Question:

____  I’ve received many E-mail inquiries as to my health and recent operations at the Mayo Clinic.  I’ve had three major operations this year and all in one year.  This last one again went over five hours on the operating table.  It seems the only way I can get a vacation is to go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I guess, with experience comes confidence.  Frankly, I had a wonderful time in the operating room.  I had my first spinal and my anesthesiologist, Dr. David Cook, (a fellow fly fisherman) also kept me a little sleepy.  Every once in a while he would allow me to awake and I’d jabber what a wonderful time I was having which filled the operating room with laughter.  "So are we George.  You’re doing great by the way," and off I’d go, drifting off into dream land.  Dr. David Cook took great care of me and he talked softly about many things.  The operating room had several fly fishermen in it.  All of them, great knot tiers! What was done was, under excellent epidural anesthesia, a complete rebuilding of the aortofemoral graft and the removal of 35 years of cholesterol in the profunda femoris arteries.  Everyone has two of these usually.  I have three, which is rare.  Gore-Tex tubing was used in the by-pass grafting which will last forever.  Those who have circulation problems into their legs should consider this option available to them. If any of this information is of help, I’m glad to post it.  My future looks bright and I will be pedaling my bike in the near future as I work into my exercise program. Without some degree of physical fitness, which I have through exercise, most of this wouldn’t have been possible.  I should also mention that the Mayo Clinic is often cheaper in price than the majority of hospitals in the country, which may be surprising to some. Thank you all for your prayers.  They went with me and meant a lot.  I’m going to be just fine. Sincerely, George Gehrke —

Response:

Glad to hear you are doing well, George. Tim Lysyk – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ____  I’ve received many E-mail inquiries as to my health and recent operations at the Mayo Clinic.  I’ve had three major operations this year and all in one year.  This last one again went over five hours on the operating table.  It seems the only way I can get a vacation is to go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Response:

Hi George, You will be soon called the ‘bionic fly fisherman’ ? It is amazing what they can do for us old guys today. I had an angioplasty about 5 years ago myself. Exercise and a good diet is the best thing for everyone. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ____  I’ve received many E-mail inquiries as to my health and recent operations at the Mayo Clinic.  I’ve had three major operations this year and all in one year.  This last one again went over five hours on the operating table.  It seems the only way I can get a vacation is to go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I guess, with experience comes confidence.  Frankly, I had a wonderful time in the operating room.  I had my first spinal and my anesthesiologist, Dr. David Cook, (a fellow fly fisherman) also kept me a little sleepy.  Every once in a while he would allow me to awake and I’d jabber what a wonderful time I was having which filled the operating room with laughter.  "So are we George.  You’re doing great by the way," and off I’d go, drifting off into dream land.  Dr. David Cook took great care of me and he talked softly about many things.  The operating room had several fly fishermen in it.  All of them, great knot tiers! What was done was, under excellent epidural anesthesia, a complete rebuilding of the aortofemoral graft and the removal of 35 years of cholesterol in the profunda femoris arteries.  Everyone has two of these usually.  I have three, which is rare.  Gore-Tex tubing was used in the by-pass grafting which will last forever.  Those who have circulation problems into their legs should consider this option available to them. If any of this information is of help, I’m glad to post it.  My future looks bright and I will be pedaling my bike in the near future as I work into my exercise program. Without some degree of physical fitness, which I have through exercise, most of this wouldn’t have been possible.  I should also mention that the Mayo Clinic is often cheaper in price than the majority of hospitals in the country, which may be surprising to some. Thank you all for your prayers.  They went with me and meant a lot.  I’m going to be just fine. Sincerely, George Gehrke —

Response:

Good to hear your up and about G. Maybe now you realize the truth of our current fly-fishing crisis. -Muskie

Response:

Question:

I’ll be in Breckenridge the last week of July and wonder if anyone can offer any tips on where to go in the area, or any outfitters or guides to check out. Send me any secret spots via e-mail and I promise mum’s the word <g Thanks, Rick Krizman

Response:

I just got back from Keystone near there.  Fishing in the Snake was very slow and put and take fish.  They were dumb and soft. A friend of mine who is a rank amatuer ( he can barely form a loop) caught 20 fish on dries on the Platte with a guide from Summit Outfitters in Keystone.  They are on the net.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ll be in Breckenridge the last week of July and wonder if anyone can offer any tips on where to go in the area, or any outfitters or guides to check out. Send me any secret spots via e-mail and I promise mum’s the word <g Thanks, Rick Krizman

Response:

I’ll be in Breckenridge the last week of July and wonder if anyone can offer any tips on where to go in the area, or any outfitters or guides to check out. Send me any secret spots via e-mail and I promise mum’s the word <g Thanks, Rick Krizman

        right, rick; you won’t tell a soul, but if you do, you will tell them not to tell, for certain.         wayno

Response:

Wayne, my favorite fly shop is in Silverthorne, just above Breckenridge and about an hour and 15 west of Denver; all interstate. Cutthroat Anglers; Trapper, Andrew, Jimmy, others. All neat folks who love to fly fish. 888-876-8818. on the web at www.fishcolorado.com They’ve always put me on good water. If you speak with them please convey my best regards. Phil Joffe, Raleigh, NC

Response:

Question:

 ______  snipped barbarian verbal pictographs –             only to the like-minded. Our private strictures            answer to a vision that encompasses a practical            conduct, an aesthetic, and an ethic which is to say,             I suppose, that it is a philosophy. The multiple            nymphs affixed to my leader are the kind of             barbarism another fisherman might handle only with            tongs. I string them up without a second thought." will  be a long process) to slowly emulsify your Plural mind into a grand instrument of olympic proportions and singular thinking. May you discover the Single Action Fly Fishing System that does not include indicators and gang banging. May your leaded nymphs always hang up and may you always not have enough flies.   Really enjoyed this post.  I am haunted by this singular life –   —   Mr. G.   http://www.gink.com/html  (Come, visit)   One log per person.

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[deleted] will  be a long process) to slowly emulsify your Plural mind into a grand instrument of olympic proportions and singular thinking.

[deleted] Ask not for whom the bug trolls George. Your pal, — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

Response:

Question:

Hello,  Steph, your geography is a fraction short. Quorn and Wilpena Pound are about 5 hours north of Adelaide, which is a good 9-10 hour drive west of Melbourne. Wilpena Pound and St Mary’s Peak are perhaps the best-known hiking trip in the Flinders Ranges, and are a spectacular walk. But take plenty of water (a litre an hour) and leave enough time to get back to camp, and take a hat. You probably won’t find much flowing water, let alone any trout in the Flinders in November! My suggestion to Cam is to try the Grampians (now known as Gariwerd as preferred by the original inhabitants of the country) for High Country. Have fun! Matthew – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ll be traveling with a friend to the Melbourne area in November Altough it is relatively touristy and crowded (for an area where the next village can be 100 km away , you may check the area around Quorn and Wilpena Pound. It’s at the border of the outback, and still within reach from Melbourne. We didn’t have the time to backpack, but the area looked like a good place for it.   Stefanie Bruninghaus University of Pittsburgh                     Web: www.pitt.edu/~steffi 3939 O’Hara Street                           Phone:   (412) 624 – 6748 Pittsburgh, PA 15260 — USA                  Fax:     (412) 624 – 9149

Response:

Try Sheepyard Flats, Howya Valley up in the Victorian high country – you’ll be fishing up on the Howya River for trout that are wild – they’ll be bloody wild when you catch them – no stockies in this little river as far as I know. They are small little browns, but a pleasure to fish to. I assume your fly fishing (?) – you’ll get them on small little flies with fine leaders – try a Red Tag, Geehi Beetle (Aus. pattern), Wulffs (sp?). Upstream and down is okay. If you’re spin fishing, try a #1 Celta lure on very fine line, trundled down the stream/river. If your landing in Melbourne, go downtown to the Compleat Angler and talk to the boys. Stock up on local flies and get some good oil from them. They might even suggest a better spot than I can. If you like fishing, get a book by David Scholes (Aussie author), or just get an aussie fly fishing book – worth a read – hell, get some aussie fly tying books – Peter Leuver’s one is good. Aussie patterns are good. One warning. Most Aussie bush crawls with snakes (absolutely deadly – they’ll make you really, really sick or just plain dead in a short time) and it’ll be bloody hot. Watch yourself – no hands down holes or stupid things, e.g. don’t rush when walking. Stomp around a bit. You’ll usually see plenty of snakes darting directly away from you. Don’t rush is the best bet – and you’ll be fine. Stand up on the log, look down and then stand down, rather than stepping over a log. Play it safe. Check your bedding, don’t leave your tent door unzipped. Take a hat, drink water, swim in the river and you’ll have a bloody wonderful time of it all. BTW you treat aussie snake bites differently than North American ones – learn how to treat  - (the venom acts differently, and certainly not locally – if I’m right). One other warning – don’t drink Foster’s Lager because its the worst beer on the planet and it’ll make you terribly sick (joking – about the terribly sick part, not joking about it being shitty, shitty beer). There are other better beers that don’t see the light outside of Aus. Have a great time Cam. anon – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ll be traveling with a friend to the Melbourne area in November and need counsel on where we’d have our best shot at seeing open, unpeopled high country.  We’ll be backpacking, camping in tents, and will want to fish for trout if possible.  The more remote, the better. Thanks in advance, Cam Please respond to:

Response:

I’ll be traveling with a friend to the Melbourne area in November and need counsel on where we’d have our best shot at seeing open, unpeopled high country.  We’ll be backpacking, camping in tents, and will want to fish for trout if possible.  The more remote, the better. Thanks in advance, Cam Please respond to:

Response:

Try http://www.bushwalking.org.au/ Bear in mind that it can be quite dangerous alone in unfamiliar bush, Rescue is not around the corner. There are tourist deaths every year. I’ll be traveling with a friend to the Melbourne area in November and need counsel on where we’d have our best shot at seeing open, unpeopled high country.  We’ll be backpacking, camping in tents, and will want to fish for trout if possible.  The more remote, the better. Thanks in advance, Cam Please respond to:

—Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.—

Response:

I’ll be traveling with a friend to the Melbourne area in November and need counsel on where we’d have our best shot at seeing open, unpeopled high country.  We’ll be backpacking, camping in tents, and will want to fish for trout if possible.  The more remote, the better.

Altough it is relatively touristy and crowded (for an area where the next village can be 100 km away , you may check the area around Quorn and Wilpena Pound. It’s at the border of the outback, and still within reach from Melbourne. We didn’t have the time to backpack, but the area looked like a good place for it.   Stefanie Bruninghaus University of Pittsburgh                     Web: www.pitt.edu/~steffi 3939 O’Hara Street                           Phone:   (412) 624 – 6748 Pittsburgh, PA 15260 — USA                  Fax:     (412) 624 – 9149

Response:

Question:

This topic may have been discussed here before, but… Like most people, I spot dead animals by the roads all the time. Squirrels are a dime a dozen, and just this morning I saw a fox lying frozen in the ditch. Seems like this is a lot of great fly tying fur going to waste! (Most carcasses end up at a local rendering plant around here.) Especially that fox…I hate the idea of letting all that beautiful fur go to waste. (I’m sure the fox would approve of his fur being used for flies rather than as pig chow.)

Scott, I’ll second the notion of Mike O’Connor about Eric Leiser’s book. Also his site does a great job of explaining to a novice how to prepare roadkill. I wrote Eric Leiser years ago (early 80s) about using American Oppossum (commonly known as ‘possums) in flies. I got back a nice note (which I kept!) saying he had seen some very nice streamers using ‘possum. He said you could dye it colors if need be. He compared it to a "soft but still lustrous polar bear." Given the number of ‘possums that I see dead on the road I think I will have to start carrying some rubber gloves, a sharp knife and some Ziplok bags. Since I usually have to wear a suit to work that should be an interesting picture.<g’ -John

Response:

I wrote Eric Leiser years ago (early 80s) about using American Oppossum (commonly known as ‘possums) in flies. I got back a nice note (which I kept!) saying he had seen some very nice streamers using ‘possum. He said you could dye it colors if need be. He compared it to a "soft but still lustrous polar bear." Given the number of ‘possums that I see dead on the road I think I will have to start carrying some rubber gloves, a sharp knife and some Ziplok bags. Since I usually have to wear a suit to work that should be an interesting picture.<g’ -John

‘Possums – 325 million years of evolution, targeted at becoming roadkill. Ain’t nature mysterious! RMF

Response:

Last year, I spotted a large bird carcass by the side of the road. Thinking it was a goose, I swung around and pulled over. Well, it was actually a great blue herron which had been hit by a car and killed! I threw the whole thing in the back of my Subaru and took it home (my 10-year-old son loved it when I pulled it out and chased him with it! <g). Then, of course, I discovered that having a herron carcass was as illegal as owning a bald eagle skin. So much for a lifetime supply of salmon and steelhead flies! I called the local DNR office and turned the carcass in. Dave McCarty

Response:

I once published a piece in Rod and Reel (March 1985?) called "Roadkill Streamers" ..the best streamer fur I’m aware of is marmot: IE western woodchuck. How close marmots are or are not to eastern woodchucks I don’t know. But there is at least one big difference:    Unlike a woodchuck, the skin  of a marmot peels off like a rabbit skin–with no greasy fat adhering to the hide. Better yet, marmot fur has color-banded shades of gray-to-cree-brown, so it automatically looks a lot like a sculpin. Hard stuff to beat. I don’t bother with borax or multi-step tanning processes, all you need to do is strip off the fur and salt it a little.    Last note: marmot fur is so easy to peel off, it’s not a big trick to skewer a strip of fresh marmot skin on hook, add a split shot to the leader, and fish almost instantly. Is that bait fishing? Guess it is. I tried it once….didn’t seem to work any better tho. — /* Sandy Pittendrigh                  –oO0  * http://www.nervana.montana.edu/~sandy  */

Response:

Keep new skins seperate from the rest of your materials until you are certain no pests are feeding off your new found treasure.  Freeze it for a few days to be on the safe side.

I just read in the current American Angler that freezing does not kill destructive insect larvae. The article recommends microwaving on high for 10 to 15 seconds, heating in an oven at 160 degrees for two or three hours, or exposing to sunlight. — something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Keep new skins seperate from the rest of your materials until you are certain no pests are feeding off your new found treasure.  Freeze it for a few days to be on the safe side. I just read in the current American Angler that freezing does not kill destructive insect larvae. The article recommends microwaving on high for 10 to 15 seconds, heating in an oven at 160 degrees for two or three hours, or exposing to sunlight. — something bogus to avoid spam)

I douse the freshly dead animals ( either road kills or from local hunters ) with a powerful disinfectant spray, ( do not use disinfectant  with bleach additives ! ) and leave them for a short while. Then wearing gloves, I skin the animals, which should be as fresh as possible, using a very sharp scalpel ( just did two foxes which were about a week old ! Bloody awful job ! )  salt the skin liberally with a 1:1 mix of ordinary salt and borax, with a few crystals of napthalene added  ( crushed mothballs ), and then leave to dry in a cool dry place. Some skins I nail stretched to a board with galvanised nails ( stops skin and fur discolouration at the nailing point ). When dry, I rinse off the salt, and  wash the skins with ordinary soap powder (as used in the home washing machine), in the bathtub and spread on clean newspaper to dry.  When completely dry ( the skin feels like dry parchment to the touch ), place in an airtight box with a few mothballs.  I have some skins over twenty years old prepared in this way and they are still perfect.  If you get a good collection of skins ( Hare,  Fox, and Squirrel  is good), you can make up a whole range of wonderful dubbing. Dyeing the skins extends the range even further, and just a couple of skins will last the average tyer a lifetime. Hope this helps. Tight lines ! Mike Connor

Response:

Years ago maybe still  road-kill pheasants were a popular item for fly tying materials in Northern Colorado. Are they still? I havent but in that are in a long time. Al

Response:

The cock Ringneck Pheasant has some of the most varied and interesting feathers for tying that I have seen. — Ernie Harrison <snip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think most fly tiers take the Pheasant for granted because they are so common. No definitive line of flies have been invented for the use of pheasant feathers except a few basic ones.  Frankly, its time the inventive nature of the fly tying fraternity gets on the band wagon and start producing fly fishing patterns worth their salt. George

Response:

I’ve used roadkill for fly fur. — Jeff Potter   !.com   delete ‘DELETETHIS!’ to reply ***"Out Your Backdoor": Friendly Magazine of DIY Adventure and Culture        http://www.glpbooks.com/oyb … with a full line of books, bookstore & forum

Response:

Years ago maybe still  road-kill pheasants were a popular item for fly tying materials in Northern Colorado. Are they still? I havent but in that are in a long time. Al

could hope to have.  Between one of these and a hare’s ear mask, is the best of two worlds. I think most fly tiers take the Pheasant for granted because they are so common. No definitive line of flies have been invented for the use of pheasant feathers except a few basic ones.  Frankly, its time the inventive nature of the fly tying fraternity gets on the band wagon and start producing fly fishing patterns worth their salt. George —

Question:

Anyone ever rigged a dropper for smallmouth? For example, a humpy with a shenk’s minnow on a dropper. Is this a dumb idea? What other combinations might you suggest?

Response:

Anyone ever rigged a dropper for smallmouth? For example, a humpy with a shenk’s minnow on a dropper. Is this a dumb idea? What other combinations might you suggest?

A combination of a #8 or #10 muddler, a #8 or #10 Wooly Bugger, and a sneaky little orange #10 or #12 Teeny Nymph dangling off the rear is always a reliable combo for lots of things, smallmouth included.   Early spring with higher than normal water flows, use a short sinking tip or, do like I do and cheat with a small split shot a couple of feet ahead of the first fly.  Let it drift more or less naturally.  No need to strip it.  The fish will find it. As the water runs off and clears up towards early summertime levels, go a size or two smaller on the flies and eliminate the extra weight. Best Regards,          Trent Roberson            Rx F Fish  For Your Good Health, Fly Fish URL=http://www.xnet.com/~rxffish

Response:

Question:

Any places near Stockton, Ca or Sac that anyone has already fished. I’m looking for good places to fly fish for trout. Thanks Bob

Response:

Yes, try the Stanislaus River just East of Oakdale, below Tullock Reservoir.  I was there on Saturday and cought a couple of wild rainbows. All Catch and Release.  The water is high, yet fish are catchable. Doug

Response:

Question:

Hey.  Lately I have been fishing a small stream which contains a good population of wild brookies.  Have had great success in getting them to rise to my dry flies, but have had little or no success hooking them.  I fear a deficiency in my dry fly technique; any hints regarding hook setting would be greatly appreciated.  The fish average about 5 inches long, and are hitting various parachute-style dries (Royal Wulffs, Adams, Hare’s Ears, etc.) in mostly sizes 12 and 14.  I am sure I am doing something wrong, I just don’t know what. Thanks, Tom.

Response:

 Hey.  Lately I have been fishing a small stream which contains a good  population of wild brookies.  Have had great success in getting them to  rise to my dry flies, but have had little or no success hooking them.

Little brookies like that will turn on the dry fly in an attempt to drown it first.  Don’t pick up the line — they will likely take it after it’s under the water.

Response:

Hey.  Lately I have been fishing a small stream which contains a good population of wild brookies.  Have had great success in getting them to rise to my dry flies, but have had little or no success hooking them.  I fear a deficiency in my dry fly technique; any hints regarding hook setting would be greatly appreciated.  The fish average about 5 inches long, and are hitting various parachute-style dries (Royal Wulffs, Adams, Hare’s Ears, etc.) in mostly sizes 12 and 14.  I am sure I am doing something wrong, I just don’t know what. Thanks, Tom.

You may be attempting to set the fly. Let the trout take the fly and hook himself. If you do this you will most always find the fly hooked in the corner of his mouth this also make it harder for the trout to unhook himself. I have yanked many a dry fly out of the mouth of an interested trout. Norm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  Hey.  Lately I have been fishing a small stream which contains a good  population of wild brookies.  Have had great success in getting them to  rise to my dry flies, but have had little or no success hooking them. Little brookies like that will turn on the dry fly in an attempt to drown it first.  Don’t pick up the line — they will likely take it after it’s under the water.

Also, the fly might be too large, try some #16 – # 20 next time out.

Response:

Hey.  Lately I have been fishing a small stream which contains a good population of wild brookies.  Have had great success in getting them to rise to my dry flies, but have had little or no success hooking them.  I fear a deficiency in my dry fly technique; any hints regarding hook setting would be greatly appreciated.  The fish average about 5 inches long, and are hitting various parachute-style dries (Royal Wulffs, Adams, Hare’s Ears, etc.) in mostly sizes 12 and 14.  I am sure I am doing something wrong, I just don’t know what. Thanks, Tom.

Trout this small have VERY soft mouths which tear very easily.  You are most likely literally ripping their mouth apart with the fly.   Why even fish for 5" trout?  They don’t behave like their bigger brothers and sisters (they’ll hit just about anything) and they don’t fight worth a darn.  I guess I don’t see the sport here. — Richard Nelson Spokane, Wa. "Its not that life is so short, its that death is sooo long."  

Question:

Advice to the new fisherman, don’t ‘glerk’ off the fish…(trim)

Sound advice, Tim.  But for a minute there I thought you were going to resurrect the rather steamy trout tickling thread that sort of grew on everyone a while back.  Good word, glerk.  Sounds vaguely like what you’d get by crossing a goof with a jerk.  And we certainly have an abundance of both casting their wits into this particular cyberpond. John

Response:

Go to Wal Mart and buy a fly pole, reel, line and flys. Then go to your local river and do it. The rest comes with practice and experience. That’s how most of us do it.

Response:

: Try to think like an animal that has a pea size brain and is : scared to death. : …this is a wild animal who is always frightened. : Fish live in a perpetual state of being "always frightened" and : "scared to death"! Yet, they have "a pea size brain". : What absolute trash! Where do you get this anthropomorphic : hogwash? Come on, Jim.  Tim said you would be a better fly angler if you learned to empathize with the animal.  Have you ever seen a wild trout?  They behave exactly as if they were always threatened (except for the occassional frenzy when hoppers blow into the water, perhaps).   They prefer to feed close to cover, they are VERY sensative to movement from above, they spook easilly if you make much noise. I agree completely with Tim: think of fish as frightened wild animals and you’ll understand them better and catch more…even if they aren’t frightened in a human way. I’d also add: think of them as very, very lazy.  They don’t like to feed on tiny things in fast water: it’s too tiring.  They don’t like swimming up through six feet of water when food is available in three feet.  They like the cushy pillow of current behind a rock on the bottom.  etc. etc. PS-Their brains really ARE pea sized. — Laboratory for Applied Logic    Dept. of Computer Science University of Idaho             www: http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/~foster —–BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK—– Version: 2.6.2 mQCNAzDtvLEAAAEEAKAC21G2Be0K0DMgjLpxrwLmsYfCz8rWcfgyABjr3Ryfk1dO nV7fFFpUF3xohR7die+/B2V9oqRQzTLeSF2ECKlsTY/yUyw2kn+P2ju1umh4Fwzd cVTvc+H69q1+Ft3kmw/PE0Pan+g0PUGGJ43stw3q4OgBHdixbRd/f9giJFDxAAUR tCZKYW1lcyBBLiBGb3N0ZXIgPGZvc3RlckBjcy51aWRhaG8uZWR1PokAlQMFEDD8 ReEXf3/YIiRQ8QEBFrAD/2AFuRWcD/3MENC3qJMC/Or1qxknjkK7Uv+TDf2LHPOY GHBbG9PyWuXQ8of0Dd+JYwf/tzlO9Yk1s1zTdikfriak21FW0bCokxDIhA3myppZ IZDWVA9CyvDYHuP5Ii1NkBvocab813JzDLZA+0iVN5sebGb9zSXR4Za47hlriHeP =RDHK —–END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK—–

Response:

Try to think like an animal that has a pea size brain and is scared to death. …this is a wild animal who is always frightened.

 Obviously you’ve never encountered native browns, ordinarily very wary…during a heavy sulphur, hendrickson, x_drake or salmonfly hatch. …I feel sorry for you…You’ve been missing some of nature’s unique events. tight_lines,             Steve D.

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: writes:

: I know A little but not much,Any tips on casting or anything would help : me. I don’t know where you live, but if you’re near a university or community college, be sure to check out their catalogues and any possible community enrichment programs.  Here at UI we have fly tying classes in the PhysEd Curriculum.  At nearby Washington State University they have flyfishing classes in PhysEd, taught by no less than Dave Engerbretson.  I learned to cast from Dave at a community enrichment summer program here (and from a friend with whom I fish).   — Laboratory for Applied Logic    Dept. of Computer Science University of Idaho             www: http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/~foster —–BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK—– Version: 2.6.2 mQCNAzDtvLEAAAEEAKAC21G2Be0K0DMgjLpxrwLmsYfCz8rWcfgyABjr3Ryfk1dO nV7fFFpUF3xohR7die+/B2V9oqRQzTLeSF2ECKlsTY/yUyw2kn+P2ju1umh4Fwzd cVTvc+H69q1+Ft3kmw/PE0Pan+g0PUGGJ43stw3q4OgBHdixbRd/f9giJFDxAAUR tCZKYW1lcyBBLiBGb3N0ZXIgPGZvc3RlckBjcy51aWRhaG8uZWR1PokAlQMFEDD8 ReEXf3/YIiRQ8QEBFrAD/2AFuRWcD/3MENC3qJMC/Or1qxknjkK7Uv+TDf2LHPOY GHBbG9PyWuXQ8of0Dd+JYwf/tzlO9Yk1s1zTdikfriak21FW0bCokxDIhA3myppZ IZDWVA9CyvDYHuP5Ii1NkBvocab813JzDLZA+0iVN5sebGb9zSXR4Za47hlriHeP =RDHK —–END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK—–

Response:

snippage Catch some bugs.

Yes.  If you can’t find the bugs, this should be a clue. It amazes me how few people get this part.

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Fish live in a perpetual state of being "always frightened" and "scared to death"! Yet, they have "a pea size brain". What absolute trash! Where do you get this anthropomorphic hogwash? No wait, let me guess….

Gosh Jim, You’re right, I’m wrong.  I do *not* know what a fish thinks when it heads for the big mossy on sight of an osprey a flyline or your masculane visage. I did, wrongly, associate fear with this behavior.  Let’s call this running and hiding ‘glerk’ just so there is no anthropromorphism, ok ?  I mean, it would be wrong to say ’spook the fish’, too…right ? Advice to the new fisherman, don’t ‘glerk’ off the fish, they’re tough to catch with their snoot under a rock. Thanks Jim, for pointing this out. Tim Walker

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It’s hard to say but I suggest that you go to the library or a bookstore and get a few books. That has been very helpful for me

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Go to a local shop and see if they offer a casting clinic.  Will save you years of trial and error and lots of wasted time untying knots.  Would recommend the Essence of Flycasting (Vol. I) by mel Krieger for a concise intro to flycasting.  If CA is an option, e-mail me and I will send you a schedule of classes.

Hi Dan, I certainly agree with your suggestion. I advise people (like you) to get training from a person who knows – a flyshop person, a club member, or a school instructor. Good Tying & Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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Go to a local shop and see if they offer a casting clinic.  Will save you years of trial and error and lots of wasted time untying knots.  [SNIP]

With all due respect, This casting business is highly overrated.  Casting should be the *last* thing taught in flyfishing, not the first. (IMHO).   Take out two rod lengths of line…no more, and work on stealth and line control.  If you can’t cast a rod length or two after a couple of minutes, take up carving gnomes in wood. Learn some simple knots…hell use overhand knots, the fish won’t care. Tie ‘em on man and go fishin’ ! This is not rocket science. Fish bait for a few seasons and lures and stuff.  Learn to read the water. Catch some bugs.   Try to think like an animal that has a pea size brain and is scared to death.  Try to put food in front of its face just like you imagine it would look if it were real.   Don’t be a dork wading like an elephant in a white shirt…this is a wild animal who is always frightened.  Respect that…and you will catch fish. TimW "Graduated Line Method of Flyfishing Learning"

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I know A little but not much,Any tips on casting or anything would help me.                                           Thanks                                                                   Brent

Sorry Brent But that question is just too broad to try and answer in a message. I just started out last year and this is what I can suggest 1) Scientific Anglers, LL Bean, Lefty Kreh all have videos to help you get started, as well as there are many books out there to get you started. 2)Go out to a local flyfishing shop and see if they offer course, believe me it is much easier if you start out right, then starting with the wrong techniqwue and trying to correct it later. 3) Grab a cheap-o rod and start practising… Tyson

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I know A little but not much,Any tips on casting or anything would help me.                                            Thanks                                                                          Brent

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Question:

However, there are tons and tons of pre-tied flies sold.  I see folks buying them all the time.  I suspect that a possibly relevant follow-up question is to ask what % of the flies that you use did you tie and what % did you buy. I know that there are lots of folks that buy lots of flies.  However, I do not.

I – and again, everyone I fish with – tie *all* of my/their own flies, whether fresh water or salt water, dry fly/emerger/nymph/popper/diver/whatever… But then, I’ve been a dyed-in-the-wool flyfisher for 29 years, and everyone I fish with has been flyfishing for 15 to 50 years… I agree that all those flies you see binned up in the shops *must* get sold to someone, but them’s ain’t us ;^) /dave <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< < Digital Equipment Corp.    Alpha Server Engineering  < <           "Read this and nobody gets hurt"           < <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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: Anybody know the percentage of fly fisherman who tie their own flies? : I’d be interested to hear your comments on the percentage. I’d be even : interested in the percentage of your fishing buddies who tie their own. : Thanks, Craig, all the fly fishers I know tie a percentage off their flies. Of these only one is a 100% "my fly only type" the rest will swap buy tie as the need arises. Some guys refuse to tie dries, other won’t tie (or fish in public nymphs. Thats about 8 fellas that spring to mind. hooroo steve ps Perhaps an ancilliary question : "How many only fish with their self tied flies 100%?"

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Anybody know the percentage of fly fisherman who tie their own flies? I’d be interested to hear your comments on the percentage. I’d be even interested in the percentage of your fishing buddies who tie their own. Thanks,

Craig, Of the five people (4 males & 1 female) that I fish with on a regular basis, three of us tie our own .                                         Steve

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Most of the people I fish with tie their own and then borrow some flies when an individual seems to have the "hot pattern" for the day. I would guess that most of the flies fished in my area are tied by foreign teenage girls however. One company is reported to sell 700,000 dozen this year. That is a lot of flies and represents only the largest importer.

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Anybody know the percentage of fly fisherman who tie their own flies?
I’d be interested to hear your comments on the percentage. I’d be even interested in the percentage of your fishing buddies who tie their own.
Thanks,
Craig,
Of the five people (4 males & 1 female) that I fish with on a regular basis, three of us tie our own .
                                   Steve

Out of 5 other fly fishing buddies (6 including myself) I am the only one who ties flies. Darryl Hayashida

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: : I know that there are lots of folks that buy lots of flies.  However, : I do not. : I – and again, everyone I fish with – tie *all* of my/their own flies, whether I buy a fly or two every now and then.  I may see a particularly well-tied one that I’ll keep as a "model", or I’ll get something recommended for local conditions.  But most of the flies I buy are for "models". — Laboratory for Applied Logic    Dept. of Computer Science University of Idaho             www: http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/~foster

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Anybody know the percentage of fly fisherman who tie their own flies? I’d be interested to hear your comments on the percentage. I’d be even interested in the percentage of your fishing buddies who tie their own. Thanks,

I’m a member of a small fishing club in Sweden with approx. 250 members All of them are flytiers. We have yearly studying circles in fly tying for all ages so we can keep up the craftmanship of fly tying. So… all my flyfishing friends are tying there own. Best flytying regards Lars Elfner

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I have only been ff for three years now but I can say that in that time I have only bought maybe 15 flies, total. A month after I started fishing I taught myself to tie. Since then the only time I buy flies is when I need info on a hatch from a local sporting shop ( I have only done this twice). I tie flys for everyone that I go with which is about three different people. On the water, I think most of the weekend hobbiests buy flies, while the Flyfishermen tie them. Eg. on a stocked river that I frequent, all the ff people I talk to buy their flies, while on Hat creek, just the thought of a store bought fly would give you a bad look. As a percentage I would say that more are bought, just by the fact that there are more overpopulated rivers than there are ff rivers.

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The way I do it is. I tie the flies that are known to catch fish in this area. I buy one or two of few patterns that work well in the surrounding areas just in case I get to go out of town.

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Anybody know the percentage of fly fisherman who tie their own flies? I’d be interested to hear your comments on the percentage. I’d be even interested in the percentage of your fishing buddies who tie their own. Thanks,

Half my ff-ing friends tie their own, the other half buy them from me! I bought my flies the first time I set out, then started tying very soon after.  That first batch was the only ones I ever bought. My guess is that most the folks that buy commercially ties flies probably do lots of other types of fishing too, and are not completely engrossed in fly fishing.  I can’t see laying out all the money that I see some people do buying flys.  Yea, I know how much I laid out on my tying equipment and supplies, but that’s different!  :-) Most of that stuff was paid for by selling the stuff I tied.   A sunny day,      a box of midges,         and a wandering stream…   Man, this MUST be heaven!   <    Steve Kulpa    <<

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Perhaps an ancilliary question : "How many only fish with their self tied flies 100%?"

Pretty much everyone I fish with fits this category. Most of us fish with rods we built ourselves too. Cost is a big factor, but I think it’s more of a natural curiosity we have, as most of us tie a box of standards like clousers, then set to tying more "experimental" patterns to imitate mackerel, pogies, eels, etc. Sometimes the winter in Maine seems so long that building a new rod or tying a mess of flies is the only way to stay sane. Well that and writing about yuppies on the net…. :-

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Perhaps an ancilliary question : "How many only fish with their self tied flies 100%?"

That’s me.  I’ve never caught a trout on a fly that I didn’t tie.  Why bother paying $2.00-$3.00 for a fly when you can tie your own for much less and can make a much better looking fly in most cases.  Economics are a main issue here. I am in college and I couldn’t afford to have a well stocked fly box if I didn’t tie the flys myself.  Also the satisfaction that comes from tying your own fly and then catching a trout with it is incredible. Jake

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2 out of 5 tie.                         jamie

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I fish with five guys on a regular basis. Out of these five, four of them tie their own flies. Only two of us tie flies for the situations we encounter. I’m currently tying salmon fly patterns for my trips to the Deschutes River. last Friday night we slaughtered ‘em on size 4 red patterns! Bill Ruddick

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<snip : However, there are tons and tons of pre-tied flies sold.  I see folks buying : them all the time.  I suspect that a possibly relevant follow-up question : is to ask what % of the flies that you use did you tie and what % did you : buy. : I know that there are lots of folks that buy lots of flies.  However, : I do not. A primary reason for buying flies is to get a quick selection of local favourites. New water? – locate a local shop, shoot the bull with the owner, get some local tips, buy a few flies  - both the get a head start on matching local conditions and as a way of "thanking" him for his advice. I tie almost all of my flies, but I haven’t got to the point where I take my tying supplies with me on a trip (my van won’t pull two trailers  ) — 3798 Woodland Drive     voice: (604) 368-9315 Trail, BC               data:  (604) 368-9341

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I tie most of my own, the exception being those special hatches and unforseen occasions. Then, I’ll buy one or two at a time. My four friends are the same way. I have to add that I guess the people on this list would not be a representative sample of the flyfishing world. –sean

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For what it’s worth, I think they’re two seperate activities.  Its just nice that they happen to be related.  As Dave mentioned, most of the people I fish with tie their own flys.   I buy some (I cant tie Wulffs worth a damn) and I occasionally I find some that are different.   By-the-way: I saw a box full of excellent flys this past week They were tied by a shop in New Hartford Conn.  (Classic and Custom Fly Shop – I think) Very nice examples of Conn hendricksons, emergers and some of the old standards tied ‘catskill’ style.  I dont think the fish care all that much, but these were really first rate.

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i tie my own. i bought four or five when i got into this insanity, figured i might as well wade into the deep water, bought a vise, a bobbin, and a small fortune in supplies and have been saving the big bucks ever since.  everytime i see a new pattern, i buy a hundred dollars worth of chicken necks and other assorted parts, (not to mention artificial stuff that sells for who knows what an ounce.  as soon as the ups man leave, i head to my fly room and tie five of ‘em.  hmmm, that would be twenty bucks per.  don’t tell my wife, i just hit her up for a hoffman #2 cream for father’s day!. seriously, i wouldn’t buy a fly now.  i can’t fish worth a damn, but my flies are much better than most of the ones you see in the bins.

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Just thought I’d delurk for a moment and post this in response to this continuing thread.  I enjoy fly-fishing and fly-tying.  Tying my own flies is an extension of fly-fishing and provides a great way for me to relax from my day job.  Since I primarily fish for trout and freshwater fish, I try to tie flies to match the hatches on the VA streams.  Though I don’t fly-fish for salmon often, I tie full-dress salmon flies.  Hunting down materials over the past ten years has added greatly to the enjoyment of tying these flies. I’ll offer this opinion of mass-produced flies.  Often they are produced only for the "fly-fisher," not for the fish.  Though I try to tie flies which match the naturals, the flies in the shops often have too much hackle or do not balance correctly on the water.  Also, many of these flies are not produced in the US, Canada, or the UK. (I’m saying this because these are my fishing areas.)  The flies just aren’t tied correctly and they do not stand up to the wear and tear of the fish.  I also think that regional flies outperform mass-produced ones. For example, a Grey Ghost streamer by a well-known company.  The traditional Steven’s dressing is not followed and the flies are sloppily constructed.  A friend and I were fishing some of the Appalachian lakes and his flies were not holding up for more than one or two strikes. In short, I’d rather tie my own flies for a lot of reasons.  I also like tying for my fishing buddies and helping them and others with flies.  It greatly enriches my fishing experience. DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed herein are not those of my employer. Loral Federal Systems                                         (301) 470-1957

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Anybody know the percentage of fly fisherman who tie their own flies? I’d be interested to hear your comments on the percentage. I’d be even interested in the percentage of your fishing buddies who tie their own. Thanks, I can’t think of *any* of my flyfishing buddies that *don’t* tie their own.

However, there are tons and tons of pre-tied flies sold.  I see folks buying them all the time.  I suspect that a possibly relevant follow-up question is to ask what % of the flies that you use did you tie and what % did you buy. I know that there are lots of folks that buy lots of flies.  However, I do not. -tgades

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Anybody know the percentage of fly fisherman who tie their own flies? I’d be interested to hear your comments on the percentage. I’d be even interested in the percentage of your fishing buddies who tie their own. Thanks,

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Can’t give you an accurate percentage, but I would be willing to bet anyone who has been fly fishing for more than a year or so probably has started tying their own.  All fly fishermen I know do their own tying (and THAT numbers around 25) Greg

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Anybody know the percentage of fly fisherman who tie their own flies? I’d be interested to hear your comments on the percentage. I’d be even interested in the percentage of your fishing buddies who tie their own. Thanks,

I can’t think of *any* of my flyfishing buddies that *don’t* tie their own. (Hey Harlan, do *you* know anyone that doesn’t tie their own?) /dave <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< < Digital Equipment Corp.    Alpha Server Engineering  < <           "Read this and nobody gets hurt"           < <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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