Question:

Can anyone give me some advice on a fly fishing life vest or personal floatation device? I’m interested in a model I can wear under my fishing vest when wading a river. I already purchased a standard vest, so hopefully the response isn’t to buy a vest with a floatation ballon built in (if they even manufacture something like that). What do people use when wading a river? Obviously, price isn’t really an issue… Thanks, Ryan

Response:

http://www.sospenders.com/models.html Look about halfway down the screen. I’d go with a manual (pull the lanyard) model. /daytripper (standard disclaimers apply) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Can anyone give me some advice on a fly fishing life vest or personal floatation device? I’m interested in a model I can wear under my fishing vest when wading a river. I already purchased a standard vest, so hopefully the response isn’t to buy a vest with a floatation ballon built in (if they even manufacture something like that). What do people use when wading a river? Obviously, price isn’t really an issue… Thanks, Ryan

Response:

Cabela’s and Pro Bass carry the Sospenders.  I got mine from Orvis a couple of years ago when the sold out at 50% off.  These things are great for tubing as you don’t even know they are on.  I think they have two sizes and the smaller is ok for most applications. DP

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone give me some advice on a fly fishing life vest or personal floatation device? I’m interested in a model I can wear under my fishing vest when wading a river. I already purchased a standard vest, so hopefully the response isn’t to buy a vest with a floatation ballon built in (if they even manufacture something like that). What do people use when wading a river? Obviously, price isn’t really an issue… Thanks, Ryan

Response:

Question:

Well, thank you kindly sir.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Try a selection of flies in black and silver, in various sizes, it does not really matter which ones, as long as they are black and silver.  Often an all black fly is successful. Sometimes a fly with a touch of red will do the trick, a "Peter Ross" is very good.  Fish at night. Do not start fishing until full dark. Fish the flies slowly. If you are fishing pools, do not cast, feed line out.  Do not shine any lights on the water, or light up cigarettes etc near it, this will put the fish down for the night. Do not make any noise or vibration, the fish are just as spooky in the dark. Fish the darkest places you can find, under trees, bushes, undercut banks etc. Fish on dark nights, either with no moon, or full cloud. Do not use leaders which are too light, the fish will simply break you, and as this is likely to be the only one which will take that week, this is a major tragedy. The same goes for rods which are too light. A six weight is minimum. Reconnoitre the water very carefully in daylight, and make sure you know exactly where you can wade, ( which you should not do if you can possibly avoid it), land fish, enter and leave the river etc. Trees and bushes come alive at night, and casts which would not even have reached the bank in daytime, will be ruthlessly grabbed by them before they are even half over the river, another reason for not casting. If you are obliged to fish during the day, try a "Teal blue and silver" in various sizes. Start with a size ten, and gradually increase to a size six until you either get a take or fed up. As an alternative, try some "shrimp" or "prawn" flies, such as the "General Practitioner". Seatrout are very difficult creatures to catch, not for nothing are they known as the "fish of a thousand casts".  If you avoid casting as I said, you can reduce the odds somewhat, or at least the statistics are different. If you don

Question:

I just bought my first fly rod , And went out fishing with it the other day, Wow was i missing the whole sport of fishing! I caught some Largemouth Bass , Rock Bass and Sunnys. Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

Response:

I just bought my first fly rod , And went out fishing with it the other day, Wow was i missing the whole sport of fishing! I caught some Largemouth Bass , Rock Bass and Sunnys. Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

Advice on what?  Sounds like you are doing fine.      - Ken

Response:

I just bought my first fly rod , And went out fishing with it the other day, Wow was i missing the whole sport of fishing! I caught some Largemouth Bass , Rock Bass and Sunnys. Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

    become more literate. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I just bought my first fly rod , And went out fishing with it the other day, Wow was i missing the whole sport of fishing! I caught some Largemouth Bass , Rock Bass and Sunnys. Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

Well, if you’re having fun and getting into fish then it sounds like you’ve gotten the important parts down pat. I personally tend not to care too much beyond that. That being said…what do you need advice about in particular? I’ve only been flyfishing 18 months and plan to be the eternal newbie, but give me some ideas what you want help with and I’d be glad to. Vegetables aren’t food. Vegetables are what the food eats.

Response:

I just bought my first fly rod , And went out fishing with it the other day, Wow was i missing the whole sport of fishing! I caught some Largemouth Bass , Rock Bass and Sunnys. Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

Walk away while you still can. — Rusty Hook Laramie, Wyo Before you buy.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just bought my first fly rod , And went out fishing with it the other day, Wow was i missing the whole sport of fishing! I caught some Largemouth Bass , Rock Bass and Sunnys. Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

Response:

Bring your own Scotch. Bring enough for everybody. Bring 24 year old Macallan. Bring a tall glass for me. — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

Response:

I just bought my first fly rod , And went out fishing with it the other day, Wow was i missing the whole sport of fishing! I caught some Largemouth Bass , Rock Bass and Sunnys. Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

Ummmm, please tell US how you did it! Regards, Jeff

Response:

I just bought my first fly rod , And went out fishing with it the other day, Wow was i missing the whole sport of fishing! I caught some Largemouth Bass , Rock Bass and Sunnys. Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

Gear, gear and more gear!  And when you think you have enough, buy more! Now where’s that damn Orvis catalog?

Response:

Well, if you’re having fun and getting into fish

How the hell does one get into a fish??? That must be ONE BIG FISH!!! <laugh then it sounds like you’ve gotten the important parts down pat. I personally tend not to care too much beyond that. That being said…what do you need advice about in particular? I’ve only been flyfishing 18 months and plan to be the eternal newbie, but give me some ideas what you want help with and I’d be glad to.

Can we make a club for that? I’ve been at it for 10 Months and have yet to figure out if I am doing ANYTHING right… Oh I do catch fish but I tend to think that it more the fish feeling sorry for me. Vegetables aren’t food. Vegetables are what the food eats.

There goes my theories on the food chain! — Michael Era

Question:

But one perennial that I would never be without would have to be hostas

can someone give some info or a website that gives info on the care of hostas Elaine in Dallas

Response:

But one perennial that I would never be without would have to be hostas can someone give some info or a website that gives info on the care of hostas Elaine in Dallas

Not much to it. Plant em in the shade, water em, occasionally toss some fertilizer under em, and kill snails.  About the only thing that can kill them is total lack of water (or maybe too much as in a bog), everything else just makes them look bad. — Lloyd Fortney http://www.phy.duke.edu/~fortney/ has links to my garden, flower, flyfishing, and travel JPEG images as well as teaching, research, and stuff like that

Response:

Question:

Does anyone have contact information for the NY State Guides Association? I would like to find out what the requirements are for certification.

Response:

Does anyone have contact information for the NY State Guides Association? I would like to find out what the requirements are for certification.

Michael, The phone number for NYSOGA is 518 798 1253.  Good luck. James Ehlers NYSOGA Member Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service 1997 Guide of the Year Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings http://pobox.com/~uncle

Response:

Mike – Contact the DEC in Raybrooke, NY (area code 518) and they can refer you to the proper office which will mail out an aplication form as well as requirements. What is required for the Backpacking/Hiking & Camping Licence: (If I remember correctly) -Passing a Physical Exam from your Doctor, -Basic First Aid AND Water Safety Course OR  Advanced First Aid (Includes Water Safety course) -Taking a 2 or 3 hour test at your Regional DEC Office (Core plus area of  specialty  -Climbing/Hiking & Backpacking/Canoeing/Camping…) -Fee of around $50-$75 Good Luck Rick Does anyone have contact information for the NY State Guides Association? I would like to find out what the requirements are for certification.

– ***NOTICE*** Do not use autosend with the spam defeater  Rick Story

Response:

Question:

[Item 1] Then there are those who drive bigger boats that think because their boat is bigger, they have the right to direct your boat.

[Item 2] Then there are those with smaller boats (canoes in my case) that are too afraid that you’ll swamp them or get angry that the wake you leave will ruin their weekend.

[Item 3] And those boats smaller than I:  Unless there is a no wake zone – you take your chances.

I think I must be a little confused by what you’ve written — do you see no contradiction between your complaint in item 1 and your attitude in item 3, which essentially dictates what boats smaller than yours are allowed to do? And, are you really saying in items 2 & 3 that you have no compunctions about swamping canoes simply because they are smaller than your boat?  And your justification is that you feel great hardship is imposed upon you by the cost of maintaining your larger boat?  (Sorry, I inadvertantly deleted that part of your post.) Do you see no contradiction here?

Response:

I don’t know or care what your problem is but you just made it on my kill list. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Re: Is boating worth it? AT&T Newsgroups: rec.boats References: snip I used to live on a little pond where a guy put a big boat with the name Suck My Wake painted in huge letters on the side. You’d like him,                                           jc Funny, I named my sailboat "Blow Me". Garry Heon First Stepp My Opinions….Lucent’s Network. Garry,  I appreciate your above response.  It appears that a number of smart-ass lawyers replied  to my supposed lack of concern regarding my wake. Admiralty Lawyer  W.Smith referred to me as an ‘ASSHOLE’ in his email msg.  Just remember:  LAWYER + BOAT = FLOATING SHIT  Regards.  D.G.

D. George Jensen San Diego, CA, USA

Response:

asshole I’d kick your fucking ass and piss on your face Cause its really obvious that’s the only type of communication you understand !!! your a dam dickwad mother fucker .. See asshole I don’t need no fucking attorney to take care of your sorry peace of shit Not only do I own a 42 foot Ketch that I built in my own back yard "10 years in the making". But  I also own a 12 foot aluminum Fishing boat . I happen to like catfish !!! Last year I was swamped by a 32 foot power boat in a 300 foot wide channel The mother fucker had the odasidy to fly the third digit as he passed me in the channel . well that’s the last time that asshole flew that finger!!!!! I BROKE IT Yea see there is only two ways you can go on a river he might have got away with it if we where on the big bad ocean but we weren’t ,, I caught up with the asshole at restaurant/bar a few miles up stream Needless to say I spent 30 days in county for fucking this asshole up but it was worth it… I dint like watching my tackle box float down stream … I’ve been a framer half my fucking life I know how to swing a hammer might knock some fucking courtesy into it   I walk the walk,  I talk the talk . and  Ill kick your fucking ass if I ever see  you ASSHOLE  if ya wana meet dickwad  "ANYWARE ANY TIME ASSHOLE"   Email me – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The first thing you learn when boating is that others like to tell you how to drive it. If you have female passengers, they will complain that you are not driving in a manner considerate to their physical attributes. Then there are those who drive bigger boats that think because their boat is bigger, they have the right to direct your boat. Then there are those with smaller boats (canoes in my case) that are too afraid that you’ll swamp them or get angry that the wake you leave will ruin their weekend. My reply to complaining females is that they should strap their parts down before getting on board.  To those who like to give orders from other boats or shore: EAT MY WAKE. And those boats smaller than I:  Unless there is a no wake zone – you take your chances. It’s bad enough fixing the boat to keep it running.  But this extra crap: tell it to someone who cares.

Response:

  It appears that a number of smart-ass lawyers replied   to my supposed lack of concern regarding my wake. Admiralty Lawyer   W.Smith referred to me as an ‘ASSHOLE’ in his email msg.

Oh Gee, Dave, I’m sorry.  I thought ASSHOLE was the name of your boat.   Hey Dave, the sooner you end up in federal prison, the better off the boating world will be. —         Wm. G. Smith         Admiralty Lawyer         P.O. Box 3017         Framingham, Mass. 01705         (508)877-3119 Practicing in Admiralty, Environmental and Coastal Land Use Planning Visit my web page at http://www.netcom.com/~w.smith/admiralty.html

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Re: Is boating worth it? AT&T Newsgroups: rec.boats References: snip I used to live on a little pond where a guy put a big boat with the name Suck My Wake painted in huge letters on the side. You’d like him,                                               jc Funny, I named my sailboat "Blow Me". Garry Heon First Stepp My Opinions….Lucent’s Network.

Garry,   I appreciate your above response.   It appears that a number of smart-ass lawyers replied   to my supposed lack of concern regarding my wake. Admiralty Lawyer   W.Smith referred to me as an ‘ASSHOLE’ in his email msg.   Just remember:  LAWYER + BOAT = FLOATING SHIT   Regards.   D.G.

Response:

I’m just very glad I don’t boat WITH you or NEAR you.

Response:

snip I used to live on a little pond where a guy put a big boat with the name Suck My Wake painted in huge letters on the side. You’d like him,                                            jc

Funny, I named my sailboat "Blow Me". Garry Heon First Stepp My Opinions….Lucent’s Network.

Response:

And those boats smaller than I:  Unless there is a no wake zone – you take your chances.

 Regardless of a no wake zone or not, I would hope you that if you’re close enough to swamp a smaller craft with your wake that you would slow down. If not then you take your own chances, because if there are witnesses you could face criminal or civil prosecution. The usual disclaimers apply.

Response:

The first thing you learn when boating is that others like to tell you how to drive it. If you have female passengers, they will complain that you are not driving in a manner considerate to their physical attributes. Then there are those who drive bigger boats that think because their boat is bigger, they have the right to direct your boat. Then there are those with smaller boats (canoes in my case) that are too afraid that you’ll swamp them or get angry that the wake you leave will ruin their weekend. My reply to complaining females is that they should strap their parts down before getting on board.  To those who like to give orders from other boats or shore: EAT MY WAKE. And those boats smaller than I:  Unless there is a no wake zone – you take your chances. It’s bad enough fixing the boat to keep it running.  But this extra crap: tell it to someone who cares.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The first thing you learn when boating is that others like to tell you how to drive it. If you have female passengers, they will complain that you are not driving in a manner considerate to their physical attributes. Then there are those who drive bigger boats that think because their boat is bigger, they have the right to direct your boat. Then there are those with smaller boats (canoes in my case) that are too afraid that you’ll swamp them or get angry that the wake you leave will ruin their weekend. My reply to complaining females is that they should strap their parts down before getting on board.  To those who like to give orders from other boats or shore: EAT MY WAKE. And those boats smaller than I:  Unless there is a no wake zone – you take your chances. It’s bad enough fixing the boat to keep it running.  But this extra crap: tell it to someone who cares.

Please go to school. Boating is great fun but you must obey the rules. As far as your wake goes, you are legally and financially responsible for any damages caused by your wake, anywhere, anytime. —            /       Michael W. Madden          / |      215 898-0939        _/  |        /   |      I’d rather be sailing!

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -The first thing you learn when boating is that others like to tell you how to drive it. If you have female passengers, they will complain that you are not driving in a manner considerate to their physical attributes. Then there are those who drive bigger boats that think because their boat is bigger, they have the right to direct your boat. Then there are those with smaller boats (canoes in my case) that are too afraid that you’ll swamp them or get angry that the wake you leave will ruin their weekend. My reply to complaining females is that they should strap their parts down before getting on board.  To those who like to give orders from other boats or shore: EAT MY WAKE. And those boats smaller than I:  Unless there is a no wake zone – you take your chances. It’s bad enough fixing the boat to keep it running.  But this extra crap: tell it to someone who cares.

I used to live on a little pond where a guy put a big boat with the name Suck My Wake painted in huge letters on the side. You’d like him, he’d pretty much swamp anyone who messed with him on this 1 X .5 mile stretch of water. He’s up in N.Berwick Maine if you feel like tracking him down and starting a club or something….                                                 jc

Response:

The first thing you learn when boating is that others like to tell you how to drive it.

Yeah, who needs to hear all that crap about how you should operate your boat from the International Maritime Organization, the Coast Guard or the State Boating Law Administrator!  Screw ‘em. Then there are those who drive bigger boats that think because their boat is bigger, they have the right to direct your boat.

They may or may not, depending on the circumstances prevailing at the time, have a right to expect you’ll get out of their way.  Under other circumstances, you have a right to expect that they will get out of your way.  If they don’t, you have a positive duty under the law to take prompt, efficient actions to avoid a collision. Then there are those with smaller boats (canoes in my case) that are too afraid that you’ll swamp them or get angry that the wake you leave will ruin their weekend.

It may do worse than that; it may injure or kill them. To those who like to give orders from other boats or shore: EAT MY WAKE.

Another writer has already said this, but it bears repeating: You are personally liable for all damage done by your wake at all times.  Rule 6 of both the Inland and International Rules of the Road absolutely require all mariners to operate at a safe speed at all times.  Whether or not your speed was safe will be determined by whether or not your wake does any damage or by whether you could have avoided doing any kind of damage by proceeding at a slower speed. And those boats smaller than I:  Unless there is a no wake zone – you take your chances.

If you really do operate in this manner, it constitutes "Grossly Negligent Operation" and is a Federal CRIME, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and up to a year in prison or both.  Personally, I wish the Coast Guard would forget about drugs for a while and more vigorously enforce and prosecute under this statute.  People like you belong in jail. It’s bad enough fixing the boat to keep it running.  But this extra crap: tell it to someone who cares.

There is a legal term to describe someone like you:  ASSHOLE. —         Wm. G. Smith         Admiralty Lawyer         P.O. Box 3017         Framingham, Mass. 01705         (508)877-3119 Practicing in Admiralty, Environmental and Coastal Land Use Planning Visit my web page at http://www.netcom.com/~w.smith/admiralty.html

Response:

Question:

: While considering the many options for 4 pc (or 3 pc) travel rods, I : have generated more questions than answers and would like to survey : those in the group who would share first hand experiences.  The : questions are basically these when considering an all around trout rod : for small to medium western rivers: : : 1  Is there a great advantage to internal ferrrule designs and which : manufacturers offer these designs? : : 2  Which  brand delivers, in your opinion, the best value. : : 3  For budget reasons, I am looking seriously at 5 wts. in the Loomis : GL3, Diamondback, Sage DS Series, and St. Croix. Any good or bad : experiences with these rods? : : 4  What are the preferences among the higher end rods? : : Thanks. : :       IMHO the Loomis GL3, 9 ft., 5 wt., 4 pc. travel rod is the : best value in those you mention. It is without peer as a casting : machine – the reason you use a fly rod in the first and only place. It : is extremely well built, has a life time warranty for defects – and in : my experience – a very liberal interperation of what defect is. The : Sage is a close second in choice – the other two are not worth : considering along side the Loomis and Sage. :       I am a custom rod builder and all of my rods are G. Loomis : IMX, and mostly 4 pc. now. For the high price end you will not go : wrong with a Loomis GL3 or the GL4 coming out to replace the IMX. : Also, if you are looking at high end, check out the Thomas & Thomas : Heritage series designed by Gary Borger. These are very nice casting : tools. I think this, and every other thread like it demonstrates one thing: everybody seems to have a favourite rod that they say is the "best" but there is no consensus overall. It is absolutely pointless to ask which rod is best because everybody will say that the rod they spent the most amount of money on is the best. Basically, I have come to the conclusion that all rods are exactly the same – Like designer jeans, it depends on what label you prefer. I have had a chance to fish with a "cheap" fenwick fiberglas import, a top of the line Sage rod and a T&T which I now own and I have to admit that I was able to cast effectively with all three. I have a friend who has been fishing most of his life (probably more than 20 years) and who swears by a Wal-mart special he bought for $35.00. He outfishes everyone he knows (except his wife ) and has caught everything from pike and atlantic salmon to rainbows in the tiniest streams with overhanging trees,shrubs and other detritus. I feel as if I have been sucked, like many others, into the myth that more expensive is better. All it does is put my income into the pockets of Orvis, Loomis, Sage and T&T executives. It is not the rod that makes the fisherman, it’s the enjoyment of being outdoors in a pristine river doing an activity that we love. Just my two pennies’ worth… Ken

Response:

1  Is there a great advantage to internal ferrrule designs and which manufacturers offer these designs? 2  Which  brand delivers, in your opinion, the best value.

St. Croix 3  For budget reasons, I am looking seriously at 5 wts. in the Loomis GL3, Diamondback, Sage DS Series, and St. Croix. Any good or bad experiences with these rods? 4  What are the preferences among the higher end rods?

Sage, I prefer the look.  Aside from that, Loomis is probably every bit as good if not better than the Sage.  Finally, if I could only have one rod, I’d buy the best of a lesser name vs the cheapest of a top name.   Thanks.

john

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – While considering the many options for 4 pc (or 3 pc) travel rods, I have generated more questions than answers and would like to survey those in the group who would share first hand experiences.  The questions are basically these when considering an all around trout rod for small to medium western rivers: 1  Is there a great advantage to internal ferrrule designs and which manufacturers offer these designs? 2  Which  brand delivers, in your opinion, the best value. 3  For budget reasons, I am looking seriously at 5 wts. in the Loomis GL3, Diamondback, Sage DS Series, and St. Croix. Any good or bad experiences with these rods? 4  What are the preferences among the higher end rods? Thanks.

We are selling more multi-piece (3 or 4 piece) rods every year. Nine foot, three piece rods are very hot. Lots of old timers will be shocked at how well they perform. Twenty years ago we all had several 2 piece rods and then one 4 piece we used only for back-packing. Today, my staff and I are using only multi-piece rods. I would cast the rods that you are interested in and find one you like. You might consider the brands with unconditional life-time warranties. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

Response:

I’m a firm believer in travel rods, having owned Sage 3 pce 586 LL, a Sage 3 pce SP 490, a Fisher 6 pce 7-8 wt and a Diawa 5 pce 4-5 wt. Currently, the SP and the Diawa get all the use.  The Diawa and Fisher are spiggot types whereas the Sages use  the ferrule approach.  To be honest, I can’t tell a damned bit of difference when casting, however the ferrule design is reported to be longer lasting as the spiggot fit tends to wear.  That’s what they say, but I’ve seen some old spiggot rods that fit together just fine.  Frankly, ignore the joining method and buy the rod that suits you.  Winston and Hardy uses spiggots for their travel rods and they don’t produce junk for sure. Spend a bit extra if you can and take a look at the Sage LL series. Even though my SP has a greater useable fishing range, the LL has to be the sweetest to cast and fish.  The GL3s are good too.  Try the GL3 9′ 4 wt. as well.  None of what you have mentioned are bad, I.ve casted them all but I have to go back to the LLs.  Its personal preference on my part, but try one.  Try the 3 pce 586.  Sure an SP, GLX, PM10 or T&T Horizon may cast further, but when is the last time you ever casted a fly more than 50′ to catch a ‘bow.  Buy a used one if you have to. Peter – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – While considering the many options for 4 pc (or 3 pc) travel rods, I have generated more questions than answers and would like to survey those in the group who would share first hand experiences.  The questions are basically these when considering an all around trout rod for small to medium western rivers: 1  Is there a great advantage to internal ferrrule designs and which manufacturers offer these designs? 2  Which  brand delivers, in your opinion, the best value. 3  For budget reasons, I am looking seriously at 5 wts. in the Loomis GL3, Diamondback, Sage DS Series, and St. Croix. Any good or bad experiences with these rods? 4  What are the preferences among the higher end rods? Thanks.

Response:

Dear J., I do not personally own a travel rod, but I was recently in the market for a lightweight flyrod and the St. Croix came highly recommended to me.  I know of some flyfishing crazies around this area who own the St. Croix "Pack Rat" and just love them. Kevin J. Engel

Response:

While considering the many options for 4 pc (or 3 pc) travel rods, I have generated more questions than answers and would like to survey those in the group who would share first hand experiences.  The questions are basically these when considering an all around trout rod for small to medium western rivers: 1  Is there a great advantage to internal ferrrule designs and which manufacturers offer these designs? 2  Which  brand delivers, in your opinion, the best value. 3  For budget reasons, I am looking seriously at 5 wts. in the Loomis GL3, Diamondback, Sage DS Series, and St. Croix. Any good or bad experiences with these rods? 4  What are the preferences among the higher end rods? Thanks.

Response:

While considering the many options for 4 pc (or 3 pc) travel rods, I have generated more questions than answers and would like to survey those in the group who would share first hand experiences.  The questions are basically these when considering an all around trout rod for small to medium western rivers: 2  Which  brand delivers, in your opinion, the best value.

IMHO Sage delivers the best value. I have got a 5 wt 3 pc 9 ft Sage-SP and this rod is perfectly alright for nearly all purposes. If you like smaller streams – take this rod. If you prefer bigger streams – take this rod. It covers all kind of streams because of its soft presentation combined with a lot of power and backbone. Additionally, Sage has a perfect warranty: Once I broke my rod they repaired it free of charge within four weeks and inbetween they lent me the same rod to fish with. Good service. Nothing to complain about. 4  What are the preferences among the higher end rods?

See above. Hope this helped. Good fishing and tight lines. Jan — Jan Geert Meents Georgenstrasse 120                              Fax: +89/278174-57 80798 Muenchen                                Phone: +89/278174-56

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – While considering the many options for 4 pc (or 3 pc) travel rods, I have generated more questions than answers and would like to survey those in the group who would share first hand experiences.  The questions are basically these when considering an all around trout rod for small to medium western rivers: 1  Is there a great advantage to internal ferrrule designs and which manufacturers offer these designs? 2  Which  brand delivers, in your opinion, the best value. 3  For budget reasons, I am looking seriously at 5 wts. in the Loomis GL3, Diamondback, Sage DS Series, and St. Croix. Any good or bad experiences with these rods? 4  What are the preferences among the higher end rods? Thanks.

        IMHO the Loomis GL3, 9 ft., 5 wt., 4 pc. travel rod is the best value in those you mention. It is without peer as a casting machine – the reason you use a fly rod in the first and only place. It is extremely well built, has a life time warranty for defects – and in my experience – a very liberal interperation of what defect is. The Sage is a close second in choice – the other two are not worth considering along side the Loomis and Sage.         I am a custom rod builder and all of my rods are G. Loomis IMX, and mostly 4 pc. now. For the high price end you will not go wrong with a Loomis GL3 or the GL4 coming out to replace the IMX. Also, if you are looking at high end, check out the Thomas & Thomas Heritage series designed by Gary Borger. These are very nice casting tools.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : While considering the many options for 4 pc (or 3 pc) travel rods, I : have generated more questions than answers and would like to survey : those in the group who would share first hand experiences.  The : questions are basically these when considering an all around trout rod : for small to medium western rivers: : : 1  Is there a great advantage to internal ferrrule designs and which : manufacturers offer these designs? : : 2  Which  brand delivers, in your opinion, the best value. : : 3  For budget reasons, I am looking seriously at 5 wts. in the Loomis : GL3, Diamondback, Sage DS Series, and St. Croix. Any good or bad : experiences with these rods? : : 4  What are the preferences among the higher end rods? : : Thanks. : :       Hi Bruce,                  I am a Loomis manso my first choice would deffinatleybe

the Loomis GL3.  As for the high end rods I would reccomend the Loomis GLX.  The GLX is a much faster rod than the GL3.  I do not know too much about the Sage rods because I have never owned one nor have I casted one.  I hope this helps.      Fish or die,                 Adam Birkes

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Question:

Wanted to share my excitment as I caught a 7lb plus bass last week while fishing a pond on a golf course.  Caught her on a black Dahlberg diver I tied last winter when thinking about flyfishing.  Also caught two others close to 3 lbs.  All bass  were released so we could catch them next year!! Phil Wistrom

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Congratulations on you 7 pounder. That is a "Nice Bass". "Big Bass" start at 10 pounds.

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Question:

Check out the AMI Recreation Network: http://www.aminews.com/ami Fly fishing, fishing, outdoor and travel news. Updated weekly. Looking for news items and fishing reports. AMI News is largest recreation news bureau in nation.

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Check out the AMI Recreation Network: http://www.aminews.com/ami Fly fishing, fishing, outdoor and travel news.

Phhhhpptt! Pretty weak, imho…I won’t waste the bandwidth there again…. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< < Digital Equipment Corp.    Alpha Server Engineering  < <           "Read this and nobody gets hurt"           < <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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Question:

  This past week on the Provo river the Baetis hatch has started. We’ve done quite well with some comparaduns.  Sometimes, though, the fish just seem to refuse them as well as any BWO or parachute.  The colors are an olive/grey mixture.  I was wondering what other patterns would be good in this situation.  We’ve landed some in the 18" range and would love to hear your suggestions and land some more.  The hatch goes from about 2:00 to 4:00 Curtis Fry

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:   This past week on the Provo river the Baetis hatch has started. : We’ve done quite well with some comparaduns.  Sometimes, though, the : fish just seem to refuse them as well as any BWO or parachute.  The : colors are an olive/grey mixture.  I was wondering what other patterns : would be good in this situation.  We’ve landed some in the 18" range : and would love to hear your suggestions and land some more.  The hatch : goes from about 2:00 to 4:00 : Curtis Fry Try a baetis emerger pattern.  Sometimes if the trout aren’t taking duns, they will be grabbing the emerging nymphs.  There are many ties.  The one I like is a standard nymph pattern, only with a section of ballooned out white or grey poly-yarn imitating the emerging wing where the wingcase would be and sparse hackle extending from the left and right sides of the thorax.  

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Try an olive wet fly…my favorite comes from Syl Nemes as follows: #18 hook–thread:olive 6/0 flymaster                rib:yellow thread 6/0                hackle: starling, 3 turns and get a bit of the                            fluffy stuff at the base of the starling feather. These took a couple of dozen fish last autumn on upper Pine Creek, PA whilst my fishing buddies stayed with drys and got skunked. Worked less spectacularly on Valley Creek,PA two weeks back, but still got a few fish. Both were streams with wild browns and/or brookies, so it should have been a fair test.  I have used this pattern for a year and a half and it seems to work consistently. Fish it like a dry or with a downstream reach cast. Good Luck!                                                               T Littleton

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