Question:

P&P has a small bonefishing lodge on the other end of the island. http://www.peaceandplenty.com/resorts/bonefish.htm there is a dock, unsure if you could rent though, i think the idea is to provide you with a guide and boat. no night life though, you would have to go into georgetown for that, too far to walk or bicycle. to follow up whoever mentioned Stocking island, taking the ferry from the main hotel in town and walking accross stocking island to the exposed side is well worth the effort. the view from the top is quite nice as well. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Surfnturf, I have heard of the place, ran across it somewhere on the internet. Sounds very beautiful, maybe a bit too remote for me this trip. I want just a little bit of  "Bahamian culture" and night life to spice things up for me and the lady. Are you familiar with the Staniel Cay Yacht Club? That looks like it would be a trip worth investigating sometime too. Rich

Response:

I know this is a boat newsgroup, but I presume many of you have cruised the Bahama out islands and Exuma. A lady friend and I are planning a vacation to George Town, Exuma in April. I would like to be close to town and plan on renting a boat. I’m looking for reasonable accommodations close to the water near a dock or marina where I can keep a boat. I prefer a place that is not too crowded, commercial, i.e. NOT Club Peace and Plenty unless someone can convince me otherwise. Any suggestions appreciated. Anyone familiar with Minns Cottages, Coral Gardens Bed & Breakfast Inn, Two Turtles Inn, Marshall’s Guest House, Flamingo Bay Hotel and Villas, Coconut Cove Hotel, Mount Pleasant Hotel? I would like to do some fly fishing on the flats for bonefish and offshore light tackle fly fishing too. Any good guide recommendations or charters? Sincerely, Rich Lamanna

Response:

In the 80’s we had only 3 choices. Peace & Plenty, two Turtle Inn ( across the street for P&P) and another resort type place but I can’t remember the name. We really enjoyed the P&P really quaint. There wasn’t much of a town and P&P was in it. But on our second visit went to the resort type place because P&P didn’t have a beach. They own an absolutely great, private beach about a 5 minute ride across the bay called stocking island. P&P was the hotel that all boaters got their mail delivered to. They catered to boaters needs. But remember this was in the 80’s. I would go back to P&P in a minute, no hesitation. That’s my 2 cents FWIW. Joe Sand Dollar Noank, CT  

Response:

Joe, thanks for the reply. I have some friends who spent their honeymoon at P&P. They thought it was great too. What did you think of Two Turtles Inn? Did you have a chance to check it out? I realize it was a long time ago but any recollection would be appreciated. Sincerely, Rich

Response:

Are you set on going to Georgetown? I have another suggestion -very remote – very beautiful – fantastic!!!  Check out Compass Cay on the Internet.  Just south of the Land and Sea Park and about 10 miles north of Staniel Cay where there is an airport.   ADVANTAGES: Remote Most beautiful beach in the Exhumas 1 mile crescent shapped beach Beach "busy" if anyone else there 10 slip marina 1 lodge and 2 rental apartments friendly native owner no bars – no restaurants- no people rental boats and motors Bone fish galore DISADVANTAGES Remote No bars – no restaurants 10 miles by boat to store and restaurant Didn’t make it there last winter but spent several months there on our boat in 1999 and 2000.  Fantastic if you want to get away from civilization.  Fantastic if you want to bone fish.  Fantastic if you like to snorkel and explore.

Response:

Surfnturf, I have heard of the place, ran across it somewhere on the internet. Sounds very beautiful, maybe a bit too remote for me this trip. I want just a little bit of  "Bahamian culture" and night life to spice things up for me and the lady. Are you familiar with the Staniel Cay Yacht Club? That looks like it would be a trip worth investigating sometime too. Rich

Response:

The SCYC is 10 miles south of Compass.  It is located near the airport for the area.  Great conch burgers at the bar.  Also have had good dinner there. Colorful cabins on the water for guests.  Bahamian culture – yes night life – no.  Staniel Cay has a couple of local bars and restaurants, the SCYC and Thunderball restaurants and a couple of grocery stores (with most of the "sell by" dates on merchandise erased).  Still serviced once a week by mail boat for supplies and mail.  Airport makes it convenient but not a place where I would take a lady for a fun visit.  Less remote than Compass but activities primarily boating, fishing and water oriented.  If both of you are not really into that, it would be a mistake.  Have you looked at the Abacos and Eluthera.  Spanish Wells, Harbour Island and Hope Town get a strong recommendation from my wife. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Surfnturf, I have heard of the place, ran across it somewhere on the internet. Sounds very beautiful, maybe a bit too remote for me this trip. I want just a little bit of  "Bahamian culture" and night life to spice things up for me and the lady. Are you familiar with the Staniel Cay Yacht Club? That looks like it would be a trip worth investigating sometime too. Rich

Response:

Question:

Hi all: I’m putting together about a one hour talk/activity session on fly fishing at my son’s school for a ‘club activity day’. I’d like to bring in some good photos of some standard (mayflies, caddis etc)insects and other fish (trout) food. Most of the pic’s I have in magazines etc are rather small. If anyone can steer me to some good sites – please do! RalphH

Response:

I’m putting together about a one hour talk/activity session on fly fishing at my son’s school for a ‘club activity day’. I’d like to bring in some good photos of some standard (mayflies, caddis etc)insects and other fish (trout) food.  If anyone can steer me to some good sites –

please do! Give this a try, Ralph. It takes a while for the page to load but has some nice jpgs of bugs from the Yakima River in Washington State. http://www.worleybuggerflyco.com/Yakima_River_Hatches.htm — Danny McMillin — Remove XX from email address to reduce spam.

Response:

Try the McKenzie Page…some good pictures from Oregon. How are you going to show the images? PowerPoint from a laptop?? http://zebu.uoregon.edu/~dmason/Mckenzie/bugs.html Tim Lysyk – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all: I’m putting together about a one hour talk/activity session on fly fishing at my son’s school for a ‘club activity day’. I’d like to bring in some good photos of some standard (mayflies, caddis etc)insects and other fish (trout) food. Most of the pic’s I have in magazines etc are rather small. If anyone can steer me to some good sites – please do! RalphH

Response:

Hi all: I’m putting together about a one hour

talk/activity session on fly fishing at my son’s school for a ‘club activity

day’. I’d like to bring in some good photos of some standard (mayflies,

caddis etc)insects and other fish (trout) food. Most of the pic’s I

have in magazines etc are rather small. If anyone can steer me to some

good sites – please do! RalphH

http://www.ent.orst.edu/ore_images.htm http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Entomology/links.ht ml#0

Response:

Try the McKenzie Page…some good pictures from Oregon. How are you going to show the images? PowerPoint from a laptop??

I was planning to print them and attach some flies that imitate them – idea being to introduce the kids to the idea of imitation. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – http://zebu.uoregon.edu/~dmason/Mckenzie/bugs.html Tim Lysyk Hi all: I’m putting together about a one hour talk/activity session on fly fishing at my son’s school for a ‘club activity day’. I’d like to bring in some good photos of some standard (mayflies, caddis etc)insects and other fish (trout) food. Most of the pic’s I have in magazines etc are rather small. If anyone can steer me to some good sites – please do! RalphH

Response:

great site and photos – thanks – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m putting together about a one hour talk/activity session on fly fishing at my son’s school for a ‘club activity day’. I’d like to bring in some good photos of some standard (mayflies, caddis etc)insects and other fish (trout) food.  If anyone can steer me to some good sites – please do! Give this a try, Ralph. It takes a while for the page to load but has some nice jpgs of bugs from the Yakima River in Washington State. http://www.worleybuggerflyco.com/Yakima_River_Hatches.htm — Danny McMillin — Remove XX from email address to reduce spam.

Response:

Try the McKenzie Page…some good pictures from Oregon. How are you going to show the images? PowerPoint from a laptop?? I was planning to print them and attach some flies that imitate them – idea being to introduce the kids to the idea of imitation.

Unless these kids are pre-born, they’re way ahead of you…

Response:

Try the McKenzie Page…some good pictures from Oregon. How are you going to show the images? PowerPoint from a laptop?? I was planning to print them and attach some flies that imitate them – idea being to introduce the kids to the idea of imitation. Unless these kids are pre-born,

… is that mu8ch like pre-owned?

Response:

Question:

Well, I got back around 12 Sunday night from fishing in West Yellowstone with Ray Danen and his father Wayne (the people I met here on ROFF that are visiting from NM).  I stayed up until midnight tying flies that I thought would be productive.  I eventually went to bed around 1:30 am and got up at 3 am so I could meet them in West Yellowstone at 6 am.  After getting about 45 minutes away I remembered that I forgot the box of dries that I had tied for them and remembered only the nymphs.   We met in the morning at 6 am in front of one of the fly shops in West Yellowstone.  The air was cool, but the skies were clear and there was just a slight hint of a breeze.  We decided to have a bite first so we went to a cafe and got some breakfast.  They began to tell me how they had fished around Jackson Hole and that the wind had been terrible and conditions were almost unfishable.  I assured them that we would all catch fish today.  Okay, maybe not the smartest thing, but I wanted them to enjoy themselves and the probability for catching fish is pretty good in this area. After breakfast we drove down close to Quake Lake and planned on walking up the Madison close to Hebgen dam from there.  The wind started to pick up before we even saw the water.  As we hiked in we noticed several cars pulled alongside the road.  I know the three of us were a sight, but we couldn’t figure out what they were looking at.  As we walked on I saw a moose and we decided to give it a wide berth.  We eventually reached a little creek that empties into Quake Lake and started fishing our way down to the lake. Wayne is new to fly fishing so I stayed with him and tried to give him some pointers.  We found a nice hole and proceeded to fish it despite the increasing wind.  I was suprised at how fast Wayne picked things up and his eagerness to learn.  His casting was rough, but he could get some distance.  Just had a few minor adjustments that needed to be made and the wind wasn’t helping any. As we fished the hole Wayne seemed to improve with each cast.  Ray walked on ahead and began fishing another nice hole.  We ended up with nothing from either hole so we continued on.  I pretty much stayed with Wayne as he and Ray fished several other holes.  We finally fished our way down to Quake Lake and still hadn’t caught a single fish and we covered some pretty nice water so I was beginning to wonder how the day was going to turn out. We walked along the Lake sharing tidbits of info on the Quake Lake disaster and planned on fishing the mouth of the lake.  I don’t know why, but it is kind of eerie there.  I think it has to do with being at a site knowing that several people died there and are still buried under the rubble.  When we reached the mouth we decided to split up and fish the mouth.  Fish started rising so we began thinking today was going to shape up to be okay after all. We saw several small bugs (I’m not an entimologist so don’t ask) so decided to each try something different.  I tried a small parachute adams, Ray tied on a small BWO and I forget what Wayne tied on.  After several casts we had not even gotten a nudge.  Ray switched to a small PMD and on his first cast landed a small rainbow.  Okay, now we are starting to get somewhere.  At least Ray isn’t going to be skunked today.  I switched flies, switched again, switched yet again.  Guess I’m not going to be so lucky and it doesn’t look like Wayne is either. We moved around and fished the area and I found a group of small fish working an eddy.  There was one or two that looked to be decent size so I cast a small parachute BWO.  A small fish rose and I set the hook.  No fish.  Cast again. Same result.  Cast again.  Same.  After several casts I finally hooked a fish. I landed a beautiful, couldn’t be outdone…….roughly 10" whitefish.  Ah shit, hope nobody saw that.  Sure enough they did.  We continued our way up and found several other pods of rising whiteys. Enter Frosty  the Freaking Snowman.  Clouds began to move in and the temp dropped quite a bit.  The wind began to pick up more and little white flakes of snow started to fall.  Things were starting to turn ugly so we started moving up river faster.  Ray eventually lands a couple more whiteys.  Wayne and I weren’t having much success at all.  I had hooked into 2 fish and lost both while Wayne lost 1. My hope is starting to dwindle, but the best water is yet to come so we decide to just go there.  I fished every hole that normally holds fish with no success.  One more lost fish and that was it.  Ray landed a rainbow that was about 14".  Wayne, nothing. Then  Frosty decides to give us another dose.  It was pretty neat to see.  As the snow increased, the fish began to go nuts.  I casted and casted and casted and could not land one.  Several more missed fish.  Probably just more white fish. We end the day just like that and returned to West Yellowstone for some dinner.  They asked if I wanted to go out again Monday and since I didn’t have to work until 6 pm I thought I could spare a few hours. We met Monday morning and decided to go fish a stretch of the Madison.  It is really just a channel of the Madison, but it is one of my favorite spots.  I have never been skunked here and thought it would restore some faith and heal my wounded soul/ego. Well, when we got there Ray noticed the water was a little off color.  It was a milky green that I had never seen before.  We decided to go on and fish it. The weather was shaping up to be much better than the day before and I was hopeful that we would all catch fish. Since I had to leave early I decided to fish the stretch quickly.  I moved on ahead and went to my first honey hole.  No luck.  Next hole, one bite, next hole no luck, next hole no luck, next hole one bite.  And on and on it went. And to make matters worse the weather began to deteriorate.  Frozen rain began to fall fast and furious as the temperature took another dice. I came across a couple of dead fish and one that was lying belly up taking its last breaths.  I still don’t understand what was happening in the water.  Algae bloom?  I went to my favorite hole on this stretch that has ALWAYS provided for me.  Hell, I even took my wife there and she caught her first fish on a fly rod there.  Tons of fish in this pool.  I couldn’t go wrong here. Well, you can guess what happened.  I hooked into a fish and my damn line broke!  After fishing the hole for another 30 minutes with no luck I decided I had better go check on my companions and see what time it was.  I met up with Ray and Wayne and found out that Ray had caught 3 fish and lost one good one. We talked for awhile and went back up to the vehicles and said our goodbyes and decided that we might try again Friday if they are still around. What a tale of woe!  I’ve never had such bad luck and now think I am in the worst slump of my life.  Can only wonder what the hell they think of my "great places" and "guarantees" now.  I know one thing: I feel like shit and need a beer.  Hell, I couldn’t even come up with a good title for this piece because all the good ones are taken.  "Paradise Lost" is out.  "Tough Trip through Paradise" is out

Question:

Last weekend I camped on the Beaverkill river in Roscoe, NY.  Feeling somewhat daunted by the low water, I fished the first evening at Hendrickson Pool. There was a good spinner fall and some caddis activity.  I got a strike when it was barely light enough to see.  I set the hook, and got screeched into my backing.  It took me way upstream.  I was stranded on the large rock I stood on, not wanting to follow it in the dark.  I also knew that there was a wind knot in my tippet – making a breakoff a huge likelyhood. I finally managed to land the fish.  A nineteen inch brown trout – snagged right in the vent(you know, its asshole).  I wondered how I could have managed that with a dry fly.  I left, wondering whether to feel proud or cheated. The next night, I fished the same pool.  I noticed a rise in the same spot, and sent a drift through there.  It was the same nineteen inch brownie, this time hooked properly.  There were three guys within sight to watch me, and they all made appreciative remarks as I picked it out of the water. HA! Pete C

Response:

Pete,    If that Brown came back for seconds on the kind of treatment he got on the first night, I think I would wonder about his sexual preferences. Ernie Harrison Like to make fly-fishing stuff?  See: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh/

<snip  A nineteen inch brown trout – snagged right in the vent(you know, its

asshole). <snip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -The next night, I fished the same pool.  I noticed a rise in the same spot, and sent a drift through there.  It was the same nineteen inch brownie <snip Pete C

Response:

If that Brown came back for seconds on the kind of treatment he got on the first night, I think I would wonder about his sexual preferences. Ernie Harrison..

Reminds me of the story of the massive alternative lifestyle grizzly bear..

Response:

Question:

i have noticed some of the most attractive women are found at the pay lakes  i have been visiting does anyone else notice this?

Response:

i have noticed some of the most attractive women are found at the pay lakes  i have been visiting does anyone else notice this?

I dunno.  I never notice the really good looking ones at the pay lakes until I’m into my second 12-pack.   *                                                               * *  ENTOMOLOGIST    ANTIQUE TACKLE COLLECTOR    ALL-AROUND NUT   *

Response:

Ha Ha!          I got a good chuckle outta THIS one!  I happen to WORK at a "pay lake" and my sentiments would have to be along the same lines as Creek Chub’s comment! ::ahem:; except when my girlfriend is visitng (as she is looking on as I post this!!) Happy fishing!

Response:

Wow, and I thought I was running out of topics to talk about during the "off season". – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -i have noticed some of the most attractive women are found at the pay lakes i have been visiting does anyone else notice this?

Response:

JB,     You might like hanging out at some at some Trailer Parks too. I hear they have some mighty fine females there too!! Good Luck :~) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i have noticed some of the most attractive women are found at the pay lakes  i have been visiting does anyone else notice this?

Response:

i have noticed some of the most attractive women are found at the pay lakes  i have been visiting does anyone else notice this?

OK, I give up…….  what is a "pay" lake? Hans

Response:

OK, I give up…….  what is a "pay" lake? Hans

Hans,  A pay lake is a stocked lake that you pay to fish at. Usually a set fee, but some charge by the fish or pound. Generally these are catfish and trout type stockings, but I have seen most all kinds being offered. I remember 1 guy at the Fishermans Dude Ranch in Des Plaines Il took all his kids fishing. He didn’t realize this was a by the pound, and these trout were starving. It cost him $65.00 to get out of there and this was 30 years ago. I went there because I wanted to see what it was like to catch trout on a fly. Illinois didn’t have many trout streams back in the 60’s. Used a barbless hook and made a big deal everytime they came off. Had the time of my life, at least for a teenager. Mark Brandt Are you a walleye Fanatic, Try The Walleye List at http://members.iquest.net/~mbrandt  where over 220 walleye anglers discuss walleye fishing via e-mail every day.

Response:

OK, I give up…….  what is a "pay" lake? Hans

A pay lake is a stocked lake or pond that you pay a fee to fish at. Usually these are stocked with either catfish or trout, altho I have seen where all species are available. You either pay one set fee for a limit of fish or as many as you want and you pay by the fish or weight. You have to watch it at these types tho. Back when I was a teenager I used to go to the Fishermans Dude Ranch in Des Plaines Il to fly fish for trout. I knew this was a pay by the pound place, but in the 60’s this was the only trout stream I had access too. I would use a barbless hook and play the fish until it came off. I would take home maybe 1 fish. One time I was there and this guy brings in all his kids. They supplied poles if you needed them. Well this guy walked out of there with $65 worth of trout, and this was 30 years ago. They watched you like a hawk, couldn’t throw any back. Seems like so long ago. Mark Are you a walleye fanatic. Try joining The Walleye List at http://members.iquest.net/~mbrandt where over 220 walleye anglers discusss walleye fishing via e-mail.

Response:

NO

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK, I give up…….  what is a "pay" lake? Hans Hans,  A pay lake is a stocked lake that you pay to fish at. Usually a set fee, but some charge by the fish or pound. Generally these are catfish and trout type stockings, but I have seen most all kinds being offered. I remember 1 guy at the Fishermans Dude Ranch in Des Plaines Il took all his kids fishing. He didn’t realize this was a by the pound, and these trout were starving. It cost him $65.00 to get out of there and this was 30 years ago. I went there because I wanted to see what it was like to catch trout on a fly. Illinois didn’t have many trout streams back in the 60’s. Used a barbless hook and made a big deal everytime they came off. Had the time of my life, at least for a teenager. Mark Brandt Are you a walleye Fanatic, Try The Walleye List at http://members.iquest.net/~mbrandt  where over 220 walleye anglers discuss walleye fishing via e-mail every day.

Hey thanks for the memories – I used to take the kids to that place just off the tollway to get a fish ( trout) when we could not catch someting at Busse lake or others – had to mash down the hooks so they would lose them . The trout always tasted funny kind of like algae…But they were nice looking….. Former Chicagoan

Response:

Question:

Yep, the Lindners have sold In-Fisherman to Primedia Inc. on Tuesday according to John Husar in his column in todays Chicago Tribune. Thoughts? Jay — I’d rather be chasing walleye’s at Tenmile Lake!

Response:

If this means the Lindners tv presentations, thier style of presenting a full spectrum of fishing for ALL the various fish, the style and content of thier magazine, will all be changed or discarded,then yes,it’s truly a sad day for  thier thousands of fans.                                               ~ The Saint                                                        

Response:

hell yeah its sad but all their magazines books and videos will be worth something in the future im keeping mine!!!                                      

Question:

will be in outer banks for the thanksgiving holidays.. would like to find small  blues etc.. any recommendations would help.. also is there the possibility of  a trout stream near that area.. Kevin

Response:

will be in outer banks for the thanksgiving holidays.. would like to find small blues etc.. any recommendations would help.. also is there the possibility of a trout stream near that area.. Kevin

At Thanksgiving there should be some small blues about but what about the big boiyz!  they are going to be there at that time.  AS wellas striped bass and red drum.  There will be plenty of trout, speckled sea trout, at the lighthouse for a person fishing a clouser minnow with a sinking line. No streams within 8 hour drive, sorry.  Check my website for NC flyfishing stuff. — Flyfish NC                                                   Gordon Churchill                                        http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/3853                                                                     Dragon’s Hope Publishing Heidi Dragon Churchill                                               Business cards, ad design, forms and all manner of desktop publishing.      

Response:

Question:

Which do you prefer, monofilament or braided leaders, and under what conditions?  What do you like about it? The reason I’m asking this question is that I’ve been going back and forth for years on it and I can’t seem to make up my mind. I’m new to this group and I apologize if this has already been beat to death…

Response:

: Which do you prefer, monofilament or braided leaders, and under : what conditions?  What do you like about it? Braided leaders are great for a lot of situations in fishing. The only problems with them are that there is a little of bit of built in stretch. The other is that the flyfisher can’t easily design and build a leader out of that stuff like he can with mono. I do use braided sinking leaders a lot, but I prefer mono for all my floating leaders because I like to tie my own the way I like them. Jon Porter

Response:

I’m a dry fly  nut. I dont like the way a braided leader snakes on the water. It turns a fly over very nicely, but I feel you dont get  near as long of a drag free float as you do with a knotted leader of george Harvey’s or similar design.         If you nymph alot, I think they’re fine. It sure is easy to use, but for the most part, I don’t care much for braided leaders. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Which do you prefer, monofilament or braided leaders, and under what conditions?  What do you like about it? The reason I’m asking this question is that I’ve been going back and forth for years on it and I can’t seem to make up my mind. I’m new to this group and I apologize if this has already been beat to death…

Response:

I meant to say, I do not like the way that a braided leader does NOT snake on the water,   oops : – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’m a dry fly  nut. I dont like the way a braided leader snakes on the water. It turns a fly over very nicely, but I feel you dont get  near as long of a drag free float as you do with a knotted leader of george Harvey’s or similar design.    If you nymph alot, I think they’re fine. It sure is easy to use, but for the most part, I don’t care much for braided leaders. Which do you prefer, monofilament or braided leaders, and under what conditions?  What do you like about it? The reason I’m asking this question is that I’ve been going back and forth for years on it and I can’t seem to make up my mind. I’m new to this group and I apologize if this has already been beat to death…

Response:

Which do you prefer, monofilament or braided leaders, and under what conditions?  What do you like about it? The reason I’m asking this question is that I’ve been going back and forth for years on it and I can’t seem to make up my mind. I’m new to this group and I apologize if this has already been beat to death…

Braided leaders died in Nor Cal about 5 years ago. Fly fisherman here buy knotless mono tapered leaders. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

Response:

Dan Garcia pretty much hit the nail on the head with braided leaders. I’m not a leader fiddler beyond the tippet size and length. I use braided leaders in two lengths for all of my dry fly fishing. It has worked from the Deschutes to Silver Creek for me. Braided leaders aren’t that great for deep nymphing, the line is much bigger in diameter than comparible mono. The one situation I use the braided leader is chironomid fishing on lakes. I hate the way strike indicators get in the way when landing a fish. So I tie on a beadhead chironomid on a 14+ foot leader and put a liberal amount of floatant on the first two feet of the braided butt section. The floating section is my strike indicator. For nymphing, I like to use hinged leaders, and I like to roll my own for that. –DBLHAUL–

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(Eric Mintz) writes: Which do you prefer, monofilament or braided leaders, and under what conditions?  What do you like about it? The reason I’m asking this question is that I’ve been going back and forth for years on it and I can’t seem to make up my mind.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of leaders. Braided leaders cast much better and more accurately than mono leaders due to the suppleness of the braid.  When using "normal leaders" as the loop gets to the  leader the loop opens up (sometimes a lot) because the leader is stiffer than the fly line.  Braided butt leaders don’t open up because they transfer the energy of the cast much more effectively due to their suppleness, and they allow better precision on "one shot" casts (such as those from a drift boat as you’re drifting downriver).  Because of their improved transfer of energy they allow you to cast longer leaders more easily.  12 foot leaders are a snap to cast with this type of leader. They also allow better drifts on the water because of this suppleness.  If you are fishing 6X & 7X tippets with a braided butt leader you will land more fish because the braid stretches quite a bit more than regular monofilament and is more forgiving of mistakes and sudden shock.  The braided section will last for years and all you have to do is replace the tips as you wear them out.  You can tie up your own tips to save money if you like.  The tip sections on the Orvis braided leaders taper within the first foot to the final tippet size.  You can add a straight 4 ft. section of 3X or 4X, but need to step it down to go to 5X or smaller if you tie up your own tip sections.  The loop to loop connections in the braid are clean and easy to use connections. But all is not rosy in paradise, and as is typical with flyfishing, you get something, you give something up.  All leaders will absorb enough water to sink into the surface film within about 10 minutes if not treated with fly floatant.  When they do, it not only makes mending the leader impossible, it causes leaders to spray water on the cast. The braided leaders do this is spades because all the little spaces between the braid will capture and hold water if not treated.  If you rub some paste floatant into it before you start fishing, no problem.  If you don’t, big problems.  Orvis now has some "floating" braided leaders that are impregnated with a substance that cures this problem but it is only available in 9 ft. lengths.  The braided section of the leader (the Orvis braided butt leaders have 4 ft. of tip section and the rest is a tapered braided butt) is not clear as mono is and may not be as subtle.  I believe the added suppleness and the improved drifts I get more than compensate for this myself, but there is a definite difference and you must be more careful about "lining" fish.  The biggest disadvantage with braided leaders is that you have fewer adjustment options on the stream.  They come in 7 1/2ft., 9ft., 12ft., and now 16 ft. lengths which will satisfy the requirements of most people, but if you like to fiddle with your leader design by changing the butt and the tippet design, you are out of luck.  You can easily make the tip section an additional foot longer or so, but that’s about it.  You can’t adjust the length of the butt section because you’d have to cut and splice the braid to do so. I would say that the braided leader offers a lot of advantages for most people, but if you like to tailor your leader to a specific purpose at a specific time, use the mono and become very good at tying knots.  I personally used the braided leaders for a number of years but have become one of those "leader fiddlers" and have gone back to mono because of the ability to cut off and/or add material at a moments notice which I probably do entirely too often, but I enjoy it so I do.                                 Hope this helps,                                       Dan Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

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Question:

The Catskill Flyfishing Center and Museum opened a new building a few months ago. They have something going on almost every weekend. Give em your support. Phone 914-439-4810 for more info. Regards,

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Yes.  They have a beautiful new museum building which opened in November….I was there Saturday for their annual flea market.  It’s really a great spot to visit now….don’t miss it. Mike Coon Phoenicia, NY – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -The Catskill Flyfishing Center and Museum opened a new building a few months ago. They have something going on almost every weekend. Give em your support. Phone 914-439-4810 for more info. Regards,

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I’m planning a trip down to Roscoe NY for the annual fly fishing flea market at the flyfishing museum.  Anybody been? Rick

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I’m planning a trip down to Roscoe NY for the annual fly fishing flea market at the flyfishing museum.  Anybody been?

No, when is it?  I’m heading down that way Sunday (8/20) evening to fish the Delaware and staying over a day.  I’m not sure which way is "down" for you but I’m heading there from Ithaca. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems  Ithaca, NY

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On Saturday 8/26 there will be a fly-fishing flea market in Roscoe itself. See you there. Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (Richard Nathan) writes: I’m planning a trip down to Roscoe NY for the annual fly fishing flea market at the flyfishing museum.  Anybody been? No, when is it?  I’m heading down that way Sunday (8/20) evening to fish the Delaware and staying over a day.  I’m not sure which way is "down" for you but I’m heading there from Ithaca. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems  Ithaca, NY

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On Saturday 8/26 there will be a fly-fishing flea market in Roscoe itself. See you there.

Is this an annual thing? —

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Question:

: I am planning a trip up to Montana to fish the Clarks Fork River.  I have : traveled past it many times.  I have no idea about fishing regulations, : favorable areas or fly patterns.  The area I am thinking of is around Missoula. Don’t just think Clark Fork River.  Just east of Missoula is Rock Creek.  Just north is the Jocko.  If you like BIG water, fish the Clark Fork.  If you like a small stream, do Rock Creek.  If you like real small, fish the Jocko.   The only problem with the Jocko is that it is on an Indian Reservation and requires a permit in addition to your fishing license. Check out a map.  There are many class rivers, all within an hour of Missoula.  Lots of great opportunities.  You don’t say when you will be there, but there are large stone fly in the Clark Fork.  I’m not sure what color since there was no hatch when I was there. Good Luck! Bob Moss Landing, Ca.

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Perhaps the stone fly you refer to is the Skualla stone fly. This is a big fly, about size 8 or 10, and the Clark Fork above Missoula has lots of them. They emerge in early May, and the adult if best imitated by a med. to dark olive stimulator.  There are not alot of other good size flies on the surface this time of year, so they can really get the fishes attention.  Not many people know about them since the hatch is during the "off season". However, the locals around the Missoula really get excited about this stonefly. The area between the confluence of the Blackfoot and the confluence of Rock Creek seems best.

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I am planning a trip up to Montana to fish the Clarks Fork River.  I have traveled past it many times.  I have no idea about fishing regulations, favorable areas or fly patterns.  The area I am thinking of is around Missoula.

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