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The first time I took my oldest son fishing it was off the San Clemente pier he was about four years old. I went to the bait shop and asked the clerk what I could use to make my boy’s fish experience one to remember. Mind you this was 25 years ago. The man said if you want to have a truly great time with your son and get him hooked on fishing use this, he handed me what was called a lucky Joe and he also handed me a chrome coated sinker with a treble hook attached. It was a series of  hooks (six or maybe eight in all) spaced about six to eight inches apart. The hooks were individually wrapped in bright colored yarn. Well I attached the sinker and treble hook to the bottom of this set of hooks and then to my sons fishing line. He lowered it down into the water bobbed it up and down about three times and whamo it looked like he had a hit from a monster lunker. I had to help him reel it in. He had 5 (for lack of a better name) sun fish on the line. I wished I had a camera. You should have seen the look on his face he was so excited. To this day he talks about that moment. He fishes everytime he can and everywhere he can. Even golf course water ways. Anything to be fishing. — SgtMike Free newsletter, Monthly drawing. http://www.thefishermans-tips.com A day spent teaching another to Fish, is a day spent learning to befriend another.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Rule # 1.  Leave your fishing pole at home.  Especially if it is your child’s first time fishing.  Focus all your attention on them and share in their excitement in going fishing.  I’ve seen it happen too many times where the parent with the best of intentions loses focus on teaching their child to fish and soon fishing becomes a competition. Inevitably the adult catches the most fish while the child become more and more frustrated and soon loses interest.  Let your daughter be the "big fisherman" and brag about t he bigun she caught. It works and soon you will have a lifelong fishing buddy.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a 6 year old daughter who wants me to teach her how to fish.  I was wondering if anyone had some good ideas on how to make this the most enjoyable for the both of us. Before you buy.

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looks like a good site – I need to get it indexed on my Beginners/Instruction page.  Thanks for posting it. Ronnie http://fishing.about.com

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I have a 6 year old daughter who wants me to teach her how to fish.  I was wondering if anyone had some good ideas on how to make this the most enjoyable for the both of us. Before you buy.

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First things first. Does she really want to learn?? If she does get her a small (not one of the MICKEY MOUSE ) outfits from Zebco. A four to five foot with a  push  button reel.  Start off small! A farm pond or a well stocked pond and a bucket of worms should do the  trick. Be sure to bring a snack or other type of diversion , do not over react when she wants to skip stones or pick flowers. And most of all CHERISH THE TIME YOU HAVE WITH HER.    they GROW UP TOO QUICKLY THESE DAYS. Hope you have fun. Mark – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a 6 year old daughter who wants me to teach her how to fish.  I was wondering if anyone had some good ideas on how to make this the most enjoyable for the both of us. Before you buy.

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I have a 6 year old daughter who wants me to teach her how to fish.  I was wondering if anyone had some good ideas on how to make this the most enjoyable for the both of us.

The best all around page I’ve stumbled on for this is: http://thefishernet.com/kids.htm Hope this helps, Jeff The Fishing News  http://www.thefishingnews.com/

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I have a 6 year old daughter who wants me to teach her how to fish.  I was wondering if anyone had some good ideas on how to make this the most enjoyable for the both of us.

Two words: Cane Pole Why? Easier to manage than a spin-cast or fly-rod. Less likely to end up in the emergency room getting hooks cut out, catching trees, etc. Also means you won’t end up casting their line every five minutes. I started both of my daughters this way, and haven’t had a serious problem yet. My older girl is using a spin-cast rod now with few problems, and my 3 year old is almost ready for real hooks. I’d pick someplace where there is areas for the kid to play as well as fish. Patience isn’t a virtue at 6. The local state parks have been a blessing in that regard, every-one has a playground within sight of decent fishing areas. Summer is usually a lousy time to take a kid though, the fishing is sluggish and they just can’t handle all the sitting around. Anyways, good luck. Before you buy.

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Rule # 1.  Leave your fishing pole at home.  Especially if it is your child’s first time fishing.  Focus all your attention on them and share in their excitement in going fishing.  I’ve seen it happen too many times where the parent with the best of intentions loses focus on teaching their child to fish and soon fishing becomes a competition. Inevitably the adult catches the most fish while the child become more and more frustrated and soon loses interest.  Let your daughter be the "big fisherman" and brag about the bigun she caught. It works and soon you will have a lifelong fishing buddy. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a 6 year old daughter who wants me to teach her how to fish.  I was wondering if anyone had some good ideas on how to make this the most enjoyable for the both of us. Before you buy.

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Question:

Had mine for a bit over two years now, the smallest sized one.  No complaints.  Neat little reel.  However, there are lots of reels of similar quality in this price range.  Ryall has conical components which push against each other as opposed to a disc-type drag.  These components are in a sealed axial drag assembly.

More easily visualized as a sealed drum brake, I think.The "drum" is inside the arbor, and the split conical pieces are the "shoes". On the big Ryalls there’s plenty of stopping power, and you don’t have to worry about sand or saltwater getting inside. I am not into collecting equipment so I don’t expect to purchase another reel in this size range until this one dies.  

The #2 is a cute little fellah. If I didn’t already have a little CFO I’d have probably bought one when Jim first came out with the #2. /daytripper

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The #2 is a cute little fellah. If I didn’t already have a little CFO I’d have probably bought one when Jim first came out with the #2. /daytripper

What????? And you call yourself a gear whore… –Steve

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The #2 is a cute little fellah. If I didn’t already have a little CFO I’d have probably bought one when Jim first came out with the #2. What????? And you call yourself a gear whore…

LOL! No – I don’t. I’m just a victim of soicumstances!

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Yes. I have a #8 and a #10, use them both for saltwater flyfishing (stripers/bluefish). Nothing but good experiences with both. /daytripper

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 I have the #2 and the #8 and they’re sweet. For the money they’re best modern reels I own. Bob Smith Before you buy.

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Had mine for a bit over two years now, the smallest sized one.  No complaints.  Neat little reel.  However, there are lots of reels of similar quality in this price range.  Ryall has conical components which push against each other as opposed to a disc-type drag.  These components are in a sealed axial drag assembly.  I am not into collecting equipment so I don’t expect to purchase another reel in this size range until this one dies.   Mu

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Well, just back from my first casting lesson – very informative and useful.  some comments that may be of use to others: EVERY newbie should take a course – even one like mine at $50.00 for three hours, just to learn the basics, and rub shoulders with those who are experienced.  I learned just as much after the class just listening to the shop conversation as I did on the field. I had purchased an 8-wt. Fenwick HMG for stripers and salmon here in the Sacramento Delta.  After the instructor threw a few lines with it, he pronounced it to be a "gun" more like a 10-weight, and should be rigged and used accordingly.  (the rest of the class were using borrowed Sage 6-wts.)  I also learned you need a large capacity reel for anything much over a 7-weight, so if you are buying equipment, keep that in mind.   While I read books and watched videos, it did not compare with one-on-one instruction from someone watching your hand, wrist, arm and cast.  After the field instruction, we went back to the shop for a rigging lesson, learning knots from butt to leader to tippet to fly. And, a great tip – carry a map book with you everywhere – put it in your truck.  when someone tells you about a neat spot to fish, get the map, and get the exact location. Thanks to all, and I will see you on the river (after I get a reel and a sinking line setup…) Bill — William J. Kelly River Communications "We help business communicate" PO Box 691 Rio Vista, CA 94571 707-374-5816 www.thegrid.net/kelly

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, just back from my first casting lesson – very informative and useful.  some comments that may be of use to others: EVERY newbie should take a course – even one like mine at $50.00 for three hours, just to learn the basics, and rub shoulders with those who are experienced.  I learned just as much after the class just listening to the shop conversation as I did on the field. I had purchased an 8-wt. Fenwick HMG for stripers and salmon here in the Sacramento Delta.  After the instructor threw a few lines with it, he pronounced it to be a "gun" more like a 10-weight, and should be rigged and used accordingly.  (the rest of the class were using borrowed Sage 6-wts.)  I also learned you need a large capacity reel for anything much over a 7-weight, so if you are buying equipment, keep that in mind. While I read books and watched videos, it did not compare with one-on-one instruction from someone watching your hand, wrist, arm and cast.  After the field instruction, we went back to the shop for a rigging lesson, learning knots from butt to leader to tippet to fly. And, a great tip – carry a map book with you everywhere – put it in your truck.  when someone tells you about a neat spot to fish, get the map, and get the exact location. Thanks to all, and I will see you on the river (after I get a reel and a sinking line setup…) Bill — William J. Kelly River Communications "We help business communicate" PO Box 691 Rio Vista, CA 94571 707-374-5816 www.thegrid.net/kelly

I’ve been flyfishing for about 8 years now and most (99%) of my casting skill is self taught. Though last year as I was talking to one of my local flyshop owners ( 1 shop, 2 owners), I asked him what they charged for a casting lesson. He grabbed a rod and took me outside and gave me one for free. They’ll give anyone one for free. The last time I talked to him (last Saturday night) he invited me to go fishing with him sometime soon. I jumped on that one as I’ve been looking to fish w/ someone with more experience than me. The trip isn’t planned out yet but you can bet it will be soon, I can’t wait. This guy normally charges money to fish with him. I guess being a regular in a small town shop has it’s privileges. Tight lines, Darin

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my week-long sabbatical in the blue ridge ends today, but i leave with more experience in the streams i love and having developed a better friendship with Walt Winter of ezflyfish.com..

Appreciate the reports, Jeff.  I think Tom Brown was up that way this weekend as well.  Fond memories of the Great North State……. Mark Faulkner

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Appreciate the reports, Jeff.  I think Tom Brown was up that way this weekend as well.  Fond memories of the Great North State……. Mark Faulkner

I wanted to go this weekend, but couldn’t get a dog sitter.  Probably just as well, there would have been more witnesses.  NEXT weekend – now that’s a different story.  I’m heading over on Friday and, if I make it back home, I’ll post an unambiguous, unfettered, true report of the ensuing activities (depending on circumstances and to the extent that my attorney allows). Tom — Tom Brown The Signal Group Wake Forest, NC HEATHEN, n. A benighted creature who has the folly to worship something that he can see and feel.                – Ambrose Bierce: The Devil’s Dictionary

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        my week-long sabbatical in the blue ridge ends today, but i leave with more experience in the streams i love and having developed a better friendship with Walt Winter of ezflyfish.com…walt martyred himself to fishing with me during these last 3 days, braving the wrath of his lovely spouse Marie and delaying the demands of his business until the late evening hours.           The first 3 days, i fished my usual spots.           one stream i consider "my" stream because of its closeness to my cabin, because i fish it every time i’m in the area hoping to get to know its entire length eventually, and because it always yields me a fish or two or several. it holds only wild browns and is overlooked by many of the fishing population (spinning and fly) because of its location and lower elevation (1400 feet). still, it has all of the characteristics of streams i love to hike and fish…wildlife (turkey, deer, grouse, snakes)can be seen on occasions, wildflowers blooming from spring through late fall, and a nice combination of deep pools, pocket water, and riffles with some small waterfalls and large boulders or rock formations.  there is a small trail for about 4 miles running beside the stream, which allows access to various points and gives an ability to avoid other fishermen/women or to share a nice day with a group of friends by staggering entries. the browns in the stream are as beautiful, "spooky", and feisty as any i’ve caught in any of the wild trout waters of the state.  On this trip, i deceived several nice brownies with a dave’s hopper, parachute adams, hare’s ear, and prince nymph.  the largest was 10 1/2 inches…above average for me in this stream…with the others in the 6 – 9 inch range, which is the size of fish generally caught in non-hatchery waters. on one trip, i caught an 8 inch brown out of the tail of a deep pool, and a big brown of at least 15-18 inches chased after it as i was bringing it in, so there are larger fish waiting to be taken with skillful and patient persistence…that big brown provides an enduring optimism and goal for future pursuits on "my" stream… jeff

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Question:

Can anyone help, I’m a British fly fisherman and on a recent trip to the states I noticed how much cheaper fly lines etc. are. I was wondering whether anybody knew of how you can get fly flishing equipment by internet order

Start a search in one of the search engines (Yahoo, Alta Vista, Infoseek, etc.) for flyfishing equipment and supplies. There are many out there on the web to seek out. Also, keep an eye out in this group, people do list their web sites quite often – even though some do object to that. — Jon Porter

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Cold Spring Anglers in Carlisle, PA also produces a nice catalog and does a lot of mail order business (including to foreign addresses).  Their phones numbers are 717 245-2646, fax 717 245-2081.  Their snail mail address is 419 East High Street, Suite A; PO Box 129; Carlsile PA 17013 17013–129.

Visit my mail order info page at http://www.public.usit.net/skulpa/mailord.htm lots of address for catalogs, plus e-mail addresses and urls where applicable. Steve — Steven S. Kulpa Project Leader Environmental Systems Corp. Knoxville, Tennessee http://www.envirosys.com/ Remove NO_S*P*A*M_ from reply address —

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Cold Spring Anglers in Carlisle, PA also produces a nice catalog and does a lot of mail order business (including to foreign addresses).  Their phones numbers are 717 245-2646, fax 717 245-2081.  Their snail mail address is 419 East High Street, Suite A; PO Box 129; Carlsile PA 17013 17013–129. — Anti-spamming measure in use.  To reply, remove one "z" from email address.

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Can anyone help, I’m a British fly fisherman and on a recent trip to the states I noticed how much cheaper fly lines etc. are. I was wondering whether anybody knew of how you can get fly flishing equipment by internet order Paul mannu cambridge UK

Paul: Why not just order from catalogs, etc.?  The biggest disadvantage would be shipping costs, but still, if the stuff is cheaper here, it would probably be worthwhile.  Also, for merchandise that can’t be found in a national catalog (Simms waders, Sage rods, Airflo fly line, whatever else), many stores have web pages and their own "personal" catalogs. Examples here in the East would be AA Pro shop and Tulpehocken Creek Outfitters, (tcoflyfishing.com) to name 2.  Any fly shop would fill your order, even those that do not ususally do such business.  One of the best fly shops in the East is Fred Reese’s.  He does all his own dubbings, dyeing, etc.  Give him an extra $10 US and I’m sure he’ll ship. JB

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Can anyone help, I’m a British fly fisherman and on a recent trip to the states I noticed how much cheaper fly lines etc. are. I was wondering whether anybody knew of how you can get fly flishing equipment by internet order Paul mannu cambridge UK

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey all you other outdoorsy women adventurers: Women’s Wire is currently featuring a section called "New You". On it you can check out 20 great getaways for the following activities (these places are for beginners also – you don’t have to be a pro): fly-fishing,  backpacking, boardsailing, bouldering, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, road biking, rock climbing, scuba diving and sea kayaking If you are interested, check it out: http://www.women.com/body/newyou/

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Hey all you other outdoorsy women adventurers: Women’s Wire is currently featuring a section called "New You". On it you can check out 20 great getaways for the following activities (these places are for beginners also – you don’t have to be a pro): fly-fishing,  backpacking, boardsailing, bouldering, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, road biking, rock climbing, scuba diving and sea kayaking If you are interested, check it out: http://www.women.com/body/newyou/

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Question:

are there any schools that teach fishing with conventional tackle instead of pure flyrod?

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are there any schools that teach fishing with conventional tackle instead of pure flyrod?

I don’t know of any. I think that is why the fly fishing industry is doing so well.  There are lots of videos, books and schools on the sport of fly fishing. Most of the conventional tackle is sold by self service mass merchandizers like Walmart and Kmart. It is hard to get any service, help or fishing info from those stores. I have watched the tackle business change for the last 31 years that I have been involved in it. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

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Howdy everyone!  I am in the planning stages of a trip to South-West Alaska.  I have this brochure from Alaska Fish and Game that tells of the fishing conditions on Prince of Wales Island.  From the description I read it sounds like a cross between the Henry’s Fork and New Zealand, ie pristine streams packed with rainbows and grayling.  Then I talked to my friend who was there two years ago and he said Prince of Wales Island is a clear-cut eyesore with only small trout.  What gives?  Can anyone confirm or deny this situation? -John —      Its not that flyfishing is everything, it is just that everything      else in my life is less important.                                                      -Moi

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Howdy everyone!  I am in the planning stages of a trip to South-West Alaska.  I have this brochure from Alaska Fish and Game that tells of the fishing conditions on Prince of Wales Island.  From the description I read it sounds like a cross between the Henry’s Fork and New Zealand, ie pristine streams packed with rainbows and grayling.  Then I talked to my friend who was there two years ago and he said Prince of Wales Island is a clear-cut eyesore with only small trout.  What gives?  Can anyone confirm or deny this situation? -John —     Its not that flyfishing is everything, it is just that everything     else in my life is less important.                                                     -Moi

It depends on where you are.  It is possible to be a quarter mile from a clear-cut area and think you are in a pristine forest.  The only way to get a good look at these ugly scars is from the air.  The lumber industry keeps telling everyone that they can harvest at a renewable sustained yield.  Then they come to Alaska and chop down old growth forests with Uncle Sam underwriting the cost.  The main players are Japanese firms that turn the trees into pulp, I guess they use it for VCR instruction books. BTW if you go to southwest Alaska you’ll be about 1,000 miles from POW Island. R. Wood in Alaska

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HELP!!! My wife is insisting on a family vacation this summer to a resort in Durango Colorado. Can anyone suggest places to fly fish nearby? Thanks in advance for your help. Duane

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When in Rome… Be sure to check in with the fine folks at the Durangler fly shop

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Heading down to SC for Xmas to see sis.  Is there still fishing there at that time of year?  If so, where, and any suggested patterns?  Reply here or to email.  Thanks. Martin Rooney

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(MartinR100) writes:

""Heading down to SC for Xmas to see sis.  Is there still fishing there at that time of year?  If so, where, and any suggested patterns?  Reply here or to email.  Thanks."" Martin, You can secure expert, friendly advice at "Foothills Fly Fishing" shop, 1908 N. Pleasantburg in Greenville, 803-292-2406.  Good luck, Steve S.

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