Question:

Hello all, I did a search for past messages and didn’t find any help. Could anyone suggest a book(s) for info on flyfishing in Montana? It would be much appreciated. I live in E. Washington and am looking to make a few trips to into Montana this year. The books don’t have to be super-detailed–I’d prefer overviews to an entire book on just one river. However, if the book covered a "region" (like Yellowstone Park), that would be fine. I’m just looking for some basic info on times, hatches, accessability, etc. Thanks! -TyKo

Response:

Flyfisher’s guide to Montana by Greg Thomas is pretty good. The Montana Angling Guide by Fothergill and Sterling is also good. The former has a better narrative and information on lodging, dining, etc. The latter has better maps.  All my opinions, of course. John

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, I did a search for past messages and didn’t find any help. Could anyone suggest a book(s) for info on flyfishing in Montana? It would be much appreciated. I live in E. Washington and am looking to make a few trips to into Montana this year. The books don’t have to be super-detailed–I’d prefer overviews to an entire book on just one river. However, if the book covered a "region" (like Yellowstone Park), that would be fine. I’m just looking for some basic info on times, hatches, accessability, etc. Thanks! -TyKo

Response:

Flyfisher’s guide to Montana by Greg Thomas is pretty good. The Montana Angling Guide by Fothergill and Sterling is also good. The former has a better narrative and information on lodging, dining, etc. The latter has better maps.  All my opinions, of course.

I found the latter extremely helpful because of all the pullout maps, in a ring binder format  you can easily lay flat.

Response:

Question:

For over thirty years now, I have been fishing with the fly, when I started, downstream wet, and then a little upstream with a dry, I moved on then to streamers, and with these an odd good fish did kill, and these increased the more I learned, and always were a thrill, and then one day I met a man fishing very tiny weighted things, fascinated then I watched, as he caught fish on nearly all his flings. I rushed down to the tackle shop and bought a set of these fine flies, and in the intervening years, I have learned to use mostly my own ties, the flies look perfect, and occasionally I catch a decent fish, but I am still consumed I fear with one large all embracing wish, After all these years of trying, I  would give anything for the barest glimpse, of knowledge skill and understanding on how to fish with  F***ing nymphs ! TL MC — "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For over thirty years now, I have been fishing with the fly, when I started, downstream wet, and then a little upstream with a dry, I moved on then to streamers, and with these an odd good fish did kill, and these increased the more I learned, and always were a thrill, and then one day I met a man fishing very tiny weighted things, fascinated then I watched, as he caught fish on nearly all his flings. I rushed down to the tackle shop and bought a set of these fine flies, and in the intervening years, I have learned to use mostly my own ties, the flies look perfect, and occasionally I catch a decent fish, but I am still consumed I fear with one large all embracing wish, After all these years of trying, I  would give anything for the barest glimpse, of knowledge skill and understanding on how to fish with  F***ing nymphs ! TL MC — "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

– Regards, Jeff Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

Can someone direct me to a good web site for information on fishing the many trout streams in PA and NY states?  Thanks.

Response:

Can someone direct me to a good web site for information on fishing the many trout streams in PA and NY states?  Thanks.

Steve, This site has some good info and up to date stream reports posted by anglers. http://www.paflyfish.easetech.com/ Tim

Response:

Can someone direct me to a good web site for information on fishing the many trout streams in PA and NY states?  Thanks.

Steve My site uner ‘Links’ – ‘Destinations’ has about ten links to PA, ME, and VT flyfishing information sites. Cheers Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.cgocable.net/~pcharles/index.html

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Question:

Much better!  We’ve engaged!  I have no idea what most of that meant, but at least it was an attempt!   I noticed, too, that you switched your point of attack from "don’t read the posts you don’t like" to "geez, the threads sometimes do get tangled; deal with it."  Hmmm?  What might that suggest?   See how I changed the subject header, before responding?  See how you knew exactly what post I was replying to, and yet everybody knows this won’t be a post about fly fishing!  It’s easy and fun, and you can do it, too!   Come on, silly Mikey.  

Response:

i’ve never been so pissed, nor have i been this dissed, to see such a complete off-topic, by this jeff hull myopic, he just doesn’t get the gist…. –wataugan "here’s lookin at ya" walt  :) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Much better!  We’ve engaged!  I have no idea what most of that meant, but at least it was an attempt! I noticed, too, that you switched your point of attack from "don’t read the posts you don’t like" to "geez, the threads sometimes do get tangled; deal with it."  Hmmm?  What might that suggest? See how I changed the subject header, before responding?  See how you knew exactly what post I was replying to, and yet everybody knows this won’t be a post about fly fishing!  It’s easy and fun, and you can do it, too! Come on, silly Mikey.

Response:

I think now George needs to have a poetry section on his web page, I had no idea you guys had such a gift of prose. A how-how- how-how…….ZZ TOP cira1973 TWL….Big Al     i’ve never been so pissed,     nor have i been this dissed,     to see such a complete off-topic,     by this jeff hull myopic,     he just doesn’t get the gist….     –wataugan "here’s lookin at ya" walt  :)         Much better!  We’ve engaged!  I have no idea what most of that meant, but         at least it was an attempt!         I noticed, too, that you switched your point of attack from "don’t read the         posts you don’t like" to "geez, the threads sometimes do get tangled; deal         with it."  Hmmm?  What might that suggest?         See how I changed the subject header, before responding?  See how you knew         exactly what post I was replying to, and yet everybody knows this won’t be         a post about fly fishing!  It’s easy and fun, and you can do it, too!         Come on, silly Mikey.

Response:

    i’ve never been so pissed,     nor have i been this dissed,     to see such a complete off-topic,     by this jeff hull myopic,     he just doesn’t get the gist….     –wataugan "here’s lookin at ya" walt  :)     An excellent color to go with the verse,     If it had been typed in brown it would have been worse.     When playing with words,     ROFF will always have turds,     Whose critique they continue to nurse.     Anthony Ritter

Response:

Tony Ritter schrieb in Nachricht t…     An excellent color to go with the verse,     If it had been typed in brown it would have been worse.     When playing with words,     ROFF will always have turds,     Whose critique they continue to nurse. Hey Tony ! Way to go ! This colour thing opens up completely new dimensions ! Tight lines ! and scintillating colours ! Mike Connor

Response:

Question:

Here in ROFF I have learned the following: Trolling a fly from a float tube is not flyfishing Using a strike indicator is almost flyfishing Using more than one fly is really flyfishing Presenting dry flies upstream is the only true flyfishing Eating trout is OK (and tasty) Eating trout is not OK, but perch taste better anyway Tailwaters are bad Tailwaters are fabulous Tim is a funny guy Ralph really likes Tim Many people want to flyfish Colorado needs hatcheries Hatcheries ultimately hurt anadromous species It ain’t the way it used to be And I agree with all of these things……. JE

Response:

Here in ROFF I have learned the following: Tim is a funny guy Ralph really likes Tim

like him? I absolutley adore the big neurotic lug! Ralph H remove "take_this_out" for email reply

Response:

Question:

I will be going to the Florida Keys this summer. Is there good flyfishing around the islands (I want to wade from the shoreline as opposed to hiring a guide or renting a boat). I’ve heard that some good flyfishing can be had around the mangroves. Any suggestions on techniques and fly patterns would be appreciated. Thanks. Steve

Response:

I will be going to the Florida Keys this summer. Is there good flyfishing around the islands (I want to wade from the shoreline as opposed to hiring a guide or renting a boat). I’ve heard that some good flyfishing can be had around the mangroves. Any suggestions on techniques and fly patterns would be appreciated. Thanks. Steve

I’m also looking at going to the Florida Keys, but probably in September.  I’d also be interested in some flyfishing opportunities. I don’t have much of a problem renting a boat (and in fact, one of the places that I am considering staying at includes a 15′ motorboat with the accomodations) but would rather not spend $100 or more for a guide on what is already going to be a rather expensive vacation. John Fereira

Response:

<big snip  but would rather not spend $100 or more for a guide on what is already going to be a rather expensive vacation.

$100? Geez john I don’t know where you’d find a guide in the keys for $100. More like $350. Phil Koenig Manhattan Custom Tackle Ltd. http://fishdoc.com "I’m the boss, so WHATEVER I say is OK."

Response:

<big snip but would rather not spend $100 or more for a guide on what is already going to be a rather expensive vacation. $100? Geez john I don’t know where you’d find a guide in the keys for $100. More like $350.

As I told Phil in email, that’s absurd.  Even more absurd than a guide that would charge $350 for a day of fishing is that someone would actually pay someone that much.  What do you actually get for that amount of money.  A ride on a boat, probably the use of a fly rod and flies, and someone standing on a boat pointing out fish and telling you to catch it. One of the places that I am considering staying at is about $140 a night and that *includes* the use of a boat with a 15HP motor on it for getting out to the flats.  That’s for two people.  Either way there is no guarentee that I’m going to catch anything.  TimW’s right. "A cash flow runs through it." John Fereira

Response:

I find it incredible that people who have no idea of what they are talking about, still manage to have an opinion and put it in writing. Have you ever fished the Florida Flats with a guide? Do you have any idea of what you are talking about? Until you you have, keep your advice to yourself. Paul Bunchuk PNB Graphics Ft. Lauderdale, Fl <<)))` For Tarpon Fishing – please visit:

http://www.geocities.com/~tarponhunter – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <big snip but would rather not spend $100 or more for a guide on what is already going to be a rather expensive vacation. $100? Geez john I don’t know where you’d find a guide in the keys for $100. More like $350. As I told Phil in email, that’s absurd.  Even more absurd than a guide that would charge $350 for a day of fishing is that someone would actually pay someone that much.  What do you actually get for that amount of money.  A ride on a boat, probably the use of a fly rod and flies, and someone standing on a boat pointing out fish and telling you to catch it. One of the places that I am considering staying at is about $140 a night and that *includes* the use of a boat with a 15HP motor on it for getting out to the flats.  That’s for two people.  Either way there is no guarentee that I’m going to catch anything.  TimW’s right. "A cash flow runs through it." John Fereira

Response:

Well, I have fished with a guide in the Florida Keys and paid $350 to catch nothing.  The incredible thing to me is that the guide expects a tip even if you catch nothing.  I spent my money on a flats boat. The months payment is less than one day with a guide. That’s my opinion and I think I – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I find it incredible that people who have no idea of what they are talking about, still manage to have an opinion and put it in writing. Have you ever fished the Florida Flats with a guide? Do you have any idea of what you are talking about? Until you you have, keep your advice to yourself. Paul Bunchuk PNB Graphics Ft. Lauderdale, Fl <<)))` For Tarpon Fishing – please visit: http://www.geocities.com/~tarponhunter <big snip but would rather not spend $100 or more for a guide on what is already going to be a rather expensive vacation. $100? Geez john I don’t know where you’d find a guide in the keys for $100. More like $350. As I told Phil in email, that’s absurd.  Even more absurd than a guide that would charge $350 for a day of fishing is that someone would actually pay someone that much.  What do you actually get for that amount of money.  A ride on a boat, probably the use of a fly rod and flies, and someone standing on a boat pointing out fish and telling you to catch it. One of the places that I am considering staying at is about $140 a night and that *includes* the use of a boat with a 15HP motor on it for getting out to the flats.  That’s for two people.  Either way there is no guarentee that I’m going to catch anything.  TimW’s right. "A cash flow runs through it." John Fereira

Response:

I find it incredible that people who have no idea of what they are talking about, still manage to have an opinion and put it in writing. Have you ever fished the Florida Flats with a guide? Do you have any idea of what you are talking about? Until you you have, keep your advice to yourself.

No, I haven’t fished the Florida flats with a guide, but I do understand how the cost of services can be driven up by supply and demand.  Perhaps you can explain to me some other justification for charging someone $350 a day for a guides services.  Please itemize expenses involved.  Guides that charge $350 a day, and people that continue to pay it, are making flyfishing a rich mans sport.  Whether you like it or not I will continue to lobby to keep flyfishing an advocation for the common man (or woman). I will continue to offer my opinion to anyone that will listen that guides are charging excessive prices and that we, the common angler, should not pay them.   If you don’t like it, tough.   John Fereira

Response:

Question:

How do I get to archives of this group? I remember recently seeing a discussion about Wulff triangle taper lines. I’m thinking about getting one, so I would like to review the old postings. How do I do that? Thanks! Steve Rosenblum

Point your web browser to: search for tapered lines Remember to search the older archives as well. Good Luck Michael Smith

Response:

How do I get to archives of this group? I remember recently seeing a discussion about Wulff triangle taper lines. I’m thinking about getting one, so I would like to review the old postings. How do I do that? Thanks! Steve Rosenblum

Response:

How do I get to archives of this group? I remember recently seeing a discussion about Wulff triangle taper lines. I’m thinking about getting one, so I would like to review the old postings. How do I do that? Thanks! Steve Rosenblum

The consensus was that everyone liked them.  They are particularly good for roll-casting. -Burton — L. Burton Hawley     2330 NW Hummingbird Corvallis, OR

Response:

these words of wisdom: ; How do I get to archives of this group? I remember recently seeing a ; discussion about Wulff triangle taper lines. I’m thinking about getting ; one, so I would like to review the old postings. How do I do that? enter ~g rec.outdoors.fishing.fly & wulff triangle taper lines into the search box

Response:

Question:

Hi I’m sure you will get good answers from this group but I notice you are on AOL. Check the fishing reports at keyword FBN. That may help as well. Happy Holidays. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 materials catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

Response:

The two bodies of water that I usually fish are the Rose River off of Skyline Drive and Mossy Creek in the Shenandoah Valley.  I’ve only fished dry flies and haven’t got the slightest idea on how to approach nymph fishing, for that matter what nymphs to fish.  I would venture to say that I’ve caught the bug and won’t let a little inclimate weather frighten me off.  Is this the right approach, or should I hang it up until the Spring?

No way, dude. When I lived in MD, I fished Big Hunting Creek in Thurmont 12 mos/yr. In fact, the bigest browns I caught in that great stream were both in Januarys.  Fished the typical nymphs: Hare’s Ear in brown and olive, Pheasant Tails, etc. Nothin fancy. Just fish ‘em deep with a sloooooow retrieve. I laid it right at the mouths of these fish and they couldn’t resist. Of course, when the water’s that cold, the fish aren’t very active, that is until they realize they have a hook in their kype. Another bennie: since you are a beginner (tho, who isn’t?), winter fishing gives you time to work on technique and most importantly, patience. Plus, there are fewer folks around to feel intimidated by. So stick with it. -cst

Response:

Ditto CST–I’ll be on Big Hunting Creek tomorrow.  Nymphs are fine and streamers are also fine.  Nymph one way, then streamer yourself home.  I like a shockingly large brown or tan or olive and black bullet-head woolly bugger.  Big rainbows will eat those too;  and Mossy’s got some humongous brownies that love meat. Dave

Response:

I’m somewhat of a novice at fly fishing, but I wanted to get some input from the more experienced fly fishermen concerning winter fishing.  I’ve done some reading on fishing in the winter, but wanted to be armed with a little more info before I head out to freeze. The two bodies of water that I usually fish are the Rose River off of Skyline Drive and Mossy Creek in the Shenandoah Valley.  I’ve only fished dry flies and haven’t got the slightest idea on how to approach nymph fishing, for that matter what nymphs to fish.  I would venture to say that I’ve caught the bug and won’t let a little inclimate weather frighten me off.  Is this the right approach, or should I hang it up until the Spring?

Dave, There’s also a free magazine which is available at most of the VA fly shops which will lead you to the right patterns year round, and offers tips on winter fishing techniques in our state. Look for it at Orvis shops, Harry Murray’s place and others. Keith in Waterford, VA

Response:

Hey Dave,        I went on Christmas day to a small brook trout stream on Catoctin Mt. and used a size 16 unweighted hares ear, a small split shot and a piece of orvis clay strike indicator and caught brookies on the edge of flowing water. I was fighting to keep the guides clear of ice and there wasn’t any casting room but it was a lot of fun.(very light tackle).I used a dead drift in combination with a line hand gather retrieve. They seemed to be more ready to take on the retrieve than the drift. Just fish near flowing water not really in it. Good luck, John

Response:

I’m somewhat of a novice at fly fishing, but I wanted to get some input from the more experienced fly fishermen concerning winter fishing.  I’ve done some reading on fishing in the winter, but wanted to be armed with a little more info before I head out to freeze.   The two bodies of water that I usually fish are the Rose River off of Skyline Drive and Mossy Creek in the Shenandoah Valley.  I’ve only fished dry flies and haven’t got the slightest idea on how to approach nymph fishing, for that matter what nymphs to fish.  I would venture to say that I’ve caught the bug and won’t let a little inclimate weather frighten me off.  Is this the right approach, or should I hang it up until the Spring?

Response:

Question:

Checkout Lefty’s outstanding Tips and Techniques for Fly Fishing at: http://www.fred.net/downsouth/lefty.htm

Response:

Checkout Lefty’s outstanding Tips and Techniques for Fly Fishing at: http://www.fred.net/downsouth.lefty.htm

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I started quite a discussion with my "8 or 9 wt  rod" question and I want to thank all for your experience and wisdom. With all the input, I have decided on an 8 wt rod, which should be very versatile here in CA. I now have a question about line. I have now been told by 2 shops that a shooting head is the only way to go for CA steelhead. Its a bit intimidating in that I see all the casters at the pond untangling huge masses of  monofilament line. (Its hard enough to double haul right now without added complications!) I know that there are lines such as Teeny’s T’s, Cortland’s 24′ sink tip equivalent, and a Cortland line which is attached to braided mono. Shooting heads apparently offer the greatest flexibility in that different heads can be selected: floating and heads with various sink rates. It also offers a confusing number of options. Should I attach the shooting head to a floating running line, which is then attached to the mono backing, or do I attach the shooting head directly to the mono, as I see so many guys at the pond doing? If I do attach  the head to an intermediary section of floating running line, what diameter?, floating or sinking? Should I stick with a shooting head system and if so, what brands can I investigate? (I know Orvis provides a kit like system.) In a catalogue I have also seen 100