Question:

This may be a little off topic but there is a similar technique for salmon. You use a long rod and a single action reel. The reeling in a salmon with such a rig is awesome.  I was thinking of trying the same technique for bass.

Response:

Color makes no difference here as long as the jig (Fly part) is gray with a red head.  :)  We catch a lot of bass on them in the clear lakes here, but we don’t put a bobber on them…. just cast out, let it fall, watch for a line twitch and then set the hook.  If you don’t see a twitch in a few seconds, start reeling it in very slowly twitching the rod tip and pausing to let it fall from time to time. Bassman

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Looks too easy, doesn’t it.(?) I guess the hard part would be finding the fish, and determining the depth. Wonder how much difference color would make? — Visit Charles at: www.thebasspro.net My new Motto: "Too invested to quit" www.outdoorfrontiers.com www.midtennclassic.org From what I saw, I’ve been set up for the F-N-F for years, I just was doin’ it to catch crappie.  I was sure shocked to see what you guys had been talking about when I saw it in Bassmasters.  I guess I’ll have to give it a try this year and see if anything comes of it.  I know it works for crappie! Bassman Thanks Joe! I think the boat will be just fine… I’ll just have to get some different cool weather apparel, unless the weather hold out like this week has been! I should be set up for the f-n-f after Christmas! — Visit Charles at: www.thebasspro.net My new Motto: "Too invested to quit" www.outdoorfrontiers.com www.midtennclassic.org Hey Charles,the January issue of Tennessee Sportsman has a great article on Dale Hollow and the float n fly technique.(dont put that boat away yet) Son!

Response:

Looks too easy, doesn’t it.(?) I guess the hard part would be finding the fish, and determining the depth. Wonder how much difference color would make? — Visit Charles at: www.thebasspro.net My new Motto: "Too invested to quit" www.outdoorfrontiers.com www.midtennclassic.org

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – From what I saw, I’ve been set up for the F-N-F for years, I just was doin’ it to catch crappie.  I was sure shocked to see what you guys had been talking about when I saw it in Bassmasters.  I guess I’ll have to give it a try this year and see if anything comes of it.  I know it works for crappie! Bassman Thanks Joe! I think the boat will be just fine… I’ll just have to get some different cool weather apparel, unless the weather hold out like this week has been! I should be set up for the f-n-f after Christmas! — Visit Charles at: www.thebasspro.net My new Motto: "Too invested to quit" www.outdoorfrontiers.com www.midtennclassic.org Hey Charles,the January issue of Tennessee Sportsman has a great article on Dale Hollow and the float n fly technique.(dont put that boat away yet) Son!

Response:

Thats good Jerry,because the local guys in the article say the biggest fish are caught in January.Pack your bags! Maybe we need to schedule a mini classic,I know the BassPro is chompin at the bit! Son! here is the link TennesseeSportsmanMag.com

Response:

Thanks Joe! I think the boat will be just fine… I’ll just have to get some different cool weather apparel, unless the weather hold out like this week has been! I should be set up for the f-n-f after Christmas! — Visit Charles at: www.thebasspro.net My new Motto: "Too invested to quit" www.outdoorfrontiers.com www.midtennclassic.org

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey Charles,the January issue of Tennessee Sportsman has a great article on Dale Hollow and the float n fly technique.(dont put that boat away yet) Son!

Response:

Hey Charles,the January issue of Tennessee Sportsman has a great article on Dale Hollow and the float n fly technique.(dont put that boat away yet) Son!

I was curious about the float n fly setup.  I asked a while back about a rig that simulates fishing a live minnow, and somebody suggested this one. Well, I did an internet search and found this article. http://www.nesportsman.com/articles/article217.shtml I’m sure many of you have already read it, but I found it interesting.  My cousin Jeff is flying in for the holidays for a few days, and he mentioned that he would like to do some fishing while he is here.  I think I’ll do a canoe drift down the colorado, and have set up a rig like this to try. I’ll let you all know if we catch anything.  Probably the weekend after christmas. — Bob La Londe The Security Consultant http://www.diycomponents.com 849 S Ave C Yuma, Az 85364 (928)782-9765 ofc (928)782-7873 fax ROC 103044, C-12 ROC 103047, L-67

Response:

From what I saw, I’ve been set up for the F-N-F for years, I just was doin’ it to catch crappie.  I was sure shocked to see what you guys had been talking about when I saw it in Bassmasters.  I guess I’ll have to give it a try this year and see if anything comes of it.  I know it works for crappie! Bassman

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks Joe! I think the boat will be just fine… I’ll just have to get some different cool weather apparel, unless the weather hold out like this week has been! I should be set up for the f-n-f after Christmas! — Visit Charles at: www.thebasspro.net My new Motto: "Too invested to quit" www.outdoorfrontiers.com www.midtennclassic.org Hey Charles,the January issue of Tennessee Sportsman has a great article on Dale Hollow and the float n fly technique.(dont put that boat away yet) Son!

Response:

Hey Charles,the January issue of Tennessee Sportsman has a great article on Dale Hollow and the float n fly technique.(dont put that boat away yet) Son!

Response:

Yeah, I just heard that I might be coming that way again in January. — Jerry Barton Be Kind To Your Children, They Get To Pick Your Nursing Home. www.jerrys-world.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey Charles,the January issue of Tennessee Sportsman has a great article on Dale Hollow and the float n fly technique.(dont put that boat away yet) Son!

Response:

Question:

impossible to get any distance on the bigger pike flies, such as the rabbit hair diver (3/0 I think). I’ve probably neglected to take into account that I am using a 6wt, 9 ft

rod I am obviously missing posts again. C

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I seem to miss alot of posts these days, and am wondering how well my own posts go out. If you see this post directly, could you please email me? Also, up until about 4 replies, could you also reply on ROFF and include the full text? If you don’t receive my post directly but see it on ROFF included in someone else’s reply, could you please email me that you didn’t receive it? Thanks in advance, Jon.

Response:

I think I can see it… no wait, that’s not it. Nevermind. — SaltyWaders "Old eyes can’t see shit…"

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I seem to miss alot of posts these days, and am wondering how well my own posts go out. If you see this post directly, could you please email me? Also, up until about 4 replies, could you also reply on ROFF and include the full text? If you don’t receive my post directly but see it on ROFF included in someone else’s reply, could you please email me that you didn’t receive it? Thanks in advance, Jon.

Response:

What post? Wolfgang

Response:

I seem to miss alot of posts these days, and am wondering how well my own posts go out. If you see this post directly, could you please email me? Also, up until about 4 replies, could you also reply on ROFF and include the full text? If you don’t receive my post directly but see it on ROFF included in someone else’s reply, could you please email me that you didn’t receive it? Thanks in advance, Jon.

I see it directly.  I just changed my ISP because of dropped messages and other newsgroups problems.

Response:

I saw it.                   Tom L

Response:

[This followup was posted to rec.outdoors.fishing.fly and a copy was sent to the cited author.] Saw it here. I seem to miss alot of posts these days, and am wondering how well my own posts go out. If you see this post directly, could you please email me? Also, up until about 4 replies, could you also reply on ROFF and include the full text? If you don’t receive my post directly but see it on ROFF included in someone else’s reply, could you please email me that you didn’t receive it? Thanks in advance, Jon.

– Charles Davis    K4SWB <I’m The NRA

Response:

If you see this post directly, could you please email me? Also, up until about 4 replies, could you also reply on ROFF and include the full text? If you don’t receive my post directly but see it on ROFF included in someone else’s reply, could you please email me that you didn’t receive it? Thanks in advance, Jon

I saw it.  Didn

Question:

In other words, if you’ve made the moral decision to use a nymph, you might as well use all the weight you need to get it where it needs to be.

"the moral decision to use a nymph"??? I always considered it a tactical decision. What is the morality involved here?  Should we get Dr. Laura involved? George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

Response:

"the moral decision to use a nymph"??? I always considered it a tactical decision. What is the morality involved here?  Should we get Dr. Laura involved?

Hold on, Forty should be here momentarily… Kevin

Response:

In other words, if you’ve made the moral decision to use a nymph, you might as well use all the weight you need to get it where it needs to be. "the moral decision to use a nymph"??? I always considered it a tactical decision. What is the morality involved here?  Should we get Dr. Laura involved?

Oh fer cryin’ out loud George, why don’t you tip your nymph with a piece of corn while you’re at it?

Response:

… So the question is: do you or don’t you tie/use weighted nymphs? I’d just as soon toss in a stick of dynamite or a gallon of Clorox as to use a fucking nymph, weighted or unweighted.

That is a red herring.  Is the dynamite weighted or unweighted?

Response:

If it were me Danl, the answer is no.  You will catch fish if you weight your nymphs but what will you use, lead?  Not necessary.  You can use Zinc or copper if you want but there is a downside.  Your nymphs won’t flow along with the current drag free.  This is where 99% of all nymph fishermen mess up.  Trout are selective under water just as much as they are when coming to dry flies.  Drag free drifts is paramount if you’re going to be a savvy and serious nymph fisherman.  It’s difficult enough as it is and those who need to use bobbers while fly fishing is testimony to that fact.   Lead in a size #22 nymph isn’t going to do you any more good than weight inside a size 14 nymph or wet fly.  What you want to always maintain is a natural drift without lead and use nymphs as sparsely dressed as possible.  This is one of the reasons I make my own hand tied leaders because I would rather have weight on the knots above the main tippet and I use as much as is necessary to get the knot where the tippet is attached to the taper section, not the nymph itself.  I use a minimum of 24 inches of nymphing tippet material between the fly and the first knot.  If the weight (I use soft copper wire or zinc) for weight, if needed) and I use Xink on all my nymphs which will put my nymphs right along the same level as my tippet will be.  If your nymph is tumbling and turning and flowing along as naturally as possible, the amount of takes you’re going to get will triple compared to anyone who uses weight dragging nymphs. There is a zone of a foot or less right on the bottom of all rivers that is current free.  This is where resting fish lay as they watch food go drifting by.  As a dry fly rising fish will rise out of the current to take a fly on the surface, nymphing fish often rise from the very bottom to take a nymph passing by in the current.  You do not want your nymph ticking along the bottom as most profess you should be doing.  You want only the first weighted knot to be ticking along the bottom (every once in a while) and not the hook.  The fish that are caught with weighted nymphs are mostly force fed.  What I mean by this is the angler happens to be lucky enough to hit the fish almost right in the face.   I want to catch trout that are actively feeding on nymphs flowing along with the current because these are the fish that will swing left or right a foot or two.  There are feeding stations under water just as there are on the surface for dry fly fishermen. There is a lot more to this than what I have time to write here now, but to answer your question, you don’t need weighted flies as much as you do need more "Drag Free" drifts. George Gehrke Nymphomaniac Fly Fisherman – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Owing to the fact the I lost most of my collection of PT nymphs (to a group of rapscallionous willows, aided and abetted by an army of cattails on steroids and a navy of submerged logs) a couple of weeks ago on the Owens, I need to replenish my supply. At least that’s my excuse for spending hours at the tying bench, busily not doing other chores. So the question is: do you or don’t you tie/use weighted nymphs? Danl That’s the best straight line I can serve up tonight…….

Response:

I generally use weighted nymphs, but I prefer to use bead-heads, when practical, to weight them. Bead-head pheasnat tail nymphs are one of my most productive flies.

Mostly because of the "Apex Flash" on the round globe of the bead, not because of the extra weight which is mostly mute in its ability to influence a fishes’ attention Tim. George Gehrke Nymph maniac Fly Fisherman

Response:

I’d just as soon toss in a stick of dynamite or a gallon of Clorox as to use a fucking nymph, weighted or unweighted. — Ken Fortenberry

Okay?!  So why do you say and feel like this about nymph fishing Ken?   George Gehrke "interested"

Response:

… So the question is: do you or don’t you tie/use weighted nymphs? I’d just as soon toss in a stick of dynamite or a gallon of Clorox as to use a fucking nymph, weighted or unweighted. That is a red herring.  Is the dynamite weighted or unweighted?

that, will you please? jesus! my sides hurt . . .

Response:

Seems to me that it really depends on the water you’re fishing. Clearly, an unweighted nymph casts better and makes more elegant presentations,  and a heavy nymph is pretty ugly in the air, but if the water is fast and deep it’s hard to get an unweighted fly down near the bottom. I suppose one solution would be to use a sinking line, but in the small streams that I usually fish I’ve never been able to see much value in using it. And I don’t like having to carry a floating line for dries and a sinking line for nymphs. In other words, if you’ve made the moral decision to use a nymph, you might as well use all the weight you need to get it where it needs to be. — Bob Patton

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Owing to the fact the I lost most of my collection of PT nymphs (to a group of rapscallionous willows, aided and abetted by an army of cattails on steroids and a navy of submerged logs) a couple of weeks ago on the Owens, I need to replenish my supply. At least that’s my excuse for spending hours at the tying bench, busily not doing other chores. So the question is: do you or don’t you tie/use weighted nymphs? Danl That’s the best straight line I can serve up tonight…….

Response:

… So the question is: do you or don’t you tie/use weighted nymphs? I’d just as soon toss in a stick of dynamite or a gallon of Clorox as to use a fucking nymph, weighted or unweighted.

personally, i like fucking nymphs…… but what the hell ken, whatever floats yer boat <g –waldo

Response:

I like to use a heavily weighted Copper John along with an unweighted nymph, or maybe two. The Copper John takes the place of splitshot, but has fish-catching capability. I still haven’t figured out whether it’s better to put the weighted fly on the top or the bottom. Any opinions on that? — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

personally, i like fucking nymphs…… but what the hell ken, whatever floats yer boat <g

Past tense, right Walt ? — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

… So the question is: do you or don’t you tie/use weighted nymphs? I’d just as soon toss in a stick of dynamite or a gallon of Clorox as to use a fucking nymph, weighted or unweighted. personally, i like fucking nymphs……

Weighted or unweighted?

Response:

Ken Fortenberry wrote… I’d just as soon toss in a stick of dynamite or a gallon of Clorox as to use a fucking nymph, weighted or unweighted.

Oh you dry fly snob! Joel Axelrad **DFD**

Response:

well, if there is really nothing doing on dries, and I can’t spark some action with soft-hackles, sure, I have some weighted nymphs in my boxes. Mostly I’ll go with bead-heads or in some places weighted stone-fly nymphs. I don’t much like casting heavy flies, nor flies with split-shot, but I’ll do what it takes.  I tend to fish places where I can get by just fine without resorting to heavy stuff. Eugene – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Owing to the fact the I lost most of my collection of PT nymphs (to a group of rapscallionous willows, aided and abetted by an army of cattails on steroids and a navy of submerged logs) a couple of weeks ago on the Owens, I need to replenish my supply. At least that’s my excuse for spending hours at the tying bench, busily not doing other chores. So the question is: do you or don’t you tie/use weighted nymphs? I seldom weight nymphs and I just don’t like the way beadheads look. (I know they catch fish but……) I prefer weight on the leader to weight on the fly in most situations. The only nymphs that I consistant tie with weight are large stoneflies. Willi

Response:

I still haven’t figured out whether it’s better to put the weighted fly on the top or the bottom. Any opinions on that?

I think the unweighted fly "swims" better, more naturally, if it’s on the bottom.  The weighted fly serves the same function as a split shot, but lets the other fly drift more or less freely. JR

Response:

I still haven’t figured out whether it’s better to put the weighted fly on the top or the bottom. Any opinions on that?

I put the weighted fly on top with the unweighted fly on the bottom (point). Just seems to be a logical arrangement, and I have had  success using it. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

Response:

Owing to the fact the I lost most of my collection of PT nymphs (to a group of rapscallionous willows, aided and abetted by an army of cattails on steroids and a navy of submerged logs) a couple of weeks ago on the Owens, I need to replenish my supply. At least that’s my excuse for spending hours at the tying bench, busily not doing other chores. So the question is: do you or don’t you tie/use weighted nymphs?

I seldom weight nymphs and I just don’t like the way beadheads look. (I know they catch fish but……) I prefer weight on the leader to weight on the fly in most situations. The only nymphs that I consistant tie with weight are large stoneflies. Willi

Response:

… So the question is: do you or don’t you tie/use weighted nymphs? I’d just as soon toss in a stick of dynamite or a gallon of Clorox as to use a fucking nymph, weighted or unweighted.

I would certainly prefer to use dries all the time, but western tailwaters generally require small(sz 20-26) midge larva patterns.  Over the past few years I would guess that I use nymphs nearly 85% of the time.  This includes dropping a nymph from a dry or using a two nymph rig.     Regarding the use of weighed nymphs.  I have started to stay away from weighted nymphs.  I prefer to use weight directly on the tippet, generally 12 to 18 inches above the point fly.  A tailwater guide in Colorado recently pointed out how weighted nymphs simply don’t float naturally through the water column and he always uses unweighted nymphs.   He also pointed out how BH patterns generally don’t look realistic and more often than not many BH(bead heads) are too big for the hook size.   Especially when dealing with sz 24 midge patterns! For weight, I use that green coated stuff from England.  Can’t think of the name right now…. — remove all x’s for reply email. To worry is folly so let us be jolly.

Response:

    I do indeed tie weighted nymphs.  I use a red thread head on my weighted ones to indicate the difference from non-weighted.  I find arsenic-core lead solder to be a good weighting material as I don’t even have to use a priest, not that I ever would.  I do like the feel of those apache or golden trout flopping around in the creel, so some times I use the unweighted flies with the black-thread or beadheads.     By the way, for all those folk looking for a replacement for Gink, got an old transformer sitting out in the back yard and the liquid in that is great.  Keeps a fly floating forever.  I can ship a quart or two to anyone that needs it.  Might not want to hold your floatant bottle in your teeth, though.     Oh, by the way, for all you pissy C&R folks, I do practice it.  I got a latch on the bottom of the creel that lets me empty that sucker real quick if I see a ranger.  All he’ll find in there is a digital camera and an invite to the Elks Club Fly Tie. Danl,    I’ve gotten away from lead wire sinking nymphs and have found the ease of use of bead heads.  If I need to sink a nymph without a bead, I have found that the split-shot works great. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

… So the question is: do you or don’t you tie/use weighted nymphs?

I’d just as soon toss in a stick of dynamite or a gallon of Clorox as to use a fucking nymph, weighted or unweighted. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

So the question is: do you or don’t you tie/use weighted nymphs? That’s the best straight line I can serve up tonight…….

Keeps the ball rolling anyway. The only weight I’ll add to a PT is a copper beadhead,  a small one (3/32" for #14, 5/64" for #16, nothing on smaller sizes).  I like a slim silhouette on PTs and think wrapping weight on the shank ruins that.   The flies I most often weight (other than winter steelhead flies) are woolly buggers.  I’ll also weight Prince and stonefly nymphs, which I frequently fish together with a smaller unweighted fly on a dropper. JR

Response:

8< . So the question is: do you or don’t you tie/use weighted nymphs?

yes. –waldo

Response:

I generally use weighted nymphs, but I prefer to use bead-heads, when practical, to weight them. Bead-head pheasnat tail nymphs are one of my most productive flies. Tim Lysyk

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Owing to the fact the I lost most of my collection of PT nymphs (to a group of rapscallionous willows, aided and abetted by an army of cattails on steroids and a navy of submerged logs) a couple of weeks ago on the Owens, I need to replenish my supply. At least that’s my excuse for spending hours at the tying bench, busily not doing other chores. So the question is: do you or don’t you tie/use weighted nymphs? Danl That’s the best straight line I can serve up tonight…….

Response:

Owing to the fact the I lost most of my collection of PT nymphs (to a group of rapscallionous willows, aided and abetted by an army of cattails on steroids and a navy of submerged logs) a couple of weeks ago on the Owens, I need to replenish my supply. At least that’s my excuse for spending hours at the tying bench, busily not doing other chores. So the question is: do you or don’t you tie/use weighted nymphs? Danl That’s the best straight line I can serve up tonight…….

Response:

Question:

No, no, no!  Al Gore created the internet! — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ahhh yes…a delicious irony ! Use the internet for fun and profit but bemoan the pioneers that created it !

Response:

Al WHO? JR – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – No, no, no!  Al Gore created the internet! — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine! Ahhh yes…a delicious irony ! Use the internet for fun and profit but bemoan the pioneers that created it !

Response:

I think this was the motto of the techie slugs before the world economy pulled the plug on their kiddie ride and the thing is coasting to a stop.  

It’s a blip, Wayne. Focus on the big picture. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Do you have any details about where, etc.?  I did some searches but came up with zip.  I live in Woodbridge, VA about 25 mi. south of DC and wouldn’t mind making the run. It’s only about an hour and a half drive on a weekend.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There is a fly fishing show weekend after next in College Park Md.  Just a heads up to let all the Va., Md., Pa. and traveling flyfishers know something is coming besides snow. — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

Response:

Do you have any details about where, etc.?  I did some searches but came up with zip.  I live in Woodbridge, VA about 25 mi. south of DC and wouldn’t mind making the run. It’s only about an hour and a half drive on a

weekend. Where: The Reckord Armory, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland When Jan 13, Sat 9 – 6; Jan 14, Sunday, 9 – 5 Admission: $12 for adult, $20 for two-day pass, $2 for children under 12 I’m just south of you in Spotsylvania.  I’ll be going up either Saturday or Sunday.  I’m pushing for Sunday because Cathy Beck is doing a Ladies Only casting seminar and I want my distaff half to participate. (listening Joe???) — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine!

Response:

2) So…they the give one of their own staffers (JohnG) "Angler of the Year" ? That seemed a little odd to me…oh well…"Writer of the Year"…"EX-Bum of the year…". John’s a neighbor now.  I hope to meet him someday…I’m sure he’s a hell of a good guy.

Small point of clarification sir, Gierach was last year’s Angler of the Year. This year they named the minnow guy…Clouser. — Wayne Knight Expert in creating tailing loops and windknots Otherwise Fishless in Kansas

Response:

check flyfishingshow.com I have been considering going but not sure it would be worth traveling 4 1/2 hours. Tim,near Roanoke, Long – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Do you have any details about where, etc.?  I did some searches but came up with zip.  I live in Woodbridge, VA about 25 mi. south of DC and wouldn’t mind making the run. It’s only about an hour and a half drive on a weekend. There is a fly fishing show weekend after next in College Park Md. Just a heads up to let all the Va., Md., Pa. and traveling flyfishers know something is coming besides snow. — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

Response:

check flyfishingshow.com I have been considering going but not sure it would be worth traveling 4 1/2 hours. Tim,near Roanoke, Long

Tim, this is a pretty good show.  A very good opportunity to compare equipment, see some great fly tiers in action, and sit in on some terrific info. sessions.  Harry Murray’s smallmouth seminar a couple of years ago was excellent.  If you’re coming that far, make a mini- vacation out of it and throw in a little tourist stuff as well.  Joe could probably recommned a couple of great seafood restaurants in the area. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine!

Response:

Count me in, just 20 miles from my house.  I go that far for groceries.           Frank Reid There is a fly fishing show weekend after next in College Park Md. Just a heads up to let all the Va., Md., Pa. and traveling flyfishers know something is coming besides snow. — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

Response:

If you’re coming that far, make a mini- vacation out of it and throw in a little tourist stuff as well.  Joe could probably recommned a couple of great seafood restaurants in the area.

Alas, you’d have to drive another hour north to find any restaurants I’m familiar with.   And even then I’d have trouble giving directions to the good local places.   I know where to turn, but don’t remember any street names.  Haussner’s closed down & downtown Charm City has changed quite a bit since I frequented there.   Despite it’s close proximity, I avoid anything inside the Capital Beltway like the plague.   Joe F.

Response:

Wayne, The tourist angle is what I have been throwing at my wife…I would really like to meet Mr. Murray. I talked with him quite a bit last spring planning a trip the SNP. He is a VERY nice gentleman. I’ll let you know as time approaches if I am going to go…maybe I could meet some of you guys in person. Thanks, Tim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – check flyfishingshow.com I have been considering going but not sure it would be worth traveling 4 1/2 hours. Tim,near Roanoke, Long Tim, this is a pretty good show.  A very good opportunity to compare equipment, see some great fly tiers in action, and sit in on some terrific info. sessions.  Harry Murray’s smallmouth seminar a couple of years ago was excellent.  If you’re coming that far, make a mini- vacation out of it and throw in a little tourist stuff as well.  Joe could probably recommned a couple of great seafood restaurants in the area. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine!

Response:

How ’bout a ROFF meet and greet at the entrance table at about noon on Saturday.  I know a couple of folks from ROFF and should be able to find them (just sniff the air for Joe’s ceeegar) but this will give a common meeting place.              Frank Reid

Frank, are you REALLY gonna open yourself up to "I can find Frank because he smells like…..(fill in the blank)" comments??  The RRR attendees alone can come up with a dozen or more fill-ins!! Tim should be the one with the ring in his nose dragging a chain attached to the wrist of a woman bent on seeing all of DC in 12 hours then heading off to an evening of shopping madness at Potomac Mills Outlet Mall.  Joe will probably be laying off the stogies because the little woman will be along while Joe gleefully tries to explain the wonderful places she can travel to and beautiful sites she can see, all the while not having to cook or wash dishes while she engages in her new hobby of fly fishing (ya think she’ll buy a word of it?)! I’ll be there looking at chicken feathers if Tysons of New Boston, NH doesn’t come through on their promise of an extra plucking this week.  I don’t think my package of rare Platypus feathers will arrive in time for the fly swap.  My contact in ACT promised to get them out right away after the bank transfer took place (I stole them for only a few hundred bucks!!). — Wayne To Fish is Human….To Release Divine!

Response:

How ’bout a ROFF meet and greet at the entrance table at about noon on Saturday.  I know a couple of folks from ROFF and should be able to find them (just sniff the air for Joe’s ceeegar) but this will give a common meeting place.

Saturday noon is sounding promising for an impromptu ROFF gathering.   SWMBO still seems open to the idea of attending; but I’m smelling the "I’ll just nod until something better comes up" attitude.    I need to go to find some tying materials for the swap.   Noon Saturday then?   Pink carnations? <g Damned "no smoking" regs will pre-empt the stogies. Joe F.

Response:

tying materials for the swap.   Noon Saturday then?   Pink carnations? <g Damned "no smoking" regs will pre-empt the stogies. Joe F.

Careful Joe! Frank will be showing up with JUST a pink carnation! :-} — Wayne To Fish is Human….To Release Divine!

Response:

I look better in red or daisies (where can I buy some stickum?). For those that are interested, you can drop SWMBO off at the new Arundel Mills Mall near my house.  Hell, I go there weekly to genuflect in front of the future home of the east coast’s biggest BASS PRO SHOPS and OUTDOOR WORLD (opening Fall 2001).  The mall is really nice and you can do the "racetrack" pattern (its set up in a circle) in about 17 hours.  Plenty enough time to play at the Fly Fishing Show and there’s enough for SWMBO to buy at the mall that your purchases at the show will be miniscule in comparison. There are also a ton of restaurants in the area.             Frank Reid – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – tying materials for the swap.   Noon Saturday then?   Pink carnations? <g Damned "no smoking" regs will pre-empt the stogies. Joe F. Careful Joe! Frank will be showing up with JUST a pink carnation! :-} — Wayne To Fish is Human….To Release Divine!

Response:

Also, at that show at 1030 on Saturday is a seminar: Central Pennsylvania Trout Streams and their Hatches – Dave Rothrock Should be good for anyone going to the Penn Clave       Frank Reid There is a fly fishing show weekend after next in College Park Md. Just a heads up to let all the Va., Md., Pa. and traveling flyfishers know something is coming besides snow. — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

Response:

How ’bout a ROFF meet and greet at the entrance table at about noon on Saturday.  I know a couple of folks from ROFF and should be able to find them (just sniff the air for Joe’s ceeegar) but this will give a common meeting place.              Frank Reid – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wayne, The tourist angle is what I have been throwing at my wife…I would really like to meet Mr. Murray. I talked with him quite a bit last spring planning a trip the SNP. He is a VERY nice gentleman. I’ll let you know as time approaches if I am going to go…maybe I could meet some of you guys in person. Thanks, Tim check flyfishingshow.com I have been considering going but not sure it would be worth traveling 4 1/2 hours. Tim,near Roanoke, Long Tim, this is a pretty good show.  A very good opportunity to compare equipment, see some great fly tiers in action, and sit in on some terrific info. sessions.  Harry Murray’s smallmouth seminar a couple of years ago was excellent.  If you’re coming that far, make a mini- vacation out of it and throw in a little tourist stuff as well.  Joe could probably recommned a couple of great seafood restaurants in the area. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine!

Response:

There is a fly fishing show weekend after next in College Park Md.  Just a heads up to let all the Va., Md., Pa. and traveling flyfishers know something is coming besides snow. — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

Response:

There is a fly fishing show weekend after next in College Park Md.  Just a heads up to let all the Va., Md., Pa. and traveling flyfishers know something is coming besides snow.

snow jobs ? — TimW Halfordian Golfer & Urban Forager It is impossible to catch and release a wild trout. A cash flow runs through it.

Response:

Sorry Tim, the snow jobs all ended in November; probably some intern jobs opening up though!  Could be an opportunity now!  Build it and they will come!  I think this was the motto of the techie slugs before the world economy pulled the plug on their kiddie ride and the thing is coasting to a stop.  Slug lines at the share-a-ride are shorter and unemployment lines are longer. Why did the techie cross the road?  Couldn tell if he was coming or going, his net was down! — Wayne (can’t wait for deregulation of the utility industry! You think natural gas prices are high NOW!) To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There is a fly fishing show weekend after next in College Park Md.  Just a heads up to let all the Va., Md., Pa. and traveling flyfishers know something is coming besides snow. snow jobs ? — TimW Halfordian Golfer & Urban Forager It is impossible to catch and release a wild trout. A cash flow runs through it.

Response:

Sorry Tim, the snow jobs all ended in November; probably some intern jobs opening up though!  Could be an opportunity now!  Build it and they will come!  I think this was the motto of the techie slugs before the world economy pulled the plug on their kiddie ride and the thing is coasting to a stop.  Slug lines at the share-a-ride are shorter and unemployment lines are longer. Why did the techie cross the road?  Couldn tell if he was coming or going, his net was down!

Ahhh yes…a delicious irony ! Use the internet for fun and profit but bemoan the pioneers that created it ! Nice Mr. Divinity…nice. OBROFF: Fly Rod and Reel…regarding the nov-dec 2000 issue… 1) the interest piquing headline "is catch and release obsolete" forced me to buy a copy for the first time in a long while – amazing the leap that ‘c&r is harassment’ while ‘pointless’ fishing is not…all I could think of was paint ball deer hunting. Clearly the next ‘logical’ step arrived at by many others but really missing the mark complete…Sorry FR&R & Pete Bodo, but if you want to get some honest responses, take it to roff…you guys are at like ‘post zero’. 2) So…they the give one of their own staffers (JohnG) "Angler of the Year" ? That seemed a little odd to me…oh well…"Writer of the Year"…"EX-Bum of the year…". John’s a neighbor now.  I hope to meet him someday…I’m sure he’s a hell of a good guy. 3) Ted Williams is a whiner of the 1st magnitude and unless FR&R terminates his column, I’ll probably not buy another in a while.  Nor will I dignify the thing with a letter to them.  Did anyone else notice that he complains of 2 cycle engine pollution yet in the ‘infamous’ lifting-power jetski ad. What is that anyway…a flats rippin’ 200HP Evinrude? C’mon Williams when are you going to learn that the earth does not rotate around your [blindered] views. You know…it’s an ironic delicacy (almost) to see that Flyfishing periodicals do not even stay pure to flyfishing….politics will creep in, inevitably.  What I hate is the ‘assumed correctness’ of them. 4) What in the hell is that book reviewer thinking ? He uses the amazing annals of Lee Wulff as a podium for his own chest beating [claims to have photographed some poachers, F&W ignored him...]. Stick to the book reviews man…you were doing so well. 5) I was troubled by some of the photographs…one of a ‘crab’ fly was on a hook that was amazingly rutted and ‘zircon encrusted’…I’d never fish it…much less photograph it for a major magazine…the other one that just well…bugged me…was the photo of the gear review dude and his photo-grays…one lens is always darker than the other, for no apparent reason. 6) This guy ‘reinvents’ the wooley booger by tying it on a dubbed body ? And what’s really sad…hell…I paid for it ! 7) So Skip writes an article on egg flies yet has only fished them ONCE ?!?!? That’s *amazing* ! He *is* good. There’s an ad for a patent attorney who will register fly patterns…GAK GAK GAK ! Your pal, — TimW Techie Slug, Halfordian Golfer & Urban Forager It is impossible to catch and release a wild trout. A cash flow runs through it.

Response:

Question:

In his book, "Path of the Paddle," Bill Mason states that even though mfrs. will tell you that shallow-arch, shallow-vee or round-bottomed boats have better secondary stability than flat-bottomed canoes, he believes that flat-bottom boats perform just as well. Of course, he probably preferred traditional, canvas-wood canoes that were more likely flat-bottomed. I like paddling on lakes and rivers with my wife, but the majority of the time I spend in my canoe is fishing, so that takes top priority. By some standards, my canoe isn’t even really a canoe. It’s a barge. It’s a 19- foot, square-stern Grumman. It has a flat-bottom. I also have a sail rig for this canoe and have had it out in 2-3 foot chop, sailing, heeled over. It hasn’t come close to swamping. I routinely stand up in it while fishing. My 17 year-old son and his buddy both stand up in it at the same time. In fact, he told me that three of them were standing up in it the last time they went out.  Fools…  It is st Before you buy.

Response:

A canoe is a long narrow boat with fine entry and exit for paddling. A kayak is a low freeboard canoe usually decked over. You can get close to a canoe with narrow flat bottom double ended pirogue(?) or a skiff (with a transom). I designed and built a narrow skiff for light weight paddling and sailing. (There’s a writeup in file dogskiff.txt at website www.ncf.ca/~ag384.) A flat bottom boat with raked sides has reserve bouyancy. Mine is quite stable with 15 deg rake. I made a hoop tent to go over it and sleep in it. The idea is to be able to go where there are no campsites to get away from crowded canoe routes and noisy death-seeking kayakers. In his book, "Path of the Paddle," Bill Mason states that even though mfrs. will tell you that shallow-arch, shallow-vee or round-bottomed boats have better secondary stability than flat-bottomed canoes, he believes that flat-bottom boats perform just as well. Of course, he probably preferred traditional, canvas-wood canoes that were more likely flat-bottomed.

the original native bark canoes had round bottoms and were very unstable. when we were little we were not allowed to go in the canoe because it was considered too dangerous. we got to play around in a rowboat. I like paddling on lakes and rivers with my wife, but the majority of the time I spend in my canoe is fishing, so that takes top priority. By some standards, my canoe isn’t even really a canoe. It’s a barge. It’s a 19- foot, square-stern Grumman. It has a flat-bottom. I also have a sail rig for this canoe and have had it out in 2-3 foot chop, sailing, heeled over. It hasn’t come close to swamping. I routinely stand up in it while fishing. My 17 year-old son and his buddy both stand up in it at the same time. In fact, he told me that three of them were standing up in it the last time they went out.  Fools…  It is st

there are some good photos of a canoe under sail at the American Canoe Association website www.acanet.org – they hold canoe sailing regattas Before you buy.

– National Capital FreeNet      www.ncf.ca     Ottawa’s free community network

Response:

I must have been too long-winded;) My first message got cut short. I continue: The Grumman is stable as a rock. I suspect that some of this is due to it’s length. It is also almost 40-inches wide. However, it weighs a ton (120+ pounds). My wife doesn’t like paddling it too far because of the weight, and I ruptured a disk, so I’ve been thinking about adding another, much lighter canoe to the stable. I’ll have to get a trailer for the Grumman . I’ve paddled a friend’s 16-foot Old Town Penobscot that was way more tippy than I’d like for fishing. Every cast was an adventure for the other occupant. It was, however, a nice, fast canoe for day-touring. I test paddled a Wenonah Fisherman which is nice and light, and I thought would be quite stable. It was okay. But considering the width, (38-39 inches), I was not impressed with its stability. It’s only 14 feet long. A Mad River Revelation was much more stable than the Fisherman (which surprised me), and I have done quite a bit of fish Before you buy.

Response:

This is really weird. It must be because I’m using Deja News. I continue: fishing out of this boat, but it doesn’t compare to the Grumman for stability. It’s 40 pounds lighter, but still more weight than I’d like. My question is, has anyone tried an Old Town Camper or Pathfinder? They are flat-bottomed. Do they have really bad secondary stability? or was Bill Mason right? I know what the literature says. I would like someone who is speaking from experience. The Camper weighs less than 60 LBS, so would be a nice light-weight option, but I have not yet found one to try out. Does anyone have a better recommendation? I wouldn’t want anything heavier the Revelation, and I don’t even think I want to go that heavy. Plus… I want initial stability that is at least as good as the Revelation, and would prefer something approaching that of the Grumman. Any ideas?? — Have a good day! L Rochester Before you buy.

Response:

My question is, has anyone tried an Old Town Camper or Pathfinder? They are flat-bottomed. Do they have really bad secondary stability? or was Bill Mason right? I know what the literature says. I would like someone who is speaking from experience. Any ideas??

I’ve had my camper for at least 7 years(maybe more…the past is fuzzy). Before that I paddled a 17′ aluminum Grumman Eagle. I made my choice (chosing the Camper over the Penobscott) because of the age of my kids at that time. I wanted something stable so my toddlers could move around the boat. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to do a lot of heavy whitewater paddling until the kids got some age so I settled on the Camper. The only time I regret my decision is when I want to go fast on flatwater… It’s not exactly a speed demon. Stability ?  My favorite position is slouched against my seat back ( the plastic ones work great) with my long legs (I’m 6′5") hanging over the thwart or the sides. I’ll kneel (or at least sit up a little) for rapids, but that seems to be the only time lateral stability is an issue(it is still a canoe). As far as secondary stability, it will lean quite a bit, but keep your low brace handy. I’ve often wondered if there could possibly be an easier boat and if the trade-off for other features would be worth it( I still lust for a Penobscott 16). The kids are growing up, rolling their own boats, and not satisfied with class II water anymore. My Camper handles class III well enough, but there’s not really enough freeboard to stay dry in big waves. I think the aesthetics of the design make for a really cool,traditional look, but it also makes a big target when the wind is blowing. I’ve got to find a boat for bigger water, but I won’t be trading in for it. I wouldn’t be able to part with my Camper. It sounds like a model that could serve your purposes well.Good Luck Ted Bost

Response:

My question is, has anyone tried an Old Town Camper or Pathfinder? They are flat-bottomed. Do they have really bad secondary stability? or was Bill Mason right? I know what the literature says. I would like someone who is speaking from experience. Any ideas?? I’ve had my camper for at least 7 years(maybe more…the past is fuzzy). Before that I paddled a 17′ aluminum Grumman Eagle. I made my choice (chosing the Camper over the Penobscott) because of the age of my kids at

well, here’s a vote for the Penobscot for a fishing canoe, but in fishing, I’m thinking flyfishing from a kneeling position….where the secondary stability gave me a wide *envelope* in which to rock around with. *(…and another one of Steve’s flyfishing LoG_CaBiN StOrIeS): I once had an extremely shallow-arched, 12footer of the unstable_to_the_max variety….talk about speed in getting to where you wanted to be, yes… but it was exciting…NOT in the way anyone wants…just throwing normal back/forward casts…with arm movement only.. I was dancing-on-the-edge of staying upright versus an instantaneous dip….whew..NOT FUN!:-)..BUT in the heat of summer..didn’t seem like all that a disasterous proposition. *(ahem, yes back to business!:-) The original poster might demo something in fiberglass, as a wide barge-style canoe in plastic will handle like the latest cruise_liner As always, the magic word….demo! tight_lines, steve *Hey while on the topic of excitement via a tippy canoe…any *war-stories*?

Response:

To each his own but I think that you could easily fish out of a Penobscot. Maybe not two people standing.  I have a 16 and there are a LOT more unstabel boats than a 16.  It has a lot of secondary stability,  I took some guide courses in a disco 158(similar to a camper) and when you got it leaned a little to far you were wet NOW.  The Penobscot is a lot faster and better handling boat than the 158,  

Response:

War Stories!!! When I first got my Wildfire  was unable to reenter from deep water.  I fell out in a local tidal creek and ended up swimming with the boat a long way in a head wind.  I could barely stand when reaching the shore.

Response:

Have you tried canoe stabilizers? . – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My question is, has anyone tried an Old Town Camper or Pathfinder? They are flat-bottomed. Do they have really bad secondary stability? or was

Response:

There is a rigid hull foldable inflatable canoe which is highly stable, fast, very maneuverable that I have used for fishing in small , big rivers and lakes, standing up in the boat. You can find information about it at www.oviboat.com Roger  Sansoucy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A canoe is a long narrow boat with fine entry and exit for paddling. A kayak is a low freeboard canoe usually decked over. You can get close to a canoe with narrow flat bottom double ended pirogue(?) or a skiff (with a transom). I designed and built a narrow skiff for light weight paddling and sailing. (There’s a writeup in file dogskiff.txt at website www.ncf.ca/~ag384.) A flat bottom boat with raked sides has reserve bouyancy. Mine is quite stable with 15 deg rake. I made a hoop tent to go over it and sleep in it. The idea is to be able to go where there are no campsites to get away from crowded canoe routes and noisy death-seeking kayakers. In his book, "Path of the Paddle," Bill Mason states that even though mfrs. will tell you that shallow-arch, shallow-vee or round-bottomed boats have better secondary stability than flat-bottomed canoes, he believes that flat-bottom boats perform just as well. Of course, he probably preferred traditional, canvas-wood canoes that were more likely flat-bottomed. the original native bark canoes had round bottoms and were very unstable. when we were little we were not allowed to go in the canoe because it was considered too dangerous. we got to play around in a rowboat. I like paddling on lakes and rivers with my wife, but the majority of the time I spend in my canoe is fishing, so that takes top priority. By some standards, my canoe isn’t even really a canoe. It’s a barge. It’s a 19- foot, square-stern Grumman. It has a flat-bottom. I also have a sail rig for this canoe and have had it out in 2-3 foot chop, sailing, heeled over. It hasn’t come close to swamping. I routinely stand up in it while fishing. My 17 year-old son and his buddy both stand up in it at the same time. In fact, he told me that three of them were standing up in it the last time they went out.  Fools…  It is st there are some good photos of a canoe under sail at the American Canoe Association website www.acanet.org – they hold canoe sailing regattas Before you buy. — National Capital FreeNet      www.ncf.ca     Ottawa’s free community network

Response:

Question:

If anyone in this group has fly fished on a trip to South America, New Zealand, or Australia and has any good fishing photographs from that trip, I would be very grateful if you would be willing to share them with me by sending them via email so I can use them on a web site that I am creating. Thank you very much, Bruce

Response:

Bruce, I’ve got tons of pics from various fishing trips to South Amercia……uh….are you gonna have like some kind of ‘adult check’ on the – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If anyone in this group has fly fished on a trip to South America, New Zealand, or Australia and has any good fishing photographs from that trip, I would be very grateful if you would be willing to share them with me by sending them via email so I can use them on a web site that I am creating. Thank you very much, Bruce

Response:

John, I don’t really know what you mean by an "adult check" for my site.  It’s not going to be some kind of porn thing, if that’s what you mean.  It’s just a fishing and hunting web site I’m creating, that will link to various other fishing and hunting web sites around the world. If you have some good fishing photos from South America and you don’t mind me using them, I’d love to see them.  I’ve heard the fishing is great there and the scenery is beautiful. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. Bruce Bruce – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Bruce, I’ve got tons of pics from various fishing trips to South Amercia……uh….are you gonna have like some kind of ‘adult check’ on the

Response:

Question:

And don’t be ashamed to dunk a worm for catfish.

I was a fairly successful bass fishermen in my youth, but once I returned in my adult years I have not done well, even with the same tackle and same locations, well, I can understand that. I figured if I wasn’t going to catch fish, I might as well do it with style (flyfishing).  I know this sounds sarcastic, but there’s truth in it. I *do* need to get a better start this time, and would like guidance and lessons, in my area, which is San Jose – the Santa Cruz moutain area not far from me…. I remember as a kid with my dad fishing for and watching steelhead in the San Lorenzo river in Boulder creek, in the tropical parts of the mountains. They would circle in and out of the dark pools.  This was before the great drought in the 80’s which did in much of the salmon and trout in that area. My desire to fish has much to do with where I fish as it does just catching fish.   Hope this makes sense.  And I would love to fish for blue gill if I knew somewhere good. Greg

Response:

RP138 wrote … … It sounds like you should go out with a guide  - several times to learn what works.  This way you will catch fish and remain interested in a really great sport.  A few $ spent on lessons always makes a real difference.    Bob.

If you intend to fly fish, starting with a guide is the best advice I know of.  This can be expensive (250-300 $ a day) but a good guide is worth it. There is a fly fishing school in Northern California called Clearwater House (they have a web site).  This is where I got jump started into fly fishing and I highly recommend it (or others like it, if you can find them). Another key factor in fishing, any type of fishing, is having a fishing buddy.  Even though you’ll see solitary fishers, you will find that the social aspect of fishing is an important factor for most fishers.  This NG is proof of that.  A good place to meet potential fishing partners is at a fishing club.  Most localities have fishing clubs for every type of fishing; bass clubs, fly fishing clubs, deep sea clubs…you name it and generally they welcome newcomers.  There’s a few curmudgeonly types on ROFF who will poo-poo this advice because it’s not for them.  Just ignore them. Find some other’s who enjoy what you want to try and join them.  That’s the surest way to start yourself off on a pastime that will reward you for a life time.

Response:

Another key factor in fishing, any type of fishing, is having a fishing buddy.  Even though you’ll see solitary fishers, you will find that the social aspect of fishing is an important factor for most fishers.

So right.  Makes all the difference.  But it’s not like golf – can’t explain it, but that’s the case .There’s a few curmudgeonly types on ROFF who will poo-poo this advice because it’s not for them.  Just ignore them.

That’s true too. But I’ll bet those cumudgeonly types started fishing with somebody, and graduated to the solitary fisherman.  I enjoy fishing alone, but there’s nothing better than the cold beer with your fishing buddy at the end of the day. Mark Faulkner

Response:

(snipped) << There’s a few curmudgeonly types on ROFF who will poo-poo this advice because it’s not for them.  Just ignore them. Find some other’s who enjoy what you want to try and join them.  That’s the surest way to start yourself off on a pastime that will reward you for a life time. I beg your pardon, David.  I am a curmedgeon and I think you have given the best advice possible!  Nothing learns a man quicker than catchin’ a fish, and many times, a guide is the only way.  I applaud your advice, sir.  The advice about finding a fishing partner is especially good — I am willing and able if you live in Mass. Dave "the biggest curmedgeon around" LaCourse

Response:

<<That’s true too. But I’ll bet those cumudgeonly types started fishing with somebody, and graduated to the solitary fisherman.  I enjoy fishing alone, but there’s nothing better than the cold beer with your fishing buddy at the end of the day. This is true.  I will steal two Sleeman’s from Peter Charles and share with you at the ‘clave.  But *only* if I catch more fish than you! Dave LaCourse

Response:

Dave "the biggest curmedgeon around" LaCourse

Using George’s spell checker again Dave<g? (Maybe a curmudgeon contest at the clave?) — Charlie…

Response:

Dave "the biggest curmedgeon around" LaCourse

Using George’s spell checker again Dave<g? (Maybe a curmudgeon contest at the clave?) — LOL.  Ya got me, Charlie.  And you are on….. Dave

Response:

Dave "the biggest curmedgeon around" LaCourse Using George’s spell checker again Dave<g? (Maybe a curmudgeon contest at the clave?) — LOL.  Ya got me, Charlie.  And you are on…..

Rocking chairs at 2 paces it is<g! — Charlie…

Response:

Every 4 to 5 years I get interested in fishing, again…. Usually I go out, fish like mad for a few months, and then after not catching a damn thing, give it up for the next 4 to 5 years. I tried flyfishing last go-around, but didn’t get far. Can anyone recommend a good rod/reel/line/leader/fly set-up for fishing the streams around Boulder creek, CA, or even Guadalupe river in San Jose (yes, I’ve heard there’s fish). Any help would be appreciated, I definately would like to keep it as simple as possible. Greg

Response:

A nice 81/2′ to 9′ 4wt with a cheap reel and a good floating weight forward line should do the trick.  It sounds like you should go out with a guide  - several times to learn what works.  This way you will catch fish and remain interested in a really great sport.  A few $ spent on lessons always makes a real difference.    Bob.

Response:

<<A nice 81/2′ to 9′ 4wt with a cheap reel and a good floating weight forward line should do the trick.  It sounds like you should go out with a guide  - several times to learn what works.  This way you will catch fish and remain interested in a really great sport.  A few $ spent on lessons always makes a real difference.    Bob. Hi, Bob. You know, I have seen lots of advice given on these pages to newbies, but your’s (above) makes a helluva lot of sense, especially the "guide" part.  There is nothing more convincing to a newbie than catching fish, and if they know little about the art, the best way is with a guide.   Dave LaCourse

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Every 4 to 5 years I get interested in fishing, again…. : : Usually I go out, fish like mad for a few months, and then : after not catching a damn thing, give it up for the next 4 to 5 : years. Greg, This may sound snide or something…but I mean it in all honesty. Unless you change your approach, your mentality towards it, you will not be a fisherman. You will give up each time. Fishing cannot be aquired in a few months. It is not a recreation you will conquer in a short time by throwing yourself at it. Sure, you can learn some basic skills, like flycasting, by hours of backyard practice. But where to cast? What to cast? When to cast?  All these questions will only begin to be answered by spending time, much time, on the water. By watching, waiting, and making many, many mistakes. It is a lifetime of learning, of which we all just scratch the surface. It is about figuring out how the natural world is working on that day, in that hour, that you are there, so that you can mimic it, or agitate it, or attract it, in such a way as to make a fish strike. If you perservere, the rewards are great. And, you can make it easier at the start by going after fish that are generally easy to catch, like panfish. Your local shop can tell you what and where you might find easier fishing. And don’t be ashamed to dunk a worm for catfish. JonCook.

What Jon said nails it also. I went fishing at Jordanelle Res. yesterday, float tubed while the ole lady tried her kickboat. 4 hours in the water-didn’t catch a damn thing froze my ass and feet off. Didn’t even get a hit. Same with my wife. But it didn’t matter. We were out there, having fun(?) It’s a state of mind. I fish because it’s relaxing, catching them is an added bonus. Plus it keeps me out of trouble. Plus it’s good distance casting practice. We did help some  first time, "We just got the boat and the salesman said it was all ready to go" boaters. No one bothered to tell them what the little hole below the outdrive was for and why there was no plug in it. After he saw he was taking on water, he decided to ask for some timely advice. The engine wouldn’t stay running, but his bilge pump worked great. My wife had her chest waders still on and walked out to help them get a little closer to shore where we could load it on the trailer. (there was no dock because this is a PWC launch ramp). Got the boat loaded, couldn’t find any plug, and told him it would be a good idea to also unplug his lights from the trailer before launching. Didn’t catch a fish  yesterday, but still had a hellava good time. done that

Response:

Question:

My wife bought me a fly fishing rod and some gear for christmas. I have never fly fished before but have always wanted to. Where can I go in the San Diego area to get some lessions in fly fishing? Also, are there any good places to fly fish (for trout) in San Diego? Thanx in advance Mike — MGS

Response:

Call Jeff Solis at the San Diego Fly Shop 619-283-3445. Tell him Fritz told you.

Response:

Question:

As I am new to flyfishing,(nearly 1 year), I have become an avid fly tier market today? If all of the Pinot Noir wines were set in front of me I’m sure I couldn’t tell one from the other after I got to a certain priceSt.Croix $50.00 blank and a Sage $250.00 blank. Is Thomas and Thomas really different from a Powell, or a Sage, or a Scott, or an Orvis? I would like to hear your response, and hope perhaps that the ability to define the differences is something I can look forward to as I get more proficient in my casting. Thanks. DLowe21757

I’m sorry to hear you cannot tell the difference between Pinot Noirs.   You picked a good one to work with tho’, maybe someday you will be able to appreciate the many differences.  The same is true of flyrods.  A Winston or T & T do not cast anything like a Sage or Loomis or Orvis.   Actually Loomis makes rods for a great majority of rod companies, built to their (other Co.) specifications.  At you stage of development a Sage or Orvis would probably be a good choice.  You will soon wish you hadn’t wasted your time, if you build a rod from a cheap noodlely brank.  Go to a shop where you can cast these rods.  Their actions are quite different, and the deciding factor would be your casting style. -Burton

Response:

As I am new to flyfishing,(nearly 1 year), I have become an avid fly opposite problem.  The moral of the story is, you have to try the rod (or have an experienced caster try it for you) before you buy a rod, line, reel combination..  The line ratings on cheap rods can be very misleading.

Not only can the ratings be misleading, but some of them specify a range of ratings like 4,5 wt. or 4,5,6-wt.  So where do you start if you don’t happen to have a collection of lines laying around both in DT and WF (these can load the rod differently), especially if you are a beginner.   I would never buy a rod that was given a multiple rating, since it gave me the impression the builder wasn’t quite sure which wt. it was intended for. -Burton – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Peter Charles

Response:

Dear Mr. Lowe Mr.Burton told you correctly, except of course that the St Croix is an excellent blank for the money.  Believe it or not, Lee Wulff Fished St Croix fly rods I never fished a St  Croix I didn’t like. Mr. Gink

Yo George, Sorry I omitted one of your favorite rods.  I am not familar with St. Croix myself, the ones I have tried were too soft for my taste.  However, I will hasten to add that St. Croix blanks are quite popular here in Oregon for building inexpensive tough salmon rods. -Burton

Response:

Dear Mr. Lowe Mr.Burton told you correctly, except of course that the St Croix is an excellent blank for the money.  Believe it or not, Lee Wulff Fished St Croix fly rods many, many times and regarded them as top of the line equipment.  I’m sure, if they were good enough for Lee Wulff they will be good enough first choice for you.  Build it, try it, fish it and then let me know how you ‘REALLY’ like it.

I never fished a St  Croix I didn’t like. Mr. Gink

Response: