Question:

ROFF Experts — Need some advice. I’m getting ready for some adventures and need some advice on best months for the following types of fish: Snook Permit Tarpon Bones I’m considering Florida Keys, Bahamas, Yucatan, Belize, etc. Any advice to offer?  Could also use some tips on good, reliable flyfishing guides in these locales. Regards Mike

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ROFF Experts — Need some advice. I’m getting ready for some adventures and need some advice on best months for the following types of fish: Snook Permit Tarpon Bones I’m considering Florida Keys, Bahamas, Yucatan, Belize, etc. Any advice to offer?  Could also use some tips on good, reliable flyfishing guides in these locales. Regards Mike

Easter Island. No regards, George Gehrke "go for the gold"

Response:

I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone flyfish Easter Island.  Are you serious? (My questions were) Mike

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ROFF Experts — Need some advice. I’m getting ready for some adventures and need some advice on best months for the following types of fish: Snook Permit Tarpon Bones I’m considering Florida Keys, Bahamas, Yucatan, Belize, etc. Any advice to offer?  Could also use some tips on good, reliable flyfishing guides in these locales. Regards Mike Easter Island. No regards, George Gehrke "go for the gold"

Response:

Question:

Yeah. The best thing to do is ignore ‘em. I sometimes rise to the bait, but I feel chagrined every time I do. Problem is, it stops being a sport when the participants become polarized over anything, whether it’s bamboo or race relations.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <<1. Is there anything we can do about the political/hate messages I see posted here other than ignoring them and hoping they’ll go away? 1. It’s a little like fishing. You don’t have to try to catch everyone you see. You don’t have to keep all you catch. You can just ignore the little guys. <<2. Gehrke has obviously changed his address since I last added him to my kill file. Would someone please send me an email with any aliases he may currently be using so I can prevent his correspondence from reaching me? 2. Now we also have Muskie to deal with.

Response:

Lennie, if you’re at all related to the Richardson Fly Box, you might want to consider moving to another state. Let us know where you’re planning to fish and your general locale–there are for better or worse quite a few other ROFF regulars who live in NC.

I’m not familiar with the Richardson Fly Box, but we could be related. My father’s family is centered in Marion, SC and I’m told I have relatives near Charlotte. I’m a reasonably fair fly dresser, but I can scarcely meet my own demand let alone do it commercially. Besides, I tie flies to catch fish, not to look purty. –Steve (typing this from Cary, NC; headed to Watauga county tomorrow morning) P.S. and no I won’t be doing any fishing this time

Maybe if you don’t get to fish you can get in some skiing.

Response:

Hi All, It’s been a while since I hung out here, like since late June. I have a couple of questions: 1. Is there anything we can do about the political/hate messages I see posted here other than ignoring them and hoping they’ll go away?

Yeah, just post more trips reports like you did for your Montana trip. I enjoyed the pix. Willi

Response:

Lennie, were you speaking of the Upper Creek off of Mt. Mitchell or the Upper Creek off 181 Hwy in Burke County?  I fish the Burke County Upper. Don’t recall the 10" ice.  This is a great stream. — Opie  –Psychotic Psychic to the recently deceased–

Response:

The one in Burke County. It was OK coming in from the Johns River side, but we went out the road that takes you to Wilson Creek and that’s the one that was iced over. It was slick. Drove out in 4 wheel low  the whole way. It was beautiful, but slicker than fresh snot on a doorknob.

Response:

I’m in Charlotte. I was thinking about heading over toward the delayed harvest area of the Tuckaseegee, but I love all the areas you’ve mentioned above. It’s starting to look like the weather could keep us home. I love to fish in the snow and I don’t mind driving in it if I’m the only car on I-40 between Statesville and the Tennessee line. I drove up to Upper Creek January of this year and it was 10" deep in hard ice, not snow. Looked like a mini-glacier. What part of Wilson Creek do you like to fish this time of year? LR

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Where are you located Lennie?  I’m in Lenoir and plan to fish this weekend on Upper Creek, or Lost Cove, or Wilson Creek or somewhere. — Opie  –Planning for the Past– I live in North Carolina and am going to try to go fishing in the snow this weekend. I’ll post a report when I get back. Merry Christmas and a Happy Chanuka/Ramadan/Kwanzaa/New Year to all, Lennie Richardson (Not "Mr. R.", not ashamed of my name)

Response:

I live in North Carolina and am going to try to go fishing in the snow this weekend. I’ll post a report when I get back.

Lennie, if you’re at all related to the Richardson Fly Box, you might want to consider moving to another state. Let us know where you’re planning to fish and your general locale–there are for better or worse quite a few other ROFF regulars who live in NC. –Steve (typing this from Cary, NC; headed to Watauga county tomorrow morning) P.S. and no I won’t be doing any fishing this time

Response:

<<1. Is there anything we can do about the political/hate messages I see posted here other than ignoring them and hoping they’ll go away? 1. It’s a little like fishing. You don’t have to try to catch everyone you see. You don’t have to keep all you catch. You can just ignore the little guys. <<2. Gehrke has obviously changed his address since I last added him to my kill file. Would someone please send me an email with any aliases he may currently be using so I can prevent his correspondence from reaching me? 2. Now we also have Muskie to deal with.

Response:

Where are you located Lennie?  I’m in Lenoir and plan to fish this weekend on Upper Creek, or Lost Cove, or Wilson Creek or somewhere. — Opie  –Planning for the Past–

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I live in North Carolina and am going to try to go fishing in the snow this weekend. I’ll post a report when I get back. Merry Christmas and a Happy Chanuka/Ramadan/Kwanzaa/New Year to all, Lennie Richardson (Not "Mr. R.", not ashamed of my name)

Response:

Hi All, It’s been a while since I hung out here, like since late June. I have a couple of questions: 1. Is there anything we can do about the political/hate messages I see posted here other than ignoring them and hoping they’ll go away? 2. Gehrke has obviously changed his address since I last added him to my kill file. Would someone please send me an email with any aliases he may currently be using so I can prevent his correspondence from reaching me? I use his product and it works just fine for me. As a matter of fact, I’ve got a bottle I bought in 1990 which I’ve only half used up. It’s his biased blather that I don’t care for. I still find many stimulating and useful posts in this group, so I have no plans to give up on it just yet. Thanks to all of you (you know who you are) that make this a worthwhile NG. BTW, I’ve been to Montana since the last time I visited this group, so if anybody would like to see a few pretty fish pictures, please take a look at http://home.carolina.rr.com/ellarrandfamily/photo.htm. I had the good fortune to meet some super fishermen, guides, and flyshop folk while I was there, but I’m not going to turn my post into a commercial for them. I live in North Carolina and am going to try to go fishing in the snow this weekend. I’ll post a report when I get back. Merry Christmas and a Happy Chanuka/Ramadan/Kwanzaa/New Year to all, Lennie Richardson (Not "Mr. R.", not ashamed of my name)

Response:

Question:

Hi, Your best bet is to go to a Fly fishing show and pick up a C or ungraded neck there. A C neck will run about $65 and at the show you’ll be able to pick through the necks that they have there. Paul

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I want to spruce up some of my salmon and steelhead flies.  The only jungle cock eyes I’ve been able to find are a full neck for $135. Anyone know where I can find them cheaper? JR

Response:

… at the show you’ll be able to pick through the necks that they have there.

If it’s cheap ‘necks you want, might I suggest a NASCAR or WWF event? –Steve

Response:

www.myflyshop.com Michael and Young in British Columbia – I saw necks there for $82 Cdn. At about 63 cents US buys a Canadian dollar so it should be a good buy. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I want to spruce up some of my salmon and steelhead flies.  The only jungle cock eyes I’ve been able to find are a full neck for $135. Anyone know where I can find them cheaper? JR

Response:

I want to spruce up some of my salmon and steelhead flies.  The only jungle cock eyes I’ve been able to find are a full neck for $135. Anyone know where I can find them cheaper? JR

Response:

JR writes: I want to spruce up some of my salmon and steelhead flies.  The only jungle cock eyes I’ve been able to find are a full neck for $135. Anyone know where I can find them cheaper? JR

Hunter has a grade A for 125 and a B for $100.  I bought an ungraded for $60 — it was the best of the ungraded they had.  They also sell them by the ten pack for $5.95 — you get to select the size, small, medium, or large.   They are at: www.huntersangling.com, or 1-800-331-8558. hth Dave

Response:

I want to spruce up some of my salmon and steelhead flies.  The only jungle cock eyes I’ve been able to find are a full neck for $135. Anyone know where I can find them cheaper? JR

yes, but they won’t be as primo quality, which is just fine for fishing flies.  dave quoted some prices, i guess they are pretty standard. there are some shops in the northwest that carry them if you want to stay local.  let me know and i can e-mail you a number or two of shops in washington state. cb

Response:

Hello cb, It is my observation that grading Jungle Cock necks is pretty subjective and varies considerably depending on the vendor.  Over the years, I have often seen second grade necks which were in my estimation better than first grade.  The most important consideration by far is the number of feathers of a useful size in the neck.  The second thing most people look at is whether the feathers are split or not and then maybe the color, which is the least important factor.  In my opinion, whether the feathers are split or not is not very important.  For actual fishing, the fish won’t care. For photographing or display, you can apply a drop of  head cement to the back side and tease the split together before you tie them in – the split won’t be noticeable unless someone is specifically looking for it. Personally, I would select a cheaper neck with split feathers over an expensive one with fewer but unsplit feathers.  For something as costly as a Jungle Cock neck, I would first look at as many necks as possible before buying and I would not buy by mail order because of the subjectivity of grading. Best regards, Yuji Sakuma – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I want to spruce up some of my salmon and steelhead flies.  The only jungle cock eyes I’ve been able to find are a full neck for $135. Anyone know where I can find them cheaper? JR yes, but they won’t be as primo quality, which is just fine for fishing flies.  dave quoted some prices, i guess they are pretty standard. there are some shops in the northwest that carry them if you want to stay local.  let me know and i can e-mail you a number or two of shops in washington state. cb

Response:

Question:

UNC has several campuses, the most well-known of which is in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Chapel Hill campus mascot is the Tar Heel, which of course was named after a well-known fly fishing alumnus who wades *really, really slowly* so as not to fall over backwards. –Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – inquiry snipped Terry

Response:

I have just checked out the list and have not seen any postings by uncle george. I thought perhaps he had finally given up on the list and got on with something worthwhile until I checked out his website and found it not to have been updated. Terry

HWMNBN claims to be hanging around the Mayo Clinic…

Response:

I have just checked out the list and have not seen any postings by uncle george. I thought perhaps he had finally given up on the list and got on with something worthwhile until I checked out his website and found it not to have been updated. Terry

Response:

Thanks, I guess years of talking through his arse ‘ole has taken its toll? Joking aside, I hope it is not serious but I know he has some half decent cane. The beveller is not worth a shit though! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have just checked out the list and have not seen any postings by uncle george. I thought perhaps he had finally given up on the list and got on with something worthwhile until I checked out his website and found it not to have been updated. Terry HWMNBN claims to be hanging around the Mayo Clinic…

Response:

Question:

<good story snipped I liked it a lot, Adam. Put me in mind of my favorite Sierra small stream and had me reflexively looking for my hiking boots. thanks, -sid

Response:

<snipped Keep writing stuff like that and you won’t have anyone out to get you.  Well done. Reminded me of a little spot I often go to get away from the hustle and bustle of the tourists. Warren Remember, men will come and men will go, but the streams and mountains go on forever. -Bob Carmichael

Response:

In the early morning light, long sun rays make diamond glints in the dew covered grass.

    (snip)     very well written prose, adam. wayno

Response:

Dear Adam, This is what fly fishing is about. It is not what you catch but where you catch (if you catch). And the more, this is what fly fishing in Continental Europe is about, small streams in Belgium, Northern France and Germany. No huge trout out for your fly (you are more than lucky to catch one of upto 40 cm), but to be away from it all. Marcel From The Netherlands

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In the early morning light, long sun rays make diamond glints in the dew covered grass. A spruce forest edges the little meadow in deep blue-green while a sparkling tiny stream draws a shallow meandering line through the alpine valley. Undercut grassy banks border the small riffles below a plunge pool. The solitude is perfect, the setting is awesome and there is room for only one observer at a time. A small stream is enough to re-kindle the fishing flame of one’s youth every time. Creeping or low crawling through the grass, the coolness of the dew soaks into your clothes, but the focus is on a gin clear pool thirty feet ahead. The light fly rod gets caught in the grass, but you casually unhook the tip, careful to clear the rod from the tangle without making sudden movements. Unhooking the fly, stripping out enough line to make a cast to the near side of the pool, you sit up on your feet, crouching to maintain a low profile. Switching two false casts, you shoot a tight loop laying the fly line on the grass with the leader hooking into the pool. The leader is long enough to cross the pool, but you know this and have made a perfect presentation into the tail of the pool in order to not upset the wary brook trout upstream. The cast is unproductive, but that does not slow your racing pulse. A quick pick up and cast again in one smooth movement farther upstream, the caddis mimic alights like a natural. A small piece of the stream bed moves and suddenly the caddis is gone in a swirl. In the same moment, you lift the little fly rod, tightening the line. Telegraphed up the fly line, surges of the brook trout are felt through the light fly rod. Quickly playing the fish to hand, the gemstone colors of the small trout glow brightly. Releasing the trout from the barbless hook completes the act and the scurry for cover is evidence that this one is unharmed. Small stream fly fishing is gaining in popularity. The reasons are easy enough to understand. Solitude in the outdoor is at the top of the list. There are rivers to fish with many anglers if you want to share the experience. Rivers are popular fly fishing destinations and they are reflected on by all forms of the media. Small streams are out of the way, not reported on regularly and introspection, not popularity echoes here. A feeder stream, off the fishing path can provide a afternoon of quiet thoughts while experiencing the outdoors by yourself. There are no television or magazine anglers here, just you and your thoughts among the trees. Outfitting for fly fishing a small stream is a personal choice. A fly rod with a couple of flys in a film canister along with swim trunks makes things simple. On the other hand, a modern fourth generation graphite fly rod with a large arbor reel and specialized mini shooting head fly line can make decisions difficult. Hundreds of stone, caddis, and mayflys in expensive aluminum compartment fly boxes tucked in a ergonomically tailored vest, bulging with the latest gadgetry for the technically minded is another possible choice. Some use a bamboo fly rod made in the early part of the century, possibly handed down in the family. Somewhere in there lies a typical small stream fisher. We are a diverse lot, but we are looking for the same thing, peace in nature’s solitude. Light fly line weights are standard for small streams. Line weights of zero through five are generally considered an advantage when casting for wary trout. The small diameter of a light fly line combined with the light weight reduces the unwanted sight and impact when making a presentation. For small streams, fly sizes are small and wind is usually not a hinderance. A good fly rod choice will be a seven foot three weight. You can give or take a foot in length and a fly line size and still have a good choice for a rod. A small reel without a drag is all that is necessary. Equipment can be as technical or as simple as you want to make it. Fly fishing equipment is a personal choice that should match the fisher and the water being fished. Moving along on a small stream seems to come natural. Most fishing is done in an upstream manner to approach the trout from behind. Trout hold in the current to feed most of the time and their blind spot is to the rear. You need all the help that you can get when the stream is shallow, and the fish are wary of predators. This is because of the lack of deep water and structure to hide in. In order to be successful, a good creeping technique must be developed. Select earth tones for your clothes, a low profile when approaching a productive section, and as few false casts as possible. The better you become, the more your back will hurt! Headhunting, a term that is used for a fly fisher consumed by catching the largest fish does not apply here. Not that a small stream fly angler will turn their back on a large brown trout, that is exactly what some do. This is a technique used to reduce the anglers "presence" to the wary trout when rigging for the situation. The fishing attitude is one of opportunity. If a large trout is caught, it is a gift. The essence is the outdoor experience. To catch a small glistening gem and to give it back to nature, this is what small stream fishing is about. Not a quest for monster trout. On your adventure please remember this. The small stream environment is usually pristine, one single piece of trash is out of place. No impact hiking is a must, and if some trash is found, packing it out is good form. Hiking along, if another angler is present, give him or her a wide berth to minimize the intrusion. Fly fishing small streams is a return to solitude that we all need. A perfect way to enjoy the outdoors. I hope you like my story, adam

Response:

In the early morning light, long sun rays make diamond glints in the dew covered grass. A spruce forest edges the little meadow in deep blue-green while a sparkling tiny stream draws a shallow meandering line through the alpine valley. Undercut grassy banks border the small riffles below a plunge pool. The solitude is perfect, the setting is awesome and there is room for only one observer at a time. A small stream is enough to re-kindle the fishing flame of one’s youth every time. Creeping or low crawling through the grass, the coolness of the dew soaks into your clothes, but the focus is on a gin clear pool thirty feet ahead. The light fly rod gets caught in the grass, but you casually unhook the tip, careful to clear the rod from the tangle without making sudden movements. Unhooking the fly, stripping out enough line to make a cast to the near side of the pool, you sit up on your feet, crouching to maintain a low profile. Switching two false casts, you shoot a tight loop laying the fly line on the grass with the leader hooking into the pool. The leader is long enough to cross the pool, but you know this and have made a perfect presentation into the tail of the pool in order to not upset the wary brook trout upstream. The cast is unproductive, but that does not slow your racing pulse. A quick pick up and cast again in one smooth movement farther upstream, the caddis mimic alights like a natural. A small piece of the stream bed moves and suddenly the caddis is gone in a swirl. In the same moment, you lift the little fly rod, tightening the line. Telegraphed up the fly line, surges of the brook trout are felt through the light fly rod. Quickly playing the fish to hand, the gemstone colors of the small trout glow brightly. Releasing the trout from the barbless hook completes the act and the scurry for cover is evidence that this one is unharmed. Small stream fly fishing is gaining in popularity. The reasons are easy enough to understand. Solitude in the outdoor is at the top of the list. There are rivers to fish with many anglers if you want to share the experience. Rivers are popular fly fishing destinations and they are reflected on by all forms of the media. Small streams are out of the way, not reported on regularly and introspection, not popularity echoes here. A feeder stream, off the fishing path can provide a afternoon of quiet thoughts while experiencing the outdoors by yourself. There are no television or magazine anglers here, just you and your thoughts among the trees. Outfitting for fly fishing a small stream is a personal choice. A fly rod with a couple of flys in a film canister along with swim trunks makes things simple. On the other hand, a modern fourth generation graphite fly rod with a large arbor reel and specialized mini shooting head fly line can make decisions difficult. Hundreds of stone, caddis, and mayflys in expensive aluminum compartment fly boxes tucked in a ergonomically tailored vest, bulging with the latest gadgetry for the technically minded is another possible choice. Some use a bamboo fly rod made in the early part of the century, possibly handed down in the family. Somewhere in there lies a typical small stream fisher. We are a diverse lot, but we are looking for the same thing, peace in nature’s solitude. Light fly line weights are standard for small streams. Line weights of zero through five are generally considered an advantage when casting for wary trout. The small diameter of a light fly line combined with the light weight reduces the unwanted sight and impact when making a presentation. For small streams, fly sizes are small and wind is usually not a hinderance. A good fly rod choice will be a seven foot three weight. You can give or take a foot in length and a fly line size and still have a good choice for a rod. A small reel without a drag is all that is necessary. Equipment can be as technical or as simple as you want to make it. Fly fishing equipment is a personal choice that should match the fisher and the water being fished. Moving along on a small stream seems to come natural. Most fishing is done in an upstream manner to approach the trout from behind. Trout hold in the current to feed most of the time and their blind spot is to the rear. You need all the help that you can get when the stream is shallow, and the fish are wary of predators. This is because of the lack of deep water and structure to hide in. In order to be successful, a good creeping technique must be developed. Select earth tones for your clothes, a low profile when approaching a productive section, and as few false casts as possible. The better you become, the more your back will hurt! Headhunting, a term that is used for a fly fisher consumed by catching the largest fish does not apply here. Not that a small stream fly angler will turn their back on a large brown trout, that is exactly what some do. This is a technique used to reduce the anglers "presence" to the wary trout when rigging for the situation. The fishing attitude is one of opportunity. If a large trout is caught, it is a gift. The essence is the outdoor experience. To catch a small glistening gem and to give it back to nature, this is what small stream fishing is about. Not a quest for monster trout. On your adventure please remember this. The small stream environment is usually pristine, one single piece of trash is out of place. No impact hiking is a must, and if some trash is found, packing it out is good form. Hiking along, if another angler is present, give him or her a wide berth to minimize the intrusion. Fly fishing small streams is a return to solitude that we all need. A perfect way to enjoy the outdoors. I hope you like my story, adam

Response:

Question:

I’m fairly new to fly fishing. While I was taking a course in fly fishing the guide tied on two flies at once.  I’m trying to remember his technique. It seems that he tied line on the hook on one fly and added another on the end. How do you tie on more than one fly? Is this even a good idea? Thanks Greg

Response:

Hi Gregory, That is known as tying on a ‘dropper’ fly.  I tie it on above the barb of the first fly, using the clinch knot, about 18" long.  There are other methods of tying on a dropper on the tippet above the terminal fly, but your instructor wanted to keep it simple.  And yes, it is a good idea to use a dropper at times.  Many times when fish won’t hit on top, they’ll go for the dropper.  I fish for bluegill with this method when they get a little sulky in the summer,  and again in the fall when topwater fishing slows down.  Some might call this ‘bobber fishin’, but don’t let that influence you. Frank Church Elkhart, IN USAF  RET.

|I’m fairly new to fly fishing. While I was taking a course in fly fishing |the guide tied on two flies at once.  I’m trying to remember his technique. |It seems that he tied line on the hook on one fly and added another on the |end. How do you tie on more than one fly? Is this even a good idea? Thanks |Greg

Response:

This is a common technique when fishing wet flies. A fly is tied to the end of the leader as usual and another is tied to what is called a dropper. This is usually made when tying the leader by extending one end of the blood knot. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m fairly new to fly fishing. While I was taking a course in fly fishing the guide tied on two flies at once.  I’m trying to remember his technique. It seems that he tied line on the hook on one fly and added another on the end. How do you tie on more than one fly? Is this even a good idea? Thanks Greg

Response:

(good dropper advice snipped ) Frank Church Elkhart, IN USAF  RET.

Frank, I know you are a smallie fan.  A #4 or #6 hair bug for the surface and a nymph or small streamer as a dropper tied in the manner you described makes a particularly deadly combination for smallmouth.  The fish may take either fly.  This also works on trout on larger waters and is particularly effective in faster water.  In the case of trout use a slightly smaler top bug and a size 14 or 16 nymph. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

You can add an additional fly by simply tying a length of tippet to the eye of the first fly. This is how I was taught on the San Juan. The first fly can be dry attractor ( serves as strike indicator) or other while the lower fly a nymph. Two nymphs regular technique on San Juan, at least for the guide I had. One warning, I am not sure two flies are legal on all waters. You should check before using this technique as ignorance of the rules will not necessarily get you off the hook so to speak. Regards from Montreal John Brkich

Response:

Question:

Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am headed to Alaska late August – first part of September.  I am very interested in heading to Katmai for a day or two to do some flyfishing for Rainbows. Can anyone give me information on where to go/stay/fish.  I will have my wife with me who tolerates fishing, but is not an avid fisherman.  I would like to make this experience good for her, as well as try to get some serious fishing in (if only for a day or two!). Any information would be greatly appreciated Thanks, Brett

Brett, Perhaps we here at the Alaska Outdoor Registry can assist you. Please visit us at http://www.juneau.com/aor/ Brian & Connie Alaska Outdoor Registry Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii <HTML<BODY

&gt;&nbsp;<BR &gt; I am headed to Alaska late August – first part of September.&nbsp; I am very<BR &gt; interested in heading to Katmai for a day or two to do some flyfishing for<BR &gt; Rainbows.<BR &gt;&nbsp;<BR &gt; Can anyone give me information on where to go/stay/fish.&nbsp; I will have my<BR &gt; wife with me who tolerates fishing, but is not an avid fisherman.&nbsp; I would<BR &gt; like to make this experience good for her, as well as try to get some<BR &gt; serious fishing in (if only for a day or two!).<BR &gt;&nbsp;<BR &gt; Any information would be greatly appreciated<BR &gt;&nbsp;<BR &gt; Thanks,<BR &gt;&nbsp;<BR &gt; Brett</DT <DTBrett,</DT <DT&nbsp;</DT <DTPerhaps we here at the Alaska Outdoor Registry can assist you. Please visit us at http://www.juneau.com/aor/  </DT <DT&nbsp;</DT <DTBrian &amp; Connie</DT <DTAlaska Outdoor Registry</DT <DT&nbsp;</DT </BODY </HTML

Response:

I am headed to Alaska late August – first part of September.  I am very interested in heading to Katmai for a day or two to do some flyfishing for Rainbows. Can anyone give me information on where to go/stay/fish.  I will have my wife with me who tolerates fishing, but is not an avid fisherman.  I would like to make this experience good for her, as well as try to get some serious fishing in (if only for a day or two!). Any information would be greatly appreciated Thanks, Brett

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – [some deleted] The gist was that FFF is in serious money trouble.  He didn’t give any details, so I don’t know how it happened, who is/are responsible, or what is being done to correct the situation, but one thing the organization is doing is raising annual dues to $29.00 to counter a dramatic decrease in membership. Greetings Granite. What on earth could the FFF done that would result in a *dramatic decrease* in membership ? "Hmmm….", he ponders deeply. Very interesting indeed. Is "the new flyfishing craze that is sweeping America" ebbing ? One can only hope. TimW

Amen to that.  I’m ready to pounce on all that barely used second-hand gear that will undoubtedly flood the classifieds if such an ebb occurs. Brett

Response:

Here is a forwarded response for wondering readers: To: Dave Richards Dave: A copy of your note about the Federation’s troubles was forwarded to me tonight, and I thought your questions deserved an answer. The simple answers are: — Yes, the Federation has financial problems. Who doesn’t? — Yes, membership is down. But that can be remedied. — No, we’re not even close to shutting down. Frankly, I see too many opportunities to even think about closing shop. I stepped in as president in August, not because I have any wish to preside over the Federation’s demise, but because there are so many things I want to do. And I intend to be quite aggressive in doing them. A few examples: — The FFF Clubwire. Quite an innovative news service intended to help club and council newsletter editors, who in the past have had to beg, borrow, steal material to fill their pages. Now, they have routine access to information from the Federation about education activities, conservation issues, Federation news and fly-fishing in general. This free service is available by E-mail to every FFF chapter and has been getting enthusiastic response since its introduction this past summer. — The Flyfisher is being redesigned to deliver a more-targeted message to our members. You’ll see the first changes in this upcoming issue. — You mentioned the upcoming increase in dues, but you’ve been given misleading information about the reason. I asked the board of directors in August to approve the increase, not to bail out our finances, but to allow the national office to begin paying money back to the councils. Simply put, national will rebate $5 back to the councils for every member they add as off Aug. 1, 1996. I don’t deny that I hope such a program will inspire the councils to work harder to generate more members, but the reasons go beyond that. The councils carry a great deal of responsibility and do a lot of the Federation’s work, and it’s about time they started getting some financial support from national. — In the past year or so, we’ve distributed something like $20,000-$25,000 in free rods and lines for clubs to use in their education programs. Perhaps you’re more interested in conservation matters. If so, it’s that much more important to keep the Federation around. We were instrumental in having the National Marine Fisheries Service invoke the Endangered Species Act in protecting West Coast steelhead this year; we sponsored the first symposium ever on saving searun cutthroat trout; we have been active in banning gill nets along the Gulf of Mexico; we joined a coalition to get the Magnuson Act reauthorized by Congress; we are sponsors of next year’s Wild Trout symposium; we are the experts on the relicensing of hydro dams and have been especially effective with this issue in the Great Lakes area; and we were an important voice in opposing the New World Mine adjacent to Yellowstone Park. And in a couple weeks, we’re hosting the only public forum (via our newly opened International Fly Fishing Center) designed to explain what’s going on with the damaged spring creeks near Livingston, Mont. We won’t take sides in this difficult situation, but we think it’s important that everyone have the chance to hear all the arguments. Please accept my apologies if I’m pummeling you with stuff. But I’m at work, it’s late and I’m trying to go home. If you still need answers, let me know. I’m happy to give them. In the meantime, let me assure you that the problems we face can and will be handled, and you’re going to see a much more active Federation than you might have otherwise expected. And pardon me if I revert to one of my favorite Mark Twain quotes: The news of our death is much exaggerated. Regards, Tom Jindra

Response:

I received a fairly disturbing communique recently from the head of the local chapter of the Federation of Fly Fishers.  I’m not sure when it arrived since I was out of town for a couple of weeks.  It could be old news, although I doubt it. The gist was that FFF is in serious money trouble.  He didn’t give any details, so I don’t know how it happened, who is/are responsible, or what is being done to correct the situation, but one thing the organization is doing is raising annual dues to $29.00 to counter a dramatic decrease in membership. I’m also a member of another national orgainzation unrelated to fly fishing that has undergone a similar near-disaster and has recovered.  In that case the financial disaster was directly related to bad advice from a tax attorney and fiscal incompetence on the part of the yahoos running the show.  It seems likely that something similar has tripped up FFF. I’m not interested in pointing fingers, except to say that the people responsible for mismanagement need to be put someplace where they can do no further harm and replaced with others who have a bit more savvy.  Then there is also the question of whether the organization can or even should be saved. Are there any FFF members out there with more info?  Please email me directly. Dave Richards

Response:

[some deleted] The gist was that FFF is in serious money trouble.  He didn’t give any details, so I don’t know how it happened, who is/are responsible, or what is being done to correct the situation, but one thing the organization is doing is raising annual dues to $29.00 to counter a dramatic decrease in membership.

Greetings Granite. What on earth could the FFF done that would result in a *dramatic decrease* in membership ? "Hmmm….", he ponders deeply. Very interesting indeed. Is "the new flyfishing craze that is sweeping America" ebbing ?   One can only hope. TimW

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: The gist was that FFF is in serious money trouble.  He didn’t give any : details, so I don’t know how it happened, who is/are responsible, or what : is being done to correct the situation, but one thing the organization is : doing is raising annual dues to $29.00 to counter a dramatic decrease in : membership. Taxes? : I’m also a member of another national orgainzation unrelated to fly : fishing that has undergone a similar near-disaster and has recovered.  In : that case the financial disaster was directly related to bad advice from : a tax attorney and fiscal incompetence on the part of the yahoos running : the show.  It seems likely that something similar has tripped up FFF. Mmmmm, attorney-types, financial institutions, fiscal incompetence, and "yahoos" running the show. : I’m not interested in pointing fingers, except to say that the people : responsible for mismanagement need to be put someplace where they can do : no further harm and replaced with others who have a bit more savvy.  Then : there is also the question of whether the organization can or even should : be saved. I think ‘Merica is worth saving! : Are there any FFF members out there with more info?  Please email me : directly. : Dave Richards Not to muddy up Dave’s request for info, but reading his post looks like a study in current politics. It REALLY stood out. You’re on to something Dave. Remove all the incompetent leeches and start over. Bill You’re either for Perot-type changes or YOU are the problem.

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Question:

Hi.  I just moved to West Lafayette Indiana from Wyoming.  I am here to finish my degree (Resort management) and will be here until June.   Does anybody know of a place nearby where I can fly fish?  I used to (well, 3 weeks ago) fish almost everyday and I desperately miss it.  Thanks!! Shannon WYShan.aol.com

Just practice catch and release, and don’t eat the fish anyway. You are somewhat lucky in that you have a number of rivers and creeks up there that have some nice smallmouth fishing. You can float the Tippy or find some smaller streams for wading. Ask around, and check in at some bait shops. I don’t know of FFng clubs in the Purdue area, but there are further north. Also there is some good farm pond fishing for Largemouth and bluegill. As far as trout go, do as I do and go to Mich or out west. Kevin Williams

Response:

You ain’t that far from Missouri or Arkansas. A 3 day expedition to the Ozarks will help you get over your leaving Wyoming blues. I have fished both of these states pretty heavily in the last year (after moving here from Summit Co. Colorado) and have been smitten by the unspoiled beauty, the "pure strain McCloud Rainbows" (available nowhere else in the U.S.) and the relative lack of pressure in the Wild Trout management areas. If you would like some more information and/or would like to get together and see what there is in Missouri, feel free to e-mail me at: Tight Lines and Keep the Faith. Joe Sandone

Response:

HI SHANNON, YOU ARE NOT TOO FAR FROM SOME OF THE BEST FALL RUN GREAT LAKES FISHING IN THE MIDWEST.  PROBALBLY ABOUT AN HOUR. IN THE TOWN OF PORTAGE IS THE LITTLE CALUMET RIVER AND SALT CREEK AND  ABOUT A MONTH FROM NOW THE FISH WILL BEGIN TO MOVE IN. BRING YOUR 9WT.  LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED FURTHER DETAILS.

Response:

Let me offer a few suggestions. Trail Creek (and Salt Creek and the Little Calumet River) in Michigan City, about 2 hours from West Lafayette, offers some good steelhead fishing pretty much year round.  In the fall, chinooks, cohos, and browns are also available.  Obviously, they’re all hatchery fish, so I never feel guilty about keeping one every now and then.  I’ve taken steelhead up to 17 pounds, though bait fisherman get them over twenty pounds in the fall with some regularity.  The chinooks may top 30 lbs.  Careful, though, most of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and surrounding area reminds me of a toxic, industrial wasteland.  Damn, it ain’t Wyoming.  I gotta move. Let me also suggest the Pigeon River near Howe.  It’s probably 3 hours from Lafayette.  It’s a fairly pretty river with browns and rainbows, some of them pretty big, but all hatchery raised.  Indiana has a problem getting its trout to reproduce in the wild.  Anyway, for more info or suggestions, contact me. Bruce

Response:

Shannon – how far are you from South Bend? You can come up and fish for steelhead and salmon in the St. Joseph River right in Leper Park. Other spots in southwest Michigan too. email me for more info. Ann

Response:

: Hi.  I just moved to West Lafayette Indiana from Wyoming.  I am here to : finish my degree (Resort management) and will be here until June.   Does : anybody know of a place nearby where I can fly fish?  I used to (well, 3 : weeks ago) fish almost everyday and I desperately miss it.  Thanks!! : Shannon : WYShan.aol.com Well, you are 30 (maybe less) miles from the Middle Fork Illinois State Fish and Game Reserve. It’s just north of Kick-a-poo state park and NW of Danville (Both Illinois) As a indiana resident, you’ll need a non-resident license, (i think it’s under $25 for a year or around $15 for 10 days) I think your 50+ miles from Lake Michigan, but you should be near Sugar Creek (which runs thru that section of indiana). You should call the Indiana DNR, they should have free information that they’ll mail you (I’m sure they have set-aside areas too)       Chicago Area Paddling/Fishing Page:  http://www.ripco.com/~jwn/

Response:

<snip : One warning:  Get a copy of the regs and carefully read the consumption : advisories– there is *no* water in Indiana that is not under some level : of consumption advisory for toxins like heavy metals, pesticides, dioxin, : etc.  On some waters you shouldn’t eat anything, on others it’s okay to : have 1-2 meals a week; pregnant women are advised not to eat any fish : caught here at all.  I’ve got the full EPA data on these advisories and : think it’s actually worse than the state regs let on– I won’t eat any : fish caught in Indiana water.   <snip On the Illinois DNR page, they have divided fish into 3 catagories, one that you can eat a few times a week, one that you can never eat, and my favorite catagory (group II) which shouldn’t be consumed by males under 16, females who ever anticipate giving birth, and there are a few other people who, depending on their health, can’t eat group II fish.  (i just always liked the "ever anticpate" clause).       Chicago Area Paddling/Fishing Page:  http://www.ripco.com/~jwn/

Response:

You poor soul.  I have pity on you.  Wyoming to Indiana.  That’s probably worse than what we did– Oregon/Idaho to Indiana.  If you want to fish here it’ll be panfish, bass, and perhaps the hybrids they call "wipers." The best fishing is in farm ponds, though the large reserviors have produced a number of record bass and catfish.  Down south (where I am) there are monster catfish in some of the old quarries (seen Breaking Away?).  There are basically no salmonids at all though, with the exception of the Lake Michigan fishery and some stockers they put in a couple of creeks as sacrifices.  It’s a whole ‘nuther ballgame out here, let me tell you.  My steelhead gear and trout flies went into storage long ago, and only come out when I’m lucky enough to make it back West. One warning:  Get a copy of the regs and carefully read the consumption advisories– there is *no* water in Indiana that is not under some level of consumption advisory for toxins like heavy metals, pesticides, dioxin, etc.  On some waters you shouldn’t eat anything, on others it’s okay to have 1-2 meals a week; pregnant women are advised not to eat any fish caught here at all.  I’ve got the full EPA data on these advisories and think it’s actually worse than the state regs let on– I won’t eat any fish caught in Indiana water.   All that said, it’s good fun to learn to panfish, and I’ve found that bluegill or small bass on a #4 line can be a load of fun.  You’ll want to check out Turkey Run State Park and the Willow Slough, Lasalle, Hillenbrand, Winamac, and Kanakee fish and wildlife areas up in your corner of the state.  If you have time, drive up to Michigan for the real fishing; we did over Memmorial Day and it was well worth the 8 hour drive, if only to see running water that wasn’t brown. Good luck- — Derek R. Larson           Indiana University       Department of History   "Eastward I go by force, but Westward I go free!"  -H. D. Thoreau

Response:

Shannon, Depending on how close you are to Lake Michigan you are within a short drive of year-round steelhead fishing. Pick up a fly fishing mag and check the ads. I bet there is an outfitter close by.

Response:

Hi.  I just moved to West Lafayette Indiana from Wyoming.  I am here to finish my degree (Resort management) and will be here until June.   Does anybody know of a place nearby where I can fly fish?  I used to (well, 3 weeks ago) fish almost everyday and I desperately miss it.  Thanks!! Shannon WYShan.aol.com

Response:

Question:

We have had reports of steelhead being caught on flies in several rivers. The Umpqua, Deschutes and Rogue rivers have produced for some of our customers in the last few weeks. I like September/October for the best water temperatures. If the water is in the 55/65 degree range you will have steelhead really moving to the fly. In the winter the water can get into the under 50 degree range which really makes it hard for most fly fishers to catch steelhead. Don’t get me wrong, you can catch fish in the winter, Dec/Jan/Feb, it is just a little harder to get the fish to move to the fly. Early and late in the day is prime time for swinging flies on or near the surface for steelhead. Fishing with the sun off the water is the normal rule. After the sun hit the water you can get down to the bottom with any method you can. Fall steelhead can be found in many rivers from northern California to British Columbia. Steelhead are a treasure only found in North America and should never be taken for a trophy or dinner. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

Response:

   I have been told by the steelhead experts at my favorite local flyshop that if/when the steelhead goes on the endangered list that all hatcheries will be shut down and sportfishing will be prohibited.  Call me a pessimist, but if this is true, I think it’s too bad that we will just stand around on the bank with our hands in our pockets while the last few steelhead in the lower 48 die.  After all, sportfishing has little or nothing to do with the decline in the population and we are surely dreaming if we think the dams will come down in time.    By the way, any predictions or advice for the Clearwater in late October? -al

Response:

Steelhead are a treasure only found in North America and should never be taken for a trophy or dinner. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

Great post!  However, I take issue with the last sentence.  I make a large distinction between wild (i.e. unmarked) and hatchery fish.  I used to release most hatchery fish and all wild fish.  I still release all wild fish, but now retain all hatchery fish – if for no other reason than to prevent the possible breeding between hatchery and wild fish.  We have to preserve wild stocks so that there is something to left when the hatchery fish all die off from disease. cheers, -tony gades — Tony Gades website:   http://weber.u.washington.edu/~tgades

Response:

Steelhead are a treasure only found in North America and should never be

taken for a trophy or dinner. Every hatchery Steelhead should be taken when ever legal. T Wolf

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Steelhead are a treasure only found in North America and should never be taken for a trophy or dinner. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA Great post!  However, I take issue with the last sentence.  I make a large distinction between wild (i.e. unmarked) and hatchery fish.  I used to release most hatchery fish and all wild fish.  I still release all wild fish, but now retain all hatchery fish – if for no other reason than to prevent the possible breeding between hatchery and wild fish.  We have to preserve wild stocks so that there is something to left when the hatchery fish all die off from disease. cheers, -tony gades — Tony Gades website:   http://weber.u.washington.edu/~tgades

Responsible citizens have a social duty to remove inferior specimens from the gene pool.  Releasing hatchery fish to genetically pollute wild stodks is an abdication of that responsibility.   Mike in PDX "When the trout are lost, smash the state."                           Tom McGuane

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We have had reports of steelhead being caught on flies in several rivers. The Umpqua, Deschutes and Rogue rivers have produced for some of our customers in the last few weeks. I like September/October for the best water temperatures. If the water is in the 55/65 degree range you will have steelhead really moving to the fly. In the winter the water can get into the under 50 degree range which really makes it hard for most fly fishers to catch steelhead. Don’t get me wrong, you can catch fish in the winter, Dec/Jan/Feb, it is just a little harder to get the fish to move to the fly. Early and late in the day is prime time for swinging flies on or near the surface for steelhead. Fishing with the sun off the water is the normal rule. After the sun hit the water you can get down to the bottom with any method you can. Fall steelhead can be found in many rivers from northern California to British Columbia. Steelhead are a treasure only found in North America and should never be taken for a trophy or dinner. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

I was lucky to have fished for steelhead with some good anglers in the 60’s and 70’s when it was not that hard to catch them. It is very sad to see what has happened to their habitat. I have old friends, Joe Shirshac and Walt Bennette, that started fly fishing for steelhead just after WWII. They have some wonderful stories and pictures from the good old days. I agree that all wild steelhead should be released and all hatchery fish should be taken. I wish that we could start with a few good rivers and blow the dams out. If we had some decent water and a wild river I think in time runs would come back. I will be out on the American river the next few weeks looking for our half-pounder run that is best in September. I have fished for these little fish for 35 years. They run 16" plus and are great friends. I have caught them over 5 pounds on a dry fly and 7 pounds on a wet. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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