Question:

B) It’s been said that large native Battenkill trout are non-existent. HOG-WASH! I submit evidence to the contrary, The photo at…

Actually, what I have heard, is that the ‘average’ size fish, (9"-11" Brookies, and 10"-14" Browns), were in short supply and the bulk of the population were large and small fish. I have never seen many kids fishing the river, and I seriously doubt that a 2 fish limit for them will have a serious impact. The problem will come with enforcement, and the fact that bait fishing is allowed. I think ‘artificials only’ should be the rule wherever fish must be released. Actually, my preference would have been to close the entire stream to *all* usage for one year,  assess the results next fall, and formulate new regulations at that time. George Adams

Response:

George’s thought of closing the river for a year is not a bad one but just look at how difficult it has been to get even this modest change enacted.   I say modest change because I firmly believe that with the allowance of an 18 inch trout per day a lot of 15+ inch fish will grow rather quickly in the eyes of the angler. We have a modest landlock salmon run out of a resivoir in cenrtal Mass where 2 fish per day over 18 inches are allowed and every year I see numerous sub 18 inch fish being taken out.  The problem – no enforecement. Won’t be any different on the B’kill. Lets hope that the high waters this fall result in a good spawn.  We’ll have to wait two yrs to find out though and see if we’re catching those 7 to 9 inch browns; which I used to be a master of but have not seen in recent years. Regarding hatch decline I’m not 100% convinced yet that that does not have something to do with the flood / drought cycle of recent yrs.  For what it is worth the trico’s were awesome this year and while I was not on hte river I heard that the Hendricksons were quite heavy.          

Response:

I would agree with this assessment, in principle. A moratorium may be what is needed. This, ultimately, is what helped the striper fishery recover. Then again, we don’t have a consensus on what is killing the Kill… ACP – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – B) It’s been said that large native Battenkill trout are non-existent. HOG-WASH! I submit evidence to the contrary, The photo at… Actually, what I have heard, is that the ‘average’ size fish, (9"-11" Brookies, and 10"-14" Browns), were in short supply and the bulk of the population were large and small fish. I have never seen many kids fishing the river, and I seriously doubt that a 2 fish limit for them will have a serious impact. The problem will come with enforcement, and the fact that bait fishing is allowed. I think ‘artificials only’ should be the rule wherever fish must be released. Actually, my preference would have been to close the entire stream to *all* usage for one year,  assess the results next fall, and formulate new regulations at that time. George Adams

Response:

I can attest to great Trico hatches on rivers near the BKill…scores of those little buggers. Personally, I can’t stand fishing those things, but the blue wing olive hatches made up for it! ACP – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – George’s thought of closing the river for a year is not a bad one but just look at how difficult it has been to get even this modest change enacted. I say modest change because I firmly believe that with the allowance of an 18 inch trout per day a lot of 15+ inch fish will grow rather quickly in the eyes of the angler. We have a modest landlock salmon run out of a resivoir in cenrtal Mass where 2 fish per day over 18 inches are allowed and every year I see numerous sub 18 inch fish being taken out.  The problem – no enforecement. Won’t be any different on the B’kill. Lets hope that the high waters this fall result in a good spawn.  We’ll have to wait two yrs to find out though and see if we’re catching those 7 to 9 inch browns; which I used to be a master of but have not seen in recent years. Regarding hatch decline I’m not 100% convinced yet that that does not have something to do with the flood / drought cycle of recent yrs.  For what it is worth the trico’s were awesome this year and while I was not on hte river I heard that the Hendricksons were quite heavy.

Response:

 Hi folks.  I am writing with regards to special regulations        that have been proposed for the Battenkill in Vermont.  As many        are aware the fishery has been suffering for the past several        years and unfortunately despite efforts by Vermont Fish and        Wildlife there has been no definitive causes identified for the        decline that has been seen.        In order to reduce the decline in the population of the brown        trout in the river the state has proposed a 6 yr. no kill        regulation that will eliminate or at least minimize the one        identifiable factor in the rivers decline; angler harvest.  At        the same time the state plans to do an extensive study on the        river to identify causes for the decline. (This work has        already begun with some habitat improvement completed this fall        and an evaluation of spawning areas planned for later in the        month).   A public meeting was held in August and the proposal        was by and large favorably received by the public.  Yesterday        the Fish and Wildlife Board voted on this proposal.  It was        accepted with two very important amendments that may corrupt        the purpose of the no kill proposal.  The first is to allow        children under the age of 15 to keep two trout of any size per        day. The second is to allow any angler to keep one trout per        day of 18 inches or larger.        An additional vote will be taken (probably in December) to        determine the final regulations that will be placed on the        river.  There are no public hearings scheduled to discuss these        two amendments but from what I understand this can be ?forced?        upon the board through petition.  I will be investigating how        to achieve this.        In the meantime I would ask that any anglers that are        interested in seeing the Battenkill fishery turned around        please write a POLITE letter to the following individuals that        are members of the F&W Board.        David Mallory        RD # 1, Box 103        Jericho, VT 05465       John Stannard       PO Box 73       Rte 30       Dorset VT 05251        For what it is worth I am not a C&R zealot but I do value the        opportunity of catching wild trout and the Battenkill can be        turned around.  Folks that fish the area around Manchester and        Arlington have numerous options when it comes to fishing and        there is no shortage of streams and ponds that offer anglers        the chance to take home a few fish for dinner.        The real question is whether we as sportsman are willing to        sacrifice a little bit now to pass along a better resource for        the next generations of anglers. We owe it to ourselves and our        children to work towards making the river a better stream than        it is at the moment.  Catch and release is a small price to        pay.        I hope you’ll support the river by writing to these gentlemen        in order to persuade them to reconsider the amendments that        have been put forward.        For what it is worth regarding kids on the river and the 18 inch fish regulation        problem becomes one of enforcement.  Dad’s fishin with the kids, they go off to        collect rocks and a fish takes.  Dad lands the fish and keeps it.  Is that legit?        Regarding 18 inch fish.  I don’t know about you but I can see a lot of guys          using their eyes as rulers and then fish from 14 inches on go into the creel.  I’ve        seen it down here in Mass where we have a salmon run in the fall.  A lot of "18        salmon" are taken home that are clearly shy of that.        Thanks very much.        Doug Lyons

Response:

Some obeservations: 1. The only 1 fish over 18 inches rule is interesting in light of evidence    that such fish are basically nonexistent in the B-Kill…indeed, trout    over TEN inches are apparently down by 89% in many stretched (Source:    Fly Fishing in Northern New England). Thus, my own take is that this    will do little to HARM the fishing. 2. I wonder if these, and more restrictions may increase crowds at other    nearby rivers, thus creating same problems as those affecting the    B-Kill. Perhaps such rules need to to be enforced at all nearby    rivers as a preventative? ACP – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi folks.  I am writing with regards to special regulations       that have been proposed for the Battenkill in Vermont.  As many       are aware the fishery has been suffering for the past several       years and unfortunately despite efforts by Vermont Fish and       Wildlife there has been no definitive causes identified for the       decline that has been seen.       In order to reduce the decline in the population of the brown       trout in the river the state has proposed a 6 yr. no kill       regulation that will eliminate or at least minimize the one       identifiable factor in the rivers decline; angler harvest.  At       the same time the state plans to do an extensive study on the       river to identify causes for the decline. (This work has       already begun with some habitat improvement completed this fall       and an evaluation of spawning areas planned for later in the       month).   A public meeting was held in August and the proposal       was by and large favorably received by the public.  Yesterday       the Fish and Wildlife Board voted on this proposal.  It was       accepted with two very important amendments that may corrupt       the purpose of the no kill proposal.  The first is to allow       children under the age of 15 to keep two trout of any size per       day. The second is to allow any angler to keep one trout per       day of 18 inches or larger.       An additional vote will be taken (probably in December) to       determine the final regulations that will be placed on the       river.  There are no public hearings scheduled to discuss these       two amendments but from what I understand this can be ?forced?       upon the board through petition.  I will be investigating how       to achieve this.       In the meantime I would ask that any anglers that are       interested in seeing the Battenkill fishery turned around       please write a POLITE letter to the following individuals that       are members of the F&W Board.       David Mallory       RD # 1, Box 103       Jericho, VT 05465      John Stannard      PO Box 73      Rte 30      Dorset VT 05251       For what it is worth I am not a C&R zealot but I do value the       opportunity of catching wild trout and the Battenkill can be       turned around.  Folks that fish the area around Manchester and       Arlington have numerous options when it comes to fishing and       there is no shortage of streams and ponds that offer anglers       the chance to take home a few fish for dinner.       The real question is whether we as sportsman are willing to       sacrifice a little bit now to pass along a better resource for       the next generations of anglers. We owe it to ourselves and our       children to work towards making the river a better stream than       it is at the moment.  Catch and release is a small price to       pay.       I hope you’ll support the river by writing to these gentlemen       in order to persuade them to reconsider the amendments that       have been put forward.       For what it is worth regarding kids on the river and the 18 inch fish regulation       problem becomes one of enforcement.  Dad’s fishin with the kids, they go off to       collect rocks and a fish takes.  Dad lands the fish and keeps it.  Is that legit?       Regarding 18 inch fish.  I don’t know about you but I can see a lot of guys       using their eyes as rulers and then fish from 14 inches on go into the creel.  I’ve       seen it down here in Mass where we have a salmon run in the fall.  A lot of "18       salmon" are taken home that are clearly shy of that.       Thanks very much.       Doug Lyons

Response:

Intersesting thoughts. There are still a few good ones swimming the river – a friend took 14 and 15 1/2 brown this past season.  A big concern I have is that a lot of eyeball measuring will be going on and the 15 inch trout will be stretched out by overly zealous anglers. Regarding fishing pressure on other streams one has to remember that many such rivers (the Wallumsac comes to mind)  are generously supported by stocking.  

Response:

Intersesting thoughts. There are still a few good ones swimming the river – a friend took 14 and 15 1/2 brown this past season.  A big concern I have is that a lot of eyeball measuring will be going on and the 15 inch trout will be stretched out by overly zealous anglers. Regarding fishing pressure on other streams one has to remember that many such rivers (the Wallumsac comes to mind)  are generously supported by stocking.  

My take on this whole topic… A) The recently passed regulation is in my opinion a giant step. While probably not the ultimate solution, it certainly is a beginning. Total C&R would be better…FF only would be better…river usage changes pertaining to canoes and tubes would be better…but it’s a good start! I certainly predict the sighting of more youths astream…still that’s ok…a two fish limit between dad and youngster is fine by me. Plus it propogates a continuence of the sport amongst the next generation. B) It’s been said that large native Battenkill trout are non-existent. HOG-WASH! I submit evidence to the contrary, The photo at…    <http://www.virtualflybox.com/photos/bkill_brn.shtml …refutes this opinion. I took this photo late last summer and in addition to this fish I have first hand accountings of trout of these proportions having been caught on these fabled waters. C) As to increased fishing pressure on local waters…that will only be caused by the locals…who are, I’m sure already there, due to the recent decline of the fishery on the Battenkill. D) Future regulatory thoughts have to consider things like the impact caused by non-fishing river usage, changes in the chemical runoffs, landowner riverside impacts, etc. I personally can attest to a huge change in the insect activity on this river. The Caddis hatches used to be legendary…now they are quite rare. The Battenkill has not seen a stockery of fish in over thirty years and has until recently been a prime fishery. Only in the last ten years has there been a major decline…so the reason for that must be determined and solved. But quickly! keep tyin’…byard * * * * * * * * *   V I R T U A L    F L Y B O X    * * * * * * * * *    Fly Tyers Worldwide * Hundreds of Patterns * Tying Instructions                     http://www.VirtualFlybox.com * * * *   F E A T U R I N G   *  9 8 0  *   P A T T E R N S   * * * *

Response:

Question:

Anyone out there keen to start a Newsgroup for discussion on rod building & repairs, lure making, fly tying, etc etc? Please e-mail me if interested. Ron Looi

Response:

Ron;    There are is a Rod Builders News Letter and a Rod Builders Chat group. If you are interested just search for rod builders. Ernie Harrison See Ernie’s Fly-Fishing Stuff:   http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone out there keen to start a Newsgroup for discussion on rod building & repairs, lure making, fly tying, etc etc? Please e-mail me if interested. Ron Looi

Response:

What is the newsletter address? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ron;   There are is a Rod Builders News Letter and a Rod Builders Chat group. If you are interested just search for rod builders. Ernie Harrison See Ernie’s Fly-Fishing Stuff:   http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2 Anyone out there keen to start a Newsgroup for discussion on rod building & repairs, lure making, fly tying, etc etc? Please e-mail me if interested. Ron Looi

There’s a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore like an idiot." – Steven Wright

Response:

Gee, I have searched for rod builders, but seem to find our site at the head of the list.I would be interested in an NG for,about & by rodbuilders. — The RodMaker http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Gorge/2865

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ron;    There are is a Rod Builders News Letter and a Rod Builders Chat group. If you are interested just search for rod builders. Ernie Harrison See Ernie’s Fly-Fishing Stuff:   http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2 Anyone out there keen to start a Newsgroup for discussion on rod building & repairs, lure making, fly tying, etc etc? Please e-mail me if interested. Ron Looi

Response:

Preciate that Bob, You may rest assured that I will always be skulking in the shadows of R.O.F.B. — The RodMaker http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Gorge/2865

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey, Rodmaker, hope you don’t find what you are looking for.  Sure would miss your posts here! — Go fishing. And may your fish be as big as your tales! Gee, I have searched for rod builders, but seem to find our site at the head of the list.I would be interested in an NG for,about & by rodbuilders. — The RodMaker http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Gorge/2865 Ron;    There are is a Rod Builders News Letter and a Rod Builders Chat group. If you are interested just search for rod builders. Ernie Harrison See Ernie’s Fly-Fishing Stuff:   http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2 Anyone out there keen to start a Newsgroup for discussion on rod building & repairs, lure making, fly tying, etc etc? Please e-mail me if interested. Ron Looi

Response:

Hey, Rodmaker, hope you don’t find what you are looking for.  Sure would miss your posts here! — Go fishing. And may your fish be as big as your tales! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Gee, I have searched for rod builders, but seem to find our site at the head of the list.I would be interested in an NG for,about & by rodbuilders. — The RodMaker http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Gorge/2865 Ron;    There are is a Rod Builders News Letter and a Rod Builders Chat group. If you are interested just search for rod builders. Ernie Harrison See Ernie’s Fly-Fishing Stuff:   http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2 Anyone out there keen to start a Newsgroup for discussion on rod building & repairs, lure making, fly tying, etc etc? Please e-mail me if interested. Ron Looi

Response:

Question:

Last weekend I camped on the Beaverkill river in Roscoe, NY.  Feeling somewhat daunted by the low water, I fished the first evening at Hendrickson Pool. There was a good spinner fall and some caddis activity.  I got a strike when it was barely light enough to see.  I set the hook, and got screeched into my backing.  It took me way upstream.  I was stranded on the large rock I stood on, not wanting to follow it in the dark.  I also knew that there was a wind knot in my tippet – making a breakoff a huge likelyhood. I finally managed to land the fish.  A nineteen inch brown trout – snagged right in the vent(you know, its asshole).  I wondered how I could have managed that with a dry fly.  I left, wondering whether to feel proud or cheated. The next night, I fished the same pool.  I noticed a rise in the same spot, and sent a drift through there.  It was the same nineteen inch brownie, this time hooked properly.  There were three guys within sight to watch me, and they all made appreciative remarks as I picked it out of the water. HA! Pete C

Response:

Pete,    If that Brown came back for seconds on the kind of treatment he got on the first night, I think I would wonder about his sexual preferences. Ernie Harrison Like to make fly-fishing stuff?  See: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh/

<snip  A nineteen inch brown trout – snagged right in the vent(you know, its

asshole). <snip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -The next night, I fished the same pool.  I noticed a rise in the same spot, and sent a drift through there.  It was the same nineteen inch brownie <snip Pete C

Response:

If that Brown came back for seconds on the kind of treatment he got on the first night, I think I would wonder about his sexual preferences. Ernie Harrison..

Reminds me of the story of the massive alternative lifestyle grizzly bear..

Response:

Question:

tell me where to get them and i will do it thanx Andrew         What should i put on my website.  I have an outdoor Oriented site and was         wondering what you guys like in a website. Please let me know.         Andrew Fulton     Andrew,     Being the presumptious sob that I can be, I’ll speak for the group….     nude flyfishing women     that should about cover it…..     –Wataugan Walt

Response:

If you can tell me where to get them i will do it.  Thanx Andrew         What should i put on my website.  I have an outdoor Oriented site and was         wondering what you guys like in a website. Please let me know.         Andrew Fulton     Andrew,     Being the presumptious sob that I can be, I’ll speak for the group….     nude flyfishing women     that should about cover it…..     –Wataugan Walt

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What should i put on my website.  I have an outdoor Oriented site and was wondering what you guys like in a website. Please let me know. Andrew Fulton Andrew, Being the presumptious sob that I can be, I’ll speak for the group…. nude flyfishing women that should about cover it….. –Wataugan Walt

—

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i’m searching for a flyfishing desination that offers opportunity for large trout and stuff thats nearby for family to do while i fish. please email me with any idea you may have. thanks, mp Dear mp, You might consider the Jackson, Wyoming area. There are locations for larger trout and plenty of things to do for the rest of the family. — Bruce E. James, Webmaster Jack Dennis Outdoor Shop http://www.jacksonwy.com/jackdennis/

It depends where you want to go.  Ennis MT has a number of family recreation spots available while you fish the Madison River for big brown trout.  The family can visit Virginia City, MT, a turn of the century restoration; Lewis & Clark Caverns, a wonderful cave complex with tours; Yellowstone, which is about an hour away; etc.

Response:

For my money and time, I’d fish the Green downstream from the Flaming Gorge damn in Utah. I fished there in May and July and had my best fishing experience there. Big and plentiful fish. Jerry G.

Response:

i’m searching for a flyfishing desination that offers opportunity for large trout and stuff thats nearby for family to do while i fish. please email me with any idea you may have. thanks, mp

Response:

This is a multi-part message in MIME format. Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit very good destinations are always depending on the season. Scotland (U.K.) has some magnificant flyfish rivers. Check out the Spey river in june or july …or the Tweed, Tay and Nith in the autumn. D.de Jong Content-Type: text/x-vcard; charset=us-ascii; name="vcard.vcf" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Description: Card for "Drs. D. de Jong" Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="vcard.vcf" begin:          vcard fn:             "Drs. D. de Jong" n:              ;"Drs. D. de Jong" x-mozilla-cpt:  ;0 x-mozilla-html: FALSE end:            vcard

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Question:

I will be in the Marathon area over the Thanksgiving Holidays and would like information on access to flats that I can wade. I will not have a boat, but could possibly rent a canoe. Any info to flats that I could drive to and wade would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance…release ‘em Tom Steele

Response:

Here are a few suggestions: Long Key Park, Bahia Honda Park, the east side of the road west of Islamorada at the utility pole #913, the flats behind the high school at Marathon, the oceanside flats between milemarker 52 & T. Chittums (both are flyfishing shops in Islamorada) and the folks at Tournament Bait & Tackle. During this time of year, I think you’d have your best chances at most of these places during an incoming tide in early morning, right after a cooling rain, or near sunset. Best wishes, Bob Elliott, Rochester, NY

Response:

: the flats behind : the high school at Marathon, Do any of the students go to class?  Sheesh… I think I live in the wrong part of the world… — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

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Question:

Will be in Hilton Head, SC next week to give a couple of talks.  Have some free time.  Any saltwater or brackish water FF to be had in the area?  Guides or tackle shops?  Thanks. J. Rice

Response:

david murray in beaufort, south carolina is the best guide i have ever fished with his # is 803-525-6820 tell him monty in nashville sent you, he’s a great guy and will put you on redfish. Monty Powell

Response:

david murray in beaufort, south carolina is the best guide i have ever fished with his # is 803-525-6820 tell him monty in nashville sent you, he’s a great guy and will put you on redfish. Monty Powell

I agree!! Steve Rosenblum Ann Arbor

Response:

Question:

Ayone have directions to Deep Creek in Southern California?  I’m told it’s near Lake Arrowhead.  Any info would be appreciated including recommended areas to fish. Thanks in advance, Richard

Response:

Ayone have directions to Deep Creek in Southern California?  I’m told it’s near Lake Arrowhead.  Any info would be appreciated including recommended areas to fish. Thanks in advance,

Richard, I haven’t fly-fished Deep Creek but I used to have a house at Lake Arrowhead and still go up there occasionally to visit friends.  You can get to Deep Creek from the east end of Arrowhead; take the road across the street from the Marina.  There is a trailhead with a sign.  It’s a nice 3 mile or so hike down – I haven’t hiked all the way to the creek.  Friends that have fished the creek like it; the fish are small, it’s catch and release, barbless hooks.  Compared to a lot of places you can fish, it’s not great but there is very little fly-fishing in SOCAL so you take what you can get.  Remember, you have to hike out at the end!  I think there are other approaches to the creek but I don’t know them.  Good luck. Dave Hurwitz

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Question:

Greenstone lake, the first that you get to, seems to have a small brook trout population but there are so many others that it’s hardly worth fishing.

One of the funnier things I’ve seen while fishing happened here.  A couple of spin fisherman were fishing Greenstone and one hooked about a 6" brookie.  His buddy got the net, which had a handle about three feet long and a rim about 2 feet in diameter.  It was big enough to net salmon for god’s sake. Well, as he went to lift the trout out of the water, it fell through the webbing on the net.  I got a good chuckle to say the least.

Response:

A friend was in at Saddlebag two weeks ago and said the ground was still fairly soggy…..alot of the High Country won’t be opened up this year at all, as fall/winter is beginning to happen already (last week it got down to 35 deg 3 nights straight at 6870 ft. elevation. As far as fishing, it’s been suprising how few trout are actually surface feeding this year in the Sierra (Ralph Cutter- can you shed some light on this and/or confirm/deny ??).   All I’m able to attribute it to is the lower than customary temperature of the water. There *are* hatches, although they are much later than usual, but the fish seeem to be ignoring them. The few that I’ve kept have been **PACKED** with nymphs, hoppers, ants and beetles, but not alot of "surface bugs". I indicator nymphed and worked a pair of ants (one flying, one hardshell) and picked up a few fish….but certainly nothing to boast about. Tried soft-hackele wets for hours with no takers..upstream, down and across and downstream…..started to curse Dave Huges and Sylvester Nemes below my breath, but decided that I’d save that for my third and likely final attempt at this "old New Style" of flyfishing. Don’t know if it would be worth the effort of canoeing and then trekking farther; I’ve heard Mammoth has been pretty good this year, you may want to give it a go instead!!

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At the end of September I’m thinking of heading up to Saddlebage Lake, canoeing accross and hiking around the Conness Lakes/Glacier are to fish for Goldens.  Has anyone been up there lately or at this time of year.  I know it’ll probabaly be a bit cold since its above 10,000 feet. What flies should I bring?  Nymphs, Caddis, Terresterals?  Any advice would be appreciated.  

I haven’t been up there in a few years but this is one of my favorite areas.  I also used a canoe to get across the lake and  then carried it up on the shore a bit and stashed my oars up by a tree a bit up the trail. Greenstone lake, the first that you get to, seems to have a small brook trout population but there are so many others that it’s hardly worth fishing.  The next lake (Wasco) is a little better and I’ve caught fish of a decent size.  Steelhead lake (the biggest in the basin) has been hit and miss for me.  Cascade lake, and the small lake in between it and Steelhead are both real good.  The shallows at the south end of the lake are teeming with brookies in the evening.  There is another small lake (Towser) that is supposed to be a Golden trout only lake and I’ve caught a couple real small ones in it.  Shamrock lake has been one of the best producers for brookies for me and it’s probably the prettiest in the basin.  To the South of Shamrock as you head up the hill there are a couple of other small lakes that are supposed to be Golden trout lakes but I’ve never found them.  At the top of the hill in the center of the basin is Z-lake.  I have caught more brookies in that lake then any of the other lakes.  Helen Lake and Odell have produced much for me and I believe that Odell is supposed to be a golden trout only lake as well. I haven’t fished Hummingbird but I hear it has a large brookie population, so much so that the fish are stunted. There are three lakes up above the waterfall below the glacier that are worth the hike only because they are so pretty.  The first one is almost a tourquiose color.  Unfortunately I was told that these lakes froze solid a few years ago and have not been restocked.  That was about five years ago so it may have changed. If the fish are hitting the surface I have had the best luck with grey hackle peacocks, grey hackle yellows, Sierra brite dots, and coachmens. If they are not,  various nymphs like GR hares ears, prince nymphs, Birds nests, pheasant tails, and a few emerger patterns all seem to work.   I fished all of these patterns with an ultralight spinning rod and a casting bubble.  For the grey hackles, etc, I filled the bubble half full of water and fished them wet just below the surface with a *very* slow retrieve.   For the nymphs I fill the bubble up all the way and then cast and count down several seconds before begining the retrieve. As is the case with any of the areas in the Sierra you should be prepared for any kind of weather.  I’ve been there twice in September when it has snowed.  One time a friend of mine and I drove up and camped at Tioga lake campground because we arrived too late in the day.  He got up the next morning and went out in my canoe on Tioga lake.  He paddled out about 100′ and decided it was too cold.  He knocked on my camper shell window and said that he had to come in and warm up.  We ended up driving around a bit because the heater wasn’t warming fast enough.  It was probably a good three hours before he felt normal again.  Hypothermia is a very real possibility this time of year and it’s nothing to fool around with.  If we had camped out the night before in the basin like we had planned it could have been *real* serious. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

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At the end of September I’m thinking of heading up to Saddlebage Lake, canoeing accross and hiking around the Conness Lakes/Glacier are to fish for Goldens.  Has anyone been up there lately or at this time of year.  I know it’ll probabaly be a bit cold since its above 10,000 feet. What flies should I bring?  Nymphs, Caddis, Terresterals?  Any advice would be appreciated.   "Never get suckered into defending the cost of your fishing habit on a cost per pound basis.  It’ll only embarrass or depress you.  The only measurement that makes sense at all is the cost per cast…So, if you are long on effort and short on results, remember that the more you cast, the cheaper it gets."                                             -Tully Stroud Chris Anderson San Fransicko

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I am a begining fly fisherman and I am going to be working in canon city, co for the summer. I will be there from May 15- August 15. I would appreciate any suggestions on good places to fish, shops for flys, and approximate times of good hatches. In other words any help would be appreciated. thanks in advance. Paul

You’ll be living right by the headwaters of the Arkansas River, which has some decent trout (so I’ve heard, haven’t gotten down there yet). Also, you won’t be too far from the South Platte, which is pretty famous for awesome catch & release only, artificial flies & lures (barbless hooks) only fishing. The South Platte will be about 1.5 to 2 hours drive from Canon City, either north into Colorado Springs and then West on route 24 to Woodland Park, and north on route 67 to Deckers, or continue through Woodland Park to Lake George, and go up Elevenmile Canyon road (3 dollar access fee you pay at a self-serve station), to the river. I’m still new at the insect hatches, so can’t give you anything of value in that area. Pick up a copy of the Colorado Angling Guide when you get here, or before if you can find it. It’s got a nice collection of Forest Service maps of the areas. As for shops, I know the Angler’s Covey on 8th and West Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs is a great place for fly fishing supplies and advice, although you should be able to find something in Canon City as well, use the yellow pages. — Scott Ferguson                               My views are not necessarily Cray Computer Corporation                    those of Cray Computer Corp.

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I am a begining fly fisherman and I am going to be working in canon city, co for the summer. I will be there from May 15- August 15. I would appreciate any suggestions on good places to fish, shops for flys, and approximate times of good hatches. In other words any help would be appreciated. thanks in advance. Paul

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