t so hard to look at, either.  $12 for the day.   I’m talking about the pools. Creede, Colorado I was wandering desolately down the main street, beseeching complete strangers for access to a phone line so I could e-mail you guys, when I saw a large orange tabby limping across the street.  She was collared, tagged, and belled.  Her left rear foot was held up high, and it looked like something red stained the paw. I ducked into the Kentucky Belle, which is a grocery store, and told the clerk it looked like someone’s cat was hurt. "Big orange cat?" "Yeah." "That’s the town cat.  She don’t belong to anyone special.  She got froze to a bridge." The girl was checking out groceries and talking over her shoulder. She was obviously busy, so I didn’t press her, though now I wish I had.  This was a healthy animal, with an imperious air only slightly spoiled by the her legged gait.  On closer inspection, the red stuff on her paw looked like some kind of medicine. The Town Cat.  I guess if you’re going to get stuck to a bridge, this is the place to do it. Between Mora and Angelfire, New Mexico I’ve noticed the black flies here are bigger and slower than the ones I’m used to in Texas.  And louder.  If you happen to leave your door open during your nap, they’ll make you dream in black and white, of old war movies.  Spitfires and B-29s.  Since I never know when a nap is coming at me, I am apt to do this. I bought a fly swatter at the Wal-Mart in Las Vegas, N.M.  Actually they came packaged in pairs, which I took as an omen.  Never know when you might need back-up. In all fairness, though, I have to say they are a tough, tenacious bunch.  I was particularly impressed with a certain Sampson of their lot.  I decided to skip Taos on the way up.  It’s a good town for walking, but finding a place to park the Behemoth I’m living in just didn’t seem attractive to me this time round.  The traffic is crazy there around the square, and you can’t avoid it. So I took a winding narrow road out of Mora, past Coyote Creek State Park.  When the road opened up a bit approaching Angelfire, I stopped in a turnout, arranged a nice view of the Sangre de Cristos, and made a sandwich.  A few flies got in, so I lay about with the swatter till they granted me a funereal peace. After I got back in the truck and started off down the hill, I noticed through the windshield that one of these smug odious vermin had made himself a perch exactly where the hood ornament would be, if I had one.  I sped up to 30 mph.  He was unconcerned.  40 mph.  He couldn’t care less.  50 mph.  If a fly could yawn, he would.  As I approached 60 mph, I saw him hunker down a little on the slick surface of the paint.  Got you now, sucker. But as luck would have it, a car slowed down in front of me, approaching a curve, and I had to let up.  I didn’t want to explain the cause of my injuries to the attending physician, if Angelfire has such a thing.  As I slowed down to 30 mph, the devil flew away.  But I cannot say blew away.  He left calmly, at a time and place of his own choosing. And that’s it for now. Bob

Response:

You want skeeters?  Try Western Montana.  Mosquitos are their state bird!  After they drained me, they even offered me a glass of orange juice! Gus Weber – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I didn’t want to explain the cause of my injuries to the attending physician, if Angelfire has such a thing. Hahahaha!  Those flies are deadly…… nothing compared to the skeeters in Bismark, ND though. Did you go to the Vietnam Memorial? Hunter

Response:

No, I’ve been before, and this week I just didn’t need the depression it brought on.

full of Harleys. Their owners were mostly pretty scary looking…. ……there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. I had to leave I was a mess, I can’t take it when other people cry….. it was heartbreaking to be there…. Hunter

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks again Bob. On my recent trip to CO this past August we were going to stay at The Spa because they now have a small RV park with hookups for about 6 or so RVs, but alas only for fully self contained units and they don’t allow pets.  The massages across the street are excellent BTW. We ended up right outside town at a RV park right on the San Juan River (I think it’s called Riverview, it’s on the left as you are leaving town on Hwy 160 going toward Wolf Creek Pass) with a nice little pond of their own. Very friendly and helpful people.  I’ve been there before. The other thing I might mention is that just before you get to Wolf Creek Pass there is a turnout on the right that lets you take a nice hike up to the headwaters of the San Juan River.  It’s a nice (uphill) hike and the falls at the top are beautiful.

Thanks yourself.  I am going back through Pagosa this weekend.  They are having a big festival and balloon ascension, and besides it’s on the way to the fleshpots of Durango.  I give Riverview a look.  I went to the falls years ago, and I think I’ll revisit. Now I’ve got to go unload my wallet and get some flyfishing lessons for tomorrow.  Hectic pace out here.  :) Bob

Response:

I didn’t want to explain the cause of my injuries to the attending physician, if Angelfire has such a thing. Hahahaha!  Those flies are deadly…… nothing compared to the skeeters in Bismark, ND though. Did you go to the Vietnam Memorial? Hunter

No, I’ve been before, and this week I just didn’t need the depression it brought on. It’s a good display, though.  There’s another in California with a lot of good sculpture.  It’s off IH5, but right now I can’t look it up, I’m stuck in a phone booth.  Later. Bob

Response:

A few notes of passing interest…. Chama, New Mexico I stayed in the Rio Chama RV Park, a nice piece of cottonwood bottom right along the river, next to a trestle bridge for the Cumbres and Toltec steam excursion train.  The Station is about a half mile west. While watching the horrible news on TV that evening, I heard a couple of loud spaced reports, like shotguns going off nearby.  I thought, "It’s black powder season – but in town?" I went down to the tracks and met one the guys who ride around in golf carts helping people park their houses.  He was walking back from the woods along the track. "Somebody shooting down here?" "Nah.  That was me.  Firecrackers.  Them bears are tryin’ to climb the fence again." It turns out that a sow and 2 cubs had been getting into the garbage cans, and apparently tore up a screen door the day before.  One of the weapons used by the Forest Service to control them is rubber bullets, which are packed with a light powder charge into a 12 gauge shotgun shell.  On request, they pass them out in small numbers to residents. I heard one fellow laughing about his "doofus" neighbor who picked up a few and then realized he only had a 20 gauge to shoot them with. Pagosa Springs, Colorado I have been coming to Pagosa to ski for 20 years.  I always stayed at the Spa Motel, to make use of the hot spring baths, the swimming pool, and the occasional massage.  One of my favorite memories of this place is the year it snowed so much the ticket office at Wolf Creek was buried, and the whole enterprise was shut down for days.  I eventually escaped to Purgatory, pointing my Bronco carefully down the middle of the white space between the humps of the fencing along the buried highway, hoping to stay on the road.  But the night before I left, I spent an interesting hour in the warm swimming pool, watching those big heavy flakes crowd down out of the black sky, plopping into the pool around me.  I’m sure they didn’t really hiss as they hit the water, but that’s the way I remember it. The swimming pool is still ok, but I am sorry to report the indoor soaking pool is not being maintained properly.  This may be just one bad day, so check it out if you come through.  They give out flannel sheets to wrap up in when you are steaming, and you can lay back on benches and drift off till you cool down and go back in.  The water is still 108 degrees, or maybe more, but when I went it hadn’t been cleaned in a while.  There was stuff floating on the surface, and it had an oily feel, and the whole room smelled like some sort of nasty soup or old dish water. The good news is that the place across the street (The Springs) is greatly improved from my last visit.  These are a series of outdoor pools (bathing suit required) in tiers down to the river, going from 110 degrees down to tepid.  If I were just a little bit younger, I’d have to say the babes in string bikinis ain’t so hard to look at, either.  $12 for the day.   I’m talking about the pools. Creede, Colorado I was wandering desolately down the main street, beseeching complete strangers for access to a phone line so I could e-mail you guys, when I saw a large orange tabby limping across the street.  She was collared, tagged, and belled.  Her left rear foot was held up high, and it looked like something red stained the paw.   I ducked into the Kentucky Belle, which is a grocery store, and told the clerk it looked like someone’s cat was hurt. "Big orange cat?" "Yeah." "That’s the town cat.  She don’t belong to anyone special.  She got froze to a bridge." The girl was checking out groceries and talking over her shoulder. She was obviously busy, so I didn’t press her, though now I wish I had.  This was a healthy animal, with an imperious air only slightly spoiled by the her legged gait.  On closer inspection, the red stuff on her paw looked like some kind of medicine. The Town Cat.  I guess if you’re going to get stuck to a bridge, this is the place to do it. Between Mora and Angelfire, New Mexico I’ve noticed the black flies here are bigger and slower than the ones I’m used to in Texas.  And louder.  If you happen to leave your door open during your nap, they’ll make you dream in black and white, of old war movies.  Spitfires and B-29s.  Since I never know when a nap is coming at me, I am apt to do this. I bought a fly swatter at the Wal-Mart in Las Vegas, N.M.  Actually they came packaged in pairs, which I took as an omen.  Never know when you might need back-up. In all fairness, though, I have to say they are a tough, tenacious bunch.  I was particularly impressed with a certain Sampson of their lot.  I decided to skip Taos on the way up.  It’s a good town for walking, but finding a place to park the Behemoth I’m living in just didn’t seem attractive to me this time round.  The traffic is crazy there around the square, and you can’t avoid it. So I took a winding narrow road out of Mora, past Coyote Creek State Park.  When the road opened up a bit approaching Angelfire, I stopped in a turnout, arranged a nice view of the Sangre de Cristos, and made a sandwich.  A few flies got in, so I lay about with the swatter till they granted me a funereal peace. After I got back in the truck and started off down the hill, I noticed through the windshield that one of these smug odious vermin had made himself a perch exactly where the hood ornament would be, if I had one.  I sped up to 30 mph.  He was unconcerned.  40 mph.  He couldn’t care less.  50 mph.  If a fly could yawn, he would.  As I approached 60 mph, I saw him hunker down a little on the slick surface of the paint.  Got you now, sucker. But as luck would have it, a car slowed down in front of me, approaching a curve, and I had to let up.  I didn’t want to explain the cause of my injuries to the attending physician, if Angelfire has such a thing.  As I slowed down to 30 mph, the devil flew away.  But I cannot say blew away.  He left calmly, at a time and place of his own choosing. And that’s it for now. Bob

Response:

Question:

The first time I took my oldest son fishing it was off the San Clemente pier he was about four years old. I went to the bait shop and asked the clerk what I could use to make my boy’s fish experience one to remember. Mind you this was 25 years ago. The man said if you want to have a truly great time with your son and get him hooked on fishing use this, he handed me what was called a lucky Joe and he also handed me a chrome coated sinker with a treble hook attached. It was a series of  hooks (six or maybe eight in all) spaced about six to eight inches apart. The hooks were individually wrapped in bright colored yarn. Well I attached the sinker and treble hook to the bottom of this set of hooks and then to my sons fishing line. He lowered it down into the water bobbed it up and down about three times and whamo it looked like he had a hit from a monster lunker. I had to help him reel it in. He had 5 (for lack of a better name) sun fish on the line. I wished I had a camera. You should have seen the look on his face he was so excited. To this day he talks about that moment. He fishes everytime he can and everywhere he can. Even golf course water ways. Anything to be fishing. — SgtMike Free newsletter, Monthly drawing. http://www.thefishermans-tips.com A day spent teaching another to Fish, is a day spent learning to befriend another.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Rule # 1.  Leave your fishing pole at home.  Especially if it is your child’s first time fishing.  Focus all your attention on them and share in their excitement in going fishing.  I’ve seen it happen too many times where the parent with the best of intentions loses focus on teaching their child to fish and soon fishing becomes a competition. Inevitably the adult catches the most fish while the child become more and more frustrated and soon loses interest.  Let your daughter be the "big fisherman" and brag about t he bigun she caught. It works and soon you will have a lifelong fishing buddy.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a 6 year old daughter who wants me to teach her how to fish.  I was wondering if anyone had some good ideas on how to make this the most enjoyable for the both of us. Before you buy.

Response:

looks like a good site – I need to get it indexed on my Beginners/Instruction page.  Thanks for posting it. Ronnie http://fishing.about.com

Response:

I have a 6 year old daughter who wants me to teach her how to fish.  I was wondering if anyone had some good ideas on how to make this the most enjoyable for the both of us. Before you buy.

Response:

First things first. Does she really want to learn?? If she does get her a small (not one of the MICKEY MOUSE ) outfits from Zebco. A four to five foot with a  push  button reel.  Start off small! A farm pond or a well stocked pond and a bucket of worms should do the  trick. Be sure to bring a snack or other type of diversion , do not over react when she wants to skip stones or pick flowers. And most of all CHERISH THE TIME YOU HAVE WITH HER.    they GROW UP TOO QUICKLY THESE DAYS. Hope you have fun. Mark – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a 6 year old daughter who wants me to teach her how to fish.  I was wondering if anyone had some good ideas on how to make this the most enjoyable for the both of us. Before you buy.

Response:

I have a 6 year old daughter who wants me to teach her how to fish.  I was wondering if anyone had some good ideas on how to make this the most enjoyable for the both of us.

The best all around page I’ve stumbled on for this is: http://thefishernet.com/kids.htm Hope this helps, Jeff The Fishing News  http://www.thefishingnews.com/

Response:

I have a 6 year old daughter who wants me to teach her how to fish.  I was wondering if anyone had some good ideas on how to make this the most enjoyable for the both of us.

Two words: Cane Pole Why? Easier to manage than a spin-cast or fly-rod. Less likely to end up in the emergency room getting hooks cut out, catching trees, etc. Also means you won’t end up casting their line every five minutes. I started both of my daughters this way, and haven’t had a serious problem yet. My older girl is using a spin-cast rod now with few problems, and my 3 year old is almost ready for real hooks. I’d pick someplace where there is areas for the kid to play as well as fish. Patience isn’t a virtue at 6. The local state parks have been a blessing in that regard, every-one has a playground within sight of decent fishing areas. Summer is usually a lousy time to take a kid though, the fishing is sluggish and they just can’t handle all the sitting around. Anyways, good luck. Before you buy.

Response:

Rule # 1.  Leave your fishing pole at home.  Especially if it is your child’s first time fishing.  Focus all your attention on them and share in their excitement in going fishing.  I’ve seen it happen too many times where the parent with the best of intentions loses focus on teaching their child to fish and soon fishing becomes a competition. Inevitably the adult catches the most fish while the child become more and more frustrated and soon loses interest.  Let your daughter be the "big fisherman" and brag about the bigun she caught. It works and soon you will have a lifelong fishing buddy. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a 6 year old daughter who wants me to teach her how to fish.  I was wondering if anyone had some good ideas on how to make this the most enjoyable for the both of us. Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

_______  The wading life vest is a good idea anymore the older you get. Of course its a good idea no matter how old you are.  The Madison has slick rounded stones in it and falling is easy enough and no matter how deep the water of any river you’re in, its more difficult to get back up on your feet. The most dangerous thing anyone can do when they fall and start floating down stream is holding onto their fly rod and then exhausting themselves with energy they could have spent more wisely getting back to shore. Let the fly rod go! — Mr.G http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html

Response:

I agree 1000%  I just bought a Stearns vest with the flotation built in.  It doesn’t have some of the bells and whistles, e.g., Supplex, net loop, but I value the safety feature above everything else. Jim Benenson Los Alamos NM’ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – _______  The wading life vest is a good idea anymore the older you get. Of course its a good idea no matter how old you are.  The Madison has slick rounded stones in it and falling is easy enough and no matter how deep the water of any river you’re in, its more difficult to get back up on your feet. The most dangerous thing anyone can do when they fall and start floating down stream is holding onto their fly rod and then exhausting themselves with energy they could have spent more wisely getting back to shore. Let the fly rod go! — Mr.G http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html

Response:

The most dangerous thing anyone can do when they fall and start floating down stream is holding onto their fly rod and then exhausting themselves with energy they could have spent more wisely getting back to shore.

The next most dangerous thing you can do when fishing is to let safety equipment substitute for common sense. A fly vest with flotation built in is a good idea; wearing one so you can wade deep, swift water that you normally wouldn’t wade is a very bad idea. (I know you weren’t suggesting that, George. Just thought it needed mentioning.) — Rusty Hook Laramie, Wyo Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

I may be attending a convention in Mesa, Arizona the last week in March and would like to know if there are any public spots for fly fishing close to Mesa?  If I can’t take my gear, how about areas close by that I could just wander around in?  Haven’t ever been to the southwest and would like to see more than just manicured parks.  Thanks for any information you can provide. Larry We give dogs love we can spare, time we can spare, and room we can spare.  In return, dogs give us their all.  It

Question:

Get a jump on the Tarpon season in the Sportfishing Capital of The World.  Tarpon are moving in.  Fishing Charter Packages Available. Plan your next destination to Islamorada,  Flyfishing for Tarpon is going to be at it’s best.  Don’t miss out on the fun and adventure with the Silver King. Hope to see you on the flats!

Response:

Get a jump on the Tarpon season in the Sportfishing Capital of The World.  Tarpon are moving in.  Fishing Charter Packages Available. Plan your next destination to Islamorada,  Flyfishing for Tarpon is going to be at it’s best.  Don’t miss out on the fun and adventure with the Silver King. Hope to see you on the flats!

And make sure you tie all those Tarpon Busting Knots with Gehrke’s KNOT-PERFECT if you want to be knot perfect.  There is no other way. Will allow you to tie the most perfect knots in your life.  No fisherman should be without this new invention. Trust me. Mr. G.

Response:

Question:

What would the best ff be within easy reach of Vancouver in April?  Have to make a business trip to Asia and thought it might be worth doing a stopover — if it’s not too early in the season.  Steelhead?  Sea-run cutthroats?  Thanks for any info. George

Response:

: What would the best ff be within easy reach of Vancouver in April?  Have : to make a business trip to Asia and thought it might be worth doing a : stopover — if it’s not too early in the season.  Steelhead?  Sea-run : cutthroats?  Thanks for any info. If you’re early enough in April, there might still be some late-winter steelhead available in the Capilano (from downtown Van, take Georgia through Stanley Park and across the Lions Gate Bridge and you’re there; the Cap forms the boundary between North Van and West Van). That’s probably the closest; other options at that time of year include the Squamish and the Vedder, both of which are an hour or two away. Hopefully, the guys who live in Vancouver year-round can give more details; in the time I lived there, I was always a student, meaning that April started with final exams and ended with heading out of town to my summer jobs 3798 Woodland Drive     voice: (250) 368-9315 Trail, BC               data:  (250) 368-9341

Response:

Vedder River steelies would probably be your best bet, if the river’s in shape.

Response:

Suggest you look into fishing the Harrison River for Sea Run cutt’s. this can be a great time when the chum salmon fry move downstream and cutt’s cut through the dense schooles of fry. Kelly Davidson of Babcok Fly and tackle in Coquitlam BC. is A-1 one on knwoledge on this fishery; he guides as well. Squamish River has large steelhead and beautifull scenery. Arpil is prime time but runs have been low. Vedder amy be alrightfor FF at that time but it isn’t the best for FF steelhead.

Response:

Question:

Hi Don Have you ever fished the Sawyer version of the PT?  Personally I like it better than the present day version with a peacock thorax.  I use an electric drill to spool the motor winding wire so I can use a bobbin to tie the fly.  It works well for the tying and fishes very well. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

Response:

Just out of curiousity,  what is the original recipe for the pt nymph, This sinks well if pitched or plunked, and is suitable for the "Leisenring Lift" or (British) "induced take." — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

        also very symbiotic with the "crest of the blue ridge toss and hope", and the "great smoky mountain short line sneak".         a. wayne harrison

Response:

Just out of curiousity,  what is the original recipe for the pt nymph, utilizing only fine copper wire and pt?  I would be interested in your : England’s Frank Sawyer spotted this approx. 1950 when developing the : pheasant tail nymph (using copper wire in place of thread.)  He and Oliver : Kite therefore sought to develop a special casting style, so the PT would : break through the surface and sink to the feeding trout’s level with minimum : delay.  They called this "pitching" rather than casting.

PT specifications are governed by: — fast sink rate (from surface to feeding fish’s depth), — silhouette of a generic (Baetis?) mayfly type, — correct size, commonly #14 or smaller. Materials are simply pheasant tail fibres and fine copper wire (such as electric motor windings).  Tips of 2 or 3 fibres, secured by copper, make a tail;  same fibres, wound around by same copper, make a body; and (if you have any fibre left) are rewound from head back towards middle to make a fatter thorax.  This sinks well if pitched or plunked, and is suitable for the "Leisenring Lift" or (British) "induced take." — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

Just out of curiousity,  what is the original recipe for the pt nymph, utilizing only fine copper wire and pt?  I would be interested in your version. gp  Donald Phillipson

: Last weekend, I was fishing a beadhead nymph with just the leader out, : dabbing the fly to a fish along the bank.  The surface tension would : actually support that nymph if I put it down gently. I thought that was : pretty amazing. :   : England’s Frank Sawyer spotted this approx. 1950 when developing the : pheasant tail nymph (using copper wire in place of thread.)  He and Oliver : Kite therefore sought to develop a special casting style, so the PT would : break through the surface and sink to the feeding trout’s level with minimum : delay.  They called this "pitching" rather than casting. : — : |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | : |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         | — gp

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just out of curiousity,  what is the original recipe for the pt nymph, This sinks well if pitched or plunked, and is suitable for the "Leisenring Lift" or (British) "induced take." — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |         also very symbiotic with the "crest of the blue ridge toss and hope", and the "great smoky mountain short line sneak".

Or the good old Cascade "chuck and duck"! Burton

Response:

Last weekend, I was fishing a beadhead nymph with just the leader out,

dabbing the fly to a fish along the bank.  The surface tension would actually support that nymph if I put it down gently. I thought that was pretty amazing. England’s Frank Sawyer spotted this approx. 1950 when developing the pheasant tail nymph (using copper wire in place of thread.)  He and Oliver Kite therefore sought to develop a special casting style, so the PT would break through the surface and sink to the feeding trout’s level with minimum delay.  They called this "pitching" rather than casting. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The argument has been over the specific gravity of floatant compared to water.  Such an argument is specious.  There was one post that mentioned keeping flies dry.  That is getting closer to the mark. You can "float" needles or even razor blades on water.  The key is that there is a surface tension in the surface of water that acts like a rubber sheet.  The proviso is that the object you are "floating" does not get wet.  If it does, the surface film is broken, and no longer acts like a sheet. The purpose of the floatant is to keep hackle from getting wet.  The natural oil in feathers and help keep them dry.  False casting helps too. Floatants are oily substances that cling to the fly and repel water. Thus, the floatant prevents breaking of the surface film. Most of the materials forming dry flies have spikes and barbules that give lots of surface for their weight.  They push dimples into the surface layer.  In turn the tension in this layer pushes back and supports the fly.  Try floating a fly in soapy water.  In fact, one of the fun things to do is to squirt some sinking solution into water where water striders are trying to make a living.  Most of them seem to make it to rocks where the climb out in a bedraggled state.  The soap or detergent causes flies to be wetted in spite of their oils. If you want to "float" a needle or razor blade, put the object on a piece of ordinary paper.  Carefully lower the paper onto the surface of water so that the paper floats with the object upon it.  Sooner or later, the paper will soak up water and sink, leaving behind the object supported by surface tension. William Buchman

Last weekend, I was fishing a beadhead nymph with just the leader out, dabbing the fly to a fish along the bank.  The surface tension would actually support that nymph if I put it down gently. I thought that was pretty amazing. By the way, I owe you an apology for my response to your post earlier this summer about the energy  stored in a bent fly rod not contributing much to a cast.  I really believed that a significant portion of the energy involved in propelling the fly line would be temporarily stored in the rod. After a summer of testing and observation, though, I will admit that I was wrong.  Probably less than 10% of the useful energy in a cast is transferred to the line from the potential of the bent rod. Andy Lamborne

Response:

<snip : layer.  In turn the tension in this layer pushes back and supports the : fly.  Try floating a fly in soapy water.  In fact, one of the fun things : to do is to squirt some sinking solution into water where water striders : are trying to make a living.  Most of them seem to make it to rocks where : the climb out in a bedraggled state.  The soap or detergent causes flies : to be wetted in spite of their oils. <snip

Sinking water striders with soap for fun ?   Enjoy your next life as a water strider, pal. TimW

Response:

<snip : layer.  In turn the tension in this layer pushes back and supports the : fly.  Try floating a fly in soapy water.  In fact, one of the fun things : to do is to squirt some sinking solution into water where water striders : are trying to make a living.  Most of them seem to make it to rocks where : the climb out in a bedraggled state.  The soap or detergent causes flies : to be wetted in spite of their oils. <snip : : William Buchman Do you suppose that this would work on canoes, jet skiis, and jet-proped john boats?  George could be my hero! Bob

Response:

The argument has been over the specific gravity of floatant compared to water.  Such an argument is specious.  There was one post that mentioned keeping flies dry.  That is getting closer to the mark. You can "float" needles or even razor blades on water.  The key is that there is a surface tension in the surface of water that acts like a rubber sheet.  The proviso is that the object you are "floating" does not get wet.  If it does, the surface film is broken, and no longer acts like a sheet. The purpose of the floatant is to keep hackle from getting wet.  The natural oil in feathers and help keep them dry.  False casting helps too. Floatants are oily substances that cling to the fly and repel water. Thus, the floatant prevents breaking of the surface film. Most of the materials forming dry flies have spikes and barbules that give lots of surface for their weight.  They push dimples into the surface layer.  In turn the tension in this layer pushes back and supports the fly.  Try floating a fly in soapy water.  In fact, one of the fun things to do is to squirt some sinking solution into water where water striders are trying to make a living.  Most of them seem to make it to rocks where the climb out in a bedraggled state.  The soap or detergent causes flies to be wetted in spite of their oils. If you want to "float" a needle or razor blade, put the object on a piece of ordinary paper.  Carefully lower the paper onto the surface of water so that the paper floats with the object upon it.  Sooner or later, the paper will soak up water and sink, leaving behind the object supported by surface tension. William Buchman

Response:

Question:

I have been fly fishing for awhile now and I always hear that chirnomids are the key.  Any info on how to fish these little creatures would be most helpful!

Depends on whether you’re fishing them in rivers or lakes. In rivers generally I like to fish them dead drift (both pupa and larval imitations).   I fish them under an indicator with 6x (hopefully) or 7x (if I must) tippet set to the depth of the water and a small split shot about 6" above the fly.  In spring creeks the indicator will only move once out of every 4 strikes or so and you’re better off watching the fish for a feeding move if you can see him when the ‘cator gets close.  If the fish’s head snaps from the side to center, STrike! If the fish moves over and stops, STRike!  If you see the white flash of the fish’s mouth opening, wait until it closes and STRIke!   If you think it might be your fly but you’re not sure, STRIKe!!   You have nothing to lose and if it was you and you didn’t strike, the fish may not pick it up again and you’ve lost out.  If in doubt, STRIKE!! You can also fish a pupa imitation in the film by putting some fly floatant only on the thorax).  This will allow it to hang down from the suface just like the natural does (this only works on a fresh fly not a waterlogged one).  You’ll see the strike as a sipping rise. If they are taking the fully emerged adults, fish the midge on the surface.  If you get a refusal – the fish turns away or the water just bulges under your fly, trim the hackle off the bottom of the fly and cut the tail in half. This will drop it slightly into the film and will usually take the fish that just refused it.  If you don’t see a small bubble in the riseform, then the fish is not breaking the surface and hanging it an inch under the water sometimes works real well.  Treat your leader with fly floatant up to about 1"-2" away from the fly but not on the pupa itself.  This will hang the fly just under the surface.  Sometimes the take is visible as a rise and sometimes the take just looks like a bulge in the water – STRIKE! In lakes I also often use an indicator with my pupa imitations to more accurately imitate the manner in which  they approach the surface.  Attach the indicator about 5′ above the fly and a small split shot about 6" from the fly.  Cast the fly out and allow it to sink for 10 seconds or so. Strip the fly back to you in 6-7" strips with the rod tip in the water so that when you pull on the line you are pulling on the fly.  Strip it just fast enough to make a small wake with the indicator.  This method makes the fly swim up to the surface more vertically than without an indicator and makes a big difference in success.  Watch the ‘cator closely as the fish will often take the fly as it stops moving and sinks a little before the next strip.  Even if the fish takes it as you have it under tension, the indicator will twitch slightly before you feel it.  These are most effectively fished over weedbeds (chironomid hotels). I set up dries and emergers in lake the same way I outlined for rivers, but I try to give them a little twitch from time to time since there is no current. Helps attract the fish’s attention and adds a little more realism to the presentation.  Remember this is a twitch not a 1 or 2" pull – would have to be super midge to move that far.  If you get the slack out of the line and get your rod tip slightly under water you can do this twitch pretty effectively. Don’t overdo it.                            Hope this helps,                                    Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Schools 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!).

Response:

Question:

I am trying to answer the following fishing facts, that maybe some of you have the answers to: 1.      What is the current world record for King Salmon? Where was it caught and when? 2.      What is the current world record for Rainbow Trout and when was it caught? 3.      The Rainbow Trout world record used to be something like 42 lbs from Lake Pend Oreille. If that record does not still hold, what were the details surrounding that old record? If you know any of these, please e-mail to *                                                                       * * "Sedulously eschew obfuscatory hyperverbosity or prolixity."          *

Response:

1.     What is the current world record for King Salmon? Where was it caught and when?  97 1/4 lbs, 1986.  This was in an article in this month’s Salmon, Trout,  and Steelheader magazine.  greg pavlov

…and, caught on the Kenai River, AK.  It was a big second-run king. -tgades

Response:

1.  What is the current world record for King Salmon? Where was it caught and when?

The record sport-caught King was ninety some pounds, caught in Alaska’s Kenai River.  The record commercially-netted king was in excess of 120 lbs, as I recall, caught in the Cook Inlet. Several years ago a sport fisherman on the Kenai tied into what experienced guides believed was a King exceeding 120 lbs.  The guy played it for several days (sic) before it finally broke off.  It was kind of fun to check the newspaper every morning and see how the fight was going. — -Wayne Trzyna

Response:

While where on the record… Does anyone know the flyfishing record for arctic grayling?  I can only find an all tackle record. Thanks, Lynn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am trying to answer the following fishing facts, that maybe some of you have the answers to: 1. What is the current world record for King Salmon? Where was it caught and when? 2. What is the current world record for Rainbow Trout and when was it caught? 3. The Rainbow Trout world record used to be something like 42 lbs from Lake Pend Oreille. If that record does not still hold, what were the details surrounding that old record? If you know any of these, please e-mail to *                                                                       * * "Sedulously eschew obfuscatory hyperverbosity or prolixity."          *

Response:

Question:

i learned to fly fish when i was a teenager – only for panfish.  now, my fiance and i are getting started into fly fishing.  any advice would be greatly appreciated.  i have seen videos and read a lot of articles but i am not relly sure that i understand how to fish nymphs and streamers.  i understand the theory but i am confused about how to present the fly, how deep do you want it, when do you use additional weight, do you fish fast or slow moving water, and how do you cast with weight on the line?   these are only a few of my questions, but any advice on wet flies would be helpful.  even though i live in new jersey and only fish for stocked fished, i really enjoy it and would like to figure out what i should be doing before i move somewhere with natural trout streams.  please send me                                                 peace – JA

Response:

: understand the theory but i am confused about how to present the fly, how : deep do you want it, when do you use additional weight, do you fish : fast or slow moving water, and how do you cast with weight on the line?   You usually want to fish your nymphs dead drift, with no drag, right off the bottom.  An upstream cast or a quatering upstream cast give you the best opportunity to get a drag free drift.  The only exception to fishing your nymphs higher in the water column is when there is a hatch on and the nymphs are rising to the surface to transform into adults.  Nymphs fished this way can also use a little action.  For expample, mayflies rise to the surface with an ineffecient, undulating motion.  You should use weighted nymphs because when using lead on your leader you often end up with an unnatural action of the fly.  Use extra weight when the current is strong enough that your fly doesn’t get to the bottom during its drift.  Fishing slow or moving water depends on the species of nymph you are trying to imitate (where does it hang out in the stream?) and where the fish are.  A stream I have recently been fishing has a bunch of stockers in a slow side pool.  They have not spread out yet so I have to fish in this slow water.  If you are fishing primarily for stockers, then you may not have the need to imitate anything in particular.  Just make sure you have a bunch of different looking patterns.  The stockers will hit anything they haven’t seen before, generally.  Use Wooly worms, Hare’s ear nymphs, maybe some caddis larvae, and try a Hellagrammite or Stonefly nymph.  The latter two are big so the stockers can see them from further away.  Later in the year the stockers will smarten up and you may have to start matching the drift.

Response: