Question:

July 24,25.26,27  Gosh, I hope you can make it.  You are going to be missing a wonderful party if you dont.  LOL

I  put it on my calendar, I have been watching the fares.  It is on a weekend so there is not too much time off.  It would be a blast  to attend one of the Midwest/East coast gimpfests.  – MZ Visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My son rowed the Middle Fork last year and came back saying he wants to move to Idaho. He’s applied for this year too, also in June. I’ll have to call him today to see if he’s heard yet. Did you get an early enough date to be able to contiunue on down the main part of the river? That’s their strategy- I guess there’s a window of opportunity if the timing is right. Usually it is the Middlefork that has the limitation on water the first day or until you reach Indian Creek, then the flow almost doubles.  Main Salmon is always runnable.  It is a lousy water year, but I am hoping runoff will last long enough to get us through the first day or 2 after that the flows increase. I can imagine your son loved it, it is  an amazing river even after all the fires.  – MZ

Well, it’s not too late to pray for more snow! last year April was very productive I understand. All this talk–has me dreaming about kayaking the Green River again. I did that a number of years ago before I got RA.  Flat water but wonderful. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com

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We will also try to get a permit for the Main Salmon.  If we can score a permit for the main stem Salmon it means we will do the Middlefork then float down to the put-in on the Main Salmon and do back to back trips totaling about 200 miles.

Ooops, obviously I didn’t read on down the thread before posting! too exciting! Cynthia

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My son rowed the Middle Fork last year and came back saying he wants to move to Idaho. He’s applied for this year too, also in June. I’ll have to call him today to see if he’s heard yet. Did you get an early enough date to be able to contiunue on down the main part of the river? That’s their strategy- I guess there’s a window of opportunity if the timing is right.

Usually it is the Middlefork that has the limitation on water the first day or until you reach Indian Creek, then the flow almost doubles.  Main Salmon is always runnable.  It is a lousy water year, but I am hoping runoff will last long enough to get us through the first day or 2 after that the flows increase. I can imagine your son loved it, it is  an amazing river even after all the fires.  – MZ Visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com

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Thank you for the compliment.  I hope we have a good flow in June for you. It is beautiful.  I packed back into Big Creek, a tributary of the Salmon, on horses when I was 18.  Dad and Unc were after goats and sheep.  They filled both.  It was literally an experience of a lifetime.  I am now 56 and Dad and Unc are 83 and 79.  Wish we had more pictures. I wish you the best and I can imagine how excited you are.

You have a beautiful State and the Middlefork is really magical, it is one of my most favorite rivers (and I have done a fair number of rivers).  I put it in the top 3 right next to the Grand Canyon. You can’t compare the Grand and Middlefork they are apples and oranges.  I always try to read the history when I go.  I have read about the Sheepeaters and the wars.  If we get a Main Salmon permit we go right past the Polly Beamis homestead.  I love reading river lore.  I read the book Thousand Pieces of Gold about Polly Beamis when I ran the Salmon.  On the Rogue I enjoy reading Hathaway Jones stories out loud; everyone gets into hysterics, they are tall tales.  Fun to dig out the history.   If you have any good book suggestions for that area let me know. Visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com

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What a blast we will be launching in June!

Hmmmmm.  Does that free you up for Gimpfest in July? Char "Remember, I’m pulling for ya’.  We’re all in this together."  Red Green

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What a blast we will be launching in June! Hmmmmm.  Does that free you up for Gimpfest in July? Char "Remember, I’m pulling for ya’. We’re all in this together."  Red Green

When is the Gimpfest?  I have a request  in Travelocity to watch for good fares to Des Moines.  We will be gone until early July,  a bit longer if the Main Sa;lmon permit is obtained. — MZ Visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com

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July 24-27 http://www.fadedjeans.com/iowa/ Duckie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What a blast we will be launching in June! Hmmmmm.  Does that free you up for Gimpfest in July? Char "Remember, I’m pulling for ya’. We’re all in this together."  Red Green When is the Gimpfest?  I have a request  in Travelocity to watch for good fares to Des Moines.  We will be gone until early July,  a bit longer if the Main Sa;lmon permit is obtained. — MZ Visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com

–   _(‘  (_<_)           _   _(‘< -quack  (_<_)     _    __(‘< *QUACK!* <_{__)   _(‘< "|,,|_"  (_<_)

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July 24,25.26,27  Gosh, I hope you can make it.  You are going to be missing a wonderful party if you dont.  LOL Char "Remember, I’m pulling for ya’.  We’re all in this together."  Red Green

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I just got the word one of my boating buddies drew a permit for the Idaho’s Middlefork of the Salmon!   I love rowing the Middlefork it is one of my all time favorite rivers and an extremely difficult permit to get.  What a blast we will be launching in June!  Sorry I know this is way OTP but this is really exciting news. — MZ

Lucky You! My son rowed the Middle Fork last year and came back saying he wants to move to Idaho. He’s applied for this year too, also in June. I’ll have to call him today to see if he’s heard yet. Did you get an early enough date to be able to contiunue on down the main part of the river? That’s their strategy- I guess there’s a window of opportunity if the timing is right. Cynthia

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Have you ever examined the info on the Sheepeater Indians?  They populated the area and that is where the petroglyphs came from.  You can still see depressions in some of the banks that were where they camped. — Val in Boise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We will also try to get a permit for the Main Salmon.  If we can score a permit for the main stem Salmon it means we will do the Middlefork then float down to the put-in on the Main Salmon and do back to back trips totaling about 200 miles.  We did the Middlefork last in 1997 managed to pick-up a canceled permit for the Main Salmon 2 days before we departed for the trip.  It is awesome crystal clear water, canyons, mountains, hot springs, elk, big horn, petroglyphs, and the best fly fishing you will find anywhere.  First day of the Middlefork is non-stop rapids, not overwhelming but you have to pay attention. Our party usually breaks at least 1 oar in that stretch because it is shallow. Picking up a canceled permits mean we have to call almost every day starting in late March. This is one of the classic western river trips.  I have been bouncing off the walls all day.  – MZ Visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com

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Thank you for the compliment.  I hope we have a good flow in June for you. It is beautiful.  I packed back into Big Creek, a tributary of the Salmon, on horses when I was 18.  Dad and Unc were after goats and sheep.  They filled both.  It was literally an experience of a lifetime.  I am now 56 and Dad and Unc are 83 and 79.  Wish we had more pictures. I wish you the best and I can imagine how excited you are. — Val in Boise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just got the word one of my boating buddies drew a permit for the Idaho’s Middlefork of the Salmon!   I love rowing the Middlefork it is one of my all time favorite rivers and an extremely difficult permit to get.  What a blast we will be launching in June!  Sorry I know this is way OTP but this is really exciting news. — MZ Visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com

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I just got the word one of my boating buddies drew a permit for the Idaho’s Middlefork of the Salmon!   I love rowing the Middlefork it is one of my all time favorite rivers and an extremely difficult permit to get.  What a blast we will be launching in June!  Sorry I know this is way OTP but this is really exciting news. — MZ Visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com

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Sent this along to John. You just never know. Duckie I just got the word one of my boating buddies drew a permit for the Idaho’s Middlefork of the Salmon!   I love rowing the Middlefork it is one of my all time favorite rivers and an extremely difficult permit to get.  What a blast we will be launching in June!  Sorry I know this is way OTP but this is really exciting news. — MZ Visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com

–   _(‘  (_<_)           _   _(‘< -quack  (_<_)     _    __(‘< *QUACK!* <_{__)   _(‘< "|,,|_"  (_<_)

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I just got the word one of my boating buddies drew a permit for the Idaho’s Middlefork of the Salmon!   I love rowing the Middlefork it is one of my all time favorite rivers and an extremely difficult permit to get.  What a blast we will be launching in June!  Sorry I know this is way OTP but this is really exciting news. — MZ Visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com

Wonderful!  How are you gonna stand the wait until June? — Nann remove the Gator cheer to email me "To array a man’s will against his sickness is the supreme art of medicine." …Henry Ward Beecher

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Welll as usual, I will expect a vicarious thrill.  Congrats M

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We will also try to get a permit for the Main Salmon.  If we can score a permit for the main stem Salmon it means we will do the Middlefork then float down to the put-in on the Main Salmon and do back to back trips totaling about 200 miles.  We did the Middlefork last in 1997 managed to pick-up a canceled permit for the Main Salmon 2 days before we departed for the trip.  It is awesome crystal clear water, canyons, mountains, hot springs, elk, big horn, petroglyphs, and the best fly fishing you will find anywhere.  First day of the Middlefork is non-stop rapids, not overwhelming but you have to pay attention. Our party usually breaks at least 1 oar in that stretch because it is shallow. Picking up a canceled permits mean we have to call almost every day starting in late March. This is one of the classic western river trips.  I have been bouncing off the walls all day.  – MZ Visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – very nice indeed. the conditions you describe are mirrored here in the NC mountains at this time. one question willi, what do you grease the tippet with? With the atmosphere around here lately, I’m pretty sure you don’t want to know. Willi

i guess i should have been clearer….. a floatant or sinkant? …could care less about the brand names… walt — Walter G. Winter Ezflyfish.com:  http://www.ezflyfish.com Blue Ridge Book Gallery: http://users.boone.net/wgw/brbg.html

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Autumn is my favorite time of the year in Colorado. The leaves are turning, the nights are cool but the days are warm, the tourists are gone, the rivers are low, clear and cool, and the fish are hungry.    (snip)    nice little vignette, troutmeister. wayno

It is a wonderful time of the year. Hopefully, Sir Louie and I will experience the same in a Grand River Autumn. Peter

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Autumn is my favorite time of the year in Colorado. The leaves are turning, the nights are cool but the days are warm, the tourists are gone, the rivers are low, clear and cool, and the fish are hungry.

   Hungry and moody. I spent two hours yesterday afternoon on the river Willi and I call our home water. I was dazzled by the shimmering yellow aspen trees, and saddened by the feeling that another fine season of fishing is winding to a close. During my first hour on the water, I hooked 17 fine fish; every spot that looked like it may have EVER held a fish yielded one. About the time I started to feel like I was a pretty talented fisherman, the action ceased. I used every trick in the book to catch another five fish in two more hours. Sheesh.

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Petah Charles writes: It is a wonderful time of the year. Hopefully, Sir Louie and I will experience the same in a Grand River Autumn. Peter

What?  You aren’t guarantying fine weather?  Well, if we get rained out (muddy waters and all), Joanne, Joanne and I will sit around a bottle of single malt and shoot the breeze. (Looking forward to it) Dave

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i guess i should have been clearer….. a floatant or sinkant? …could care less about the brand names…

When fish have moved into shallow feeding areas and are feeding on small stuff ie midges, bwo’s etc. I use a floatant on the leader up until the last few inches. If there isn’t too much glare, you can follow the floating tippet and often see a flash from the fish taking the fly or see the tippet move with a take.  If there is too much glare, I’ll use a very small smear of florescent biostrike? (a putty like stuff)to give me something to follow. Takes are generally very subtle when fish are feeding on this small stuff. I use quill bodied flies quite a bit and if the quills are not coated with cement, they absorb water and sink well. Willi

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Autumn’s soft, midday light that has lost its summer intensity, allows good fish to move into very shallow pockets of water with just enough current to hide them [snip] . Fights seem a bit more determined and the colors a bit more intense.

I drove over to your fine state a week ago for the first time, while I only fished the South Platte near Deckers and the eleven mile canyon, I managed to find a little solitude and hook some of your fine colorado fish with 20 and 22 BWO’s. I can’t tell you how great it was to be fishing again and while I’m sure there are better streams in CO than the So. Platte but for two days it was heaven to me. Great post and you are a lucky man to live in such a beautiful place. — Wayne Knight Expert in creating tailing loops and windknots Otherwise Fishless in Kansas Before you buy.

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I like those warm days following a sub-freezing night when the fishing doesn’t start picking up until 11:00am, and then it’s over by 4:00pm. [good stuff snipped]

Great post, rw. Thanks for the imagery. You gotta love the crisp weather of the mountains in fall. –Steve

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When fish have moved into shallow feeding areas and are feeding on small stuff ie midges, bwo’s etc. I use a floatant on the leader up until the last few inches. If there isn’t too much glare, you can follow the floating tippet and often see a flash from the fish taking the fly or see the tippet move with a take.  If there is too much glare, I’ll use a very small smear of florescent biostrike? (a putty like stuff)to give me something to follow. Takes are generally very subtle when fish are feeding on this small stuff. I use quill bodied flies quite a bit and if the quills are not coated with cement, they absorb water and sink well. Willi

gotcha….. I’ve tried floatant on my leaders and tippet for small midge fishing. I’m not sure if it helps or not but I do know that when I "mud" the tippet for emergers, very small nymphs, or wets I seem to get more takes. I also like to keep a tight line fishing this style with a little twitch every few seconds. Takes are generally sound with that style and for c/r the hook is usually in the mouth versus deeper in the throat or gills. I usually have a long leader/tippet, 12′ +, when fishing this way. report: for all you roffians headed’ this way, the delayed harvest rivers have been stocked for the fall/winter fishing. The Watauga is running low, we can’t seem to shake this drought. –Walt — Walter G. Winter Ezflyfish.com:  http://www.ezflyfish.com Blue Ridge Book Gallery: http://users.boone.net/wgw/brbg.html

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The Watauga is running low, we can’t seem to shake this drought.

Supposed to rain this weekend up by Robbinsville (Forty effect I presume), maybe you’ll get some too. — Charlie…

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I drove over to your fine state a week ago for the first time, while I only fished the South Platte near Deckers and the eleven mile canyon, I managed to find a little solitude and hook some of your fine colorado fish with 20 and 22 BWO’s. I can’t tell you how great it was to be fishing again and while I’m sure there are better streams in CO than the So. Platte but for two days it was heaven to me.

The Platte is/was a fine river. It holds many good fish. However, with its proximity to Denver and Colorado Springs it is the heaviest fished river in the state. The section around Deckers has the reputation of being a very difficult river, especially for people fishing it the first time. Congrats on having success. Willi

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Autumn is my favorite time of the year in Colorado. The leaves are turning, the nights are cool but the days are warm, the tourists are gone, the rivers are low, clear and cool, and the fish are hungry. Autumn’s soft, midday light that has lost its summer intensity, allows good fish to move into very shallow pockets of water with just enough current to hide them.  Large fish wait in water barely deep enough to cover their backs to feed most efficiently on the small emerging bugs. A careless wade sends the fish shooting back into the pools leaving wakes of water in their path. A tiny fly on a long, light, greased leader is the key. A cast several feet above the lie lets the fly sink just enough to interest the fish. No weight, no indicator. Just a flash in the shallow water or the nudge of the floating tippet. Takes are hard and confident and the pressure from the strike sends the fish airborn. Fights seem a bit more determined and the colors a bit more intense. Willi

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Autumn is my favorite time of the year in Colorado. The leaves are turning, the nights are cool but the days are warm, the tourists are gone, the rivers are low, clear and cool, and the fish are hungry.

    (snip)     nice little vignette, troutmeister. wayno

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Autumn is my favorite time of the year in Colorado. The leaves are turning, the nights are cool but the days are warm, the tourists are gone, the rivers are low, clear and cool, and the fish are hungry.     (snip)     nice little vignette, troutmeister. wayno

very nice indeed. the conditions you describe are mirrored here in the NC mountains at this time. one question willi, what do you grease the tippet with? walt — Walter G. Winter Ezflyfish.com:  http://www.ezflyfish.com Blue Ridge Book Gallery: http://users.boone.net/wgw/brbg.html

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Willie wrote;Autumn is my favorite time of the year in Colorado. The leaves are turning, the nights are cool but the days are warm, the tourists are gone, the rivers are low, clear and cool, and the fish are hungry.

This sounds like a fairy tale to me. I don’t think there will be an Autum in Texas this year…mabye in January. It is still in the mid 90’s and I have a hard time calling that Autumn. Big Dale

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very nice indeed. the conditions you describe are mirrored here in the NC mountains at this time. one question willi, what do you grease the tippet with?

With the atmosphere around here lately, I’m pretty sure you don’t want to know. Willi

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Autumn is my favorite time of the year in Colorado. The leaves are turning, the nights are cool but the days are warm, the tourists are gone, the rivers are low, clear and cool, and the fish are hungry.

That sounds like the Stanley area, Willi, but our Autumn probably comes earlier than yours. The good Autumn fishing here is at about 7000 feet. I like those warm days following a sub-freezing night when the fishing doesn’t start picking up until 11:00am, and then it’s over by 4:00pm. There are just enough hoppers to keep fish looking at the surface, but the serious fish-catching is done with common nymphs — the perfect setup for a "hopper/dropper" rig. The water is skinny and the fish are concentrated in holes. This is easy fishing, once you get there. I can roll out of bed late, build a fire, make coffee and bacon and eggs, and take my time planning the trip. Then I can come home in daylight. Perfect. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

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one question willi, what do you grease the tippet with? With the atmosphere around here lately, I’m pretty sure you don’t want to know.

Red Mucilin works a lot better than G*** for greasing tippets. — Ken Fortenberry

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Question:

Good post snipped. I’m definitely no streamer expert but many writers have commented that the eyes on a streamer are a trigger for the fish. Gary LaFontaine even ties a streamer with the eyes at the rear of the fly (near the hook bend) to help eliminate all the missed strikes. Willi

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Good post snipped. I’m definitely no streamer expert but many writers have commented that the eyes on a streamer are a trigger for the fish. Gary LaFontaine even ties a streamer with the eyes at the rear of the fly (near the hook bend) to help eliminate all the missed strikes. Willi

That’s the reason for the Sedge Hook Perch.  Instead of moving the eyes back, I’m moving the hook point forward. Peter

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The first Sedge Hook Perch is on ABPF.  Not a great first effort and I wasn’t able to get any olive cafltail – used bucktail instead so the profile is not what I hoped, but you can get the idea.  Vertical bars are done with black magic marker. Peter

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<< There are some designs that put the hook much closer to the head of the streamer. Gartside does it with his marabou soft hackles, others as well use shorter shank hooks with streamer materials extending far past bend. This could be done, I suppose, as long as the materials don’t foul around the gape of hook. <<  Tom Littleton This is one of the virtues of the Lefty’s Deceiver and Kreh and Clouser’s Half & Half.  Lefty Kreh also writes that big fish are head hunters. GKT

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<< There are some designs that put the hook much closer to the head of the streamer. Gartside does it with his marabou soft hackles, others as well use shorter shank hooks with streamer materials extending far past bend. This could be done, I suppose, as long as the materials don’t foul around the gape of hook. <<  Tom Littleton This is one of the virtues of the Lefty’s Deceiver and Kreh and Clouser’s Half & Half.  Lefty Kreh also writes that big fish are head hunters. GKT

Saltwater patterns have used this approach for years as the fish are known headhunters, but apart from clousers, there aren’t many freshwater versions.  Though I didn’t start out the Sedge Hook Perch with a particular saltwater fly in mind, it certainly did end up resembling one.   Since I can’t make much use of it till next year, if anybody would like to try a couple, email me your snail mail and I’ll send them off. In return, you have to post your results. Cheers Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

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Peter, That is a good looking fly you posted on ABPF. I wish more people would post flies on ABPF. Reading a description of a fly just doesn’t cut it. I think the streamer tied on a short shanked hook has a better "look" and it probably would have better action. What do you use for eyes? Willi

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: That is a good looking fly you posted on ABPF. I wish more people would : post flies on ABPF. Reading a description of a fly just doesn’t cut it. Many, maybe even most, of us don’t get ABPF… JonCook.

Here ya go Jon. http://www.ezflyfish.com/perstreamfly.html Peter has graciously allowed for this information to be posted at ez. Thanks Peter…. –Walt — Walter G. Winter Ezflyfish.com:  http://www.ezflyfish.com Blue Ridge Book Gallery: http://users.boone.net/wgw/brbg.html

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Peter, That is a good looking fly you posted on ABPF. I wish more people would post flies on ABPF. Reading a description of a fly just doesn’t cut it. I think the streamer tied on a short shanked hook has a better "look" and it probably would have better action. What do you use for eyes? Willi

They’re on a peel and stick sheet.  I cover them with flex cement afterward or they’d just drop off. Peter

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: That is a good looking fly you posted on ABPF. I wish more people would : post flies on ABPF. Reading a description of a fly just doesn’t cut it. Many, maybe even most, of us don’t get ABPF…

So ask your university sysop to add it. ‘Tain’t no big thang… /daytripper

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Many, maybe even most, of us don’t get ABPF… So ask your university sysop to add it. ‘Tain’t no big thang…

Spoken like a man who’s never been a university sysop. — Ken Fortenberry- never got ABPF

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Many, maybe even most, of us don’t get ABPF… So ask your university sysop to add it. ‘Tain’t no big thang… Spoken like a man who’s never been a university sysop.

Well, true, I was never a sysop in college, and my college days preceded Usenet anyway (360/20 programmer "back in the days" when real computers ran on air)… But the "no big thang" was referring to the *asking*. As we both know the actual *doing* is trivial…even for a university sysop. /daytripper (Even those that call central Illinois "Home" ;^)

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Well, true, I was never a sysop in college, and my college days preceded Usenet anyway (360/20 programmer "back in the days" when real computers ran on air)…

Ah yes, those were the days. We had one of the few 360/44’s, kind of a RISC precursor I suppose, without the complete instruction set so math operations were faster. We had a 1620 prior to that and a ‘hands on’ 1130 w/8K RAM<g. — Charlie…

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http://www.ezflyfish.com/perstreamfly.html

Do most of you who post pics of flies use digital cameras?  If so, do they have built-in macros or did you have to do something else to get close-up shots? Mu

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http://www.ezflyfish.com/perstreamfly.html Do most of you who post pics of flies use digital cameras?  If so, do they have built-in macros or did you have to do something else to get close-up shots?

"long"? I use an Oly C2020Z which has built-in macro capability. However, I usually top the lens off with a macro multiplier (I have a 2X and a 4X) to really fill the frame and make the most of the CCD (rather than crop down the shot and lose pixels). I think I can speak for "Vern" and Paul G wrt your questions: they both shoot using C2020Z’s , but I’m pretty sure they haven’t bought the macro multipliers yet. My matched brace of Nikkormats, an F5, and a Minolta (all SLRs) are all feeling very lonely and neglected these days… /daytripper ("Totally Digital"  ;^)

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http://www.ezflyfish.com/perstreamfly.html Do most of you who post pics of flies use digital cameras?  If so, do they have built-in macros or did you have to do something else to get close-up shots? Mu

I just stick ‘em in my scanner, squish the buggers then crop ‘em. Looks like hell but people know they’re flies. Peter the always helpful

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Olympus 2020, does macros just fine without any add on’s Vern – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – http://www.ezflyfish.com/perstreamfly.html Do most of you who post pics of flies use digital cameras?  If so, do they have built-in macros or did you have to do something else to get close-up shots? Mu

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http://www.ezflyfish.com/perstreamfly.html Do most of you who post pics of flies use digital cameras?  If so, do they have built-in macros or did you have to do something else to get close-up shots? Mu

Mu, while I haven’t taken any photos of flies yet, I have taken a ton of pics of small desert flowers.   Some of them will fit on a dime with a lot  room left over.  The decision to use macro is a personal one depending on how you want the subject to look.  I can get the lens to within about 1/4 inch without macro.  I advise a tripod for macro and telephoto.   Camera?  Sony Mavica FD-91.  Macro ability plus a bunch more including interchangable lenses and filters. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonyfd91/  Lemme know and I can send some examples. — All fishermen are liars ‘cept you n me, and I’m starting to have doubts about you! www.fishticker.com

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My matched brace of Nikkormats,

        tripper:  what flavor nikkormat do you have?  are you interested in getting shut of one of them? wayno the digital anti-christ

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The mystery has finally been solved – and on the last day of the season.  Anyway  . .

Great report snipped for brevity. Peter, Very interesting info. Some observations from fishing for Lake Trout and Landlocks in a stillwater that mesh with your obsrvations: About thirty five years ago, I spent some time fishing for Lakers and Landlocks in the local reservoir. The hot method at the time was still or drift fishing with large shiners for bait. the predominant forage fish were Smelt and Yellow Perch. I had a number of hits, but very few hookups the first few times out, and often, when I got a hit, the bait would still be on the hook, dazed but alive. I mentioned this to a local guy who had been catching a lot of fish, and he told me it was very important not to set the hook at the strike, but to wait until the fish began to run with the bait. He said that Lakers and Landlocks often made a pass  and struck a baitfish, and then turned and picked it up. Once I started following his advice I began taking Lakers in the four to six pound range, and Landlocks in the two to four pound range regularly. Seems to be quite similar to your experience with the Browns. Funny thing is that I have also caught Lakers and Landlocks using streamers in the river that drains the reservoir, (they escape over the spillway in high water), and they don’t exhibit the same behavior there. They just grab the streamer and turn. Go figure.{:-) 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"

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The mystery has finally been solved – and on the last day of the season.  Anyway  . . Last week I post up some stuff about streamer fishing for browns on the Grand and having something like 50 hits and only landing about half-a-dozen.  I had been using a green ghost which is a bit perch-like and perch have been getting washed through the dam into the river during high water periods.  So I tied up two perch flies, one based on a 1/0 Rangley hook (I posted the recipe here and on ROFFT and the image on ABPF), the other on a 4X #6 Diiachi.  The 1/0 used float foam to give it some buoyancy while the other had a small strip of lead added. To try and bring some order to the process, I decided to track all happenings over one hour starting at 2:30 pm.  I had decided to use the #6 for half an hour and then the 1/0 but events overtook that plan. At the access point, a small island divides the channel creating a smallish pool and seam on the south side and a chute emptying into a larger, slower pool on the north side.  Everyone tromps through the southside pool so I never expect much there; one fish at best.  Right at the water’s edge, I begin fishing the #6, casting directly across current and stripping back in a "U".  Within ten minutes I have six hits and three landed – but here’s where the interesting shit happens. One fish has taken the #6 perch directly from the rear and hooked up mid lower jaw.  The other two were foul hooked in the face above the upper jaw.  The direction of the hookup indicates that they turned on the fly and hit it broadside while facing downstream.  They were hooked up on the far side of their face, indicating that they had aimed for the head of the fly.  It all made sense.  Perch are a spiny rayed fish so trout must have ingrained behaviour to aim for the head so that they can swallow head first and smooth down the dorsal spines. This explains why I had so many misses and lost fish last week. Here’s all the poop: Recorded results for one hour. Presentation was directly across stream with a "U" retrieve and a 3" to 4" strip.  (a slower presentation than last week – 12" strip) Total casts – 100 to 120 Total hits – 21 Total hooked – 12 Total landed – 9 Total lost -3 Total foul hooked – 5 (4 in the face and 1 behind the head) Average size of fish – 9" Results by fly:         # 6  Perch – 6 hits, 3 hooked, 3 landed, 2 foul hooked         1/0 Perch – 5 hits, 0 hooked, 0 landed, 0 foul hooked         #6 g. ghost – 10 hits, 9 hooked, 6 landed, 3 foul hooked In deeper, faster water, 2 browns took the fly broadside while facing downstream and one took from the rear.  In shallower, slower water 5 of the 6 browns landed took the fly broadside facing upstream (the 6th faced down.)   After I brought my third fish to hand, I dropped it and grabbed the tippet.  The knot parted and away swam my only #6 perch.  I tied on the 1/0 and tried my luck in the slower northside pool but 5 hits only.  Crossing back to the south side of the island, I began working the tailout down about 200 yards to the end of Cedar Run with what was left of my Green Ghost.  After the end of the hour, I picked up one more small one and then hooked and landed a nice 15" brown. Unfortunately, it was also fouled; this time under the jaw.  After the 15" fish, I changed presentation to a classsic quartering downstream approach and did not get a single hit.   After changing back, I landed another small one.  After a meal break, I picked up one 16" brown on a joe’s smelt.  Once I got back on the water I tried a black nosed dace (one of Charlie’s) and a joe’s smelt to see if the browns would hit them differently.  These being representations of soft rayed fish and having obvious strike zones with their red tails, I was curious if they performed better,  Total was 6 hits, 4 hookups, 1 landed (the 16" one.)  Not really enough action to draw any conclusions. Results on first misses: – Mindful of Mike’s advice, I tried to remember to drop in some slack after a miss.  I had no results on the 1/0 despite one solid hit from a larger fish.  On the green ghost, I had one persistant small guy whack it three times in succession without a hookup and missed another small one on the second hit.  The 16" was classic.  He hit and missed, I dropped the smelt.  he did nothing, then I made one strip and he nailed it directly from the rear.  I hooked him up mid lower jaw. There’s no doubt in my mind that these browns were headhunting the perch flies.  From now on, I’ll be tying my perch flies on short shanked, heavy wire hooks (like a Mustad 3906B) or on sedge hooks that have a small, straight shank.  Too bad I won’t get to try them on the browns to the end of April 2001.  I’ll tie some up tomorrow afternoon and post a binary on ABPF. Cheers Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

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addendum: Some conclusion now that I’ve had some more time to digest the results and read other peoples’ comments. The method of attack for a brown is variable and they choose their method based on prey species and relative size (them vs. the prey.) and other variables like temperature, water clarity, etc. Some conculsions: When I fish my mini streamers, I have a 40% to 50% hookup rate of which I probably land 4 out of 5.  Foul hookups are very rare and the majority of hookups are mid lower jaw with a few mid upper jaw. Corner of jaw hookups are rare.  This indicates that the browns are tail chasing the streamer and taking it on the first hit.  The missed strikes can be attributed to short takes on the fast moving, tiny streamer. A few weeks back, I foul hooked another 15" brown under the jaw when using a #4 streamer.  The pattern seems to be – small fish take from below, probably looking for a gill shot, whil the larger fish seem to take from slightly above, probably turning into the prey at the head. Not all fish are looking for a disabling shot, in the Attack-Maime-Return mode as some seem to have hookups that appear to come from an attempt to seize the prey.  If they are in the mood to strike and drop, then it’s important to have a spongy, neutral buoyant fly with a small hook to avoid jaw to steel contact.  The Sedge Hook Perch should fit this bill.  The white calftail belly and red gill slash will form a target for the smaller fish. The large head and eyes work for the larger ones.  Since the sedge hook is small and light, and the bulk of the fly is made up of semi-buoyant hair, it should react well when tension is released after a strike.   Liberal use of flex cement over the front of the fly will also aid buoyancy and provide a spongy feel to the attacking fish.  Once released, the fly should drift more naturally than a weighted or big hook fly.  As most of the profile of the fly is simply hair, then it should also move more naturally than a stiff, long shanked fly. Since my season is now closed, maybe somebody else could give this fly a shot. (off to buy some vino for SWMBO and some olive calftail so I can complete the prototype.) Peter Peter

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -What a great discussion….and some people wonder why we come here! This whole streamer thing has been puzzling me for years. Getting hits versus hookups,etc. There have been some great observations in this discussion. My feeble brain is spinning. perhaps it would be worthwhile tying up some "reversed" streamers, That is to say, streamers with the heads at the bend of the hook. How would such a streamer be fished such that the drift would look right? Angle of pull from rod would seem to give it a tailward oriented motion. There are some designs that put the hook much closer to the head of the streamer. Gartside does it with his marabou soft hackles, others as well use shorter shank hooks with streamer materials extending far past bend. This could be done, I suppose, as long as the materials don’t foul around the gape of hook. I may be trying a few ideas out as we head into the fall season here in PA and post if any intelligent thought or observation arise. Thanks again for the discussion!                            Tom Littleton

Tom Here’s the perch fly I’m planning for next year.  It can be done in any colours for any bait fish – I bet a baby brown would be perfect for PA. Sedge Hook Perch Hook – Kamasan # 8 Sedge or similar Thread – 3/0 Olive Uni-thread Tinsel – gold Flashaboo Belly – white calftail Throat – red Uni-floss Underwing – chartreuse bucktail Wing – Olive calftail Overwing – three strands of thick peacock herl Eyes – stick-on black on gold Tying instructions: All of the material will be tied on the short, straight section of the sedge hook shank.  Tie on a bed of thread.  Do not worry about building up too much bulk as we want a big head.  Tie in three strands of flashaboo doubled and trimmed to length.  Wrap thread over flashaboo to the end of the shank.  Invert hook and tie in the white calftail as a belly.  I’m using calftail instead of bucktail as it’s bulkier and stiffer, producing the deep perch profile.  Then wrap in the red floss at the rear of the shank over the calftail to a width of about 1/8".  This represents a gill flare on a frightened fish.  Then in turn, wrap in the bucktail close to the eye and the length of the shank, followed by the olive calftail then the herl.  Build up the head with thread the full length of the shank and stick on the eyes. Leave about 1/16" of the red floss showing at the back.  Then coat liberally with head cement at least to 1/8" beyond the head. Later on today when I get finished of the chores, (SWMBO is a slave driver)  I’ll tie up one and post it to ABPF. Peter

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What a great discussion….and some people wonder why we come here! This whole streamer thing has been puzzling me for years. Getting hits versus hookups,etc. There have been some great observations in this discussion. My feeble brain is spinning. perhaps it would be worthwhile tying up some "reversed" streamers, That is to say, streamers with the heads at the bend of the hook.

How would such a streamer be fished such that the drift would look right? Angle of pull from rod would seem to give it a tailward oriented motion. There are some designs that put the hook much closer to the head of the streamer. Gartside does it with his marabou soft hackles, others as well use shorter shank hooks with streamer materials extending far past bend. This could be done, I suppose, as long as the materials don’t foul around the gape of hook. I may be trying a few ideas out as we head into the fall season here in PA and post if any intelligent thought or observation arise. Thanks again for the discussion!                             Tom Littleton

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Great report. Thanks for the info.  Seems it could be a combination of things. Trout taking spiny rayed fish head first, and the "attack maim and wait, and then hit again" behaviour we already discussed. Bullheads are also "spiny rayed", and I already explained the behaviour of trout, in my experience,  in this case.   I assume that my original idea was correct, and the trout attack the fish to damage it, and then come back to take the fish head first,  Seems very reasonable. Just a daft idea, but perhaps it would be worthwhile tying up some "reversed" streamers, That is to say, streamers with the heads at the bend of the hook. This practice is common with lightweight pirks, they are fished "the wrong way round", the fish take on the drop, as the pirk is apparently diving head first for the bottom. I have no idea how this might sensibly be realised, but I will have a think about it. My running water season is finished for this year, so I will not have a chance to try any of this for a while, But very interesting, and food for thought. TL MC — "If you have tried everything you know, and nothing works, then perhaps it is time to accept that you don

Question:

         I am just starting to learn how to fly fish.  I am currently using my friends equipment.  As I was looking around for my own equipment,  I quickly realized it is not very cheap.  If any one has any older equipment sitting around collecting dust,  I would appreciate it if you would either sell it to me very cheap or give me it to me please. I would be more than happy to pay for all shipping costs.  Please E-mail for my address. Thank you  Scott    

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        I am just starting to learn how to fly fish.  I am currently using my friends equipment.  As I was looking around for my own equipment,  I quickly realized it is not very cheap.  If any one has any older equipment sitting around collecting dust,  I would appreciate it if you would either sell it to me very cheap or give me it to me please. I would be more than happy to pay for all shipping costs.  Please E-mail for my address. Thank you Scott    

Wait till the clave is over.  There are likely going to be a number of multi-piece rods (formerly two piece) that will be on the market – real cheap. Cheers Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

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         I am just starting to learn how to fly fish.  I am currently using my friends equipment.  As I was looking around for my own equipment,  I quickly realized it is not very cheap.  If any one has any older equipment sitting around collecting dust,  I would appreciate it if you would either sell it to me very cheap or give me it to me please. I would be more than happy to pay for all shipping costs.  Please E-mail for my address.

Get a Cabela’s catalog. If you can’t afford their stuff you need to find another hobby, — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

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Get a Cabela’s catalog. If you can’t afford their stuff you need to find another hobby,

Good advice.  You would do that by going to http://www.cabelas.com  You should be able to get started for less than $100, and it’s not bad stuff.  You might try e-bay too.  I’m sure there’s used stuff out there, but it’s hard to find. — Levi "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

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Good advice.  You would do that by going to http://www.cabelas.com  You should be able to get started for less than $100, and it’s not bad stuff.  You might try e-bay too.  I’m sure there’s used stuff out there, but it’s hard to find.

Hard to find?  Nah, there are 272 fly rods for sale on ebay right now.  This one’s about to end, $13.50. http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320507767 Regards, Jeff

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         I am just starting to learn how to fly fish.  I am currently using my friends equipment.  As I was looking around for my own equipment,  I quickly realized it is not very cheap.  If any one has any older equipment sitting around collecting dust,  I would appreciate it if you would either sell it to me very cheap or give me it to me please. I would be more than happy to pay for all shipping costs.  Please E-mail for my address.

I started out with a Martin outfit from Wal-Mart a few years ago.  It wasn’t the best, but for just starting out for something like $35.00 you get a 3 piece rod, a reel with backing, and fly line.  You have to buy some leaders and your flies to start, but what the hell for under 50 bucks you can be fly fishing.  Every couple of years I up date and get a new rod and reel set up…come to think about I feel I’m due again  Problem is It seems to keep getting more and more expensive… I just seen a nice 4 weight split bamboo rod at the shop selling for $500 and the reel was around $250….I don’t think the wife will go for this set up though.  I guess I’ll dream for just a little long for now…. anyone have the winning numbers for tonight’s lottery ahead of time? –Randy

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Question:

Actually – As of today April 9, 2000 2 p.m. the air temperature in La Paz was 89 degrees at the Marina Palmira where they keep records on air and water temps in La Paz. Water temps outside were up to 77 degrees You’re correct that mid 80’s are good . . . if you’re fishing for striped marlin (actually from 72 to 85 is good), but tuna, yellowtail and dorado are found in a wider range of temps. So what? Quit nit picking and trying to prove just how wrong everyone else is. Why don’t you spend a little more time outside of Kansas? Come on let’s go to La Paz fish the area and file a first hand report! BTW – The East Cape report you referred to showed 626 dorado, 41 stripers, and 3 tuna, pretty much the same as I reported except they don’t report on La Paz. — BTB – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Try Baja!  - Catch Report La Paz/So. Cerralvo Is.

Question:

I will be going to a family reunion in Northern Wisconsin next summer and I would like to do a little flyfishing while I’m there.  I’m new to flyfishing and have only fished in Colorado.  I will be North of Green Bay on the Oconto River.  Does anybody know what type of fly is good in June/July time frame?  I will be taking my tying equipment but would like to know so I can tie up some flies before I drive to grandma’s house. I’m also interested in fishing for walleye and pike or anything else that swims!!!!!  Any advice would be welcomed.  You can either post Thanks, Rik Meyers Colorado Springs, CO

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I will be going to a family reunion in Northern Wisconsin next summer and I would like to do a little flyfishing while I’m there.

The two web sites I find most accurate and useful for WI trout: http://home.dwave.net/~patrick/ http://www.vbe.com/~heusers/ff_wi/streams/whereto.htm Hope this helps. — Ken Fortenberry

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Question:

Thanks. I’d love to go there, maybe next year! Miikeh – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Very Nice,         maybe some day I will see my local waters (On your site)   like Hat creek or the Pit River.

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If anyone is intersted, I have a new fly fishing site.  It’s nothing fancy, but I would appreciate any input or suggestions.  It has lots of pictures of streams I fish near my home in Minneapolis and other streams out west.  I also will be posting the current stream conditions for spots as I fish ‘em. http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/mmhodg/ Thanks. MikeH

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Very Nice,          maybe some day I will see my local waters (On your site)    like Hat creek or the Pit River.

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Question:

Someone posted a really nice list of web sites for flyfishing within the last week, but I inadvertantly deleted it.  Could you be so kind as to re-post it?

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Try http://www.eaglenet.com/PaxP/mstrs/fishing.html

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Question:

Quick suggestions needed!   I have an avid FF friend with a mid-January birthday. I know he currently doesn’t subscribe to any FF magazines, so I’d like to get him a subscription to one.  I’ve seen 3 or 4 different FF magizines in popular bookstores. Any one of these magazines recognized as the clear leader?  Which magazine would you suggest?                                                - Ken –

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I have an avid FF friend with a mid-January birthday. I know he currently doesn’t subscribe to any FF magazines, so I’d like to get him a subscription to one.  I’ve seen 3 or 4 different FF magizines in popular bookstores.

Flyfisherman has been aroung a long time. It has become extremely commercialized and retail oriented over the years (or I have gotten more cynical about the business end of this "hobby") but may be good reading for anyone new to the sport. Another Mag with a provocative conservation slant (and equally commercial) is Fly Rod and Reel.  This would be a good choice for the fishing activist. If your friend lives towards the West Coast, "Flyfishing" would be a wise choice. It too has some hard hitting consevation type articles and a orientation towards the West Coast Fisheries.  If your friend is a fly tyer the "American Angler"  (formerly The American Fly Tyer") might be a worth considering.  All in all, I wouldn’t consider one a clear cut winner over the other, just they are all different. Good Luck on your selection Mark Powers Boston

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: Any one of these magazines recognized as the clear leader?  Which : magazine would you suggest? I am acquainted with "Flyfisherman", "Flyfishing" and "The River Journal" I thoroughly enjoy Flyfisherman. It is an excellent magazine, very well done, with articles for the beginner (like myself) and the advanced fly fisherperson. It covers trout, salmon and salt water. Not much on other species as I remember. It has a very nice mix of articles on technique, fly tying and where to go. I subscribed to Flyfishing magazine but did not renew my subscription. Its coverage was quite similar to Flyfisherman, but I thought its editorial quality was rather poor. Some articles were riddled with misspellings, etc. In this day of electronic publishing there is no excuse for this. Both Flyfishing and The River Journal are done by Frank Amato publications. The River Journal, compared to Flyfishing, is very high quality. It is published four times per year. Each issue is written by a single author, and is devoted to a single river. It describes in some detail what the river is like, access, the fishing, the area around the river. It gives quite a good feel for what to expect when you actually go there. My recommendation would be for Flyfisherman.                                                         — al — |    UNISYS – Open System Products      Phone:  612-635-7240            | |    Roseville,MN                       FAX:    612-635-3899            |

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        I think the year end blitz of junk-mail is attributable to the postal rate increase, more than anything else.  Actually, junk-mail mailings occur throughout the year – and I’ll bet that a number of companies decided to move up their mailing schedule to save some money.         As for lists – it has long been established practice for magazines to sell lists of their subscribers’ names and addresses (I think the going rate nowadays is about 8 cents per name).  They also buy their competition’s lists (finding new subscribers is difficult!).  If you’re starting a new business, it is one way to inexpensively target a niche market).  I’m not sure anything can be done about it from the recipient’s end – stop subscribing?  Stop buying?  But I do like the idea of changing your name slightly each time.  Oh, and I NEVER give out demographic information (except to the IRS). Cheers, – Jeff

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   I think the year end blitz of junk-mail is attributable to the postal rate increase, more than anything else.  Actually, junk-mail mailings occur throughout the year – and I’ll bet that a number of companies decided to move up their mailing schedule to save some money.

Junk mail is a part of our culture.  Like it or not! I think I would rather live in a country effluent enough to support a healthy junk mail industry.   I don’t believe I said that?  :-) Effuent enough and doing it are two differant things.  MO is an important way of doing business.  Many things I own are not available in stores within a couple hundred miles. If available at all. George

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[omissions] I think I would rather live in a country effluent enough to support a healthy junk mail industry.   I don’t believe I said that?  :-) Effuent enough and doing it are two differant things.  MO is an important way of doing business.  Many things I own are not available in stores within a couple hundred miles. If available at all.

I wouldn’t like to suggest you folks are river-fixated or anything, but the term is "affluent." "Effluent" is "to flow out" or "something that flows out," as an outflowing branch of a main stream, or waste material, as smoke or sewage. "Affluent" also means "to flow abundantly," but has the additional meaning of "abundance of property." — Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Disclaimer: Over 30 and born in Fredericton, NB

Response:

I’ve given my address out to that had anything to do with flyfishing except one place.  A few weeks ago someone was offering a free catalog or something here.  I sent my email address and so far haven’t seen anything but I’m wondering if that was just a scam to sell a mailing list.  Has anyone else here all of a sudden started getting flyfishing related mail?

To who ever wrote the above: That was not a scam!  Your request is sitting in this office about 8 feet from the computer in a pile waiting to see how many respond to publish a free news letter.   Your name will not be sold or given away to anyone.   I will tell you an old trick I have been doing for years.  Key to replies. Advertisers key their ads.  Why not key your replies. Several years ago I send in a warranty card, you know the type, the ones who ask a lot of questions about your demographics.   Well I told them I was makeing over $200000 a year.   Hell you would have thought I was having a paper drive in my front yard.  I bought a Coleman stove.  Everybody flooded me and still are.  Two churches wanted me to join.  Funny thing, they wrote be a letter with my middle name as C.   C. for Colman.  :-) Did you folks by something for Christmas fishing related and sent in a warranty card? Not a scam, George – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Paul DiConza NY Capital District Angler

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve given my address out to that had anything to do with flyfishing except one place.  A few weeks ago someone was offering a free catalog or something here.  I sent my email address and so far haven’t seen anything but I’m wondering if that was just a scam to sell a mailing list.  Has anyone else here all of a sudden started getting flyfishing related mail? To who ever wrote the above: That was not a scam!  Your request is sitting in this office about 8 feet from the computer in a pile waiting to see how many respond to publish a free news letter.   Your name will not be sold or given away to anyone.   I will tell you an old trick I have been doing for years.  Key to replies. Advertisers key their ads.  Why not key your replies. Several years ago I send in a warranty card, you know the type, the ones who ask a lot of questions about your demographics.   Well I told them I was makeing over $200000 a year.   Hell you would have thought I was having a paper drive in my front yard.  I bought a Coleman stove.  Everybody flooded me and still are.  Two churches wanted me to join.  Funny thing, they wrote be a letter with my middle name as C.   C. for Colman.  :-) Did you folks by something for Christmas fishing related and sent in a warranty card? Not a scam, George

Well very interesting.  I checked my list of everyone who sent in a request and non of you folks are on my list.   So god knows what happened to the names you sent to whomever.   Anyway if any of you want a free newsletter.  Send in you name and address for postal delivery.  That the only way we can send it out to you.   Some of the sponsors want to send free samples so can’t do it electronically.  It would be like Pizza Hut faxing you your pizza.  :-)  The technology is just not here yet.   For be it from me to turn down a box of hooks or what every. Later, George,

Response:

…. If your friend lives towards the West Coast, "Flyfishing" would be a wise choice.

Another interesting publication is "California Fly Fisher."  Although the editorial slant is California fishing and fisheries, it also has a number of general interest articles, and the writing so far has consistantly been of high quality.  If interested, you might give them a call at 415-284-0313.  I don’t know if they send out sample copies, but its worth a try. Cheers, – Jeff

Response:

Make no mistake, folks: Mailing lists are hot items out there. In the course of starting up 8-Wt Journal, obviously we had to compile a mailing list (especially after offering free sample issues through the net here). I’ve got about ten years in the publishing business behind me, but even I was surprised at how, when I contacted other flyfishing publications regarding reviews, space ads and so forth, at how most wanted copies of our list. Having been subjected to mail list abuse myself in the past, we declined all offers (and intend to continue this practice). But for many operators of all stripes–from tackle and fly shops who just have a local mailing list to big-name equipment makers, selling mail/customer lists is considered just one more revenue enhancer. JL 8-Wt Editor

Response:

Coincidently, I just got the sales pitch letter for a subscription to Fly Rod & Reel this morning in the mail.  I had never seen the magazine before.  Coincidently, I got a "free-trial subscription" letter from Flyfisherman and "American Angler" a couple of days before.  I also got a catalog for JW Outfitters. It’s been a few months since I put my name on a mailing list at the local fly shop and I can’t think of any place else that I’ve given my address out to that had anything to do with flyfishing except one place.  A few weeks ago someone was offering a free catalog or something here.  I sent my email address and so far haven’t seen anything but I’m wondering if that was just a scam to sell a mailing list.  Has anyone else here all of a sudden started getting flyfishing related mail?

Yeah, all at the same time from American Angler, Flyfisherman, and Fly Rod & Reel.  I’m on a number of lists, though, since I have recently bought stuff from Orvis, The Bass Pond, and Cabela’s.   Just a consumer tip:  I subscribed to American Angler this past year for about 15 bucks.  I found it to be excellent especially for tying tips. Then they wanted me to renew for 20 bucks, but I thought I could do better so I ignored their repeated pleas and let the subscription run out.  Sure enough, on ESPN Outdoors Saturday morning I saw a toll-free number to subscribe to AA for 15 bucks…BUT before I got around to calling, I got all these freebie notices, including one from AA!  So I’ll get a free issue, plus a low rate for the other 5 issues.  With the money I saved, I’m going to buy all of the Paradise Valley spring creeks…  ;) Paul DiConza NY Capital District Angler

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My recommendation would be for Flyfisherman. I second the recommendation, and for a publication with an in-your-face conservation slant, try Fly Rod & Reel.

Coincidently, I just got the sales pitch letter for a subscription to Fly Rod & Reel this morning in the mail.  I had never seen the magazine before.  Coincidently, I got a "free-trial subscription" letter from Flyfisherman and "American Angler" a couple of days before.  I also got a catalog for JW Outfitters.  Before I digress, because I plan to, "American Angler" is also a very good magazine for flyfishing.  For those that tie their own flies I would recommend it highly over Flyfisherman.  This topic has come up many times before and I’ve always highly recommended "California FlyFisher".  Everytime I do I get email asking for the subscription address, so here it is: California FlyFisher PO Box 40429 San Francisco, CA 94140 (415) 284-0313 Back to my digression.  It’s been a few months since I put my name on a mailing list at the local fly shop and I can’t think of any place else that I’ve given my address out to that had anything to do with flyfishing except one place.  A few weeks ago someone was offering a free catalog or something here.  I sent my email address and so far haven’t seen anything but I’m wondering if that was just a scam to sell a mailing list.  Has anyone else here all of a sudden started getting flyfishing related mail? — John Fereira "Guru of Miscellany" Pleasanton, CA "Ask me about my vow of silence."

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…deleted material…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Coincidently, I just got the sales pitch letter for a subscription to Fly Rod & Reel this morning in the mail.  I had never seen the magazine before.  Coincidently, I got a "free-trial subscription" letter from Flyfisherman and "American Angler" a couple of days before.  I also got a catalog for JW Outfitters. …deleted material…. ….  It’s been a few months since I put my name on a mailing list at the local fly shop and I can’t think of any place else that I’ve given my address out to that had anything to do with flyfishing except one place.  A few weeks ago someone was offering a free catalog or something here.  I sent my email address and so far haven’t seen anything but I’m wondering if that was just a scam to sell a mailing list.  Has anyone else here all of a sudden started getting flyfishing related mail? — John Fereira "Guru of Miscellany" Pleasanton, CA "Ask me about my vow of silence."

I also recently received all "Free trial subscription" offers from the above three fly fishing publications. (less the California one).  And I also sent my address in on the catalog/free issue offer on the list… hmmmm…… Provo, Utah

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: Any one of these magazines recognized as the clear leader?  Which : magazine would you suggest? I subscribed to Flyfishing magazine but did not renew my subscription. Its coverage was quite similar to Flyfisherman, but I thought its editorial quality was rather poor. Some articles were riddled with misspellings, etc. In this day of electronic publishing there is no excuse for this.

I bought the latest issue of Flyfishing because, frankly, it had a fish on the cover. I was extremely disappointed with the content. I found it to be flagrantly self-promoting (of Frank Amato publications), spelling and grammar errors galore, and the ad for "The Miracle of the Eucharist" or whatever in the midst of ad copy for fishing literature annoyingly incongruent. My recommendation would be for Flyfisherman.

I second the recommendation, and for a publication with an in-your-face conservation slant, try Fly Rod & Reel.                                                         — al — |    UNISYS – Open System Products Phone:  612-635-7240            | |    Roseville,MN                  FAX:    612-635-3899            |

– Dave Ridge Storage Technology Corp

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Question:

I am an avid flyfisherman, both streams and lakes (mostly lakes). I am 17 years old and try to go fishing as much as possible.  What I wanted to know is if there are any decent dry damselfly patterns out there.  I have seen a few with extended deer hair bodies, polypropylene wings, and parachute hackles, but I also wanted to know if there where any other patterns for this insect.  I have not yet seen any dry dragonfly patterns, so I want to know about them as well.  Although I personally don’t prefer dry fly fishing on stillwaters but, it can be very succesful at times. Scott Laliberte . —    ___       __  ____    ___  /    (__/ /    /   /      |  Student of Computing Science, SFU

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am an avid flyfisherman, both streams and lakes (mostly lakes). I am 17 years old and try to go fishing as much as possible.  What I wanted to know is if there are any decent dry damselfly patterns out there.  I have seen a few with extended deer hair bodies, polypropylene wings, and parachute hackles, but I also wanted to know if there where any other patterns for this insect.  I have not yet seen any dry dragonfly patterns, so I want to know about them as well.  Although I personally don’t prefer dry fly fishing on stillwaters but, it can be very succesful at times. Scott Laliberte . —    ___       __  ____    ___  /    (__/ /    /   /      |  Student of Computing Science, SFU

I’ve been told that the reason for the lack of dragon fly dry imitations is because the fish only take them in mid flight, not sitting on the water (when is the last time you saw a dragon sitting on the water?).  With damsels, I tie an extended deer hair parachute adams in both blue (for the female) and tan (for the male), and have gotten limited success.  My most interesting catch was when a natural mounted my dry and tried to copulate with it in mid cast!  I’ve had my best luck fishing waters laden with damsels using a yellow marabou nymph.  Basically, it looks like a long AP, but tied with palmered marabou for a body instead of dubbing.  Good luck. . Lenny Bloksberg . .

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Philippe Laliberte) writes: any dry damsel patterns?

Look in the book "Tying Dry Flies"  by R. Kaufmann. Has a  "braided butt damsel" using braided leader butt for the extended body. These flies are also available in the Kaufmann catalog. I have an example of this fly in front of me now and it is a fine rendition. After hatching, adult damsels are often blown onto the water where the trout feast on them.

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I am an avid flyfisherman, both streams and lakes (mostly lakes). I am 17 years old and try to go fishing as much as possible.  What I wanted to know is if there are any decent dry damselfly patterns out there.  I have seen a few with extended deer hair bodies, polypropylene wings, and parachute hackles, but I also wanted to know if there where any other patterns for this insect.  I have not yet seen any dry dragonfly patterns, so I want to know about them as well.  Although I personally don’t prefer dry fly fishing on stillwaters but, it can be very succesful at times.

  The best pattern I’ve found is the Borger damsel which has a body made of braided leader material which you dye with pantone markers (blue or brown & black).  Tie this on the hook then tie on a post of crystal flash (blue or brown) then wind a big grizzly hackle on this post papachute style.  Now dub on a short body and eyes if you want them then pull the hackle to the back so it splays 180 deg. in the rear, pull down the post and tie it off like a nymph wing case.     You can’t tell this thing from a real bug on the water and I’ve had males try and mate with my blue imitations.   Tim

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Philippe Laliberte) writes:

<I am an avid flyfisherman, both streams and lakes (mostly lakes). I am 17 years old and try to go fishing as much as possible.  What I wanted to know is if there are any decent dry damselfly patterns out there. Curtis: Have been fly fishing for trout and bass for 20 years. I think I’ve seen some big fish hit damselfly nymphs, but cannot confirm it. I know I have never observed a big fish rise for a damselfly dry. I’ve tied several different patterns myself and have copied Dave Whitlock and R. Kaufmann patterns without success. Personally, I think it is a waste of time to focus on damselfly dry patterns. If anyone disagrees, please let me know. I’d appreciate insights based on observations. Thanks…Bob Elliott. Rochester, NY

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Last summer I landed 2 22"+ trout on adult damsels and hooked 2 other fish that easily went 26" on them too,  loosing one when my reel fell apart after all my line and 1/2 my backing was gone.  Big fish gulp damsels at the right time and they do work. Tim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Curtis: Have been fly fishing for trout and bass for 20 years. I think I’ve seen some big fish hit damselfly nymphs, but cannot confirm it. I know I have never observed a big fish rise for a damselfly dry. I’ve tied several different patterns myself and have copied Dave Whitlock and R. Kaufmann patterns without success. Personally, I think it is a waste of time to focus on damselfly dry patterns. If anyone disagrees, please let me know. I’d appreciate insights based on observations. Thanks…Bob Elliott. Rochester, NY

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Curtis: Have been fly fishing for trout and bass for 20 years. I think I’ve seen some big fish hit damselfly nymphs, but cannot confirm it. I know I have never observed a big fish rise for a damselfly dry. I’ve tied several different patterns myself and have copied Dave Whitlock and R. Kaufmann patterns without success. Personally, I think it is a waste of time to focus on damselfly dry patterns. If anyone disagrees, please let me know. I’d appreciate insights based on observations. Thanks…Bob Elliott. Rochester, NY

Bob, I have seen fish jump out of the water a good foot for a damselfly sitting on some grass.   This happened at a lake near Cody Wyoming.  These trout would swim all around you in about 1 to 3 ft. of water.  They would sit and eye the damselfly for a second or two and then spring out of the water for the insect.  It was really quite interesting watching this fish do this and of course I did not have any damselfly patterns with me. Tim Trujillo

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What I wanted to know is if there are any decent dry damselfly patterns out there. Curtis: Have been fly fishing for trout and bass for 20 years. I think I’ve seen some big fish hit damselfly nymphs, but cannot confirm it. I know I have

I cannot compete with you regarding years fished, but I have to disagree. patterns without success. Personally, I think it is a waste of time to focus on damselfly dry patterns. If anyone disagrees, please let me know. I’d appreciate insights based on observations. Thanks…Bob Elliott.

If you would go to any Western lake in British Columbia or Alberta, damselflies are your "bread and butter" flies.  Especially on trophy lakes in BC.  Many of times, especially on widy days that’s the only fly the big trout (20" plus) will take.  It’s quite nice watching these about 1 inch long, slender creatures wiggle and struggle on their journey just to be taken with a VERY AGGRESSIVE splash. Not too complicated to tie, one of the best patterns is from G. Borger’s Designing Trout Flies.  The only modification I’ve made is that I’m using seal in a dubbing loop instead of recommended hackle.  Of course, the fly has to have an action, so tying it on a dry fly hook is better than nymph hook (the new Accupoint from Mustad is just great!).  Fish it just on or couple inches below the surface with jerky, short strips. Respectfully J.K.

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