Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –      I’m loking to purchase a new or used outboard but need opinions on them. My cheap ass partner does not want to spring for the new 4 stroke models so were considering the alternatives. I understand that we should probably stay away from carbureators (Johnson) and that honda/merc/yamaha and others are all decent.       I need to know about repair histories, and general levels of satisfaction from boaters and not dealers and sellers that might be biased. I’m in NYC and plan to use my 17 foot for inside fishing and waterskiing so I’m looking for a 90 hp or larger (i guess). Any useful feedback? –Eugene

Response:

     I’m loking to purchase a new or used outboard but need opinions on them. My cheap ass partner does not want to spring for the new 4 stroke models so were considering the alternatives. I understand that we should probably stay away from carbureators (Johnson) and that honda/merc/yamaha and others are all decent.       I need to know about repair histories, and general levels of satisfaction from boaters and not dealers and sellers that might be biased. I’m in NYC and plan to use my 17 foot for inside fishing and waterskiing so I’m looking for a 90 hp or larger (i guess). Any useful feedback? –Eugene

Before you discount "carburated" engines, I have 2 old Johnsons and 3 old Evinrudes that run like Rolex watches.  The new engines have their strong points, but I’ll take my old geezers.  I’ve never had to paddle home. noah

Response:

     I’m loking to purchase a new or used outboard but need opinions on them. My cheap ass partner does not want to spring for the new 4 stroke models so were considering the alternatives. I understand that we should probably stay away from carbureators (Johnson) and that honda/merc/yamaha and others are all decent.

Unless you’re an outboard mechanic trying to make a living, what’s so bad about carbs?  A little less fuel and power efficient, a LOT more reliable. Dan — Mustangs don’t count as sports cars. They’re pacifiers for NASCAR driver wannabes who couldn’t afford anything reasonable.                 — Ryan Micallef

Response:

Yamaha 115hp FI  4 stroke. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –      I’m loking to purchase a new or used outboard but need opinions on them. My cheap ass partner does not want to spring for the new 4 stroke models so were considering the alternatives. I understand that we should probably stay away from carbureators (Johnson) and that honda/merc/yamaha and others are all decent.       I need to know about repair histories, and general levels of satisfaction from boaters and not dealers and sellers that might be biased. I’m in NYC and plan to use my 17 foot for inside fishing and waterskiing so I’m looking for a 90 hp or larger (i guess). Any useful feedback? –Eugene

Response:

Question:

this is a huge area for a country where it rains constantly, and which is therefore awash with good fishing rivers and lakes.   There are pages and pages to be written about each of the counties you’re mentioning. I strongly suggest three books (or two, depending on whether you prefer to fish rivers or loughs/lakes.) http://www.moytura.com/irishbooks/sport1.htm for Peter O’Reilley’s definitive books on loughs and rivers. Also "A Man May Fish", written maybe in the sixties , for an account of fishing in Ireland that will make you want to spend a lot longer than a day doing it. You can start looking for secon hand copies on bookfinder.com at http://www.bookfinder.com/search/?st=sl&ac=sl&qi=WQ0EJCyJRTTzZZcAfRgT1i9 WQ0eGIYgT:122:227 Best Wishes Lazarus – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello- My husband and I are planning a trip to Ireland in the latter part of September this year.  We will mostly be visiting with family while there, but will have about 1 week to explore after that.  We are mostly interested in Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Roscommon areas.  We might have just a day to fish. Does anyone have experience fishing in this area?  Good streams/rivers to check out?  Any suggestions of a good outfitter to rent us the necessary gear for a day? Thanks in advance for any input! Betsy in Santa Fe

Response:

Thank you to Dave and Lazarus for your replies.  Yes, I will check out those books, Lazarus.  Dave, thanks for the Google suggestion.  I had actually already done that.  I guess I wasn’t clear enough in my original post, but I was hoping for some personal accounts or experiences to be shared.  Just a differnet approach for us to consider before we leave… Thanks again! Betsy

Response:

Hello- My husband and I are planning a trip to Ireland in the latter part of September this year.  We will mostly be visiting with family while there, but will have about 1 week to explore after that.  We are mostly interested in Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Roscommon areas.  We might have just a day to fish. Does anyone have experience fishing in this area?  Good streams/rivers to check out?  Any suggestions of a good outfitter to rent us the necessary gear for a day? Thanks in advance for any input! Betsy in Santa Fe

Response:

Bwalker writes: My husband and I are planning a trip to Ireland in the latter part of September this year.  We will mostly be visiting with family while there, but will have about 1 week to explore after that.  We are mostly interested in Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Roscommon areas.  We might have just a day to fish. Does anyone have experience fishing in this area?  Good streams/rivers to check out?  Any suggestions of a good outfitter to rent us the necessary gear for a day? Thanks in advance for any input! Betsy in Santa Fe

Go to www.google.com (or any of the other search engines), and type in "fly fishing" + "Ireland".  You will get lots of hits.  The info is at your fingertips. hth Dave

Response:

Question:

Any thoughts by anyone as to what (sometimes) works there, if anything-ever, would be MOST appreciated.

Bob, Best fishing is in low light conditions….dawn, dusk/dark, rain. (refer back to my ‘Fishing in the rain’ post, the location was the flat water below the Y-Pool.)  In daylight, small flies on 7X/8X tippets will work when the trout are feeding. Sight fishing works much better than using an indicator. Many times the trout simply don’t feed during daylight. If you get too frustrated, go downstream and play with the little rainbows…..they feed all the time. 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:

……back channel me and I will type it for you…

Oh man, this place is getting REALLY disgusting!! Wolfgang "She said,’That ain’t the way to have fun, son.’"

Response:

I think that the absolutely most frustrating place I have ever, ever, fished has to be the Y pool on the Swift below the Quabbin.

<snipped Bob, just got back from a morning on the stream…anyway the owner of the local fly shop was my partner and I brought him up to show him the Roffians and my new vise.  He read your post and muttered, "South Platte Brassy, that’ll do it."  I have no idea if it will, of course,  but I felt compelled to send his suggestion on…If your are at all interested and you don’t have the formula, I found it in one of my books, just back channel me and I will type it for you… Padishar Creel

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello: I think that the absolutely most frustrating place I have ever, ever, fished has to be the Y pool on the Swift below the Quabbin. Was there again yesterday from about 8 AM  to noon, and the Rainbows were so thick you literally had to watch where you stepped.  The density of them was just incredible; it was as if you were in a Hatchery. Naturally, as usual, I didn’t catch anything there.  Must be the world’s most discriminating trout. Not that the few others there did much better-I think one fellow caught one while i was trying. Tried just about everything in the Orvis catalog, from large to midges, dries, nymphys, etc. Even a streamer.  Anyway, was a most beautiful day. Any thoughts by anyone as to what (sometimes) works there, if anything-ever, would be MOST appreciated.

LOL! I’ve been fishing at the deflectors and have witnessed people storming down the trail from the Y-pool just a cussin’ and a fumin’ like you wouldn’t believe. By this time of year those fish will take you to school. I guess it can get the better of you if you aren’t careful… I’ve fished the Y on and off for 35 years. Caught my first big rainbow on a fly there when I was 13. Over the years I’ve had luck at the Y using small PT nymphs, RFSH nymphs, Sulfur dries (late evening hatch), beetles (especially Jassids using real JC nails), ants of various styles, and of course, micro-minutiae midge larva (ie: a #26 is a big one). If the fish aren’t actively feeding, I  still start out with a PT nymph and see what happens.  If the trout are into their "smutting" act, you can try bowling tiny gray or rust midge larva on a long 7x-8x tippet at the risers and strike on anything close. Tough on the eyes – I was much better at this when I was twenty years younger – but it will work. Less often successful, but a lot easier on the eyes, is to plop an ant or beetle down along the rocks on the far side of the tail-out… Fwiw, I used to watch the Old Man of the Y Pool stand for hours catching trout using a small light-blue-over-white streamer. Go figure… /daytripper

Response:

Hello: I think that the absolutely most frustrating place I have ever, ever, fished has to be the Y pool on the Swift below the Quabbin. Was there again yesterday from about 8 AM  to noon, and the Rainbows were so thick you literally had to watch where you stepped.  The density of them was just incredible; it was as if you were in a Hatchery. Naturally, as usual, I didn’t catch anything there.  Must be the world’s most discriminating trout. Not that the few others there did much better-I think one fellow caught one while i was trying. Tried just about everything in the Orvis catalog, from large to midges, dries, nymphys, etc. Even a streamer.  Anyway, was a most beautiful day. Any thoughts by anyone as to what (sometimes) works there, if anything-ever, would be MOST appreciated. Bob

Response:

Try another catalogue perhaps? TL MC — "In order to know what is possible one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello: I think that the absolutely most frustrating place I have ever, ever, fished has to be the Y pool on the Swift below the Quabbin. <SNIP Tried just about everything in the Orvis catalog, from large to midges, dries, nymphys, etc. Even a streamer.  Anyway, was a most beautiful day. Any thoughts by anyone as to what (sometimes) works there, if anything-ever, would be MOST appreciated. Bob

Response:

Question:

<<If you smoke after flyfishing you’re doing it too fast… It’s ok to smoke after sex. But if sex is a pain in the ass, you are doing it wrong. Dave L.

Response:

<<If you smoke after flyfishing you’re doing it too fast… It’s ok to smoke after sex. But if sex is a pain in the ass, you are doing it wrong. Dave L.

    After sex is ok, during sex is another thing entirely.                                                       John Popp                                                   in Sanford Fl.

Response:

If you smoke during sex you’re definitely doing it too fast! — Regards Peter (Please also reply by email, my server "loses" posts. Remove nospam to email) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <<If you smoke after flyfishing you’re doing it too fast… It’s ok to smoke after sex. But if sex is a pain in the ass, you are doing it wrong. Dave L.    After sex is ok, during sex is another thing entirely.                                                      John Popp                                                  in Sanford Fl.

Response:

To be correctly turned out, a cigar is almost mandatory. Without the contamination of the fly by nicotine tainted fingers, ALL the fish that your fly came into contact with would, without exception, be fooled into taking and therefore caught. This would cause havoc, especially amongst the catch and kill anglers who would have to go home after only two or three minutes fishing. Streams, rivers and lakes would be denuded of fish, tackle manufacturers and fly tying businesses would go out of business, chaos would ensue! Do your duty Scott. Go and buy at least two packets of the cheapest and foulest smelling cigars you can find and protect our sport, fish and rivers.

Plus, after having the fish shred every single fly you’ve got in your box you can take the butt end of that stogie, jam a hook through it, and catch One More For The Road. Not to mention their use as a mosquito, fly, and fisherman repellant. — Bob Jarvis Mail address hacked to foil spammers!

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What’s the deal here with the cigaraettes and fishing. Is this some find of fishing trick I’m not aware of? Just curious. Hi All, I would say that a very small percentage of fly fisher persons smoke cigarettes. I think I would know as I can smell it on anyone that walks in my store and very few do. Most fly fisherman seem to be fairly intelligent and probably realize that if they want to live a long time they should not smoke cigarettes. Puffin’ on a cigar at stream side once and a while would kill you. Sorry if my observations has offended anyone. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

Not me Bill, I totally agree….a pack and a half a day smoker, I quit after 20 yrs of that. Within 6 months, cigarette smoke and *especially* cigar smoke sickened me. I have been known to get up and move (or leave) a restaurant due to somebody lighting up at the next table. (this was before the anti-smoking laws went into effect) The experience astream is so much more enjoyable without clouds of toxin interfering with the clean air. Frank Church Elkhart, IN

Response:

Not me Bill, I totally agree….a pack and a half a day smoker, I quit after 20 yrs of that. Within 6 months, cigarette smoke and *especially* cigar smoke sickened me.

Interesting. I had smoked for 30yrs (most of them 2+ packs/day) when I quit 5yrs ago. I find that my sense of smell has vastly improved but 2nd hand smoke doesn’t bother me any more now than it did, in fact I will move into the smoking section of a resteraunt just to get away from screaming kids. I never did much like smelling cigars even then, though<g. — Charlie…

Response:

Only when you can get one to light… "FW" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What’s the deal here with the cigaraettes and fishing. Is this some find of fishing trick I’m not aware of? Perhaps…but I’ve found a better "trick".  My daughter purchased a nice flask to carry in my vest.  I fill it with a bit of alcoholic beverage and, when fishing is really slow, I sip away at my flask.  I don’t catch any more fish than I did before, but the slow times seem more enjoyable Barry

Response:

Only when you can get one to light…

More than a little truth in this! Wet fingers and dry cigarettes are not a good combination.  I used to have trouble lighting my pipe having just filled it when my hands were wet. I’ve *had* to give up my beloved pipe on what turned out to be unfounded medical advice. — Bill

Response:

Hi All, I would say that a very small percentage of fly fisher persons smoke cigarettes. I think I would know as I can smell it on anyone that walks in my store and very few do. Most fly fisherman seem to be fairly intelligent and probably realize that if they want to live a long time they should not smoke cigarettes. Puffin’ on a cigar at stream side once and a while would kill you. Sorry if my observations has offended anyone. Bill Kiene

______ Doesn’t offend me or many, many others here at all Bill.  For me?  I simply won’t allow anyone near my family or on my property that wants to use any kind of tobacco products.  I detest it so.  It is a filthy, selfish, arrogant, poisoning, deadly, habit.  More often than not, people who smoke are selfish but worse yet, they are 100% inconsiderate of others.  Not only is the secondary smoke offensive, just their visual presence is disgusting.  I can’t even stand to look at anyone that is smoking.  It makes me want to rip the cigarette out of their face and then slap them silly.  But I know this might be a little unreasonable and others may think I would be over reacting a bit.  I suppose everyone would be right regarding this fantasy.  I only wonder if others are so inclined and are just too shy to tell those who are smoking in their presence to kindly stop it in an other than an asking tone.     No one fishes with me that smokes.  I can’t even stand to see anyone do it even from a distance.  Absolutely drives me ballistic because the habit has killed old friends of mine.  I really like people who DON’T smoke.  I like the fact that in a parking area and along the stream I don’t have to look at thrown away cigarettes, their packages, or cigar bands or butts or whatever.  People who throw these items on the ground are ignorant ninkapoops.  People who have ‘the need’ to smoke are weak, undisciplined, selfish and they don’t regard the health risk to  others like their own wives, and will smoke in the house even if children live there.  A child can’t keep a man of great size from smoking in the same room, but I sure don’t mind telling the same dude to stop it or get lost if they get near me or my friends.   It is a pathetic state of affairs. A single puff of smoke across a thirty or forty foot room will put my wife into the hospital fighting for her life.  It will literally cost me thousands of dollars.  It shuts her breathing down.  Smoking does affect others in anyone’s family that DON’T Smoke.  Anyone that smokes inside their home where another doesn’t smoke, is a bully.  I especially detest women who smoke.  If people want to go behind the barn out of my sight and smoke . . . I suppose that might be all right as long as they didn’t throw their butts down into the pig sty and get that dirty.  I particularly am concerned about highly intelligent hogs having to deal with addicts that smoke.  These substance abusers are not strong enough to control their own lives. They should not be allowed to influence others.  If I had a customer who isn’t smoking or doesn’t smoke browsing in my shop I sure as heck won’t allow anyone else in the area to do it. Bill?  If you are man enough to put a big NO SMOKING Signs all over your store, I’ll send all my non-smoking friends over to your place. Besides.  Who likes to handle money tainted with nicotine anyway?  We burn any we get.  How about you? yack! Mr. G. "Ah?  You’re not going to light that right now are you?" "Excuse me, could you wait until I leave before lighting that up?" "Don’t light that up in my presence please.  It will make me sick." "When did you start smoking, may I ask, before doing so now – here?" "My God man!  I didn’t know you were a smoker!" Or if in a vehicle and they sneak aboard before everyone realizes we have a smoker passenger . . . we simply pull over to the side of the road and say, "You must refrain from smoking during this entire trip or get out right now."  (with a smile, of course) ______ OTHER WAYS OF CONTROLLING SMOKERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ADD THEM HERE ______ 1)   As you said Bill.  Sorry if my observations has offended anyone.

Response:

A couple of years ago, I caught a 3 1/2 lb’er at a small stillwater called ‘Northbank’ near Peterborough (UK).  When I spooned the fish, all I found was a cigarette butt (close, but no cigar).  Perhaps some of our fish are acquiring the taste?

 Robert Scott replies: < .<<..and I’ve caught a nice Lake George, NY Landlocked Salmon whose stomach contained a cigarette butt AND a foil gum wrapper.  Perhaps he wanted to freshen his breath after the smoke? I can understand a trout taking a cigarette butt (with a filter).  There is a nymph called the "Strawman" that is heavily packed spun deer hair. You Gink it up (George’s stuff can be used as a verb too) and it is supposed to represent a caddis case.  It looks just like a cigarette filter.   Tough fly to fish, however, for nothing will go near it if there is even the slightest bit of drag (micro-drag?).  But if you can get it totally drag free, they smash it.  It is an excellent fly to dapple with. I smoked for 40 years.  I was up to 4 packs/day (3 cartons a week).  My doc figured out I was smoking a cigarette every 11 minutes (if I slept 8 hours/day).  I’ve been off the damn things for 6 years now and every-thing smells great. Dave LaCourse

Response:

Mr. G You are a very sick man, I hope the doctors are kind to you when they take you away. PS, don’t even think of "slapping people silly" unless you are Evander Holyfield, you might get hurt. Are you really a control freak or is this just a troll? — Regards Peter (Please also reply by email, my server "loses" posts. Remove nospam to email)

  – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -______ Doesn’t offend me or many, many others here at all Bill.  For me?  I simply won’t allow anyone near my family or on my property that wants to use any kind of tobacco products.  I detest it so.  It is a filthy, selfish, arrogant, poisoning, deadly, habit.  More often than not, people who smoke are selfish but worse yet, they are 100% inconsiderate of others.  Not only is the secondary smoke offensive, just their visual presence is disgusting.  I can’t even stand to look at anyone that is smoking.  It makes me want to rip the cigarette out of their face and then slap them silly.  But I know this might be a little unreasonable and others may think I would be over reacting a bit.  I suppose everyone would be right regarding this fantasy.  I only wonder if others are so inclined and are just too shy to tell those who are smoking in their presence to kindly stop it in an other than an asking tone. No one fishes with me that smokes.  I can’t even stand to see anyone do it even from a distance.  Absolutely drives me ballistic because the habit has killed old friends of mine.  I really like people who DON’T smoke.  I like the fact that in a parking area and along the stream I don’t have to look at thrown away cigarettes, their packages, or cigar bands or butts or whatever.  People who throw these items on the ground are ignorant ninkapoops.  People who have ‘the need’ to smoke are weak, undisciplined, selfish and they don’t regard the health risk to  others like their own wives, and will smoke in the house even if children live there.  A child can’t keep a man of great size from smoking in the same room, but I sure don’t mind telling the same dude to stop it or get lost if they get near me or my friends. It is a pathetic state of affairs. A single puff of smoke across a thirty or forty foot room will put my wife into the hospital fighting for her life.  It will literally cost me thousands of dollars.  It shuts her breathing down.  Smoking does affect others in anyone’s family that DON’T Smoke.  Anyone that smokes inside their home where another doesn’t smoke, is a bully.  I especially detest women who smoke.  If people want to go behind the barn out of my sight and smoke . . . I suppose that might be all right as long as they didn’t throw their butts down into the pig sty and get that dirty.  I particularly am concerned about highly intelligent hogs having to deal with addicts that smoke.  These substance abusers are not strong enough to control their own lives. They should not be allowed to influence others.  If I had a customer who isn’t smoking or doesn’t smoke browsing in my shop I sure as heck won’t allow anyone else in the area to do it. Bill?  If you are man enough to put a big NO SMOKING Signs all over your store, I’ll send all my non-smoking friends over to your place. Besides.  Who likes to handle money tainted with nicotine anyway?  We burn any we get.  How about you? yack! Mr. G. "Ah?  You’re not going to light that right now are you?" "Excuse me, could you wait until I leave before lighting that up?" "Don’t light that up in my presence please.  It will make me sick." "When did you start smoking, may I ask, before doing so now – here?" "My God man!  I didn’t know you were a smoker!" Or if in a vehicle and they sneak aboard before everyone realizes we have a smoker passenger . . . we simply pull over to the side of the road and say, "You must refrain from smoking during this entire trip or get out right now."  (with a smile, of course) ______ OTHER WAYS OF CONTROLLING SMOKERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ADD THEM HERE ______ 1) As you said Bill.  Sorry if my observations has offended anyone.

Response:

______ I admit that I am trolling a bit with the below post, but my heart screams when I see a friend of mine smoking. George – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ______ Doesn’t offend me or many, many others here at all Bill.  For me?  I simply won’t allow anyone near my family or on my property that wants to use any kind of tobacco products.  I detest it so.  It is a filthy, selfish, arrogant, poisoning, deadly, habit.  More often than not, people who smoke are selfish but worse yet, they are 100% inconsiderate of others.  Not only is the secondary smoke offensive, just their visual presence is disgusting.  I can’t even stand to look at anyone that is smoking.  It makes me want to rip the cigarette out of their face and then slap them silly.  But I know this might be a little unreasonable and others may think I would be over reacting a bit.  I suppose everyone would be right regarding this fantasy.  I only wonder if others are so inclined and are just too shy to tell those who are smoking in their presence to kindly stop it in an other than an asking tone. No one fishes with me that smokes.  I can’t even stand to see anyone do it even from a distance.  Absolutely drives me ballistic because the habit has killed old friends of mine.  I really like people who DON’T smoke.  I like the fact that in a parking area and along the stream I don’t have to look at thrown away cigarettes, their packages, or cigar bands or butts or whatever.  People who throw these items on the ground are ignorant ninkapoops.  People who have ‘the need’ to smoke are weak, undisciplined, selfish and they don’t regard the health risk to  others like their own wives, and will smoke in the house even if children live there.  A child can’t keep a man of great size from smoking in the same room, but I sure don’t mind telling the same dude to stop it or get lost if they get near me or my friends. It is a pathetic state of affairs. A single puff of smoke across a thirty or forty foot room will put my wife into the hospital fighting for her life.  It will literally cost me thousands of dollars.  It shuts her breathing down.  Smoking does affect others in anyone’s family that DON’T Smoke.  Anyone that smokes inside their home where another doesn’t smoke, is a bully.  I especially detest women who smoke.  If people want to go behind the barn out of my sight and smoke . . . I suppose that might be all right as long as they didn’t throw their butts down into the pig sty and get that dirty.  I particularly am concerned about highly intelligent hogs having to deal with addicts that smoke.  These substance abusers are not strong enough to control their own lives. They should not be allowed to influence others.  If I had a customer who isn’t smoking or doesn’t smoke browsing in my shop I sure as heck won’t allow anyone else in the area to do it. Bill?  If you are man enough to put a big NO SMOKING Signs all over your store, I’ll send all my non-smoking friends over to your place. Besides.  Who likes to handle money tainted with nicotine anyway?  We burn any we get.  How about you? yack! Mr. G. "Ah?  You’re not going to light that right now are you?" "Excuse me, could you wait until I leave before lighting that up?" "Don’t light that up in my presence please.  It will make me sick." "When did you start smoking, may I ask, before doing so now – here?" "My God man!  I didn’t know you were a smoker!" Or if in a vehicle and they sneak aboard before everyone realizes we have a smoker passenger . . . we simply pull over to the side of the road and say, "You must refrain from smoking during this entire trip or get out right now."  (with a smile, of course) ______ OTHER WAYS OF CONTROLLING SMOKERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ADD THEM HERE ______ 1) As you said Bill.  Sorry if my observations has offended anyone.

Response:

To be correctly turned out, a cigar is almost mandatory. Without the contamination of the fly by nicotine tainted fingers, ALL the fish that your fly came into contact with would, without exception, be fooled into taking and therefore caught. This would cause havoc, especially amongst the catch and kill anglers who would have to go home after only two or three minutes fishing. Streams, rivers and lakes would be denuded of fish, tackle manufacturers and fly tying businesses would go out of business, chaos would ensue! Do your duty Scott. Go and buy at least two packets of the cheapest and foulest smelling cigars you can find and protect our sport, fish and rivers. — Regards Peter (Please also reply by email, my server "loses" posts. Remove nospam to email) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What’s the deal here with the cigaraettes and fishing. Is this some find of fishing trick I’m not aware of? Just curious.

Response:

I found was a cigarette butt (close, but no cigar)

Tell us was it a Passing Cloud, I hope not, otherwise you know that means – someones been over here trying to take OUR fish — Bill

Response:

To be correctly turned out, a cigar is almost mandatory.

Let us take a broader view!  Consider this – whenever I smell a cigar I think of Christmas.  Who the Hell wants to think of Christmas during the fishing season? — Bill

Response:

If you smoke after flyfishing you’re doing it too fast… — TimW – Halfordian Golfer Guilt replaced the creel…

Response:

What’s the deal here with the cigaraettes and fishing. Is this some find of fishing trick I’m not aware of?

Perhaps…but I’ve found a better "trick".  My daughter purchased a nice flask to carry in my vest.  I fill it with a bit of alcoholic beverage and, when fishing is really slow, I sip away at my flask.  I don’t catch any more fish than I did before, but the slow times seem more enjoyable Barry

Response:

Vinnies smokes from dawn to dusk – I just wish it was tobacco….. :0) JE

Response:

Cigars not cigarettes. I’ve often been sickened on a lake when a buddy lights one up 50 yards away. They say it drives off insects. I’ve never actually seen a smoker catch a fish however. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What’s the deal here with the cigaraettes and fishing. Is this some find of fishing trick I’m not aware of? Just curious.

Response:

A couple of years ago, I caught a 3 1/2 lb’er at a small stillwater called ‘Northbank’ near Peterborough (UK).  When I spooned the fish, all I found was a cigarette butt (close, but no cigar).  Perhaps some of our fish are acquiring the taste?

…and I’ve caught a nice Lake George, NY Landlocked Salmon whose stomach contained a cigarette butt AND a foil gum wrapper.  Perhaps he wanted to freshen his breath after the smoke? But to the point of the thread…   I am a reformed smoker; I quit five years ago.   BUT, when I’m on my annual spring striper pilgrimage to Cape Cod, I smoke.   Two weeks later, when I get home, no more smoking.  (Same thing during a duck hunting vacation, too.)   And I remember when I quit, the times I wanted a smoke the most was when I was standing knee-deep in the Battenkill.  Most people who quit say they want one the worst after a meal, or when having a beer.  Not me.  I wanted one when I was fishing… and I don’t even remember ever smoking while I was fishing during my smoking years.  Funny. Bob Scott

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What’s the deal here with the cigaraettes and fishing. Is this some find of fishing trick I’m not aware of? Just curious.

Hi All, I would say that a very small percentage of fly fisher persons smoke cigarettes. I think I would know as I can smell it on anyone that walks in my store and very few do. Most fly fisherman seem to be fairly intelligent and probably realize that if they want to live a long time they should not smoke cigarettes. Puffin’ on a cigar at stream side once and a while would kill you. Sorry if my observations has offended anyone. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

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Scott  No they don’t. But a cigar or a pipe helps to keep  the bugs off you while on the water. Or  so I have been told. As I smoke a pipe I find it dose  work  for me most of  the time.   I don’t know what I will do next week on vacation, the smokeing lamp is out in  the northern part of Michigan.  Tight lines

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To be correctly turned out, a cigar is almost mandatory. Without the contamination of the fly by nicotine tainted fingers, ALL the fish that your fly came into contact with would, without exception, be fooled into taking and therefore caught. This would cause havoc, especially amongst the catch and kill anglers who would have to go home after only two or three minutes fishing. Streams, rivers and lakes would be denuded of fish, tackle manufacturers and fly tying businesses would go out of business, chaos would ensue! Do your duty Scott. Go and buy at least two packets of the cheapest and foulest smelling cigars you can find and protect our sport, fish and rivers. —

A couple of years ago, I caught a 3 1/2 lb’er at a small stillwater called ‘Northbank’ near Peterborough (UK).  When I spooned the fish, all I found was a cigarette butt (close, but no cigar).  Perhaps some of our fish are acquiring the taste? Tight lungs, — Stuart Nuttall (Replace ‘nospam’ with ‘nuttll’ to reply by e-mail)

Response:

What’s the deal here with the cigaraettes and fishing. Is this some find of fishing trick I’m not aware of? Just curious.

Response:

What’s the deal here with the cigaraettes and fishing. Is this some find of fishing trick I’m not aware of? Just curious.

     Caught us, Yes it was a secret, like getting a waitress to bring your meal after ordering, like spoting an 8 point white tail, or in the fishermans case the drag squealing with the strongest hit you’ve ever known in an otherwise fishless day. It always happens (in the last two cases) when the rod/rifle is cradled in the crook of the arm while you light up before heading home. IT’S THE RULE!                                                         John Popp                                                     in Sanford Fl.

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Question:

I like the foothills trail, and its connectors. a good 3 day is from upper whitewater falls to laurel valley. great views of lake joccassee, waterfalls, river crossings are bridged. Another three day is from Table rock to Ceasers head, side trail to top of Raven Cliff falls.

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East-West hike through North Carolina’s portion of the Great Smoky Mountains Natioal Park.  Avoid the crowded AT. Enjoy your trip. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you wanted  to go on the most beautiful 3-5 day backountry hike: As far north as New Hampshire As far sounth as the Carolina’s and as far West as West Virginia where would you go? Thanks for any advice…please email direct — Jason Daniels

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The best hike I’ve done in the east started on US Hwy 64 in NC, near Sapphire.  It consisted of going down the Horsepasture River, connecting with the Foothills Trail near the Lake Jocassee shore, over to the Toxaway River and back up the Toxaway to US Hwy 64.  It took 3.5 days, had some trail and some bushwhacking, a nice rappel down Windy Falls on the Horsepasture R. and was in some of the least travelled, most beautiful country I had been to in that area.

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New York’s Adirondak High Peaks! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you wanted  to go on the most beautiful 3-5 day backountry hike: As far north as New Hampshire As far sounth as the Carolina’s and as far West as West Virginia where would you go?

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Spruce Knob area of West Virginia very nice, the head of seneca is great. Day hikes to the big falls of seneca, to the top of spruce knob, highest point in WVA.  Also close to Seneca Rocks an easy place to spend a day. To see pics of area, follow link to my home page. http://www.ncweb.com:80/users/crbock/ CRBO

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If you wanted  to go on the most beautiful 3-5 day backountry hike: As far north as New Hampshire As far sounth as the Carolina’s and as far West as West Virginia where would you go? Thanks for any advice…please email direct — Jason Daniels

Consider the Northville-Placid Trail. Length; 133 miles. 5 days going north to Wakely Dam or 5 days going south, and come back next year to finish. E-mail for more info. Rick Beardsley Olmstedville, which is arguably the center of the Adirondacks and thusly the universe

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If you wanted  to go on the most beautiful 3-5 day backountry hike: As far north as New Hampshire As far sounth as the Carolina’s and as far West as West Virginia where would you go?

I’d go to Maine, but that’s not within your parameters. Gerry

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I’d go to Dolly Sods wilderness in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest. If you like to hike long distances it might be too small for 5 days, but is a great 3-day place. And if you want to do a leisurely 5-day, you can find plenty of things to occupy your time. It may not be quite as spectacular an area as some places farther north or farther south. But it has got a peculiar landscape that is dramatic, spectacular in its own right, intriguing and quite wild. I’ve been there dozens of times and, each time, I find something new and amazing.

As a former West Virginian (and no, I’m not unusually intimate with any of my family members, thank you) I have to agree that Dolly Sods is gorgeous, but it’s no place to go for a 3-5 nighter–way too small. There are other places nearby that are fantastic, so if you don’t mind leaving the wilds and re-entering, it’s an excellent area. A great place is the ridge that you can see above and behind Seneca Rocks. There’s a trail along the entire length. You will have to decend for water, though. I always considered Cranberry Glades wilderness kind of boring, as WV hiking goes. It is quite vast though. — –your favorite soils professional

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If you wanted  to go on the most beautiful 3-5 day backountry hike:

Cranberry back country, Monongahela National Forest, West (by god!) Virginia. jeff Republicanism:  The haunting fear that someone poor may be happy.

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I’d go to Dolly Sods wilderness in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest. If you like to hike long distances it might be too small for 5 days, but is a great 3-day place. And if you want to do a leisurely 5-day, you can find plenty of things to occupy your time. It may not be quite as spectacular an area as some places farther north or farther south. But it has got a peculiar landscape that is dramatic, spectacular in its own right, intriguing and quite wild. I’ve been there dozens of times and, each time, I find something new and amazing. Rob – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you wanted  to go on the most beautiful 3-5 day backountry hike: As far north as New Hampshire As far sounth as the Carolina’s and as far West as West Virginia where would you go? Thanks for any advice…please email direct — Jason Daniels

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Jason, You might want to consider Vermont’s Long Trail.  It runs along the spine of the Green Mountains.  The nice thing about it is that you can see Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks and the White Mountains from Vermont summits. Let me know if you would like more info. James Ehlers Underhill, Vermont Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings http://pobox.com/~uncle

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If you wanted  to go on the most beautiful 3-5 day backountry hike: As far north as New Hampshire As far sounth as the Carolina’s and as far West as West Virginia where would you go?

Adirondacks or Catskills in New York White Mountains in New Hampshire

Response:

If you wanted  to go on the most beautiful 3-5 day backountry hike: As far north as New Hampshire As far sounth as the Carolina’s and as far West as West Virginia where would you go? Thanks for any advice…please email direct — Jason Daniels

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Question:

There is a fly tying cd (perhaps 2) available in both Mac and PC-compatible format (but not necessarily the same cd). Anyway, has anyone know of or have seen a reputable mail order firm that offers these at a discount? — dept of math/cs ut martin

Response:

There is a fly tying cd (perhaps 2) available in both Mac and PC-compatible format (but not necessarily the same cd). Anyway, has anyone know of or have seen a reputable mail order firm that offers these at a discount?

Hi Jim I think the CD you are looking for is Tying Flies for Trout by Dick Stewart and Farrow Allen.  It’s available through Bob Mariotts at 800-535-6633 (orders) or 800-367-2299 (fax orders).  Also get his catalog, it’s the most incredible catalog/information source you’ll ever see. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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Question:

-run-off on upper Bow usually in mid June to early July at latest – lower Bow and Crow would be 2-3 weeks earlier – this year will be heavy as mountain snow-pack is 150% – early May should be okay barring anything unusual                              Dan Bell, Upper Bow Fly Fishing Co. Banff

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: -run-off on upper Bow usually in mid June to early July at latest : – lower Bow and Crow would be 2-3 weeks earlier : – this year will be heavy as mountain snow-pack is 150% : – early May should be okay barring anything unusual :                              Dan Bell, Upper Bow Fly Fishing Co. Banff How would you stagger your fishing trips so as to avoid run-off in SW Alberta?  For example, could I fish the lower Bow in May, switch to the upper Crow in late May/early July, etc? Pete

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Question:

I’m looking for a moderate speed (IM6 maybe) relatively inexpensive rod (under $200) for a friend to learn with. If anyone has a used one for sale that might work also (E-Mail me). Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Jack Beer

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I have a Thomas & Thomas  Emerger  8′6" 5wt. I picked up for 195.00 and it’s as sweet as my" big buck " Powell. It’s the same blank as the top shelf rod, w/o the fancy reel seat.  Awsome bargain. Tight Lines Adam S.

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The Sage Discovery series is pretty good for beginners, but I still think the Bean Angler series that retails for around 150 or so for the rod and tube is the best bet.  My friend loves his.

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Check out the wide range of Cortland rods.  The new CL at $79 with tube and bag is excellent.  The Precision II at about $129 is a super deal.

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The Sage Discovery series is pretty good for beginners, but I still think the Bean Angler series that retails for around 150 or so for the rod and tube is the best bet.  My friend loves his.

I’ll second the recommendation for the L.L. Bean Angler series of rods. My wife and I each bought one of these for our first rods and we still use them a lot. (Mine is a 8 1/2 ft 4 piece 7 wt and my wife’s is a 8 1/2 ft 2 piece 6/7 wt.) Unlike a lot of other "low end" rods, these are built well from good components that feel solid and even look nice! The action is medium and they are easy to cast. Besides, they are backed by Bean’s famous unconditional lifetime guarantee which they honor with no fuss. Scott (no connection to Bean’s other than being a satisfied customer) — Scott Sminkey, Sustaining and Specials Eng.   Xyplex.Inc. 508 952-4792  fax 508 952-4887                Littleton, MA 01460

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The Sage Discovery series is pretty good for beginners, but I still think the Bean Angler series that retails for around 150 or so for the rod and tube is the best bet.  My friend loves his.

I have a Beans Angler series 6/7 weight rod.  It was reasonably priced and I love it.  It came with a tube, has a walnut seat and I can control the rod and my casting as well as I need to.   I’d like to get a 4 piece 4/5 weight rod to replace my current trout rod and although I think I am ready for a fancier version, the prices I see in all my fly fishing catalogs are too high.  I might just get another smaller Bean Angler rod.   stefan m. Arlington, Texas Web Page:  http://rampages.onramp.net/~smarc

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Get one of the people on the net to make you a custom rod from the finest, high-performance components.  You will save probably 40%, and on a 200-$300 rod, that ain’t chump change.  Loomis or Sage blanks, great components, you can’t loose.  See someone about it.  I talked to a guy at the Eastern Outdoors show in Harrisburgh who made a company on selling good quality rods direct to the end user.  You don’t have to pay for Sage’s or Orvis’s name.  You can directly help an American manufacturer/businessman who has recognized an opportunity and is capitalizing on it.                   Sincerely;                 Jason Beary

Response:

(Okiesurfer) writes: I’m looking for a moderate speed (IM6 maybe) relatively inexpensive rod (under $200) for a friend to learn with. If anyone has a used one for sale that might work also (E-Mail me). Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Jack Beer

Jack, For $240 you can get an Orvis HLS RM "Adams" which is a sweet 8

Question:

I know about danny’s flyfish list, but I have heard that there are both a UK flyfishing  and a europeen flyfishing list servers. does anyoone have the address for these lists thanks in advance Julian

Response:

I know about danny’s flyfish list, but I have heard that there are both a UK flyfishing  and a europeen flyfishing list servers. does anyoone have the address for these lists thanks in advance Julian

The UK list is closed down thanks to football huligans! Yeah, It’s true, the had a forum on the same listserv and it got overloaded, so they closed all mailing lists……. But, you can subscribe to EUR-FLYFISH at: Good luck Thorsten

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: The UK list is closed down thanks to football huligans! : Yeah, It’s true, the had a forum on the same listserv and it got : overloaded, so they closed all mailing lists……. : But, you can subscribe to EUR-FLYFISH at: Actually, the European list *is* the UK one. As Thorsten noted, Steve Hogg, who set up the list at the U of Newcastle, had to shut it down when the University terminated all non-academic lists (on a couple of hours notice). The same day, it was picked up by Henk Verhaar at the U of Utrecht. The only hitch was that, due to the extremely short notice, it was not possible to transfer directly the list of subscribers; members had to re-subscribe to the Utrecht list. It’s a good list, but volumes are low. In contrast to the FLYFISH list at UKy, where 75-200 messages a day are the norm, EUR-FLYFISH can go for a few days with no traffic at all. 3798 Woodland Drive     voice: (604) 368-9315 Trail, BC               data:  (604) 368-9341

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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <epoxy probs In my dealings with rod wrap and normal epoxy, I have always made several  times the amount necessary.  The reason for this is to reduce the uncertainty  of error in the measurement.  If you’re off .1 ml on .5 ml, that’s 20%, which the manufacturer will tell you is outside the bounds of tolerance for the mixture.  Epoxy is cheap, blanks aren’t.  Increase the amount you make by a factor of three, and the same measurement error won’t hurt. No matter how slowly you stir the epoxy, you’ll still get bubbles. Moreover, you’ll get bubbles merely from air trapped under the threads. What needs to be done is to thin out the epoxy, making your first coat more of a "sealant" rather than a covering. I use 25% resin, 25% hardener (of course) and 50% acetone.  This makes the epoxy water thin.  I make certain the guides are on the bottom of the blank (it’s suspended on each end) — this allows the *slight* excess epoxy to collect in the gap that the thread forms as it passes over the guide foot, essentially locking the guide to the blank. As I drip the epoxy on, I can see the bubbles that come to the surface of the wraps!  It almost foams.  One or two more drips after the foaming stops and all is well. The above information comes from _Advanced Custom Rod Building_, by Dale Clemens. Your humble flyfishing rod-builder, Matt Meola

You know, I never thin my epoxy, and I never have problems with bubbles.  When I mix the epoxy, I get bubbles in the mix, but I apply the epoxy with a decent quality brush, while the rod is turning in the drying motor.  This seems to  brush out the bubbles. I use one of the color preservers as a sealant, so air bubbles from the threads have not been a problem. What one of my woodworking books suggests is that have all the material at a stable temperature is a good idea; that having material that is cold come up to a warmer temperature will cause it to extrude air bubbles as the material comes up in temperature and the air expands. Regards ATB

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For some reason that I don’t profess to understand a hair dryer will remove those bubbles while the epoxy is still fluid. Good luck !

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<epoxy probs In my dealings with rod wrap and normal epoxy, I have always made several  times the amount necessary.  The reason for this is to reduce the uncertainty  of error in the measurement.  If you’re off .1 ml on .5 ml, that’s 20%, which the manufacturer will tell you is outside the bounds of tolerance for the mixture.  Epoxy is cheap, blanks aren’t.  Increase the amount you make by a factor of three, and the same measurement error won’t hurt.

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<epoxy probs In my dealings with rod wrap and normal epoxy, I have always made several  times the amount necessary.  The reason for this is to reduce the uncertainty  of error in the measurement.  If you’re off .1 ml on .5 ml, that’s 20%, which the manufacturer will tell you is outside the bounds of tolerance for the mixture.  Epoxy is cheap, blanks aren’t.  Increase the amount you make by a factor of three, and the same measurement error won’t hurt.

No matter how slowly you stir the epoxy, you’ll still get bubbles. Moreover, you’ll get bubbles merely from air trapped under the threads. What needs to be done is to thin out the epoxy, making your first coat more of a "sealant" rather than a covering. I use 25% resin, 25% hardener (of course) and 50% acetone.  This makes the epoxy water thin.  I make certain the guides are on the bottom of the blank (it’s suspended on each end) — this allows the *slight* excess epoxy to collect in the gap that the thread forms as it passes over the guide foot, essentially locking the guide to the blank. As I drip the epoxy on, I can see the bubbles that come to the surface of the wraps!  It almost foams.  One or two more drips after the foaming stops and all is well. The above information comes from _Advanced Custom Rod Building_, by Dale Clemens. Your humble flyfishing rod-builder, Matt Meola

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I know of no greater disaster in rod building than to apply a poorly- mixed or mis-proportioned batch of epoxy to the finished wraps. (snip) So, I highly recommend using syringes or some other accurate measuring device to ensure good proportions.

(snip) Excellent advice.  I would also add that a *lot* of headaches can be avoided by first testing a batch of epoxy on a section of scrap rod or dowel.  Once you confirm that this batch hardens properly, then mix a batch for application to your rod, making sure you mix in exactly the same proportions as in your test.  The reason is simply that some epoxies have a limited shelf life and will never harden properly when that shelf life is exceeded.  If you’re using an epoxy that you’ve had for a long time, or that (unbeknownst to you) sat on the retailer’s shelf for ages, you could be in for some trouble.  The day or two invested in making the initial test for proper hardening may save you countless hours of grief and cursing later.  An ounce of prevention……     BTW, here are a few tricks I’ve found useful to assure that the epoxy applied to wraps is trouble- and bubble-free.  Do your mixing in a shot glass which has a round bottom inside; the lack of "corners" in the container helps assure *complete* mixing.  Use a long dubbing needle to do the mixing; stir slowly and carefully to avoid carrying bubbles down into the epoxy.  Apply to the rotating rod with a small, flat camel-hair brush, again slowly and carefully, to avoid trapping bubbles.  Finally, to get rid of the inevitable few bubbles that will still sneak into your application, breath a moist film of condensation onto the epoxy; as this (quickly) dries, the bubbles will pop (apparently an effect of differential surface tension between the fluids).  Pricking the bubbles with a needle is less effective and takes longer; I use it only as a last resort, or to move a bubble to a location where I can breathe the life out of it . Brian Tucholke

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I know of no greater disaster in rod building than to apply a poorly- mixed or mis-proportioned batch of epoxy to the finished wraps. Perhaps the only thing that could be worse would be to slip and fall on the blank; thus  snapping it in half. At least in that case, the pain and suffering would subside relatively quickly. (You would simply accept the consequences and shell out a couple hundred $$ or so for a new blank.) Whereas, in the case of putting a bad mix of epoxy on the wraps, the poor results will torment and gnaw at you for hours, days, or even longer. The stuff will never dry; it’s impossible to clean completely off the blank and/or wraps; and it will stick to whatever it touches as if it were the devil’s own snot! I was compelled to stand on the above soapbox by my second such run-in with a bad mix of epoxy which happened to me a few days ago. (Please don’t ask me about the first – I’m *still* agonizing over that one!) This was a case in which I had already laid down a good coat of epoxy on the wraps which had dried beautifully, and I just needed to dot the base of each guide foot with a drop of epoxy to seal them from water penetration. I didn’t have much time, so I thought I’d be cool and just pour the resin and hardener into the mixing cup from their respective bottles and eyeball the amounts to ensure the proper proportions…         WRONGO!!! After two solid days of spinning on the rod drier, the drops were the consistency of honey on a very cold day and every bit as difficult to work with. So, I slaved for hours using an X-acto knife as a spatula to spoon the useless stuff off the guide feet, ruined everything I came into contact with with the sticky glop on my fingers, and generally ended up hating life. The good news is that I was able to get most of the bad stuff off the guide feet and apply a good batch of epoxy in it’s place. But the bad news is the many hours of lost time and the numerous demerits I got from my wife for swearing in the house. What’s even worse is how totally avoidable this situation was. Without wishing to pontificate, please let me offer that it is incredibly easy to get a good mix of epoxy if you simply follow the manufacturers instructions to the letter. (I’ve done so on many occasions.) On the other hand, it’s also incredibly easy to screw it up if you try to cut corners and rush things. In the case I mention above, my error was in thinking I could get the proportions right by just pouring straight from the bottles and eyeballing the amounts. This turned out to be a huge mistake; I took my time and mixed the stuff thoroughly, but was dead from the start because of the mis-proportions I got from pouring from the bottles. So, I highly recommend using syringes or some other accurate measuring device to ensure good proportions. In conclusion, I refer to this article as "revisited" because I know there have been many others who have struggled with this very problem many times in the past, and there will be many others who struggle with it again in the future. I simply hope my rod building disaster story is both entertaining and informative to anyone who is involved in rod building now or who might be interested in getting into rod building at some point in the future. To those of you; may you always mix your epoxy with confidence – but *carefully*! Regards, Fred Templin  

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Quoting roccus609 from a message in rec.outdoors.fishing.fly     For some reason that I don’t profess to understand a hair dryer will     remove those bubbles while the epoxy is still fluid. Good luck ! The heat causes the bubbles to rise to the surface and pop.  There are several small alcohol lamps available that are more precise than using a hair drier. Jim in Southern California `[1;31;43mRainbow V 1.06 for Delphi – Registered

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A suggestion was made to use a small alcohol lamp t provide the heat to get the bubbles out of the flex coat.  Be careful!  That stuff is flammable. I simply exhale into the container with the epoxy and the bubbles largely dissapear.  All that is left are a few tiny bubbles that disappear if the epoxy is applied smoothly to a rotating rod.                                               Dallas, TX                                               Ennis, MT

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   Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly    Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)    A suggestion was made to use a small alcohol lamp t provide the heat to    get the bubbles out of the flex coat.  Be careful!  That stuff is    flammable. Indeed — moreover, I believe that adding heat to epoxy will accelerate the curing reaction.  Those who heat their epoxy may find the working time diminished, somewhat.  (This information actually comes from some experience in the world of RC modeling…) — Matt Meola NRA Life, Militiaman Don’t tread on me. http://usa.net/~gaulj/Home.html

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Regarding getting rid of the bubbles, a heat gun works better than a hair dryer and and alcohol lamp.  Take short, close swipes and as the epoxy thins brush t e drips away.  Contact me with any other questions re: rod building!

Response:

Hi: I find it is much easier to use a very soft lintless cloth dampened with warm denatures alcohol works even better than a alcohol flame in removing bubbles from a finish. It is very important that the alcohol be at 90 deg to 110 deg and that the cloth is only damp and not wet. Wipe in line with the grain, and only wipe lightly. I also find that finish will not create bubbles if the cane is cold and the finish is warm. I find that dipping at a rate of 1 inch in 30 seconds on dipping and 1 inch in 2 minutes on withdraw will create an almost perfect finish. I use a #110 spar that is heated to 80 deg +/- 5 deg is probably the best finish I have found for proper rod  protection. Catch you later Mike Taylor  (Detruncus1) on AOL

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