Question:

I managed a nasty face plant on that trip because I stood up, took a step and snagged my fin on the oar. Don’t forget to get those fins off before you stand up. They call me grace. snip- BTW I lost a fin (also borrowed) when the bottom muck pulled – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – it off while I was trying to stand. Use straps.

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Thanks for the input, chaps, much appreciated.  Confirmed much of what I thought. Another Question … Do you drift rivers in pairs? For safety as well as convenience. I’m thinking about car relays, like we do for the raft, i.e drop a vehicle (usually after depositing the raft at put in) at a takeout. I suppose its possible some pontoons would be light enough to carry some way (not that I’ve seen any here yet).   Steve BTW: Ryan, I don’t need no flippers, oars or other props to do a face plant.

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I rented a pontoon boat this summer and floated my favorite river. The Yakima river in central Washington is a "large river" to me (in most places I cannot stand on one bank and cast across to the other…). The water for the most part, and depending on the time of year, is calm. There are a few stretches of heavy ripples, but they only stretch for approximately 50 yards or so. It’s easy enough to bear down and get past them. Prior to floating the river on the pontoon boat, I was always dependant upon a guide, and their boat, to fish this river effectively. Wading access is limited by steep and rocky banks in most areas. Since I’ve floated the river several times with a guide, I’m comfortable enough to know where the good spots are and I’m efficient enough to get to them on a pontoon boat. When I pontoon drifted the river, I tried (mostly unsuccessfully) to fish as I drifted as opposed to drifting from location to location. It’s difficult to successfully consider your position on the river, hold a rod, worry about fly lines and keep the oars pointed in the right direction all at once. Not a pretty site and not a stress free afternoon. My recommendation would be: 1) absolutely try it. 2) don’t wear flippers on the river (too hard to control and definately hard to get out of the boat when you get anchored at a good spot). 3) mainly fish once you get to the proper location on the river. 4) don’t worry about fishing while you’re on the move on the boat. I must say that as I reflect on the times that I’ve caught fish on the river, either with a guide or on the pontoon boat, it’s always been a situation where I could have been standing in a foot or two of water. Now I have to go weigh my options: to buy a new 3wt fly rod and reel this winter, or get a new pontoon boat instead… Ryan

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I understand that its possible to use flippers as well oars to control these craft, thus freeing up the hands for other purposes, but is it feasible to fish on any but the slooooowest moving streams in this manner?

I know its possible, because I’ve seen people doing it.  When I tried it myself, though, I quickly realized that I wasn’t coordinated enough to control the boat and fish at the same time.  Of course, I’ve never been the most graceful person in the world. Kevin

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I have a pontoon boat, and fish rivers and lakes using it. For lake fishing, it is very comfortable to wear flippers to move to boat slowly, hold position, or work slowly over an area. You can move quite quickly over longre distances by using the oars. The boats sit high in the water, and move quite easily. They are responsive and you can fish while using flippers to control the boat. The only down side to the pontoon boats on lakes is that in windy areas like where I live, it sometimes gets too hard to control the boats with flippers. I have used pontoon boats on reasonably fast, waters in the Canadian Rockies. I wear wading boots, and use the oars for controlling direction. I would never wear flippers on a river. Just too dangerous. I do not fish while travelling, but use the boat for access. You drift downstream for a while, stop when you reach good water, and fish. Tim Lysyk

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – G’day all, Here in Aus. we’re starting to see an influx of watercraft such as pontoon boats (at absolutely ludicrous prices i.e. way too much but thats another story).  Along with the influx comes the hype and in particular the claim that they can be used on rivers to "fish while you drift". Now I think controlling the craft while drifting while fishing would be difficult in the extreme on moving water.  In fact I susepect it might be outright dangerous – sure the craft can be used to drift from location to location, but fishing from it at the same time? I understand that its possible to use flippers as well oars to control these craft, thus freeing up the hands for other purposes, but is it feasible to fish on any but the slooooowest moving streams in this manner? Thoughts? experiences? Steve

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G’day all, Here in Aus. we’re starting to see an influx of watercraft such as pontoon boats (at absolutely ludicrous prices i.e. way too much but thats another story).  Along with the influx comes the hype and in particular the claim that they can be used on rivers to "fish while you drift".   Now I think controlling the craft while drifting while fishing would be difficult in the extreme on moving water.  In fact I susepect it might be outright dangerous – sure the craft can be used to drift from location to location, but fishing from it at the same time? I understand that its possible to use flippers as well oars to control these craft, thus freeing up the hands for other purposes, but is it feasible to fish on any but the slooooowest moving streams in this manner? Thoughts? experiences? Steve

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Question:

Things seem to have changed from the good ‘ol ‘357′ fishing days …… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The only trouble I had was  with a fly fisherman who was alone in  a 3-4 person  spot and thought I was rude  moving into it.

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<snip Choc fishing maggots for carp in Japan. Excellent. Most Excellent. — TBone Walker The Halfordian Golfer

Maggots are great to fish on a flyrod. They are not easily cast off the hook, and are great fishcatchers. Good, reliable pattern for me. Herman

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Choc fishing maggots for carp in Japan. Excellent. Most Excellent.

And ethical. — Charlie…

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I ve been up at  Pulaski a couple  days  a week during Oct., generally at the Baseball field. The only trouble I had was  with a fly fisherman who was alone in  a 3-4 person  spot and thought I was rude  moving into it.

I fished the baseball field area many years ago (pre-ffing), and IIRC, it’s a madhouse of shoulder to shoulder spin fishermen.   Anybody who’d seriously attempt to fly fish there is crazier that I am.  :-) Joe F.

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……I think back on how insuffereable I must have been to my trolling and casting buddies when I went through my 20 years of catch and release flyfishing purist horseshit…..

Might be worthwhile to approach this from a slightly different angle. Ever stop to think that maybe you are simply insufferable……that it might not have anything to do with whatever dim glimmerings of a philosophy are bumping around in your skull at any given moment, or the way you fish? Something to think about anyway. Wolfgang

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 The "Unified Stream Theory"  has eluded the grasp of every philosopher  that has tried to fabricate it so far. — Don Thompson Another Thompson Scion

LOL !!!  MT

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Well…most flyfishermen I’ve met really do think that they are superior No, not the back cast  but the latter

Before I fly fished and in the first couple of years after I started, most fly fishermen that I encountered did fit that mold.  I’ve met plenty however who are not like that at all.  My favorite moment from the shad trip this past June happened while standing in the river with Bill Kiene. He was talking in that particular Kiene way – I don’t know if he is trying to be funny but for some reason you want to smile or even start laughing when he’s saying stuff.  He was admiring the colors of the sunset when he directed my attention to a bait fisherman on far bank.  I’ll paraphrase what he said but it went something along the lines of: that guy might be soaking stinkbait for catfish but I bet he loves the outdoors and this river as much as we do.  So we aren’t that different from him.  And that’s a good thing. Mu

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well…most flyfishermen I’ve met really do think that they are superior No, not the back cast  but the latter Before I fly fished and in the first couple of years after I started, most fly fishermen that I encountered did fit that mold.  I’ve met plenty however who are not like that at all.  My favorite moment from the shad trip this past June happened while standing in the river with Bill Kiene. He was talking in that particular Kiene way – I don’t know if he is trying to be funny but for some reason you want to smile or even start laughing when he’s saying stuff.  He was admiring the colors of the sunset when he directed my attention to a bait fisherman on far bank.  I’ll paraphrase what he said but it went something along the lines of: that guy might be soaking stinkbait for catfish but I bet he loves the outdoors and this river as much as we do.  So we aren’t that different from him.  And that’s a good thing.

I’ve heard nothing but good things about Bill Keine. I’d like to fish with him sometime. Willi

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I’ve heard nothing but good things about Bill Keine…..

Sorry.  Been busy.  Give me a couple of days. Wolfgang

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Their comment was they  prefer to stay away from fly fisherman. I’m assuming you mean as so to not be hooked on a wayward backcast ? An interesting perspective…… Well…most flyfishermen I’ve met really do think that they are superior because they flyfish. This is unbelievably sickening to the average blue collar fishermen.  I think back on how insuffereable I must have been to my trolling and casting buddies when I went through my 20 years of catch and release flyfishing purist horseshit. I owe them for sticking with me.

No, not the back cast  but the latter. I guess each type of fishing has   it s own ethos, maybe  somewhere out there  theyll be a unifying   principals of  fishing  that someone will discover that works for everything.  MT

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No, not the back cast  but the latter. I guess each type of fishing has it s own ethos, maybe  somewhere out there  theyll be a unifying principals of  fishing  that someone will discover that works for everything.

That’s the funny thing. There is a common core, in fishing probably more than in any other human endeavour. If you read the english fishing publication "The Waterlog" it becomes immediately apparent where deep love and lore of fishing exists and where one can find these elusive unifying principals. — TBone Walker The Halfordian Golfer

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Their comment was they  prefer to stay away from fly fisherman. I’m assuming you mean as so to not be hooked on a wayward backcast ? An interesting perspective…… Well…most flyfishermen I’ve met really do think that they are superior because they flyfish. This is unbelievably sickening to the average blue collar fishermen.  I think back on how insuffereable I must have been to my trolling and casting buddies when I went through my 20 years of catch and release flyfishing purist horseshit. I owe them for sticking with me. No, not the back cast  but the latter. I guess each type of fishing has it s own ethos, maybe  somewhere out there  theyll be a unifying principals of  fishing  that someone will discover that works for everything.

 The "Unified Stream Theory"  has eluded the grasp of every philosopher that has tried to fabricate it so far. — Don Thompson Another Thompson Scion

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It’s like an addiction – you know it isn’t good for you, you know the neighbourhood isn’t the best, you know that nothing much good comes of it, but you go anyway.  At least once a year, I need my salmon fix. Those that know the Great Lakes tributary salmon hunt, find superlatives are non-existant and compliments stick south of the navel, yet it’s amazing how many of us like to get down and grubby. The Burnhamthorpe parking lot was a sight to be seen.  Not a spot anywhere, with the truly desperate parking on any semi-level ground not occupied by an immoveable object.  The new 2002 fishing car got broken-in as I scraped its belly on a half-buried concrete curb in an effort to secure the last stretch of unmuddied grass.  Truck habits are obviously hard to break.  Two weeks ago it would’ve been, "What curb?" My Scott SAS two-hander had only been out a couple of times and still didn’t have a fish to it’s credit – neither did the reel (in my possession.)  So despite this being highly unsuitable conditions for a two-hander, I took it anyway.  The long and the short of it – fair hooked three, landed one.   Though not Alaska combat conditions, one does fish cheek-by-jowl. There’s something to be said for shooting the shit with a half dozen or more anglers with earshot – sharing a laugh or helping out with another’s fish, spotting a salmon for someone, or giving ground when your offering has been rejected and letting someone else have a go. More than just fishing, given proximity to a couple of pleasant personalities, it turns into a little social event.  There is the odd dickhead but it isn’t much of a challenge in refusing to let the mood be spoiled. Probably take the bro-in-law and Scott out next Sunday morning for one last try. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

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Though not Alaska combat conditions, one does fish cheek-by-jowl. There’s something to be said for shooting the shit with a half dozen or more anglers with earshot – sharing a laugh or helping out with another’s fish, spotting a salmon for someone, or giving ground when your offering has been rejected and letting someone else have a go. More than just fishing, given proximity to a couple of pleasant personalities, it turns into a little social event.  There is the odd dickhead but it isn’t much of a challenge in refusing to let the mood be spoiled.

…this is so, well… YOU!  one of the reasons your presence at the roff gatherings is such a welcoming thing. well said… jeff (a sow’s ear)

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There’s something to be said for shooting the shit with a half dozen or more anglers with earshot – sharing a laugh or helping out with another’s fish, spotting a salmon for someone, or giving ground when your offering has been rejected and letting someone else have a go. More than just fishing, given proximity to a couple of pleasant personalities, it turns into a little social event.  There is the odd dickhead but it isn’t much of a challenge in refusing to let the mood be spoiled.

That’s a good description of the silver lining to the crowds on the Salmon River in Pulaski.   Yeah, it can be a bit testy at times, but now and then you find yourself, as much through luck as anything else, standing amongst a crowd of genuinely good-natured fellows out to have as much fun as you.   In some respects, there’s a parallel to ROFF in these situations.   A group of strangers shout, joke, fish, and generally have a good time in each other’s company; and the occasional dickhead doesn’t ruin the fun.   Solitude on a peaceful stream is still great, but there *is* something to be said for the group mayhem during these runs. Joe F. (ten more days ’til my turn.)

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That’s a good description of the silver lining to the crowds on the Salmon River in Pulaski.   Yeah, it can be a bit testy at times, but now and then you find yourself, as much through luck as anything else, standing amongst a crowd of genuinely good-natured fellows out to have as much fun as you.  

That sounds a lot like shad fishing on the American River in Sacramento. Now if only the shad would cooperate … — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

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 I ve been up at  Pulaski a couple  days  a week during Oct., generally at the Baseball field. I ve found the  other fisherman up there to be a great  bunch of folks, willing to  get out of your way when a  hooked salmon  goes plunging thru the spots they re fishing, helping with   landing and interesting to talk to. The only trouble I had was  with a fly fisherman who was alone in  a 3-4 person  spot and thought I was rude  moving into it. As I was only there to  help a friend get started  salmon fishing I soon left    once he   got the hang  it.  I mentioned this encounter to some of the regulars   on the other bank. Their comment was they  prefer to stay away from fly fisherman. An interesting perspective……  MT

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Their comment was they  prefer to stay away from fly fisherman.

I’m assuming you mean as so to not be hooked on a wayward backcast ? An interesting perspective……

Well…most flyfishermen I’ve met really do think that they are superior because they flyfish. This is unbelievably sickening to the average blue collar fishermen.  I think back on how insuffereable I must have been to my trolling and casting buddies when I went through my 20 years of catch and release flyfishing purist horseshit. I owe them for sticking with me. Choc fishing maggots for carp in Japan. Excellent. Most Excellent. — TBone Walker The Halfordian Golfer

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Question:

This is totally off the top of my head but one thing I’d be concerned about is Spring run-off.  I don’t know Yosemite very well and May might be late enough to be past the worst but snow melt can result in swollen, muddy waters and less than stellar fishing. Probably you could get the straight scoop from someone at the park (they have phone numbers for park information) and they might be able to point you in a good direction as to flies, etc. Other than this, I don’t see how you could go too wrong someplace like Yosemite if you can avoid the crowds – which you should be able to do in early May. Have a great time. CMB

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The USGS maintains a web site with stream flow statistics and current flow numbers for almost all the rivers in the west.  For California, try  http://s601dcascr.wr.usgs.gov/Sites/ and for the Merced, look at section 1804.  If you back up and scrounge around you’ll see there is a wealth of useful info from USGS. Chas – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -This is totally off the top of my head but one thing I’d be concerned about is Spring run-off.  I don’t know Yosemite very well and May might be late enough   snip << CMB

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Hello dave, I have spent many weeks hiking the Yosemite back country and found the fishing to be so so. High sierra lakes as you know are notorious for having large populations of small trout. This is a by product of state planting over the last hundred years without the means to monitor and regulate. The fish are mostly in the 6" to 10" range with a few 12" to 14". The valley has been under the special regulations rule for a while with the hope of natural regeneration to an all wild population. These regulations cover the valley from the Happy Isles  bridge through the valley to a bridge West of the town of El Portal. I fished the Merced river last october down stream from the said bridge and landed rainbows in the two pound range. I used the most common dry flies and nymphs as the fish didn’t seen to care what I presented. You should plan on stopping by the sport shop in the village and asking for information and don’t forget to buy some flies. Also if the pass is open there are several lakes on the Eastern side that have healthy populations, like Tioga and Saddlbag lakes. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m looking forward to a first time trip to Yosemite in early May and I’m wondering if anyone has any knowledge to share. I’m planning to be on the Merced River for the most part and I’m wondering if there are any fly types/patterns that I should concentrate on? Any advice on locations? Info on any fly shops in the area would also be appreciated. Thanks, Dave

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I’m looking forward to a first time trip to Yosemite in early May and I’m wondering if anyone has any knowledge to share. I’m planning to be on the Merced River for the most part and I’m wondering if there are any fly types/patterns that I should concentrate on? Any advice on locations? Info on any fly shops in the area would also be appreciated. Thanks, Dave

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Question:

Al, you are inviting PETA here?  That is tantamount to inviting meowers here.  Sometimes you are amusing, but now you have gone too far, if this is your intent. —    Go Fishing.  And may your fish be as big as your tales.    Columbia, SC  Lake Murray

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was at walmart last night and i didn’t see Steve (Stoner Lake) there. Walmart is quite the place for tackle. I was looking for live bait harnesses. Couldn’t find any. Probably because there isn’t a big market for them. Is there any instrucions anywhere how to make them for frogs, crickets, grasshoppers, hellgramights, crayfish etc. Also is part of the aversion to livebait the fact that you are sacrificing livebait for fishing. But fishing is hooking fish so what’s the big deal i was wondering what Peta types would think of it. Al

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Bob writes: Al, you are inviting PETA here?  That is tantamount to inviting meowers here.  Sometimes you are amusing, but now you have gone too far, if this is your intent. —   Go Fishing.  And may your fish be as big as your tales.   Columbia, SC  Lake Murray

Bob If i feel like it I’ll invite a peta type who is also a jetskier. How does that grab you? Al

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I was looking for live bait harnesses. Couldn’t find any. Probably because there isn’t a big market for them. Is there any instrucions anywhere how to make them for frogs, crickets, grasshoppers, hellgramights, crayfish etc.

OK Al, here’s something that will help you out, I found it in an outdoor magazine.  The entire ad is as follows: "Bait Stick" is a stretchy, sticky glue that will attach live insects to a hook.  Wrap a match-head-sized glob on a hook and touch the glue to an ant, salmon egg…whatever.  The bug won’t die because the glue is non-toxic; instead, the insect will thrash and kick around.  Can you think of a better fish attractant?  The glue never dries out and continues to work underwater. Insects will even stay attached when being cast with a fly rod.  ($7.50; 734-676-7772) There, now quit worrying about finding a harness to fish your live bait from.  Call the phone number, part with $7.50 US and go feed some fish. Also is part of the aversion to livebait the fact that you are sacrificing

livebait for fishing. But fishing is hooking fish so what’s the big deal The aversion has nothing to do with "sacrificing" livebait.  The aversion lies in the fact that often times while fishing livebait, a fish is gut hooked, rendering them unreleasable, or if you do, there is a strong possibility that the fish will die.  If you are paying attention to the overall attitude of the members of this newsgroup, you will notice that the majority of us would rather fish, catching and releasing them to enjoy another day.  I’m sure that most of us release in excess of 90% of the fish we catch.  It’s harder to do when the fish are gut hooked as happens more often when fishing livebait.  Also, many members feel that there is more skill involved in fooling a fish into striking an artificial than to feed livebait to a bass.  To many of us, it’s not the actual fish being caught, it’s the process of getting the strike in the first place that trips our triggers.  And if you don’t understand that, maybe you should take up golf. i was wondering what Peta types would think of it.

My thoughts on what PETA types would think of it???   Who cares??? —

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I was at walmart last night and i didn’t see Steve (Stoner Lake) there. Walmart is quite the place for tackle. I was looking for live bait harnesses. Couldn’t find any. Probably because there isn’t a big market for them. Is there any instrucions anywhere how to make them for frogs, crickets, grasshoppers, hellgramights, crayfish etc. Also is part of the aversion to livebait the fact that you are sacrificing livebait for fishing. But fishing is hooking fish so what’s the big deal i was wondering what Peta types would think of it. Al

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lso is part of the aversion to livebait the fact that you are sacrificing livebait for fishing. But fishing is hooking fish so what’s the big deal i was wondering what Peta types would think of it. Al

Hello Albert,   Have you ever had a mess of crickets get loose n your truck or had earthworms bust out in your fridge and crawl on the meatloaf or had a minnow jump out the bucket and wedge his way underneath the seat where he would stay and stink for Tommy Rilee

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Hello Albert,   Have you ever had a mess of crickets get loose n your truck or had earthworms bust out in your fridge and crawl on the meatloaf or had a minnow jump out the bucket and wedge his way underneath the seat where he would stay and stink for Tommy Rilee

Tom No i have never had that happen to me. I’ve heard the fridge thing before. Rotting minnows under a seat make a fishing boat smell like what it should smell like. I’m not afraid of the bait or getting my hands dirty. If your afraid of the bait how are you with the fish. It’s best to think like your quarry (fish) then you will have no qualms about the bait. Al

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Al, if you try and analyze what the PETA people think, it’ll drive you crazy, because they are crazy.  I’m not any proponent of hurting animals needlessly, and would never do it purposely.  I used to hunt (a lot when younger) and fished both then and now, and it doesn’t bother me to eat what I shot or caught, which meant having to dispatch them.  PETA nuts equate the equality of animals to people.  I don’t.  That includes live bait.  If you’re interested in live bait harnesses, you can probably find them on line at BPS or Cabela’s. Warren2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was at walmart last night and i didn’t see Steve (Stoner Lake) there. Walmart is quite the place for tackle. I was looking for live bait harnesses. Couldn’t find any. Probably because there isn’t a big market for them. Is there any instrucions anywhere how to make them for frogs, crickets, grasshoppers, hellgramights, crayfish etc. Also is part of the aversion to livebait the fact that you are sacrificing livebait for fishing. But fishing is hooking fish so what’s the big deal i was wondering what Peta types would think of it. Al

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Question:

excerpt from xmision.com’s acceptable use policy "The posting of any advertisement or other commercial solicitation to any newsgroup or mailing list is strictly prohibited, except in the few areas specifically reserved for such postings."

How exactly was announcing the creation of a new Utah related fly fishing site a ‘commercial solicitation?’  The site’s not trying to sell anything. Cut the guy some slack.

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I did. He posted a message earlier in the week and neither I nor anyone else commented. This is his second post within a week. Paul

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – excerpt from xmision.com’s acceptable use policy "The posting of any advertisement or other commercial solicitation to any newsgroup or mailing list is strictly prohibited, except in the few areas specifically reserved for such postings." How exactly was announcing the creation of a new Utah related fly fishing site a ‘commercial solicitation?’  The site’s not trying to sell anything. Cut the guy some slack.

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New fly fishing website just launched… http://www.utahonthefly.com/

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So your announcement last week wasn’t the real opening excerpt from xmision.com’s acceptable use policy "The posting of any advertisement or other commercial solicitation to any newsgroup or mailing list is strictly prohibited, except in the few areas specifically reserved for such postings." – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – New fly fishing website just launched… http://www.utahonthefly.com/

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Question:

Had mine for a bit over two years now, the smallest sized one.  No complaints.  Neat little reel.  However, there are lots of reels of similar quality in this price range.  Ryall has conical components which push against each other as opposed to a disc-type drag.  These components are in a sealed axial drag assembly.

More easily visualized as a sealed drum brake, I think.The "drum" is inside the arbor, and the split conical pieces are the "shoes". On the big Ryalls there’s plenty of stopping power, and you don’t have to worry about sand or saltwater getting inside. I am not into collecting equipment so I don’t expect to purchase another reel in this size range until this one dies.  

The #2 is a cute little fellah. If I didn’t already have a little CFO I’d have probably bought one when Jim first came out with the #2. /daytripper

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The #2 is a cute little fellah. If I didn’t already have a little CFO I’d have probably bought one when Jim first came out with the #2. /daytripper

What????? And you call yourself a gear whore… –Steve

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The #2 is a cute little fellah. If I didn’t already have a little CFO I’d have probably bought one when Jim first came out with the #2. What????? And you call yourself a gear whore…

LOL! No – I don’t. I’m just a victim of soicumstances!

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Yes. I have a #8 and a #10, use them both for saltwater flyfishing (stripers/bluefish). Nothing but good experiences with both. /daytripper

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 I have the #2 and the #8 and they’re sweet. For the money they’re best modern reels I own. Bob Smith Before you buy.

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Had mine for a bit over two years now, the smallest sized one.  No complaints.  Neat little reel.  However, there are lots of reels of similar quality in this price range.  Ryall has conical components which push against each other as opposed to a disc-type drag.  These components are in a sealed axial drag assembly.  I am not into collecting equipment so I don’t expect to purchase another reel in this size range until this one dies.   Mu

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Question:

Sorry for the subject in BIG CAPS, but I’m getting frustrated at the completely lame smallmouth fishing this year in the mid-Atlantic region.  Nobody I know in the DC area has had any luck flyfishing for smallmouth (note I did NOT say "spincasting with pig ‘n jigs for smallmouth!") The Potomac has had one of its highest springs in history, and as I speak, is raging away at 6.5 feet, way the hell too deep, fast, and muddy for smallmouth fishing.   Looks like it’ll be July before smallmouth conditions get good… (I should explain – this is frustrating because I live about 400 yards from the Potomac, and can easily walk to the river from home to fish every day.  Alas, I haven’t done that in ages!) Has anybody anywhere else been having a booming smallmouth spring? Scott Wilkinson Bethesda, MD //// Remember: smallmouth fishing on the Potomac is Lefty Kreh’s favorite kind of fishing!  (Ask him—it’s true!) ///

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Hi Scott,   The smallmouth fishing has been EXTREMELY slow this spring. The coast fork of the Willamette is (was?) full of them and they were game takers. The fishing is also helped by the large ’salmonid predjudice’ that we have locally. So still very little pressure on them. But we both know what they are missing and I’m NOT TELLING. Pretty much the same thing that you are up against, high cold water due to a late, wet, cold spring. Better than the floods a few months back. I hope things pick up for you a little later this spring. A.J.Thramer Bamboo rod craftsman p.s.  I live close to Eugene Oregon 300 yds from the Willamette river.

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Question:

I’m thinking about trying to make solid bodied baits, like crankbaits, poppers, etc or maybe a rod or two  for something to do during the winter. Can anyone recommend a book on the subjects? I’ve looked around the bookstores and library, but haven’t found anything. If anybody has any exprerience in it, I’d like to know how big of a project it is.  Any leads to sources of materials would also be appreciated. Maybe I could wire a dremmel tool to my extra serial port and do CAD/CAM <g (Yea, right) Anyway, any ideas are appreciated. catch u later, John

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Cant help you there!

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Boyd Pfeiffer has a nice book TACKLE CRAFTS.  We’ve a good fly tie book in our magazine, and should have articles on rod rolling and lure making.  If we don’t now, and I’ll look, I’ll make sure we get them soon. — ** Louis Bignami, Publisher         http://www.finefishing.com Fine Fishing Internet Magazine                "largest fishing mag on the Net" **

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 You might want to give Jann’s a yell, they will send you a catalog full of items like you are after, (No, no M-Baits , but most  Good luck, —     **** Mike Muncy’s ****           "M-Baits"  "Handcrafted Cedar Crankbaits"     **** M-Baits Web Page **** http://www.fishingworld.com/M-Baits/

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As an alternative winter activity to tying flies, I occasionally whittle on cork to fashion largish poppers for bass. I use wine corks that I’ve pulled with a special opener (it has metal or bamboo slats that slide between the cork and bottle neck) so they lack a hole down the middle. After fashioning a body, be it slider or noise maker, I epoxy in an appropriate sized hook rigged normal or keel style. Paint the body something outlandish and tie in a few feathers and it’s ready to go. Make sure you use a hefty rod with these babies since they have *a lot* of air resistance. Haven’t caught an ear yet, though 8). Ron

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Heading down to SC for Xmas to see sis.  Is there still fishing there at that time of year?  If so, where, and any suggested patterns?  Reply here or to email.  Thanks. Martin Rooney

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(MartinR100) writes:

""Heading down to SC for Xmas to see sis.  Is there still fishing there at that time of year?  If so, where, and any suggested patterns?  Reply here or to email.  Thanks."" Martin, You can secure expert, friendly advice at "Foothills Fly Fishing" shop, 1908 N. Pleasantburg in Greenville, 803-292-2406.  Good luck, Steve S.

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Question:

I’m considering a 10-day trip in Montana’s Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Specifically I was looking at the area around Jordan Pass and Wounded Man Lake. Can anyone offer estimates about how heavily travelled this part of the world will be this summer? And how about in September? Finally, I’d welcome any suggestions about loops–on or off the trail–that might not be too popular with other hikers. Thanks much.

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I’m considering a 10-day trip in Montana’s Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Specifically I was looking at the area around Jordan Pass and Wounded Man Lake. Can anyone offer estimates about how

           story;  does anyone know it?

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I’m considering a 10-day trip in Montana’s Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Specifically I was looking at the area around Jordan

There was an article in Backpacker not to long ago on this area.

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I’m considering a 10-day trip in Montana’s Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Specifically I was looking at the area around Jordan Pass and Wounded Man Lake. Can anyone offer estimates about how heavily travelled this part of the world will be this summer? And how about in September? Finally, I’d welcome any suggestions about loops–on or off the trail–that might not be too popular with other hikers. Thanks much.

I do not have any current information, but I couldn’t help but reply to this post as it brought back many fond memories – and perhaps some of the information will be helpful. I’ve backpacked in this area twice – once in 1976 on a 6-day trip and again in ‘78 on my honeymoon for an 8-day trip. In both cases, we approached the wilderness from the north out of Big Timber, Montana, along the Boulder River. From the end of the road, we went west on the ‘76 trip (into the Absoraka range) and east on the ‘78 trip (towards Beartooths). The latter is the area you refer to. The 6-day trip was one of my most memorable wilderness experiences. Six days in early July, moving every day, and we only saw one other person.  Fishing was outstanding, beautiful scenery (more gentle than the Beartooth neighbors to the east), perfect weather, and lots of wildlife: elk, moose, deer, and a bighorn sheep (up close and personal while sitting on top of a peak – within 15 yards). On our honeymoon (I’m a lucky guy , we headed east from the parking lot at the end of the boulder river road, then a little south, and reached the Stillwater River in 4 days. We saw a "lot" of people the first day, "a few" the second, and none for the next four days (isn’t that a surprise?:-). We were here in August, which may partly explain the greater number of people. We made about a 75 mile loop in the 8 days. Again, as we started back towards the car, we started seeing more and more people. There seemed to be a lot of outfitters hauling people in and out of base camps on horseback near, yes, Wounded Man Lake. We camped one night near Wounded Man Lake. Sorry, I don’t know the story, but there was a crippled moose at that lake! She could walk with a serious limp, but apparently not run. It is a beautiful lake and we had it to ourselves, although I didn’t do too well fishing there. However, the fishing was GREAT in some small lakes to the west of Wounded Man lake. I don’t remember their names, but they were below the pass that crossed into the headwaters of a stream that eventually flowed into Boulder River. As usual, my wife caught the biggest trout – and to think she had fly-fished for the first time in her life 5 days earlier! One interesting observation – all outfitters and at least one backpacker were carrying firearms. This is prime grizzly country. Oh yeah – and the mosquitos nearly drove my wife crazy. What a great honeymoon. You asked about September – you might want to check the hunting season schedules for that area. It looked like prime big game hunting country. Have a great trip. If you want any more specific information, let me know. I’d love to have an excuse to pull out the ol’ topos. — Harvard Townsend, Systems Manager Kansas State University Dept. of CIS, (913)532-6350

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