Question:

This past week I received in the mail a new book from Mark Jeffrey Volk, I believe it was his fourth book "Pages from a Mountain Journal" previously he had written three books known as the Winding Ridge Trilogy. His first, The Upland Way, hooked, if you will, me hard. He writes of the people, fish, and birds  found in Appalachians of PA, WV, and MD in a way that sometimes reminds me of Harry Middleton’s love of the Smokys.

Wayne — Just the other day I was told that the books "Homesick" which I guess is the third book of the Winding Ridge Trilogy and  "Pages from a Mountain Journal"  both include Smallmouth Bass.  I was wondering if the first two books in the Trilogy also included something on Smallmouth? Clyde Drury Books of the Black Bass. http://members.aol.com/BassBks/index.html

Response:

Most of the *regulars* know that I ‘ve gone from Atlanta to Chicago to now Dodge City Kansas since I first logged on to ROFF. What I thought was going to be a short term stint is now past two years and no real hope of moving on anytime soon. Work has been a pain due to changes and I’ve had to cancel two trips to the Juan. When i can find time to drive the 5 hours to Colorado, if only to fish a heavily pounded tailwater for the day, the weather turns to crap as it did this past weekend. I read of the gatherings I missed and long to hit some water, at some point soon, I will probably get up and drive the 350 miles just to fish for an hour or two and drive back here to the Sunflower State. "Home" is really Louisiana, but I’ve come to call the waters of the Appalachians my home. There you will find the most beautiful of nature’s creations, the Brookie. I long to fish for them again, but for now I must be content to read. Since January I’ve read books by Tapply, Leeson, Fulmer, Gaines, and re-read some favorites by Middleton, Lyons, Haig-Brown, Babb and Voelker (aka Traver). Enjoyed a couple of compilations and imagined the rivers as they fished them. This past week I received in the mail a new book from Mark Jeffrey Volk, I believe it was his fourth book "Pages from a Mountain Journal" previously he had written three books known as the Winding Ridge Trilogy. His first, The Upland Way, hooked, if you will, me hard. He writes of the people, fish, and birds  found in Appalachians of PA, WV, and MD in a way that sometimes reminds me of Harry Middleton’s love of the Smokys. This quote from the 1st chapter of "Pages" really hits home to what I miss, I just wanted to share it. "I love wild brookies; those incomparable, true originals in every sense in these Appalachian mountains. They’re an icon of the way things should be, rather than how they are, and remain a symbol of a mountain’s purity and grace. The next time you catch one, hold him in the water for just a moment longer before releasing him. There’s a masterpiece cradled in your hand; feel his flawless form and his wild strength, his instinctive struggle to return to that frigid world he is an inseparable part of."     quoted ver batim, by mark volk. Wayne

Response:

… This quote from the 1st chapter of "Pages" really hits home to what I miss, I just wanted to share it. "I love wild brookies; those incomparable, true originals in every sense in these Appalachian mountains. …

Sheesh. Sounds like that guy’s one of those "creationists" about whom Choc was cracking wise. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Oh bite me you cynical SOB

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – … This quote from the 1st chapter of "Pages" really hits home to what I miss, I just wanted to share it. "I love wild brookies; those incomparable, true originals in every sense in these Appalachian mountains. … Sheesh. Sounds like that guy’s one of those "creationists" about whom Choc was cracking wise. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

"I love wild brookies; those incomparable, true originals in every sense in these Appalachian mountains. They’re an icon of the way things should be, rather than how they are, and remain a symbol of a mountain’s purity and grace. The next time you catch one, hold him in the water for just a moment longer before releasing him. There’s a masterpiece cradled in your hand; feel his flawless form and his wild strength, his instinctive struggle to return to that frigid world he is an inseparable part of."    quoted ver batim, by mark volk. Wayne

        well, that’s pretty to read, in my view.  and all of us know that to get to where they live requires more than a little energy, sacrifice, and love.         your friend in the old north state         wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Wayne Knight wrote… good stuff snipped.

God Wayne you’re making me cry. Joel Axelrad **DFD**

Response:

Wayne, ’nuff bs. you name the time buddy, stay at the house here, we’ll go chasin’ some of them jewels you love so much. –walt – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Most of the *regulars* know that I ‘ve gone from Atlanta to Chicago to now Dodge City Kansas since I first logged on to ROFF. What I thought was going to be a short term stint is now past two years and no real hope of moving on anytime soon. Work has been a pain due to changes and I’ve had to cancel two trips to the Juan. When i can find time to drive the 5 hours to Colorado, if only to fish a heavily pounded tailwater for the day, the weather turns to crap as it did this past weekend. I read of the gatherings I missed and long to hit some water, at some point soon, I will probably get up and drive the 350 miles just to fish for an hour or two and drive back here to the Sunflower State. "Home" is really Louisiana, but I’ve come to call the waters of the Appalachians my home. There you will find the most beautiful of nature’s creations, the Brookie. I long to fish for them again, but for now I must be content to read. Since January I’ve read books by Tapply, Leeson, Fulmer, Gaines, and re-read some favorites by Middleton, Lyons, Haig-Brown, Babb and Voelker (aka Traver). Enjoyed a couple of compilations and imagined the rivers as they fished them. This past week I received in the mail a new book from Mark Jeffrey Volk, I believe it was his fourth book "Pages from a Mountain Journal" previously he had written three books known as the Winding Ridge Trilogy. His first, The Upland Way, hooked, if you will, me hard. He writes of the people, fish, and birds  found in Appalachians of PA, WV, and MD in a way that sometimes reminds me of Harry Middleton’s love of the Smokys. This quote from the 1st chapter of "Pages" really hits home to what I miss, I just wanted to share it. "I love wild brookies; those incomparable, true originals in every sense in these Appalachian mountains. They’re an icon of the way things should be, rather than how they are, and remain a symbol of a mountain’s purity and grace. The next time you catch one, hold him in the water for just a moment longer before releasing him. There’s a masterpiece cradled in your hand; feel his flawless form and his wild strength, his instinctive struggle to return to that frigid world he is an inseparable part of."     quoted ver batim, by mark volk. Wayne

– Tight Lines, –Walt Fly Fishing NC & more… http://www.ezflyfish.com http://www.wilsoncreekoutfitters.com

Response:

Question:

Just what went on at the Yellowstone clave?

Lots of fishing, beer drinking, and BSing around the fire. Opening weekend we unintentionally offended a cranky old man, who turned out to be the father of Forest Service Ranger Chad, and Chad took it upon himself to harass us until we left. Pissed us off mightily at the time, but looking back on it a few weeks later, he was just a minor nuisance (say, like getting bitten by a deer fly) in what was otherwise a wonderful week with a great bunch of guys, in a beautiful setting. Did Charlie give Vern a fire extinguisher before shipment?

I just hope he remembered to punch a few air holes in the box. Has anyone else read Ruark’s "The Honey Badger" more than once, and if so, did your opinion(s) vary wildly each time?

I read almost all of his books, and my opinions varied wildly from page to page.  I got the feeling he was writing his autobiography over and over again, and felt that maybe he should quit whining (and perhaps cut back on the whiskey a bit). We’re on the fifth week of a hot, dry spell here in ND.  My garden withered away and got chewed down to the ground (except, of course, for the weeds) by grasshoppers while we were in Montana. Kevin

Response:

I have an opportunity to catch up a bit with ROFF after several weeks of travel and adventure, and it’s good to see nothing has changed. However, I have missed a few details, and I always hate to miss the last episode of a series, even if it is "Survivor," therefore: Did the Collier/Poodlesfly scam go undiscovered, or at least, unreported? Just what went on at the Yellowstone clave? Did Charlie give Vern a fire extinguisher before shipment? Has anyone pointed out there is a river in Oklahoma and Texas named the Canadian, not to mention an OK county, a Texas town, etc.?  Heck, "Canadian District" appears on old Cherokee Nation census stuff (from the US, or EU, for some of us)…. Can Jeff and Louie email each other without a note from Bill Gates and two kids from MIT? Has anyone else read Ruark’s "The Honey Badger" more than once, and if so, did your opinion(s) vary wildly each time? OBROFF – went fishing some, caught some, got rained on where we didn’t need it, and didn’t where we did.  We have a river on some of our land large enough to warrant Rand-Macnally’s considerations, and, sadly, you can now jump it in places…and without being Evil Kineval (or Opie)… Muskie, ol’ boy, if you read this, there is something to bitch and moan about, and guess what?  It was not caused by GW or Bill and Hillary or either major party (or I guess, maybe all of them) – it was caused by good old fashioned greed with a good dose of stupidity thrown in to ensure a real mess…. TC, R TC, R

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Question:

Does anyone have info re: the upcoming fly expo in Lisle.  I know that it’s sponsored by the Dupage River Fly Tyers (DRIFT) but am wondering if there will be industry vendors present.  Or, is it a clinic featuring DRIFT members? Thanks, Dave Before you buy.

Response:

All I know is that its at the Hyatt on Jan 15th.  I’m going because there isn’t anything for flyfishermen at the Rosemont fishing show.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone have info re: the upcoming fly expo in Lisle.  I know that it’s sponsored by the Dupage River Fly Tyers (DRIFT) but am wondering if there will be industry vendors present.  Or, is it a clinic featuring DRIFT members? Thanks, Dave Before you buy.

Response:

I heard from two people that last year’s show at Oak Brook was a huge flop. I’m not sure if the Lisle show is replacing the Oak Brook show.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – All I know is that its at the Hyatt on Jan 15th.  I’m going because there isn’t anything for flyfishermen at the Rosemont fishing show. Is that the show that they usually have in Oak Brook? Joel Axelrad

Response:

Here’s the url: http://www.steelheadsite.com/mwff_expo.html

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – All I know is that its at the Hyatt on Jan 15th.  I’m going because there isn’t anything for flyfishermen at the Rosemont fishing show. Is that the show that they usually have in Oak Brook? Joel Axelrad

Response:

All I know is that its at the Hyatt on Jan 15th.  I’m going because there isn’t anything for flyfishermen at the Rosemont fishing show.

Is that the show that they usually have in Oak Brook? Joel Axelrad

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Question:

Does anyone have information on fly fishing in France in early September?  Any sources to look for?  My son and I would apreciate any help.

Response:

Try the travel agents/tourist pages on yahoo uk/Ireland we found some good Information on fly fishing in France. Best Regards & Tight lines Chris & Sue Simmons. U.K.         – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone have information on fly fishing in France in early September?  Any sources to look for?  My son and I would apreciate any help.

Response:

Assuming you haven’t left already — Where will you be?  I was in France in July and picked up a really helpful book called "Guide des Parcours de Peche en France" which lists almost every river and lake in detail.  I fished a number of rivers in northeastern France.  Full of wild fish but very tough fishing (v. low water in midsummer).  There is also a legendary fly fishing hotel in a small village called Goumois on the Swiss border (River Doubs).  I really enjoyed staying there, and prices are reasonable.  But it all depends where you plan to be — Normandy, for example, is full of classic English-style chalk streams.  E-mail me if you’d like more details and I’ll be happy to pass on tips from the book I mentioned.  Beware, by the way, of the incredibly complicated and bureaucratic licensing requirements — you basically have to buy a new license for each river, often each section of river, you intend to fish. Best wishes, George Black

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Question:

As I was planning yet another stitched gife for my MIL, I realized I had never made anything for my FIL. Granted, DH didn’t have much to do with him for the first several years of our marriage (MIL & FIL had been divorced in the 70s) but everything is friendly now & MIL & FIL are married again (yes, to each other).  DH suggested stitching something on a fishing hat.  Has anyone tried this?  If so, what did you stitch?  He loves cat fish & is a lake/boat fisherman (as opposed to a stream/fly fisherman). Any ideas??? Liz

Checked my index for sports-fishing and found      Omnibook of Quickies-has a catfish, and other fishy things,             including hat!      Cross Stitcher Mag, June 96 and Aug 96- fishing motifs Also, I have seen hats & visors with a cross-stitch insert at Michael’s and elsewhere. Good luck! Kathy Hoover

Response:

DH suggested stitching something on a fishing hat.  Has anyone tried this?  If so, what did you stitch?  He loves cat fish & is a lake/boat fisherman (as opposed to a stream/fly fisherman). Any ideas??? Liz well….i saw a t-shirt that said "women want me…fish fear me…" lol cari

Cute idea.:-))  The mental picture I get when I connect it with my FIL is funnier than the original T shirt could ever be. ))))) Liz

Response:

As I was planning yet another stitched gife for my MIL, I realized I had never made anything for my FIL. Granted, DH didn’t have much to do with him for the first several years of our marriage (MIL & FIL had been divorced in the 70s) but everything is friendly now & MIL & FIL are married again (yes, to each other).  DH suggested stitching something on a fishing hat.  Has anyone tried this?  If so, what did you stitch?  He loves cat fish & is a lake/boat fisherman (as opposed to a stream/fly fisherman). Any ideas??? Liz

They make ballcaps with an aida panel already in it.  I’ve never tried stitching on a  hat myself so I don’t know how hard it would be. There are lots of fish patterns in magazines and catalogs, but most I’ve seen are a typical trout jumping, or lures or something.  I do remember one in a mag several years back with different lake fish in it.  I have no idea which mag or issue but I’ll look through mine and see if I can find it.  You could also design something yourself, along th lines of "world’s greatest fisherman" etc. Karen

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Question:

 3.  I have always presumed that the two air bladders which provide a back support on my floatube are ample to at least keep me afloat.   Is this a naive assumption.

It is more likely you will flip upside down and drown than lose all three air bladders. Ernie Harrison

Response:

3.  I have always presumed that the two air bladders which provide a back support on my floatube are ample to at least keep me afloat.  Is this a naive assumption.

I think that the assumption is correct BUT: These tubes are not attached to your body.  That is you have to make sure you can hold on to them one way or another. Maybe more critical is hypo thermia.  If your main flotation fails, the chances are that you are going to get wet.  Depending on conditions and time immersed, this can lead to great trouble. William Buchman

Response:

I already posted this once, but got no responses.  So I’m going to try once more to see if I can get some answers.  If you remember responding to my first post, let me know by e-mail.  This will let me know that for some reason, I am not seeing all of the messages posted to this board.  Thanks                                                            -dnc- Some of the recent posts on float tube and wader safety have really opened my eyes to the issue.  Thanks to all for the fair warning.  But now I have more questions. 1.  The ‘Sea Hunt’ solution:  Remember when scuba diver Mike (Lloyd Bridges) used to save the day with one of those little, autoinflatable ‘balloons’ he kept handy?  Do those devices still exist.  Seems like the perfect solution; non bulky, yet there when you really need it.  Anyone have any knowledge on such devices and how well they work, etc. 2.  If I were to tip over backwards in my floatube as I was exiting the water, it seems like the right thing to do would be to (a) disengage the quick release on the strap that connects the seat to the tube (b) reach up and push the tube away as I slide my feet out of the tube. i.e. I come out of the tube the same way I usually do (except for the fact that I’m upside down).  This seems like the common sense way to do it, but is it the optimal solution when you are in very shallow water (say, just deep enough so you can’t use your arms to push your head above water).   3.  I have always presumed that the two air bladders which provide a back support on my floatube are ample to at least keep me afloat.  Is this a naive assumption. 4.  I forgot, if you do fall into a strong current, you try to keep your feet pointed downstream: correct?  Seems like you have the double problem of keeping your head away from rocks and also trying to keep water out of your waders.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I already posted this once, but got no responses.  So I’m going to try once more to see if I can get some answers.  If you remember responding to my first post, let me know by e-mail.  This will let me know that for some reason, I am not seeing all of the messages posted to this board.  Thanks                                                            -dnc- Some of the recent posts on float tube and wader safety have really opened my eyes to the issue.  Thanks to all for the fair warning.  But now I have more questions. 1.  The ‘Sea Hunt’ solution:  Remember when scuba diver Mike (Lloyd Bridges) used to save the day with one of those little, autoinflatable ‘balloons’ he kept handy?  Do those devices still exist.  Seems like the perfect solution; non bulky, yet there when you really need it.  Anyone have any knowledge on such devices and how well they work, etc. 2.  If I were to tip over backwards in my floatube as I was exiting the water, it seems like the right thing to do would be to (a) disengage the quick release on the strap that connects the seat to the tube (b) reach up and push the tube away as I slide my feet out of the tube. i.e. I come out of the tube the same way I usually do (except for the fact that I’m upside down).  This seems like the common sense way to do it, but is it the optimal solution when you are in very shallow water (say, just deep enough

You can now get CG approved inflatable PFD’s. You should always wear a PFD in your tube. (some places it’s the law) You should ALWAYS wear a belt around the ouside of your waders high enough to prevent water from spilling into them & regulate the amount you take in. Be Safe!! Bill D.  so you can’t use your arms to push your head above water). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 3.  I have always presumed that the two air bladders which provide a back support on my floatube are ample to at least keep me afloat.  Is this a naive assumption. 4.  I forgot, if you do fall into a strong current, you try to keep your feet pointed downstream: correct?  Seems like you have the double problem of keeping your head away from rocks and also trying to keep water out of your waders.

Response:

Question:

Tom, I hate to drizzle on your parade, but I think a reasonable inference from the photos of the original 13 patterns in the Treatise (as interpreted by the famous angling historian Jack Heddon) is that at least 2 were caddis imitations, the Ruddy Fly and the Black Leaper. These are downwing flies whereas the "Dun" flies have upwings. If you agree, it means caddis imitations were among the earliest known patterns. Paul Marriner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Hi–   I read Wright’s 1972 book, _Fishing the Dry Fly as a Living Insect_, : with much interest.  Certainly new to me! : But did Wright invent the caddis fly, as someone posted? : Weren’t some of the earliest known flies caddis imitations? A lot of the FF tradition was brought from England, and a lot of that was, to be polite, mayflycentric ;-^) Most of the early patterns were for mayflies; it was only later that folks began to seriously imitate caddises, stoneflies, terrestrials, etc. — 3798 Woodland Drive     voice: (250) 368-9315 Trail, BC               data:  (250) 368-9341

Response:

: Hi–   I read Wright’s 1972 book, _Fishing the Dry Fly as a Living Insect_, : with much interest.  Certainly new to me! : But did Wright invent the caddis fly, as someone posted? : Weren’t some of the earliest known flies caddis imitations? A lot of the FF tradition was brought from England, and a lot of that was, to be polite, mayflycentric ;-^) Most of the early patterns were for mayflies; it was only later that folks began to seriously imitate caddises, stoneflies, terrestrials, etc. — 3798 Woodland Drive     voice: (250) 368-9315 Trail, BC               data:  (250) 368-9341

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – While Leonard Wright did not "invent" the caddisfly, it’s said he was first the white man to meet one, long ago, in the days when even insects could speak.  Mr. Wright was ever a man of edges, and curious, so he immediately proceeded to question the bug. "I watched a trout eat one of your brethren," said he.  "And since it’s widely known by narrow minds that trout eat only mayflies, I must ask: Are you merely a mayfly, rather badly bent?" The mayfly, a lady, and an elegant princess of a family ignored by anglers, demurred.  "Oh no," she whispered, and shyly lifted a folded wing, revealing herself from thorax to rounded abdomen.   "So I see," said Mr. Wright, noting the absence of tails, "and you are certainly lovely." The poor caddis, overwhelmed with pleasure, oviposited right there and then, swooned, fell to the stream and twitched twice, which caused her to be eaten by a three-pound brook trout Wright had seen it all.  He thrilled to the meeting, grasped its meaning, sat to his vise.   The rest is history, of course.  An  evolution, in a way, for imbedded in those eggs that lady caddis lay, deep in their DNA, remained a memory of Wright’s attention, captured forever in a charming moment…   And that is why, fellow anglers, that even today, a descendent of Lady Caddifly may see you on a stream, mistake you for another brave Maverick– And flutter.   From a review of <Trout Maverick in <California Fly Fisher: ….History and instruction aside, there’s another reason to read Wright carefully, perhaps the most compelling: Wright is a <thinker.  Occasionally philosophical, sentimental about split cane and gut leaders, he is most keen when he puzzles and prods, experiments, dismisses traditional assumptions when "a bleak, black day" demands something different and new.  He’s not the kind of fisher who, facing failure, will do what’s prescribed until the sun goes down; Wright wonders, tinkers and tries.  If his successes leave him with a dim view of purists, Wright certainly doesn’t blink an apology… …at the heart of Wright’s writing is appreciation for independent examination, for the willingness to study closely, trust what you see, and proceed from there.  In the end  <Trout Maverick is as heretical as this:  "…when you start observing flies and fly behavior for yourself without relying on some other man’s word, you’ll find a whole new and productive world of fishing."

  It can be discouraging wading through the newsgroups sometimes but I suspect that this is the sort of post that keeps many of us coming back. I read the post yesterday asking if Mr Wright had invented the caddisfly and simply moved on with a mental roll of my eyes.  Mriffler was inspired to greatness and my evening is better for it. I will look to his posts in the future.  

Response:

To whom it may concern, The other day I made a critical reference to the book "Fishing the Dry Fly as a Living Insect", Leonard M. Wright. My remark was about what I saw as conceipt by the author. That, I got the feeling that he thought he discovered the caddisfly. That he stores silk lines in the freezer made him an elitist prick, that sort of thing… Well…it’s funny how humility looks you up and hunts you down. I have since learned that Leonard M. Wright is a very elderly gentleman now, nearly if not ecclipsing 80. I have learned that he is a great man and a dear, dear friend to many, many of us.  I realize now that when he wrote the book initially, he really was breaking new ground.  He had every right to be proud of his discoveries.   I am ashamed of my careless and callous remarks and I apologize profusely.   What is really disturbing and humbling is that, despite my feelings and despite the fact that it is hard to read the book for those reasons, I have found myself reading it at least twice every winter for better then 10 years.  He really does have something important and useful for us to learn. Thank you, Leonard M. Wright.  I owe you a great deal. A debt that I have no idea how to repay… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

To whom it may concern, The other day I made a critical reference to the book "Fishing the Dry Fly as a Living Insect", Leonard M. Wright. My remark was about what I saw as conceipt by the author. <etc Well…it’s funny how humility looks you up and hunts you down. I have since learned that Leonard M. Wright is a very elderly gentleman now, nearly if not ecclipsing 80. I have learned that he is a great man and a dear, dear friend to many, many of us.

<etc Thank you, Leonard M. Wright.  I owe you a great deal.

No sweat. A debt that I have no idea how to repay…

You could start by cutting out the ten to fifteen C&K-vs-C&R-everyone-else-stopped- listening-months-ago-never-ending-debate-from-Hell posts per day crap. Don’t you have a job or something? This goes for you too, Ralph. — Leonard M. Wright – Fly Fishing Legend, Inventor of the Caddis Fly

Response:

Excellent response Leo. I agree completely. Thanks,                Rick

Response:

You could start by cutting out the ten to fifteen C&K-vs-C&R-everyone-else-stopped-listening-months-ago-never-ending- debate-from-Hell posts per day crap. Don’t you have a job or something? This goes for you too, Ralph. Leonard M. Wright – Fly Fishing Legend, Inventor of the Caddis Fly

Do you remember that scene where Woody Allen pulls Marshall McLuhan out of a corner to put a windy so-and-so in his place?  From now on, whenever Moe starts to rant I will smile and think of Woody and Leonard. Keep your stick on the ice, Thos.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You could start by cutting out the ten to fifteen C&K-vs-C&R-everyone-else-stopped-listening-months-ago-never-ending- debate-from-Hell posts per day crap. Don’t you have a job or something? This goes for you too, Ralph. Leonard M. Wright – Fly Fishing Legend, Inventor of the Caddis Fly Do you remember that scene where Woody Allen pulls Marshall McLuhan out of a corner to put a windy so-and-so in his place?  From now on, whenever Moe starts to rant I will smile and think of Woody and Leonard. Keep your stick on the ice, Thos.

The best part is where Thos. says to keep your stick ….. Everyone is wright. There is tooo much egotistical BS on Roff. But hey, that’s the way its been the two years I’ve been watching -Doug

Response:

Mr. Wright,         Thank you, a million times, thank you. Bob – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You could start by cutting out the ten to fifteen C&K-vs-C&R-everyone-else-stopped- listening-months-ago-never-ending-debate-from-Hell posts per day crap.

Response:

Hi–   I read Wright’s 1972 book, _Fishing the Dry Fly as a Living Insect_, with much interest.  Certainly new to me! But did Wright invent the caddis fly, as someone posted? Weren’t some of the earliest known flies caddis imitations? vince norris

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 While Leonard Wright did not "invent" the caddisfly, it’s said he was first the white man to meet one, long ago, in the days when even insects could speak.  Mr. Wright was ever a man of edges, and curious, so he immediately proceeded to question the bug.  "I watched a trout eat one of your brethren," said he.  "And since it’s widely known by narrow minds that trout eat only mayflies, I must ask: Are you merely a mayfly, rather badly bent?"  The mayfly, a lady, and an elegant princess of a family ignored by anglers, demurred.  "Oh no," she whispered, and shyly lifted a folded wing, revealing herself from thorax to rounded abdomen.    "So I see," said Mr. Wright, noting the absence of tails, "and you are certainly lovely."  The poor caddis, overwhelmed with pleasure, oviposited right there and then, swooned, fell to the stream and twitched twice, which caused her to be eaten by a three-pound brook trout  Wright had seen it all.  He thrilled to the meeting, grasped its meaning, sat to his vise.    The rest is history, of course.  An  evolution, in a way, for imbedded in those eggs that lady caddis lay, deep in their DNA, remained a memory of Wright’s attention, captured forever in a charming moment…    And that is why, fellow anglers, that even today, a descendent of Lady Caddifly may see you on a stream, mistake you for another brave Maverick–  And flutter.    From a review of <Trout Maverick in <California Fly Fisher:  ….History and instruction aside, there’s another reason to read Wright carefully, perhaps the most compelling:  Wright is a <thinker.  Occasionally philosophical, sentimental about split cane and gut leaders, he is most keen when he puzzles and prods, experiments, dismisses traditional assumptions when "a bleak, black day" demands something different and new.  He’s not the kind of fisher who, facing failure, will do what’s prescribed until the sun goes down; Wright wonders, tinkers and tries.  If his successes leave him with a dim view of purists, Wright certainly doesn’t blink an apology…  …at the heart of Wright’s writing is appreciation for independent examination, for the willingness to study closely, trust what you see, and proceed from there.  In the end  <Trout Maverick is as heretical as this:  "…when you start observing flies and fly behavior for yourself without relying on some other man’s word, you’ll find a whole new and productive world of fishing."

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Question:

How is the fishing on the Hiwasse in eastern Tennessee this time of year. Is it worth the drive from Columbus, Ohio, over the Presdient’s Day weekend?  I tried calling the Adams Fly Shop in Relience, but all I’ve gotten is an answering machine.  Would it be worthwhile to bring my driftboat?  Any information would be appreciated. Ed Orazen

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How is the fishing on the Hiwasse in eastern Tennessee this time of year. Is it worth the drive from Columbus, Ohio, over the Presdient’s Day weekend?  I tried calling the Adams Fly Shop in Relience, but all I’ve gotten is an answering machine.  Would it be worthwhile to bring my driftboat?  Any information would be appreciated. Ed Orazen

Hi Ed – It can be good, but check with the folks at the Hiwassee Angler, 423 338-6263. — Visit Dave Teffeteller’s Fly Fishing Guides page http://www.olfart.com

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Question:

I will be traveling through Montana in June and would like some advice of the high spots I might fish.  I will probably enter Montana at Twin Falls and exit to Sheridan in Wyo.  Can anyone give me an itenerary or a list of the high spots I might try in two or three days?  my email I’m impressed at the response that "Montana in August" received.   Thanks in advance.

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You have the Bitterroot, by Dillon, Grasshopper creel, by Dillon, The Big Hole, then you could swing up and hit Rock Creek, Blackfoot and the Little Blackfoot(might be getting too north here….) Then cut back toward Wy. and drive along the Madison…… Let me know if you need more help

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I will be traveling through Montana in June and would like some advice of the high spots I might fish.  I will probably enter Montana at Twin Falls and exit to Sheridan in Wyo.  Can anyone give me an itenerary or a list of the high spots I might try in two or three days?  my email I’m impressed at the response that "Montana in August" received.   Thanks in advance.

Hi There are several private lakes and spring creeks in the Livingston area. For reservation on said waters call the River’s Edge in Bozeman at 406-586-5373 or RJ Cain at 406-587-9111. Sorry to tell you that the rivers in Montana in June are usually very high and dirty. We have a snow pack that is well above 100% so spring run off will probably be fairly long. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Product Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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I will be traveling through Montana in June and would like some advice of the high spots I might fish.  I will probably enter Montana at Twin Falls and exit to Sheridan in Wyo.  Can anyone give me an itenerary or a list of the high spots I might try in two or three days?  my email I’m impressed at the response that "Montana in August" received.   Thanks in advance.

If you are going to travel through Yellowstone Park during your trip, you might want to check out the Firehole and the upper Madison. You might run into some PMD’s, baetis, and caddis hatches.  Soft hackles and a variety of suggestive nymphs are often productive when the insects are not active.  Have fun. Take Care,

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Question:

: I`m looking for free stretches of River that I can `fish a fly` : around the Hampshire area of England. Tried Woodmill, Southampton : but no Trout rising. Perhaps I will try to build a U.K. database : if there is enough interest? : Cheers. I imagine it’s highly unlikely you will find any free fly fishing in the UK, let alone in Hampshire. There may be the odd municipal stretch, though it probably would not be worthwhile. Still, if you discover any do let me know. Nigel — Sussex University, England

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I`m looking for free stretches of River that I can `fish a fly` around the Hampshire area of England. Tried Woodmill, Southampton but no Trout rising. Perhaps I will try to build a U.K. database if there is enough interest? Cheers. —                    Clivey

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