Question:

I have several week-long gigs coming up in February in Colorado Springs, CO.  It’s a 5 or 6 hour drive from ABQ.  I could also cram my fat butt into a RJ and it is a 1 hour flight (Mesa), or I could take a more comfortable (for me) 737 from ABQ-DEN-COS (United), or ABQ-PHX-COS (America West) and it would take 5 or 6 hours. Of course, that does not include the time spent driving to the airport, parking, checking in, going through security, and then waiting on my half-moons for departing flights / connections. You know what?  I’m driving a rental car.  No revenue for the airlines.  You can blame the TSA – final straw.  If the time spent is more-or-less equal, I’ll drive from now on.  Far less hassle. Of course, I’ll still be flying a lot – some places are just too far away to drive to reasonably.  But when I can, I’ll drive.  Screw the TSA. Best Regards, Bill Mattocks

Response:

fat butt into a RJ and it is a 1 hour flight (Mesa), or I could take a more comfortable (for me) 737 from ABQ-DEN-COS (United), or ABQ-PHX-COS (America West) and it would take 5 or 6 hours.

Or you could make an even bigger statement and take Amtrak Depart Albuquerque at 13:00, arrive Raton at 17.53, leave Raton by bus at 18:00 arrive Colorado Springs at 21:00 Yeah, longer than by car, but on the train ride, you get to travel in a long-haul train with all its services (dining car etc), and I believe that the coach to Cos is a garanteed connection. And your added business to amtrak will be noticed by the government much more than just riding your car which won’t show up in any real statistic. Greyhound  code-shares on T.N.N & O Coaches on a direct Albuquerque -Colorado Springs service with a few departures per day. But they take about the same time as the train. (about 8 hours). I am curious, when you say 5 or 6 hours, does that involve seriously going over the speed limit without any stops ? I am curious as to why a bus would take so much longer (it doesn’t have many stops, check www.greyhound.com) Another option you may consider is to drive around the ABQ airport to get a list of private charter operators (the small planes/airlines nobody knows about). perhaps they run some taxi services or low cost charters which might be feasable for you.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have several week-long gigs coming up in February in Colorado Springs, CO.  It’s a 5 or 6 hour drive from ABQ.  I could also cram my fat butt into a RJ and it is a 1 hour flight (Mesa), or I could take a more comfortable (for me) 737 from ABQ-DEN-COS (United), or ABQ-PHX-COS (America West) and it would take 5 or 6 hours. Of course, that does not include the time spent driving to the airport, parking, checking in, going through security, and then waiting on my half-moons for departing flights / connections. You know what?  I’m driving a rental car.  No revenue for the airlines.  You can blame the TSA – final straw.  If the time spent is more-or-less equal, I’ll drive from now on.  Far less hassle. Of course, I’ll still be flying a lot – some places are just too far away to drive to reasonably.  But when I can, I’ll drive.  Screw the TSA.

   Yup.  Went to Savannah in Dec.  Someone asked why we weren’t flying. It’s a 5 hour trip tops.  To fly means a half hour drive to the airport.  Getting there 1.5 hours prior to departure.  An hour gate to gate.  half hour to collect baggage.  Ya gotta arrange transport to your hotel.  Tops you save maybe an hour flying, and you have to travel on their schedule.  Ya drive, you leave when you want to leave.  You have a car when you get there.  No air traffic delays or weather holds.  No one groping you up and down unless you want them too.  You can carry your swiss army knife with you.  The only really down side is the drive is dull as hell.       For me break even is somewhere around 5 hours.  7 hours is a tad long but in certian situations, preferable.

Response:

I have several week-long gigs coming up in February in Colorado Springs, CO.  It’s a 5 or 6 hour drive from ABQ.  I could also cram my fat butt into a RJ and it is a 1 hour flight (Mesa), or I could take a more comfortable (for me) 737 from ABQ-DEN-COS (United), or ABQ-PHX-COS (America West) and it would take 5 or 6 hours.

No big deal… Twice in the last 15 months, we’ve driven from Central Texas to the castle Rock area North of COS.  850 miles, a really long day’s run, but split between two drivers, not bad, and both times stimulated by the amount "stuff" (and two dogs) we were taking. In late August/early September, Central Texas-Ocala-Orlando- Cocoa-Jax and back, after fuguring projected rental car and air travel costs and considering two weeks worth of luggage including both beach and some rerquiried "dress-up", a decent tradeout. To the coast fishing once a month, a five hundred mile RT, to a destination unserved by air, and why would anybody fly on a business trip that required more than two flights each way yet was less than 4-500 miles away, easy and comfortable one day drives. I suspect that I’m not alone and that a number of business travelers have increased their driving.  Certainly, pleasure travel seems to have to some extent returned to the "car".  The cruise line folks certainly admit to it when they begin to berth cruise ships around the Gulf instead of all in Florida. …and cars are not unlike airlines.  Give me AA economy seat pitch and a larger more comnfortable vehicle. Reductions in service and potential delays now make it very difficult and often very costly for me to get to Chicago, a 4 times a year jaunt, in time to do any business or make an afternoon meeting (except by getting up long pre-dawn and driving 100+ miles to DAL or DFW, not worth the effort), so like Bill, I’ve "slowed" my trips, adding an extra day, leaving late AM and not arriving until the cocktail hour, a less stressful approach. TMO

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You know what?  I’m driving a rental car.

Why a rental car instead of your own car? — Timothy J. Lee Unsolicited bulk or commercial email is not welcome. No warranty of any kind is provided with this message.

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You know what?  I’m driving a rental car. Why a rental car instead of your own car?

I am on an expense account.  I get reimbursed for money spent to rent a car, not for driving my own.  And yes, I know I could declare my milage on my income tax return, but my itemized deductions come out WAY less than the standard deduction.  So, best deal for me is to rent.  Plus, I don’t want to wind the miles onto my old beater. Best Regards, Bill Mattocks

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I am curious, when you say 5 or 6 hours, does that involve seriously going over the speed limit without any stops ? I am curious as to why a bus would take so much longer (it doesn’t have many stops, check www.greyhound.com)

Speed limit out here in the Wild West is 75 mph.  For cars.  Trucks and busses have a 65 mph limit.  I set the cruise control at 80 and away I go. Bus?  Um, no.  Train I could do, and have in the distant past.  But no to the bus. I tend to stop in Raton for lunch, get to the Springs by dinner. Works great! Plus, in New Mexico one can carry loaded guns concealed in the car legally.  Considered an extension of hearth and home.  I have to unload and lock it away at the Colorado border, or alternatively keep it in plain sight. Best Regards, Bill Mattocks

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I have several week-long gigs coming up in February in Colorado Springs, CO.  It’s a 5 or 6 hour drive from ABQ.  I could also cram my fat butt into a RJ and it is a 1 hour flight (Mesa),

you sure ’bout that, Bill?  I’d assume that if you flew Mesa ABQ-COS, which would NOT be an HP code-share, but under Mesa’s own code (YV), your fat butt would get to experience the aerial joys of a lovely 19-passenger Beech 1900D rather than a CRJ. On the upside, you’d get to leave ABQ from one of the ground-level commuter gates, which upon my last trip to your home airport seemed to have much less of the TSA, er, ‘presence’.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am curious, when you say 5 or 6 hours, does that involve seriously going over the speed limit without any stops ? I am curious as to why a bus would take so much longer (it doesn’t have many stops, check www.greyhound.com) Speed limit out here in the Wild West is 75 mph.  For cars.  Trucks and busses have a 65 mph limit.  I set the cruise control at 80 and away I go. Bus?  Um, no.  Train I could do, and have in the distant past.  But no to the bus. I tend to stop in Raton for lunch, get to the Springs by dinner. Works great! Plus, in New Mexico one can carry loaded guns concealed in the car legally.  Considered an extension of hearth and home.  I have to unload and lock it away at the Colorado border, or alternatively keep it in plain sight. Best Regards, Bill Mattocks

That’s real good about being able to conceal the gun in New Mexico. You never know when someone may be fucking with you and then you can blast them away to oblivion. John

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What time "going through security"? I haven’t had a security wait of longer than 5 minutes in months. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have several week-long gigs coming up in February in Colorado Springs, CO.  It’s a 5 or 6 hour drive from ABQ.  I could also cram my fat butt into a RJ and it is a 1 hour flight (Mesa), or I could take a more comfortable (for me) 737 from ABQ-DEN-COS (United), or ABQ-PHX-COS (America West) and it would take 5 or 6 hours. Of course, that does not include the time spent driving to the airport, parking, checking in, going through security, and then waiting on my half-moons for departing flights / connections. You know what?  I’m driving a rental car.  No revenue for the airlines.  You can blame the TSA – final straw.  If the time spent is more-or-less equal, I’ll drive from now on.  Far less hassle. Of course, I’ll still be flying a lot – some places are just too far away to drive to reasonably.  But when I can, I’ll drive.  Screw the TSA. Best Regards, Bill Mattocks

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That’s real good about being able to conceal the gun in New Mexico. You never know when someone may be fucking with you and then you can blast them away to oblivion. John

Mr. Novicki, People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Best Regards, Bill Mattocks

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That’s real good about being able to conceal the gun in New Mexico. You never know when someone may be fucking with you and then you can blast them away to oblivion. John Mr. Novicki, People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Best Regards, Bill Mattocks

Geez, Bill. That sounds ominous. Does that mean you are coming after me? John

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Traveled in the area a couple months ago; traffic gets heavy around Pueblo, stop and go, with long stop stretches, from south of Colorado Springs to Fort Collins.  According to the local folks, I-25 clears a bit between Fort Collins and Cheyenne, and below Pueblo, the rest is very heavy to stop and go. Bus?  Um, no.  Train I could do, and have in the distant past.  But no to the bus. I tend to stop in Raton for lunch, get to the Springs by dinner. Works great!

– wf. Wayne Flowers Randee Greenwald

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Geez, Bill. That sounds ominous. Does that mean you are coming after me? John

Of course not.  Go on being the angry, vulgar old man you’ve always been, and I’ll go on ignoring you as I did in the past. Best Regards, Bill Mattocks

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Question:

Mike, Glad you made it back safe and sound.  Did you get a chance to play any more? Mark A

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I made it back from RSG-Atlanta and our trip to Disney World.  Mostly in one piece. I have to tell you–I have never had as much fun on a vacation as I did at RSG-Atlanta. Randy deserves all the accolades he’s received, and then some.  It was a flawlessly run event, from the weather to the waitresses.  I thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone, and found all my playing partners to be a gas to golf with. In fact, I’ll have to talk this over with Scott Dega, but I’m thinking we might want to hire Randy in next year to "cater" RSG-Wisconsin.  :) I’m working on my pics (I’ve got some great ones) and I’ll post them as soon as I’ve got them done, as well as some more detailed commentary about the event. Mike Mike Dalecki  RSG-Wisconsin 2001 Pics:  http://dalecki.net/rsgwis I do not patronize spammers!  Help keep RSG clean. Expect the same etiquette from me on RSG as on the golf course. RSG Roll Call:  http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/daleckim.htm

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I’m working on my pics (I’ve got some great ones) and I’ll post them as soon as I’ve got them done, as well as some more detailed commentary about the event.  

Oh great. Well, fuck ME.

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I’m working on my pics (I’ve got some great ones) and I’ll post them as soon as I’ve got them done, as well as some more detailed commentary about the event. Oh great. Well, fuck ME.

Remember that old TV show called "You asked for it?"   Just remember that you did.  I’m about halfway through editing the pics and putting them into a coherent format.  Well, as coherent as I can at this point. Mike Mike Dalecki  RSG-Wisconsin 2001 Info:  http://dalecki.net/rsgwis I do not patronize spammers!  Help keep RSG clean. Expect the same etiquette from me on RSG as on the golf course. RSG Roll Call:  http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/daleckim.htm

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It is becoming increasingly irritating to me that I would have to fly 2000+ miles to get to one of these RSG-events.  We need something I can get to.  RSG-ABQ … or something. ….   -joseph – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I made it back from RSG-Atlanta and our trip to Disney World.  Mostly in one piece. I have to tell you–I have never had as much fun on a vacation as I did at RSG-Atlanta.

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It is becoming increasingly irritating to me that I would have to fly 2000+ miles to get to one of these RSG-events.  We need something I can get to.  RSG-ABQ … or something. ….

The same thing goes on in the fly fishing group.  Schedule it, and they will come….

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I would attend that. U of NM has a great course, I am told. How about RSG Farmington ? I’ve always wanted to play Pi

Question:

I am planning a trip to Australia in January and would like to go Marlin fishing while there.  I will fly into Sydney and then go to Cairns for scuba diving.  Most of my stay will be at Cairns with a possibility of driving from Cairns to Sydney for my flight out. Is Marlin fishing in January any good? Any suggestions about fishing there? Can you recommend any boats/captains? Do you have any idea of the cost? Thanks in Advance, Chuck Before you buy.

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I am planning a trip to Australia in January and would like to go Marlin fishing while there. I will fly into Sydney and then go to Cairns for scuba diving.  Most of my stay will be at Cairns with a possibility of driving from Cairns to Sydney for my flight out. Is Marlin fishing in January any good?

The Cairns black marlin season winds down in mid-December or so, sorry. Fishing is excellent to the south at Port Stephens (near Sydney) in February and March for smaller marlin up to 500 lbs + but not the grander blacks.  Not sure about January, it may be good in P.S. but it may be a bit early. Can you recommend any boats/captains?

I used Billy Billson on "Viking II" for two trips (several days each trip), released a black marlin around 1,200 lbs and two around 600 lbs (crew estimates).  http://www.viking11.com/   If you write him now he won’t see it until December as they are living out on the reef right now fishing heavy tackle. Would also recommend Carol North at Cairns Reef Charter Services, she can book you on numerous boats in Cairns but I don’t think she’s booking Port Stephens. http://www.ausfish.com/crcs/ Do you have any idea of the cost?

I think Bill is around $2,400 Aus for liveaboard out of Cairns and around $1,800 or so Aus out of Port Stephens.  Multiply by .6 or so to convert to US dollars.  You can get a smaller boat for less (or a larger boat for more . Thanks, Chuck

Here’s a couple of photos of black marlin from trips the past couple of years on "Viking II" … they grow ‘em big over there.  A friend killed one 1,252 lbs last year fishing near us with Peter Wright. Bill http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/oz/   (est 600, 1100 lb blacks) http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/fishing/oz/  (600 lb black) http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/oz/bigblack.htm (1200 lb black)

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Question:

All FS98 has to do is present me with only the slightest recreation of the afternoon I flew a 172 out over the Atlantic for the first time atop a broken undercast from Cape Cod to Nantucket Island and the thrill of it just comes flooding back.  Every time. Phillip

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Seriously, the saddest thing about it was that I haven’t been able to enjoy the sims ever since…  After well over a decade of flying the computer, I suddenly realized just how much they *don’t* capture the feeling of flight, even with the latest and greatest.  Anyone else have a similar experience? Yeah, I find that real flying can be very emotional. The feeling of freedom, the exhilarating feeling of speed when your just a few feet above cloud level. I remember one particular time when flying above unbroken cloud, for as far as the eye could see in all directions there was just this smooth white sea and the sky above was the most beautiful blue you could imagine. It was like being on another world, the Earth didn’t even exist for a minute or two. It was awe inspiring, brought a tear to the eye. SteveL. HI, due to health problems I had to return my PPL some years ago, so the sim is all I

Question:

But one perennial that I would never be without would have to be hostas

can someone give some info or a website that gives info on the care of hostas Elaine in Dallas

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But one perennial that I would never be without would have to be hostas can someone give some info or a website that gives info on the care of hostas Elaine in Dallas

Not much to it. Plant em in the shade, water em, occasionally toss some fertilizer under em, and kill snails.  About the only thing that can kill them is total lack of water (or maybe too much as in a bog), everything else just makes them look bad. — Lloyd Fortney http://www.phy.duke.edu/~fortney/ has links to my garden, flower, flyfishing, and travel JPEG images as well as teaching, research, and stuff like that

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Question:

Jim: In addition to the excellent suggestions made by Bob, I would suggest you also look at Cortland and Reddington.  Both make rod/reel/line combos, probably falling somewhere in between the low and medium price range.  Cortland’s usually includes a video that may be helpful.  Also, the Sage Discovery series has a combo that is worth a look that isn’t exhorbitantly priced.  All of those manufacturers will have dealers somewhere that should allow you to try the rods before buying, to see what feels best for you.  On the mail order side, Cabela’s has a number of combos available. Of course, a good fly shop will be able to work with you and put together a package that works too. Once you’ve got all that stuff, you’ll need some flies.  They seem to run between $1 and $2 apiece for decent flies where I live.  Hopefully you’ve already got some waders and wading shoes/boots. URL’s Cortland  <http://www.lightlink.com/cortland Cabela’s  <http://www.cabelas.com While looking at the combo packages, don’t think that because they are less expensive than the top of the line they are junk.  On the contrary. You may eventually want to move up in quality, but a good package from a good manufacturer should serve you in good stead for quite some time (until you just gotta have that high end Winston, Loomis, T & T etc. <grin) Good luck and happy shopping. Ron.

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Jim, It’s likely you may want to get more than one rod/reel combo to "cover the bases".  I don’t know exactly what you’re after, but I’d suggest a 5-weight and a 9-weight.  The 5 is incredibly versatile for trout and other freshwater fish, while the 9 will give you a great saltwater rod for bluefish, stripers, bonefish and permit, as well as offering you the opportunity to pull in some big steelhead.  You can get the whole nine yards from Orvis for around $400 for each rod/reel combo–and that includes the line and cases.  Of course, you’ll also want to invest in a good pair of waders, a vest, flies, etc…my advice would be to talk to a guide in the area where you will be doing most of your fishing. Enjoy. E

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Jim, It’s likely you may want to get more than one rod/reel combo to "cover the bases".  I don’t know exactly what you’re after, but I’d suggest a 5-weight and a 9-weight…

Jim, This is the beginning of the end. Once you’ve got the five weight and the nine weight, and a reel and line to go with each, and the jacket and the bags, and the flies and the boxes, you’ll be in too deep to get out. Like the rest of us. Andrew                     The History of Fly Fishing             http://www.elisis.com/Fly.fishing.history/

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jim, It’s likely you may want to get more than one rod/reel combo to "cover the bases".  I don’t know exactly what you’re after, but I’d suggest a 5-weight and a 9-weight… Jim, This is the beginning of the end. Once you’ve got the five weight and the nine weight, and a reel and line to go with each, and the jacket and the bags, and the flies and the boxes, you’ll be in too deep to get out. Like the rest of us. Andrew                    The History of Fly Fishing            http://www.elisis.com/Fly.fishing.history/

        Dear new found friends- I really wanted to thank all of you for your generosity of time and advise- I’ve quite frankly been amazed at the number of you in the NG that were willing to spend the amount of time you have to help a total neophyte.  Of course I realized after receiving some response that I was too ignorant to have given you all any pertinent info about what the heck I might be trying to catch-Dah!!         So let me fill you in about who you were trying to help         I’m a 55 yr old about to retire dentist- and before any of you start to wonder about why I shoul give a darn about how much this stuff costs- I must add that I’m also in possesion of the first dollar I ever made- enough said.  I’m in Ohio and plan to fish local waters for smallmouth and panfish.  I also wish to fish for trout around the Petoskey, MI area and to accompany my 82 yr old uncle ( who is still an avid trout guy) out west.         The real reason for the post was that I had heard(my ignorance) stories about $2000 outfits.  So I went to the local sportschain store to see for myself what a flyrod actually looked and felt like. They had complete outfits that really looked to me to be kind of junky and the personnel had NOT a clue about flyfishing- even I figured that out.         So although I pretty much knew I didn’t want the junk I also wasn’t real keen on walking into a REAL shop and being talked into $2000 worth of stuff without any knowledge of the alternatives.  You guys have been so kind as to give me inumerable sorces of quqlity gear at reasonable getting started prices and for that I am very grateful!!         So thanks again for the input and you should be proud of your knowledge and the "art" that you share so willingly with others.                 With kindest personal regards,                                 Jim PS.  And Dr. Andrew- Sorry but I fear that I got in "too deep" several weeks ago in Michigan.  I stood on the banks of a small stream for quite a while watching entranced as one of your compatriots plied his magic with fly rod on the stream- it was very close to a spirtual experience that I believe I want to share beside all of you.

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   Could you please, if you have the time and inclination, list some tackle and gear combinations in perhaps three general price combinations- Low,Med, Top of the line.  I’d be interested in specific brand recommendations so that I can research these.

The gear market is quite a varied lot right now, so I’ll just give you some average rod/reel/line combo prices, okay? Bargain Basement End:   (Shakespeare, etc. ) $50 Low End:  (Orvis Clearwater, Bean Angler, etc.)  $150 Middle Ground:  $300 High End:  $600+ Ridiculous End: (custom bamboo, etc.)  $1500+ Depending upon your financial situation with your pending retirement, I’d recommend you jump in on the Low to Middle Ground.  I’m not sure what you’re fishing for, but for a standard trout rig, I’d recommend that you buy a decent rod, a top-end flyline, and a reel….in that order of importance.  (IMHO).  For fish under 6 lbs, with a reasonably stout tippet/leader, a click-pawl style reel will serve you nicely. For larger fish or lighter tippets, consider upgrading to a disc-drag style reel.  The more popular manufacturers/retailers in the industry today are Sage, Loomis, Orvis, LL Bean for rods.   I’d highly recommend trying a few rod/reel combinations from a local flyshop to see what type of action/length, etc. that you prefer.  The shop owners will also be able to point you to the other "necessities" which you’ll need.      Also, could you point me toward URL’s that have online catalog pricing or that I can order printed catalogs.

Here’s a couple that will start you on your research. www.llbean.com      (L.L. Bean….ask for a FFing Spec. Catalog) www.orvis.com     (Orvis….same as above) There are others online too , but both of these retailers have a range of products to illustrate the price ranges mentioned above. Good Luck! Bob Skehan

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   I’d be interested in some kind folks giving me some input as to the general start up costs involved in starting out on this adventure.  My it is very difficult- not to mention TIME consuming-to reply to- so I wouldn’t be suprised if I don’t catch anything from this post- we all have our time consrtaints- but let me thank you in advance if you are kind enough to reply.    Again, thank you for you kind consideration,            Regards, Jim

I think you’re making a good choice to get involved if flyfishing.  If nothing else, your retirement won’t be boring.   I don’t have any sage advice to pass on, but; I do have a short story. I read all of the books and learned to flyfish basically by myself.  I had been actively flyfishing (mostly once or twice a month) for about ten years.  We were visiting Reno NV. for a few months and I was really injoying the fishing in the Truckee River there.  I’d come home in the evening and tell my wife all of the great stuff I’d done and what a wonderful day I’d had.  After a while, she wanted to join in the fun.  She asked me if she minded if she learned to fish and came fishing wiht me.  I told her I would love it she joined me but, I was unsure of my ablilty to teach her to fish (I was also a little worried about the friction me teaching her to fish would cause). Being a very smart woman, she understood my position.  She got on the phone and called the fly shop in Reno (I don’t recall thier name but I think it’s the only one in town).  She explained her situation to them, and asked for help.  What they offered was simple, two days with and veteran guide and the use of thier equipment.  The first half of the first day was inside she learned the knots and terminology she needed.  After lunch, she learned to cast.  The next day, they fished. I don’t remember what she paid for this but it seems if was just a regular guide fee for two days.  After fishing, she was hooked and bought an outfit they recommended to her (actually a bargain clearout model they happened to have). After those two days of concentrated instruction, she could fish as well as I after all of my years of reading and trial and error.   It worked out perfectly for me.  I got a good fishing partner I enjoy being with and didn’t screw up a good marriagre trying to teach how to fish.  Not only that, her  being good has pushed me to learn more and take advice from everyone I see.  Since then (thats been about 12 years ago)  we have taken guided trips together and gone to classes that have interested us.  And of course, we have fished together and had some great times. So, I guess the morale of my story.  Hire someone that knows the sport to learn the basics.  Take thier advice on equipment.  If you fish in a new area hire a guide for a day and pick his brain as much as you can.  And above all, don’t get big headed and think you know more than the next guy you meet on the water.  His advice may be the one thing you need to have a good day.   Well hope my rambling didn’t go on too long, and good luck. Steve Russell

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        I’d be interested in some kind folks giving me some input as to the general start up costs involved in starting out on this adventure.  My background is some infrequent spinner baiting for bass and, of course, I’ve drowned a few worms in my time.  But I’m about to retire and want to enjoy some of the finer things in life- fly fishing has always appealed to my sense of imagination as the ultimate art form regarding a combination of sport mingled with a satisfying environmental experience- so I’d like to at least try my hand at it.         I have a general understanding from years of hard experience, that in many cases using inferior equiptment may NOT give me the degree of satisfaction that is possible when you have the finest- but there is a degree of practicality involved in jumping into anything new , so what I would really be interested in is this-         Could you please, if you have the time and inclination, list some tackle and gear combinations in perhaps three general price combinations- Low,Med, Top of the line.  I’d be interested in specific brand recommendations so that I can research these.         Also, could you point me toward URL’s that have online catalog pricing or that I can order printed catalogs.         I am quite aware that this is such an open ended question that it is very difficult- not to mention TIME consuming-to reply to- so I wouldn’t be suprised if I don’t catch anything from this post- we all have our time consrtaints- but let me thank you in advance if you are kind enough to reply.         Again, thank you for you kind consideration,                 Regards, Jim

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Question:

Does anyone know how good the fishing is NJ. Also where would be some of the better spots. I won’t be back there for another 10 months. I have taken it up here in Alaska and I don’t know what I would if I had to give up this new passion of mine. — Ralph Muro TwinTech "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms…disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes… Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." -Thomas Jefferson

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i live in nj and can tell you that there are some really hot spots,then i read your little proclamation about guns. having been shot by some idiot in the past i think i’ll keep the honey hole to myself, and keep you gun toting kooks away.

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Hey Mickey, I leave near NJ, in Philly, and Have a house in Browns Mills NJ.. What are some of the Hot spots. Please send some E-Mail. -Steve — I think a good product would be "Baby Duck Hat". It’s a fake baby duck, which you strap on top of your head. Then you go swimming underwater until you find a mommy duck and her babies, and you join them. Then, all of a sudden, you stand up out of the water and roar like Godzilla. Man, those ducks really take off! Also, Baby Duck Hat is good for parties. -Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -i live in nj and can tell you that there are some really hot spots,then i read your little proclamation about guns. having been shot by some idiot in the past i think i’ll keep the honey hole to myself, and keep you gun toting kooks away.

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my server down, testing

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my server down, testing

Lars You got through to the newsgroup just fine. — Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products On line catalog – tips & tricks at: http://www.btsflyfishing.com

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I will be fishing with a guide May 18, 19 and 20, but my flight arrives in Key West the afternoon before and I don’t want to waste it. Can anyone reccomend a wading spot in the Key West area? I have never been that far down the keys. Thanks.

I, too, plan on visiting the Keys to do some fly fishing.  I won

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In California we have lots of dragon & damsel flies in our warm water ponds. We use some pretty fancy looking dragon fly nymphs, but I think a wooly bugger tied the size and color of you bugs will work as well.

[snip] Quite so: no need to go nuts with long-winded/tediously overdone dragon nymph patterns. If you’ve ever actually seen a dragon nymph move out, you know how damn fast those critters are, and how little time a trout/bass/whatever has to spot/target/nail ‘em. Wooly Buggers tied in general size/color with good tail action work just fine on the Right Coast, and a couple of strands of pearl flashabou seems to get the fish’s attention from greater distances as well… Cheers! /dave <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< < Digital Equipment Corp.       Alpha Server Engineering < <     "What doesn’t kill you…will hurt like heck!"     < <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In California we have lots of dragon & damsel flies in our warm water ponds. We use some pretty fancy looking dragon fly nymphs, but I think a wooly bugger tied the size and color of you bugs will work as well. [snip] Quite so: no need to go nuts with long-winded/tediously overdone dragon nymph patterns. If you’ve ever actually seen a dragon nymph move out, you know how damn fast those critters are, and how little time a trout/bass/whatever has to spot/target/nail ‘em. Wooly Buggers tied in general size/color with good tail action work just fine on the Right Coast, and a couple of strands of pearl flashabou seems to get the fish’s attention from greater distances as well… Cheers! /dave

I may be fooling myself, but I like to add the black plastic eyes.  Some of the bugs have very prominent eyes, and I feel like these work a scootch better.  And if nothing else, they make my wife squeal more when I show her the fly. My three year old loves ‘em, too. I don’t go for any other anatomical features.  A sparse, fat, wooly bugger with eyes works great.

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I fish a local pond, which happens to be choked with weeds and cattails, for bass and blugill.  I have noticed a large population of both dragonflys and damselflys.  I would think the fish must eat a lot of the flies larvae.  So, what are the best patterns for these critters.   BTW, thanks for answering my other questions.  Taking up flyfishing is giving me lots of them, but isn’t that the best part of fishing? Nicolo

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In South Africa a large proportion of our fishing is for stillwater trout. We tend to have a large concentration of dragon/damsel flies in our waters over here. I tend to imitate the damselflies by using a small Wooly Bugger(size 12-14) or Filoplume damsel. For a dragonfly I either use a Hoverdragon or a pattern that I learnt from our flytying club(NFDS). The body/thorax is made up of maribou and the eyes are tuff chenile. If you need the fly tying patterns just give a shout! Paul

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Some Damselfly and Dragonfly patterns used for trout here in B.C. include: Damselfly: ‘52 Buick large Halfback Dragonfly: Bottomwalker Gomphus Doc Spratley B. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I fish a local pond, which happens to be choked with weeds and cattails, for bass and blugill.  I have noticed a large population of both dragonflys and damselflys.  I would think the fish must eat a lot of the flies larvae.  So, what are the best patterns for these critters.   BTW, thanks for answering my other questions.  Taking up flyfishing is giving me lots of them, but isn’t that the best part of fishing? Nicolo

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I fish a local pond, which happens to be choked with weeds and cattails, for bass and blugill.  I have noticed a large population of both dragonflys and damselflys.  I would think the fish must eat a lot of the flies larvae.  So, what are the best patterns for these critters.  

Hi Nicolo, In California we have lots of dragon & damsel flies in our warm water ponds.  We use some pretty fancy looking dragon fly nymphs, but I think a wooly bugger tied the size and color of you bugs will work as well. Trout feeding on emerging damsels requires matching their size, color and action.  I think that bass and panfish are a little less selective.  We also use small/medium poppers for warm water fish.  I like all black poppers and yellow or frog colored, also. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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