Question:

Well, Fang Glow.. JF IS CHAMELEON:         can joe himself         chase felon jim         chinese flo jam         flame johns ice         half mice jones Ano more, much much more here: http://www.ssynth.co.uk/~gay/cgi-bin/nph-anag?line=JF+IS+CHAMELEON&wo… Herman A recent political anagram led me to wonder about what gems might be found in the name of our esteemed fellowship here, so….. So……what can you do with JF IS CHAMELEON? Flogwang

– Cheers, Herman Herman Nijland Daytime webmaster Lifetime flyfisher

Response:

A recent political anagram led me to wonder about what gems might be found in the name of our esteemed fellowship here, so I sent rec.outdoors.fishing.fly through the AnagramGenius server and came up with a few dozen.   Below are a few of the more promising: Actually fishing related: Yourself choosing drift. Fiery goldfish contours. Fools configure this dry. This fly, or so configured. Pertaining to our discussions: Oh God! frictionless fury! Gosh! Fourfold sincerity. Ugh! Cross if too friendly. Richly fruit of goodness! Just for Ken: If Forty, consider ghouls Old grouchiness if Forty And toward the more vulgar: Girlhood courtesy sniff So touchy of girlfriends Icy girlhood suffers not. Greyhounds off clitoris. Curses! off tiny girlhood Here’s the complete list: Shortly if so configured.               Secondly rigorous fifth. Curses! off tiny girlhood.              Stylish or configured of. Hysteric, flooding fours.               Sniff courtesy girlhood. Oh God! frictionless fury.              Shoo firstly configured. Fourthly. Decision frogs.               Roughly considers off it. If cylinders fought or so.              If scrutiny or good flesh. If scrutiny or good shelf.              Ghostly of if so incurred. Confused if rightly or so.              Eighty-four if old scorns. Curses! on fifty girlhood.              Don frights ferociously. Fussy flincher or good it.              Good! rusty flincher if so. If rusty or good flinches.              Ferociously rights fond. Gosh! it officers roundly.              If go considers fourthly. Sly or this configured of.              Ugh! cross if too-friendly. Yourself choosing drift.                If cylinders sought or of. Hiss if currently good of.              Shortly, is configured of. Fiery goldfish contours.                Off this godly recursion. If this glory or confused.              Forged foolish scrutiny. Of if shortly reducing so.              Oh God! stiffly. Recursion. Fourthly if so cringed so.              Stylish, configured roof. Gosh! rod or sufficiently.              Gosh! difficulty or snore. Curse It! of or fondly sigh.            If forty or so scheduling. Rigorously second fifth.                Gosh! if dry counterfoils. Sorry! scheduling if to of.             So cushy of to girl-friend. Good! frostily fine crush.              Good! is rusty flincher of. Chronology it diffusers.                Nightly or off discourse. Off this lousy recording.               This fly or so configured. Of or crudely shifting so.              Forgot cosily furnished. Gosh! fourfold sincerity.               Chronology differs suit. Officers stood hungrily.                Curse It! holy of grinds of. Is not holy drug officers.              Scourged if on if shortly. Shortly scourged if in of.              Fifty or scheduling or so. Oh! firstly configured so.              Is forty of or scheduling. Try suffices on girlhood.               Cosily or found fighters. Cosily frighted on fours.               City suffers on girlhood. Horrendously gift sic of.               Greyhounds off clitoris. Consider if ghostly four.               Rightly officers so undo. Incurred so sightly of of.              Undo or sightly officers. If ford sections roughly.               Of fits roughly consider. Roughly officers in dots.               Roughly if soft consider. Fools or hungry deficits.               Groins if fourthly codes. Of ignores fourthly disc.               Configure or filthy sods. Filthy or configured SOS.               Freshly if good ructions. Honestly or frigid focus.               Fridges if holy contours. Holy drifts configure so.               Hotly. Diffusion grocers. Of gifts hourly consider.               Of considers hourly gift. Hysteric if ground fools.               Hysteric if fool grounds. If choosy intruder flogs.               Choosy if stronger fluid. So touchy of girlfriends.               This loony drug officers. Confused or oily frights.               Fight or rosily confused. Rosily frighted on focus.               Shoo! Grr! sufficiently do. Consider or fifty ghouls.               Stuffy girlhood or since. Ferocity if ground slosh.               Frogs should in ferocity. Fondly if rigorous chest.               Frigidly focus on others. Host or frigidly confuse.               Shot or frigidly confuse. Touch! of snores frigidly.              Of chooses frigidly turn. Of turns frigidly choose.               Of courts frigidly shone. Frigidly or honest focus.               Frigidly confess to hour. Thou or frigidly confess.               Softly if rough consider. If forty ghouls consider.               Fussy or infect girlhood. Tiny officers sold rough.               This young lord officers. Christ! if younger floods.              Ghouls dirty on officers. Roundly sigh to officers.               Good! rosy flinches fruit. Your good first flinches.               Of drifts nicely rough so. Good! nicely or stiff rush.             Good! in this curly offers. Good! is not curly if fresh.            Cosily. Ghost-finder four. Good! crossly if fine hurt.             Icy girlhood suffers not. Roughly if crossed if not.              Fourthly. Frog decisions. Good! freshly if in courts.             Holy if configured sorts. Frogs if holy reductions.               Good! cushy or fine flirts. Good! richly suffers on it.             Honey or difficult gross. Fifty or old grouchiness.               Fright dons ferociously. Good! such fine or firstly.             Oh No! scourged if firstly. Ugh! frostily consider of.              Lofty if rough considers. Lofty, horse-riding focus.              Lofty or configured hiss. Forty if old grouchiness.               If forty ghoul considers. Of or tiny fridges slouch.              Tiny flesh if good cursor. Tiny shelf if good cursor.              Of if tiny grocers should. If youngster’s child or of.             If urgency or this floods. Is not dry ghoul officers.              Gosh! sinful directory of. For if roughly consisted.               Isn’t officers do roughly. Eighty-four if sold scorn.              Fourthly fig so consider. Configure if shortly sod.               God! isn’t hourly officers. If choosy if old grunters.              Is not good, richly suffer. Good! firstly fine chorus.              His configured or softly. Good! furry it flinches so.             Fury or its good flinches. Sociology furthers find.                This dry fools configure. Story if scheduling or of.              Cylinders sought if roof. Is tough or off cylinders.              ’e’s scrutiny off girlhood. SOS! thirdly configure of.              Hydrogen fruits if cools. Do or unsightly officers.               Sift roughly consider of. Hungry officers to idols.               Hungry officers to solid. Coo! dressing if fourthly.              Holy grounds officers it. If of or shortly seducing.              Reducing of or stylish of. Hourly frogs on deficits.               Goodness! richly fruit of. Offerings cloud history.                Offerings could history. Curse It! shy or folding of.            Rosily confused right of. Drench so glorious fifty.               Stuffy girlhood in score. Cries on stuffy girlhood.               Ferocity finds or ghouls. Is friendly, sort-of cough.             Identify or frogs slouch. Glorify or hits confused.               Christ! glorify of undoes.

Response:

A recent political anagram led me to wonder about what gems might be found in the name of our esteemed fellowship here, so…..

So……what can you do with JF IS CHAMELEON? Flogwang

Response:

Question:

Truely, here in ROFF, one man’s light is another’s lightening rod and we are all illumed by the interchange.

Well said, and while the occasional violent discharge may generate a lot of noise and smoke, the sound and the smell dissipate quickly. — Charlie…

Response:

I don’t think this is quite true. Many people here make every possible effort to help newbies and others at every opportunity, and also welcome new posters.  We also however have a duty as a group to see that misleading information, or bigoted or arbitrary ideas  are at least answered, and in some cases dashed to the ground at once. Continued exposure to such dangerous claptrap might infect the odd newbie or other poster to the extent that he believes at least some of it. This must be avoided at all costs.  Most anglers I know are decent kind generous people, and have no need or wish to spread poisonous or elitist ideas. They just mainly love fishing. They do not go around behaving like pariahs and foisting their ideas or opinions on others in an unpleasant way. It might be that you looked in at just the wrong moment. I do not have the impression that this is an exclusive club as you maintain.  I am rather surprised at the somewhat limited number of regular participants, considering the number of anglers out there, and that this is basically the only show in town, but this could be for a host of reasons, other than those you describe. The only person here in this particular case who started trying to exclude and ridicule people for all sorts of things, was the person you mentioned. There have not been many others, in fact at the moment I can not recall any others of this overt nature. A couple of rather nutty views and comments have been jumped upon immediately, but that is all. At one point every single post emanating from the particular source you mentioned was either misleading, untrue, defamatory, overbearing, bigoted, or otherwise insulting. This sort of thing is bound to cause retaliation to some extent, and a damn good thing too. This group is in my opinion usually very fair in its reactions as a whole. If someone is a racist or a bigot , then his views must be challenged and combated at every turn. The same goes for extremist views. They have no place in fly-fishing which as you say is a haven and a solace for everybody. Hope you have a nice trip. Tight lines ! MC

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(a worthwhile perspective other than mine snipped) Barry, The very diversity of opinion on controversial subjects which gives you alarm is one of the strengths of this group.  What you see over and over is not the stringent "party line" of a narrow focused group, but rather the many colored viewpoints which strenghten our individual world views.  Truely, here in ROFF, one man’s light is another’s lightening rod and we are all illumed by the interchange. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

Response:

Yes well, perfectly true, I was rather of the same impression, but was also of the impression that I had spread more than enough shit myself recently, so refrained from the straightforward forthright path evident in your post. Agree with the sentiments though. Must admit to not having seen all that many worthwhile or camaraderie inducing posts from Barry either, but then who the hell am I to judge, just another loud mouthed asshole. But there again, at least my title was officially bestowed, ( and well earned I might add ! ) )) TL MC

Response:

Joe F: <<It is often said that ROFF is Darwinian, and that is certainly true, not from the "survival of the fittest" perspective that our frequent battles would imply; but because it is constantly evolving.   New folks come, some folks go, the subject of immediate interest keeps changing. (rest of excellent post snipped) Wish I had said that, Joe.  That is *exactly* what roff is all about.  Thank you. Louie http://cdesb.com/albolene.html

Response:

Oh well, that’s why I have message filters.

Yeah, for some the internet is a place where they feel they can say anything they please.  For others it is the only place that they have the power to hide from unpleasantness.  After all, that’s why you message filters.

Response:

Brian, Bullseye. Also, it’s obvious that the few loudmouths now dominating ROFF do not have enough knowledge about flyfishing to say much about it. Therefore, they are quick to change the subject.

I’m going to go way out on a limb here and guess that I may be perceived as one of those offensive loudmouths.  And your right, I don’t know enough about fly fishing to offer advice to my betters.  In fact I don’t know enough about ANYTHING to offer my services as a mentor to the world at large.  Your presence here coupled with your contempt for those who have nothing to offer suggests that you are in such a position.  I am delighted.  Please teach me. A popular off-topic twist is to spew on and on about beer and alcohol. So, add a few drinks and bottle of liquor to big egos that know little about flyfishing and you have a newsgroup that is like the current state of ROFF.

Most of the talk about drinking comes from a group who have individually and collectively shown themselves to be very knowledgeable and remarkably devoid of inflated ego.  One occasionally hears someone whine about what a clever bunch of people they think they are.  In fact, they ARE clever.  The exercise of their wit is often mistaken by the intellectually challenged as nastiness and inflated ego.  Damned shame, a lot of good stuff passes a whole bunch of people by. Nonetheless, it is sometimes entertaining.  In time, we’ll get some serious flyfishers back. Bob Elliott

Please recommend some serious fly fishers.  I’d like to see what one looks like.

Response:

Absolutely excellent post, and I believe the truest to date on this subject. Thank you very much indeed. TL MC

Response:

<sanctimonious sneer snipped Well, if it isn’t our old friend Barry, back to drop his second little incendiary device in about as many months and then scurry away as before with his superior morals tucked firmly up his tight ass. I read seventeen responses on this thread before beginning my own.  As usual the majority of respondents are a great deal more courteous and reasonable then your little slap in the face should have earned you.  Does the word irony mean anything to you Barry?  How many of the people you have denigrated here begin a thread by not so slyly telling the rest of us what assholes we are?  And how many of them then run away?  Do you really believe that your little diatribe contributes to the camaraderie you so miss from the good old days before the fractious loudmouths took over?  And just how was this thinly disguised tirade related to fly fishing? Generally speaking and despite your sophomoric conclusions, the majority here are not especially exclusionary.  However, I for one, would be delighted to make an exception in your case.  Note that there was very little gnashing of teeth and rending of clothing attendant upon your last departure.  One suspects there would be no more this time.  In the meantime here’s a little thought for you to mull over whenever you have a moment free from your self appointed labor of defending the moral high ground.  The world is full of people just like the evil folks you find here; there are even more like me!  And this is the only planet you’ll ever get to live on.  Welcome to Hell Barry! p.s.  You never did answer my question the last time your stuck your oh so superior head in the door.  You amy recall that we were discussing whether or not the native Americans should have their treaty rights revoked because nobody should have special privileges.  We ended with my asking you whether or not the playing field is level.  Well?  Is it? Note:  For those who found themselves in accord with Barry’s post.  There is little danger that he will respond to this post.  Last time he showed up he spewed forth his muddle headed position and then promptly disappeared when he was taken to task for it.  Presumably he will do so again.  It is not in his nature to sully himself by wading through the muck that he so freely strews about him.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It is often said that ROFF is Darwinian, and that is certainly true, not from the "survival of the fittest" perspective that our frequent battles would imply; but because it is constantly evolving.   New folks come, some folks go, the subject of immediate interest keeps changing.   The camaraderie we share goes on.   It is unreasonable, however, to expect the camaraderie to exist without the multitude of off-topic subjects we discuss. I’m as guilty as most, I suppose, but its the exploration of views, interests, and personalities outside our common interest that brings us together as friends.   Without it, we’re just boring and homogenous. I’m not a great fly fisherman.   I don’t have a lot to share on that subject compared to many here.   But these are great guys, and I enjoy hanging out here and sharing jokes and lies in between my occasional substantive on-topic contributions.   I’ve made friends here, a phenomenon that still astounds me.   If I say something stupid, I expect to be called on it or justifiably ridiculed.   I expect intelligent and opinionated discussion on any subject as if I were in person with "live" fly fishermen.   My fly fishing friends are not friends because they think like me or act like me or have only fishing in common with me.   They are my friends because we learn from each other, enjoy our differences, and debate serious issues with civility.   That is why ROFF is such a great place, and why I think you’re wrong in your conclusions. It’s just that the rules are different here.   When tempers flare, and they surely do, the opportunities for resolution are different than in real life. You can’t punch anybody in the nose, you can’t raise your voice, and you can’t make them leave.   Shouting and name calling are really the only avenue available to let off steam.   Frequent offenders receive frequent criticism and may be ostracized.   It’s usenet, what else are you gonna do? New visitors, in my experience, are welcomed with open arms and helpful advice.   Those that stay become "one of us" and we’re glad for the company. Some newbies start out as rectums right from the start and receive a less than warm welcome.   So be it.   There are too many people here with too many diverse opinions to get along all the time.   There’s a lot of crap I don’t like and don’t bother with, but that doesn’t define the group for me. We are the forum that makes the discussion possible among fly fishermen, and that’s what I like. Joe F.

Thanks Joe. I don’t think, no, I know I couldn’t have said it better. Tight lines to all you opinionated rascals! Walt — Ezflyfish.com http://www.ezflyfish.com BRBG http://www.abebooks.com/home/BLUEBOOKS P.O. Box 5112  Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828)963-5001

Response:

There was a time when I posted regularly to ROFF and read most of the posts. I enjoyed the camaraderie that we all shared because of our love of fly fishing and the positive nature of the newsgroup.  <snip

It is often said that ROFF is Darwinian, and that is certainly true, not from the "survival of the fittest" perspective that our frequent battles would imply; but because it is constantly evolving.   New folks come, some folks go, the subject of immediate interest keeps changing.   The camaraderie we share goes on.   It is unreasonable, however, to expect the camaraderie to exist without the multitude of off-topic subjects we discuss. I’m as guilty as most, I suppose, but its the exploration of views, interests, and personalities outside our common interest that brings us together as friends.   Without it, we’re just boring and homogenous. I’m not a great fly fisherman.   I don’t have a lot to share on that subject compared to many here.   But these are great guys, and I enjoy hanging out here and sharing jokes and lies in between my occasional substantive on-topic contributions.   I’ve made friends here, a phenomenon that still astounds me.   If I say something stupid, I expect to be called on it or justifiably ridiculed.   I expect intelligent and opinionated discussion on any subject as if I were in person with "live" fly fishermen.   My fly fishing friends are not friends because they think like me or act like me or have only fishing in common with me.   They are my friends because we learn from each other, enjoy our differences, and debate serious issues with civility.   That is why ROFF is such a great place, and why I think you’re wrong in your conclusions. It’s just that the rules are different here.   When tempers flare, and they surely do, the opportunities for resolution are different than in real life. You can’t punch anybody in the nose, you can’t raise your voice, and you can’t make them leave.   Shouting and name calling are really the only avenue available to let off steam.   Frequent offenders receive frequent criticism and may be ostracized.   It’s usenet, what else are you gonna do? New visitors, in my experience, are welcomed with open arms and helpful advice.   Those that stay become "one of us" and we’re glad for the company. Some newbies start out as rectums right from the start and receive a less than warm welcome.   So be it.   There are too many people here with too many diverse opinions to get along all the time.   There’s a lot of crap I don’t like and don’t bother with, but that doesn’t define the group for me. We are the forum that makes the discussion possible among fly fishermen, and that’s what I like. Joe F.

Response:

tripper: <<Truely, here in ROFF, one man’s light is another’s lightening rod and we are all illumed by the interchange.

I was illumed by the interchange once. Cost me a bundle in repair bills… I got illumed in Subic Bay many years ago.  Pretty good, but it cost a helluva lot!  Risky too. Dave L.

Response:

wayno complains: (snip for brevity) <<wayno; a man not to be toyed with wayno, did I ever tell you about my good friend Michael Era

Question:

Where on St. John? I was there this August and didn’t see any flats, but then I didn’t get around the whole island. Depending on the size of the fish you’ll need a 7-9 wt rod and a good reel with a disc drag. Shrimp imitation flies like Crazy Charlies work well. Make sure you can cast in the wind. Hi, can anyone point me in the right direction.  I am an avid brown trout fisherman.  I was in St John yesterday and I came across a most amazing piece of bonefishing water.  The kind of place we all dream of.  Bone fishing galore and I stuck down here without my rod.  Can anyone fill me in on what is the deal with bonefishing?  Where do I start to look for more info?  I’m SOOOOO CURIOUS!!!  I want to catch me a bone!

– Charlie…

Response:

Hi, can anyone point me in the right direction.  I am an avid brown trout fisherman.  I was in St John yesterday and I came across a most amazing piece of bonefishing water.  The kind of place we all dream of.  Bone fishing galore and I stuck down here without my rod.  Can anyone fill me in on what is the deal with bonefishing?  Where do I start to look for more info?  I’m SOOOOO CURIOUS!!!  I want to catch me a bone!

Hi All, I heard there were bonefish flats off of Mosquito Island, Peter’s Island and Anegada Island. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

Response:

My "go to" outfit for the flats: an 8wt sage fitted with 9wt shooting head – intermediate. Loads quick, casts well in a wind, can get 90 ft in calm. Reel: Abel 3, but probabably would do better with an Abel 2. So long as you can put 150 yds of backing on it. You’ll need it. Leader: 9 ft, with a 4′ tippet of fluorocarbon 10lb test. Now, the fly: Never have had great luck with Charlies. Ultra Shrimp in size 4 to 1/0 puts a nice piece of meat in their sight. What’s the deal about a bonefish? Once yo hook one, you’ll wonder why you ever asked such a question. Good luck! FlyFisherRay

Response:

I, too, am an avid brown and rainbow trout fisherman, and for help with bone fishing, e-mail me. I know a guide. I’ll find his e-mail address.

Response:

Hi, can anyone point me in the right direction.  I am an avid brown trout fisherman.  I was in St John yesterday and I came across a most amazing piece of bonefishing water.  The kind of place we all dream of.  Bone fishing galore and I stuck down here without my rod.  Can anyone fill me in on what is the deal with bonefishing?  Where do I start to look for more info?  I’m SOOOOO CURIOUS!!!  I want to catch me a bone!

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Question:

Does anyone have a web address for fly fishing screen savers or wallpaper?

Response:

Try http://www.webshots.com Does anyone have a web address for fly fishing screen savers or wallpaper?

– Steve Vaughn Kodak Park Health, Safety & Environmental Services Eastman Kodak Company – http://www.kodak.com Phone: (716)722-4744 Fax:   (716)722-3695

Response:

www.webshots.com Great site…and worth purchasing as you can set up your own screensavers from scanned photos…or copied photos etc. Barry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone have a web address for fly fishing screen savers or wallpaper?

Response:

While this may not be flyfising, but there is a free fish screensaver at www.download.com called mopyfish you can get. Here is  the brief descrition:                  The HP MOPy Fish (Piscenus                  Mopei Floataneus) lives on your                  desktop in its own aquarium, soothing                  your mind with its calming nature. Its                  movements are based on actual fish                  for realism. The HP MOPy Fish will                  develop its own unique personality,                  depending on how you treat it: It will                  perish if neglected and prosper with                  proper care.                  Minimum requirements:                  Windows 95/NT I have not tried this screensaver myself… JT – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone have a web address for fly fishing screen savers or wallpaper?

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Question:

I need anything you can dig up, and/or send me on fishing in and around Tucson AZ. I’m going out there on business from 4/22 to 4/29. My address is

Response:

As far as I could tell, there is only one fly shop in Tucson.  That is Tight Lines Fly Fishing, it’s on Grant Road just west of Swan.  I was last there in January on business.  I didn’t get the chance to do any fly fishing around Tucson, but did get the chance to visit the shop.  I think that you’ll have to get out of town about 2 hours before you find any water. Strictly lakes.  You may be able to find some trout.  Check with the shop. I used to live in Tucson and had the most luck at Parker lake (near the border, southeast of Tucson) with spinning gear.  I heard that Pena Blanca Lake was fishing well in January.  It’s almost to Nogales off of I-19.  Good luck.  Kevin

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I need anything you can dig up, and/or send me on fishing in and around Tucson AZ. I’m going out there on business from 4/22 to 4/29. My address is

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Question:

It was interesting to see the view that a small rod was best for small streams went unchallenged.  Most of my regular fly fishing is carried out on brooks that an athlete could jump over.  I own rods as short as 7 foot but rarely fish with any rod shorter than 8 foot 6 inches.  In fact prefer a 9 foot rod.  The extra length has been vital many times to push fish away from the near bank and all the tree roots and other hazards.  Casting is easier with the longer rod especially if it is important to keep back from the water’s edge.  Some times a full cast can be avoided with the longer rod by catapulting the fly from the fingers after bending the rod back like a ballista by pulling the line.  Of course it is possible to manage with a short rod but I don’t think it is actually better to fish with. richard

Response:

It was interesting to see the view that a small rod was best for small streams went unchallenged.  Most of my regular fly fishing is carried out

I think the main thing is to have a rod "soft" enough to handle short lines.  This is more important than length of the rod.  I have a very soft 7 and 8 foot, and both work on very small streams, while a stiff Lommis 8 foot rod is useless (in a confined area). Just my .02 worth. PMH

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Question:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Question:

   Can anyone reccommend where to go in Rockland COunty NY?  I recently went up to Roscoe for the Memorial Day weekend and would like to not go so far from home (2-2.5 hrs).  I live in northern NJ, but do not have a license here, only NY– resulting from my first trip this year. Thanks for any advise. Brian Charles — Brian Charles

You didn’t mention a preference of venue or species to target, but have you tried Rockland Lake? It has a variety of species to target including Largemouth and Smallmouth bass, crappie, perch and an overabundance of bluegill. There may even be a pickerel or two around. If you wade, be very careful. I got stuck in mud up to my chest obver there near some lilly pads. Fortunately, another angler was able to pull me out. As for rivers/streams, you might try the Hudson for stripers and bluefish. You’ll need saltwater flyfishing gear for this venture though. I hear the Ramapo is making a comeback if trout are your target, but I don’t have any personal esperience there. You may want to call some local flyshops and get their opinion. One to try is the Matterhorn Country Sport Shop in Spring Valley, NY. Their phone number is 914.354.5986. Good Luck,     Jose

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   Can anyone reccommend where to go in Rockland COunty NY?  I recently went up to Roscoe for the Memorial Day weekend and would like to not go so far from home (2-2.5 hrs).  I live in northern NJ, but do not have a license here, only NY– resulting from my first trip this year. Thanks for any advise. Brian Charles — Brian Charles

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Question:

Quoting powlesla from a message in rec.outdoors.fishing.fly    <"Foolishness"? You obviously don’t appreciate how dangerous PETA    <really is.    <They want to ban all fishing and they will say and do anything to    <achieve that goal. Check out  http://www.peta.org  "People Eating Tasty Animals"  Its a riot! Jim Carlisle

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OOPS! Sorry Jim, didn’t know you were conducting a vote…record this as an anti-Jim vote….thanks for the reminder about the kill file.  Why don’t you use it to avoid Walker posts and spare the rest of us all of your aggravation? Sorry, no can do. By the number of anti-Tim posts I have been

seeing, I’d say you are in the minority.<<                         Mike in PDX                "When the trout are lost, smash the state."                                            Tom McGuane

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Question:

I was wondering if anyone could help. I will be in Pittsburgh for five days during Oct.16-20. Is there anywhere near there that I could wet a line? If there are any small rivers that I could fly-fish,please let me know! I need to do something after some boring seminars! Thanks in advance! ED My Thoughts Are My Own!

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Quoting mckernane from a message in rec.outdoors.fishing     I was wondering if anyone could help. I will be in Pittsburgh for    five days during Oct.16-20. Is there anywhere near there that I could    wet a line? If there are any small rivers that I could fly-fish,please    let me know! I need to do something after some boring seminars!     Thanks in advance!     ED Howdy Ed,  I’m in Eastern Pa, so can’t help you in the Pburg area, but we have a guy on Delphi who lives there.  He hangs out in our fishing forum, and is a Bass Club member as I am.         If you would like to E-Mail to him His address is and he signs "East Pittsburg Red".  I don’t know if he fly fishes, but he does go with spinners for trout. Have a safe and fun Vist to Pa.  TTYL – good luck and good fish.  `[1;35;40m This from — The `[1;5;33;40mBassAgitator  `[1;35;40m Fred in Pa. — Glad to be here — Rainbow V 1.01 for Delphi

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