Question:

Did you hear about the Energizer Bunny dying? Someone put his batteries in backwards and he just kept coming and coming and coming….. Clark

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You forgot to mention stranding me on little dummer with a dead battery. Yes…well….that was another trip, after all… That battery, btw, is totally, utterly, dead. Two years old, too young to die. It’s going back to Sears today… /daytripper

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – [snip] that the world was a better place without me on it… Amen

See, that’s what editing can do to a concept – turn it into a suicide note! /daytripper (although if it gets any hotter here, that’s an idea…)

Response:

You forgot to mention stranding me on little dummer with a dead battery.

Yes…well….that was another trip, after all… That battery, btw, is totally, utterly, dead. Two years old, too young to die. It’s going back to Sears today… /daytripper

Response:

You forgot to mention stranding me on little dummer with a dead battery. Yes…well….that was another trip, after all… That battery, btw, is totally, utterly, dead. Two years old, too young to die. It’s going back to Sears today… /daytripper

Get someone else to lift it for you… Paul

Response:

(snipped report) That was a good read.  Excellent fishing description. Jeez, drink something with some actual caffeine in it next time and we might get a real epic bruce h

Response:

(snipped report) That was a good read.  Excellent fishing description. Jeez, drink something with some actual caffeine in it next time and we might get a real epic bruce h

Be careful what you ask for I suppose I should have mentioned that I rarely have anything with a significant amount of caffeine in it, since 1987, on the recommendation of a cardiac specialist back then who determined it was aggravating a non-life-threatening-but-really-distracting "premature ventricular contraction" syndrome I had been experiencing. And though the PVCs passed after two years, never to return (yet, at least) I still usually avoid caffeine, as I discovered I really didn’t need it – and that the world was a better place without me on it… /daytripper (*definitely*!

Response:

[snip] that the world was a better place without me on it…

Amen

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So I set my main anchor and starting paying out the anchor line – and totally misjudged the length of the line vs the speed of the outgoing current – and had the end of the anchor line slide through my hand and sink…. down…down….down to the bottom. … Did that once in the middle of the afternoon with half a dozen people on my boat watching…very embarassing. Indeed. Yet Paul – bless his heart – went very easy on me, considering the fullness of the opportunity. I don’t know that I’d be as kind, but then again, it was *my* boat, and we were a long way from land

You forgot to mention stranding me on little dummer with a dead battery.

Response:

[snip] that the world was a better place without me on it… Amen

No, no, no Paul, he didn’t say "IN" it!         Wolfgang

Response:

OK, this is a bit wordy. It didn’t start out that way, it just grew. Mostly ‘cuz I’m wound up like a friggin’ mainspring by caffeinated beverages, and I’d have to burn a kilo to flatten out. Deal with it…And pay no attention to the unethical counting…. So I’m kinda on this corporate shut-down thing for the week – although I’m supposed to be "available", whatever the hell that’s really supposed to mean, which is the only thing keeping me out of the mountains this week. Too bad, I’ll bet the alderflies are a’poppin right about now. So much for Plan A. Anyway, the weather forecast for this week starts out grim and gets worse – we’ll be in the mid 90’s and wicked humid for the next few days. And me with a dysfunctional air conditioning unit at home. Uh oh… Plan B is to spend as much time on water. Any water. So Monday morning I get my boat out of winter mothball mode, clean it up, slap the muffs and a hose on the engine,  fire it up, and wake the neighborhood dead for awhile while I checked the tires and get my gear on board. It looks good. We’re ready. Wife and sons are all working this week. Tough nuggies. Call the SO and let her know once I’m a little more than half way to the Merrimack. Can hear her silently crossing herself, figuring (1) I’m by myself on a big brawny river at night and (2) my back is still sorta healing up after the surgery. The surgery which she is still convinced was necessary because of the boat. Ahem… I tell her not to worry, Paul Goodwin’s gonna meet me at the launch. Then I call Paul  Whoops, no answer at work or on cell. Maybe he went fishing already? He finally calls back when I’m within 15 minutes of the river, he’ll definitely come but he’ll be an hour behind. No problem, I’ll putt around and work a few close by spots then pick him off the dock. So eventually we’re both on board and cruising down river towards the ocean. The tide is dead high so we spent the better part of a couple of hours stripping streamers up on Joppa Flats – basically a square mile of 6′ deep water at high tide – and mud and grass at low – with a vestigial island in the middle. A few weeks ago this area was blazing with activity, but tonite we’d only see the bait gommers with an occasional hook up. Two hours past high tide we motored out through the mouth into the ocean and fished the back side of the south channel rock jetty. This is a spot I always hit if I’m otherwise fishless – because I *always* catch at least a couple of fish here. It’s good for the first three hours of an outgoing tide, otherwise it’s crap. We had about an hour on the jetty point, with me holding the boat just in casting range of the rocks while Paul landed two stripers and popped another before that spot went dead. Towards the end I set two anchors to hold us in place and got in a few casts, got a smack but still blanked. We then scooted back into the river and up the tail edge of the flats, just south of the G13 can. The idea is to fish the drop off on the down stream edge, where the stripers should congregate to catch whatever gets swept off the flats. I’ve hit this spot on days where literally every cast produced a striper.  All you have to do is plop your anchor on the high side and ease down over the drop before making fast. So I set my main anchor and starting paying out the anchor line – and totally misjudged the length of the line vs the speed of the outgoing current – and had the end of the anchor line slide through my hand and sink…. down…down….down to the bottom. Damn – I hate it when I do that. Auxiliary Anchor instantly field promoted to Main Anchor. We fished this area as the sun set and the air began to cool, both on anchor and just drifting. Drifting worked better tonite, with Paul nabbing another couple of stripers, and me finally boating one. Then I got another. Things were looking up The stars were now out so we switched to black streamers. And I promptly caught another striper. And after a bit, my fourth one, a particularly feisty beast that got some really good knuckle-shots in on my reel hand and took me at least 5 minutes and about a quarter mile of drifting downstream to get in the boat. I’m guessing it was 24-25" – not legal, but a nice fish to end the evening, and a reaffirmation that flyfishing for stripers can be a blast… At 11PM and pitch black we motored back up the river, using the GPS to find each channel marker and bridge underpass in turn, as I had programmed into the unit a few years ago, and following the middle of the channel with the sonar display. Wonderful stuff, electronics. Hauled out in the dark (the $5 launch fees apparently won’t light the single streetlamp on the ramp, harrumph!), had my e-brake freeze solid two clicks from released when I backed down to haul the boat – gonna have to fix that beyotch now for sure, hit a local Wendy’s around midnight, then blasted home. Feeling great, back is fine. No ill effects, other than being wound up pretty tight from way too many Classic Cokes. (No – the *drink*, dammit!) SO will be eyeballing me like a hawk in the morning looking for damage, gonna have to literally pop out of bed on the run to keep the heat off me Mid-90’s and humid sucks on dry land. Much nicer to be on the water. Might just have to do the whole thing again tomorrow…Or maybe a lake… /daytripper (bzzzzzz….Man, how do people drink the *really* loaded stuff – like Jolt??)

Response:

(bzzzzzz….Man, how do people drink the *really* loaded stuff – like Jolt??)

I used to drink that stuff back when I was closer to your age. It’s starting to wear off now. <g Nice TR. — Charlie…

Response:

What a nice story – a couple weeks ago I was in Maine.  A buddy of mine took me out twice for stripers in the Yarmouth area.  We were using shooting heads – an absolute hoot – and chasing busting schools.  We had the adrenaline up as long as the tide held out! Pete Collin

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK, this is a bit wordy. It didn’t start out that way, it just grew. Mostly ‘cuz I’m wound up like a friggin’ mainspring by caffeinated beverages, and I’d have to burn a kilo to flatten out. Deal with it…And pay no attention to the unethical counting…. So I’m kinda on this corporate shut-down thing for the week – although I’m supposed to be "available", whatever the hell that’s really supposed to mean, which is the only thing keeping me out of the mountains this week. Too bad, I’ll bet the alderflies are a’poppin right about now. So much for Plan A. Anyway, the weather forecast for this week starts out grim and gets worse – we’ll be in the mid 90’s and wicked humid for the next few days. And me with a dysfunctional air conditioning unit at home. Uh oh… Plan B is to spend as much time on water. Any water. So Monday morning I get my boat out of winter mothball mode, clean it up, slap the muffs and a hose on the engine,  fire it up, and wake the neighborhood dead for awhile while I checked the tires and get my gear on board. It looks good. We’re ready. Wife and sons are all working this week. Tough nuggies. Call the SO and let her know once I’m a little more than half way to the Merrimack. Can hear her silently crossing herself, figuring (1) I’m by myself on a big brawny river at night and (2) my back is still sorta healing up after the surgery. The surgery which she is still convinced was necessary because of the boat. Ahem… I tell her not to worry, Paul Goodwin’s gonna meet me at the launch. Then I call Paul  Whoops, no answer at work or on cell. Maybe he went fishing already? He finally calls back when I’m within 15 minutes of the river, he’ll definitely come but he’ll be an hour behind. No problem, I’ll putt around and work a few close by spots then pick him off the dock. So eventually we’re both on board and cruising down river towards the ocean. The tide is dead high so we spent the better part of a couple of hours stripping streamers up on Joppa Flats – basically a square mile of 6′ deep water at high tide – and mud and grass at low – with a vestigial island in the middle. A few weeks ago this area was blazing with activity, but tonite we’d only see the bait gommers with an occasional hook up. Two hours past high tide we motored out through the mouth into the ocean and fished the back side of the south channel rock jetty. This is a spot I always hit if I’m otherwise fishless – because I *always* catch at least a couple of fish here. It’s good for the first three hours of an outgoing tide, otherwise it’s crap. We had about an hour on the jetty point, with me holding the boat just in casting range of the rocks while Paul landed two stripers and popped another before that spot went dead. Towards the end I set two anchors to hold us in place and got in a few casts, got a smack but still blanked. We then scooted back into the river and up the tail edge of the flats, just south of the G13 can. The idea is to fish the drop off on the down stream edge, where the stripers should congregate to catch whatever gets swept off the flats. I’ve hit this spot on days where literally every cast produced a striper.  All you have to do is plop your anchor on the high side and ease down over the drop before making fast. So I set my main anchor and starting paying out the anchor line – and totally misjudged the length of the line vs the speed of the outgoing current – and had the end of the anchor line slide through my hand and sink…. down…down….down to the bottom. Damn – I hate it when I do that. Auxiliary Anchor instantly field promoted to Main Anchor. We fished this area as the sun set and the air began to cool, both on anchor and just drifting. Drifting worked better tonite, with Paul nabbing another couple of stripers, and me finally boating one. Then I got another. Things were looking up The stars were now out so we switched to black streamers. And I promptly caught another striper. And after a bit, my fourth one, a particularly feisty beast that got some really good knuckle-shots in on my reel hand and took me at least 5 minutes and about a quarter mile of drifting downstream to get in the boat. I’m guessing it was 24-25" – not legal, but a nice fish to end the evening, and a reaffirmation that flyfishing for stripers can be a blast… At 11PM and pitch black we motored back up the river, using the GPS to find each channel marker and bridge underpass in turn, as I had programmed into the unit a few years ago, and following the middle of the channel with the sonar display. Wonderful stuff, electronics. Hauled out in the dark (the $5 launch fees apparently won’t light the single streetlamp on the ramp, harrumph!), had my e-brake freeze solid two clicks from released when I backed down to haul the boat – gonna have to fix that beyotch now for sure, hit a local Wendy’s around midnight, then blasted home. Feeling great, back is fine. No ill effects, other than being wound up pretty tight from way too many Classic Cokes. (No – the *drink*, dammit!) SO will be eyeballing me like a hawk in the morning looking for damage, gonna have to literally pop out of bed on the run to keep the heat off me Mid-90’s and humid sucks on dry land. Much nicer to be on the water. Might just have to do the whole thing again tomorrow…Or maybe a lake… /daytripper (bzzzzzz….Man, how do people drink the *really* loaded stuff – like

Jolt??)

Response:

I just posted some pix on abpf of the fish we got.

Response:

So I set my main anchor and starting paying out the anchor line – and totally misjudged the length of the line vs the speed of the outgoing current – and had the end of the anchor line slide through my hand and sink…. down…down….down to the bottom. … Did that once in the middle of the afternoon with half a dozen people on my boat watching…very embarassing.

Indeed. Yet Paul – bless his heart – went very easy on me, considering the fullness of the opportunity. I don’t know that I’d be as kind, but then again, it was *my* boat, and we were a long way from land The stars were now out so we switched to black streamers. … Do you usually do that ?

Yup. I think that’s covered in chapter 1 in the book "Stripers For Dummies" (which I have laying about somewhere  Moreover, a chunky black fly is called for, the more water displacement you can manage, the easier for the fish to find your fly in the dark… /daytripper (I think the dew point just met the temperature at 90. Horrible.)

Response:

Question:

In little to know wind, you’ll be ok unless you’ve got a big bimini or hardtop to act as a sail.  I had a 28lb electric on the stern of a 20′ CC of 4000#s that was adequate in very light wind.  The light thrust was slow in starting or stopping, but worked fine once the mass got moving.  It was a high sided boat, so wind was a big problem if more than 10 knots.  Bow mounts are a lot easier to control and track better, so that would be preferrable to a stern mount.  I would have preferred a Bow mount of about 50 lbs, but did not want to incurr the cost of extra batteries and a new motor.  I already had the 28# motor from an earlier boat. BillS – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone used an engine mounted trolling motor on a boat of at least 19′? I have a 19′ cc fishing boat that usually has three people aboard and I wonder if one 55lb thrust motor is anywhere enough to move the boat or should I double up with the motors. I’m looking at the Navigator dual 110 (2 motors). Any info will be appreciated. Thanks,,,Ted

Response:

Has anyone used an engine mounted trolling motor on a boat of at least 19′? I have a 19′ cc fishing boat that usually has three people aboard and I wonder if one 55lb thrust motor is anywhere enough to move the boat or should I double up with the motors. I’m looking at the Navigator dual 110 (2 motors). Any info will be appreciated. Thanks,,,Ted

Response:

I’m interested in this subject too, although I have a lowly 14′ bowrider.  I would very much like to have a trolling motor, since 90% of what we do is fishing, but to put one on the bow would impair the little space available, and there is no room on the stern. We normally boat on small lakes with little to no current. — "Stay calm.  Be brave.  Wait for the signs." regards, Frank Johansen Aurora, Ontario

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone used an engine mounted trolling motor on a boat of at least 19′? I have a 19′ cc fishing boat that usually has three people aboard and I wonder if one 55lb thrust motor is anywhere enough to move the boat or should I double up with the motors. I’m looking at the Navigator dual 110 (2 motors). Any info will be appreciated. Thanks,,,Ted

Response:

There are some who equate 12-15# of thrust to one horsepower, although the two units of measure aren’t really the same and that number can sure be argued with. If a 3 hp outboard is enough to do what you want in the trolling department, it might work. They are quiet and inobtrusive. Look at a Minn Kota.  http://www.minnkotamotors.com/ This unit sure wouldn’t get you home on that boat in the event your main engine goes out unless you have ideal water/current/wind conditions and a LOT of batteries.

Response:

Question:

That’s what I usually do, too, but sometimes the tippet is too long and I just want a knot in the right place, and not to join two lines together. The Float Stop knot at http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html that Guyz-N-Flyz pointed out looks perfect.

Ah that looks like a perfect knot then.  Good illustrations of knots too. Is this for deep water nymphing? bc. — I don’t care who you are, you are not walking on the water while I’m fishing.

Response:

http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html

An alternative would be a uni-knot made with a spare length of fishing line.  The standard slip-bobber knot used by bait fisherman actually is a nail knot and one can purchase individually prepared knots wrapped around plastic tubes.  But since most fly anglers can tie nail knots it would seem ridiculous to pay $3 for a package of three knots. I’d recommend that you use dacron (12 lb is good) becasue mono on mono could cause your leader, expecially where it’s composed of lighter test material, to curl from the heat if you decide to slide the knot to a different position. One problem with dacron however is that since it’s much thicker in diamter than mono and the desired result is that the finished knot form a barrel around the mono, it may be difficult to prevent the mono from kinking as you form the dacron knot unless you can maintain tension on the mono while simultaneously tying the knot.  Or yould tie the stopper knot at a relatively thick/stiff section of your leader, then slide it down to the desired position and then just pull on the tag ends to tighten.  But really, why bother with all that? Personally I like to use weighted putty instead of split shot. Mu

Response:

rw, I use a triple surgeons knot to tie on my tippet and place the split shot just above that.  http://www.flyshop.com/Tactics/12-96Knots/surgeon.html

That’s what I usually do, too, but sometimes the tippet is too long and I just want a knot in the right place, and not to join two lines together. The Float Stop knot at http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html that Guyz-N-Flyz pointed out looks perfect. BTW, I usually use a double surgeon’s knot, except when I’m joining fluorcarbon to regular mono, and then I use a triple. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

I would worry that the float stop knot would slip under the pressure from a split shot…  Wouldn’t a figure eight knot do the trick?  It won’t move, it will hold a split shot from sliding down, you can’t really expect to untie it, and the line strength is not reduced much.  I have used the figure eight as a stopper on ropes for years – never on fishing line.  On ropes there’s the advantage that it *is* pretty easily untied.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That’s what I usually do, too, but sometimes the tippet is too long and I just want a knot in the right place, and not to join two lines together. The Float Stop knot at http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html that Guyz-N-Flyz pointed out looks perfect.

Response:

I’m looking for a knot that I’ve never seen described and that may not even exist. The situation is that you have a very long tippet or an unknotted leader, and you want to add some splitshot not too far above the fly. To keep the splitshot from slipping, you want a knot, but what knot can you tie into the mono that doesn’t weaken it substantially? It seems like there should be one, but I’ve never heard of it.

Um, maybe this is some new-fangled terminal tackle problem, but if I understand what you mean by "splitshot," why not just crimp it down? I suspect I’m not altogether sure of what you mean, however, because….  Why would you put "some" (as in several?) on a tippet? TC, R

Response:

Um, maybe this is some new-fangled terminal tackle problem, but if I understand what you mean by "splitshot," why not just crimp it down?

I don’t like to "crimp down" splitshot onto fine tippet (meaning crimp down HARD). I suspect I’m not altogether sure of what you mean, however, because….  Why would you put "some" (as in several?) on a tippet?

It’s common to vary the weight frequently. We were sure doing that on the San Juan. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

rw, I use a triple surgeons knot to tie on my tippet and place the split shot just above that.  http://www.flyshop.com/Tactics/12-96Knots/surgeon.html There is also a good article here on nymphing: http://web.utk.edu/~ldecuir/tu/96oct.htm Do a page search on Henry’s FAQ. Don’t know if that is what you are looking for. bc. — I don’t care who you are, you are not walking on the water while I’m fishing.

Response:

rw, That sounds like the "Running Half Tangle" to me.

That one I know! I can tie it with my eyes shut, and often do. I don’t need one of your fancy tools to help me with that knot, Ernie. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Check out the Float Stop knot at the site below. http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html

All right! That’s exactly what I was looking for. Thanks, Opie. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

rw, That sounds like the "Running Half Tangle" to me.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m looking for a knot that I’ve never seen described and that may not even exist. The situation is that you have a very long tippet or an unknotted leader, and you want to add some splitshot not too far above the fly. To keep the splitshot from slipping, you want a knot, but what knot can you tie into the mono that doesn’t weaken it substantially? It seems like there should be one, but I’ve never heard of it. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Check out the Float Stop knot at the site below. http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html Opie  **Panhandling for a better tomorrow!**

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m looking for a knot that I’ve never seen described and that may not even exist. The situation is that you have a very long tippet or an unknotted leader, and you want to add some splitshot not too far above the fly. To keep the splitshot from slipping, you want a knot, but what knot can you tie into the mono that doesn’t weaken it substantially? It seems like there should be one, but I’ve never heard of it. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

I’m looking for a knot that I’ve never seen described and that may not even exist. The situation is that you have a very long tippet or an unknotted leader, and you want to add some splitshot not too far above the fly. To keep the splitshot from slipping, you want a knot, but what knot can you tie into the mono that doesn’t weaken it substantially? It seems like there should be one, but I’ve never heard of it. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

The situation is that you have a very long tippet or an unknotted leader, and you want to add some splitshot not too far above the fly. To keep the splitshot from slipping, you want a knot, but what knot can you tie into the mono that doesn’t weaken it substantially? It seems like there should be one, but I’ve never heard of it.

Just tie an additional piece of tippet to the end of your leader of same diameter as leader tippet using double surgeons or barrel knot and pinch the split over the knot. Good luck. Joel Axelrad

Response:

Question:

Will be in PNG for Nov/Dec, anyone have any info or URLs for flyfishing there ? Thanks, Mick

Response:

Mick, Nov-Dec will be rainy season – depending on where abouts you are and it might reduce for options for tangling with nugini bass and black bass. Dean guides there and pioneered many locations in PNG for black bass etc. and has many friends there. Regards John Knight Sydney Fly Rodders’

Response:

Question:

Hi, I’m a short time lurker. Was wondering if anybody could recommend a resort/guide service in Colorado offering private water and/or accommodations. Thanks in advance. John Sorell

Response:

Go to www.elktrout.com

Response:

Elktrout is a very fine, fly fishing only-catch and release only,  resort with great strecthes of private property on two rivers and quite a few fantastic ponds.  The guides work hard and you fish right up to dark. Bows and cut throats are prevalent in the ponds with some very large browns lurking in the rivers.  Fish seem to bight all the time.  Quarters and food are first rate. Scenery is beautiful but lots and lots of cow shit to avoid.  All together a wonderful private retreat. Tom Bogdan

Response:

Thanks to all for the replies….John – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Elktrout is a very fine, fly fishing only-catch and release only,  resort with great strecthes of private property on two rivers and quite a few fantastic ponds.  The guides work hard and you fish right up to dark. Bows and cut throats are prevalent in the ponds with some very large browns lurking in the rivers.  Fish seem to bight all the time.  Quarters and food are first rate. Scenery is beautiful but lots and lots of cow shit to avoid.  All together a wonderful private retreat. Tom Bogdan

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sharks are a totally insignificant part of boating and yet you pasting these exclusively in boating newsgroups.  Perhaps the folks in some of the natural history or hydrosciences would be more interested. I have to disagree. As both a sailor and scuba diver (planning an extended cruise in the Pacific) shark awareness is key. If I spent my life in fear of everything that was a 10 million to 1 shot I would just crawl under my bed and hide. Quite true. Agree 100% – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn more about those risks. And frankly, for cruisers in the Pacific the odds of coming into direct contact with sharks seems much higher than 10,000,000:1. Knowing how to deal with them when you encounter them can help prevent the incident from becoming life threatening. Ignoring the issue does not help. J. OK, I’ll say it again.  The postings do little if anything to describe any form of action, avoidance or deterrence that can be applied.  This particular thread was started with an account of Miss Australia of 1950 losing an arm to a shark.  They are simply sensationalism with little content other than "isn’t it terrible"

Ahem! Was she Miss Aussie before or after the incident?

Response:

Food for thought: There are millions of sharks eaten by humans for every human eaten by a shark!

Response:

This is why "shark bites man" is better news material than "man bites shark". But I also fail to understand why the sensational takes precedence ofer the sensible. — Anders Svensson – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Food for thought: There are millions of sharks eaten by humans for every human eaten by a shark!

Response:

This guy is crossing posting to several newsgroups and receiving complaints in each.  He is trying to sell some sort of shark repellent that doesn’t always work, but it provides psychological support in an attack because it might work. I sell a magic bracelet that does exactly the same thing at a fraction of the cost. Bob

It is amazing to see how interested you are in all of my postings(as it would been easy for you to skip over them as soon as you saw my email address associated with them, but you didn’t). Guess what? You are wrong again as I have nothing to do with the sales/marketing of either technology at the moment. How  do you know what the SharkPOD can do(other then from accessing the Web site below)? You surely have never tested the SharkPOD before, have you? How do you know what the Australian technology can do as you have never tested that technology before either(I had heard that it is working very well with baited sharks off Australia as I am waiting to get hold of a prototype to use myself)? You sure have a lot to say when you have probably never even seen a shark underwater before(except for on your television). What’s the matter? Afraid that an effective shark repellent will take away the market share that your "magical bracelet" currently exploits? Regards, Jim Morris http://starbulletin.com/97/12/22/features/index.html

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sharks are a totally insignificant part of boating and yet you pasting these exclusively in boating newsgroups.  Perhaps the folks in some of the natural history or hydrosciences would be more interested. I have to disagree. As both a sailor and scuba diver (planning an extended cruise in the Pacific) shark awareness is key. If I spent my life in fear of everything that was a 10 million to 1 shot I would just crawl under my bed and hide. Quite true. Agree 100% – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn more about those risks. And frankly, for cruisers in the Pacific the odds of coming into direct contact with sharks seems much higher than 10,000,000:1. Knowing how to deal with them when you encounter them can help prevent the incident from becoming life threatening. Ignoring the issue does not help. J. OK, I’ll say it again.  The postings do little if anything to describe any form of action, avoidance or deterrence that can be applied.  This particular thread was started with an account of Miss Australia of 1950 losing an arm to a shark.  They are simply sensationalism with little content other than "isn’t it terrible" Ahem! Was she Miss Aussie before or after the incident?

For anyone who believes that the threat from sharks should not be considered as a possibility when in a survival situation(depending on the venue), I refer you to the book, ADRIFT, which was written by Steve Callahan(who is now a writer/editor with CRUISING WORLD magazine). Mr. Callahan was adrift in a life raft(after his sailboat hit what he thought was a whale)for seventy plus days and was hounded by sharks! Mr. Callahan’s ordeal took place in the Atlantic/Caribbean and is eloquently described in his book, ADRIFT. For another example in the Pacific, what about the USS Indianapolis disaster where survivors of the initial sinking(the Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine)were ravaged by sharks as they floated in the ocean hopefully awaiting rescue? Please try to observe Memorial Day in some way. Best wishes, Jim Morris http://starbulletin.com/97/12/22/features/index.html

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Food for thought: There are millions of sharks eaten by humans for every human eaten by a shark!

And good food they are….

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Food for thought: There are millions of sharks eaten by humans for every human eaten by a shark! And good food they are….

Yes, but this is very small consolation to those humans. john

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I may not worry at all at 10 million to 1, but I have a personal rule of never trying anything that has less than a one in 10 thousand chance of resulting in death or permanent disability.

…is life sorta a bore?

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Sharks are a totally insignificant part of boating and yet you pasting these exclusively in boating newsgroups.  Perhaps the folks in some of the natural history or hydrosciences would be more interested.

I have to disagree. As both a sailor and scuba diver (planning an extended cruise in the Pacific) shark awareness is key. If I spent my life in fear of everything that was a 10 million to 1 shot I would just crawl under my bed and hide.

Quite true. Agree 100% – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn more about those risks. And frankly, for cruisers in the Pacific the odds of coming into direct contact with sharks seems much higher than 10,000,000:1. Knowing how to deal with them when you encounter them can help prevent the incident from becoming life threatening. Ignoring the issue does not help. J.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sharks are a totally insignificant part of boating and yet you pasting these exclusively in boating newsgroups.  Perhaps the folks in some of the natural history or hydrosciences would be more interested. I have to disagree. As both a sailor and scuba diver (planning an extended cruise in the Pacific) shark awareness is key. If I spent my life in fear of everything that was a 10 million to 1 shot I would just crawl under my bed and hide. Quite true. Agree 100% – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn more about those risks. And frankly, for cruisers in the Pacific the odds of coming into direct contact with sharks seems much higher than 10,000,000:1. Knowing how to deal with them when you encounter them can help prevent the incident from becoming life threatening. Ignoring the issue does not help. J.

OK, I’ll say it again.  The postings do little if anything to describe any form of action, avoidance or deterrence that can be applied.  This particular thread was started with an account of Miss Australia of 1950 losing an arm to a shark.  They are simply sensationalism with little content other than "isn’t it terrible"

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sharks are a totally insignificant part of boating and yet you pasting these exclusively in boating newsgroups.  Perhaps the folks in some of the natural history or hydrosciences would be more interested. I have to disagree. As both a sailor and scuba diver (planning an extended cruise in the Pacific) shark awareness is key. If I spent my life in fear of everything that was a 10 million to 1 shot I would just crawl under my bed and hide. Quite true. Agree 100% – but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn more about those risks. And frankly, for cruisers in the Pacific the odds of coming into direct contact with sharks seems much higher than 10,000,000:1. Knowing how to deal with them when you encounter them can help prevent the incident from becoming life threatening. Ignoring the issue does not help. J. OK, I’ll say it again.  The postings do little if anything to describe any form of action, avoidance or deterrence that can be applied.  This particular thread was started with an account of Miss Australia of 1950 losing an arm to a shark.  They are simply sensationalism with little content other than "isn’t it terrible" Ahem! Was she Miss Aussie before or after the incident? For anyone who believes that the threat from sharks should not be considered as a possibility when in a survival situation(depending on the venue), I refer you to the book, ADRIFT, which was written by Steve Callahan(who is now a writer/editor with CRUISING WORLD magazine). Mr. Callahan was adrift in a life raft(after his sailboat hit what he thought was a whale)for seventy plus days and was hounded by sharks! Mr. Callahan’s ordeal took place in the Atlantic/Caribbean and is eloquently described in his book, ADRIFT. For another example in the Pacific, what about the USS Indianapolis disaster where survivors of the initial sinking(the Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine)were ravaged by sharks as they floated in the ocean hopefully awaiting rescue?

I know that sharks exist, I know that shars bite. I read ADRIFT.  I know that sharks can be a threat. When are you going to add something that goes beyond the above.

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If I spent my life in fear of everything that was a 10 million to 1 shot I would just crawl under my bed and hide.

Interesting…  I enjoyed the post anyways.  What are the actual chances of being attacked by a shark in:         1) known infested areas         2) the open ocean         3) worldwide I may not worry at all at 10 million to 1, but I have a personal rule of never trying anything that has less than a one in 10 thousand chance of resulting in death or permanent disability.

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<snip Is there some other newsgroup in which this would be more appropriate? Sharks are a totally insignificant part of boating and yet you pasting these exclusively in boating newsgroups.  Perhaps the folks in some of the natural history or hydrosciences would be more interested. If I spent my life in fear of everything that was a 10 million to 1 shot I would just crawl under my bed and hide. Since you are posting via dejanews from an earthlink account, I suspect this is some sort of bizarre troll.

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I am based in Los Angeles but had heard about that awful attack on the couple hanging on the anchor line where the gentleman pushed his newly-wed wife out of the way, and he was taken himself off of Australia. Hi Jim As much as I would love to help you with information I would be unable to put you in touch with the lady in question.  The reasons being in the past twelve months she has re-married and also had her first child a month ago. I really think she now has her tramatic experience behind her and is trying to get on with things.

That was a very harrowing experience for her, and I can understand how she would want for it to be behind her. However, your friend can take comfort in knowing that her husband really loved her in doing what he did for her. I did a shark dive last year at Nassau, Bahamas with a lady by the name of Heather Boswell. Before Heather attempted to do a shark dive with me for the NBC WEEKEND TODAY show(which was televised throughout the USA on July 13th, 1997), Heather had been attacked by a five meter plus white shark while she was swimming on the ocean surface over a hundred miles offshore of Chile. Heather was swimming with some friends in calm seas off of a NOAA research vessel that they were crewing on. A friend was videotaping them all in the water(and captured the attack on video in the process)when a huge dorsal fin appeared(Heather later indicated that it looked to be at least a meter tall above the water as it approached her). The shark started attacking a gentleman who was sitting upon some type of surfboard. He managed to drive it away by apparently poking the shark in the eye. The shark then turned its attention to Heather who was nearby in the water. Rescuers were trying to reach Heather in an inflatable boat which was dispatched from the larger NOAA vessel. They actually had a hold of her before the shark started to attack Heather. However, because of the sunscreen lotion that Heather was wearing, she slipped through the arms of the one of the rescuers, and the shark grabbed her leg and started to take her down into the depths. It was at that point that Heather felt sure she was going to die according to what she told me and NBC. She just wasn’t sure if she should intake water to drown herself or simply let the shark continue to eat her and die that way. Amazingly, the shark returned Heather to the surface at which point the rescuers were able to grab her again. However, this time the rescuers were in a "tug-of-war" with the shark, and Heather was the "rope". Heather heard a "popping sound"(thinking that her leg was being dislocated)as she broke free. However, once inside the boat, Heather looked down and saw that her leg had been bitten off at mid-thigh(Heather lost a lot of blood and almost died via exsanguination/shock). Meanwhile, the shark must have been very hungry as it started to attack another lady who was desperately trying to pull herself out of the water (using netting which was thrown over the side of the NOAA vessel). However, the lady was overweight and was having a very difficult time getting herself out of the water. At that time, a high-powered rifle was finally deployed to drive the shark away. It is assumed that the shark was killed, but this is not known for sure. I am all for the conservation of shark species worldwide. However, the above situation was an obvious exception. Over a year after the above attack, Heather showed amazing courage by accepting an invitation to shark dive with me in the Bahamas for the NBC WEEKEND TODAY television program. However, once the sharks appeared on scene with us at Nassau, Heather requested to discontinue the dive(understandably so). Nonetheless, her courage for even attempting the dive and the positive attitude that she radiates in her daily life are inspiration to us all. Eco continues about diver(newly-wed couple)who was killed by a white shark off of Australia: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – One of the US talkback shows contacted her some time back (they were doing a show on tragic widows) and offered to fly her over to appear but she clearly had no desire to go through the events again.  Understandably so. I do not have any clearer details of the attack except what I posted.  The attack happened at Byron Bay which is considered out of the usual territory of a white pointer (it was in warm water up north).  The attack was quick. They saw it on the bottom, her husband pushed her and by the time she managed to turn around she only felt the force of the sharks tail. I’ve forgotton the exact size but from what I can remember it was the max. for the species.  A fishing boat did later hook it, it was longer than the boat, and it dragged the boat for miles, it regurgitated some stomach contents and broke free. There was talk of it being a sick/rogue shark due to its location. I am most interested to see if such electronic shark repellent technology could have prevented the above attack. I was the first to test the SharkPOD in the USA(off the coast of Los Angeles for the Discovery Channel, "Next Step" television program which is to be broadcast internationally if it hasn’t been already-it has already been broadcast twice throughout the USA. Ron and Valerie Taylor were the first to test the SharkPOD in Australia. I had met them both in Singapore during the ADEC dive equipment trade show where the SharkPOD was first being released commercially. You’ve met Ron and Val Taylor !!!  Now they are shark lovers extraordinaire !!!!   That Val Taylor is one brave lady.  Amazingly dedicated couple.

Yes, I had met both of them and have been in touch with them via email from time to time. I am a fan of their work as well. For more detail on my SharkPOD testing, please access the Honolulu Star- Bulletin Newspaper article which I had appeared in throughout the Hawaiian Islands on December 22, 1997: http://starbulletin.com/97/12/22/features/index.html Sounds really exciting !   I remember seeing a show where they were investigating using  some sort of sonar "wall" instead of netting.   IE; transmitter placed and one point – receiver at other end further down the coastline to prevent sharks entering the swimming area.  They were testing the concept with some sort of sonar wand that repelled the sharks. It was tricky stuff as the shark had to get close enough for them to prod it with the want but it was trying to ascertain whether the idea would work.  Do you know of any developments with this??

Not really. But will look into it for you. I am all for anything that helps the sharks and other sea creatures.  Our shark nets over here are marine animal death traps.

Me too. Did you see my earlier post on how the shark netting program in South Africa was being reduced because of budget cuts to the Natal Sharks Board (which supervises the netting program there)? The Star-Bulletin article was mostly accurate. However, the SharkPOD is not a "sonic" device as the article mistakenly depicts in the opening paragraph. Instead, the SharkPOD emits a continuous, cocooning electrical field which is intended to protect from possible shark attack. I will soon be using another electronic shark repellent technology which is currently being developed in Australia(by another manufacturer)and is being billed as an even more effective electronic repellent than the SharkPOD. I will be using this Australian technology with tiger and grey reef sharks throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Also with tiger, bull and lemon sharks in the Bahamas. And with great white sharks off of Dyer Island, South Africa. Thank you for providing your information.  It was very interesting.  I have been lucky enough to encounter sharks while diving – something one doesn’t forget in a hurry !!

Agreed! Look forward to email exchanging with you again..

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Question:

I live in Eastern Mass. and am looking for a good spot for Flyfishing. Any recommendations?

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I live in Eastern Mass. and am looking for a good spot for Flyfishing. Any recommendations?

Try Walden and White pond for trout The Mystics for bass and pikerel. Any river off the North shore for stripers and bluefish Email me for more specifics Bubba B

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Question:

Many rivers still high, but they are dropping as fast as they went up.   Extremely hot weather melted a lot of snow(still a lot to melt, though).   Big Hole is dropping 10-15% per day.  2′ viz at Melrose yesterday, and salmon flies are showing up down near the "Notch".  River is fishing fairly well with nymphs.  Madison is beginning to drop, too, and traditionally the Montana Power Company drops the Madison flows around the 3rd week of June and begins to fill Hebgen Lake.  Gallatin and Yellowstone are still a mess.  Yellowstone has done some serious damage to  DePuy’s and Armstrong’s Spring Creeks, but NOONE knows for sure how much until the river goes done.  I guess I am the eternal optimist, and I figure this flood is like the YNP fires of 1988.  It will be temporarily inconvenient for us humans, but I expect this event will be beneficial.   Talked to Bob Auger, DePuy’s riverkeeper, yesterday, and he is poised to begin work to rebuild the dam as quickly as the water comes down.  I hope there will be fishing in DePuy’s again by mid-July(will take small bets on this!).  Beaverhead and Big Horn are very good.  Smith River is excellent.  Firehole and Henry’s  Fork are good, too.  Firehole has caddis and PMD’s and the Henry’s Fork is getting ready for green and brown drakes.  High water as this time of year is normal.  Remember, we have been in a decade long drought cycle here, and the recollections of many fishermen are of LOW water years.  Things will look fairly good by first week of July.   Dave Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters,Bozeman html

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Hi Dave, Thanks for the Montana report.  It’s obvious to me you spend a lot of time on it (and for our benefit) and I wanted you to know it’s appreciated. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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Al Beatty writes: Hi Dave, Thanks for the Montana report.  It’s obvious to me you spend a lot of time on it (and for our benefit) and I wanted you to know it’s appreciated.

I second that. -Ande Rychter

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David, Thanks for the information.  It sure is helpful for those of us who live in the city (ie, Dallas, TX) who plan on traveling to Montana in the near term. I was wondering, do you not receive info on the North Blackfoot (from around North Fork down to either Scotty Browns bridge or Clear Creek), as well as Rock Creek? If you or anyone else could provide info on these areas (such as water conditions, hatch & pattern info, whether I should consider wading or floating, etc.) and what I might expect from around July 10 through July 14, I would appreciate it. Thanks again! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Many rivers still high, but they are dropping as fast as they went up.   Extremely hot weather melted a lot of snow(still a lot to melt, though).   Big Hole is dropping 10-15% per day.  2′ viz at Melrose yesterday, and salmon flies are showing up down near the "Notch".  River is fishing fairly well with nymphs.  Madison is beginning to drop, too, and traditionally the Montana Power Company drops the Madison flows around the 3rd week of June and begins to fill Hebgen Lake.  Gallatin and Yellowstone are still a mess.  Yellowstone has done some serious damage to  DePuy’s and Armstrong’s Spring Creeks, but NOONE knows for sure how much until the river goes done.  I guess I am the eternal optimist, and I figure this flood is like the YNP fires of 1988.  It will be temporarily inconvenient for us humans, but I expect this event will be beneficial.   Talked to Bob Auger, DePuy’s riverkeeper, yesterday, and he is poised to begin work to rebuild the dam as quickly as the water comes down.  I hope there will be fishing in DePuy’s again by mid-July(will take small bets on this!).  Beaverhead and Big Horn are very good.  Smith River is excellent.  Firehole and Henry’s  Fork are good, too.  Firehole has caddis and PMD’s and the Henry’s Fork is getting ready for green and brown drakes.  High water as this time of year is normal.  Remember, we have been in a decade long drought cycle here, and the recollections of many fishermen are of LOW water years.  Things will look fairly good by first week of July.   Dave Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters,Bozeman html

Steve Ginn 2nd VP – Consulting Group

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Question:

I will be in Hamilton, Ontario at the end of June. I was wondering if there is any good fly-fishing (doesn’t have to be trout) nearby? cheers, Richard

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I will be in Hamilton, Ontario at the end of June. I was wondering if there is any good fly-fishing (doesn’t have to be trout) nearby?

Good trout in upstream sections of Grand, Credit, and several other SWO rivers, e.g. Saugeen, depending how far you want to travel;  smallmouth bass nearly everywhere.  Make contact if you can with the Izaak Walton FFC, pool of abundant knowledge. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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The Grand River is nearby and has trophy size brown trout in it. It runs by the towns of Fergus and Elora. It was written up in Fly Fisherman last year (September 1995). Neil Houlding is a good guide for the area (519-740-3442). Tell him I sent you. There is a section on the Grand River at the Virtual Fly Shop web site (www.flyshop.com) under their "Riverkeepers" section. Good Luck! Steve Rosenblum Ann Arbor, MI

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The closest good trout stream to you is Whitemans Creek, just outside of Brantford.  Approx.  20 min. away.  Things are coming off and it is a good place to be right now.  And yes the Grand and credit are great as well, just not as close, and not as intimate. Cheers, gp  Donald Phillipson

: I will be in Hamilton, Ontario at the end of June. I was wondering : if there is any good fly-fishing (doesn’t have to be trout) nearby? : Good trout in upstream sections of Grand, Credit, and several other SWO : rivers, e.g. Saugeen, depending how far you want to travel;  smallmouth : bass nearly everywhere.  Make contact if you can with the Izaak Walton : FFC, pool of abundant knowledge. : — : |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | : |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         | — gp

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Thanks to everyone for the information about fly-fishing near Hamilton. I really appreciate it! This is a great group! cheers, Richard

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Question:

I may be relocating to Baltimore sometime this summer. Are there any good fly-fishing clubs there that I could hook up with? — Stefan M.   Arlington, Texas Web Page: http://rampages.onramp.net/~smarc

Hi Stefan Call the Federation of Fly Fishers at 800-618-0808 or visit their web sight at http://www.wsa.com/ool/fff.html. They can provide information about the affiliate club closest to you. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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I may be relocating to Baltimore sometime this summer. Are there any good fly-fishing clubs there that I could hook up with? — Stefan M.   Arlington, Texas Web Page: http://rampages.onramp.net/~smarc

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