Question:

If you bring that I’ll make sure to get a bottle of Zubrowka – Polish vodka flavored with buffalo grass.  The current stuff is actually fake, because the buffalo grass has some kind of blood thinner and the FDA banned it in 1978, but it’s still good.  My uncles used to have bottles of the real stuff and brought it out on holidays.  They’re all over 80 and still healthy as horses, so maybe it’s really good stuff<g.

I brought home a bottle of the real Zubrowka when we returned from a recent trip to Poland.  Should have brought two or three, ’cause the stuff just doesn’t last around my house.  Hands down the finest tasting vodka I’ve had. Bill

Response:

Zubrowka is great stuff. I spent a few months studying in Krakow back before the velvet revolution

        (nifty anecdote snipped)         god, i love the smell of well-written english in the morning…         thanks, sid, from your friend in the old north state wayno

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Screw this wussy stuff and bring on the Slivovitz!!  I’ll try to get some for Penns 2002! Scott If you bring that I’ll make sure to get a bottle of Zubrowka – Polish vodka flavored with buffalo grass.  The current stuff is actually fake, because the buffalo grass has some kind of blood thinner and the FDA banned it in 1978, but it’s still good.  My uncles used to have bottles of the real stuff and brought it out on holidays.  They’re all over 80 and still healthy as horses, so maybe it’s really good stuff<g.

I have a bottle brought to me from Poland by a Polish friend I work with. VERY GOOD STUFF. M. Wm.

Response:

If you bring that I’ll make sure to get a bottle of Zubrowka – Polish vodka flavored with buffalo grass.  

Zubrowka is great stuff. I spent a few months studying in Krakow back before the velvet revolution and can confidently say that one of the few joys of soviet style socialism is plenty of cheap booze. I brought 200 USD to last the entire four months I was there and lived like a king. Well, a king who wipes his ass with newspaper, anyway. TP was tough to come by at the time. And, well, you start to see why it’s a good thing that booze was cheap in soviet socialist economies . My roommate at the time had just arrived from West Berlin where he’d been living in luxury accommodations while studying there. He used to wake up every morning, look out the window and remark with utter defeat, "Well, another shitty day in Poland." The poor guy was so stopped up from the adjustment to Poland’s somewhat challenging diet that after the first five days, he still hadn’t taken a crap. Sympathetic lot that we were, the rest of us in the program started a pool on when he’d eventually find relief, eschewing normal conversation with the poor bastard and instead starting every interaction with completely unveiled references to his predicament. "So, Mike…taken a crap yet?" was a popular starter and the hangdog look that would inevitably accompany the ensuing despondent shake of his head was enough to make you almost feel sorry for the guy. Unless, of course, it was your day in the pool. Poland’s a tough place…especially when there’s money at stake . Anyway, that’s a bit of a digression, but thanks for the memories. Maybe I’ll hit the ole liquor store tomorrow and see if I can’t scare up a bottle of the old Zubrowka. Or just take a crap and think about Mike. Too close to call, really. dziekuje bardzo, – sid

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Screw this wussy stuff and bring on the Slivovitz!!  I’ll try to get some for Penns 2002! Scott If you bring that I’ll make sure to get a bottle of Zubrowka – Polish vodka flavored with buffalo grass.  The current stuff is actually fake, because the buffalo grass has some kind of blood thinner and the FDA banned it in 1978, but it’s still good.  My uncles used to have bottles of the real stuff and brought it out on holidays.  They’re all over 80 and still healthy as horses, so maybe it’s really good stuff<g.

Sounds like a deal.  There’s a Slovenian on my floor–I’ll start working on him for a bottle. This Clave might take on an Eastern European flavor.  Maybe a nice flanken would serve as well. Scott

Response:

Screw this wussy stuff and bring on the Slivovitz!!  I’ll try to get some for Penns 2002! Scott

Plum Vodka from one of the slavic countries Czechoslovakia? Poland? national drink. There is a plum brandy that is good too. — Don Thompson Another Thompson Scion

Response:

Screw this wussy stuff and bring on the Slivovitz!!  I’ll try to get some for Penns 2002! Scott

If you bring that I’ll make sure to get a bottle of Zubrowka – Polish vodka flavored with buffalo grass.  The current stuff is actually fake, because the buffalo grass has some kind of blood thinner and the FDA banned it in 1978, but it’s still good.  My uncles used to have bottles of the real stuff and brought it out on holidays.  They’re all over 80 and still healthy as horses, so maybe it’s really good stuff<g.

Response:

<good TR snipped some sort of Scandinavian drink made from potatoes called (it sounded like at least) Aqua Feet

FYI: http://www.britannica.com/seo/a/aquavit/

Response:

  some sort of Scandinavian drink made from potatoes called (it sounded like at least) Aqua Feet FYI: http://www.britannica.com/seo/a/aquavit/

Thanks for the link Stan.  I still think my description and the name of Aquafeet should be used despite what the encyclopedia has to say about it. <g Lou gave some interesting history about this drink.  Apparently crossing the equator makes it taste better so the good stuff is stamped with when and on what boat it crossed the equator.  If nothing else, it made the drink more interesting because it had a history. — Warren Findley Remove (nospamZZ) to respond via email http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt/

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – some sort of Scandinavian drink made from potatoes called (it sounded like at least) Aqua Feet FYI: http://www.britannica.com/seo/a/aquavit/ Thanks for the link Stan.  I still think my description and the name of Aquafeet should be used despite what the encyclopedia has to say about it. <g Lou gave some interesting history about this drink.  Apparently crossing the equator makes it taste better so the good stuff is stamped with when and on what boat it crossed the equator.  If nothing else, it made the drink more interesting because it had a history. — Warren Findley Remove (nospamZZ) to respond via email http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt/

Screw this wussy stuff and bring on the Slivovitz!!  I’ll try to get some for Penns 2002! Scott

Response:

Lou Teletski and his friends (Jim, Tom and Eric) have been out in Yellowstone for a week and are leaving today.  I finally got my life caught back up from the Conclave and was able to swing over there yesterday to fish with Lou and his friends.  We met at his hotel room in Gardiner early yesterday morning and decided to go fish some water in the Park that they have never done well on.  This stretch of river can be difficult to fish for a variety of reasons, especially when the fish are uncooperative.  I wasn’t sure what to expect for today.  Hayden Valley was socked in with smoke from a couple of fires in the area.  Depending on which way the wind blew, the smoke would either come in or blow it out and for most of the day we were fortunate to be without. We arrived on the water a little after 9 and were all on the water around 9:40 or so.  There were some Gray Drake spinners around, but very few fish were rising.  Before getting on the water I had given everybody a short description of what had worked for us during the Clave as well as how the Troutmaster had tackled this stretch of water.  We spread out and began fishing.  I started fishing a large stonefly nymph with a prince dropper and fished the deep slots.  I came into the first fish and radioed the group of what the fish had taken.  I caught another fish shortly thereafter and again radioed the group that the fish had again taken the prince nymph. Eric was next into fish on some sort of peacock bodied fly that closely resembled a prince.  It was nice watching Eric catch fish because he enjoyed each one as if it was his first fish.  A few fish started rising in Troutmaster Willi’s hole and I had Lou come over and fish it with me.  I switched over to an Adams and caught another fish.  Jim and Eric caught a couple of fish upstream of us.  Lou didn’t have much luck in Willi’s hole and I eventually worked my way back up to the vehicle to get a quick snack and left Lou down there to catch some fish. After watching the buffalo walked down the road and feeding some birds, Lou and I went and fished upstream of where we started.  A meadow starts in this section and there is a big cove with slow moving water.  The cove is sort of shallow and has a large flat that runs along a very deep section.  We worked our way upstream fishing this deep section and neither of us had any luck. I walked quite a ways upstream trying to find some better water, but it was all the same for as far as I could see. The water in this area would be very good to fish from a float tube because it is more like fishing a lake although it is against the rules to fish it from a float tube.  There is hardly any current and even the very structure is very lake-like.  I walked back down to Lou and we decided to work our back and fish the area we had fished earlier in the morning.  While we were going fishless, the radio crackled with news that the other three guys were getting into fish downstream. As we walked along the bank, we spotted three fish hanging out in the cove close to the bank.  Lou eventually enticed one to the surface with a Gray Wulff.  The fish had taken up positions and began feeding in an area where the cove ends and the river narrows causing the water to move a little faster.  Lou went over and began fishing while I sat on the bank and watched Lou in action.  He caught another fish in this area and the fish started rising more profusely than before.  I started fishing downstream to the fish that were hanging out on the far side of the current and was unable to get a good drift so I changed sides.  Lou in the meantime is catching fish mind you.  I worked my way downstream to an area that allowed me to cross the river and began to hear thunder in the distance.  The wind was coming in fits and during the calm periods the fish would start rising. After crossing the river I saw a bunch of fish on the flats and started fishing for these.  The fish were not taking dries however and I could see them taking nymphs of some sort.  They just swam a couple feet to either side very nonchalantly and opened their mouths to these drifting morsels of food.  I added a small pheasant tail dropper and started fishing the Adams and the dropper.  I didn’t have much luck with the Adams so switched over to a Gray Wulff with the PT dropper.  The wind just happened to pick up and made casting next to impossible where I was at and the thunder started booming very close to our location.  Jim, Tom and Eric packed up and headed upstream while Lou crossed the river. As Lou and I were discussing leaving, a large cutthroat came up and hammered my Gray Wulff.  The fish dove into a weed bed and I lost the fish.  I put a couple more casts out and had another nice sized fish take the PT dropper. This fish ran for the rocks and I could feel the leader ticking up against the rocks before the tippet finally gave out.  We decided to get off the water because of the weather and headed up to the vehicles.  By the time we had put away our gear, the storm had passed and a large group of Gray Drakes were hovering over the vehicle.  We decided to head back to Gardiner for dinner and call it a day.  They still had some packing to do after all. The results were we caught 17 fish with none under 16" between the five of us.  I don’t think anyone caught any 16" fish either.  Most fish seemed to hover around the 17" to 18" range with a few larger that pushed into the  20+" range.  Unfortunately, Tom never did get a fish.  This river has a way of keeping at least one person in the group very humble and my last trip to this river had left me skunked. After a great meal and good conversation we headed back to their room for some coffee and a special drink that Lou had brought.  I say special not because it was so tasty, but because it was from Sweden I think.  It is supposedly some sort of Scandinavian drink made from potatoes called (it sounded like at least) Aqua Feet and that is how it should be said and written IMO because it tasted like someone had mashed up rotten oranges with dirty feet.  We talked for quite some time before I decided it was getting late and I still had a decent drive ahead of me so I should depart.  I had a wonderful time with these guys and was thankful that I had the opportunity to meet Lou.  Another good example as to the quality of the people you meet by way of ROFF.  I couldn’t have asked for a better day or better company other than getting Tom into some fish. — Warren Findley Remove (nospamZZ) to respond via email http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt/

Response:

Question:

You’re right  - I gave the thing a smack and it’s only -32 C! I’m strippin’ down! I’m in the ‘Peg – Ottawa is tropical in comparison Before you buy.

Response:

Still, -32 C is 32 degrees _below_ the freezing point of water. The only thing hatching at temperatures like that are icecubes? Herman, wondering if America is really _that_ different from Europe You’re right  - I gave the thing a smack and it’s only -32 C! I’m strippin’ down! I’m in the ‘Peg – Ottawa is tropical in comparison Before you buy.

–         Cheers, Herman         Herman Nijland         Daytime webmaster         Lifetime flyfisher

Response:

Yes, Herman!  Things are that different here in America.  We had a lovely *icecube* hatch last year on Upper Creek.  While the damn things are somewhat difficult to tie on a hook. The trout just love the different flavors, when you mix in a little KOOL-AID. — Opie  **Panhandling for a better tomorrow!**

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Still, -32 C is 32 degrees _below_ the freezing point of water. The only thing hatching at temperatures like that are icecubes? Herman, wondering if America is really _that_ different from Europe You’re right  - I gave the thing a smack and it’s only -32 C! I’m strippin’ down! I’m in the ‘Peg – Ottawa is tropical in comparison Before you buy. — Cheers, Herman Herman Nijland Daytime webmaster Lifetime flyfisher

Response:

Just checked the thermometer and its -41 C. The Tricos should be coming off any day now. Ottawa can get pretty cold indeed, but -41C is like -70F. You sure your thermometer is working correctly?

Jeez, your supposed to be an engineer or computer geek or something – -40C is about -40F, it’s the point where the two systems meet. Having been in Winterpeg in the middle of January more than once and having lived in Ottawa, I’ll take the ‘Peg. Peter

Response:

Just checked the thermometer and its -41 C. The Tricos should be coming off any day now.

-41 C?? Well in Fahrenheit that must be nearly… Lesse F = 9/5C + 32… That means -41C is minus fort–no wait, that can’t be right!! <g –Steve (pardon the math joke)

Response:

Ottawa can get pretty cold indeed, but -41C is like -70F.  You sure your thermometer is working correctly?

*Something’s* not working correctly, that’s for sure. HINT: Did you use a UNIX-based calculator to come up with that answer, Dave? –Steve

Response:

Jeez, your supposed to be an engineer or computer geek or something – -40C is about -40F, it’s the point where the two systems meet.

There are other aspects to 2nd childhoods than fast cars… <g — Charlie…

Response:

Just checked the thermometer and its -41 C. The Tricos should be coming off any day now. Ottawa can get pretty cold indeed, but -41C is like -70F. You sure your thermometer is working correctly? Jeez, your supposed to be an engineer or computer geek or something –

A DEMOCRATIC engineer or computer geek or something – I’ll bet he stuffs his turkey through the neck (do with that what you will) <G. TC, R – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –40C is about -40F, it’s the point where the two systems meet.

Response:

–

Just checked the thermometer and its -41 C. The Tricos should be coming off any day now. Sigh

Excuse my ignorance: what’s the Tricos? Chris Always willing to learn.

Response:

Ottawa can get pretty cold indeed, but -41C is like -70F.  You sure your thermometer is working correctly? *Something’s* not working correctly, that’s for sure. HINT: Did you use a UNIX-based calculator to come up with that answer, Dave? –Steve

Yikes – did I post that? To the Windows Calculator with 9/5C+32  and – ooops – there’s where I lost it, I never added the 32…Oh well… Goes to show that posting after drinking your way through "The Big Book Of Wine At That Really Expensive Restaurant" could be hazardous to your dignity. /daytripper (recovering slowly…)

Response:

Does it matter at that point?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just checked the thermometer and its -41 C. The Tricos should be coming off any day now. Ottawa can get pretty cold indeed, but -41C is like -70F.  You sure your thermometer is working correctly?

Response:

Tricos are a little tiny mayfly. About a number 26. I tie them on a #24 hook but only dress the front half of the shank. Paul

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — Just checked the thermometer and its -41 C. The Tricos should be coming off any day now. Sigh Excuse my ignorance: what’s the Tricos? Chris Always willing to learn.

Response:

Dignity?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ottawa can get pretty cold indeed, but -41C is like -70F.  You sure your thermometer is working correctly? *Something’s* not working correctly, that’s for sure. HINT: Did you use a UNIX-based calculator to come up with that answer, Dave? –Steve Yikes – did I post that? To the Windows Calculator with 9/5C+32  and – ooops – there’s where I lost it, I never added the 32…Oh well… Goes to show that posting after drinking your way through "The Big Book Of Wine At That Really Expensive Restaurant" could be hazardous to your dignity. /daytripper (recovering slowly…)

Response:

Tricos are a little tiny mayfly. About a number 26. I tie them on a #24 hook but only dress the front half of the shank. Paul

    i thought they were a type of diptera.  or is that "diphteria"? wayno, a little weak on the entomology.

Response:

Tricos are a little tiny mayfly. About a number 26. I tie them on a #24 hook but only dress the front half of the shank. Paul    i thought they were a type of diptera.  or is that "diphteria"? wayno, a little weak on the entomology.

    wait, no; i meant "diptheria". wayno, just plain weak – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I thought diphtheria is a disease. Diptera is the true fly family of which midges are a member. Tricorythodes is a genus of mayfly (Ephemeroptera).

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tricos are a little tiny mayfly. About a number 26. I tie them on a #24 hook but only dress the front half of the shank. Paul    i thought they were a type of diptera.  or is that "diphteria"? wayno, a little weak on the entomology.     wait, no; i meant "diptheria". wayno, just plain weak

Response:

"Brian D. Nelson" wrote I thought diphtheria is a disease. Diptera is the true fly family of which midges are a member. Tricorythodes is a genus of mayfly (Ephemeroptera).

Diphtheria is a disease, just like flyfishing. Ernie

Response:

Diphtheria is a disease, just like flyfishing. Ernie

Then I hope I don’t catch it (the diphtheria, that is) because, like flyfishing, there is no cure (except to go fishing, of course!). — Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters Missoula, Montana http://www.montana.com/dno/dno.htm 406-626-4022

Response:

Diptera = two wings. Usually the critters that bite, or if not look too much like those not to swat them. Grammatical codswallop, but I guess you get the point. Herman Shit, I think I inhaled.. Tricos are a little tiny mayfly. About a number 26. I tie them on a #24 hook but only dress the front half of the shank. Paul     i thought they were a type of diptera.  or is that "diphteria"? wayno, a little weak on the entomology.

–         Cheers, Herman         Herman Nijland         Daytime webmaster         Lifetime flyfisher

Response:

Herman,   The trico is closely related to a British insect called the Treacle (look up the taxonomy, but as you can tell by the name, they are closely related).  Though both are often mentioned in Winter settings, but at -40 Centigrade or Fahrenheit, they bear a striking similarity, i.e. they don’t move a whole bunch.              Frank – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yes, Herman!  Things are that different here in America.  We had a lovely *icecube* hatch last year on Upper Creek.  While the damn things are somewhat difficult to tie on a hook. The trout just love the different flavors, when you mix in a little KOOL-AID. — Opie  **Panhandling for a better tomorrow!** Still, -32 C is 32 degrees _below_ the freezing point of water. The only thing hatching at temperatures like that are icecubes? Herman, wondering if America is really _that_ different from Europe You’re right  - I gave the thing a smack and it’s only -32 C! I’m strippin’ down! I’m in the ‘Peg – Ottawa is tropical in comparison Before you buy. — Cheers, Herman Herman Nijland Daytime webmaster Lifetime flyfisher

Before you buy.

Response:

That’s my kind of insect.. I don’t move much at -40 C either. Herman – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Herman,   The trico is closely related to a British insect called the Treacle (look up the taxonomy, but as you can tell by the name, they are closely related).  Though both are often mentioned in Winter settings, but at -40 Centigrade or Fahrenheit, they bear a striking similarity, i.e. they don’t move a whole bunch.              Frank

Response:

Correct me if I’m wrong, but here in Montana, Tricos hatch in August, not wintertime. Fill me in on the Treacle. I’ve never heard of it and cannot tell by the name that they are closely related (other than the "Tr").

Herman,   The trico is closely related to a British insect called the Treacle (look up the taxonomy, but as you can tell by the name, they are closely related).  Though both are often mentioned in Winter settings, but at -40 Centigrade or Fahrenheit, they bear a striking similarity, i.e. they don’t move a whole bunch.              Frank

– Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters Missoula, Montana http://www.montana.com/dno/dno.htm 406-626-4022

Response:

That’s my kind of insect.. I don’t move much at -40 C either.

I experienced -40 one time…actually it was -44 F.  At that temperature you had BETTER keep moving!  Trust me on this one.       Wolfgang digging out from under 13" of new snow this morning

Response:

Just checked the thermometer and its -41 C. The Tricos should be coming off any day now. Sigh Before you buy.

Response:

Just checked the thermometer and its -41 C. The Tricos should be coming off any day now.

Ottawa can get pretty cold indeed, but -41C is like -70F.  You sure your thermometer is working correctly?

Response:

Question:

btw, here in nc, we call it the sidearm, m*****f*****g rhodo cast.

hee hee hee.  OK honest show of hands, who’s finally ripped off a rhodo branch that was getting in their way?? Regards, Jeff

Response:

Guilty! Cut it off, walk away and hope it doesn’t grow back before you return.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – btw, here in nc, we call it the sidearm, m*****f*****g rhodo cast. hee hee hee.  OK honest show of hands, who’s finally ripped off a rhodo branch that was getting in their way?? Regards, Jeff

Response:

Yea, I do that all the time.. it’s, uhh, on purpose, yea that’s it.. It’s amazing how well this works.. if I only had the ability to do this at will. My errant cast strung like a close line along the willows. I tried flipping the line off the willows and in the process, the fly dropped into the lie, the fish took, jumped the log and brok

– -Mark  –  Particle Salad/ Noom Room Studio  http://home.earthlink.net/~psalad  mp3 songs:  http://www.mp3.com/particlesalad

Response:

Some times we have to let the fish win — NOT!  Next time out, try a well weighted Dupont spinner.  Works every time.                     Frank Reid P.S. For those unfamiliar with the vernacular, a Dupont spinner is so-named because the pricipal manufacturer is the Dupont explosives division.  One can normally be obtained from "Crazy Lefty," the guy that works in the explosives bunker at your neighborhood rock quary for a small price. Warning:  an overuse of false casting while using one may be hazardous to your health. sportsmanship snipped – – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The fish is still there, I still try for it, but I think that’s the closest I’m going to get.

Response:

I first noticed it out of the corner of my eye, a dimple under some overhanging willows. <good story snipped

Ah, the old willow cast.   Thanks for a good one. Joe F.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I first noticed it out of the corner of my eye, a dimple under some overhanging willows. Looking closer, I saw the steady, patterned rise of a fish.  I moved into position down and across from the fish and surveyed the situation. The fish was feeding in some very shallow water and was protected by dense willows above and a log protruding from the bank just upstream from his lie. I thought that maybe a side arm cast would keep the fly low enough to clear the willows and somehow land in the small slow water feeding area behind the log. I cast, snagged the willow, broke off my fly and put down the fish. Each time there were surface feeding fish about, I would find this fish methodically sipping in his hole. For awhile, I tried to come up with something new each time I passed his lie. I tried downstream casts, but the current would either push my fly past the small area where he fed or pile it up and snag the log. During hopper season, I tried skipping a hopper into his lie but caught willows and bark. I tried my crude imitations of pile casts and curve casts but the drift would never bring the fly into his feeding lane. I bushwhacked through the thick willows on the bank where he fed, hoping to try dapping, but long before I got into position, he was put down. When I reached out to extricate the flies I had lost in the willows from my past futile attempts, I was tempted to do some trimming but that didn’t seem too sporting. I had tried everything I could think of to get a fly to this fish. I probably could have somehow swung a streamer or nymph under the log and taken the fish, but it was a consistent, steady surface feeder and I was determined to meet it on these terms. I felt the side arm cast I first tried came the closest to getting the fly where it needed to be. Each time I passed its lie I would give it a shot. I mostly caught willows, but once in a while I would get a cast in where it belonged but the current always grabbed the tippet, dragged the fly and put down the fish. After each failure, I would go upstream to a shallow run to catch a couple easy fish to appease myself. One day, after fishing the run and getting ready to head home, I looked downstream noticed the fish was again rising. I was probably 40 feet away. I have trouble hitting an area the size of a Buick at this distance, much less one the size of a pie pan lying under some willows, but what the hell, one last cast. I hauled my three weight and let a cast go. My errant cast strung like a close line along the willows. I tried flipping the line off the willows and in the process, the fly dropped into the lie, the fish took, jumped the log and broke me off. The fish is still there, I still try for it, but I think that’s the closest I’m going to get. Willi

a nice read…thanks.  btw, here in nc, we call it the sidearm, m*****f*****g rhodo cast. to make it even more challenging, as if the bizarre twists of the branches and leaves aren’t enough, at certain times of the year, the rhodos have a sticky substance at the flower heads of the branches which is stronger than any commercial glue.  put your fly or leader in it and it’s generally easier just to cut the tippet. jeff

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I first noticed it out of the corner of my eye, a dimple under some overhanging willows. Looking closer, I saw the steady, patterned rise of a fish.  I moved into position down and across from the fish and surveyed the situation. The fish was feeding in some very shallow water and was protected by dense willows above and a log protruding from the bank just upstream from his lie. I thought that maybe a side arm cast would keep the fly low enough to clear the willows and somehow land in the small slow water feeding area behind the log. I cast, snagged the willow, broke off my fly and put down the fish. Each time there were surface feeding fish about, I would find this fish methodically sipping in his hole. For awhile, I tried to come up with something new each time I passed his lie. I tried downstream casts, but the current would either push my fly past the small area where he fed or pile it up and snag the log. During hopper season, I tried skipping a hopper into his lie but caught willows and bark. I tried my crude imitations of pile casts and curve casts but the drift would never bring the fly into his feeding lane. I bushwhacked through the thick willows on the bank where he fed, hoping to try dapping, but long before I got into position, he was put down. When I reached out to extricate the flies I had lost in the willows from my past futile attempts, I was tempted to do some trimming but that didn’t seem too sporting. I had tried everything I could think of to get a fly to this fish. I probably could have somehow swung a streamer or nymph under the log and taken the fish, but it was a consistent, steady surface feeder and I was determined to meet it on these terms. I felt the side arm cast I first tried came the closest to getting the fly where it needed to be. Each time I passed its lie I would give it a shot. I mostly caught willows, but once in a while I would get a cast in where it belonged but the current always grabbed the tippet, dragged the fly and put down the fish. After each failure, I would go upstream to a shallow run to catch a couple easy fish to appease myself. One day, after fishing the run and getting ready to head home, I looked downstream noticed the fish was again rising. I was probably 40 feet away. I have trouble hitting an area the size of a Buick at this distance, much less one the size of a pie pan lying under some willows, but what the hell, one last cast. I hauled my three weight and let a cast go. My errant cast strung like a close line along the willows. I tried flipping the line off the willows and in the process, the fly dropped into the lie, the fish took, jumped the log and broke me off. The fish is still there, I still try for it, but I think that’s the closest I’m going to get. Willi

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Question:

I am spending the first week of July in the Brooks Camp within Katmai National Park and wanted some fishing advice.  Can anyone tell me some good areas to fish.  I hear the fishing is great during that time of year but this is my first trip to the park.  I wondered if anyone had any specific advice for areas to fish and hike. I have looked at the various websites and they don’t get very specific.  Will there be mostly Red Salmon that time of year?  Kings?  Are there good Steelhead or Dolly runs?  Any information you would be able to share would be greatly appreciated.  Also, is there any way to float out of the Park back to King Salmon?   Thanks, Rob

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Hi Rob, We had group trips for ~20 years out of our shop lead by my good friend Joe Shirshac. The Brooks river is small (under ~2miles?) and runs between two large lakes. In July there will be lots of Sockeye Salmon and lots of Brown Bears. There is a famous falls there where they observe the bears fishing for the salmon. The Sockeyes are very fresh and fight like crazy. We used a 10′ type 3 sinktip on a #7 or 8 outfit. A 7 1/2′ 0x to 2x leader and small sparse Sockeye flies. They are so thick at times, you will snag them if you strip the fly at all. There are also nice Rainbow trout in the Brooks. You can catch them on green Sculpin imitations, leeches, wooly bugger and nymphs. Some dries work too. The best fishing for the Sockeye is way below the falls down by the mouth going into the lake. The best Rainbow fishing is the stretch above the falls. If you email Joe, he will probably give you some real good info. When he started going there over 20 years ago, they camped out for about a month in the camp ground that is near the Brooks Lodge. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop http://www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am spending the first week of July in the Brooks Camp within Katmai National Park and wanted some fishing advice.  Can anyone tell me some good areas to fish.  I hear the fishing is great during that time of year but this is my first trip to the park.  I wondered if anyone had any specific advice for areas to fish and hike. I have looked at the various websites and they don’t get very specific.  Will there be mostly Red Salmon that time of year? Kings?  Are there good Steelhead or Dolly runs?  Any information you would be able to share would be greatly appreciated.  Also, is there any way to float out of the Park back to King Salmon? Thanks, Rob

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Question:

Thanks to all who’ve helped with getting me started in FF. I bought the Renzetti vise today and a starter kit of materials. I appreciate a finely crafted piece of equipment, and the renzetti is ~IT~!! I also had the good fortune to get a few FF books at a garage sale for 10 cents each. I’m on my way, and will probably get a sage starter set for my first rod/reel combo. I got a nice solid maple table and adjustable chair too, earlier this week. You guys are pretty cool, despite my rather rude first post. Tight lines to ya!!

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Pass some of that disposable income our way.                 Frank Reid

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks to all who’ve helped with getting me started in FF. I bought the Renzetti vise today and a starter kit of materials. I appreciate a finely crafted piece of equipment, and the renzetti is ~IT~!! I also had the good fortune to get a few FF books at a garage sale for 10 cents each. I’m on my way, and will probably get a sage starter set for my first rod/reel combo. I got a nice solid maple table and adjustable chair too, earlier this week. You guys are pretty cool, despite my rather rude first post. Tight lines to ya!!

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Well….the table and chair were free, picked from someone’s trash. The legs on the table were all broken. and had to be pegged and epoxied, and the chair needed a rebuild. I have two teenagers. I have ~no~ disposable income. If I didn’t buy the Renzetti, the litttle pirhanas would have smelled the cash and come after me!! Thanks   Pass some of that disposable income our way.

Question:

I am planning on fishing Milton and Martis Lakes (Truckee area, CA) this weekend (3 -4 May).  I was wondering if anyone fished them opening weekend and could supply me with a report? Fish on,         John Kinyon

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I am curious as to how it went at these lakes. In exchange, I offer this report from Indian Creek Reservoir, near Markleeville south of lake Tahoe. Elevation ~5,000 ft.   Weekends of 4/26 & 5/3. Fishing is slow. Water is still very clear.  Very few callibaetis or damsels showing yet, and no visible surface action morning or evening. Dedicated fishers willing to fish through the wind are getting 5-10 hookups per day, on full sink lines fished near the bottom. Most fish in the 12-14 inch range.  Try olive leeches, rubberlip hares ears, and green scuds. Winds generally blowing from the south towards the dam. Most fish were caught in the northern half of lake with few fish taken in the shallows at the southern end. More fish were being caught by trollers with flashers than tubers with flies. It does not seem that there are as many fish here as in years past, but a damsel or callibaetis hatch may bring them to the surface and prove that wrong. -Mark Vinsel I am planning on fishing Milton and Martis Lakes (Truckee area, CA) this weekend (3 -4 May).  I was wondering if anyone fished them opening weekend and could supply me with a report? Fish on,         John Kinyon

– http://www.lanminds.com/local/vinnie/gallery.html

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I am curious as to how it went at these lakes.

I heard Martis was not bad, but you could not get into Milton. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

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I am curious as to how it went at these lakes. I heard Martis was not bad, but you could not get into Milton. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

Bill & Mark—-Martis has been fishing well in the new "flats" on the south side, at the inlet.  Check-out my website and click on "update" for more detailed info on Martis:                  http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/CyberFly Frank R. Pisciotta

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Question:

What makes the best strike indicator the old styrophome or the yarn? I have always used the florecent ones but several people I talked to have said that the yarn works as well and doesn’t scare the fish.

Hi Patrick I like a yarn indicator if I’m fishing big, heavy nymphs deep or a larger dry fly on an in-line dropper if I’m fishing a nymph in the first 2-3 feet of water. Often you will catch a fish on the indicator fly – my favorite for the Yellowstone or Madison is a #8 or #10 Royal Wulff. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

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Corke Vs. Yarn         ..they use bobbers we use strike indicators..many streams don’t allow a fly as an indicator…I use "Biostrike"…works pretty good except when I aggressively cast then I may lose it…but NTL it works fine for me steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What makes the best strike indicator the old styrophome or the yarn? I have always used the florecent ones but several people I talked to have said that the yarn works as well and doesn’t scare the fish. Hi Patrick I like a yarn indicator if I’m fishing big, heavy nymphs deep or a larger dry fly on an in-line dropper if I’m fishing a nymph in the first 2-3 feet of water. Often you will catch a fish on the indicator fly – my favorite for the Yellowstone or Madison is a #8 or #10 Royal Wulff. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

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What makes the best strike indicator the old styrophome or the yarn? I have always used the florecent ones but several people I talked to have said that the yarn works as well and doesn’t scare the fish.

I like yarn.  I keep a couple of colors in my vest.  With yarn you can make a large indicator, a small indicator or several small ones to help you detect subtle takes.  Try mixing two colors to improve visibility in heavy water and bad light. Good luck – Jeff Schmitt

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Hi Patrick, I rarely use any thing but yarn these days.  For about $6, I bought a big spool of bright red yarn and pale yellow yarn from Ben Franklin. I have a feeling that even if I keep guiding for the next 10 years, I will still have alot left over.  Myself and the clients I guide prefer it much more so than the "bobber" strike indicatiors.  You can adjust the amount from the size of an Osprey’s nest if your in choppy water or have trouble seeing small indicators to a pinch for spring creek/fussy fishing.  Grease it up, and it floats high and dry for a very long time.  Plus, with the knot I use, it is easy to readjust it’s position and stays put (doesn’t fly off like most of the slip on indicators. But, I usually use a high floating dry or two for an indicator. What makes the best strike indicator the old styrophome or the yarn? I have always used the florecent ones but several people I talked to have said that the yarn works as well and doesn’t scare the fish.

Paul Williamson Emigrant, MT 59027

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What makes the best strike indicator the old styrophome or the yarn? I have always used the florecent ones but several people I talked to have said that the yarn works as well and doesn’t scare the fish.

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What makes the best strike indicator the old styrophome or the yarn? I have always used the fluorecent ones but several people I talked to have said that the yarn works as well and doesn’t scare the fish.

My favorite strike indicator is a #12 royal humpy.  Sometimes the fish will try to take the indicator.  Might as well have a hook in it! CQ

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Question:

Hope the season is fishing well for all!  The long winter here in Minnesota is finally a memmory.  The fishing has been great.  Going to visit Mom who is now living in Nova Scotia, Canada.  How is the fly fishing there.  Mid August.  Striped bass?  Bluefish?  Salmon? Should I pack the fly gear or dust off the surf casting rig?  Any input would be great.  Any questions about Minn/ western Wisconsin? Good fishing!

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The best spot in Nova Scotia is the Margaree Valley, and they are having some trouble there. Last fall we stayed at the Big Intervale Salmon Camp, in Cape Breton Nova Scotia, and cannot say enough great things about it. Absolutely wonderful host…Bill Davison (mum is head chef), but not many bites. Bill is very knowledgeable about the situation in Nova Scotia and I would be glad to track down a number at the lodge for you…we have something around here somewhere…also check out the Saint Mary’s River area on the Eastern Shore of the province…and also what might be happening in New Brunswick… Hope the season is fishing well for all!  The long winter here in Minnesota is finally a memmory.  The fishing has been great.  Going to visit Mom who is now living in Nova Scotia, Canada.  How is the fly fishing there.  Mid August.  Striped bass?  Bluefish?  Salmon? Should I pack the fly gear or dust off the surf casting rig?  Any input would be great.  Any questions about Minn/ western Wisconsin? Good fishing!

– http://fox.nstn.ca/~bpower

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Question:

I am going to be in Islamorada, FL for part of the week of November 20 and am interested in spending a day fishing the flats.  Can anyone recommend a good-quality guide who doesn’t charge a king’s ransom? MZ

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Stop at Bonefish Bob’s shop.  He is most helpful with questions.  Best ? guide- Jim Lopez phone at Marathon.  Expensive, tho.  Ask Bob. Regards, CLiff

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Johnson’s out of Baldwin, MI used to guide down there. I don’t know if they still do but they would be able to offer someone’s name.

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I just went bone fishing with Capt. Steve Impallomeni (305) 292-9837 . and had a wonderful day with him!  I also would suggest dealing with Capt. Jeffrey Cardenas of The Saltwater Angler (800) 223-1629 for bookings and information … they were the best help and friendliest people I dealt with in Florida! KStJ

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Question:

I’ve been looking at the drift boats kits online from Greg Boats and Ray’s Dories. Has anybody built one of these boats for fly fishing? How did the building go, any tips? Also, who did you buy the kit from? Any info would be appreciated.

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Check out Greg Tatman’s kits.  I built the 12′ river pram.  After all said and done it cost a little over a grand to build and fully outfit. While a 2 person boat, it fishes best as one person rig.  Stable as well as maneuverable.  It fishes the steelhead rivers here on the Olympic Peninsula and Snake River drainages just fine. I would select it again in a heartbeat.  It came with a good set of instructions and when I got stumped, Greg was glad to answer questions.  It took about 4 months of week ends, maybe 80 hours. I do not have the number at hand, but call information and ask for Tatman Boats in Springfield Oregon. Bart Phillips

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’ve been looking at the drift boats kits online from Greg Boats and Ray’s Dories. Has anybody built one of these boats for fly fishing? How did the building go, any tips? Also, who did you buy the kit from? Any info would be appreciated.

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I built a Don Hill Drift Boat a 16 ft. Guide Boat, it is a great kit comes complete with video and instructions. The boat took about 120 hrs to build and Don has a 1- 800 Number if you have any questions. He and his staff aim to please the customer and if I was going to build another boat it would be his. Also Greg Tatman used to work for Don before going into business. Call Don Hill @ 1- 800878 – 5488 and tell him you heard about him from Kent Anderson in Nashville Tn. fly fishing

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I built a Don Hill Drift Boat a 16 ft. Guide Boat, it is a great kit comes complete with video and instructions.

Whadja pay ? — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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Thanks for the info. I’ll give him a call. Where do you use your boat in Nashville. I’m in KY.

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I am interested in building a drift boat.  If anybody has any information or experiences with drift boat kits I would appreciate any input.

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be careful. i had a drift boat, and i sold it.  it was very hard to do.  i actually cried as it left the driveway and turned the corner into someone else’s flyfishing reality. the problem was..the driftboat haunted me.  i would be leaving for work and it would be in the driveway saying "tim..how can you go off to work and leave me all alone in the driveway…". or, i’d be heading off on a wading adventure or with the belly boat and it would cry…"tim…how could you ?". and then, of course i’d feel guilty and this in turn would lead to a fishless day (happened a lot, actually). approach this driftboat thing with care my friend… Tim Walker

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Strongly suggest that anyone thinking about building a drift boat contact the Wooden Boat Shop in Seattle, and purchase a set of Tracy O’brien’s plans.  This plan set tells how to build a stitch and glue hull, which has no frames to trip over or take up space, is far stronger, and has fiberglass/epoxy chines, which is where the damage gets done.  I have built both a Don Hill (which is a lovely boat, BTW) and an O’Brien, and the O’brien is much sweeter.   Stitch and glue is a technique where you sew the plywood panels together with iron wire, brace the panels into shape, and then treat the seams with first a fillet of epoxy soaked sawdust and then epoxy soaked fiberglass tape.  This creates an extremely strong hull, and uses no ribs.  This gives you an open floor, which means nothing to trip over, and no floorboards to catch your fly line.  BIG advantage. You can buy a finished boat of this style by contacting Creekside Outfitters in Issaquah, WA.  They have somebody selling the hulls for about $1700.  Better to build yourself and have the pleasure.  Also, much as in rod building, by doing it yourself, you can use neat woods and get the extra cosmetic pleasure for minimal costs. Take care with the woods that you use.  Suggest that you get Hoadley’s book on hardwoods and use that to drive your materials selection

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: be careful. : the problem was..the driftboat haunted me.  i would be leaving for : work and it would be in the driveway saying "tim..how can you go : off to work and leave me all alone in the driveway…". I guess Tim hears a lot of voices.  I think we are the ones who should be careful. Ignore the voices, Tim.  They are only in your head.  Really. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Assistant professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    |  These University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    |  opinions Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. |  are mine.

Response:

: Strongly suggest that anyone thinking about building a drift boat contact : the Wooden Boat Shop in Seattle, and purchase a set of Tracy O’brien’s : plans.  This plan set tells how to build a stitch and glue hull, which : has no frames to trip over or take up space, is far stronger, and has : fiberglass/epoxy chines, which is where the damage gets done.  I have : built both a Don Hill (which is a lovely boat, BTW) and an O’Brien, and : the O’brien is much sweeter.   Andrew, just how difficult are the techniques and effort required to do a good job?  Special tools, techniques, etc…? Thanks. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Assistant professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    |  These University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    |  opinions Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. |  are mine.

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My fly fishing buddy just bought a new drift boat for fishing the Green River. Unfortunately we have not been able to find any information on how to navigate the river well.  We don’t have much trouble when rowing backwards but when the boat is turned around to go through the rapids it is difficult to steer. We haven’t been able to find books, instruction, or anything else to make this any easier.  Has anyone had experience doing this?  Can you suggest any publications to assist us. Thanks! Jeff Dinsdale

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Call 1-800-541-9498 (Frank Amato Publications) Ask for "Floating Whitewater Rivers". This book should get you on the right track.

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I have a rule which has served me well. Never go down a river unless:     a) you have gone down it with someone who knows the river         and     b) you specifically intended to learn the river from that person. Rule number 2:  Always put the plug in before launching. Have fun!

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