Question:

I am getting my rest for my body as I am working it real hard to try and make my medicine for this year and the end of next years grow cycle. Sunlight is free and untaxed so far. The DEA/Sheriff is doing flybys with their helicopter today looking at my backyard and the plants that are there. These are the same guys who did all the damage to my property last year. The first time they busted me – hey it was a mistake – they didn’t know. The second time they busted me – hey I am a dumbshit hot dog cop who don’t know courtesy, respect, constitutional rights or the law – so Judge cut me some slack. The third time they bust me, if there is a third time, they start saying words like harassment and prejudice and malicious prosecution. Hey, I am just the 21st patient in Sonoma County, there are oldtimers ahead of me in the system – and they are now being taken to task on the second filing of the same old charge or a new filing on a second charge. The affirmative defense is not usefull as they contend I am growing "too much" for my 16 pounds over 2 years need.  (I am in the average range of 6 to 8 pounds a year, or about 3 kilos) So they need an expert court hearing. And they wont do it, over 4 years not one patient in Sonoma County has been to jury trial and no law is being made by the D.A. as he refuses to do so. And the DA will not make policy over these same four years dispite being encouraged by the law to make one. The DA himself will tell you there is no policy he himself dont know when a patient is a patient or is growing a legal or illegal amount – he the DA dont know the law. Cause he wont make it. So he harasses the patients all he can. Until a Judge starts to say this legal harassment is harassment legally speaking. They can file three charges and dismiss them over as many years or more – and never do anything to you except cost you alot of money. No money – you a dead man walking in the good ol U S of A. Just ask OJ. sumbuddie said it I hope you are doing ok, take the best of care, spike

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Alan; You know while watching the media circus outside that texas prison, it really hit me. It’s not justice these folks are involved with it’s pure politics. Like oj walked cuz rodney king was filmed. You live in perhaps the most advanced state on earth and ppl are basing their decisions on what will make the ppl with money happier. It’s also scary. The war on drugs snares a survivor, helping survivors, it’s like drift nets raping the ocean. It’s crazy, alan. They are planting miles of poppies in mexico, you can go to a hardware store and make ecstasy but a harmless herb to help suffering takes money away from the serious problems we all face. It’s really really stupid, they could end a serious social problem (filling the courts with a spice) they should be consulting with you and not bothering you and wasting money.  This is all political, and in my view a vicuous attack on a caring man. It’s kinda amazing really, you able to actually do it. It’s medical grade. The male plants are no good i know that. And some strains are not good for certain illnesses. I saw this lady fron CA and she was saying that a few caring ppl were taking it upon themselves to do the work and they were interupted by the DA. That is what they should do. Say Gosh alan you can do something we really can’t. Can you record the info and share as it would make life cheaper and easier for suffering ppl? But nope they are stupid and like to spend money and make others rich. In place, are all the things to solve this problem, only politics and money are more important than ppl. The drought that is starting is going to cause real troubles, if the leader in inovation CA., keeps this trend of prisons and jails outspending education, we are screwed so far the tech from the schools in this area has allowed us to stay ahead of the climate changes. The political situation must change fast. Just about everything has come from the coast. But it’s shifting to the far east. If they didn’t jerk around with ppl like you this would not happen. It’s really that simple. Many of the very early warnings from the cyberpunk community are now being played out. All info should be free and the more unfair it gets the greater the need. Spending tax money to screw with you just sealed it for me. What they do is wrong. You speaking out against the all powerful christian right, is in more ways god’s work, and is akin to the fundamental principals of religion and spiritulality. And god know alan, they are just nailing you to a very public cross. All i can say is they must be stoned, for trying this crap. I hope you are doing ok, take the best of care, spike

Response:

Hi Alan; It’s my view that the money spent by the sonoma county sherrifs dept would be better used to stop child abuse that is occuring as they flutter about your private space. But that will not happen untill pigs fly, right. So they are spending tax dollars taking pics counting how many and then take it to da mullins the brain dead sick fuck? You know, if it’s not that, they are hoping to get you pissed and are thinking hey this guy may get upset about the Huey in his backyard. I’d request the fcc and the faa turn over the radio transmissions and flight plan (about 117.00 to 121.000mhz. on the rf scanner) Are they actually filing a flight plan to your home? Like this is just sick and a gross waste if tax dollars. If they are abuse this machine they don’t really need it. I bet old sargent, is hoping you are a nut and go out their with an m16 and say take that imperial nazi’s. I think they are stupid and it’s ppl like da mullins who redirect money from violence reduction into harrisment. They are not part of the solution and you know what that means. It’s no secret that the area north of toronto is one big pot garden. I’ve been fishing and walked into a plot. I suspect it’s actually like this, you can have pot, but you must support corruption, you doing what the courts and scientists say (grow it yourself cuz you know what is on or in it) and that cuts into the profits of ppl. Who? Just look up, i’m always sad when ppl are so niave that they don’t know the truth. The police actually break the laws?…when pigs fly they think. Well when the pigs fly shit hits the fan.  Police lie in court i know that, but to use a piece of pricey machinery to bother a survivor is really illegal this stuff can damage election bids and tag ppl as corrupt. I’m sorry that some ppl are stupid alan. They do it to neil young and bob dylan also. I don’t think they can encrypt air traffic radio, listen to them if they drop by. I can tell you the exact frequency if you wish. Cuz unless there are reasons they are breaking laws and really should flock off and leave you alone. Besides this kinda stuff is alarming. Perhaps they are drunk or stoned themselves, there is no reason for this, so i/we must explore other reasons. And the thing is helicoptors don’t glide very well. So if they are up there without reason, they could be under the influence, of some thing or one, and gosh they could crash into your back yard or home. When it gets to the malicious point which i think it has, they have lost their way and case. They hauled your ass off? That is done to put you into a situation in which you can get in big trouble, they failed. They are flying spending big money and that got them 7 years of ppl knowing what this DA allows or directs tax dollars. Stay strong you are the winner, in the moral and ethical issues of this whole terribly unfair nightmare. What i have learned alan is the judges are not like the cops or da, they are like regular ppl and stupid is stupid. What they are doing is stupid. But in a weird way it’s for the best (at your expense) when this stuff gets back to the ppl of your area they think ewww, this is creepy what kind of sick ppl have we got in power. You are right they are wrong, i wanna see if your system is working and you are freeded from this crap asap. So they are playing stupid and acting as the stalk and leaves are medical pot? They are not to bright if they think a jury or judge will side with stupidity. Oh wait oh course it’s that they will not go before a judge or jury. It’s very said. They are saying suffer or support the mafia. They just don’t like the thrid option that saves ppl from suffering, helps stop organized crime and frees up police for real crimes and not social issues. This mullins is a stupid puppet, or corrupt, in my opinion both. Stay strong, maybe take up breading pigions, that may keep them high enough to assist them in not causing further damages of all sorts. Your pal, spike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am getting my rest for my body as I am working it real hard to try and make my medicine for this year and the end of next years grow cycle. Sunlight is free and untaxed so far. The DEA/Sheriff is doing flybys with their helicopter today looking at my backyard and the plants that are there. These are the same guys who did all the damage to my property last year. The first time they busted me – hey it was a mistake – they didn’t know. The second time they busted me – hey I am a dumbshit hot dog cop who don’t know courtesy, respect, constitutional rights or the law – so Judge cut me some slack. The third time they bust me, if there is a third time, they start saying words like harassment and prejudice and malicious prosecution. Hey, I am just the 21st patient in Sonoma County, there are oldtimers ahead of me in the system – and they are now being taken to task on the second filing of the same old charge or a new filing on a second charge. The affirmative defense is not usefull as they contend I am growing "too much" for my 16 pounds over 2 years need.  (I am in the average range of 6 to 8 pounds a year, or about 3 kilos) So they need an expert court hearing. And they wont do it, over 4 years not one patient in Sonoma County has been to jury trial and no law is being made by the D.A. as he refuses to do so. And the DA will not make policy over these same four years dispite being encouraged by the law to make one. The DA himself will tell you there is no policy he himself dont know when a patient is a patient or is growing a legal or illegal amount – he the DA dont know the law. Cause he wont make it. So he harasses the patients all he can. Until a Judge starts to say this legal harassment is harassment legally speaking. They can file three charges and dismiss them over as many years or more – and never do anything to you except cost you alot of money. No money – you a dead man walking in the good ol U S of A. Just ask OJ. sumbuddie said it I hope you are doing ok, take the best of care, spike Hi Alan; You know while watching the media circus outside that texas prison, it really hit me. It’s not justice these folks are involved with it’s pure politics. Like oj walked cuz rodney king was filmed. You live in perhaps the most advanced state on earth and ppl are basing their decisions on what will make the ppl with money happier. It’s also scary. The war on drugs snares a survivor, helping survivors, it’s like drift nets raping the ocean. It’s crazy, alan. They are planting miles of poppies in mexico, you can go to a hardware store and make ecstasy but a harmless herb to help suffering takes money away from the serious problems we all face. It’s really really stupid, they could end a serious social problem (filling the courts with a spice) they should be consulting with you and not bothering you and wasting money.  This is all political, and in my view a vicuous attack on a caring man. It’s kinda amazing really, you able to actually do it. It’s medical grade. The male plants are no good i know that. And some strains are not good for certain illnesses. I saw this lady fron CA and she was saying that a few caring ppl were taking it upon themselves to do the work and they were interupted by the DA. That is what they should do. Say Gosh alan you can do something we really can’t. Can you record the info and share as it would make life cheaper and easier for suffering ppl? But nope they are stupid and like to spend money and make others rich. In place, are all the things to solve this problem, only politics and money are more important than ppl. The drought that is starting is going to cause real troubles, if the leader in inovation CA., keeps this trend of prisons and jails outspending education, we are screwed so far the tech from the schools in this area has allowed us to stay ahead of the climate changes. The political situation must change fast. Just about everything has come from the coast. But it’s shifting to the far east. If they didn’t jerk around with ppl like you this would not happen. It’s really that simple. Many of the very early warnings from the cyberpunk community are now being played out. All info should be free and the more unfair it gets the greater the need. Spending tax money to screw with you just sealed it for me. What they do is wrong. You speaking out against the all powerful christian right, is in more ways god’s work, and is akin to the fundamental principals of religion and spiritulality. And god know alan, they are just nailing you to a very public cross. All i can say is they must be stoned, for trying this crap. I hope you are doing ok, take the best of care, spike

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We caught a nice break in the weather this early afternoon so I put on my Fall Ball cap and took my newly acquired 9/3 Winston out for a few hours of peaceful fishing on a very local bass pond. I combined the fishing with experimentation with three different lines that I had laying about, a DT2F, a WF3F, and a TT2/3. Tripper, Great story! And it’s nice to know that I’m not the only other person on ROFF who has been fishing recently, what with the "To Whom It May Concern" mega-crisis (did anyone report this to the ACLU? to the UN? to Al Gore?) to deal with and everything.

        aw, hell, steve, you aren’t about to buy that yankee bullshit, are you?  i’ve fished with him; he couldn’t throw a *rock* 90′, let alone a fly line.         and besides, the only winston i have (7′ 2wt) is a beautiful thing to see, but a touch too weak in the butt for my tastes.         ok, i’ll come clean:  the rascal *can* fish his fly!  but the winston is still too soft!         wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Of course, hearing your casting distance figures reminds me that it’s time for another casting lesson or two (or ten). –Steve

Response:

[snipped rock abuse]    and besides, the only winston i have (7′ 2wt) is a beautiful thing to see, but a touch too weak in the butt for my tastes.    ok, i’ll come clean:  the rascal *can* fish his fly!  but the winston is still too soft!    wayno

Ah, another fellow flyflinger in distress… I feel your pain, too, counselor, and am more than prepared to relieve you of the cause. Send that "too soft" rod to a good home where it’ll be loved. You already have my address. /daytripper (still waitin’ on that paintin’, btw ;^)

Response:

… Hmmm, the 7.5/3wt (3pc) we’ve both cast feels to me medium/slow; with a TT 3/4 and a Cortland Clear Creek WF3, never had a DT on it.

FWIW, the Winston recommended line for their IM6 rods is a DT. Tho I too fish my Winstons with a TT. I just picked up a Wulf long belly line and tried it with my five weight, wish I tried one sooner. — Wayne Knight Expert in creating tailing loops and windknots Otherwise Fishless in Kansas but counting the days to the Keys Before you buy.

Response:

Our lips never touched – no matter what you might have heard ;^) /daytripper (never gonna live that one down…)

I believe what you said was you tried to *shotgun* a cigarette with it. — Wayne Knight Expert in creating tailing loops and windknots Otherwise Fishless in Kansas Before you buy.

Response:

   and besides, the only winston i have (7′ 2wt) is a beautiful thing to see, but a touch too weak in the butt for my tastes.    ok, i’ll come clean:  the rascal *can* fish his fly!  but the winston is still too soft!

Wanna trade a Sage 2wt SPL for it? — Wayne Knight Expert in creating tailing loops and windknots Otherwise Fishless in Kansas Before you buy.

Response:

Thank you for the post.  I like it. —   Vern  ^^^^^^^ (o)-(o)/     "    ___ Before you buy.

Response:

FWIW, the Winston recommended line for their IM6 rods is a DT. Tho I too fish my Winstons with a TT. I just picked up a Wulf long belly line and tried it with my five weight, wish I tried one sooner.

You’re learning, Wayne ;^)

Response:

FWIW, the Winston recommended line for their IM6 rods is a DT. Tho I too fish my Winstons with a TT. I just picked up a Wulf long belly line and tried it with my five weight, wish I tried one sooner. You’re learning, Wayne ;^)

I never stop learning Mr Tripper, — Wayne Knight Expert in creating tailing loops and windknots Otherwise Fishless in Kansas Before you buy.

Response:

       and besides, the only winston i have (7′ 2wt) is a beautiful thing to see, but a touch too weak in the butt for my tastes.        ok, i’ll come clean:  the rascal *can* fish his fly!  but the winston is still too soft! Wanna trade a Sage 2wt SPL for it?

        no thanks, bud; a friend of mine got rid of his sage 2wt when he couldn’t get it to load up under 20′ with a 6wt tri-taper…         just kiddin, of course; but the winston was custom made for me, has my name on the butt, and has become one of the things my two boys will fight over, one of these days. wayno

Response:

… With the exception of my temporarily "indisposed" 7.5/2wt, every Winston I own or have cast could be categorized as having a medium action (the little 2wt is surprisingly fast). …

Hmmm, the 7.5/3wt (3pc) we’ve both cast feels to me medium/slow; with a TT 3/4 and a Cortland Clear Creek WF3, never had a DT on it. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

/daytripper ("Bullwinkle"? Where’d *that* come from?)

Foggy brain on my part.  Rocky used to say, "and now for something we hope you really like." or something to that effect.  Then again I remember hearing of you romancing a moose, once <g. Mu

Response:

Hmmm, the 7.5/3wt (3pc) we’ve both cast feels to me medium/slow; with a TT 3/4 and a Cortland Clear Creek WF3, never had a DT on it.

Well, as I said, some people would feel that way. I fished your rod with the DT2F that I use on my two weight, and it cast very nicely with it – it felt "medium-fast" with that line, threw nice tight loops, and on the only river big enough to air it out a little (the Harrison) I ran out of room before I ran out of line. (Ya know, I almost asked you to sell that rod to me back then ;^) I suspect the TT3/4 would overload it, though I could be wrong. If you can find someone who has a TT2/3, you might be pleasantly surprised (that is, unless you like the slower action). Otherwise, bring it to Maine with you next fall, and you can try out a whole bunch of lines on it. /daytripper  (Or let me do it ;^)

Response:

/daytripper ("Bullwinkle"? Where’d *that* come from?) Foggy brain on my part.  Rocky used to say, "and now for something we hope you really like." or something to that effect.

Yup – you have an excellent memory! This similar quote, however, is from the Monty Python tv show. Then again I remember hearing of you romancing a moose, once <g.

Our lips never touched – no matter what you might have heard ;^) /daytripper (never gonna live that one down…)

Response:

Now you’ve got me dreaming.  One of the local stores has an RPL 390 blank in its discount bin.  Maybe if it’s still there after Xmas . . . Peter

Response:

We caught a nice break in the weather this early afternoon so I put on my Fall Ball cap and took my newly acquired 9/3 Winston out for a few hours of peaceful fishing on a very local bass pond. I combined the fishing with experimentation with three different lines that I had laying about, a DT2F, a WF3F, and a TT2/3.

Tripper, Great story! And it’s nice to know that I’m not the only other person on ROFF who has been fishing recently, what with the "To Whom It May Concern" mega-crisis (did anyone report this to the ACLU? to the UN? to Al Gore?) to deal with and everything. Of course, hearing your casting distance figures reminds me that it’s time for another casting lesson or two (or ten). –Steve

Response:

Daytripper:  Thanks for this thread. I have a friend who tried out my Scott G-series 3 weight at rezendevous about a month ago . He had never tried a slower action rod before and was impressed. I received an e-mail from him last week. He awaiting the arrival of his Winston 8.5 foot 3 weight rod. I just hope he enjoys it as much as you do your Winstons. Big Dale

Response:

Daytripper:  Thanks for this thread. I have a friend who tried out my Scott G-series 3 weight at rezendevous about a month ago . He had never tried a slower action rod before and was impressed.

I’m partial to the G series rods too. I’m thinking about telling Santa about their new 8′ 3 piece 2 wt<g. — Charlie…

Response:

We caught a nice break in the weather this early afternoon so I put on my Fall Ball cap and took my newly acquired 9/3 Winston The TT2/3 was the monster of the three – turned this rod into a mini-howitzer; once I had the feel for the rod, the entire line could be cast with moderate effort

Thanks Bullwinkle.  BTW, I haven’t ever touched a Winston IM6 but I thought they were supposed to be moderate action rods.  Is it actually a fast rod or are you a very good caster? Mu

Response:

We caught a nice break in the weather this early afternoon so I put on my Fall Ball cap and took my newly acquired 9/3 Winston The TT2/3 was the monster of the three – turned this rod into a mini-howitzer; once I had the feel for the rod, the entire line could be cast with moderate effort Thanks Bullwinkle.  BTW, I haven’t ever touched a Winston IM6 but I thought they were supposed to be moderate action rods.  Is it actually a fast rod or are you a very good caster?

With the exception of my temporarily "indisposed" 7.5/2wt, every Winston I own or have cast could be categorized as having a medium action (the little 2wt is surprisingly fast). The 9/3 might even be termed medium-slow by some. But if you get in tune with your thumb on the top of the grip, you can really get their IM6 rods to zing line (I’ve often thrown the entire DT2F on my little 2 weight with surprisingly little effort when I’m really in sync with that rod). I have been flyfishing for almost 36 years now, and while I’m not going to win any casting championships, I can throw a line. But you have to have tried a Wulff Triangle Taper line to understand that if distance is the game, a TT will give you an almost unfair advantage. This is a weight forward line with a stepless front taper and no rear taper to speak of; and the running line has an unusually thin diameter and a hard surface. The result is so little guide friction or wind resistance that it just shoots like crazy, and an 80 foot cast doesn’t require a champion to achieve (90 foot line minus the length of the rod). When I let the first good cast fly with this line, I had about 60 feet of line out – and it really jerked the reel but good, such was the line speed. Surprised the heck out of me, so I just kept feeding out more line until I hit the backing. On my best casts with the little nymph on the end, I was shooting over twenty feet of line off the ground and through the guides. Very satisfying, if impractical under most circumstances. With anything more wind resistant than that nymph, I could get the line out but it didn’t have enough terminal velocity to do much more than puddle the leader at the far end of the cast. After all the above, however, in truth I prefer DT lines for their versatility and typically softer "landing" characteristic, and I’ll probably try an SA or DT3F on this rod before next spring. The WF3 and TT2/3 were my dad’s lines for one of his cane rods that I also inherited. They provide impressive results wrt distance, and I’ll keep them at the ready, but I’d rather have the DT for every day use. /daytripper ("Bullwinkle"? Where’d *that* come from?)

Response:

Daytripper, We caught a nice break in the weather this early afternoon so I put on my Fall Ball cap and took my newly acquired 9/3 Winston out for a few hours of peaceful fishing on a very local bass pond.

What part of the world are you in?  Out here in Northern CA, it seems a bit too wintry for bassin’. I love fishing small poppers, btw. Even the smallest sunfish often explode from the water with the gaudy bug firmly clenched, making more than their fair share of commotion as they splash down. Short strip, wait, short strip, wait, wiggle and wait, then WHAMMO!

I’m another popper lover.  Each winter I make up a bunch of balsa poppers and enjoy the anticipation of March. Too bad it had to end so early (goddamned daylight savings time!)

Yeah… Glad you got some fishin’ in. Wes Peterson LexCraft Data Services

Response:

OK – YOU SUCCEEDED I am Jealous. Bill

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We caught a nice break in the weather this early afternoon so I put on my Fall Ball cap and took my newly acquired 9/3 Winston out for a few hours of peaceful fishing on a very local bass pond. I combined the fishing with experimentation with three different lines that I had laying about, a DT2F, a WF3F, and a TT2/3. fwiw, the DT2F definitely underlined the rod, which was to be expected, and made for too much work. The TT2/3 was the monster of the three – turned this rod into a mini-howitzer; once I had the feel for the rod, the entire line could be cast with moderate effort, although at that range the longish front taper didn’t turn over the popper-ladened leader consistently (though with a #14 Montana I could straighten the line at the same insane distance). The WF3F was quite enjoyable, loaded the rod quickly but not overly, and would deliver a small popper very nicely as far as ~70 feet before running out of line speed. So I left the WF on for the rest of the short outing, and woke up a bunch of long-eared sunnies along with a pair of foot-long large mouths. I usually fish this pond with my 9/5 but the 3-weight was a lot more fun on these li’l fellers, which put a goodly bend in the rod. I love fishing small poppers, btw. Even the smallest sunfish often explode from the water with the gaudy bug firmly clenched, making more than their fair share of commotion as they splash down. Short strip, wait, short strip, wait, wiggle and wait, then WHAMMO! Too cool! Between the fishing, the warmish weather, the heron stalking the band, and a very talkative pair of mallards cruising along, it was an entertaining few hours away from the ‘puters, which seem to be in a bad mood the last few days. Too bad it had to end so early (goddamned daylight savings time!) /daytripper (Peace, Love, Hair, Beads, Flowers, Fur Coats…and HATS!)

Response:

i know what my problem is, two huge school assignments hanging over my head and no fishing since Mu’s visit.  Withdrawal is making me surly.

Pete, you of all people I find hard to picture as ever being surly! That Winston’s a lovely rod btw, enjoy heartily.  I bet it would be great for brookies off the wing dam.

And indeed, this is what I had in mind when I decided I "needed" this particular model. On those days that the wind isn’t blasting up river off Pondy, it should be a riot! Can you imaging hooking a 20" wild brookie and holding it with a 3 wt on that river? Yikes! Hope you catch a break and get out before the water gets solid up there, Peter… /daytripper

Response:

Daytripper, What part of the world are you in?  Out here in Northern CA, it seems a bit too wintry for bassin’.

Central Massachusetts, Wes. Indeed, normally the bass would be snoozin’ (don’t know about the sunnies – they always seem cooperative around here if they aren’t trapped under ice ;^) But we experienced a "Blazing Inferno"  of a summer this year, and I think some ponds are just getting settled before winter creeps in. On a nice afternoon a fish or six can be still be raised with a tempting bug… Gotta get the last licks in before my mind turns to skiing. /daytripper

Response:

We caught a nice break in the weather this early afternoon so I put on my Fall Ball cap and took my newly acquired 9/3 Winston out for a few hours of peaceful fishing on a very local bass pond. I combined the fishing with experimentation with three different lines that I had laying about, a DT2F, a WF3F, and a TT2/3. fwiw, the DT2F definitely underlined the rod, which was to be expected, and made for too much work. The TT2/3 was the monster of the three – turned this rod into a mini-howitzer; once I had the feel for the rod, the entire line could be cast with moderate effort, although at that range the longish front taper didn’t turn over the popper-ladened leader consistently (though with a #14 Montana I could straighten the line at the same insane distance). The WF3F was quite enjoyable, loaded the rod quickly but not overly, and would deliver a small popper very nicely as far as ~70 feet before running out of line speed. So I left the WF on for the rest of the short outing, and woke up a bunch of long-eared sunnies along with a pair of foot-long large mouths. I usually fish this pond with my 9/5 but the 3-weight was a lot more fun on these li’l fellers, which put a goodly bend in the rod. I love fishing small poppers, btw. Even the smallest sunfish often explode from the water with the gaudy bug firmly clenched, making more than their fair share of commotion as they splash down. Short strip, wait, short strip, wait, wiggle and wait, then WHAMMO! Too cool! Between the fishing, the warmish weather, the heron stalking the band, and a very talkative pair of mallards cruising along, it was an entertaining few hours away from the ‘puters, which seem to be in a bad mood the last few days. Too bad it had to end so early (goddamned daylight savings time!) /daytripper (Peace, Love, Hair, Beads, Flowers, Fur Coats…and HATS!)

Response:

{ a lot of great Winston stuff snipped] Too cool! Between the fishing, the warmish weather, the heron stalking the band, and a very talkative pair of mallards cruising along, it was an entertaining few hours away from the ‘puters, which seem to be in a bad mood the last few days. Too bad it had to end so early (goddamned daylight savings time!) /daytripper (Peace, Love, Hair, Beads, Flowers, Fur Coats…and HATS!)

i know what my problem is, two huge school assignments hanging over my head and no fishing since Mu’s visit.  Withdrawal is making me surly. That Winston’s a lovely rod btw, enjoy heartily.  I bet it would be great for brookies off the wing dam. Peter

Response:

Question:

As the proud single parent of the Virtual Flybox I was so excited to learn that the very successful, publically traded corporation, About.Com thought highly enough of my humble web offering to write a feature article touting it’s accomplishments. If you have a spare minute or two please visit…  http://flyfishing.about.com/sports/fishhunt/flyfishing/mcurrent.htm …and ponder the praises…and you of course are always welcome to stop by the VFB. Thanks everyone…it wouldn’t have happened without you! keep tyin’…byard * * * * * * * * *   V I R T U A L    F L Y B O X    * * * * * * * * *    Fly Tyers Worldwide * Hundreds of Patterns * Tying Instructions                     http://www.VirtualFlybox.com * * * *   F E A T U R I N G   *  9 6 2  *   P A T T E R N S   * * * *

Response:

Congratulations on your recent mention in About.com   I took a look at your link, are you on your way to commercial success? Making a web site is tough, even more so when you do it for fun… Have a great day!

Hi Adam… Thanks for the visit and the congrats! The Virtual Flybox was never or will ever be a commercial project. It was never my intent to profit from this venture. On the other hand, due to the mega-hours involved with the production of this website, some form of compensation had to be considered. So the institution of an advertising program was necessary as well as an appeal for financial support from the viewership. In the last year the VFB has served up over 1 million pages of information to flyfisherman worldwide. The hours involved in keeping abreast with this demand exceed 50 per week. My need for nutrition is the same as anyone elses…hence, what you may consider commercialism. BTW…you are doing a wonderful job with your Small Streams site…it has always been one of my favorites. keep tyin’…byard * * * * * * * * *   V I R T U A L    F L Y B O X    * * * * * * * * *    Fly Tyers Worldwide * Hundreds of Patterns * Tying Instructions                     http://www.VirtualFlybox.com * * * *   F E A T U R I N G   *  9 8 0  *   P A T T E R N S   * * * *

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Question:

This has been a very different Spring, pre-runoff season here in Colorado. My local river is fishing more like it normally does in late Summer than during a typical Spring. They are beginning to draw water for the farmers and runoff hasn’t started. Weather has been warm and the river is VERY low and warm for this time of year. Hatches have started but are limited in variety. BWO’s, heavy on cloudy days and sporadic on sunny ones. Midges pretty consistent. No caddis or stoneflies. Just like late summer. I really enjoy this type of fishing. All day on cloudy days and in the morning and late in the day on sunny ones, the fish move into the heads of the pools and feed. They are surface feeding as well as chasing nymphs, often leaving wakes while feeding in water less than a foot in depth. This is slow, meticulous fishing that suits my unasked for "maturity."  Stalking, crawling, and creeping into casting position without spooking the fish is the first requirement for success. This can frequently take up to ten minutes, resting the fish after each short crawl. Long tapered leaders that can turn over a long light tippet are a help as is a slow rod that will cast a long leader with little or no line beyond the tip. Slow careful approaches that get you close enough for a short cast with very little line on the water are much more effective than longer casts that can line cruising fish. In situations that require longer casts, I really like the new, for me, Cortland Clear Creek line with its long front taper.     Many of these fish are cruising the slack shallow water picking off whatever they find instead of setting up feeding stations like the fish feeding in areas with current. These are the toughest ones. It’s hard to predict where they will feed next and the lack of current give them a long look at your fly. Any line slap near them, sends them scurrying off leaving a wake, often putting the other fish down. The fish feeding in the tongues of current are much easier. The current helps hide imperfect presentations and the fish don’t have the time to scrutinize your fly. The rule of fishing the fish closest to you really applies in this situation. Spooking a fish near you will often results in a ruckus that will put down the other fish or even send them all off to deeper water. Playing a hooked fish without spooking the rest takes some luck and some strategy. I find that steady sideways pressure leading the fish away from the others and toward deeper water immediately after the strike SOMETIMES works. If it doesn’t, you generally have two choices, rest the fish and hope they’ll return to feeding or look for a new pod of fish. I’ve caught some surprisingly large fish during these shallow water feeding sprees. Catching a 20+ inch fish in water this shallow is a kick! Willi

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Question:

Hello, I am new to Georgia, northwest of Atlanta (between Marietta and Roswell to be exact). Can anyone tell me if there is a flyfishing club in this area? Also, I am also looking for information on float trips in Georgia, Tenn., Carolinas, or Kentucky. I am originally from the Green Country Fly Fishers Club in Bartlesville, OK. Dave Whitlock was on of the founding members there 25 years ago. Eric

Response:

Hello, I am new to Georgia, northwest of Atlanta (between Marietta and Roswell to be exact). Can anyone tell me if there is a flyfishing club in this area? Also, I am also looking for information on float trips in Georgia, Tenn., Carolinas, or Kentucky. I am originally from the Green Country Fly Fishers Club in Bartlesville, OK. Dave Whitlock was on of the founding members there 25 years ago. Eric

there.  You should give him a call Eric. George —

Question:

: Another nice place is when you go into Idaho from Montana over the Lolo : Pass. Yes, but now everybody goes there.  Sheesh, like 2 or 3 people a week. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

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: Well Rick, I can’t find my map just yet but I would have to believe : that the creek is just north of Galena Summit.  At least I think that : is what it is called.  It is the pass between Ketchum and Stanley.   Nice try, I know the area a little, but it is not the spot I was talking about.  Where would the lake be for the town I said reminded me of Tahoe? — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

Response:

That would be the place where Jacob’s Ladder and the Golf Course are?   X fork of the Y? — /* Sandy Pittendrigh                  –oO0  * http://www.nervana.montana.edu/~sandy  * http://www.avicom.net/sandy  */

Response:

Another nice place is when you go into Idaho from Montana over the Lolo Pass. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-Mail GIVE MY FLY FISHING BOOKS A NEW HOME Go to: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Let us all remember there are still amazing and beautiful places we can discover.  The whole damn point of this goofy post is to motivate you to get out a map and go looking. Stop motivating me, please!  I’ve already got a whole pile of maps and books about Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, BC, Alaska, New Zealand, and Patagonia (along with a collection of books and CDs about self-taught Spanish).  I racked up 1000 miles on my truck last weekend, and 35 miles on my tennis shoes seeking out some of the places on those maps.  The last thing I need is someone motivating me to buy another damned map! Stop it! — -Wayne Trzyna                           Fight spam! Join CAUCE (Coalition Email).  http://www.cs.colostate.edu/~trzyna    See http://www.cauce.org/

Response:

: Well Rick, I can’t find my map just yet but I would have to believe : that the creek is just north of Galena Summit.  At least I think that : is what it is called.  It is the pass between Ketchum and Stanley.   Nice try, I know the area a little, but it is not the spot I was talking about.  Where would the lake be for the town I said reminded me of Tahoe?

I guess the Salmon comment must have had me looking South instead of North.  Perhaps I should have been looking more towards Sandpoint. Gotta go, I am headed up to Red Ives and some (hopefully) hungry cutts. Marty P.E.T.A (People for the Ethical Termination of Antihunters)

Response:

20 miles of *the* place where the 2-5 pounders are found. That spot is below a small damn, and is on a river that to my knowledge, was the last river in the US to be successfully rafted [in] 1975. the section of the river I am talking about with the 2-5 pounders is in a

stretch of the river – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -where a canoe can easily navigate and is above the nasty part. Further, this spot is on one of the two major N-S highways in the state. It is not in the part of Idaho I usually write about. It is near a town where I thought, "wow… this is exactly what Tahoe looked like 20 years ago." It is in a valley with its floor at about 5000 feet. Near the spring creek, I was able to step across one of the (former) greatest salmon spawning rivers in the US. This place where I was able to step across this river is at least 600 miles from the ocean. I then drove to a spot on this same river where I was not able to throw a rock across it (because it is over 100 yards wide.) This river collects a *lot* of very pure water on its trip to the ocean.

Lot’s of rich facts, and I’m sure with a little sluething, the location of this spring creek is quite detectable. Of course, in trying to figure out where this gem of a spring creek is, your eyes would be pouring over the locations of more good fishing water than you could possibly cover. Mitch

Response:

: If your route takes you across the Panhandle of Idaho try the Locsha along US : 12.   OK, fish the Lochsa of you must, but stay away from its sister river, the Selway.  That is one crappy river.  In fact, although few know it, it is probably the crappiest trout stream in the US.  It is a looooooser. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

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: I apologize, I left out some important detail.  By W Idaho I ment Boise, : and the fastest route takes me through East Idaho.  That does take me : past the streams that I mentioned.  The Panhandle route to Boise would : be longer, but more scenic.  Thanks for the information. Boise is south Idaho. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

Response:

Try the beaverhead in southwest montana just outside of dillon.  Fish near the dam on Clark Canyon resevoir.  Big, Big BIG fish.  Usually crowded but easy access for an afternoon of fishing.  Did I mention big fish? Matthew           Matthew W Kaphan    http://home.sprintmail.com/~mwk            Silverdale, WA

Response:

"THE ROOT!!!" If you are in Helena….. ya better swing down to Hamilton and fish the  "Bitterroot!!" "The most under rated river in Montana" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I will be making a car trip the week of 7/13 to visit relatives.  We will be driving from Helena MT to W Idaho.  Since I am the only fisherman in my family I won’t have as much time to spend fishing as I would like.  If you had a half a day where would you go?  Henry’s Fork, Gallatin, Beaverhead, Madison, Big Hole?  There are possible routes that take me past all of these.  I will probably avoid YNP (except West Yellowstone), to much out the way.  I would prefer stream fishing to still water and big fish aren’t important, I am an intermediate level FF. Joe Wax If you drive from Helena to Western Idaho you won’t be fishing any of the streams listed above.  I assume you mean eastern Idaha and SW Montana.  If your route takes you across the Panhandle of Idaho try the Locsha along US 12.  If you did mean eastern Idaho go ahead and fish the Madison and the Gallatin.  Both are good this time of year.  The weather has finally warmed up a bit and by the middle of the month it should be perfect.  If you like a challange try the Henry’s Fork.  Any shop in West Yellowstone can give you current conditions. Doug — Doug & Tammy Stephens Bear Lake Valley, Idaho

Response:

Having read many posts from this self-styled non-potato farmer, I read this as high praise for the Selway and I am adding it to my Summer ‘98 itinerary.  Personally, I’ve never done well on the Lochsa. Phil Holt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : If your route takes you across the Panhandle of Idaho try the Locsha along US : 12. OK, fish the Lochsa of you must, but stay away from its sister river, the Selway.  That is one crappy river.  In fact, although few know it, it is probably the crappiest trout stream in the US.  It is a looooooser. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

Response:

: Having read many posts from this self-styled non-potato farmer, I read this as high praise for the : Selway and I am adding it to my Summer ‘98 itinerary.  Personally, I’ve never done well on the Lochsa. I am no farmer.  That dot at the end is a period, so the sentence should read, "I am no farmer period."  Potatoes or anything else. Having straightened that out… See?  I told you the Lochsa was crummy and now I am telling you the Selway is even crummier. But on another note… I found a new stream today.  (Can anyone really believe it?)  It is a spring creek, comes complete with one of those pipes coming out of the side of a hill where people stop and fill up their water jugs.  I saw it from the road, and simply dropped over the side and walked it aways.  Lots of clearly visible trout is "gin clear" water (added to piss Tim off.)  Big fish too.  Not on a major road, but on a paved road.  (Should be easy to find since Idaho only has about 5.)  Absolutely nobody on the 10 miles of water I checked out. Odd… I thought.  On the road, big, easily spotted fish and no fisherfolk.  While I was standing around, looking like a non-potato farmer, three people on horseback rode up.  (Yep, real people, not dude ranchers or anything like that.  Just normal Idaho people, doing what Idaho people often do on a Sunday.  When they are not growing spuds, that is.)  So I asked, and they answered… nobody fishes that creek they said. And then I realized why.  First, publicity is not our strong suit.  (You probably didn’t even know that the odds are 50% that the McD’s french fry you ate last week is really a Idaho fry.  See, we don’t tell.)  Second, and this is  probably the real reason, I saw a group of people in the town closest  to this creek routinely pulling out 2-5 pounders at a location that *is*  right on a major road.  The folks who want to meat fish, must drive by this location to get to the spring creek I’m not telling you about.  And this ain’t no fish story… 2-5 pounders if they want them.  The third reason is that this is not "fly-fishing" territory.  Slimy wriggly things are the bait of choice. OK, pull out those maps.  One hint is that the spring creek is within 20 miles of the place where the 2-5 pounders are found.  That spot is below a small damn, and is on a river that to my knowledge, was the last river in the US to be successfully rafted.  I mean nobody was able to remain in a watercraft over the entire length of the river until 1975. Can you blieve that?  1975.  It is an amazing river.  (OK, perhaps that clue will help only Jon M.)   One other thing, the section of the river I am talking about with the 2-5 pounders is in a stretch of the river where a canoe can easily navigate and is above the nasty part.  Further, this spot is on one of the two major N-S highways in the state.  It is not in the part of Idaho I usually write about.  It is near a town where I thought, "wow… this is exactly what Tahoe looked like 20 years ago."  It is in a valley with its floor at about 5000 feet. OK, one other clue.  Near the spring creek, I was able to step across one of the (former) greatest salmon spawning rivers in the US.  To my knowledge, it is the farthest an ocean dwelling salmon swims (in the US) to spawn.  This place where I was able to step across this river is at least 600 miles from the ocean.  (Wow!  Some fish.)  I then drove to a spot on this same river where I was not able to throw a rock across it (because it is over 100 yards wide.)  This river collects a *lot* of very pure water on its trip to the ocean.   OK, that is Idaho trivia for today.  If you have an idea of the general location, let me know and I will tell you details if you are correct. I was more moved at finding this creek than I care to admit to you.  It is really amazing if you pause to consider it.  Let us all remember there are still amazing and beautiful places we can discover.  The whole damn point of this goofy post is to motivate you to get out a map and go looking. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

Response:

Knock it off, Rick.  This is cruel.

Response:

Another reason I made this post was to give a little notice just what a great part of the world Idaho is.  I’ve lived in Colorado, N. California and Washington, all are great places.  But I have not seen the beautiful, rugged, unspoiled and isolated country within the Idaho borders.   Take out a good map and look for yourself.  It is awesome. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

Response:

I will be making a car trip the week of 7/13 to visit relatives.  We will be driving from Helena MT to W Idaho.  Since I am the only fisherman in my family I won’t have as much time to spend fishing as I would like.  If you had a half a day where would you go?  Henry’s Fork, Gallatin, Beaverhead, Madison, Big Hole?  There are possible routes that take me past all of these.  I will probably avoid YNP (except West Yellowstone), to much out the way.  I would prefer stream fishing to still water and big fish aren’t important, I am an intermediate level FF. Joe Wax

  Joe Just now got home from the Madison. Last week snowed on my sorry ass , river up and off color. This week, cleared and dropped. Fishing was very good both weeks and the night I was to leave caddis where on the bloom. Firehole fished well  PMD’s. The fork between the falls was Hm  (Rained every day I was there and snowed twice to beat the band. Fish where everywhere …..good trip, wet and cold but good fishing) "You can tell when I’m being facetious because I use subliminal smileys."

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -But on another note… I found a new stream today.  (Can anyone really believe it?)  It is a spring creek, comes complete with one of those pipes coming out of the side of a hill where people stop and fill up their water jugs.  I saw it from the road, and simply dropped over the side and walked it aways.  Lots of clearly visible trout is "gin clear" water (added to piss Tim off.)  Big fish too.  Not on a major road, but on a paved road.  (Should be easy to find since Idaho only has about 5.)  Absolutely nobody on the 10 miles of water I checked out. Odd… I thought.  On the road, big, easily spotted fish and no fisherfolk.  While I was standing around, looking like a non-potato farmer, three people on horseback rode up.  (Yep, real people, not dude ranchers or anything like that.  Just normal Idaho people, doing what Idaho people often do on a Sunday.  When they are not growing spuds, that is.)  So I asked, and they answered… nobody fishes that creek they said. And then I realized why.  First, publicity is not our strong suit.  (You probably didn’t even know that the odds are 50% that the McD’s french fry you ate last week is really a Idaho fry.  See, we don’t tell.)  Second, and this is  probably the real reason, I saw a group of people in the town closest  to this creek routinely pulling out 2-5 pounders at a location that *is*  right on a major road.  The folks who want to meat fish, must drive by this location to get to the spring creek I’m not telling you about.  And this ain’t no fish story… 2-5 pounders if they want them.  The third reason is that this is not "fly-fishing" territory.  Slimy wriggly things are the bait of choice. OK, pull out those maps.  One hint is that the spring creek is within 20 miles of the place where the 2-5 pounders are found.  That spot is below a small damn, and is on a river that to my knowledge, was the last river in the US to be successfully rafted.  I mean nobody was able to remain in a watercraft over the entire length of the river until 1975. Can you blieve that?  1975.  It is an amazing river.  (OK, perhaps that clue will help only Jon M.)   One other thing, the section of the river I am talking about with the 2-5 pounders is in a stretch of the river where a canoe can easily navigate and is above the nasty part.  Further, this spot is on one of the two major N-S highways in the state.  It is not in the part of Idaho I usually write about.  It is near a town where I thought, "wow… this is exactly what Tahoe looked like 20 years ago."  It is in a valley with its floor at about 5000 feet. OK, one other clue.  Near the spring creek, I was able to step across one of the (former) greatest salmon spawning rivers in the US.  To my knowledge, it is the farthest an ocean dwelling salmon swims (in the US) to spawn.  This place where I was able to step across this river is at least 600 miles from the ocean.  (Wow!  Some fish.)  I then drove to a spot on this same river where I was not able to throw a rock across it (because it is over 100 yards wide.)  This river collects a *lot* of very pure water on its trip to the ocean.   OK, that is Idaho trivia for today.  If you have an idea of the general location, let me know and I will tell you details if you are correct. I was more moved at finding this creek than I care to admit to you.  It is really amazing if you pause to consider it.  Let us all remember there are still amazing and beautiful places we can discover.  The whole damn point of this goofy post is to motivate you to get out a map and go looking.

Well Rick, I can’t find my map just yet but I would have to believe that the creek is just north of Galena Summit.  At least I think that is what it is called.  It is the pass between Ketchum and Stanley.  It is also, I believe, the divide between the Big Wood River and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. This is spectacular country.  I honeymooned there with my wife(of course) but sadly, I didn’t take my fly rod.  Maybe next time I’m there I will have it. Marty P.E.T.A (People for the Ethical Termination of Antihunters)

Response:

I will be making a car trip the week of 7/13 to visit relatives.  We will be driving from Helena MT to W Idaho.  Since I am the only fisherman in my family I won’t have as much time to spend fishing as I would like.  If you had a half a day where would you go?  Henry’s Fork, Gallatin, Beaverhead, Madison, Big Hole?  There are possible routes that take me past all of these.  I will probably avoid YNP (except West Yellowstone), to much out the way.  I would prefer stream fishing to still water and big fish aren’t important, I am an intermediate level FF. Joe Wax

Response:

I will be making a car trip the week of 7/13 to visit relatives.  We will be driving from Helena MT to W Idaho.  Since I am the only fisherman in my family I won’t have as much time to spend fishing as I would like.  If you had a half a day where would you go?  Henry’s Fork, Gallatin, Beaverhead, Madison, Big Hole?  There are possible routes that take me past all of these.  I will probably avoid YNP (except West Yellowstone), to much out the way.  I would prefer stream fishing to still water and big fish aren’t important, I am an intermediate level FF. Joe Wax

If you drive from Helena to Western Idaho you won’t be fishing any of the streams listed above.  I assume you mean eastern Idaha and SW Montana.  If your route takes you across the Panhandle of Idaho try the Locsha along US 12.  If you did mean eastern Idaho go ahead and fish the Madison and the Gallatin.  Both are good this time of year.  The weather has finally warmed up a bit and by the middle of the month it should be perfect.  If you like a challange try the Henry’s Fork.  Any shop in West Yellowstone can give you current conditions. Doug — Doug & Tammy Stephens Bear Lake Valley, Idaho

Response:

I’ve fished both SW Montana and Western Idaho.  i really enjoyed the Big Hole River between Wisdom and Wise River.  it’s accessible and wasn’t crowded at all.  you can go west from Wisdom and either head south into idaho or north a ways and then west into idaho over lolo pass.  Good luck.

Response:

I’ve fished both SW Montana and Western Idaho.  i really enjoyed the Big Hole River between Wisdom and Wise River.  it’s accessible and wasn’t crowded at all.  you can go west from Wisdom and either head south into idaho or north a ways and then west into idaho over lolo pass.  Good luck.

No, No, the Wise and the BigHole are both over crowded and have no fish. The campgrounds are terrible and I believe there was a meltdown at a powerplant nearby.  Don’t go there!! Doug — Doug & Tammy Stephens Bear Lake Valley, Idaho

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I will be making a car trip the week of 7/13 to visit relatives.  We will be driving from Helena MT to W Idaho.  Since I am the only fisherman in my family I won’t have as much time to spend fishing as I would like.  If you had a half a day where would you go?  Henry’s Fork, Gallatin, Beaverhead, Madison, Big Hole?  There are possible routes that take me past all of these.  I will probably avoid YNP (except West Yellowstone), to much out the way.  I would prefer stream fishing to still water and big fish aren’t important, I am an intermediate level FF. Joe Wax If you drive from Helena to Western Idaho you won’t be fishing any of the streams listed above.  I assume you mean eastern Idaha and SW Montana.  If your route takes you across the Panhandle of Idaho try the Locsha along US 12.  If you did mean eastern Idaho go ahead and fish the Madison and the Gallatin.  Both are good this time of year.  The weather has finally warmed up a bit and by the middle of the month it should be perfect.  If you like a challange try the Henry’s Fork.  Any shop in West Yellowstone can give you current conditions. Doug — Doug & Tammy Stephens Bear Lake Valley, Idaho

I apologize, I left out some important detail.  By W Idaho I ment Boise, and the fastest route takes me through East Idaho.  That does take me past the streams that I mentioned.  The Panhandle route to Boise would be longer, but more scenic.  Thanks for the information. Joe Wax

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I will be making a car trip the week of 7/13 to visit relatives.  We will be driving from Helena MT to W Idaho.  Since I am the only fisherman in my family I won’t have as much time to spend fishing as I would like.  If you had a half a day where would you go?  Henry’s Fork, Gallatin, Beaverhead, Madison, Big Hole?  There are possible routes that take me past all of these.  I will probably avoid YNP (except West Yellowstone), to much out the way.  I would prefer stream fishing to still water and big fish aren’t important, I am an intermediate level FF. Joe Wax If you drive from Helena to Western Idaho you won’t be fishing any of the streams listed above.  I assume you mean eastern Idaha and SW Montana.  If your route takes you across the Panhandle of Idaho try the Locsha along US 12.  If you did mean eastern Idaho go ahead and fish the Madison and the Gallatin.  Both are good this time of year.  The weather has finally warmed up a bit and by the middle of the month it should be perfect.  If you like a challange try the Henry’s Fork.  Any shop in West Yellowstone can give you current conditions. Doug — Doug & Tammy Stephens Bear Lake Valley, Idaho I apologize, I left out some important detail.  By W Idaho I ment Boise, and the fastest route takes me through East Idaho.  That does take me past the streams that I mentioned.  The Panhandle route to Boise would be longer, but more scenic.  Thanks for the information. Joe Wax

Got it!  You may even try the Fall River south of Ashton on US 20.   Doug — Doug & Tammy Stephens Bear Lake Valley, Idaho

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Let us all remember there are still amazing and beautiful places we can discover.  The whole damn point of this goofy post is to motivate you to get out a map and go looking.

Stop motivating me, please!  I’ve already got a whole pile of maps and books about Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, BC, Alaska, New Zealand, and Patagonia (along with a collection of books and CDs about self-taught Spanish).  I racked up 1000 miles on my truck last weekend, and 35 miles on my tennis shoes seeking out some of the places on those maps.  The last thing I need is someone motivating me to buy another damned map! Stop it! — -Wayne Trzyna                           Fight spam! Join CAUCE (Coalition  http://www.cs.colostate.edu/~trzyna    See http://www.cauce.org/

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Question:

Hi– On my way to Schroon Lake/Schroon River in upstate NY from Erie, PA.  Although I’ve lived there on and off for over 35 years, I am new to flyfishing.  Will trout still be active in the river? Should I head for the dam near Chestertown? Or, is the season finished?  Thanks for any assistance! P.S. Time won’t permit a side trip to the Ausable…although I plan on it in the spring. Regards, Brian

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Hi– On my way to Schroon Lake/Schroon River in upstate NY from Erie, PA. Although I’ve lived there on and off for over 35 years, I am new to flyfishing.  Will trout still be active in the river? Should I head for the dam near Chestertown? Or, is the season finished?  Thanks for any assistance! P.S. Time won’t permit a side trip to the Ausable…although I plan on it in the spring. Regards, Brian

   Although the Schroon is heavily stocked by both the State and Warren County it is a put and take river with virtually no holdover. Come back in the spring after mid may and the water levels will be down to where you can wade the river.

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Question:

I want to purchase a float tube for use in the Tasmanian Lakes. What are the best regarded float tubes in the USA and where is the best place for me to order one? (assuming this can be done on the net) Thankyou Nicholas Brand Melboure Australia

Hi Nicholas,   I am fishing in Tasmania this November. I hear that they wade in the shallow flats of their lakes for big browns. We like J.W.Outfitters, Buck’s Bags and Wood River for the best quality in US made floating devises. Round float-tubes have been popular for the last 30 years, but we see the Wood River V-boats taking a bigger share of the market now. Pontoon boats are great, but not as popular as the old round or V-boats in volume. I would look at http://www.bobmarriotts.com/ as they sell internationally. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

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I want to purchase a float tube for use in the Tasmanian Lakes. What are the best regarded float tubes in the USA and where is the best place for me to order one? (assuming this can be done on the net) Thankyou Nicholas Brand Melboure Australia

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Question:

GRAND CANYON TRIP REPORT (a fictitious account)

 Nicely written/related.  Reading your account makes me yearn for the Canyon.  Hmmmm, wait 17 years, pay $700 plus in fees and risk the no-mercy permit system, or go now, avoid the inane bureaucracy and risk $3000-4000 Happy Boating, Chris Donohue WSU – Pullman, WA "I used up all my sick days, so I’m calling in dead."                                                         – Anonymous

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GRAND CANYON TRIP REPORT (a fictitious account)

Great story;  what an adventure!  But, if the following is true: If one is to plan a clandestined run of the Canyon, best to do it during the off-season when not many people are likely to be encountered.  And of course, don’t get caught.  I hear the fine for running the Canyon without a permit is in the $3000-4000 range!!!   WOWWW!

why not just get a "cancellation permit" and run the river legal? Are there not plenty of open slots off season? — Chris

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GRAND CANYON TRIP REPORT (a fictitious account)

Hummm!!! "Fictitious account"????  Sounds fishy to me.  A few months ago Rocky wants to know from this group how to avoid rangers with radios on the Grand and now this story??!!!?  :-)

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| GRAND CANYON TRIP REPORT (a fictitious account) | | | Hummm!!! "Fictitious account"????  Sounds fishy to me.  A few months ago | Rocky wants to know from this group how to avoid rangers with radios on | the Grand and now this story??!!!?  :-) He was prob’ly just researchin’ the story just like any other fiction writer would. Of course, perhaps there was _other_ research involved in ensuring the story had dramatic impact and audience appeal with a feeling of truth. Let’s see what other tales Rocky comes up with. SYITP (see you in the pool) Ken

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why not just get a "cancellation permit" and run the river legal? Are there not plenty of open slots off season? — Chris

Actually I tried calling over 40 times last fall and didn’t get a cancellation.  They can be had, but it’s getting tougher and tougher to get them.  I don’t think it’s any easier getting cancellations in winter than in other months, because they reserve so few for the off-season anyway. -Rocky

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What would the probablity of success be? ;-

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What would the probablity of success be? ;-

Probability best if you go November or December.  Good if you go January or February, or October.  Next time I hear Joe plans on going in October because there’s no motorized rafts permitted that month and the weather is still pretty warm (highs 80s).   -Rocky

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: why not just get a "cancellation permit" and run the river legal? : Actually I tried calling over 40 times last fall and didn’t get a            ^ : cancellation. : -Rocky Ummm, don’t you mean ‘Joe’ called? Steve — Steve Cramer                     Test Scoring & Reporting Services      Sometimes you never can University of Georgia                    always tell what you Athens, GA 30602-5593                      least expect the most.

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: why not just get a "cancellation permit" and run the river legal? : Actually I tried calling over 40 times last fall and didn’t get a           ^ : cancellation. : -Rocky Ummm, don’t you mean ‘Joe’ called? Steve —

Oh, NO, Rocky didn’t mean "I" as in the first person.  He meant "I" as in an *initial*.  Another initial that Joe uses is "G". Isn’t that right, Rocky? Jackie                                  _                        _   _        _   _                     \                      / /       / /                     \                        "          "                         `                                        ,sSSs,,                         )w/(       ,sSS..)/{)                       <<..       sSSS_v)/                      )<*      sSS[(_]___         o                                                 o                             \     o      o                                              \  o            o                                  `                                                    o           o               o                                                  o GASP! – A forum for Gulf (of Mexico) Area Sea Paddlers http://www.intelenet.net/clubs/gasp/

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GRAND CANYON TRIP REPORT (a fictitious account)      The Grand Canyon is perhaps the finest river trip in the world.  A minimum of 225 miles must be traversed through the canyon to be able to put-in and take-out on roads.  The Colorado runs through the National Park in this area, and a permit is required.  It is a BIG DEAL.  Only approximately 350 private permits are issued per year.  If you put your name on the waiting list last year, you go behind 6000 other permit seekers.  That translates to 6000/350=17 YEARS before you get your permit!!!  Granted, for each permit you can have 20 people and stay in the canyon 14-30 days, but is there a place for the non-wealthy person that wants to go on a shorter trip, alone, or with only one or two others?  Should he/she just wait 17 years for such a permit, and then put to waste all those people spots and extra time that the permit allows?  For some, this is just too outrageous.  Better to become an outlaw and do the run without a permit.      Such was the attitude of one adventure seeker I know ("Joe").   Sometime in December, when a week could be taken off, the trip was planned.  Carefully -mind you.  Timing is critical.  No motorized craft are permitted in the canyon from September 15-December 15.  One doesn’t want a ranger speeding up behind you and catching you.  Such an event happened to me in Canyonlands National Park in 1994 when I was doing a solo trip from Loma to Hite through Cataract Canyon.  It would be nice to be able to locate rangers in the canyon to avoid any contact.  A CB radio was brought along.  At the South Rim, the rangers would not tell Joe what frequency they used.  All he got out of them was "the radios don’t work down in the canyon."  Perhaps they use special frequencies reserved for law enforcement people.  Hence the CB was not taken on the river.  How about put-ins?  Lees Ferry is the normal spot swarming with rangers, though Joe, having never done the Canyon before, didn’t know what the Lees Ferry area looked like.  Instead, he tried to put in 15 miles upstream at Glen Canyon Dam.  Upon arrival at Glen Canyon Dam, he noticed that there was no road down to the river there, and the walls are nearly vertical.  In the Dam visitor center, a kind woman informed Joe that there was a trail down to the river on river left just below the dam, but it was treacherous and takes about a half hour down.  Joe decided that this wasn’t the best idea, so decided to take his chances at Lees Ferry, perhaps launching at night when nobody could see.  Joy entered Joe’s heart when the lady informed him that they were releasing 13000-19000 cfs from the dam.  He had thought there would only be 8000 cfs in the river (as stated on the Colorado Flow Page).   More water = faster travel and funner rapids!      Off to Lees Ferry he went, arriving in the afternoon about 2 pm.   From the highway, a road several miles long leads down to the river at Lees Ferry.  It seemed terribly easy to get down to the river without anybody spotting him.  He settled on a spot by the Paria Riffle, just downstream of the Paria River, by some mobile home type areas, but right next to the water.  There was a nice large parking area and lots of shrubs/trees that the clandestined activitiy of loading the kayak could be accomplished at.  The normal put-in spot could be viewed about a half mile upstream.  The plan was to get everything out/off of the truck (the kayak as quickly as possible, since such a sight is a dead give-away), load up everything into the kayak, then drive back up to the little town of Marble Canyon and find somebody to drive the truck to near the take-out – Las Vegas.  Joe was thinking of finding a party of two or more going to Las Vegas, and having them leave his truck in the Excaliber (or Luxor) parking lot.  Joe would then return to the boat at dusk and launch.  At the takeout (Temple Bar on Lake Mead), he would get a lift into Las Vegas, drive back and pick up the kayak.  Such was the plan.  As he was loading the kayak, a car drove by and then down to the same spot Joe was at.  Very apprehensive at first, Joe hid everything that might give away his planned activity and approached the vehicle.   The Gods were in Joe’s favor!  The vehicle contained three foreigners – an Aussie, an Englishwoman, and an Israeli all in their 20s-early 30s.   Joe asked, "Sightseeing?" and so began a productive conversation.  The three were staying at the hostel in Page and just mosying around seeing whatever there was to see.  Just PERFECT!  Out of Joe’s mouth came the plan to run the river and the need for someone to drive his truck to Las Vegas.  He offered them $40 if they’d do it.  It turns out the Israeli, named Udi, actually was not with the other two, but was just bumming rides from people going around the country.  He had to get to LA in the next couple weeks to fly home.  After about a half hour of thought, Udi agreed to take the truck.  Joe told Udi he’d give him $60 if he went so far as to leave the truck at the take-out (Temple Bar on Lake Mead) instead of Las Vegas, and this he agreed to.  Joe planned 7 more days on the river, and told Udi, "you must have the truck at Temple Bar by dusk eight days from now."    So Joe took off into the wild, still anxious about a ranger spotting him in the first few miles.        Having launched around 3:30 pm the first day, not much distance could be made.  The days are short in December (10 hours of light), so every daylight hour is precious.  Passing the Navajo Bridge after several miles with no signs of rangers, Joe knew he was out of danger.   It grew dark after he had paddled 8 or 9 miles.  Badger Creek rapid was run in twilight.  The next four miles were quite exciting in the dark. Coming up on Soap Creek he noticed a couple lights.  Afraid it might be the law, he avoided contact with the campers, but paddled just past them as the Soap Creek rapid began, pulling over to the side to camp.   Paddling though a rapid such as Soap Creek was not smart in the dark – espially never having seen it before.  Quickly setting up his tent, he settled in for a fine meal of split-pea soup, bread, and cheese (to be had the next two nights as well), with hot chocolate to top it off.   Laying in the sleeping bag, he quickly fell asleep starting to read (around 8 pm).  In the night he heard what sounded like people walking around his tent.  Waking up at 4 am, he continued to read his recently purchased book by JW Powell, "The Exploration of the Colorado and Its Canyons".  In it he read about Powell’s group travelling through Marble Canyon and then reaching the Grand Canyon.  He also brought along "Cadillac Desert" which contained an abundance of information on the politics of water control in the West.        Before the first sign of light, Joe got up and stalked over to where the other campers were.  They must have hiked in, for there was no raft by the river.  And there was only one tent, so not very many people were there.  He wasn’t worried anymore.  He went back and started on a run up Soap Creek Canyon for almost an hour (getting up the canyon probably  2 miles or so before returning).  The water had dropped during the night – he’d be paddling on 13000 cfs today.  Joe went over to meet the camping couple, who were trying their luck at fishing.  He asked if they’d take some video of him going through Soap Creek Rapid, which they obliged him.  He was off at 9 am.   The boat he paddled was an old fiberglass Phoenix, something of a hybrid sea/whitewater kayak – probably about 90 gallons, 14 ft.  It was banged up from other rivers, and had been patched a year ago.  It leaked horribly, the outfitting was falling out (in particular a loose right hip pad), but it was fast.   Luckily Joe brought a sponge and bilge pump, which he had to use every half hour to remove the inch of water that accumulated on the bottom of the kayak.  Such a large boat is not great for playing, but since Joe wasn’t planning on much of that, the Phoenix was an ideal kayak for the journey.  If he had one, a nice sea kayak would have been preferred.   Paddling most of the time he was on the water, very good time was made on the journey.  The second day he made it to Nankoweap (about 42 miles from Soap Creek), passing House Rock Rapid, Stanton’s Cave, and the beautiful Vasey’s Paradise on the way.  Initially he had trouble finding Stanton’s Cave, looking up a gully that was actually just upstream of it.  Giving up after almost an hour of searching, he continued on paddling, only to spot the cave clearly from the river.  It is fenced off inside to help promote the BLACK Bat to roost in there once more.   In the side canyons above Nankoweap several deer were spotted among the mesquite bushes.  Around mile 40 a group of 5-6 rafts was passed (clearly a private party), though no contact was made.  At Nankoweap the guidebook states there is a long rapid (Grand Canyon class 3), but which is really not more than a class one.  Joe tried to camp at side canyons with fun hikes that he would do in the morning, and also ones with driftwood that he could build a small fire for warmth with.  Such was Nankoweap.  Fires are only permitted in the off-season (October through March), and all traces must be removed.  Joe didn’t take out the ashes (very minor amounts), but usually threw them in the river.  Of course Joe did pack out all solid human waste and trash.      The next morning he rose before dawn and started on the run/hike to see the springs a few miles up the canyon, and also the Indian ruins.   The stream here is perennial, with fresh, clear, cold water running down it.  It all originates up at the springs which are a good hike away.   The water seeps out of the ground in several spots up there, and there are many reeds growing around the springs.  Going fast, running much of

… read more »

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    GRAND CANYON TRIP REPORT (a fictitious account)                     <big ol’ snip         realated by Rocky Contos               Thanks for the great story!  Too bad "Joe" is fictictious, sounds like     a hell of a paddler!

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Question:

Hi gang: Since moving to Oregon I have been doing alot more fly fishing and I began to see the advantages of a drift boat or the like.  However Drift boats take up alot of space and require a trailer and cost$$$.  I have always enjoyed rafting and surf kyaking so it seemed logical to look at canoes.  What I need is something that can handle the equipment for fishing and camping for a few days and the ability to handle upto class III rapids. Am I dreaming?  Do any of you folks fish from a canoe and have some suggestions on what to look for.  I am willing to give up some initial stability for whitewater capability as most of the rivers I fish have at least a couple of class III and IV rapids. Thanx in advance! charles.

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Hey If you find one let me know..I love fishing bones in a canoe..use an electric troller… and I’m due for a new one.

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Canoes are great watercraft, but not the best fishing craft on streams.  I have a Mad River Explorer which I love, but it is quite difficult for a single person, i.e. stern paddler to manage the canoe in fast water and at the same time place the fisherman in the bow in optimal position to fish holding water.  This is particularly true if the canoe is loaded down with camping gear.  If fishing is you primary use, I would recommend a raft with rowing frame.  It takes up less space than a canoe or driftboat and you could probably pick up one at an end-of-season sale for little more than you’d spend for a canoe capable of negotiating whitewater safely.  On the other hand, if you mostly want to float and *stop* to fish likely areas, the canoe is faster and more fun.  Hope this helps.  One thing to remember is that you won’t stop at Class III if you’re like most of us.   Longspeer

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I fish from canoes quite a bit but in somewhat different waters (ozark streams). My  experience is  that flyfishing while solo paddling required a canoe with good tracking otherwise one ends up having to correct my course during almost every cast. However note that  to run class III rapids you will probably want a play boat with plenty of rocker unless you are exceptionally good on a canoe. I have no solution for this opposing requirements. For what is worth, I use a Mad River Malacite. RioSimpson.

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I used to have an Old Town Katahdin that I could stand in easily.  It has a 41" beam and is a good buy for the money!

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writes: Canoes are great watercraft, but not the best fishing craft on

streams.  I……Longspeer   I Have to Agree that a canoe of any type would be less than ideal for fishing in most faster water.  Rafts are much more stable and forgiving when your attention is on that HUGE trout you have on.  We used to count on going swimming if we took a canoe, and we were on pretty tame waters.  I usually fish from a drift boat, but have fished from rafts and, if set up right, they are great! Steve May

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Check out Aquaterra’s kayaks: Keowee, Keowee II and Gemini or Jocasse. I’ve had a Gemini, a two person 16′ kayak with a single 6′ opening, for six years or so. The big advantage over a canoe is that it’s less influenced by wind. It’s very stable and has a comfortable seating position. Downside: a little on the heavy side 65# and not very practical to carry overhead like a canoe but you can drag it just about over any type of terrain without worrying about damage. Glenn Lemke Manchester, VT

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I agre with Glenn on the advantage of a Sea Kayak over a canoe.  I have an Aquaterra Chinook, BUT–if you ever hook into the bow portion, and I’ve done it with a clumsey cast, you’re screwed!  For all around use in flatwater of 50acres or less–the float tube is probably the way to go.

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Charles: I’ve done considerable fishing from my Mad River "Courier" and it would be an excellent boat for what you want. It was designed to be an extended wilderness tripping boat. It is tough and handles rapids very well and has a semi-v bottom characteristic of Mad River canoes. The construction is of Royalex (or Mad River’s equivalent) so it will take a beating and keep on ticking. I use mine for camping, fishing and just tooting around. I would definitely buy another. Richard Warren Raleigh, NC

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I am the one that suggested a Mad Rive Courier canoe. I forgot to add that this is a solo canoe. Buy yourself one of those cheap short paddles about 24" long to correct your drift with. It is a lot easier than reaching for a long heavy paddle. Richard Warren Raleigh, NC

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