Question:

Wow, I just had a great time fishing in front of the school on the Lielupe River! Thanks to you guys here on ROFF (whatever that is..). I was headed home after work, glanced over at the usually rather full fishing spot, and not one local was there, probably because of the overcast skies and promise of rain. The space with the clear zone for a backcast was wide open, and as I stood there thinking about it, 2 big old rises appeared <right there.  Easy decision: tossed the briefcase in the car, peeled off the shoes and socks, stepped into my mudboots, and assembled the 4-weight. Strolled over to the bank and watched for a minute. The skeeters were there, but so were these tiny little black flying things and the perch were rising for them all over. Not the big thrashing rises from the other day, but some respectable rises nontheless. And lots of them. I tied on a 6x tippet, gave myself about 1 meter of lead, and looked at my flycase. I recently bought a nice old Soviet cigarette case at a junk shop and lined it with foam as a nymph case for my 4-wt, and saw a fly that looked interesting. Its a type of caterpillar, I think, with a palmered hackle around a yellow-orange body on a #12(?) hook. Looks like a wolly bugger without a tail. I was thinking about what Mike said about colors, and how Perch nip at the tails and to use a wolly with a short tail, so I tied this on. Also, the water is getting shallow, and this fly can float if you lay it out gently, so I figured it would work for presentation practice, too. First cast was short and easy, as someone suggested here. Then I gradually stretched out my false casts farther and farther, thinking ‘back and UP’, and as someone else suggested, watching over my shoulder for the line to straighten. It was a LONG wait…the line would do a sort of ‘double tug’ at the end of my backcast: once when the tailing loop of the backcast would hit the far end, then again when the entire line was laid out up there. Dunno how the line can defy gravity for so long waiting to stretch out taut, but it does. Then, I swept it forward firmly and sharply, pointing it like a sword (as someone else suggested), and was amazed at how my casts were straight, long, and perfectly presented. First cast, fish on! Of course, it was some little 6-inch thing, but hey!, it was just what I wanted. I brought it in with the line, not bothering to spool up the reel, and let it go with my heartfelt thanks. Then I cast out again, watching the line behind me and waiting forever for the backcast to load up. The forward cast and watching the fly stay ‘above the line’ as Jarmo suggested made total sense, and it felt just right. Second cast, fish on! Too cool! This guy was a bit bigger (6.1 inches, probably), but I got that feeling that it was working just like it was supposed to! All those tiny details were making sense, and it was great. Then the skies opened up and it started to rain. I remembered the thread about how fish seem to bite better at one time or another, and figured the Perch seemed to like to hit just before the skies open up. A few minutes later, when the rain stopped and the sun broke through, there were no rises. As the clouds covered up again, the rises came more and more regularly until just before it rained again. At some point, I decided to experiment with flies as the caterpillar was getting soaked and starting to snag on the muck at the bottom. I took it off and tied on a very tiny yellow thing I have; I think its a #18 yellow Comparadun. Anyway, I was laying it out there exactly where the big rises were and letting it lie there, but no takes. Finally, I decided to head home and started retrieving it slowly. Wham! it got hit and spit out. Wham! it got hit again. Ahhh, so THATS the secret! So I spent the next half hour casting and gently retrieving it, hauling in fish with almost every cast. Great. Of course, these were no great monsters, and I realize that perch are pathetically easy to catch, but at least now I have a baseline to experiment with, and grow from. I know there are some BIG perch in this stretch of water, so I’m ready to start learning how to aim for them. All in all, it was a great way to spend an hour after work, and I was thinking of all the tidbits of advice from folks here about everything, from how to cast, to the effect of cloud cover, to what color and type of fly to use, to knots, to everything. Thanks, guys!! riverman (happy boy)

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Wow, I just had a great time fishing in front of the school on the Lielupe River! Thanks to you guys here on ROFF (whatever that is..).

Congratulations!    Just one point though, catching small perch may seem "pathetically easy" sometimes. The larger ones can be quite a challenge. Even a medium sized perch will give you a good run for your money on a #4 wt. If you only seem to be catching small ones, try fishing a streamer anyway, occasionally, a large perch will be hanging around waiting for one of his smaller brethren to make a mistake. TL MC

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Question:

I intend to spend three weeks in and near the Kamloops, B.C. area in the spring or early summer, 2002 and would appreciate any information that may maximize my fishing success and pleasure. I will probably spend most my time on the lakes, but will want to hit a few of the smaller rivers and streams as well. I plan to take both a pontoon boat and a back-packable float tube. And, I have a sturdy 4 wheel vehicle. I will be living in my travel trailer, which I will probably park in an RV park some of the time, but can live in it in a wilderness environment for up to ten days. Any suggestions as to where to go would be appreciated. Ron Matson

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I intend to spend three weeks in and near the Kamloops, B.C. area in the spring or early summer, 2002 and would appreciate any information that may maximize my fishing success and pleasure. I will probably spend most my time on the lakes, but will want to hit a few of the smaller rivers and streams as well. I plan to take both a pontoon boat and a back-packable float tube. And, I have a sturdy 4 wheel vehicle. I will be living in my travel trailer, which I will probably park in an RV park some of the time, but can live in it in a wilderness environment for up to ten days. Any suggestions as to where to go would be appreciated. Ron Matson

Somebody help me out here, Chan has an excellent book on lake fishing BC.   (CRAFT has struck – can’t remember the book title or his first name.) Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

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  Somebody help me out here, Chan has an excellent book on lake fishing BC.   (CRAFT has struck – can’t remember the book title or his first name.)

Isn’t his name Brian Chan?  I don’t recall the book title. — Warren Findley Remove (nospamZZ) to respond via email http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt/

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The regulations for BC freshwater fishing are at http://www.monday.com/fishing/. Go to region 3, Thmpson-Nicola. General regulations state there is no fishing in any stream from jan 01 to June 30. Exceptions are listed in the regulaiton booklet. With the iming of your trip, I suspect that stream fishing may be limited I wouldn’t worry about that as th lake fishing is quite excellent, challenging, and rewarding. A pontoon boat will be perfect, but I suggest you get an anchor for staying still while working weedy areas. Float tubes are good for smaller lakes, but nothing beats a pontoon boat. I suggest looking at three books. "Kamloops: An angler’s study of the Kamloops Trout" by Steve Raymond. ISBN 1-878175-734. "Morris and Chan an Fly Fishing Trout Lakes" by Skip Morris and Brian Chan. ISBN 1-57188-181-6 "Fly Patterns for Stillwaters" by Phil Rowley ISBN 1-57188-195-6 The above books all were written by authors with intimate knowledge of fishing in the Kamloops area. Get these three books,a nd you will have all the informtion you need about where to start fishing, techniques, and fly patterns. When you get there, local fly shops will be more tham willing to let you know which lakes are on or not. Also, try the Sportfishng on the Fly Forum area at http://www.sfotf.com/forum/ and go to the flyfishing forum. My experience with this board is that is very helpful and used bymany peopl who fish the Kamloops area. I love fishing that area, and get out there once or twice a year. I am hoping to spend a week in May in the area as well. Tim Lysyk

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I intend to spend three weeks in and near the Kamloops, B.C. area in the spring or early summer, 2002 and would appreciate any information that may maximize my fishing success and pleasure. I will probably spend most my time on the lakes, but will want to hit a few of the smaller rivers and streams as well. I plan to take both a pontoon boat and a back-packable float tube. And, I have a sturdy 4 wheel vehicle. I will be living in my travel trailer, which I will probably park in an RV park some of the time, but can live in it in a wilderness environment for up to ten days. Any suggestions as to where to go would be appreciated. Ron Matson

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I intend to spend three weeks in and near the Kamloops, B.C. area in the

<SNIP You might look here; http://www.sportfishingbc.com/index.htm and here; http://www.fishbc.com/adventure/angling/index.html TL MC

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I intend to spend three weeks in and near the Kamloops, B.C. area in the spring or early summer, 2002 and would appreciate any information that may maximize my fishing success and pleasure. I will probably spend most my time on the lakes, but will want to hit a few of the smaller rivers and streams as well. I plan to take both a pontoon boat and a back-packable float tube. And, I have a sturdy 4 wheel vehicle. I will be living in my travel trailer, which I will probably park in an RV park some of the time, but can live in it in a wilderness environment for up to ten days. Any suggestions as to where to go would be appreciated. Ron Matson Somebody help me out here, Chan has an excellent book on lake fishing BC.   (CRAFT has struck – can’t remember the book title or his first name.) Peter

Morris and Chan On fly fishing trout lakes. Frank Amato Publications inc. ISBN 1-57188 181-6 Try www.anglingbc.com www.kamfly.com www.discoverbc.com www.fishbc.com www.flyshop.com www.ariverneversleeps.com As a good friend of mine in Kamloops says, ‘There are over a thousand lakes within a couple of hours drive from town. It would take more than one lifetime to fish them all.’ Now there’s a challenge! HTH Chris ( In UK)

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More info, just checked my bookshelf : Softback ‘BCFishing’. 56 maps, 5000 waters described (briefly). Seems a very useful resource to me. Published by BC Outdoors (annually, updated) $12.95 Can. ISBN (1999 / 2000 edition) 9 781896 373249 Also try www.anglersatlas.com for maps. Chris ( still in the UK, wanna be in BC)

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this websitewill be helpfull http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/angling/stillwater/index.phtml

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I intend to spend three weeks in and near the Kamloops, B.C. area in the spring or early summer, 2002 and would appreciate any information that may maximize my fishing success and pleasure. I will probably spend most my time on the lakes, but will want to hit a few of the smaller rivers and streams as well. I plan to take both a pontoon boat and a back-packable float tube. And, I have a sturdy 4 wheel vehicle. I will be living in my travel trailer, which I will probably park in an RV park some of the time, but can live in it in a wilderness environment for up to ten days. Any suggestions as to where to go would be appreciated. Ron Matson

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Question:

Can anyone tell me anything about flyfishing in Chincoteague? Guides? Fish running in August? Places to fish? Rent boats? — Steven Locke Spam control: remove the 8 to e-mail

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Can anyone tell me anything about flyfishing in Chincoteague? Guides? Fish running in August? Places to fish? Rent boats?

Best thing I can offer is a maybe.   I know that Kevin Johansen is well regarded as a guide on the lower Chesapeake, but I don’t know if he goes over to Chincoteague.   I don’t have his number handy, but if you don’t get any better leads, let me know & I’ll dig it up. Joe F.

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Question:

Well I headed up to one of my favorite hex ponds yesterday to do some dry fly hexing. We arrived at the pond with high winds. So I headed down the pond in my old indian brand fiberglass canoe, semi basket case but light and good to fish from. It’s been heavily repaired with fiberglass to make it seaworty but it is so much stealtier than my aluminum.  There were a few hex’s starting to pop up here and there and a few fish rising to them so I prayed for a respite from the howling Maine winds. It was not to be. First thing, on my third cast I broke my "new" HI Lucky ace off at the top ferrule on the mid section, somebody (me) apparently did a piss poor replacement job. Not to be discouraged I paddled all the way back to the landing to get a replacement. Whereon I discovered that the owner of one of the two camps on the pond bragging about how he had coerced the State into stocking Splake ( a bastard hybred of a brookie and a lake trout) to "control" the smelt population. Great, this dub is trying to kill off the feed that makes this pond grow mega slab sided brookies, seemed like a duh to me. Now we’ve got camp owners playing at fisheries management…of course he’s happy to troll up a few splake and claims there are no big schools of smelt anymore on his fish finder…I’m happy for him….rather than argue the topic I just paddled back down the pond to fish. Anyway I managed a couple of 12-14" brookies on my hex pattern when I heard this awful cracking and moaning coming from the seat of my canoe. the %$^#* seat was splitting in half – time for a diet I decided anyway the darn thing sank an inch or two but didn’t part the way completely. Finally as dark came on the wind picked up even more so I beached the canoe for the night. Then it began to rain, and rain, and rain you get the idea. this morning the wind was still howling so we drove down to the West Branch of the Penoboscot river to fish for salmon. the rubber hatch was on (rafters) and the water was high and colored, at least some of it from the heavy overnight rains. I had one hit nymphing and managed to yank the fly out of the fishes mouth and into the tree behind me where I ended up leaving it. Hit another good pool downstream in time to watch another angler manage a decent landlock, caught a freaking chub and went back to camp for lunch. My pond was now covered in 2-3 foot white caps so I bagged it and came home instead of praying to the ghods of calm sunsets. Driving out we got pounded by a mega thunderstorm so the decision to leave was probably ok. On the way out I saw a large black bear, and the usual assortment of moose, a bald eagle, a couple of red tailed hawks, a ton of rabbits and some partridge, good wildlife viewing trip anyway. Tierd and weary, 6 hours later, I arrived home to find my latest ebay treasure, a shakespear 1305B in 9 foot in a gigantic plano plastic case (destined to go into the yard sale pile). It’s missing an eye and while dubbing with it the reel seat came apart because the pin is missing…sometimes I should stay home, go to the dump and mow the lawn…naw that’s no fun… so anyway kids the hex’s are on up in Baxter country but the weather was not conducive to the frenzied evening rise to same…at least for me this weekend. Flyfish — dave’s homepage madness http://www.ctel.net/~brooktrout flyfishing in Maine and more

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Thanks for the nice report anyway. These reports make one wish one was fishing, remind one of the mishaps which inevitably occur, sometimes leaving fond memories, and sometimes swollen feet or similar, but they are all extremely interesting. TL MC — "In order to know what is possible one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well I headed up to one of my favorite hex ponds yesterday to do some dry

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been fishing streams recently and noticing that the last 2-3 feet of my line is sinking.  It is a Cortland 444 WF-5-F line and is about a year old and hasn’t been heavily fished.  Besides cleaning the line, is there anything else I can do to prevent this?….it makes it hard to keep the fly up! Also, what is the best product out there for making the line slide through the guides better? Thanks Dustin Let the line dry out for a good period, and then ensure that the end is sealed with a good waterproof glue or similar, water may be seeping into the core. Otherwise use the cortland line cleaner and dressing. TL MC

Yes, I agree. Check the line to make sure, let it dry and use some line cleaner/dressing. If that doesn’t work, make sure you are mending your line so that that current isn’t pulling it under. DAYGLOW York Team DBE

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I get the same problem with my Airflo 7000, I tried cleaning it and that helped, but I will try sealing it now!

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I have been fishing streams recently and noticing that the last 2-3 feet of my line is sinking.  It is a Cortland 444 WF-5-F line and is about a year old and hasn’t been heavily fished.  Besides cleaning the line, is there anything else I can do to prevent this?….it makes it hard to keep the fly up! Also, what is the best product out there for making the line slide through the guides better? Thanks Dustin

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been fishing streams recently and noticing that the last 2-3 feet of my line is sinking.  It is a Cortland 444 WF-5-F line and is about a year old and hasn’t been heavily fished.  Besides cleaning the line, is there anything else I can do to prevent this?….it makes it hard to keep the fly up! Also, what is the best product out there for making the line slide through the guides better? Thanks Dustin

Let the line dry out for a good period, and then ensure that the end is sealed with a good waterproof glue or similar, water may be seeping into the core. Otherwise use the cortland line cleaner and dressing. TL MC

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Question:

I was just wondering if there is anyone here that fishes on the Bow river in calgary.  Thanx.

Not yet but will do so this June. It isn’t a great time to go due to spring run-off but the company’s sales conference is there and they are paying. You might check out the Western Canada regional board on Virtual Flyshop (http://www.flyshop.com) which has a number of Alberta guides as active members including Jim McLennan who is one of the better known guides. I have gotten some really good recommendations as to flies, guides, and other rivers in the region to try. -John

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I was just wondering if there is anyone here that fishes on the Bow river in calgary.  Thanx.

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I have done (7) nine day trips on the Bow. Three floats from Calgary to Carseland dam per trip. Ask away. Ted Bobetsky (http://www.flyfishing-the-salt.com)

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I’d recommend Jim Powlesland, except that you’d have to put up with him ‘air’ shooting every living animal on the truck ride to the river. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

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Question:

It looks like I will be attending a conference at Disneyland in Anneheim early next month.  Any flyfishing (fresh or Saltwater) in this area ? I am willing to travel within reason. I am not from the USA, so if you specify a fish species, please also add any info on line weights, flies etc, as I noticed on my last trip to the USA that fish names vary considerably around the world. Are there any good shops in the area who could advise me ? Thanks Bruce…..

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It looks like I will be attending a conference at Disneyland in Anneheim early next month.  Any flyfishing (fresh or Saltwater) in this area ? I am willing to travel within reason. I am not from the USA, so if you specify a fish species, please also add any info on line weights, flies etc, as I noticed on my last trip to the USA that fish names vary considerably around the world. Are there any good shops in the area who could advise me ? Thanks Bruce…..

– I’m not sure about the actual fishing in that immediate area, but you’ll be within a long cast with a shooting head of one of the biggest fly shops around – Bob Marriott’s.  DON’T miss it… and set yourself a budget before you walk in the door. <<grin Joe Ellis         o/~ The Synthetic Filker o/~ |    TesserAct Studios  ()X  Darwin (;        Now on the Web at      |   Fairfield, OH 45018  //~~~LL~~~~LL~  http://shell.idt.net/~ellis69 |  New Dimensions In Filk!

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Question:

Wouldn’t you know it, OJ’s a fly fisherman too… but I don’t think he’s been fishing for over a year now. My wife’s cousin (I’m not making this up) runs the stables in Yosemite Valley, and has guided OJ and cohorts, on horseback, to The Secret Spots. Unfortunately, I’ve only met the guy once (wife’s cousin, not OJ), and I’ve yet to extract the pertinent info from him (and I don’t mean what kind of knife OJ used to gut his fish). Anyway, I don’t know of what value this info is… It’s just one of those things a guy has to share when given the right opportunity. Perhaps this thread would be more appropriate rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tabloid newsgroup… -chuck oey — Professional Publications, Inc.                       profpubl.crl.com

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Let’s just hope he doesn’t release cutthroats.

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If Judge Ito reads this I hope he accepts my invitation to snook fish in the 10000 islands.  Anyone with the patience he has must be a good person to fish with…

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Wouldn’t you know it, OJ’s a fly fisherman too… but I don’t think he’s been fishing for over a year now. My wife’s cousin (I’m not making this up) runs the stables in Yosemite Valley, and has guided OJ and cohorts, on horseback, to The Secret Spots.

That’s a good one!  Ha!  "Secret Spots" in the Yosemite Valley.  That place is Disneyworld. If only we the people who own that park could break the stranglehold that the "vendors" have on the valley, it could be returned to the majestic place it ought to be.   Yosemite Valley, where you can rent a VCR and a movie about the park and order a pizza to go with it, (in the park) so you don’t even have to look out the window of the RV! Gotta love America.  We do it like no one else! Phil Calvin                                       ‘91 Hawkgt, DoD#242

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That’s a good one!  Ha!  "Secret Spots" in the Yosemite Valley.  That place is Disneyworld. If only we the people who own that park could break the stranglehold that the "vendors" have on the valley, it could be returned to the majestic place it ought to be.  

Dream on.  The trend is toward turning all the parks over to private vendors.  "If it don’t turn a profit, it ain’t got no value." — -Wayne Trzyna

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Question:

You can get this book from Judith Bowman , Pound Ridge Rd.  Bedford, NY   10506       (914) 234-7543 Standard disclaimers blah blah…  – Bruce Conner

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Garrison & Carmichael’s "A master’s guide to bamboo rod building", as far as I know was reprinted for the third time recently (November 1994), and listed for about $60.  It seems to be a popular book, so by now the might really be out of print again.  Try to special order through a bookstore, since they can tell if there are still copies around.
                                   Sincerely,
                                   Kin Chan

I just received the latest catalog from Wilderness Adventures Sporting Books (1-800-925-3339), and they claim they have a few copies of "a master’s guide to building a bamboo rod". They go on to say that the publisher is sold out and Price……so we can all imagine what that means….. Inge

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: I just received the latest catalog from Wilderness Adventures Sporting Books : (1-800-925-3339), and they claim they have a few copies of "a master’s guide to : building a bamboo rod". They go on to say that the publisher is sold out and : Price……so we can all imagine what that means….. : Inge I went by the Philadelphia Orvis store, and they had it, new and boxed for $60.  their #: 215-567-6207

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: I just received the latest catalog from Wilderness Adventures Sporting Books : (1-800-925-3339), and they claim they have a few copies of "a master’s guide to : building a bamboo rod". They go on to say that the publisher is sold out and

: Price……so we can all imagine what that means….. : Inge I went by the Philadelphia Orvis store, and they had it, new and boxed for $60.  their #: 215-567-6207

For any folks out on the West Coast, Western Sport Shop in San Rafael has them in stock, at least a couple in the wraps.  Their ph# 415-456-5454 –Gene is the resident book expert.  They will ship, also.

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Hi folks! I’m new to the newsgroup but have been fly fishing since I was 6. I am looking for a copy of the book, "A Masters Guide to Building a Bamboo Fly Rod". This book is out of print. I suppose it is a "Classic" and therefore hard to find. Any information on fishing the Elk River in Tennessee would be appreciated.– Doug Chapman "Be sure you’re right, then go ahead." Davy Crockett

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Hi folks! I’m new to the newsgroup but have been fly fishing since I was 6. I am looking for a copy of the book, "A Masters Guide to Building a Bamboo Fly Rod". This book is out of print. I suppose it is a "Classic" and therefore hard to find.

It’s back! A Masters Guide to Building a Bamboo Fly Rod (3rd ed., 1994) Everett Garrison & Hoagy Carmichael Meadow Run Press Stone Harbor, NJ it’s $60 US (boxed hardcover) But if you’re at all serious it’s probably worth it. — Blair Sharpe Ottawa, ON, Canada

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Question:

Does it have the same warranty as the rods? Just think of it,a 25 year warranty; drive the damn thing into a tree–get a NEW one!!!Get hit by a bus–get a NEW one!! Break your Orvis Rod, closing your Orvis Edition door–get a NEW rod and Jeep!!! I can’t understand where you see this becoming a problem.It’s not like Ralph Lauren is coming out with a POLO line of yuppie flyfishing clothes, with $225.+ mock flyfishing vests made in Shri Lanka(spelled wrong:you know the place where Orvis has their flies tied.); which someone got  80 cents to make with $4.00 worth of material, and are going to sell these at OUR finer stores for mear profit! Personally, I’d like to see ALOT of people buy them. Picture this, 25 Orvis Edition Jeeps in the parking lot.25 paranoid new Orvis Edition owners,fishing as close to the parking lot, as possible; to watch their $25,00 plus investments. Me, I’ll be 100 yards up stream–FISHING BY MYSELF!!!!!

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OK, so maybe I’m a little bit biased because my vest is an Orvis, a gift a couple years back, but if there’s one thing ALMOST as annoying as a bunch of yuppies brand name-dropping on the stream bank, it’s a bunch of anti-yuppies on the opposite bank throwing rocks at them.       People object to the conspicuous consumption, brand name set because this group of people seem to judge personal worth by what company made their clothing, gear, car, etc.  OK, no problems there with me; I hate that stuff, too.  But aren’t we doing the same thing when we start to feel that anyone who purchases anything from Orvis falls into the dreaded Y-word category?  Now WE are the ones who are judging personal worth based on a label.  We have thus become the anti-snob, which is the same thing in my book.   IMHO Orvis sells some worthwhile gear, and some of it is reasonably priced for the quality you get, like the Battenkill disk reels and their super-strong leader material (who really makes that stuff, anyway…anyone know?).  Some of the stuff is overpriced, but a savvy angler can pick and choose…it just means more catalogs to go through during the loooong winter, which to me sounds like a good way to spend my time  ;) Happy Winter Solistice (the days will be getting longer soon, only 3.5 months until opening day…)             Paul DiConza NY Capital District Angler

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