Question:

yours truly, boy lawyer and part-time papparazzi, will gladly send photos of the following clavers to their home addresses, if same are supplied via email:

Hell, Wayno, just post them to a web site.  (Ain’t no smiles on this one)

Response:

Stan Gula sez: Hell, Wayno, just post them to a web site.  (Ain’t no smiles on this one)

Or, send ‘em to Stan and he’ll post them on a web site.  (smiley).

Response:

Stan Gula sez: Hell, Wayno, just post them to a web site.  (Ain’t no smiles on this one) Or, send ‘em to Stan and he’ll post them on a web site.  (smiley).

Can do!

Response:

        yours truly, boy lawyer and part-time papparazzi, will gladly send photos of the following clavers to their home addresses, if same are supplied via email: dave lacourse jeff miller waldo scott seidman willi tom littleton wolfgang frank reid peetah opie smilin joe stan gula joe axelrad handyman mike tony greg pavlov danno         yfitons         wayno

Response:

   yours truly, boy lawyer and part-time papparazzi, will gladly send photos of the following clavers to their home addresses, if same are supplied via email: jeff miller

po box 3740 greenville nc 27836

Response:

PO 3015 boone, nc 28607 thankee wayno…. btw, you had *all* the film developed?… how did yer portrait turn out? <g –waldo – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –         yours truly, boy lawyer and part-time papparazzi, will gladly send photos of the following clavers to their home addresses, if same are supplied via email: dave lacourse jeff miller waldo scott seidman willi tom littleton wolfgang frank reid peetah opie smilin joe stan gula joe axelrad handyman mike tony greg pavlov danno         yfitons         wayno

– Tight Lines, –Walt Fly Fishing NC & more… http://www.ezflyfish.com http://www.wilsoncreekoutfitters.com

Response:

Question:

Guiding is a very tough business and dealing with cranks who won’t do as they’re told to catch fish has to be frustrating. I mean, one of the ways that a guide evaluates his own job performance is to tally up the fish count and I don’t have a problem with that per se. But it will be a cold day in hell before Ken Fortenberry is caught using a gawdamn bobber on a fly line. Nothing against those who do, strictly a personal foible, but catching a fish just ain’t all THAT friggin’ important. — Ken Fortenberry- tired of arguing politics, but not tired of arguing

Response:

Guiding is a very tough business and dealing with cranks who won’t do as they’re told to catch fish has to be frustrating. I mean, one of the ways that a guide evaluates his own job performance is to tally up the fish count and I don’t have a problem with that per se. But it will be a cold day in hell before Ken Fortenberry is caught using a gawdamn bobber on a fly line. Nothing against those who do, strictly a personal foible, but catching a fish just ain’t all THAT friggin’ important. — Ken Fortenberry- tired of arguing politics, but not tired of arguing

I’ve never been on a guided fishing (or hunting, or anything) trip, but if the client won’t listen, well, what can you do…  I have worked as a deckhand on Halibut charters in Alaska, and the first instruction to the clients (known affectionately as ‘pukers’) is to hold the weight when the hook is being baited.  It’s often a 2 lb. lead, and holding the hook doesn’t stop it from swinging.  Getting beaned by a 2 lb. lead can leave one hell of a goose egg on the ol’ noggin.  Still, there’s always a couple of pukers every year that don’t listen–and guess who pays the price… I’ve never used a strike indicator, as such.  This past summer, I had the privilege of fishing with Mark Faulkner on Spring Creek near Bellefonte, PA.  He introduced me to the ‘dry as an indicator’ method, which seems like a good idea and could catch fish now and then, too. I’ve got a friend who ties his own leaders and uses Stren HiVis Gold for some of the thicker sections of his leaders as a sort of ‘in-line indicator’. In general, though, I’ll have to agree.  Bobbers (by any other name, still a bobber) and fly fishing don’t mix. Tom G how about them Nittany Lions, eh? Before you buy.

Response:

But it will be a cold day in hell before Ken Fortenberry is caught using a gawdamn bobber on a fly line.

Why would you use a bobber with a dry? You don’t mean you are nymphing, do you? Why, that’s just like using freeze dried bait<g. — Charlie…

Response:

But it will be a cold day in hell before Ken Fortenberry is caught using a gawdamn bobber on a fly line. Nothing against those who do, strictly a personal foible, but catching a fish just ain’t all THAT friggin’ important.

Yeah but what about those bloody mud sucking fish who don’t show a trace of having taken the fly – or are you only talking about bobbers and not yarn strike indicators. — Ken Fortenberry- tired of arguing politics, but not tired of arguing

Ari Bert                                        Gaelle Bert +27 (0) 83 232 9903                             +27 (0) 83 236 5308 Flyfishing Corner +27 (0) 11 447 7230                             Shop 94, Admirals Court +27 (0) 11 882 8537 (fax)                       Cnr Craddock & Tyrwhitt www.troutfishing.co.za                        Street, Rosebank P.O.Box 79067 Senderwood 2145 South Africa

Response:

I use a bivisible about 18" to 2′ up from a dry.  These old eyes just can’t see a #22 or #24 midge dry 30" away. Bob in El Paso – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But it will be a cold day in hell before Ken Fortenberry is caught using a gawdamn bobber on a fly line. Why would you use a bobber with a dry? You don’t mean you are nymphing, do you? Why, that’s just like using freeze dried bait<g. — Charlie…

Response:

My, perhaps odd, definitions: strike indicator – anything that indicates a fish has taken a fly – leader, knots, line, floaties – and the fly! especially ones with wings to see for miles. Bobber – a device that suspends a fly at a fixed depth- leader, line, knots, floaties and a fly itself could be in that class (eg: parachute tied apart from body so it suspends body well below film) IMO, leaving floaties out of these groups still leaves a whole lot of strike indicators and bobbers that you are using. If you ever de/grease a leader … Steve (As ever – just tired – apologies if this shows up twice

Response:

 There’s a whole range of "indicators" ranging from a "bobber" to a colored a colored leader link, that I seem to remember you use. The question is how far are you willing to go?  A colored leader butt, a smear of flor. putty on the leader knots, a dry fly as an indicator, yarn, cork, foam, etc. etc. etc. Willi – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Guiding is a very tough business and dealing with cranks who won’t do as they’re told to catch fish has to be frustrating. I mean, one of the ways that a guide evaluates his own job performance is to tally up the fish count and I don’t have a problem with that per se. But it will be a cold day in hell before Ken Fortenberry is caught using a gawdamn bobber on a fly line. Nothing against those who do, strictly a personal foible, but catching a fish just ain’t all THAT friggin’ important. — Ken Fortenberry- tired of arguing politics, but not tired of arguing

Response:

Ken Fortenberry writes: But it will be a cold day in hell before Ken Fortenberry is caught using a gawdamn bobber on a fly line. Nothing against those who do, strictly a personal foible, but catching a fish just ain’t all THAT friggin’ important.

Man, you’ll say just about *anything* to get in an argument.  <g So, tell me, old wise one, how are you going to detect strikes?  You *could* watch the end of your floating line, that’ll work.  But then you are using *it* as a strike indicator.  So, to be a purist, you can not watch your line — it’s a strike indicator.  Aha, you will go by feel, right?  Well, for every fish you feel take the nymph, 99 have preceeded him.  And if you *feel* it, the fish has caught itself; you had nothing to do with it.  That ain’t fishing.  That’s hookin’!   <g Best to stay home and fish parachute Adams.  But I am looking forward to seeing you on the SJ.  Should be a great time. Dave L.

Response:

Best to stay home and fish parachute Adams.  But I am looking forward to seeing you on the SJ.  Should be a great time.

We should be able to find some fish midging on the surface or feeding on midge clusters. Willi

Response:

Bob Instead of the #22-24 midges . . . why not go to a Griffets Knat in a 16 or 18. The rationale is that the midges are hatching from egg clusters just under the surface. The GK mimics the dimple of the egg cluster in the meniscus, the fish are usually slurping the egg clusters anyway (not the midges) and ITS BIG EFUFF to SEE. There is no way that #24 is going to look like anything real with the tippit and knot, with any daylight at all. Dave

Response:

Bob Instead of the #22-24 midges . . . why not go to a Griffets Knat in a 16 or 18. The rationale is that the midges are hatching from egg clusters just under the surface. The GK mimics the dimple of the egg cluster in the meniscus, the fish are usually slurping the egg clusters anyway (not the midges) and ITS BIG EFUFF to SEE.

My understanding of midge clusters is that they hatch as individuals and then the clusters are formed when the adults gather in groups in the slow water near the banks.  These masses of midges can be VERY large in fertile waters. Current wind etc. will break off parts of these masses and the fish will take these clusters. Sometimes there aren’t enough clusters around for the fish to key into them.  Often the fish will key into feeding on individual pupas either in or just under the film. Willi – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There is no way that #24 is going to look like anything real with the tippit and knot, with any daylight at all. Dave

Response:

But it will be a cold day in hell before Ken Fortenberry is caught using a gawdamn bobber on a fly line. Nothing against those who do, strictly a personal foible, but catching a fish just ain’t all THAT friggin’ important.

I’m on the fence on this one. I far prefer to fish without an indicator, but I will use when I feel it’s warranted. My home water contains a large number of fish that feed on midge larvae. Their take is extremely subtle, and I do often fish for them with an indicator. On the other hand, I fished in Northern New Hampshire for a week, using mainly nymphs, and was quite successful without once using an indicator. Faster water, larger flies, more aggressive fish, all make a difference. I definitely agree that guides rely far to much on using indicators, especially when teaching beginners. Many newbies I’ve observed the past few years never remove the indicator, even when attempting to fish dry. One afternoon in New Hampshire, I was fishing across the stream from a couple who had hired a guide as an instructor. He was spending most of his time with the wife, (big surprise), and had her casting reasonably well with a huge indicator about 3′ above some sort of nymph. After about a half hour, fish began to rise, I tied on a #14 Usual, and caught three or four fish in short order. The guide asked me what I was using, but never once suggested that either one of his sports switch over to a dry. Too bad, because the woman was in a perfect position for a long drift over several good fish. Would have been an ideal opportunity to introduce her to the joys of catching fish on a dry. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

Response:

But it will be a cold day in hell before Ken Fortenberry is caught using a gawdamn bobber on a fly line. Nothing against those who do, strictly a personal foible, but catching a fish just ain’t all THAT friggin’ important.

I’ve always liked the fact that you and I have similar fishing tastes and likes. However on your upcoming trip to the Juan, and IF the fish are not keying on the emergers in the surface film, you will more than likely be fishing midges in the 22-26 range, a bobber is almost a requirement, along with ability to mend, mend, mend, and then mend again. I spent an entire morning ignoring my guide and a more experienced Juan fisherman, only when I acquiensed and used the indicator could I detect the strikes. — Wayne Knight Expert in creating tailing loops and windknots Otherwise Fishless in Kansas Before you buy.

Response:

Willi writes: We should be able to find some fish midging on the surface or feeding on midge clusters.

I’m planning on it, Willi.  But, after tying some of these iddybiddythingies, I doubt I’ll be able to see ‘em on the water! <g Now, a big old yarn indicator — easy to see!!!!!   d;0) Dave

Response:

Willi, Some of my recent tying attempts are #18 Griffith’s Gnats. Are these small enough for the San Juan? I’ve got some #20 and #22 hooks on order just in case. Danl (home today with back spasms. its hell gettin old) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We should be able to find some fish midging on the surface or feeding on midge clusters. Willi

Response:

Guiding is a very tough business and dealing with cranks who won’t do as they’re told to catch fish has to be frustrating. I mean, one of the ways that a guide evaluates his own job performance is to tally up the fish count and I don’t have a problem with that per se. But it will be a cold day in hell before Ken Fortenberry is caught using a gawdamn bobber on a fly line. Nothing against those who do, strictly a personal foible, but catching a fish just ain’t all THAT friggin’ important. — Ken Fortenberry- tired of arguing politics, but not tired of arguing

I’m going to be indelicate again (but not irrelevant) – weren’t you using one of the Muskegon.  <g  But we drew the line at egg flies, eh? BTW – the P. Charles distinction between bobbers and strike indicators. === A bobber will float your rig, a strike indicator won’t. Peter – the honest broker who admits to using a bobber ’cause he can’t nymph fish worth a shit, especially without one.

Response:

We should be able to find some fish midging on the surface or feeding on midge clusters.

That’s my understanding as well, and one of the reasons I decided to make the trip. Somewhere between France and Urbana is a silk flyline with my name on it. It will be here in time to be spooled up on a Hardy Princess for use on an old Granger Aristocrat. Can’t think of a better place to wet a new flyline for the first time than with a bunch of ROFFians on a world famous trout stream. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

But it will be a cold day in hell before Ken Fortenberry is caught using a gawdamn bobber on a fly line. Nothing against those who do, strictly a personal foible, but catching a fish just ain’t all THAT friggin’ important.

Ken, please ask Mr. Fortenberry to define "strike indicator" for us if he wouldn’t mind. –Steve

Response:

: So, tell me, old wise one, how are you going to detect strikes?   [...] : feel take the nymph, 99 have preceeded him.  And if you *feel* it, Ya know, the best of ‘em simply *know* when a fish has taken… JonCook. — Not that I’m one of them, but I bet Willi is

Response:

1. all the pins are down 2. you cross a picket line 3. your nose is bleeding 4. there are lines through all of your letters 5. the player is walking back to the dugout —

Response:

I’m going to be indelicate again (but not irrelevant) – weren’t you using one of the Muskegon.  <g

Yes, that was a gift from Herman Nijland, an ingenious piece of work involving a very small metal ring and a piece of yarn, a "hinged leader system" I believe he called it. I still have it somewhere, but it’s not really my cup of tea and I didn’t use it for the steelhead, those I dredged up with a small black stonefly nymph and no indicator. But we drew the line at egg flies, eh?

And the poor guide looked to be close to tears when we told him so. BTW – the P. Charles distinction between bobbers and strike indicators. === A bobber will float your rig, a strike indicator won’t.

As good a distinction as any. If I’m gettin’ skunked and the guide is taking it personally, I could probably be convinced to catch a fish using whatever flyfishing method is legal in that locale. I’m not impervious to a guide’s discomfort, but someone coined a phrase one time about the customer always being right. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Regarding the SJ:  You’ve got to be pretty damn slick up there to NEVER use an indicator because  1.  sometimes the fish are deep and/or the water’s not clear enough to see them  2.  their take is notoriously subtle. I use everything from a big yarn ball 11 ft from my flies to a small foam one to a dry fly to nothing, watching for my leader/tippet to straighten.  And yes i fish plenty of dries. Hopefully Channer will be there to provide tips to those who don’t want any lead or yarn on their leader.  Less discriminating flyfishers can cut a "lifetime supply" of yarn from my spool and follow me.  I fish nymphs, dries, and emergers there and with nymphs and emergers and even sometimes dries i’ll have an indicator of some type. Dave, a size 22 with a knot and everything still looks like a midge, and on some days on that river you’ll catch twice as many fish with a 24 and even more on a 26, no kidding. bruce h Before you buy.

Response:

That’s my understanding as well, and one of the reasons I decided to make the trip. Somewhere between France and Urbana is a silk flyline with my name on it. It will be here in time to be spooled up on a Hardy Princess for use on an old Granger Aristocrat. Can’t think of a better place to wet a new flyline for the first time than with a bunch of ROFFians on a world famous trout stream.

Ah, the irony! Striking a blow for Piscatorial Purity — the silk line, the venerable rod and reel, the death-before-strike-indicators stance — on the banks of the San Juan river, a place where flyfishing for trout wouldn’t even exist were it not for that big ole dam and its tailwaterrific releases! Course, I usually wear plus-fours to the mini-golf course , – sid

Response:

Ah, the irony! …

How true. Must be something in the air this fall. Ds arguing for states rights, R’s looking to the federal courts for injunctive relief and yours truly fishin’ a tailwater. Can the apocalypse be far behind ? — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Willi writes: We should be able to find some fish midging on the surface or feeding on midge clusters. I’m planning on it, Willi.  But, after tying some of these iddybiddythingies, I doubt I’ll be able to see ‘em on the water! <g Now, a big old yarn indicator — easy to see!!!!!   d;0)

Any surface fishing will probably be to individual fish in slow water areas.  It’s best to fish these from upstream letting the fly drift down before the tippet. Even if you can’t see the fly, you have a pretty good idea where it is and you can strike on the take. I’ve only fished the Juan a couple of times but when I did, I found that you could drag your fly directly into the correct feeding lane several feet above the rising fish without disturbing it. The rest is timing the drift, getting a drag free one and having an acceptable fly. The fish don’t get put down easilly and they will give you many chances (which you’ll probably need.) Willi

Response:

Question:

What weight rod is typically used when going after the fat Alberts?

Response:

Peter, at least an 8 wt.  A 9 or 10 might be better because of the wind conditions if fishing from the island.  Most importantly, a reel with at least 200 yards of 20 lb. backing and a good disc drag.  HANG ON!! — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What weight rod is typically used when going after the fat Alberts?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What weight rod is typically used when going after the fat Alberts? A 9 wt is probably the most common, but I prefer a 10 wt. With a 10 wt you can really put the wood to a good size Albie. A large arbor such as a Tibor or Bauer is a big advantage. –tony

Response:

Thanks for all responses. We are headed to Harkers Island at the end of October for our first try for the false albacore and were wondering about the tackle. Peter G. Aitken

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What weight rod is typically used when going after the fat Alberts? A 9 wt is probably the most common, but I prefer a 10 wt. With a 10 wt you can really put the wood to a good size Albie. A large arbor such as a Tibor or Bauer is a big advantage. –tony

Response:

What weight rod is typically used when going after the fat Alberts?

Do yourself, and the fish, a favor and forget the 8 and 9 weights and stick to the 10 wt.  Use a heavy tippet so you can pressure th efish and get it in quicker, they will fight until they are dead otherwise.  I am using 20 pound fluorocarbon for a tippet.  It makes a difference.  Also check out flies tied on circle hooks for albies.  Work great.  The fish don’t get off at all.  Check the flytying page on my site for a rundown of patterns I like to use.  Good luck. — Capt Gordon Churchill http://www.flyfish-nc.com Flyfishing guide, instructor and flytier.

Response:

Question:

If you’d be so kind as to indulge me in a little fish story… Last weekend my family and I went camping in Yosemite valley.  I will not get into the planning and strategies necessary to camp with seven-month old twins for four nights but suffice to say that I was, by the grace of my dear wife, able to sneak away for a little fishing here and there. If you’ve never been there, well, it really is as pretty as you’ve heard.  And much to my amazement, there are fish swimming in the Merced river — right by the spots that millions (well, hundreds of thousands, anyway) of tourists traverse each summer.  I have always assumed that any water with that ease of access and that many people around would be fished out.  But this isn’t the case here.  I suppose that (a) the artificial fly regulations limit the casual baitfishing that often accompanies camping and (b) most people are there to see El Capitan, Half Dome, and the waterfalls.  Anyway, as it turns out there were fish swimming in both the Merced and Tenaya Creek.  The following is the story of one of those fish. The river is extremely low this time of year — not surprising — and the fishing was challenging.  It was like fishing on a mirror, the water was so smooth, clear, and slow-moving. On the third morning I walked downstream until I got to a spot where Katy and I had seen fish the day before.  The good news was they were rising.  The bad news was I couldn’t figure out what they were rising to as nothing seemed to be coming off the water.  I suspect they were taking emergers of some type but never really figured it out.  I crawled to the water’s edge and started throwing out the usual suspects — small caddis, morning duns, light cahills, mosquitos, even a royal wulff.  Nothing.  Fish would rise just behind my fly so I hadn’t scared them — they had just taken a long look at my offering and found it wanting.  Ok, that’s not working.  I tried fishing a couple of these wet with the same effect.  Just for kicks I tied on an ant and cast that under a few branches.  Nothing. At this point I was getting a little frustrated — I’d been working this pool for practically two hours, watching fish rise the whole time, and hadn’t been able to elicit so much as a strike.  I suppose I should have been happy that I hadn’t scared them yet either but that seemed an awful small victory at the time.  I also started to feel that perhaps I should have paid a little bit closer attention in biology.  Stupid bugs. I retreated to a rock to sit and think for a minute.  Having thrown every likely dry in my box I decided it was time to (as my brother-in-law would say) turn to the dark side.  I started to tie on a royal coachman for an indicator and a small prince nymph dropper off the back of the hook.  As I was sitting working on my knots I heard a rustling in the brushes across the river.  I turned to see what it was and saw a deer and her fawn emerging on the far bank.  They seemed unfazed by my presence — I’m sure they have seen plenty of people — and proceeded down to the river to drink.  Figuring that they would go elsewhere once they caught a good whiff of me (remember it’s day three folks…), I turned my attention back to the river and cast out the double rig. About halfway through the pool — a drift that seemed like it took five minutes — I heard splashing behind me.  The deer were crossing the current and coming my way.  I stopped watching my fly and watched them walk by, no more than 20 feet away at the tree line.  As an aside, I overheard a lot of people that weekend complaining that the only wildlife they saw were squirrels and scrub jays — they just needed to get out of bed a little early, find a likely spot, and sit quietly for a while.  The park isn’t a zoo, folks.  Anyway. I decided that seeing the deer was a pretty cool thing and that I should be happy about that too.  It was getting late and I needed to be heading back to camp to help out with breakfast.  I rationalized that a couple more casts wouldn’t really make me that late, right?  I could walk a little faster back to camp. I cast out once again, just in front of an overhanging branch.  The coachman slowly drifted under the branch and then, suddenly, gone! Eyes to brain:  MSG URGENT you’ve got a strike…  I set the hook and started working on getting the fish in. A couple splashes and quick runs later I was unhooking a surprised 12" brown trout.  I know that the standard joke is that big fish are big and small fish are "nice" or "pretty" or "jewels" but I never get over the brilliant markings on a brown trout.  So colorful. That pretty much made the morning.  I cut off the flies, put them back in my box, reeled up my line, and humped it back to camp double-time — just in time for a fresh batch of pancakes off the griddle.  My brother-in-law and father-in-law (who had both declined to go with me that morning) did not believe me about my catch, but my wife saw the look in my eye and knew that I had indeed been successful in my hunt. I ended up getting back to this spot later in the afternoon, ready to go at it again, but by then the river was full of kids throwing rocks and splashing around.  The moment to fish that spot had passed — we were leaving the next morning.  I know that a more accomplished angler may have pulled five or six fish out of that pool in the two-plus hours that I worked it, but that one fish was like a reward, payoff for patience and sticking at it. Thanks for reading, BW Brad Williams father of twins — fly fisher — teller of long stories * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Brad, Nice story.. I believe you!  :) Made me want to fish!! -Mark If you’d be so kind as to indulge me in a little fish story…

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

Response:

If you’d be so kind as to indulge me in a little fish story…

Nice story, glad you got a fish. TL MC

Response:

Nice story Brad.  The smooth water in the meadows is fun to fish, but the fish are easier to catch if you go upstream to where the white water is. The fish are wild since they quit stocking hatchery trout in the park. Ernie Harrison Have you tried a Blood Knot Machine?  http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2

If you’d be so kind as to indulge me in a little fish story…

<nice story snipped – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Brad Williams

Response:

Question:

FFGuy wrote 7) 3 liters of water, platypus with bite valve

Aside from being a furry little guy with a duck bill, what’s a platypus? —                                                       -dnc-

Response:

FFGuy wrote 7) 3 liters of water, platypus with bite valve Aside from being a furry little guy with a duck bill, what’s a platypus?

It’s a water bladder.  Basically an extremely tough plastic bag with a tube and a valve that you bite down on to drink the water.  As you can’t tell from my horrible description, they are a pretty cool invention.  They are nearly indestructable, insulated, and can carry a relatively large amount of water conveniently.  I use one (actually a generic equivalent) while fishing, hiking, biking, boarding, etc. Later,      - Ken — "During my service in the United States Congress, I took the  initiative in creating the Internet."  - Al Gore

Response:

Here is my top ten Excluding Rod,Reel and Line 1    Flask of Coffee 2    Cheese Sandwiches 3    Cigars 4    Lighter 5    Bow Net 6    Sportsclip Tool 7    Solarshield Glasses 8    Gink 9    Floating Fly Box (inc flies) 10  Waders

Response:

I got into fly fishing during the last year.  soon after my soon to be father-in-law became interested also.  naturally we go fishing together. I bring every possible fishing gadget I can carry, He on the other hand is a brings a rod.  I know I’m carrying 10 more pounds to the stream than he is. He takes every opportunity to point this out.  This spring I plan to cut down on the number of tools I carry to the water. What are the 10 most important items you all would take to the water for a day a fly fishing?

Get an average sized fanny pack or a vest with only a few pockets, and then only take what you can fit in it.  Limited carry capacity is great aid to self-discipline.  Besides, you’ll look real neat and tidy to the daddy-in-law. Cheers Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.cgocable.net/~pcharles/index.html

Response:

I’ll assume you’re talking about fly fishing in a river/stream and about EQUIPMENT, not supplies. So here’s my list in order of importance: 1)Rod/Reel, 2)Vest, 3)Glasses or flip-focals(for seeing), 4)Waders, 5)Polarized sun glasses, 6)Hat. 7)Fanny Pack. Any other item I consider a supply and should fit into #2 or #7 above.

Response:

Just thought of a take-off on the saying Lee Wulff coined regarding C & R. "Limit what you carry. Don’t carry your limit!" What do you think?

Response:

8.  Drying crystals (dessicant).

This has to be the least entrant for the top ten. — something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

absorbent paper towels that are FREE in the service station work swell.  Just squeeze the wet and hopefully chewed up and slimy fly with a piece of one and dress with Aequel or Daves bug Float or Blue Ribbon Super Dry Fly Float or SA dry fly floatant or Loon easy Dry or Hydrostop or Albolene and get back to fishing.

man, you’re slippin. you forgot GINK. you know, why go on the river with those lesser quality floatants when you can have the best. thats GINK, the best damn floatant your hard-earned money can buy. here, i’ll spell it out for you, G-I-N-K. i’ll share a little known roff secret with ya pal. the inventor of GINK is a once-in-a-blue-moon poster here at roff. if you ask him nicely, i’d bet my last dollar he would send you a complimentary bottle of GINK. waldo the omnipotent flytier and man about stream

Response:

i’d bet my last dollar he would send you a complimentary bottle …

I’ll take THAT bet. Think he’d send me one too ? The absolute best thing to use for drying a wet dry fly is an Amadou. Among the many semi-liquids, Dave’s Bug Float is the best. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

8.  Drying crystals (dessicant). This has to be the least entrant for the top ten.

Oops, that makes no sense. I meant to write the "least likely entrant." — something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Ten most important beside the obvious rod/reel/waders with belt: 1. Polarized shades. 2.  Bill hat with flip down magnifiers. 3.  Fly box with "hatches" in dries and nymphs. 4.  Extra leader and 3 sizes of tippet depending on what kind of fishing. 5.  Nippers. 6.  Rain gear, preferably Goretex. 7.  Wading staff.  (Goes along with the flip down mags – I’m old) and water bottle. 8.  Drying crystals (dessicant). 9.  Hemostats. 10.  Landing net. There has to be room also for a can of V-eye-eeeeena Sausages. Of course my list is like going through the express line at the super market — 10 items or less.  And the woman behind me swears under her breath because I have 15.  <G Dave LaCourse

Response:

License.  Nothing worse than haveing to try some place to buy a license earl in the am for some dufuss that forgot to get one the night before. Drying crystals?  Those neat blue and highly absorbent paper towels that are FREE in the service station work swell.  Just squeeze the wet and hopefully chewed up and slimy fly with a piece of one and dress with Aequel or Daves bug Float or Blue Ribbon Super Dry Fly Float or SA dry fly floatant or Loon easy Dry or Hydrostop or Albolene and get back to fishing. Ten most important beside the obvious rod/reel/waders with belt:

snip 8.  Drying crystals (dessicant).

snip Dave LaCourse

– Mike in PDX "When the trout are lost, smash the state."                          Tom McGuane

Response:

i’d bet my last dollar he would send you a complimentary bottle … I’ll take THAT bet. Think he’d send me one too ?

        there’s another bet you’d lose, forty.  george is among the most generous men i’ve ever met.  it’s just that he will have a helluva time locating you, under all those damn rocks. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -The absolute best thing to use for drying a wet dry fly is an Amadou. Among the many semi-liquids, Dave’s Bug Float is the best. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

  george is among the most generous men i’ve ever met.  it’s just that he will have a helluva time locating you, under all those damn rocks.

A most generous spammer is still a spammer. Your thing with the rocks is tiresome. Surely a wisecracking wiseacre of your prodigious abilities can do better than to repeat yourself to the point of self parody. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

1. rod, reel & line (duh..) 2. flybox. 1 wheatley(model) should do if you know the water 3. sunglasses 4. pliers 5. some float & sink stuff 6. leaders & extra tippet material 7. hat 8. net 9. raincoat 10. basic first aid And now it’s time to take my own advice.. Cheers, Herman I got into fly fishing during the last year.  soon after my soon to be father-in-law became interested also.  naturally we go fishing together. I bring every possible fishing gadget I can carry, He on the other hand is a brings a rod.  I know I’m carrying 10 more pounds to the stream than he is. He takes every opportunity to point this out.  This spring I plan to cut down on the number of tools I carry to the water. What are the 10 most important items you all would take to the water for a day a fly fishing?

– Cheers, Herman Herman Nijland Daytime webmaster Lifetime flyfisher

Response:

Be sure to have a couple of the Holdzit Tool Saver holsters and a gink holder dangling from your vest.  The Tool Saver will keep your hook file and forcepts rust free and your gink handy.  Check the Holdzit Fishing Products site out at http://www.holdzit.com Sharp Hooks, Pat I got into fly fishing during the last year.  soon after my soon to be father-in-law became interested also.  naturally we go fishing together. I bring every possible fishing gadget I can carry, He on the other hand is a brings a rod.  I know I’m carrying 10 more pounds to the stream than he is. He takes every opportunity to point this out.  This spring I plan to cut down on the number of tools I carry to the water. What are the 10 most important items you all would take to the water for a day a fly fishing?

Response:

I am a beliver in keeping things simple and light. Here is what I pack: 1.  One fly box with drys and nymphs combined.  If I loose that many flys then I should proceed back to camp and have a beer to forget about the crappy day fishing. 2.  Leader/tippet material. 3.  Fishing hat-  it’s tradition. 4.  First aid kit/ thermal blanket 5.  Rod/reel 6.  Snack for emergency situations. 7.  clippers.

Response:

What are the 10 most important items you all would take to the water for a day a fly fishing?

1) Camera 2) A book 3) Some Flies 4) Rod -n- reel 5) Tippet -n- leader 6) Nailclippers 7) Water Munchies 9) T.P. 10) Polarized sunglasses!!! Later,      - Ken — "During my service in the United States Congress, I took the  initiative in creating the Internet."  - Al Gore

Response:

1. Consolidated fly box 2. polarized sunglasses 3. tippet material 4. various sized split shot 5. rod 6. reel 7. fly floatant 10. waders if you really want to travel light, these are all you need (I didn’t include "vest", because everything fits inside it.).  items 9, and 10 might be: 9. camera 10. strike indicators Pete C

Response:

I got into fly fishing during the last year.  soon after my soon to be father-in-law became interested also.  naturally we go fishing together. I bring every possible fishing gadget I can carry, He on the other hand is a brings a rod.  I know I’m carrying 10 more pounds to the stream than he is. He takes every opportunity to point this out.  This spring I plan to cut down on the number of tools I carry to the water. What are the 10 most important items you all would take to the water for a day a fly fishing?

 Required-rod reel line leader/tippet flies. Extras-spare tippet material, swiss army knife (in belt sheath), spare leaders, camera, net, vest, soap, towel, pliers(needle nosed). Of coarse variations due to water fished and locale are to be considered, for instance in some of the areas I frequent I carry a side arm due to the over abundance of cotton mouths. I probably carry an over abundance of flies unless I’ve been there the day before and conditions haven’t changed. Bear in mind That I fish Florida waters from the bank where snags are a given and fish for bream and bass so there are times when rod/reel selection changes.                                                            John Popp                                                          in Sanford Fl.

Response:

I feel I show up a little light, I have desired but have never needed more stuff.  My vest is packed with the following: 1) 4 fly boxes, each holds 90 flys 2) 3 tippet spools 3) # 6 split shot 4) 4 spare tapered leaders varying length and weight 5) Hemostats 6) Nippers, keeps the dentist off my back 7) 3 liters of water, platypus with bite valve Toilet paper, keeps skid marks to a minimum 9) Gink, keeps George happy 10) Bug net Plus the required stuff wide brim hat, waders, boots, Rod/Reel and a good attitude Al Simpson – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What are the 10 most important items you all would take to the water for a day a fly fishing?

Response:

I know I’m carrying 10 more pounds to the stream than he is. He takes every opportunity to point this out.  This spring I plan to cut down on the number of tools I carry to the water.

I suggest you just cut down on the number of soon to be father in laws. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

I got into fly fishing during the last year.  soon after my soon to be father-in-law became interested also.  naturally we go fishing together. I bring every possible fishing gadget I can carry, He on the other hand is a brings a rod.  I know I’m carrying 10 more pounds to the stream than he is. He takes every opportunity to point this out.  This spring I plan to cut down on the number of tools I carry to the water. What are the 10 most important items you all would take to the water for a day a fly fishing?

Response:

I got into fly fishing during the last year.  soon after my soon to be father-in-law became interested also.  naturally we go fishing together. I bring every possible fishing gadget I can carry, He on the other hand is a brings a rod.  I know I’m carrying 10 more pounds to the stream than he is. He takes every opportunity to point this out.  This spring I plan to cut down on the number of tools I carry to the water. What are the 10 most important items you all would take to the water for a day a fly fishing?

        don’t know that i would take that many items, but i’ll just start listing:         1. small box of flies, about a dozen dries, maybe six or eight nymphs.  patterns would vary, depending upon weather, time of year, stream chosen.         2.  fingernail clippers         3.  couple extra leaders         4.  couple spools of tippet material         5.  gink         6.  hook forcepts, or whatever you call them         7.  strike indicators         8.  lightweight knife         9.  can of tuna and some mustard, plastic utensils         10.  olympus compact 35mm camera         well, i’ll be damned.  there were ten items. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Question:

Bob, how about…. You don’t feel self-conscious in the doctor’s waiting room with a size 12 Cream Variant in the top of your head. You see nothing unusual about standing in water so cold that ice rings are forming around your legs. Now pass the head cement, I need a hit! Steve

Response:

…….    Criteria for FFA membership: …….    (5) Your wife helps you pluck the feathers off a road-killed grouse and  knows enough not to tell anyone about it.

Respectfully requesting the second word of criteria #5 be changed from "wife" to "spouse".  The tagalong-if-he-has-to part of the family dislikes being called a "wife" and he has even managed to scrounge peacock feathers for me.                         —Jewelee

Response:

Jewelee — Right on … will make the change as noted. (PS: I should have been more thoughtful. I certainly never considered my spouse a tag-a-long … she outspots me and every guide in the Keys. and outfishes most anglers) Welcome to the FFA. THANKS….BobE. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – …….    Criteria for FFA membership: …….    (5) Your wife helps you pluck the feathers off a road-killed grouse and  knows enough not to tell anyone about it. Respectfully requesting the second word of criteria #5 be changed from "wife" to "spouse".  The tagalong-if-he-has-to part of the family dislikes being called a "wife" and he has even managed to scrounge peacock feathers for me.                         —Jewelee

Response:

snip (9) You know the latin names of all the major insect hatches on your home stream, but you can’t remember your kids’ birthdays.

snip Your kid’s name is Caddis. Ross Wilson

Response:

snip (9) You know the latin names of all the major insect hatches on your home stream, but you can’t remember your kids’ birthdays. snip Your kid’s name is Caddis. Ross Wilson

Or Windknot.

Response:

Geeze … and I thought I was clever when I nicknamed my kid "Lefty." BobE. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – snip (9) You know the latin names of all the major insect hatches on your home stream, but you can’t remember your kids’ birthdays. snip Your kid’s name is Caddis. Ross Wilson Or Windknot.

Response:

snip (9) You know the latin names of all the major insect hatches on your home stream, but you can’t remember your kids’ birthdays. snip Your kid’s name is Caddis.

On the other hand, maybe it’s really Rhyacophila! -Burton

Response:

Ok…you guys are in, but when are your kids’ birthdays? I know one of my kids was born about 23 days after the opening of trout season, but can’t remember the other three.BobE. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – snip (9) You know the latin names of all the major insect hatches on your home stream, but you can’t remember your kids’ birthdays. snip Your kid’s name is Caddis. On the other hand, maybe it’s really Rhyacophila! -Burton

Response:

Having concluded that fly fishing is an addiction, I am starting a NP-organization called Fly Fishing Anonymous (FFA). We’ll have our first annual meeting somewhere appropriate (how about So. Andros Island in May?). Anyone who meets the following criteria can join. (Since this is the first posting, please feel free to add your own suggestions for membership. All reasonably addictive behaviors will be considered as eligibility for membership.) Thanks…BobE., Rochester, NY Criteria for FFA membership: (1) You currently have callouses and line cuts on both index fingers. (2) You own at least six hook hones. (3) You don’t feel self-conscious standing in line at the checkout of a crowded discount store with six bottles of Sally Hanson’s hard as nails. (4) You know why Hunt Valley has displaced Cockeysville as the center of the flyfishing universe. (Hint: See Bernard’s new business card.) (5) Your wife helps you pluck the feathers off a road-killed grouse and knows enough not to tell anyone about it. (6) You have expired fishing licenses from 4 or more states. (You get to be president if all four of the licenses are valid.) (7) Bob Berger and Chet Pryor know you by your first name. (8) You not only know the rational behind the sizing system of fly tying thread (size A to 9/0), but you also know what the sizes relate to in actual diameters. (9) You know the latin names of all the major insect hatches on your home stream, but you can’t remember your kids’ birthdays. (10) You have fished alone from 11 pm to 8 am in both freshwater and saltwater. Other suggestions are more than welcome. Thanks. BobE.

Response:

Question:

Join us for dinner at a new soul-food restaurant, after we surf the rapids on inner tubes in the Catskill Mountains on Saturday, Sept 14      Our 26th adventure will be appreciated by the thrill seekers everywhere.  Several times a year, a dam is opened in the Catskill Mountains.  This results in a tidal wave surging down the Esopus Creek.  Whitewater enthusiasts seize upon this moment to shoot these rapids on truck inner tubes.  If you seek an adrenalin rush, read on.      Our car pool will take us on a 2.6 hour trip to Phoenicia, New York, a village of 970 in the Catskill Mountains.  It is west of Woodstock, New York and south of Hunter Mountain (elevation, 4,025 feet).  The Phoenicia Business Association claims that they are the "northeast’s tubing capital".  In fact, they are blessed with no less than three (count ‘em) tube rental companies.  Phoenicia also boasts of "world class" fly fishing, although fishing for flies never appealed to us.        After we arrive in Phoenicia, we will board a shuttle van operated by the Rubber Ducky Tube Rental Company (no, we are not making the name up).  It will take us to the headwaters of the Esopus Creek.  Those fluent in the Mohawk Indian dialect will know "Esopus" means fast water.  Those not fluent but not legally blind will realize this anyhow.  The Esopus feeds the Ashokan Reservoir, which is a source of New York City drinking water.  So it’s clean.      Rubber Ducky will provide us with helmets, foot protectors (old sneakers, really) and thickly padded life jackets.  After being suitably atTired for tubing (no pun intended), we will assume a reclining diaper position in a modified truck tire inner tubes. They will have rope handles (hold on tight!) and a seat.      The seat is just a wood board, but it protects your buns against unsightly bruises, thereby saving you from embarrassing questions from your significant other.  But you can expect minor bruises and scrapes on other body parts.  You may want to bring knee pads.        Your next 100 minutes on the Esopus Creek will give you a deeper appreciation of what it would be like to be a pair of underpants during the spin cycle.  With of course, a scenic view of the Catskill Mountains.  Among the sights you can see is the twisted wreck of a steel railroad trestle, which was nearly washed away by the raging waters of the Esopus.      Lest we scare you away from doing this trip, we feel duty bound to advise you that we tubed the Esopus on our 14th outing on June 22nd, with no loss of life or ill effects.  Indeed, everyone wanted to do it again.  Admittedly, we did not go when there was a dam opening.  However, Rubber Ducky tells us that tubing is a lot smoother when there is a dam opening.  This is because the water level is higher, so there are less rocks to bump into, and hence, there is less chance you will be spilled into the water.  The water, however, is faster, making for a quicker, and more fun ride.      Our deal with Rubber Ducky includes unlimited rides upstream on their shuttle to the casting-off point.  So you can do the ride down the Esopus over and over again, for just $13, everything included.  We will stay until our third and last run is completed between 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm.        Lunch:  After our first run, we will eat lunch together.  The Phoenicia Business Association says the village has "great" restaurants.  We found one nice outdoor cafe which served decent brick oven pizza.        Dinner:  We will have dinner at about 9 pm at Mr. Tony’s Soul Kitchen, 337 East 9th Street.  It was reviewed in the New York Times by Eric Asimov on September 6, 1996 (excerpted below):      New York Times best dishes recommendations:  Salmon cakes, green salad, sweet potato pancakes, soups, chicken fried steak, sauteed trout, grilled tuna, fried chicken breast, watermelon sorbet, flourless chocolate cake, fruit cobblers.      "And word is slowly getting around about the food, which inspired by Southern traditions but is completely contemporary American cooking.  Dinners start with a basket of corn bread, neither dry nor greasy, sometimes blended with cheddar cheese, other times with jalapeno.  The menu is small but has some significant standouts, like fresh salmon cakes ($7.95) with crisp, wonderfully delicate skins, served with a dill remoulade and a nice little green salad.  A bigger green salad ($5.75) is terrific, topped with walnuts and little buttons of goat cheese.  Crisp sweet-potato pancakes ($5.25) look big and awkward, but they are delicious, served with a chunky, spicy apple sauce.      Me. Tony’s "painstaking prepared soup du jour" ($5) earns its name.  One day it’s a corn-and-leek chowder with a lingering smoky taste.  Another day it’s a peppery cream of broccoli soup with a lasting, multidimensional flavor.  Main courses all come with creamy mashed potatoes and a vegetable.  I ordered chicken fried steak ($11.95), imagining truck-stop fare best washed down with high-octane coffee; I was astonished to find a real steak in a delicate breading with a dainty cream gravy and glazed carrots.  A special of grilled tuna steak au poivre ($13.95) came rare and very peppery in a sweet blend of port wine and soy sauce.  Fried chicken breast ($8.95) in an excellent, smoky barbecue sauces is much better than the pallid, unremarkable roasted chicken ($9.95) and the surprisingly dry broiled pork chop ($10.95).      …Mr. Gaskin is volubly proud of his desserts ($4 each).  I’m sure his father would be proud, too.  I’m sure his father would be proud, too, with dishes like refreshing watermelon sorbet, rich flourless chocolate cake topped with chocolate sauce, and wonderful fruit cobblers served in little ramekins."      Departure:  From 86th Street and Broadway, northwest corner, in front of the Gap, near the exits for the 1 and 9 local trains, on Saturday, September 14th (rain date, 9/15).  We LEAVE at 9:03 a.m. SHARP.  No kidding.      Directions:  Take the New York State Thruway to Exit 19 at Kingston.  Follow Route 28 west for 25 miles.  See sign on right welcoming you to Phoenicia.  Go down ramp, over the bridge, and make left to Rubber Ducky (914-688-2018).      Reservations:  You can make life as easier for us by confirming your reservation ASAP.  Please tell us if you joining us for dinner AND whether you can make it Sunday if the weather is bad -NYC Young Adult Activity Group-

Response:

    Our 26th adventure will be appreciated by the thrill seekers everywhere.  Several times a year, a dam is opened in the Catskill Mountains.  This results in a tidal wave surging down the Esopus Creek.  Whitewater enthusiasts seize upon this moment to shoot these rapids on truck inner tubes.  If you seek an adrenalin rush, read on.

"Whitewater enthusiasts" paddle down these rapids in appropriate watercraft, with appropriate equipment, including PFD’s, helmets, sufficient clothing to withstand rather cold water, and, most importantly, with appropriate knowledge of class III whitewater. Tubing the Esopus is, at best, a dubious idea, suitable not for "thrillseekers" but for those with a careless attitude toward their health.  If you must engage in tubing, please do it on a river like the Delaware, where the consequences are likely to be much less severe. —Rsk

Response:

: Join us for dinner at a : new soul-food restaurant, : after we surf the rapids on : inner tubes in the Catskill : Mountains on Saturday, Sept 14 Hey everyone, The trip has been moved to Sunday, Sept 15. You can check out the site for the any late updates (http://www.cnct.com/home/kris/) -Charlie-NYCYAAG-

Response:

Question:

Try Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Home Page http://www.easetech.com/pafish/ You can’t go wrong!  Stream reports, county maps, trivia, tips, over 1000 streams identified! Dave Kile

Response:

  Try pointing your browser to my home page: http://www.kings.edu/~lsgorney/index.htm   Hope this helps . . . http://www.kings.edu/~lsgorney/index.htm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Looking for www home page sites covering Pa fishing in general (fly, spin whatever)..thanks….

Response:

Looking for www home page sites covering Pa fishing in general (fly, spin whatever)..thanks….

Response:

Looking for www home page sites covering Pa fishing in general (fly, spin whatever)..thanks….

Try http://www.penn.com/~fcsc Its the Orvis shop in Tionesta and owner will tip you to where to go and what to use. — John Scherrer/Custom Internet Applications http://www.ncinter.net/~jds "Up to a point a man’s life is shaped by environment, heredity, and movements and changes in the world about him. Then there comes a time when it lies within his grasp to shape the clay of his life into the sort of thing he wishes to be. Only the weak blame parents, their race, their times, lack of good fortune, or the quirks of fate. Everyone has it within his power to say, This I am today; that I will be tomorrow.  -Louis L’Amour (Jubal Sackett)

Response:

Question:

Try the AMI Rec Net at: http://www.aminews.com/ami Centralized source for outdoor news and info. Several fly fishing pages linked. Looking for good stats and other pages on fly fishing. Enjoy, Rob Brown Webmaster

Response:

: Here is a listing I maintain on the Missouri Flyfishing Page of other : flyfishing links: : State or Regional Flyfishing Pages : Arizona : California : Colorado : Montana : Oregon This has shamed me.  Nothing in Idaho.  But will it motivate me?  I’ve been thinking of listing all the rivers in Idaho I know of which offer at least 5 miles of good trout water.  The barrier to my action has been that the list is over 150 in number.  Just the larger streams, nothing small.  So…would anyone out there be interested in this type of info?  I’m usually against these types of lists.  All it does is add to the crowds, but perhaps I’m wrong.  Advice? Rick — T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Assistant professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    |  These University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    |  opinions Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. |  are mine.  

Response:

i just got www access and would like the www sites of any fly or not fly fishing pages.  email or post in reply please. –

Response:

i just got www access and would like the www sites of any fly or not fly fishing pages.  email or post in reply please. –

The Virtual Flyshop: http://rmii.com/~flyshop/flyshop.html Enjoy! — Mike Tucker- The Virtual Flyshop, The Complete Resource              Web Page:  http://rmii.com/~flyshop/flyshop.html              Tel. 970-498-8779   FAX 970-491-2585 If you try 970 and it doesn’t work use 303.  Leave it to US WEST to change our area code and not tell the rest of the world……

Response:

Question:

Hello, here are some posts I have sent to others. Hope you find the useful!  Alan Barrow  km4ba         | If a little knowledge….. Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing Some friends and I, serious fly fisherman all, are thinking about going to the Florida Keys to do some bonefishing (and maybe tarpon, permit, etc.)  this winter.  Never having done this before, I have scads of questions: * Is end of December/beginning of January a good time?

Bones are there year round. They will not come up onto the flats if the water temp is too cold. Also wind is more likely, and impacts the number of "fishable" (sight fishing) days. However, the largest bonefish are usually caught in winter. I have hooked (not landed) very big bonefish during XMAS trips last year. Tarpon migrate, and are not in the Keys in large quantities until May/June. There are year round Tarpon spots in the Keys ( and Miami) but it is usually deep water. (Bridges/channels, etc) I consider June/July the best time all around for fishing in the Keys. I still fish year all seasons, because even "off season" the fishing is better than most places I know. But for fly fisherman, winter may be less desirable. Redfish are available year round, as are sharks and barracudas. Many fly types are sight fishing for big ‘Cudas during winter when it the flats are too cold for bonefish. * Where are the good spots in the keys?  Should we try Grand Bahama or  Belize instead?

My conclusion is that if you want numbers and lot’s of action, hit the bahamas, Christmas Island (near Hawaii), or costa rica. However, If you want big fish on a regular basis, Miami down to Marathon for bonefish is hard to beat. For Tarpon, Boca Grande pass in June is fantastic. Not the same as sight fishing the flats edges for tarpon in the Keys, but killer in a different fashion. Tarpon are all around florida mid year, so there are many good places for them. The keys are ideal due to: Big Bonefish, good tarpon, great Permit, OK redfish, great trout, great dolphin close in (the fish). The water is great for sight fishing in the Keys. Other parts of Fla are less "clear". The Bahamas are tough to beat in water clarity. * Know any good guides/outfitters?

I have not used a guide for 3 years, but recommend using one until you become proficient in finding fish yourself. Even then, guides will put you onto more fish. * Will I need my own equipment or can I rent?

I have not seen much rental equipment. If you have a guide, he will provide top notch equipment. I hope you have a good time!  Alan Barrow  km4ba         | If a little knowledge…..  ..!gatech!kd4nc!km4ba!alan |       then what is the Anti-Dote??? Return-Path: jab Path: hpuerca!jab Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing Distribution: na I will be on Islamorada from February 10-17 of this year.  I plan to do some inshore fishing, and am wondering if this is a particularly "hot" time for specific fish. Can anyone give me some help? I’ll be

Entirely dependant on water temperature. (Wind may also be an issue) Some of the largest bonefish are caught in "winter" (dec-feb). You may also go all day without seeing a fish on a flat. A guide is a big win here. They may know when/where fish may make an appearence. We have found that "normal" behavior does not apply. (normal for bonefish is: fish move on flat with low incoming tide.) Problem is that with colder water temp, at may be midday before the water warms up enough. Thus traditional early morning/late evening "best times" may not apply. Barracuda are found (and fished for) on the flats in the winter. Any other time, these guys are almost impossible to catch. (Except when a big bonefish is about to nail your shrimp/lure) Also sharks on the flats can be fun. Tarpon are pretty much somewhere else, except for a few "bridge" types that hang around year round. Redfish and trout in the backcountry (Fla Bay, as opposed to the Atlantic) should also be a good option. (Not as exciting as bonefish, but still pretty good) I believe offshore is pretty good this time of year. (Sailfish, grouper, Kings, snapper, etc) out for a full day, and would like to spend about half the day fishing purely for sport (i.e. tarpon, bonefish, maybe permit) and half the day fishing for something I can cook up afterwards. Is this possible?

Bonefish or permit then hit backcountry for redfish or trout. I have limited out on big trout within 30 min skiff ride from Islamorada. (By the way, you will be "in" Islamorada, the city. You will be "on" upper or lower matacumbe. Just a "nit" :- ) Any suggestions would be appreciated. I’d like to call up and reserve a guide ahead of time.

We had good luck with Jamie Brodie, who booked out of Holiday Isle. I could get other names from Fla Sportsman if needed. Secondly, since I can’t afford a guide every day I’m there, but would like to do some fishing most of the days I’m there, I’m wondering if anyone can give me advice about wading/shore fishing. I’ll cast for

This is how we got started. Harry Harris park up in key largo (20 min N of Islamorada) is a good flat to wade for bonefish. Also flats off the bridges at shell and indian key ( Just S of Islamorada. ) are good. If you see brown bottom that you can get too from your hotel, etc. I would give it a try. Wear tennis shoes, or booties. (I use "aquasox" as well) Be aware of stingrays. (Some say to shuffle. I do if I cannot see the bottom very clearly. I have found if the bottom is hard enough to wade, the stingrays do not bury themselves. They are also very spooky, and will avoid you.) Also bridge fishing all along that area is good. You can also rent a boat. (not cheap, but cheaper than a guide.) Plan on using it mainly to get too flats. Do not try to take it on the flats, as you will get stuck unless it is very high tide. You will not have a pole anyway. Even with our flat’s boats, we wade alot. (during low tide) anything, I just don’t know what’s there to cast to, or what to cast to whatever is there (to state a simple point in a fairly unruly way).

On the flats you will see:         stingrays- do not try to catch them. Look for bonefish/jack         following them. try to cast on the back of any stingray you see.         Many times you will not see the fish following them. Best sign         that bonefish are on the flats. Stingrays are your friend.         Bonefish- swim most in straight lines. best case is to find them         tailing in low water. (why wading is good). You may see one or a         dozen. Very spooky. Cast in front of them, let them swim up on         your lure/bait.         Permit- The most spooky. look for "sickle" fin sticking out of         water.         Baracuda- usually loitering around. Moving very slowly, then         disappears faster than your eye can follow. If you see a fish,         and it does not move 5-10 feet in a few seconds, then it is probably         a barracuda. cast past it 10 feet in front of it. reel as fast         as you can. They strike instinctively.         Jack- Usually you do not see them, but catch them by accident.         can get pretty big, fights almost as good as a bonefish. (Just         missing the 200 yd runs.)         Sharks- 2-5′ nurse, lemon, blacktip, and bonnet sharks. Lots of         fun to catch. Good sign of bonefish on the flats. They will         home in on a shrimp in the water. Plan on a short fight with a         quick release unless you use 2-3" of wire. (The wire does not         appear to bother bonefish. My brother has started rigging this         way all the time, just to sight cast for sharks if the bonefish         are not around)         Snapper- (mangrove and yellowtail) I call the yellowtail         "piranah" snappers, as they will make the water boil if you         throw a shrimp to them. Expert bait stealers, and will not         touch artificials. Usually too small to eat, but fun.         Basket ball sized puffs of mud- Bonefish!!! Usually more than         one. Look for the freshest, and then move 20-40′ ahead.         A line of muddy water- Stingray "mudding". Cast on it’s back.         A big cloud of muddy water- usually a school of bonefish and         jack. Often a stingray is down at the bottom. Cast into the         middle of it. Plan on 20-40′ casts. I use 8# test, 1 or 1/0 O’shaughsany cadmium or nickle hooks. Live shrimp or half dollar sized crabs. (The best) I carry extra shrimp in my pocket while wading. Also can use "skimmer" lead head jigs. Also consider fishing mangrove creeks and banks for snapper, snook (mostly at night), grunt, etc. You can catch "keepers". Grunt are not considered as desirable as snapper, but they are actually pretty good to eat. You will know if you catch a snook. Limited season. I have fun fishing hotel docks with my little boys even. In other words, any advice, as detailed as possible, about shore fishing on Islamorada would be greatly appreciated. I have one 6 1/2′ medium spinning outfit, and one 8′ medium-heavy spinning outfit (reel has 300 yard line capacity for 20′ test).

I would use the 6′6" for flats, and the bigger rod for bridge fishing. Again, 8# quality line is fine for the flats. Fill your reel. (optimum casting) Oil/grease your drag. It has got to be absolutley smooth. Set it for what you think it should be, then back it down to 1/3 of that. (We broke off several bonefish till we learned this.) They will take 100-200 yds of line extremely … read more »

Response:

Hello,       I will be going Florida on April 1st, I would like to know about fishing in and around Ft. Lauderdale and the Keys. My primary interest is light tackle and fly fishing. Any tips on places to fish from shore for bonefish, permit, barracuda, tarpon, and/or any other large gamefish.           Suggestions will be greatly appreciated. This will be my first time down there, so I guess, I am a greenhorn. Tight lines……Fish On! Christopher Toner — –   2nd Shift Operations:RUCS               (908) 932-2293 –   OTS-Hill Center, Busch Campus –   Piscataway, NJ    

Response: