Question:

A summarized quote from an article in Audubon: "The federal government is proposing that Maine’s Atlantic salmon be protected under the Endangered Species Act. In 1999 less than 100 spawning females returned to the eight rivers targeted in the proposal and those were the Country’s best remaining runs of wild Atlantic salmon. Maine’s governor Angus King and a congressional delegation from Maine take issue with the claim that Maine salmon are a distinct subspecies. They feel that an ESA listing would harm the blueberry and salmon aquaculture industries." Even if the salmon don’t ultimately get ESA protection, maybe just the "threat" of it will improve the situation. In Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, just the consideration of putting some of our native trout species under the ESA, prompted the states’ to step up their efforts in restoring these populations, seemingly to try and curtail the ESA designation. Willi

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A summarized quote from an article in Audubon: "The federal government is proposing that Maine’s Atlantic salmon be protected under the Endangered Species Act. In 1999 less than 100 spawning females returned to the eight rivers targeted in the proposal and those were the Country’s best remaining runs of wild Atlantic salmon. Maine’s governor Angus King and a congressional delegation from Maine take issue with the claim that Maine salmon are a distinct subspecies. They feel that an ESA listing would harm the blueberry and salmon aquaculture industries." Even if the salmon don’t ultimately get ESA protection, maybe just the "threat" of it will improve the situation. In Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, just the consideration of putting some of our native trout species under the ESA, prompted the states’ to step up their efforts in restoring these populations, seemingly to try and curtail the ESA designation.

hope this isn’t considered raining on the esa parade, but i have yet to see any meaningful reforms due to the esa in the northwest.  the powers that be, inclusing those within NMFS, seem to be fighting harder and harder every year to maintain the status quo, except for those sport fisheries… those must be closed first because they have the most impact (add heavy dose of sarcasm to last sentence <G) we’re starting to get some inklings that things may be changing, but hell, chinook on the snake river have been listed for an awful long time to just be finally doing something. if it’s true that only 100 female atlantics were in 8 rivers, i’m amazed that they aren’t covered under the esa.  looks like maine’s salmon are on cruise control towards extinction. chris

Response:

I’ll conceived IMHO Here’s the facts I’m aware of. 1. Atlantic Salmon are not endangered as a species, Maine has no distinct species or subspecies of Salmon it’s just the run of the mill salmo salar 2. The runs have depleted over the past few years, despite the improvement to all the hydro projects to include downstream access – i.e.: no more cut bait from salmon returning to the sea. 3.  With the number of fish heading out due to stocking, and some limited natural reproduction,  it’s obvious to me the problem is NOT in the rivers of Maine but off the coast of Maine, this proposal will not get rid of the Russian and Japanese fishing fleets off our coast. (I do not claim this to be the entire problem, but when Canada quit netting salmon off their coast the runs improved). Overall fishing in the gulf of Maine is bad and getting worse. Giant factory ships under foreign flags sit there year round, I do not believe this has no impact. 4. Atlantic’s were placed on C&R 2 years ago to see if this helped, it takes 5 years for this to begin to show improvement or failure (for fish to return from the sea). 5. TU and Audubon who pushed for the C&R reg change have declared the program a failure, 3 years before any evidence pro or con can be produced 6. If ESA listing is approved on the rivers so designated agriculture and aquaculture will take a second seat. This could have an impact on Maine which has lagged the rest of the country in this age of economic growth. The Governor and the reps are just doing their jobs here. 7. The State of Maine has spent millions of dollars over the past 10+ years attempting to restore the salmon runs, it hasn’t worked. ESA listing doesn’t show much promise because the root cause of the depletion hasn’t been identified. Audubon needs to do some research before they attempt to impose a "solution". 8. The removal of the Edwards dam in Augusta may improve the virtually non-existent run in the Kennebec, despite the small numbers of fish in the Kennebec it’s not on Audubon’s list. The Kennebec once was home to the largest runs recorded in Maine and could be again given time to recover. These runs disappeared within years of Edwards construction. 9. ESA listing will more than likely cause these rivers to be closed to all angling regardless of the species targeted or so I’m told by the US F&W biologist locally. 10. Those numbers are not the same as what’s being touted here locally, I’ll see if I can find the website with the info. Also it’s TU and Audubon who are petitioning the Feds for the listing, it’s not a proposal from the Feds as far as I know (yet) We’d all love to have great runs of Atlantic’s, there is nothing finer than a 10lb salmon leaping out of the water on your fly, been there, done that. This proposal is premature and threatens the livelihood of some hardworking folks here in Maine. Audubon needs to back their claims with research, and they have yet to do that. Flyfish – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A summarized quote from an article in Audubon: "The federal government is proposing that Maine’s Atlantic salmon be protected under the Endangered Species Act. In 1999 less than 100 spawning females returned to the eight rivers targeted in the proposal and those were the Country’s best remaining runs of wild Atlantic salmon. Maine’s governor Angus King and a congressional delegation from Maine take issue with the claim that Maine salmon are a distinct subspecies. They feel that an ESA listing would harm the blueberry and salmon aquaculture industries." Even if the salmon don’t ultimately get ESA protection, maybe just the "threat" of it will improve the situation. In Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, just the consideration of putting some of our native trout species under the ESA, prompted the states’ to step up their efforts in restoring these populations, seemingly to try and curtail the ESA designation. Willi

Response:

I haven’t followed it in the last couple of weeks, but have the impression that ESA enactment is a done deal. Governor King’s complaint is that it’s bit premature: the Feds gave their blessing to a 5 year plan put into place by the State, and 2 years later came back with the Big Hammer. It’s a rather complex situation with no single factor bearing the brunt of the blame, but there’s little argument that the regions that are going to get hit the hardest economically are the same ones that only recently saw their unemployment levels dip below 10% for the first time in 10 or 15 years. Despite opinions to the contrary, the salmon have lots of support, whereas the unemployed have only the government to turn to. Governor King and the State are suing to get access to the data on which the Feds based their decision. Odd that he should have to do that in the face of what is purported to be overwhelming evidence that the ESA needed enacting. The Penobscot had water temps in excess of 70 in the Bangor area last season due to regionwide drought, but it won’t matter this year, the anglers get to take a by, for at least this year and for as long as some steadily employed people from another part of the country deem it. The whole thing still smells a little fishy to me. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A summarized quote from an article in Audubon: "The federal government is proposing that Maine’s Atlantic salmon be protected under the Endangered Species Act. In 1999 less than 100 spawning females returned to the eight rivers targeted in the proposal and those were the Country’s best remaining runs of wild Atlantic salmon. Maine’s governor Angus King and a congressional delegation from Maine take issue with the claim that Maine salmon are a distinct subspecies. They feel that an ESA listing would harm the blueberry and salmon aquaculture industries." Even if the salmon don’t ultimately get ESA protection, maybe just the "threat" of it will improve the situation. In Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, just the consideration of putting some of our native trout species under the ESA, prompted the states’ to step up their efforts in restoring these populations, seemingly to try and curtail the ESA designation. Willi

Response:

6. If ESA listing is approved on the rivers so designated agriculture and aquaculture will take a second seat. This could have an impact on Maine which has lagged the rest of the country in this age of economic growth. The Governor and the reps are just doing their jobs here.

how much of an impact do you think the aquaculture industry is having on maine’s wild salmon?  are there large numbers of escapees?  aquaculture definetely puts me in a tough situation… on one hand the price of fish declines, which is good for wild fish (not economical to harvest them) but the commercial impact on fish remains to make the food the fish in pens eat.  plus the use of antibiotics and the possible spread of diseases from rearing in tight quarters are imo seriously bad things. seems you want no job losses from aquaculture, but don’t mind job losses among the commercial fishing fleet.  seems a strange position since both have negative effects, although one is obvious and the other will be forever argued by those pro-aquaculture folks. we’re facing much the same deal here in the northwest with probable job losses (never mind the loss of a $1 billion sportfishery from the loss of viable fisheries).  do you have any treaty tribes in maine, because as i read it, in the nw they will be the folks who have the final say due to the treaties superseding much of the state’s power. good luck finding a solution, i hope you can find one. chris

Response:

6. If ESA listing is approved on the rivers so designated agriculture and aquaculture will take a second seat. This could have an impact on Maine which has lagged the rest of the country in this age of economic growth. The Governor and the reps are just doing their jobs here.

:how much of an impact do you think the aquaculture industry is having on maine’s wild salmon?  are there large numbers of escapees?  aquaculture definetely puts me in a tough situation… on one hand the price of fish declines, which is good for wild fish (not economical to harvest them) but the commercial impact on fish remains to make the food the fish in pens eat.  plus the use of antibiotics and the possible spread of diseases from rearing in tight quarters are imo seriously bad things.: The Maine and the New Brunswick salmon aquaculture industry are one in the same.  All of the salmon stocks in New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy (with the exception of the Saint John River’s) are on the verge of extirpation.  The causitive link with aquaculture is suspected, because the stock declines commenced with the explosion of the industry in the early ’80’s.  The pathway(s) are not certain, but disease, genetic pollution and the concentration of predator theories cannot be dismissed.  The spread of the deadly Infectious Salmon Anemia (of European origin and imported in live fish to North America?) from cage escapees to wild salmon in one NB river has been demonstrated.  It has also been demonstrated that wild resident fish species, such as herring and harbour pollock are carriers of the disease. That said, a lot of the Down East salmon rivers of Maine are a long way from the aquaculture industry, and the pathway of its effect on them is hard to visualize.  The recovery of the eastern seaboard striped bass populations cannot be good for salmon, nor can exploding sea bird and seal populations.   At least one expert at Acadia University contends that it is foreign fishing fleets, which indiscriminatly fish for all species that are available, are the real culprits. JB :seems you want no job losses from aquaculture, but don’t mind job losses among the commercial fishing fleet.  seems a strange position since both have negative effects, although one is obvious and the other will be forever argued by those pro-aquaculture folks. we’re facing much the same deal here in the northwest with probable job losses (never mind the loss of a $1 billion sportfishery from the loss of viable fisheries).  do you have any treaty tribes in maine, because as i read it, in the nw they will be the folks who have the final say due to the treaties superseding much of the state’s power. good luck finding a solution, i hope you can find one. chris:

Response:

Question:

I’ll be moving to Ann Arbor for a year or two beginning next June. Can someone recommend local lakes, rivers, etc for fishing? tia. Mike

Response:

Contact Mu Young Lee over on rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.  He lives in Ann Frank Church Elkhart, IN USAF RETIRED – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ll be moving to Ann Arbor for a year or two beginning next June. Can someone recommend local lakes, rivers, etc for fishing? tia. Mike

Response:

You are SO LUCKY !  You are going to one of the best fishing areas in the U.S. Having grown up living on Ore Lake, by Hamburg, Mi. ( about 12 miles from Ann Arbor) I can tell you that it’s difficult to turn around without falling into a river or lake.  The Huron River runs through Ann Arbor and their is a chain of lakes on it every couple of miles.  Pick up a map and check out all the lakes in Washtenaw and Livingston Counties ! I’ll be moving to Ann Arbor for a year or two beginning next June. Can someone recommend local lakes, rivers, etc for fishing? tia.

Response:

Mike: I live north off Ann Arbor and do alot of fishing in the area.  Try at Pinckney (just nw of Ann Arbor) and fish the two chains of lakes (halfmoon and strawberry lake chains).  You can also fish the Pinckey Rec. Area lakes. I do well with bass and pike in those two areas.  I also fish alot in Livingston county (just north of ann arbor).  As far as rivers go, the Huron river runs right through Ann Arbor.  Fishing the river around the hospital/medical complex has provided alot of smallmouth for me over the years.  Also, fishing the Huron north of Ann Arbor has been successful for me. Good luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ll be moving to Ann Arbor for a year or two beginning next June. Can someone recommend local lakes, rivers, etc for fishing? tia. Mike

Response:

Libler, what do you know about the grand river as it runs through diamondale? — A true fisherman approaches the first day of fishing           much as a child approaches Christmas, with the eager   anticipation, sleepless nights, making of lists, and the anticipating of pleasure.

Response:

Question:

This is way off topic (sorry).

Tony: Not even remotely off-topic.  Actually, in an interesting sort of way, it’s very on-topic.  Spam was a favorite subject in MPFC skits, and it is much in vogue here on roff. Bob "The Camembert is quite runny, today." Before you buy.

Response:

You must live in Utah, too, then? A video store not far from here did an extremely brisk business last year blanking out the bare-breast scene on "Titanic" videos.  You ain’t seen strange until you’ve seen "community standards" in Utah.

I haven’t been to Utah for about 7 years, but one thing that struck me as odd was that waitresses in restaurants told me they were prohibited by law from asking if I wanted a "drink".   They always asked if I wanted a "beverege" so as not to promote the consumption of alchohol. Joe F.

Response:

My personal favorite, the renowned German film "Tin Drum" adapted from recent nobel Prize winner Gunter Grass’s novel…BANNED in locations all over the U.S. due to allegations of kiddie-porn. Yup…such things do indeed occur here. ACP   Wishing I was on one of my favorite New England streams RIGHT NOW. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <snip Prepare to be stunned Edwin.  Not only do various movies still get banned, albeit mostly on a local basis, but they still ban books too.  We live in a very strange place.  I believe that "Huckleberry Finn" is still the most banned book in America! Go figure.

Response:

Hmmm… let me clarify, if possible. I did note that some stuff is likely to be banned if it is extremely pornographic in some sense ( and the courts let local communities decide on standard of decency, though there has been , as of my last check, some move to have a national standard ( see pope v illinois, forget date). additionally, something being banned in my opinion means that the STATE somehow keeps it from being made available… some business owner, as noted inthe utah case, not making something available or editing it, is not BANNING… notwithstanding, i am willing to stand partly corrected. edwin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My personal favorite, the renowned German film "Tin Drum" adapted from recent nobel Prize winner Gunter Grass’s novel…BANNED in locations all over the U.S. due to allegations of kiddie-porn. Yup…such things do indeed occur here. ACP   Wishing I was on one of my favorite New England streams RIGHT NOW. <snip Prepare to be stunned Edwin.  Not only do various movies still get banned, albeit mostly on a local basis, but they still ban books too.  We live in a very strange place.  I believe that "Huckleberry Finn" is still the most banned book in America! Go figure.

Response:

Incredible. You’re right about the film, absolutely wonderful. The book is even better, must have read it about three times by now.. Cheers, Herman – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My personal favorite, the renowned German film "Tin Drum" adapted from recent nobel Prize winner Gunter Grass’s novel…BANNED in locations all over the U.S. due to allegations of kiddie-porn. Yup…such things do indeed occur here. ACP   Wishing I was on one of my favorite New England streams RIGHT NOW. <snip Prepare to be stunned Edwin.  Not only do various movies still get banned, albeit mostly on a local basis, but they still ban books too.  We live in a very strange place.  I believe that "Huckleberry Finn" is still the most banned book in America! Go figure.

–         Cheers, Herman         Herman Nijland         Daytime webmaster         Lifetime flyfisher

Response:

do we have a topic index?  guess i missed it….anyway, hey tony…i say old chap, how about taping it for us. <GG  I think yer about a bottle short if you’re gonna watch python *and* rugby…MP is the all-time funniest stuff ever served up…it’s soul twisting and twisted humor…my favorite… but rugby, the lions vs. the christians had to be easier to watch…those guys make the nfl look like a bunch of brits at a tea party…   course, we’ll be doin our own bit of MP…bunch of old farts searching for the holy grail…some of us on horseback, too.  wish you were here. jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This is way off topic (sorry). Tomorrow night on BBC2 is ‘Python Night’! The thirtttietthh annniverrrsarry!!! There will be reviews; interviews and retrospectives; even the old MP gang dipping into the dressing-up box for some brand new sketches. AND …. a showing of the ‘Life of Brian’ (the funniest film ever screened). Did some of you see the Life of Brian? Like Darwin; like Harry Potter … it was banned from some (?) of the States in the Union. And, before that, tomorrow afternoon: England v. New Zealand in the Rugby Union World Cup. You buggers just don’t know what you are missing. I have two bottles of Glenmorangie to assist me through this ordeal. Tight Lines Who cares? Tony Deacon

Response:

Excellent-but shouldn’t that be  ’Sorry, this is ROFF,….’ !!! David – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – BTW, I could flyfish with anyone who likes Monty Python.. You bloody, coffee-nosed, flyfishing twit! I hate bloody Monty Python! Shut your pathetic Yankee gob! Oh, you’re here for an argument? Sorry, this is Abuse. Down the hall and to the right, please. Next! — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Oh man….I hate to do this, as it soudns jingoistic as hell, but… I would be stunned to findout any monty python movie had ever been BANNED in the united states.  IN fact, i would be stunned to find out any movie short of outrageously hard core porn, and even that, had ever been banned. and of course, python is the most funny stuff ever.  period. nudge nugdge. edwin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This is way off topic (sorry). Tomorrow night on BBC2 is ‘Python Night’! The thirtttietthh annniverrrsarry!!! There will be reviews; interviews and retrospectives; even the old MP gang dipping into the dressing-up box for some brand new sketches. AND …. a showing of the ‘Life of Brian’ (the funniest film ever screened). Did some of you see the Life of Brian? Like Darwin; like Harry Potter … it was banned from some (?) of the States in the Union. And, before that, tomorrow afternoon: England v. New Zealand in the Rugby Union World Cup. You buggers just don’t know what you are missing. I have two bottles of Glenmorangie to assist me through this ordeal. Tight Lines Who cares? Tony Deacon

Response:

Prepare to be stunned Edwin.  Not only do various movies still get banned, albeit mostly on a local basis, but they still ban books too.  We live in a very strange place.

You must live in Utah, too, then? A video store not far from here did an extremely brisk business last year blanking out the bare-breast scene on "Titanic" videos.  You ain’t seen strange until you’ve seen "community standards" in Utah. Bob Before you buy.

Response:

<snip Prepare to be stunned Edwin.  Not only do various movies still get banned, albeit mostly on a local basis, but they still ban books too.  We live in a very strange place.  I believe that "Huckleberry Finn" is still the most banned book in America! Go figure.

Response:

BTW, I could flyfish with anyone who likes Monty Python..

You bloody, coffee-nosed, flyfishing twit! I hate bloody Monty Python! Shut your pathetic Yankee gob! Oh, you’re here for an argument? Sorry, this is Abuse. Down the hall and to the right, please. Next! — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Send us a match report when you get to the end so we can all have a laugh at your drunken despondency (All Blacks are bound to win by a huge margin)!

http://www.rwc99.com/tournament/report.sps?matchid=2000405 (Hoping Wales beat the team of antipodean round-eyes that call themselves Japan!)

http://www.rwc99.com/tournament/default.sps — Phil Jones Nogood Boyo

Response:

This is way off topic (sorry). Tomorrow night on BBC2 is ‘Python Night’! The thirtttietthh annniverrrsarry!!! There will be reviews; interviews and retrospectives; even the old MP gang dipping into the dressing-up box for some brand new sketches. AND …. a showing of the ‘Life of Brian’ (the funniest film ever screened). Did some of you see the Life of Brian? Like Darwin; like Harry Potter … it was banned from some (?) of the States in the Union. And, before that, tomorrow afternoon: England v. New Zealand in the Rugby Union World Cup. You buggers just don’t know what you are missing. I have two bottles of Glenmorangie to assist me through this ordeal. Tight Lines Who cares? Tony Deacon

Response:

Did some of you see the Life of Brian?

Tony, I’ve seen about twenty times.  I think I have it on tape somewhere around the house (unless my kids have taped cartoons over it:) I’ll never forget the part with Biggus Dickus and the WeeWees Woger! (Release Roger) part of the movie.  I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it! Tim

Response:

Did some of you see the Life of Brian? Tony, I’ve seen about twenty times.  I think I have it on tape somewhere around the house (unless my kids have taped cartoons over it:) I’ll never forget the part with Biggus Dickus and the WeeWees Woger! (Release Roger) part of the movie.  I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it!

"Thwow him woughly to the gwound!" Priceless! Again, I apologise for such a blatantly off topic contribution. Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

Response:

And, before that, tomorrow afternoon: England v. New Zealand in the Rugby Union World Cup. You buggers just don’t know what you are missing. I have two bottles of Glenmorangie to assist me through this ordeal.

You’ll need ‘em both KIWI,KIWI,KIWI!

Response:

This is way off topic (sorry).

When the only topic is George, his damned rods or bloody gink/xink – off topic is fine! And, before that, tomorrow afternoon: England v. New Zealand in the Rugby Union World Cup. You buggers just don’t know what you are missing.

Yes I do, never ceases to amaze me how we can get 60 cable channels here and its all crap, and full of spam!  Amazingly the good old Beeb and ITV produce stuff in a totally different quality league.  Give me 4 (or 5) UK great channels instead of all this rubbish! (Ok, there is the odd decent thing on here now and then but no consistency.) I have two bottles of Glenmorangie to assist me through this ordeal.

Send us a match report when you get to the end so we can all have a laugh at your drunken despondency (All Blacks are bound to win by a huge margin)! David (Hoping Wales beat the team of antipodean round-eyes that call themselves Japan!) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tight Lines Who cares? Tony Deacon

Response:

Did some of you see the Life of Brian? Like Darwin; like Harry Potter … it was banned from some (?) of the States in the Union.

Got it on tape, and I watched it on cable when I lived in Kansas so if it was banned it wasn’t *very* banned<g. Always look on the bright side of life… — Charlie…

Response:

This is way off topic (sorry). Tomorrow night on BBC2 is ‘Python Night’! The thirtttietthh annniverrrsarry!!! There will be reviews; interviews and retrospectives; even the old MP gang dipping into the dressing-up box for some brand new sketches. AND …. a showing of the ‘Life of Brian’ (the funniest film ever screened). Did some of you see the Life of Brian? Like Darwin; like Harry Potter … it was banned from some (?) of the States in the Union.

a) Life of Brian is a frequent re run over here on Comedy Central as is the rest of the Python stuff. Hell even Fawlty Towers is on here. And, before that, tomorrow afternoon: England v. New Zealand in the Rugby Union World Cup.

b) Rugby Games are widley available at least in the Boston area in pubs, which is where I am heading. You buggers just don’t know what you are missing.

c) wam beer, bad food, Spice Girls, farmed trout, shite weather – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have two bottles of Glenmorangie to assist me through this ordeal. Tight Lines Who cares? Tony Deacon

Response:

"He’s not the messiah!  He’s a very naughty boy!" Never get enough of that.. I do remember when the movie first came out, I was probably 18 or so, and my mother forbade us all from seeing it.. we grew up good Catholic boys, you see. Ironically enough, I just saw her recently, and the whole group of us rented "Life of Brian" and I think mom laughed more then the rest of us. -Mark BTW, I could flyfish with anyone who likes Monty Python.. This is way off topic (sorry). Tomorrow night on BBC2 is ‘Python Night’! The thirtttietthh annniverrrsarry!!! There will be reviews; interviews and retrospectives; even the old MP gang dipping into the dressing-up box for some brand new sketches. AND …. a showing of the ‘Life of Brian’ (the funniest film ever screened). Did some of you see the Life of Brian? Like Darwin; like Harry Potter … it was banned from some (?) of the States in the Union.

– Particle Salad/ Noom Room Studio http://home.earthlink.net/~psalad mp3 songs: http://www.mp3.com/particlesalad

Response:

Question:

Observations are exactly what I’m looking for and I appreciate yours. How did you find the rod builder and what made you decide to go with them vs. others?

Ian:  I’ve purchased two custom rods.  One from a local guy I knew, who did really nice work.  The other was to support a TU fundraiser – but it was also a beautiful rod that I would have purchased anyway, even though I didn’t know the craftsman.  For the price, I don’t think you can ever surpass a custom rod by a quality builder, which is why I would buy one again. mark faulkner

Response:

Observations are exactly what I’m looking for and I appreciate yours. How did you find the rod builder and what made you decide to go with them vs. others

In my case the rod builder is a member of our local flyfishing club.I had seen his work and I liked it so I went with him as a rodbuilder. Big Dale

Response:

Well…to be honest ALL my rods are custom rods.  I build them myself. It costs considerably less.  If people only knew how EASY it was to build good rods, and how much less expensive, there would be a lot fewer commercial rods being sold. The only reasons I would by a custom rod are: 1) they are a technology I cannot build (like bamboo) 2) I know the builder and want a keepsake 3) the builder does something particularly artful (like fancy threadwork) and I have more money than I know what do to with — James A. Foster                                Assoc. Prof Center for Secure & Dependable Computing/SCI   U. of Idaho http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/~foster              208.885.7062 pgp key at: ftp://ftp.cs.uidaho.edu/pub/foster/pgp-key.asc

Response:

SNIP . I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares

SNIP So….get any inquiries . . .? john

Response:

A couple of things. Are you referring to ‘hand built rods’ or rods built to ‘custom specifications’ ?. I don’t mean to be obtuse, but some anglers have asked for more (or less) guides than the ’store bought’ ones. I have 1/2 dozen ‘hand built’ rods that out-perform anything made in a factory.  Spines are aligned perfectly, and guides are positioned for optimum performance.   But this builder designed the blanks, and tests each one individually, before wrapping.  They go as far as to hand turn the corks, and ensure the ‘foot’ of each guide does not cut the finish of the rod.  (lifetime guarantee, and they cost lots) Another company’s ‘hand built’ rod was so awful, I returned it within a month. Turns out, they can build rods, but not very well.  Others found 8 weight tips on 6 weight butts.   (If something broke, they took whatever piece was available, and put it together.)   Just because he could wrap guides on a blank, did not make him a ‘rod builder’.  And he claimed that he manufactured his own blanks.  Fat Chance. Just an unskilled entrepeneur trying to enter a niche market. Regards – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a custom rod builder. I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares but I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

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I’m a custom rod builder. I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares but I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there.

I’ve considered this issue often and have bought from both sides of the proverbial fence ("store bought" and "custom"). What generally makes my decision is when I want a specific rod with specific components that I can’t get from the manufacturer at any reasonable price. So to my collection of lovely store-bought Winstons and fully functional if not as "pretty" Sages, I have a number of custom rolled rods built on IM6 blanks, and a salt water casting cannon custom built on a Loomis GLX blank – with ultra-premium hardware – and with threadwork and finish that’ll make you pee your pants… All of these rods came with warranty cards for the blanks and were built by either my dad or Dan Trela (a small plug for DT Kustom Rods)… /daytripper

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I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Some purchasers may be concerned about the warranty.  Unless the manufacturer of the blank is passing through its warranty (I’m not sure if manufacturers do that or not), the only warranty available is what you would provide.  To put it bluntly, if you skip off to Siberia or die next year, who’s around to honor the warranty even if you offered one?  The odds are much better that Orvis. Loomis, etc. will be around if and when you need the warranty.

I build Sage blanks and I pass on the Sage warranty card to the purchaser. I’m not sure about other blank manufacturers though. I warranty the rest of the rod and I can see your point on that. Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

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I also think that rods can be an impulse buy for some people.  Getting a custom rod made takes time. No instant gratification. It’s the same thing with cars, most people buy off the lot instead of waiting for a car to be made to their specifications. Willi

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I build Sage blanks and I pass on the Sage warranty card to the purchaser. I’m not sure about other blank manufacturers though. I warranty the rest of the rod and I can see your point on that.

Ian – I should add that I have purchased custom made rods – for the same reasons noted by Big Dale in his response.  My comments were not meant as a criticism, just an observation in response to your inquiry. Mark Faulkner

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[SNIP] Ian – I should add that I have purchased custom made rods – for the same reasons noted by Big Dale in his response.  My comments were not meant as a criticism, just an observation in response to your inquiry. Mark Faulkner

Observations are exactly what I’m looking for and I appreciate yours. How did you find the rod builder and what made you decide to go with them vs. others? Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

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I’m a custom rod builder. I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares but I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

I think as said before most really cannot tell what they are getting in a custom unless they have one in thier hand. You can go to any shop and take a look at any factory rod and decide what you like. As for custom well, unless you know of someone who has a rod from a particular rodmaker, or the rodmaker has an outstanding reputation, you really have to take a chance. Most of us who have really just started out as rodmakers know what that is like, most customers will inquire and are not sure. Most anglers really are looking for cosmetic quality in a custom rod, they feel if its custom it needs to be perfect. I agree, but most will not want to pay the price for the special attention to detail nedded to acheive this quality. So they end up with factory rod with poor cosmetics, then if they are not satisfied they can simply return the rod to the factory and get another. Now the anglers who are looking for performance more than likely will go to the custom rodmaker because they want a quality performing rod. This way they can relay information to the rodmaker and get a rod that performs to their specific needs. May be a nymphing rod or dry fly rod, in anycase they get what they want. Warranty is another issue, for most rodmakers its simply not reasonable to give a lifetime warranty on custom jobs. Some do, but I feel with the attitude of most warranty lovers, rodmakers will be repairing rods for nothing for quite sometime.

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or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod,

I had a rod built for me a few years ago. I ordered the Scott rod blank from their local dealer and gathered the parts I wanted for the rod and had a guy build it for me. It ist one of their old style 8′8"`3`weight rods. I wanted a cap and sliding ring reel seat with a rosewood insert. Scott did  not make one like that and I hate the sliding ring set-up over cork. The guy did a beautiful job: I got what I wanted; itcost no more than a factory rod would have cost;and I could not be happier. It is still my favorite rod for fishing for my beloved bluegills out of a boat. I think that just about says it all….isn’t this what custom built rods are all about?   Big Dale

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I agree that warranty and name are  strong selling points. I never buy a rod unless I have fondled it and cast it, custom rod builders are unfortunately not usually down the street where I can do this. Jim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Some purchasers may be concerned about the warranty.  Unless the manufacturer of the blank is passing through its warranty (I’m not sure if manufacturers do that or not), the only warranty available is what you would provide.  To put it bluntly, if you skip off to Siberia or die next year, who’s around to honor the warranty even if you offered one?  The odds are much better that Orvis. Loomis, etc. will be around if and when you need the warranty. Mark Faulkner

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I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there.

Some purchasers may be concerned about the warranty.  Unless the manufacturer of the blank is passing through its warranty (I’m not sure if manufacturers do that or not), the only warranty available is what you would provide.  To put it bluntly, if you skip off to Siberia or die next year, who’s around to honor the warranty even if you offered one?  The odds are much better that Orvis. Loomis, etc. will be around if and when you need the warranty. Mark Faulkner

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I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Some purchasers may be concerned about the warranty.  Unless the manufacturer of the blank is passing through its warranty (I’m not sure if manufacturers do that or not),

Generally they do … you should check with the manufacturer or a authorized retail dealer. You should note though that they will only warranty the blank and the warranty may be void if in their opinion the blank failure was related to the work done by the custom rod builder. RalphH

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I’m a custom rod builder. I won’t turn this into a commercial post by hawking my wares but I’d like to hear some opinions on why you would or would not consider buying a custom fly rod instead vs. factory rod, or why you have/haven’t bought one in the past, assuming the price was the same for each. I’m just curious about the perceptions out there. Cheers, Ian McAllister Rodworks

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Question:

Hello, I’m going to Toronto next summer, and I would like to know where I can fish trout with my fly rod     Thanks, Mark

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Hello, I’m going to Toronto next summer, and I would like to know where I can fish trout with my fly rod    Thanks, Mark

Can I recommend some provincial politictians that will gobble a fly if it resembles a dollar bill?  Try the front lawn of Queens Park. Seriously, to the east, Duffins Creek and the Ganaraska, to the north west, the Credit River and the Forks of the Credit. to the west, the Grand River and its tribs.  To the way north, brookie streams north of Sudbury, to the way west, ‘bows and steelhead on the Maitland and the Saugeen and their tribs.  Call John Valk at Grindstone Angling (905) 689-0880 if you need more info or a guide. Peter

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I’m going to Toronto next summer, and I would like to know where I can fish trout with my fly rod    Thanks, Mark Can I recommend some provincial politictians that will gobble a fly if it resembles a dollar bill?  Try the front lawn of Queens Park. Seriously, to the east, Duffins Creek and the Ganaraska, to the north west, the Credit River and the Forks of the Credit. to the west, the Grand River and its tribs.  To the way north, brookie streams north of Sudbury, to the way west, ‘bows and steelhead on the Maitland and the Saugeen and their tribs.  Call John Valk at Grindstone Angling (905) 689-0880 if you need more info or a guide. Peter

  I lived on the bank of the Ganaraska for 25 years.  If you come in the spring it’s packed with steelheaders.  But if your in to natives then it’s really good from mid may to mid june in the upper reaches of the Ganny.  The part of the river in Port Hope is good for steelhead but not so good for native trout because of the reconstruction after the flood.  Anything north of Highway 16 is good for natives. I find this the best time for brown.  BTW the Ganaraska is located in Port Hope.  One hour east of Toronto on the 401.  If you ask some of the land owners in Welcome (village name) or Canton  nicely they will let you fish on their land.  I have family that owns land on the Ganny.   If you like Fly Fishing and would like to go about thirty minutes further east then I’d recommend Cold Creek north of Brighton.  I’m just learning flyfishing and have just started exploring this stream so I can’t really give you much advice about it. Tight Lines Scott

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Question:

Can anyone help, I’m a British fly fisherman and on a recent trip to the states I noticed how much cheaper fly lines etc. are. I was wondering whether anybody knew of how you can get fly flishing equipment by internet order

Start a search in one of the search engines (Yahoo, Alta Vista, Infoseek, etc.) for flyfishing equipment and supplies. There are many out there on the web to seek out. Also, keep an eye out in this group, people do list their web sites quite often – even though some do object to that. — Jon Porter

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Cold Spring Anglers in Carlisle, PA also produces a nice catalog and does a lot of mail order business (including to foreign addresses).  Their phones numbers are 717 245-2646, fax 717 245-2081.  Their snail mail address is 419 East High Street, Suite A; PO Box 129; Carlsile PA 17013 17013–129.

Visit my mail order info page at http://www.public.usit.net/skulpa/mailord.htm lots of address for catalogs, plus e-mail addresses and urls where applicable. Steve — Steven S. Kulpa Project Leader Environmental Systems Corp. Knoxville, Tennessee http://www.envirosys.com/ Remove NO_S*P*A*M_ from reply address —

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Cold Spring Anglers in Carlisle, PA also produces a nice catalog and does a lot of mail order business (including to foreign addresses).  Their phones numbers are 717 245-2646, fax 717 245-2081.  Their snail mail address is 419 East High Street, Suite A; PO Box 129; Carlsile PA 17013 17013–129. — Anti-spamming measure in use.  To reply, remove one "z" from email address.

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Can anyone help, I’m a British fly fisherman and on a recent trip to the states I noticed how much cheaper fly lines etc. are. I was wondering whether anybody knew of how you can get fly flishing equipment by internet order Paul mannu cambridge UK

Paul: Why not just order from catalogs, etc.?  The biggest disadvantage would be shipping costs, but still, if the stuff is cheaper here, it would probably be worthwhile.  Also, for merchandise that can’t be found in a national catalog (Simms waders, Sage rods, Airflo fly line, whatever else), many stores have web pages and their own "personal" catalogs. Examples here in the East would be AA Pro shop and Tulpehocken Creek Outfitters, (tcoflyfishing.com) to name 2.  Any fly shop would fill your order, even those that do not ususally do such business.  One of the best fly shops in the East is Fred Reese’s.  He does all his own dubbings, dyeing, etc.  Give him an extra $10 US and I’m sure he’ll ship. JB

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Can anyone help, I’m a British fly fisherman and on a recent trip to the states I noticed how much cheaper fly lines etc. are. I was wondering whether anybody knew of how you can get fly flishing equipment by internet order Paul mannu cambridge UK

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Question:

This summer I fished the interior of B.C.,I came across a small flyshop out of 100 mile house that was selling weird looking leaders. The leaders had a clear rubber section in it about 6 in. Has anybody seen this type of leader before? What is it’s advantage or disadvantages? I think they look like a gimmic,since they were $6.00 Canadian for a single pack. -I fish because I love to; because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful….and….not because I regard fishing as so terribly important, but because I suspect that so many of the other concerns of men are equally unimportant and not nearly so much fun…. R.Traver

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Frank: It’s probably a version of a "bungee-type" leader used to land big fish on small tippets. The "rubber" absorbs the shock and allows you to fight a heavier fish than you normally would if the "rubber" wasn’t there. The concept is used quite often by those trying for International Game Fish Assoc. (IGFA) records with 2# or 4# tippets. RIO sells small spools of the "bungee" material, so you can construct your own custom leaders. Hope this helps. Bob E. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This summer I fished the interior of B.C.,I came across a small flyshop out of 100 mile house that was selling weird looking leaders. The leaders had a clear rubber section in it about 6 in. Has anybody seen this type of leader before? What is it’s advantage or disadvantages? I think they look like a gimmic,since they were $6.00 Canadian for a single pack.

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This summer I fished the interior of B.C.,I came across a small flyshop out of 100 mile house that was selling weird looking leaders. The leaders had a clear rubber section in it about 6 in. Has anybody seen this type of leader before? What is it’s advantage or disadvantages? I think they look like a gimmic,since they were $6.00 Canadian for a single pack. -I fish because I love to; because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful….and….not because I regard fishing as so terribly important, but because I suspect that so many of the other concerns of men are equally unimportant and not nearly so much fun…. R.Traver

Rio makes the Shock Gum leaders and sells spools of the Shock Gum. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

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That sound like a shock leader to be.  Some fishermen here in Oregon when fishing for hard striking fish like sea-run cutthroat or Kokanee will include in their gear a 6 inch section of rubber tubing that will strech and absorb the shock of a hard strike instead of snapping the leader. -Burton – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This summer I fished the interior of B.C.,I came across a small flyshop out of 100 mile house that was selling weird looking leaders. The leaders had a clear rubber section in it about 6 in. Has anybody seen this type of leader before? What is it’s advantage or disadvantages? I think they look like a gimmic,since they were $6.00 Canadian for a single pack. -I fish because I love to; because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful….and….not because I regard fishing as so terribly important, but because I suspect that so many of the other concerns of men are equally unimportant and not nearly so much fun…. R.Traver

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -That sound like a shock leader to be.  Some fishermen here in Oregon when fishing for hard striking fish like sea-run cutthroat or Kokanee will include in their gear a 6 inch section of rubber tubing that will strech and absorb the shock of a hard strike instead of snapping the leader. -Burton This summer I fished the interior of B.C.,I came across a small flyshop out of 100 mile house that was selling weird looking leaders. The leaders had a clear rubber section in it about 6 in. Has anybody seen this type of leader before? What is it’s advantage or disadvantages? I think they look like a gimmic,since they were $6.00 Canadian for a single pack. -I fish because I love to; because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful….and….not because I regard fishing as s

Used to be a company out of Montana called Beartooth that sold a leader with a short clear rubber like section tied into a braided leader. I had a couple. Idea was to provide stretch and reduce tippet breaks. I haven’t seen these for a while and after using them I short regarded them as Rube Goldberg devices; impressive but of no real value or utility. Ralph H

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That sound like a shock leader to be.  Some fishermen here in Oregon when What is it’s advantage or disadvantages? I think they look like a gimmic,since they were $6.00 Canadian for a single pack. -I fish because I love to; because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful….and….not because I regard fishing as s Used to be a company out of Montana called Beartooth that sold a leader with a short clear rubber like section tied into a braided leader. I had a couple. Idea was to provide stretch and reduce tippet breaks. I haven’t seen these for a while and after using them I short regarded them as Rube Goldberg devices; impressive but of no real value or utility. Ralph H

I seem to remember a humor column in one of the fishing magazines a few years back where the hero invents a leader that has stretch in it to protect his tippets.  The first thing he caught with it was a rattle snake.   Quite humorous all of his antics to try to break of a angry snake.   Patrick McManus?  Maybe, I don’t really remember. Steve My Rod and Reel They comfort me.

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Question:

My girlfriend has asked me to teach her how to flyfish.  I’ve been an avid flyfisherman for three years now.  I feel I’m good enough to tie knots in the air with the best of them . A few questions: 1. I don’t want to spend a lot of money for a rod/reel that she may lose interest in so I’m going to get something that I can use in the future (if necessary).  Any opinions on the prepackaged everything-you-need-to-start-NOW rod/reel/line combos?  I’ve seen some ranging from $30 to $200. Quality is an issue. 2. She asked if being left-handed would make a difference.  It had never occurred to me that I routinely cast with either hand, depending on the situation (ie, how many flies I’ve lost in the tree to my right-rear).  Retrieving is always done with rod in right/reeling with left.  Just curious if any left-handers have had any problems learning or buying equipment. 3. Women’s waders: I haven’t been able to find any in stores around here (Grand Rapids, MI).  Any experiences with mail ordering women’s waders (good or bad) would be helpful.  She will use the waders irregardless of fishing since she’s into fisheries biology.  Looking for good 4mm or 5mm neoprene. I read the thread from a few months ago about teaching the Significant Other how to flyfish. Interesting advice that will be taken to heart. Thanks in advance. Tight lines, Brian Austin

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My girlfriend has asked me to teach her how to flyfish.  I’ve been an avid flyfisherman for three years now.  I feel I’m good enough to tie knots in the air with the best of them . (snip) 2. She asked if being left-handed would make a difference.  It had never occurred to me that I routinely cast with either hand, depending on the situation (ie, how many flies I’ve lost in the tree to my right-rear).  Retrieving is always done with rod in right/reeling with left.  Just curious if any left-handers have had any problems learning or buying equipment. Tight lines, Brian Austin

In terms of _learning_ to cast, my advice would be to stand in front of your girlfriend and have her "mirror" what you’re doing to get the timing, or stand to her left so she can see what you’re doing.  Or, get a copy of Ed Jaworowski’s book on casting (the best ever, IMHO). Enjoy! Doug Stewart

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Brain. I suggest you bring her to my small ranch in Montana. Hawley Mountain Ranch max guests 24 is in the Absaroka Wilderness 25 miles north of Yellowstone Park. You can fish the Boulder River, horse back ride, hike or just read a book. This summer I caught so many fish that—ok I also hurt my right arm moving rocks–my right arm hurt so I had to learn to teach fly fishing with my left. So now when I go to the stream either arm works.  As far as teaching your girlfriend to fish , I taught my first wife to drive. Will enought said on that point. I did teach Ellen new wife of 10yr. how to fish when she was a girlfriend. First time on the stream she caught and released 6 before I got a fly on— so be careful!!!  Enjoy her and the outdoors thats what life is about.                       Your Montana Friend!!!                          Bryant Blewett BBlewett

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Question:

I am going to be in Islamorada, FL for part of the week of November 20 and am interested in spending a day fishing the flats.  Can anyone recommend a good-quality guide who doesn’t charge a king’s ransom? MZ

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Stop at Bonefish Bob’s shop.  He is most helpful with questions.  Best ? guide- Jim Lopez phone at Marathon.  Expensive, tho.  Ask Bob. Regards, CLiff

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Johnson’s out of Baldwin, MI used to guide down there. I don’t know if they still do but they would be able to offer someone’s name.

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I just went bone fishing with Capt. Steve Impallomeni (305) 292-9837 . and had a wonderful day with him!  I also would suggest dealing with Capt. Jeffrey Cardenas of The Saltwater Angler (800) 223-1629 for bookings and information … they were the best help and friendliest people I dealt with in Florida! KStJ

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Question:

: Recently I have begun to do some offshore racing outside the San Francisco Bay  and I now need to buy my own offshore harness.  I’ve been advised that a : a self-inflating harness is the best way to go. : However, I work the foredeck. : Some people say that you really have to submerge these harnesses for them : to inflate, others say that they’ve had them inflate when they are piled : in with other wet gear for a period of time. I’ve used the belt inflated life jacket for about 3 years now.  Normal maintanence requires that you inflate them once a year at least.  If you do that the unit will not inflate until it is under water for a time. If you don’t inflate it regularly it may more may not inflate when you need it.  The CO2 cartrage will discharge over time so you want to replace it yearly to be on the safe side.  If you inflat it put it under water to check for leaks.  A unit that isn’t repack once in a while will be more likely to be holed. I’d say get you’re own equipment.  Also look at the line that connects the harness to the boat.  You may want different lengths for different boats. I’m currently running my jack line from the cochpit around the babystay and back.  This way I can walk around the mast and back if I don’t like the seas on the low side etc.  As this line floats up I can run a very short line.  If I have crew up there on the foredeck helping I need more line. I find line length effects productivity up there.  A short line that is long enough to do the job doesn’t get tangled, stepped on or removed because it’s in the way.  You can make a long line short by splicing your own end and feeding a bunge cord through it. For fore deck work I would recomend getting very creative with this jack line.  If you don’t you will find yourself up there removing it to untangle yourself etc. As for the clip for a jack line they put some pretty user unfreindly line connectors on some of the harness.  I’m devided as they must have a reason but I end up using carbeners because they are easy to work with going in and out of the cabin.  Basicly if I don’t have to think about it I find I connect myself.  If I have to fiddle with it I catch myself unconnected. Another thing to look at on a harness is storage.  I know this sounds strange but the ‘right’ place to put a wistle and a water prouf flash light is on the harness.  It’s been measured that you can blow a wistle in cold water when you can’t yell to flag another boat down. I have the personel strobes but the helogen flash lights (small ones using the AA batteries) can be pointed right at the boat you’re trying to flag down.  These little guys are bright and last a good long time. I also have more faith in a light I’m using often to one that is stored and never used but to test.  Tests don’t give you a feel for the battery life etc. As a fordeck person I hope you know never to go up there without a good sharp knife.  This could save your life someday if you ever get wrapped. I started doing this years ago never needed it but if it’s blowing hard you may not be able to communicate you’re arm being broken to the guy behind you. — AST Research Inc.          (714) 727-8669

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In practice it’s actually very rare for foredeck crew to be "hooked in" while working the foredeck of a competitive race boat. They hook in while sitting on the rail or trimming, but being tethered during a jibe or sail change would be problematic. *Some* crew hook in during these maneuvers at night, but this is rare, in my experience. Even singlehanded, it took practice to learn how to jibe the spinnaker while hooked in. For a full crew to jibe an ocean racer with all their tethers attached would be chaos.   Your first defense against being lost overboard (after holding on tight, that is) is a good life jacket and a personal strobe and whistle. Maybe a backup waterproof flashlight, too. I’m very strict about wearing this equipment offshore. The harness, in the vast majority of weather conditions you’ll encounter off the coast, is going to be far too encumbering to allow you to race the boat effectively. I have an old North vest which I love because it has nice deep pockets for the strobe and other stuff (and it served well when I survived a sinking, the Bird boat FALCON in 1989 Master Mariners, in the middle of SF Bay). If I were shopping for a new lifejacket I’d probably favor one of the Stearns fishing models, because of the multiple pockets, and the high degree of freedom of motion they offer. Having said that, you still need a harness for the times that the weather is *really* bad, and especially for the long time intervals between maneuvers when there’s no efficiency lost by being hooked on. So my preference is for a single-purpose shoulder harness, of a fairly simple design that can be sorted out and put on in the dark while you hold on with the other hand. It’s important that the tether have good, oversized (expensive) shackles at *both* ends, so if you find yourself tangled in something you can re-lead from your end. Also consider using some nylon rope instead of the webbing for the tether. A cleat hitch around the nearest cleat is generally more reliable than a carbiner through a pad eye, and you can adjust the length of the teather to be no longer than what you really need. BTW I don’t think much of caribiners for this application, because they have to be closed to develop full strength. (my tether has a very large torsion-spring gate-type snap hook on the far end, and an equally oversize "fly-away" type spinnaker sheet shackle (about what you’d find on a 40′ boat) at my end.                                              -"Call me Fishmeal"-

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Some people say that you really have to submerge these harnesses for them to inflate, others say that they’ve had them inflate when they are piled in with other wet gear for a period of time.

My experience is that on a long wet trip e.g. sailing from Hawaii back to California, the self-inflating life jackets always trigger. My suboptimal solution has been to remove the self inflating cap, spring, and tablet, but leave the CO2 cartridge and the manual trigger pull tab. Stan Honey San Francisco

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|   | Some people say that you really have to submerge these harnesses for them | to inflate, others say that they’ve had them inflate when they are piled | in with other wet gear for a period of time. |   | My experience is that on a long wet trip e.g. sailing from Hawaii | back to California, the self-inflating life jackets always trigger. | My suboptimal solution has been to remove the self inflating cap, | spring, and tablet, but leave the CO2 cartridge and the manual trigger | pull tab. On the other hand, my experience with a Crewsaver, Crewfit lifejacket is that it has never inflated when I haven’t wanted it to, and has inflated when needed.  I have been out in conditions when I would have expected it to trigger and it hasn’t. I suspect that the tendency to trigger "accidently" depends on the particular lifejacket.  The self inflating capsule on the Crewsaver is well protected by the folded lifejacket and this may not be the case in other designs. Marion Edwards

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Recently I have begun to do some offshore racing outside the San Francisco Bay  and I now need to buy my own offshore harness.  I’ve been advised that a a self-inflating harness is the best way to go. However, I work the foredeck. Some people say that you really have to submerge these harnesses for them to inflate, others say that they’ve had them inflate when they are piled in with other wet gear for a period of time. I would appreciate anyone else’s feedback and experience on this before I spend some money. Thanks for the help, Allison Serventi

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