Question:

Had not seen many Alaska posts yet this year.  One guy was worried about RV park reservations and I sent the following email which said he had bigger problems facing him than park reservations. …. We got back into Washington before October but drove on to Texas then back to Oregon, 22,000 miles round trip …

Does driving to Texas before an Alaska trip heat your tires up enough to get you up back up to Alaska?

Response:

The purpose of my original post was to suggest common sense RV prep when going to Alaska.  We are particularly indebted to this NG.  We want to thank all posters for their past service.  A number of individuals posted extremely useful information, some posts turned out to be essential. Oh we had a great time going to Alaska – it was truly a trip of a lifetime for us.  We enjoyed coming and going through BC and Yukon as much as Alaska itself.  We took our time, tried to be flexible, stayed 2-3 days in one area and generally towed our 30′ Arctic Fox on paved roads.   Maybe our prep was more than most people but our experiences were about average from what we heard from other people for the time we spent there. From May to September, I probably fished 100 times – no ocean nor fly outs – all roadside angling, some days no fishing, some days three times.  Many days I got skunked, some times I limited out but mostly I caught just enough fish to make it FUN!  My wife read a lot and put our photographs in binders which are the envy of kids and family.  We saw Valdez on a sunny day which was spectacular!  One day while fishing near Talkeetna, I saw sunny Denali in all its glory(but my wife missed it). We enjoyed touring Homer, Fairbanks, Hyder, Ketchikan and Seward and other spots.  But our most enduring memories are of the friends we made coming, going and while there. If you haven’t gone, go.  If you’ve gone before, go again. But realize in Alaska, Yukon, B C and Alberta services may not always be available. Be prepared.  On the Cassiar Highway, a guy from Maine and I stopped to help an older gentlemen with a blowout who had driven all the way from North Carolina.  Between us we were able to get him back on his way because he did not have a jack and his spare tire was flat. Go figure.  John  To reply, lose FLYROD

Response:

a party pissing & moaning about the terrible travel conditions on a trip to AK: All I can say is, you are like a friend of ours that also went to Alaska, and had the same outlook about the trip as you.

Unfortunately, some of the people who like travel seem to like it because it gives them new and different things to piss & moan about. They snarl about the lousy condition of the Alcan highway, oblivious of the fact that it is virtually impossible to keep such a road in pristine condition, considering its remoteness, length, terrain, and vicious climactic conditions.  They bitch about the magnificent Top Of The World Highway, insensitive to the fact that it was built and is maintained mainly for their pleasure.  They recite how many equipment problems they and their ilk suffer, clueless about the ill effects of stupid driving practices and neglected maintenance.   People looking for something to cry about will find it.  It doesn’t matter where they look.   For us, our trip to AK was one of the greatest travel experience we’ve enjoyed in over 40 years of rv travel.  We were delighted, impressed, and grateful for the work that is done by both Canadian and Alaskan highway crews to make it possible for us to tour such magnificent country is relative comfort and safety.  We had some flat tires and saw some others who had troubles, but we did not think to blame them on AK or BC.   Your personal attitude will dictate whether you are happy or unhappy. Circumstances have little to do with happiness. Will Sill

Response:

Had not seen many Alaska posts yet this year.  One guy was worried about RV park reservations and I sent the following email which said he had bigger problems facing him than park reservations. Last year we cleared Vancouver BC on April 30 heading north but they had late spring storms and we got snowed in several times and several northern BC and Yukon lakes were still frozen so we skipped on to Valdez to get into fishing.  Unlike us, you might want to dawdle in US or southern Canada until ice out all the way. We got back into Washington before October but drove on to Texas then back to Oregon, 22,000 miles round trip The RV res info previously posted is fairly accurate.  2002 RV traffic was down 10-25% from 2001 and with gas/diesel expected to be higher this summer, my guess is traffic will be down more than last year which will free up more RV spaces in crowded areas such as Los Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali, Palmer, Homer, Paxton, North Pole and others. Watch out for the dreaded RV caravans.  Some parks block out spaces for them and will chase you out just so their caravan buddies can park next to each other. I hate to move around until we’re ready to go.  Be sure and ask the parks how long you can stay at that spot.  Parks at Palmer, Los Anchorage and Fairbanks were snitty so we passed them up the second time through. Like most people going to Alaska you have bigger problems facing you than where to park.  You better make sure all your equipment is in tip top shape. We saw three class C’s burned out – one on fire as we passed, 8 trailers 5ers and class A’s under tow, 3 class A’s wrecked on the side of the road, one 5er and tow truck rolled and we listened intently while 3 New Hampshire guys told us how they waited 3 hours on Top Of the World Highway while Search and Rescue used grappling hooks trying to pull up body parts from a diesel pusher that went over the side. Oh yeah.  We were so smug and pleased with ourselves.  We had double spare tires, auxiliary batteries, water, diesel and backup fuses, lights, filters, oil, etc.  We drove slow and we drove carefully and we only had minor damage and repairs.  We thought we had skated by. Then we got back to Oregon and a trailer rim separated and tire exploded, a gray tank separated, our transmission went out, trailer and truck breaks went out, a tow truck tire exploded and we found propane and water leaks.  O well.  The Alaska highways can be humiliating.  Like the Boy Scouts – Be Prepared! John To reply, lose FLYROD

Response:

Los Anchorage? Please explain.

Response:

All I can say is, you are like a friend of ours that also went to Alaska, and had the same outlook about the trip as you. There are over 135 people a week dying on US highways, so they are to be expected, even in Alaska. On the other hand, I only saw a couple of rigs in distress, nothing life threatening. We enjoyed the trip very much, and would like to return. I notice one thing you pointed out.  From all the problems you had with your rig after returning to the states, You must have pushed your rig beyond it’s design capabilities or it wasn’t maintained in the best condition before you took the trip.  My rig suffered none of the calamities you mention, either in Alaska, or after returning home.  When road conditions were bad, we slow to a crawl so as not to do damage.  I did need some new tires, but that was expected before we made the trip. Tom J Had not seen many Alaska posts yet this year.  One guy was worried about RV park reservations and I sent the following email which said he had bigger problems facing him than park reservations. Last year we cleared Vancouver BC on April 30 heading north but they had late spring storms and we got snowed in several times and several northern BC and Yukon lakes were still frozen so we skipped on to Valdez to get into fishing.  Unlike us, you might want to dawdle in US or

southern Canada until ice out all the way. We got back into Washington before

October but drove on to Texas then back to Oregon, 22,000 miles round trip The RV res info previously posted is fairly accurate. 2002 RV traffic was down 10-25% from 2001 and with gas/diesel expected to be higher this summer, my guess is traffic will be down more than last year which will free up more RV spaces in crowded areas such as Los Anchorage,

Fairbanks, Denali, Palmer, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Homer, Paxton, North Pole and others. Watch out for the dreaded RV caravans.  Some parks block out spaces for them and will chase you out just so their caravan buddies can park next to each other. I hate to move around until we’re ready to go.  Be sure and ask the parks how long you can stay at that spot.  Parks at Palmer, Los Anchorage and Fairbanks were snitty so we passed them up the second time through. Like most people going to Alaska you have bigger problems facing you than where to park.  You better make sure all your equipment is in tip top shape. We saw three class C’s burned out – one on fire as we passed, 8 trailers 5ers and class A’s under tow, 3 class A’s wrecked on the side of the road, one 5er and tow truck rolled and we listened intently

while 3 New Hampshire guys told us how they waited 3 hours on Top Of the World Highway while Search and Rescue used grappling hooks trying to pull up body parts from a diesel pusher that went over the side. Oh yeah.  We were so smug and pleased with ourselves.  We had double spare tires, auxiliary batteries, water, diesel and backup

fuses, lights, filters, oil, etc.  We drove slow and we drove carefully and we

only had minor damage and repairs.  We thought we had skated by. Then we got

back to Oregon and a – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – trailer rim separated and tire exploded, a gray tank separated, our transmission went out, trailer and truck breaks went out, a tow truck tire exploded and we found propane and water leaks.  O well. The Alaska highways can be humiliating.  Like the Boy Scouts – Be Prepared! John To reply, lose FLYROD

Response:

I don’t understand your point in posting this  crap.  2002 RV traffic was down 10-25% from 2001

Where did you get this info? Is this from your own count? Why couldn’t it be narrowed down to say 19%. I don’t a big math guy, but 10-25% allows for like 250% error. Is all of this coffee shop talk. Just some wild guesses? I can assure you that Los Angeles and Anchorage have little in common. The "main street" highway 1 is 2-3 lanes wide and runs at 35-45mph. That what caravans do–everything together. And they are a considerable income source to campground owners. If there are only a few sites available when you check, and your site is booked for a caravan in a week–then you have to move. If you don’t undstand this, ask when checking into a campground. I have made three (five actually, the first two don’t count as they were to Ketchikan) to Alaska and have seen only one burned out RV. You say you saw three last year, what do that mean. Do you suppose there is something air in Alaska that makes class Cs burn? How many burned out vehicles have you seen in Los Angeles? And you saw 8 RVs under tow, was that in you total of 22K miles? What do you mean by "3 class A’s wrecked on the side of the road"? What does that have to do with being in tip top shape? And the grappling hook story? What is that supposed to tell us? That class As just fly off the road on the Top of the World, but not in Colorado or Vermont. I do appreciate you telling everyone that extra tires, fuel, water and fuses aren’t needed for the trip. Why not tell everyone that the roads for the most part are in very good condition. That there areas of not so good road in construction areas and one must drive slowly through these areas. That the Top of the World really isn’t too bad of a road, but does have some sections where driving slow is required. Beter yet, why not just tell eveyone about the hazards of taking an old motorhome in poor condition to Oregon and to beware of tow truck tires.  

Response:

Question:

Padishar,    The term lure was used because it has a broader in meaning.  I stopped trying to determine the definition of "fly" long ago.  If you would care to give it a try go ahead. All I can say is all flies are lures, but not all lures are flies. Ernie "Padishar Creel" wrote – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ernie, I assume by the "lure" comment that this is not a true fly because of the glass beads Padishar Creel

Response:

Ernie, I assume by the "lure" comment that this is not a true fly because of the glass beads?  If I tied the same thing with mylar piping, or wide floss, tensile chenille, or perhaps Ice yard would that be classed as a fly?  The reason I ask, is that one of the streams I use this pattern on is strictly a "fly fishing only stream".  That last thing I want to do is use a "lure"….

I don’t know why Ernie wrote "lure", but I can’t see why glass beads would disqualify this as a "true" fly. Glass beads are often used in flies, or strung onto the tippet in front of the fly. Aren’t all flies lures? The chamois nymph I’ve been touting for whitefish is something else. I’d call it "bait". — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

rw The definition in the dictionary of fly and fly fishing follows:  I don’t see any thing about glass beads. (I"m getting crotchety in my old age) Ernie fly 2 ( fl

Question:

Bob, thought you might want to know, you are getting double posts for the FAQ, guidleline and charter postings.

There are no double posts on AOL where the posts originated.  Deja News doesn’t show double posts either.  This would lead me to believet the posts are going out okay and getting messed up along the way to you. Also keep in mind the POSTING GUIDELINES are a little long and some servers will break them into two posts – Part 1 and Part 2. Richard

Response:

Can believe they are getting messed up on the way.  They are not getting broken up into separate posts because the information is identical. Too bad the people who manage this network aren’t as sharp as the technology. — Good fishing, and may your fish be as big as your tales!

Response:

START a  rec.outdoors.fishing.bass.fly Can believe they are getting messed up on the way.  They are not getting broken up into separate posts because the information is identical. Too bad the people who manage this network aren’t as sharp as the technology. — Good fishing, and may your fish be as big as your tales!

– Mr. G. All Writings

Question:

Tom,I too have had many totally satisfactory experiences with Cabela’s. Some three years ago I picked up two disparate hobbies – blackpowder shooting and flyfishing. Through many orders Cabela’s has supplied all my black powder needs and most of the flyfishing gear.  All orders were by phone and I found always the sales folk tolerant of my ignorance in both disciplines and helpful in making selections.  On one occasion involving a multipiece order they sent a fly jacket instead of a fly line… they made the switch promptly and without cost to me.   I suspect there are other providers just as good but I certainly can find no fault with Cabela’s. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Mike,     No, every experience I’ve had with them was of the first order. Tom                         <snip Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be goin downhill? any problems with them? Mike

Response:

As much as we should ALWAYS support the local tackle guys, there’s just some things that you can’t buy were you are.  Take me, for instance.  I use a fair amount of bass baits for Pike, but you can’t get Lunker City Plastics, flipping jigs, or spinnerbaits ups here.

Where in Canada are you?  Fishing Plus in Etobicoke has a fantastic selection of soft plastics (Lunker City, Zoom, Gambler, Yamamoto, Phenix, Berkley, Guido Hibdon’s brand, Don Iovino’s brand, and more).  Lots of spinnerbaits, including the Terminator, Stanley, Bulldog, Strike King, Pro-Line, etcetcetc.  Lots and lots of flipping jigs too.  Great service, excellent and most importantly *informed* advice too. Peace, Charles

Response:

Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? They used to be really pleasant and willing to do whatever was needed to make things right when they would screw up an order. Anybody else have any problems with them? Mike

My wife ordered me a bunch stuff for Christmas from Cabela’s and she was _extremely_ frustrated with the service. They were really uncooperative and did not fill orders completely or handle returns properly. When she threatened to take her business elsewhere, the response was apathetic and she ended up cancelling all her outstanding business and purchased the items through Bass Pro (who she felt did a superb job). Fortunately, she starts shopping in like September, so Christmas wasn’t ruined. I was really shocked at what a shitty job Cabela’s did on her stuff. Now I only buy from them when I get a chance (about once a year) to actually go to their store in Sidney. For mail order I’ve been able to get the items I need from BPS and Netcraft.

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Never had a problem with Cabelas….. West Marine…Thats a diffrent story !!!  I hate dealing with them !!!….Leno

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I’ve bought some stuff from West Marine and had good service. Their catalog is excellent, although it leans more heavily to boating and less to fishing. Still, it’s a catalog worth having, it makes quite a wish book. Their prices are very competitive. Their phone is 1-800-BOATING says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – switch to E&B ,  they are top-notch Excuse my ignorance, who is E&B?? Do you have an 800 number to order catalog?? Thanks E&B is now West Marine.  They bought them last year.

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Cabelas is ok with me – I had a pair of neoprenes that had a slight leak in one foot. I contacted them and  received the information on sending it back. They promptly sent a replacement pair which i’ve been using this Summer with zero problems. Other products are # 1 as well – I feel their service is as good as anyone can offer! Keith Piercey

Response:

Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? They used to be really pleasant and willing to do whatever was needed to make things right when they would screw up an order. Anybody else have any problems with them? Mike

I haven’t had any problems in the 10 +  years I’ve been dealing with them !!

Response:

Never had a problem with Cabelas….. West Marine…Thats a diffrent story !!!  I hate dealing with them !!!….Leno

I have had problems with West Marine too.  Back orders that disappear and arguing with a phone rep who said I had to paid full catolog price when I had sales flier in front of me with another price.  A supervisor said the rep was not told of the sale. Don

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Cabela’s has a small boat trailer for sail for about 440 bucks.  Does any one have an oppinion about this trailer?  Is it worth the $440 and is it hard to assemble? Thanks for any help. Wes

Response:

ordered a pontoon boat and attachments a while back. Cabelas quoted a price, shipped the attachments, and then phoned me back and wanted another $160.00 above what they’d already quoted – for shipping the pontoon boat! Was not impressed … I cancelled the order, but had they’d already shipped the attachments – had to return those, and they waited until they got them back until they credited my visa.

Response:

what is cabela’s address or phone so i can get a catalog please thanks

www.cabelas.com or (800) 237-4444.  I’ve had good service frim them so far.

Response:

Do you mean Gander Mountain’s mail order business?  Because we have at least 3 Gander Mountain stores here in Michigan. I noticed the mail order business went away shortly after opening the stores. Mushrat – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Unfortunately, Cabela’s gobbled up Gander Mountain.  I guess now it’s Cabela’s vs. Bass Pro.  Time to do business with the local guys! Bob Scott

Response:

Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? They used to be really pleasant and willing to do whatever was needed to make things right when they would screw up an order. Anybody else have any problems with them?

I haven’t ordered from them since about February, but every time I’ve had to deal with their customer service people I’ve been happy.  Last fall I placed an order and when it showed up the box had been damaged and most of the stuff was gone.  They replaced everything, no problem.  In February I ordered some peacock sword from them, and the catalog said there were six swords per package.  When it showed up there were only four swords in the package.  I called and they sent another package (of four swords to make it right.  So I’m pretty happy when it comes to dealing with Cabelas. — Bob Jarvis Mail address hacked to foil spammers!

Response:

Do you mean Gander Mountain’s mail order business?  Because we have at least 3 Gander Mountain stores here in Michigan. I noticed the mail order business went away shortly after opening the stores. Mushrat Unfortunately, Cabela’s gobbled up Gander Mountain.  I guess now it’s Cabela’s vs. Bass Pro.  Time to do business with the local guys! Bob Scott

As much as we should ALWAYS support the local tackle guys, there’s just some things that you can’t buy were you are.  Take me, for instance.  I use a fair amount of bass baits for Pike, but you can’t get Lunker City Plastics, flipping jigs, or spinnerbaits ups here. As for the Cabela vs Bass Pro Shops, if you can fish for Muskies or Pike, try Reeds for a cat.  I’ve been fairly pleased so far.  Also, here in Canada, there is the Fishing Hole Cat and the Whole Sale Sports Cat.

Response:

E&B is now West Marine.  They bought them last year.

West Marine is primarily a boating store so you might not find the clerks as knowledgable as those of Cabela’s, as well as having a smaller selection, their prices on lures and such are outrageous.  Walmart is much more affordable. Marcus Ward 505 US 7569 "Voodoo" International 505 Class Yacht Racing Association Central Missouri State University – Department of Psychology http://www.throb.net/mward/

Response:

Go to:       http://www.cabelas.com for a free catalog. BTW I have been buying from them for four years and they treat me like a valuable customer. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – FWIW, we have had the same good service for many years, with no glitches.  We get about two orders/year. SL Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? <snip out of the items I had originally ordered.  Two weeks after the call I finally got written notice that the items were out of stock. That was not the Cabelas I have come to expect. Mark Faulkner what is cabela’s address or phone so i can get a catalog please thanks

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – FWIW, we have had the same good service for many years, with no glitches.  We get about two orders/year. SL Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? <snip out of the items I had originally ordered.  Two weeks after the call I finally got written notice that the items were out of stock. That was not the Cabelas I have come to expect. Mark Faulkner

what is cabela’s address or phone so i can get a catalog please thanks

Response:

Now that they’ve grown HUGE, I would imagine this kind of thing would start to be a problem.  As Cabela’s got bigger and bigger, I liked doing business with Gander Mountain a lot more.  The no.2 guy is usually trying harder, and customer service is a sure-fire way to pick up repeat customers. Unfortunately, Cabela’s gobbled up Gander Mountain.  I guess now it’s Cabela’s vs. Bass Pro.  Time to do business with the local guys! Bob Scott

Response:

switch to E&B ,  they are top-notch – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? They used to be really pleasant and willing to do whatever was needed to make things right when they would screw up an order. Anybody else have any problems with them? Mike

Response:

Dear Mike,      No, every experience I’ve had with them was of the first order. Recently I unpacked an anchor rode I had purchased nine months ago, but had not used.  I found a flaw in the rope, called them, they offered to replace the rode without hesitation.  That’s beyond the call of duty. Take care, Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? They used to be really pleasant and willing to do whatever was needed to make things right when they would screw up an order. Anybody else have any problems with them? Mike

Response:

I haven’t bought too much from Cabela’s in the past but this year I ordered a lot of stuff in several orders.  I had numerous conversations with "product specialists" , sometimes for my ignorance on superlines or more info about a rod or lure and I was always satisfied.  When it was a dimension not in the catalog they would run off and get me an immediate answer. I returned about four things for exchange or refund for reasons varied from broken to not what I expected.  Always prompt and no problems.  So far I like Cabela’s. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? They used to be really pleasant and willing to do whatever was needed to make things right when they would screw up an order. Anybody else have any problems with them? Mike In May, two items out of about a 10 item order were wrong – and not even close.  I got two fleece jackets instead of two sets of rain gear pants. First time in many years of Cabela’s orders that that has happened.  I immediately returned them with the appropriate form, requesting the original items.  Weeks passed.  I finally called, and by then they were out of the items I had originally ordered.  Two weeks after the call I finally got written notice that the items were out of stock. That was not the Cabelas I have come to expect. Mark Faulkner

I have never (I try occasionally every couple of years) had quick response to an exchange request. The only way I have found that works is to reorder what I want and return what I didn’t want for credit. I buy almsot nothing from Cabela’s anymore because they are so bad about listing sizes, weights, and strengths. Bass Pro is much better.                                 Erik from SF/Boston

Response:

FWIW, we have had the same good service for many years, with no glitches.  We get about two orders/year. SL – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? <snip out of the items I had originally ordered.  Two weeks after the call I finally got written notice that the items were out of stock. That was not the Cabelas I have come to expect. Mark Faulkner

Response:

Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? They used to be really pleasant and willing to do whatever was needed to make things right when they would screw up an order. Anybody else have any problems with them? Mike

In May, two items out of about a 10 item order were wrong – and not even close.  I got two fleece jackets instead of two sets of rain gear pants. First time in many years of Cabela’s orders that that has happened.  I immediately returned them with the appropriate form, requesting the original items.  Weeks passed.  I finally called, and by then they were out of the items I had originally ordered.  Two weeks after the call I finally got written notice that the items were out of stock. That was not the Cabelas I have come to expect. Mark Faulkner

Response:

Is anyone else finding Cabela’s customer service to be going downhill? They used to be really pleasant and willing to do whatever was needed to make things right when they would screw up an order. Anybody else have any problems with them? Mike

Response:

Question:

Hi Group, Gretchen and I are traveling to a fly tying expo in Eugene, OR (in the new car I bought her today for our wedding anniversary) and will be off line for a couple of days. Don’t worry, we will answer your emails as soon as possible. Any one in the Eugene area stop by the Lane County fair grounds and say hello. We would love to me all of you. — Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products http://www.btsflyfishing.com Tiemco quality hooks, under $6.00 pkg/50

Response:

: Gretchen and I are traveling to a fly tying expo in Eugene, OR (in the : new car I bought her today for our wedding anniversary) and will be off : line for a couple of days. Don’t worry, we will answer your emails as : soon as possible. Any one in the Eugene area stop by the Lane County : fair grounds and say hello. We would love to me all of you. I’ll be there if you will buy me a car Al.  How many years must I "put in" before I get one? Have fun. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

Response:

Hi Group, Gretchen and I are traveling to a fly tying expo in Eugene, OR (in the new car I bought her today for our wedding anniversary) and will be off line for a couple of days. Don’t worry, we will answer your emails as soon as possible. Any one in the Eugene area stop by the Lane County fair grounds and say hello. We would love to me all of you. — Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products http://www.btsflyfishing.com Tiemco quality hooks, under $6.00 pkg/50

Happy Anniversary Al and Gretchen!!! Roger

Response:

Question:

I have a ton of Ruffed Grouse feathers. What do flies do you use it for? Thanks!

Response:

I have a ton of Ruffed Grouse feathers. What do flies do you use it for? Thanks!

See Sylvester Neme’s book The Soft Hackled Fly.  One grouse will go a very long way:  hackles for motion (rather than colour) and "filoplumes" for gills on large nymphs, but not much more:  Quill and tail fibres are commonly too small to use like pheasant. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

I have a ton of Ruffed Grouse feathers. What do flies do you use it for? Thanks! See Sylvester Neme’s book The Soft Hackled Fly.  One grouse will go a very long way:  hackles for motion (rather than colour) and "filoplumes" for gills on large nymphs, but not much more:  Quill and tail fibres are commonly too small to use like pheasant.

Might try crossposting it to rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying, those guys’ll be able to help you over there, tell ‘em TBone sent ya. 8{)…. However, my very favorite wet fly, The Breadcrust, uses Grouse tail exclusively.  What a fly ! TimW

Response:

I have a ton of Ruffed Grouse feathers. What do flies do you use it for? Thanks!

Hi Ronald, I use grouse feathers for soft hackle flies.  I particularly like them on a bead head Hare’s Ear Softhackle.  TIP:  If you have trouble finding feathers small enough to tie #18 and smaller, you can take the fibers from a larger feather and spin them around the hook like you would spin deer hair.  In so doing you have soft hackle for just about any sized fly. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

Response:

Question:

I’m heading to Big St. Germaine, WI (above Rhinelander, near Eagle River) in July and would like some information regarding fly fishing streams and lakes in the area.  Does anyone know if an FFF or TU chapter exists the the North Woods of Wisconsin?  Is there a shop I could contact.  How about guides in this area.  I’m a saltwater fly fisher and this will be only my second attempt at creek/stream fishing.  Any patterns that I should try in the summer months.  I’m a fairly adept tyer.  Thanks for the help.

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I’m heading to Big St. Germaine, WI (above Rhinelander, near Eagle River) in July and would like some information regarding fly fishing streams and lakes in the area.  Does anyone know if an FFF or TU chapter exists the the North Woods of Wisconsin?  Is there a shop I could contact.  How about guides in this area.  I’m a saltwater fly fisher and this will be only my second attempt at creek/stream fishing.  Any patterns that I should try in the summer months.  I’m a fairly adept tyer.  Thanks for the help.

Hmmm.  Lots of lakes.  (LOTS of lakes.)  Lots of streams.  A mixture of cold and warm water fisheries.  Take lots of Wooly Buggers in black, white, olive and dark olive.  The Wisconsin fly fishing page lists all the trout streams in the state.  There are too many lakes in the area to even start a list. My plan was to rig up with an olive WB then walk in a straight line till I hit water.  (Usually no more than 200′.) JC

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I know an awesome salt water fly guide who fishes Long Island sound. He is reasonable and thinks like a fish. He is a good freind, but an even better guide. Let me know if you are interested.

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I WILL BE IN THE LONG ISLAND AREA IN THE EARLY SUMMER.  ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR SALT WATER FLY OPPORTUNITIES?

Sorry – I should have said try    rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater

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If you’re gonna be on the east End of Long Island, there are three shops in east hampton. Paul Dixon, who used to manage Orvis in NYC, has a shop in EH called Dixon’s sporting life and he runs flats boats on Gardiners Bay for Strippers and blues. There’s another fellow between EH and Amagagansett who has a french name which I do not recall right now. His shop is Lure and Feather and its worth checking out. Finally, there’s Harvey Bennett and the Amagansett tackle shop where Fly fishing is not the only show, but he’s worth checking out. For flats fishing check out gardiners bay. On a map this is the area north of the south Fork where it gets wide just east of EH. There are some beaches that provide access to the water, but you may have to talk to the town offices to find out where you could park without a required permit. It is NY afterall. Gerard Drive, which seperates Gardiners bay from Accabonac Harbort is Beautiful. Have a good time.

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I WILL BE IN THE LONG ISLAND AREA IN THE EARLY SUMMER.  ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR SALT WATER FLY OPPORTUNITIES?

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I’d like to doing some salt action in the chessequake state park area this spring from the beach area, any suggestions as to time(apr,may, june?), and specific locations?

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GBloom, Bay Head Outfitters, in Bay Head N.J. should be able to answer all you questions. Regards, Ed

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I WILL BE IN THE LONG ISLAND AREA IN THE EARLY SUMMER.  ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR SALT WATER FLY OPPORTUNITIES?

Try   rec.outdoors.fishing.fly   You have e better chance for good info there.

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I will be staying on the beach at Ambergris Cay in mid October.  I plan on doing some guided fishing (tarpon, bonefish, etc…), but what about just flingin’ flies from the beach (fairly secluded)?  Are there snappers, etc available to throw small clousers to, or some other type of "saltwater panfish" to occupy an early morning of walking the beach?  Any suggestions on flies to bring and species available would be most appreciated. Paul DiConza Albany, NY

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: I will be staying on the beach at Ambergris Cay in mid October.  I plan on : doing some guided fishing (tarpon, bonefish, etc…), but what about just : flingin’ flies from the beach (fairly secluded)?  Are there snappers, etc : available to throw small clousers to, or some other type of "saltwater : panfish" to occupy an early morning of walking the beach?  Any suggestions : on flies to bring and species available would be most appreciated. Great question.  Please answer in the group.  Thanks. — Rick (who would like to do this himself, very soon.) 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.

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I will be staying on the beach at Ambergris Cay in mid October.  I plan on doing some guided fishing (tarpon, bonefish, etc…), but what about just flingin’ flies from the beach (fairly secluded)?  Are there snappers, etc available to throw small clousers to, or some other type of "saltwater panfish" to occupy an early morning of walking the beach?  Any suggestions on flies to bring and species available would be most appreciated. Paul DiConza Albany, NY

I was down in Belize a month ago and had a great time.  On the first morning I was preparing my rods and had a school of bonefish pass within fifty feet of the beach and had one on with the second cast.  There are plenty of "SW panfish" everywhere but you will have to use smaller flies.  I had my best luck with size 8 and 10 crazy charlies in Olive, olive brown,pink puffs (pink head white wings), tan and some orange.  You might have a hard time finding size 10 SW hooks and the only source I found was Partridge.  We ended up using 6 wt. rods most of the time stepping up to 8 wt. for permit and both with 15-18′ leaders.  Found that 3 feet of flourocarbon tippet of the end of a 15′ leader worked great.  We had many fish over 5Lbs. with the biggest landed fish of the week at 7lbs.  Saw plenty of bonefish over ten and a few golden bones.  Planning on going down again the end of March 97. EYES ON CHARLIES MINI, X-SMALL AND SMALL Good fishing,                      Marcos Vergara                      Fly & Field, Inc.

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Anywhere there is surf and coral you can catch small snappers, grouper and other stuff.  A wire leader is advisable.  The groupers will go to holes and have to be pulle out/

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: Every once in awhile I foul hook a trout. I think it is becasue : they are "bumping" the nymph so when I strike I’m likely to foul : hook it. Exactly.  And it seems an unavoidable side affect of nymphing.   Barbless flies or not, this can cause considerable harm to a fish…have you ever reeled one in by the eyeball…really, let’s face it folkes…nymphing is very, very similar to drifting bait… Tim Walker

Most of my nymphing is done by upstream casting to individual feeding trout. This technique is effective and foul hooks very few fish. Ian Walker

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What you need are some brothers to go fishing with you. Me and my brothers call it "Ass-ing" (refering to foul hooking, sometimes literally in the anus).  When one of us "Asses" a fish the other two jump in with verbal taunting and abuse (ie.. we make yipe-ing sounds like would a puppy if you stepped on its paw- Yipe, Yipe, Yipe!).   Anyway the verbal abuse is so bad that you seem to fish more carefull and "Ass" less fish.  Not sure why, but is seems to work! *note* If you don’t have brothers, drinking buddies seem to do.

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[deleted] : Me and my brothers call it "Ass-ing" (refering to foul hooking, sometimes : literally in the anus).  When one of us "Asses" a fish the other two jump : in with verbal taunting and abuse (ie.. we make yipe-ing sounds like would : a puppy if you stepped on its paw- Yipe, Yipe, Yipe!).   Ahh yes…the gentle sport…..

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This foul hooking thread is interesting. I am not a biologist, but I suspect that if everyone fished barbless flies, it wouldn’t be such a big deal. Not sure, but thats what I suspect. Dale Owens

You may not be a biologist, but you’re right on the money.  A recent review of many scientific studies, published in peer reviewed journals compiled data on thousands of fish.  They showed a lower mortality of fish caught on barbles hooks.  The reference has been posted to the group several times, and I have it at my home office if you email me.  Bottom line is, we can’t help the occasional foul hookup, nor the hookup with a fish outside the legal size limit, but we can assure that such fish have a better chance of survival after we release them.  One of the best ways to improve fish survival is to use barbles hooks.  Other good practices are to use single point hooks, use artificial lures only (eg flies), keep the fish in the water, and land your fish quickly.  Good luck. . Lenny Bloksberg . .

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This foul hooking thread is interesting. I am not a biologist, but I suspect that if everyone fished barbless flies, it wouldn’t be such a big deal. Not sure, but thats what I suspect. Dale Owens You may not be a biologist, but you’re right on the money.  A recent review of many scientific studies, published in peer

Foulhooking mainly occurs on bright sunny days when a trout’s eyesight is diminished, they simply miss the fly, you strike … and you see the results of the contortions of a fish when in the act of taking a live insect of various phase…although I doubt that the barb has anything to do with the subject, they are terrific to use!!! they result in a pretty *clean* release without handling the fish at all, just a twist, and they’re off. Consultant_of_the_LDR steve d.

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This past weekend, while flyfishing (#14 caddis) my friend and I each foul hooked a trout. I was using a dropper, tied with a 12" tippet to the shank of the dry, but I saw the ‘bow go for the dry and that’s the hook that caught him, on the anal fin. It happens.

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This past weekend, while flyfishing (#14 caddis) my friend and I each foul hooked a trout. I was using a dropper, tied with a 12" tippet to the shank of the dry, but I saw the ‘bow go for the dry and that’s the hook that caught him, on the anal fin. It happens.

Yes, it happens.  But it shouldn’t!   Using adropper setup is just inviting foul hooking and abusing the trout.  If you are planning on releasing the fish you catch, don’t use a dropper setup.                                                 Dallas, TX                                               Ennis, MT

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Does anybody else have persistent problems foulhooking trout while nymphing? I’ve never heard this discussed, but I seem to hook more than my share. I’ve been nymph fishing for about 15 years, and the problem is not getting any better! Lyndon Lampert

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I don’t have any problems with it because I have no idea what it is. Excuse the question of a beginner, but what is foulhooking? Brew on! Bill Rucker Email- Work                                            Home

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I don’t have any problems with it because I have no idea what it is. Excuse the question of a beginner, but what is foulhooking?

Snagging.  Hooking a fish anywhere other than in the mouth, and/or for a reason other than that the fish attempted to eat the lure/fly. -tgades

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: Does anybody else have persistent problems foulhooking trout while : nymphing? I’ve never heard this discussed, but I seem to hook more than : my share. I’ve been nymph fishing for about 15 years, and the problem is : not getting any better! It does happen quite a bit while nymphing, even in streams that aren’t literally packed with trout.  It happens to me just as often dry fly fishing though, perhaps even more often.  Using barbless hooks can minimize the damage and you can LDR the fish once you see he’s foul hooked.

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Does anybody else have persistent problems foulhooking trout while nymphing? I’ve never heard this discussed, but I seem to hook more than my share. I’ve been nymph fishing for about 15 years, and the problem is not getting any better! Lyndon Lampert

I haven’t be fishing as long as you, but I have also has that problem (only once but for me that is enough to be a problem) I would like to known what can be done to prevent this from happening.                                                 Brian —

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Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Does anybody else have persistent problems foulhooking trout while nymphing? I’ve never heard this discussed, but I seem to hook more than my share. I’ve been nymph fishing for about 15 years, and the problem is not getting any better! I have had the same problem,  What I think happens, although I have not proven it, is that a fish rubs agains the leader.  Enthusiastic "setting" of the hook snags either that fish or one near by.  After all, except for scale, this exactly the way you would snag fish on purpose.

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This foul hooking thread is interesting. I am not a biologist, but I suspect that if everyone fished barbless flies, it wouldn’t be such a big deal. Not sure, but thats what I suspect. Dale Owens

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Every once in awhile I foul hook a trout. I think it is becasue they are "bumping" the nymph so when I strike I’m likely to foul hook it. Michael

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: Every once in awhile I foul hook a trout. I think it is becasue : they are "bumping" the nymph so when I strike I’m likely to foul : hook it. Exactly.  And it seems an unavoidable side affect of nymphing.   Barbless flies or not, this can cause considerable harm to a fish…have you ever reeled one in by the eyeball…really, let’s face it folkes…nymphing is very, very similar to drifting bait… Tim Walker

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let’s face it folkes…nymphing is very, very similar to drifting bait…

I don’t buy that.  Having done both types of fishing, I find them quite different.  Fish swallow bait.  It is almost impossible to remove the hook from such a fish and have it live. Also, fish will strike a bait numerous times even after it has been yanked from their mouth in an unsuccessful hook set attempt.  Not so with nymphs. In fact, this is why the nymph fisherman, and not the bait fisherman, suffers foul hooking: because he is more sensitive to any movement on the end of his line. The only similarity I see between nymphing and drifting bait, is the drag-free presentation. — -Wayne Trzyna

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Does anybody else have persistent problems foulhooking trout while nymphing? I’ve never heard this discussed, but I seem to hook more than my share. I’ve been nymph fishing for about 15 years, and the problem is not getting any better!

Often, lots of foul hooks when nymphing means you’re setting the hook too slowly, i.e. you strike too late. Here’s the sequence of events.  The fish sucks in the nymph, decides it’s not food, and spits it out (this happens *very* quickly; that’s why you have to be quick on the trigger when nymphing).  You detect the strike a bit late, and set the hook after the nymph is already out of the fish’s mouth.  The fly, though, is still near the fish, and the set whips the fly and the line up past the fish, and the hook snags the fish in the belly, a fin, etc. If you don’t already use strike indicators, try them.  They can help alert you to the take that fraction of a second sooner you need to get a fair hook. Don’t wait for only the obvious takes.  Any change in your indicator or leader — a slight hesitation, a ring, a bit of drag — is possibly a take; strike early and often. Another possibility is you’re fishing at the wrong depth:  your flies are right on the bottom, but the fish are higher up; your line brushes a fish and you think it’s a strike, and again the line whips past the fish and the fly snags it.  This seems much less likely to me, though, since fish usually hold close to the bottom of the stream, because that’s where the current is least and because that’s where most of the aquatic insects live.  This may be more of an issue when nymphing in lakes or large, quiet pools. — Hewlett Packard Co.         Fort Collins, Colorado       "Think!  It ain’t illegal yet."  – George Clinton

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: let’s face it folkes…nymphing is very, very similar to : drifting bait… : I don’t buy that.  Having done both types of fishing, I find them quite : different.  Fish swallow bait.  It is almost impossible to remove : the hook from such a fish and have it live. I refer only to the mechanics of the drift… Tim Walker

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: let’s face it folkes…nymphing is very, very similar to : drifting bait… : I don’t buy that.  Having done both types of fishing, I find them quite : different.  Fish swallow bait.  It is almost impossible to remove : the hook from such a fish and have it live. I refer only to the mechanics of the drift…

But we were discussing snagging of fish.  This happens routinely when nymphing.  This happens damn-neared never when drifting bait, since hook is mostly shrouded.  I have never seen a bait fisher snag a fish on a river, and I’d suspect it’s fairly rare.  I have seen a drift-rig person snag many fish – but they were using heavy weight and a yarn fly, and no bait. The drift is similar, but the snagging rate is not.  That is what we are discussing. -tgades -tgades

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let’s face it folkes…nymphing is very, very similar to drifting bait… I don’t buy that.  Having done both types of fishing, I find them quite different.  Fish swallow bait.  It is almost impossible to remove the hook from such a fish and have it live.

Jeez… don’t you recognize a *troll* when you see one? (Tim, don’t bother to tell me if you’re not kidding.) — Hewlett Packard Co.         Fort Collins, Colorado       "Think!  It ain’t illegal yet."  – George Clinton

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