Question:

The point is that when I type a string of ASCII characters, I expected (up until now) that my recipients would see that string of ASCII characters (font differences notwithstanding), and not some browser developer’s interpretation of it. Is it even possible to type accurately the character string "colon, hyphen, closing parenthesis" without the newfangled browser defaults converting it to a grinning jack-o-lantern?

Errr, you’re missing the big picture.  The display of emoticons as graphics is in *your* software.  Us text-only types still see them as the text they are (well, to be more accurate for the literal minded, as the standard text representation of the bit patterns they are).  You don’t send big yellow smileys, you only see them.  If you turn off the setting Willi mentioned, you will then see the same reality we all do. –Stan

Response:

Errr, you’re missing the big picture.  The display of emoticons as graphics is in *your* software.  Us text-only types still see them as the text they are (well, to be more accurate for the literal minded, as the standard text representation of the bit patterns they are).  You don’t send big yellow smileys, you only see them.  If you turn off the setting Willi mentioned, you will then see the same reality we all do.

Stupid me! Of course! Why didn’t I see that the first time?! Thanks for clearing that up, Stan! — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

<SNIP Errr, you’re missing the big picture.  The display of emoticons as graphics is in *your* software.  Us text-only types still see them as the text they are (well, to be more accurate for the literal minded, as the standard text representation of the bit patterns they are).  You don’t send big yellow smileys, you only see them.  If you turn off the setting Willi mentioned, you will then see the same reality we all do. –Stan

"A big yellow smiley, came and confused my old man". TL MC

Response:

When we had our discussion about "whining", I did a search and found a couple groups that also used "whining" in the same way you do. (I disagree with them too!)

Makes the score 3 to 1. This is turning out to be a good day after all What was interesting to me is that they had the same attitude toward the use of emoticons as they did to whining.

Will you be handing down *your* unique pronouncement on that issue in the near future, or do we have to use our imagination? /daytripper (This is getting…a bit weird….)

Response:

[artwork snipped] Looks like Betty Boop after a shark attack…

Response:

[artwork snipped] Looks like Betty Boop after a shark attack…

Naw, she was probably just….changed… ) …hmm…I wonder what rw’s program will do with this

Response:

Gee what happen went from a nice trip report to slamming smilies go figure only on ROFF                    Handyman Mike           Standing in a river waving a stick

Response:

After recently upgrading my browser I noticed something right away. Smileys no longer appear as strings of ASCII symbols. They appear as bright yellow images of maniacally smiling or frowning smiley creatures. They STAND OUT! This is a dramatic change. I’ve always thought of smileys as cover-your-ass devices — protection from literal-minded pedants with no sense of humor, but otherwise harmless cliches that all reasonable people ignored. Now they’re in my face. Two or three of the new, improved smileys distract from the actual content of the post.

Tough nuggies, just ‘cuz you’ve gone over to the Dark Mozilla Side I ain’t throwing away my winky dudes! /daytripper (Fix it or get over it! )

Response:

You can change them back to ASCII ynder preferences/mail and newsgroups/message display.

Sure, but them I’ll have to get everyone else to change them, too. The point is that when I type a string of ASCII characters, I expected (up until now) that my recipients would see that string of ASCII characters (font differences notwithstanding), and not some browser developer’s interpretation of it. Is it even possible to type accurately the character string "colon, hyphen, closing parenthesis" without the newfangled browser defaults converting it to a grinning jack-o-lantern? — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Tough nuggies, just ‘cuz you’ve gone over to the Dark Mozilla Side I ain’t throwing away my winky dudes! /daytripper (Fix it or get over it! )

When we had our discussion about "whining", I did a search and found a couple groups that also used "whining" in the same way you do. (I disagree with them too!) What was interesting to me is that they had the same attitude toward the use of emoticons as they did to whining. Willi

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After recently upgrading my browser I noticed something right away. Smileys no longer appear as strings of ASCII symbols. They appear as bright yellow images of maniacally smiling or frowning smiley creatures. They STAND OUT! This is a dramatic change. I’ve always thought of smileys as cover-your-ass devices — protection from literal-minded pedants with no sense of humor, but otherwise harmless cliches that all reasonable people ignored. Now they’re in my face. Two or three of the new, improved smileys distract from the actual content of the post. Tough nuggies, just ‘cuz you’ve gone over to the Dark Mozilla Side I ain’t throwing away my winky dudes! /daytripper (Fix it or get over it! )

Hmm…I wonder what this’ll do to it…                       .                                :::::::….                `::                           .::::::::::::::::::..::::::::::::::.                    .:  .::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::                   ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::                   `:::::::::::::::“::::::::::: `::::::::::::::::::                    ::::::::::’zc$$$b`:’,cc,`:::’ :”“,c=`:::::::::::’                                `"""???$PFFF""    """"""""                         $$$$$P  `$.::::::::::::::::::         `"".$$$$$c               z$$$$$$"           .::::::::::::::::..:3$$$$P L               `?$$$"            ::::::::::::::::::::.?::: . $    .,,,,ccc$L ? ""             :::::::::::::::::::::::::::.c%  :$$ ?=?P$$$%                 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::                              `:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::                               ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::                          :   :::::::::::::::::““,,,,zcc`””`                          :::::::::::’zc,,,,,cd$$ `???""""                               J$$$$$$"      $$$$$$F                               $$$$$P        ?$$$$$                              d$$$$F         <$$$$F                              $$$P"           $$$P                             J$$P            <$$$’                            .$$P             $$$$                           .$$$             `$$$L                          z$$$F            / "$$$                         $$$$%/           ( ;. "?.                        ;"?""            “  `.                          .- `                   `–’ ;-}…oops…<G…. R

Response:

After recently upgrading my browser I noticed something right away. Smileys no longer appear as strings of ASCII symbols. They appear as bright yellow images of maniacally smiling or frowning smiley creatures. They STAND OUT! This is a dramatic change. I’ve always thought of smileys as cover-your-ass devices — protection from literal-minded pedants with no sense of humor, but otherwise harmless cliches that all reasonable people ignored. Now they’re in my face. Two or three of the new, improved smileys distract from the actual content of the post. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After recently upgrading my browser I noticed something right away. Smileys no longer appear as strings of ASCII symbols. They appear as bright yellow images of maniacally smiling or frowning smiley creatures. They STAND OUT! This is a dramatic change. I’ve always thought of smileys as cover-your-ass devices — protection from literal-minded pedants with no sense of humor, but otherwise harmless cliches that all reasonable people ignored. Now they’re in my face. Two or three of the new, improved smileys distract from the actual content of the post.

You can change them back to ASCII ynder preferences/mail and newsgroups/message display. Willi

Response:

        Had a *real* need to fish today.  So, I decided to swing up the valley and hit the river just below the Upper Souris refuge dam.  Had heard some of the small panfish were hitting. Sounded like just what the doctor ordered.         Now is where the folly starts — I have an 8′ 4 wt. in the car for when the urge to sneak off hits.  Listen to the weather report, and they say wind gusting to 30 mph.  Oh well, I figure, I can perhaps set up on a sheltered section, out of the wind, and still be able to cast in a halfways alright manner.  Get out of the car and string up.  Wind is channeling quite efficiently down the river.  Walk to the bank anyhow, and proceed to flail away…         Ugh.  Head is not screwed on straight.  Attempt to muscle the 4 wt.  Leader system is also too long, and can’t even turn the weighted #10 scud over with a roll cast.   Situation heading downhill rapidly.  Pick up and head to the small fishing pier to attempt to jig the scud from on high.  This works, after a fashion, unless one is exposed to the wind or a gust comes along and lifts the whole assembly out of the water, to hover several feet above it.         Decide to proceed upstream to a point area where I think I can cast downwind.  Oh yeah, the forward cast is downwind, but backcasts are problematic.  Gusts collapse the loop going back.  Wind dies a bit, and I proceed to muscle the thing again.  Not paying a lot of attention to my backcast either.  Can feel the line almost straightening behind me, and give it a quick snap forward, just as a gust kicks up.         Snap is the operative phrase, as I hear the line crack behind me.  Line goes forward and falls nicely on the water, but I figure the scud went flying when I cracked the whip.  Strip in, and find that not only is the scud gone, but the leader, braided loop, and about 6-8" of my fly line as well.         Reel up in disgust with myself.  As I’m packing the rod back up, hear something across the bank from me, and see a nice whitetail buck looking at me.  He gives a snort and bounds off into the thick brush.  Sit down on the bank and look around.  See a female Bittern fishing down the far bank.  She has no luck either, and flies off.  Look upstream and see a Pellican floating my way. Watch it sail on by.    None of the preceeding folly seems to matter all that much.  Would be quite content to sit there for awhile, just taking it all in.  See a small fish take something off the top with a splashing rise.  Think it was a perch, but it really doesn’t matter.  Life is good when one is on the water.  Unfortunately, it was time for me to head back home.         Fixed the business end of my fly line when I got home, and am ready to go again.  Forecast says much less wind tomorrow, so perhaps I will head back in the afternoon for awhile.  Lots of grasshoppers about.  If the wind will allow me to unleash the 4 wt. again, I might try some dry fly fishing with a suitable hopper tie.  Will throw the 7 wt. in the car in case the breeze is too stiff.  And if it’s blowing a gale again, I might just sit on the bank and watch the world go by. Todd

Response:

Question:

It is still early for the steelhead season, but we finally had a week with no rain.  I am wondering if anyone has had a chance to get out to one of the Oregon coastal streams yet and if so, how is the water looking? — Terry Http://flyfishonline.web.com/

Response:

Slid away from the Silicon Forest and went to the Wilson Tuesday afternoon. Conditions were marginal, still recovering from heavy rains of last week. Water lower in the lower basin was still off color. A few hardware fishermen were about and doing no better than the Spey Rod. Been cool and dry since then, should be very fishable now. Best of Y2K to all, — Jeff www.teleport.com/~salmo/jp.htm

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It is still early for the steelhead season, but we finally had a week with no rain.  I am wondering if anyone has had a chance to get out to one of the Oregon coastal streams yet and if so, how is the water looking? — Terry Http://flyfishonline.web.com/

Response:

Question:

Aaaaaaahhhh, A message from that knowledgeable Bill Kiene is like a warm spring breeze on this board. Alas, at 4500′ elevation it will be awhile before we southern Idahoans see any bluegill or bass action. Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, If we have about a week or two of good sunny weather here in California, we are going to start to have some great warm water fishing. We have tons of  ’farm pond’ or ’stock ponds’ that are below 2000′. Most of them have black bass and panfish in them. I would true to get out on one of these ponds from March through June for some great action. I prefer afternoon/evening for warm water fishing. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop www.kiene.com

Response:

Hi All, If we have about a week or two of good sunny weather here in California, we are going to start to have some great warm water fishing. We have tons of  ’farm pond’ or ’stock ponds’ that are below 2000′. Most of them have black bass and panfish in them. I would true to get out on one of these ponds from March through June for some great action. I prefer afternoon/evening for warm water fishing. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop www.kiene.com

Response:

Hey Bill: The warm water fishing here in Northwest Arkansas is just now kicking into gear…caught four blacks one evening last week and two Sunday morning (biggest was a pound and a half) on a new bass fly (to me) "G.W.’s Glory"……Chartreuse rabbit strip tail, chartreuse ice chenille body, and chartreuse Sili Legs collar…..2/0 Mustad 34007 saltwater hook.  WOW!  They hit it hard!  Searched tonight for stripers off my favorite point here at Beaver Lake…full moon shining off the lake was like fishing under a huge spot light…lake was like glass…no stripers caught but what an absolutely beautiful evening. Got an email from a guy Saturday (from the Bass newsgroup) who pulled a 44"er off this point Friday…not on a fly rod though.  Can you imagine a 44" freshwater striper on a fly rod?  I built a 10wt. St. Croix Legend Ultra last year for stripers; it’s just a matter of time before I hook the big one!!!!  Last year I pulled a few 6 and 7 lb. hybrids and stripers off this point…….this Spring…who knows??!! Greg H. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, If we have about a week or two of good sunny weather here in California, we are going to start to have some great warm water fishing. We have tons of ‘farm pond’ or ’stock ponds’ that are below 2000′. Most of them have black bass and panfish in them. I would true to get out on one of these ponds from March through June for some great action. I prefer afternoon/evening for warm water fishing. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop www.kiene.com

Response:

Hey Bill: The warm water fishing here in Northwest Arkansas is just now kicking into gear…caught four blacks one evening last week and two Sunday morning (biggest was a pound and a half) on a new bass fly (to me) "G.W.’s Glory"……Chartreuse rabbit strip tail, chartreuse ice chenille body, and chartreuse Sili Legs collar…..2/0 Mustad 34007 saltwater hook.  WOW!  They hit it hard!  Searched tonight for stripers off my favorite point here at Beaver Lake…full moon shining off the lake was like fishing under a huge spot light…lake was like glass…no stripers caught but what an absolutely beautiful evening.

Hi Greg, Was just out walking off dinner and did also note the big moon here in CA. In Aril/May/June we go out on the full moon to the mouth of the Feather River where it goes into the Sacramento River about 20 plus miles north of downtown Sacramento. We fish the afternoon for American Shad, then after dark, we fish for stripers that are also running up to spawn. Both of these fish were imported from the East Coast of North America in ~1877 and  I guess their populations went crazy with the condition that our drainage was in that long ago. We take a little barbecue and make a time of it. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop www.kiene.com

Response:

Question:

<SNIP But who cares what of it is true and what isn’t, or who was "in on it" or who wasn’t?

Quite a few people care what is true, and what is not. Nobody on this group was "in" on anything. There was no collusion of any kind. I had no contact whatsoever with anybody else on this group regarding my actions. People who know me figured out pretty quickly that I was behaving at least oddly, and formed their own opinions. For somebody who does not care at all what other people think, you sure are curious. As Mr. LaCourse more than fairly observed. He also thought I was behaving like a loony, but he was prepared to forgive and forget based on past experience. I am also most grateful to him for his fairness in this regard. My arrival "out of the blue" as you put it, was the result of a person attributing opinions to me, which I have never averred, and do not hold. To whit, that "Gink is worse than spent nuclear fuel". This was e-mailed to me, and as a consequence, I responded to the post on ROFF.  The result was a personal attack, with no regard whatever for the truth of the matter. I responded in kind. Thus began the whole episode. MC

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <SNIP I’m not sure how the people that Mike has been "arguing" with are supposed to know this. If this IS true, he is doing it at other’s expense and it has really gotten old. If it’s just a typical ROFF argument, like I think it is, so be it. People will look at the two sides as they will. There are always two sides to these things. Willi Willi, I fear you err in this respect. I was not arguing, there would be no point in arguing against a personal attack. You basically have two choices in such a case, either you ignore it, and hope everybody else does, or you defend yourself as best you can. It is not necessary to "know"  why you are being attacked, it is sufficient that this is indeed the case.  I limited my "attacks" to those who attacked me. All attacks of this nature are done at somebody else

Question:

Try tying the Spider Hitch with four turns.   A friend and I tested this on Izorline’s machines at the last Fred Hall Show and found the knot is strongest when tied with four turns.  More turns actually weaken the knot.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I tried to tie SpiderWire to mono.  To avoid the complicated Bimini Twist, I used Spider Hitch (6 loops) on my 50 pounds SpiderWire.  Surprisingly, SpiderWire broke at the knot.  I tested several times and results were the same.  What’s wrong with the SpiderWire/Spider Hitch combination?  Seems to me that the SpiderWire is not as strong as what I thought. John

Response:

Can any of you guys direct me to a place to find this "albright" and "spiderhitch" knots?? I have been trying to collect as many knots for these new braids and polymers as possible. Thanks KLH — Please remove KH from e-mail to respond

Response:

I tried the SpiderWire braid recently and boy can I agree with you. My first cast saw the lure fly away by itself.    The same thing happened about 4 casts later with another new lure.   I also found the line winding up on the drag knob on top of the spool a few times.   I cut about 50 feet of tangled up line and tried again.   Eventually I found I could cast farther but decided against throwing lures with it

It has to be that your knots are pulling thru when the lure flies off the line like that.  Spiderwire is very ‘knot-sensitive’.  I use only UNI-knots and have 100% line strength every time.  Never had a break at the knot, and jig fishing the St. Clair River(12-18mph current with very sharp rocks) the rocks had to practically cut the line in two to weaken it significantly. I definitely don’t recommend casting any braided line with anything but a level wind reel.  I don’t care what advertising hype the marketers use, there’s just too much line twist using a spinning reel with braided. Now the fusion works OK on my Stradic 2000.  Get nice King Salmon with it.  But its casting live bait on a 3-way swivel rig type of casting. Cast and retrieve still gets too much line twist for me.

Response:

Can any of you guys direct me to a place to find this "albright" and "spiderhitch" knots?? I have been trying to collect as many knots for these new braids and polymers as possible. Thanks KLH — Please remove KH from e-mail to respond

Here are several nice sites I’ve found on the Web that are dedicated to knots:         http://www.ozemail.com.au/~fnq/fishing/         http://www.earlham.edu/suber/knotlink.htm  (*excellent list of links*)         http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/2158/knotix.htm Btw, the last link has the Albright right there on the first page.  And, also, I’ve been fishing with Spiderwire for the last 3 years or so and have found the Albright to be far and away the best knot for attaching the stuff to mono. Good luck, Peter.

Response:

I’ve been fishing with Spiderwire for the last 3 years or so and have found the Albright to be far and away the best knot for attaching the stuff to mono. Good luck, Peter.

Can you tell us what’s the best knot(s) in your mind, Peter? John.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For years I have used TriMax, and Trilene 4lb. Test lines for Snapper Blue fishing in CT on Long Island Sound without any problems. This year when I re-spooled at the start of the Season I decided to switch to SpiderWire. I have found out through MANY breaks, tangles, snarls, nots, and birdsnests causing lost fish that this VERY Expensive line is definitely not all that it is advertised to be. The slightest nick, knot, or any tangle will reduce the strength ot this line to "0". I am very disappointed with this product and I will not waste my money on it ever again. I live within walking distance of one of the hottest Stripper fishing areas in CT, and have talked with many other fishermen this season who have tried this line. Without exception their experiences all mirror mine. This line seems VERY prone to tangles, nots, and nicks. It Is a very strong line when in Perfict condition, but after your first couple of casts it is not perfect any more.  Bill I tried the SpiderWire braid recently and boy can I agree with you. My first cast saw the lure fly away by itself.    The same thing happened about 4 casts later with another new lure.   I also found the line winding up on the drag knob on top of the spool a few times.   I cut about 50 feet of tangled up line and tried again.   Eventually I found I could cast farther but decided against throwing lures with it and tried bottom fishing.    This is where the line excells.   I could feel the bottom so clearly that it was as if I was touching it with my finger.    I could feel the slightest taps of the fish.    This caused me to pull the bait out of their mouth so it required patience to allow the bait to be swallowed.    I’m still uncertain about the line. It’s so light that you have to keep an eye on it because it can so easily wrap around a guide or anything sticking out. — Norman Hirsch                      Fax:  212-304-9759 NH&A                               BBS:  212-304-9759,,,,,,,3 577 Isham St. # 2-B                CompuServe:  72115,661 Phone: 212-304-9660                URL: http://www.nha.com

When you respool, try the fused superlines.  I like both fusion and fireline.  Just started using the fireline and I think I will switch to it from fusion.  It seems to have more wear resistance.  I have no problems with knots, in fact when I do get a birds nest on my baitcasters it is much easier to remove than mono. Tim — Tim’s Coastal Georgia Fishing Page http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/1000/

Response:

I tried to tie SpiderWire to mono.  To avoid the complicated Bimini Twist, I used Spider Hitch (6 loops) on my 50 pounds SpiderWire.  Surprisingly, SpiderWire broke at the knot.  I tested several times and results were the same.  What’s wrong with the SpiderWire/Spider Hitch combination?  Seems to me that the SpiderWire is not as strong as what I thought. John

Response:

I tried to tie SpiderWire to mono.  To avoid the complicated Bimini Twist, I used Spider Hitch (6 loops) on my 50 pounds SpiderWire.  Surprisingly, SpiderWire broke at the knot.  I tested several times and results were the same.  What’s wrong with the SpiderWire/Spider Hitch combination?  Seems to me that the SpiderWire is not as strong as what I thought. John

What did you test it with, a tow truck?  Either it was a very bad batch or something; I don’t see how you could break the good stuff just by pulling on it.  I can’t hardly hold 30lb. test stuff while I cut it with a knife.  Slips right thru my fingers or would cut the daylights out of my hand.  Try a double UNI knot.  Works for my ‘wire to mono’ connections.  No slip and no weakening.

Response:

For years I have used TriMax, and Trilene 4lb. Test lines for Snapper Blue fishing in CT on Long Island Sound without any problems. This year when I re-spooled at the start of the Season I decided to switch to SpiderWire. I have found out through MANY breaks, tangles, snarls, nots, and birdsnests causing lost fish that this VERY Expensive line is definitely not all that it is advertised to be. The slightest nick, knot, or any tangle will reduce the strength ot this line to "0". I am very disappointed with this product and I will not waste my money on it ever again. I live within walking distance of one of the hottest Stripper fishing areas in CT, and have talked with many other fishermen this season who have tried this line. Without exception their experiences all mirror mine. This line seems VERY prone to tangles, nots, and nicks. It Is a very strong line when in Perfict condition, but after your first couple of casts it is not perfect any more.  Bill

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For years I have used TriMax, and Trilene 4lb. Test lines for Snapper Blue fishing in CT on Long Island Sound without any problems. This year when I re-spooled at the start of the Season I decided to switch to SpiderWire. I have found out through MANY breaks, tangles, snarls, nots, and birdsnests causing lost fish that this VERY Expensive line is definitely not all that it is advertised to be. The slightest nick, knot, or any tangle will reduce the strength ot this line to "0". I am very disappointed with this product and I will not waste my money on it ever again. I live within walking distance of one of the hottest Stripper fishing areas in CT, and have talked with many other fishermen this season who have tried this line. Without exception their experiences all mirror mine. This line seems VERY prone to tangles, nots, and nicks. It Is a very strong line when in Perfict condition, but after your first couple of casts it is not perfect any more.  Bill

Since the line has zero memory (stretch) it will always snap at the given weight tolerance whether the line is new or nicked. With slow-even retrieve it’ll work fine and perform beyond the test tolerance, but it can snap on hookset.  It can also cause you to loose fish that are not ‘hooked’ well.  Slack line with no memory will simply ‘fall’ out of the fish’s mouth.  The knotting, bunching and tangling can be from an uneven retrieve speed (which is natural). The super lines are very unforgiving.                                      Kate — Corners Sports and Tackle                       5303 South 108th Street                         Hales Corners, Wisconsin 53130                   (414)425-2640

Response:

I tried to tie SpiderWire to mono.  To avoid the complicated Bimini Twist, I used Spider Hitch (6 loops) on my 50 pounds SpiderWire.  Surprisingly, SpiderWire broke at the knot.  I tested several times and results were the same.  What’s wrong with the SpiderWire/Spider Hitch combination?  Seems to me that the SpiderWire is not as strong as what I thought. John What did you test it with, a tow truck?

Believe it or not, I simply used my hand to pull and it broke. I tested several time to prove it.  Not that SpiderWire is no good, but the tests showed that the Spider Wire/ Spider Hitch combination is probabily no good.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -For years I have used TriMax, and Trilene 4lb. Test lines for Snapper Blue fishing in CT on Long Island Sound without any problems. This year when I re-spooled at the start of the Season I decided to switch to SpiderWire. I have found out through MANY breaks, tangles, snarls, nots, and birdsnests causing lost fish that this VERY Expensive line is definitely not all that it is advertised to be. The slightest nick, knot, or any tangle will reduce the strength ot this line to "0". I am very disappointed with this product and I will not waste my money on it ever again. I live within walking distance of one of the hottest Stripper fishing areas in CT, and have talked with many other fishermen this season who have tried this line. Without exception their experiences all mirror mine. This line seems VERY prone to tangles, nots, and nicks. It Is a very strong line when in Perfict condition, but after your first couple of casts it is not perfect any more.  Bill

I tried the SpiderWire braid recently and boy can I agree with you. My first cast saw the lure fly away by itself.    The same thing happened about 4 casts later with another new lure.   I also found the line winding up on the drag knob on top of the spool a few times.   I cut about 50 feet of tangled up line and tried again.   Eventually I found I could cast farther but decided against throwing lures with it and tried bottom fishing.    This is where the line excells.   I could feel the bottom so clearly that it was as if I was touching it with my finger.    I could feel the slightest taps of the fish.    This caused me to pull the bait out of their mouth so it required patience to allow the bait to be swallowed.    I’m still uncertain about the line. It’s so light that you have to keep an eye on it because it can so easily wrap around a guide or anything sticking out.   — Norman Hirsch                      Fax:  212-304-9759 NH&A                               BBS:  212-304-9759,,,,,,,3 577 Isham St. # 2-B                CompuServe:  72115,661 Phone: 212-304-9660                URL: http://www.nha.com

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I have been using the Spider-Wire Fusion line for the past two years. I won’t use anything else on my lighter rod and spinning reel combos. I have found that the lighter and longer the pole the better the cast and feel are. I have used the fusion wire for live bait fishing, ripping, and trolling. If you cast alot, tie a heavy sinker on the end of the line and cast it in your backyard a couple dozen times before you go fishing. This will not get rid of the loops but it will loosen them, making it much easier to cast lighter set ups.Make sure you read the pamphlet that comes with the Spider Wire, it will show you how to properly load it on your reel and how to tie knots with it. It does not act or feel like mono and it takes some getting used to. I hated the first spool I bought too. I like the Fusion Wire because it floats and doesn’t wrap itself around submerged objects between the bait and my pole. The sensitivity of the line is far superior to any mono I have ever used, I can  tell what kind of fish is checking out its last supper 80% of the time. I don’t wait until the fish hooks itself to set the hook. I depend on the flexability of my pole rather than the flexability of the line. I have caught more bites this year than anyother year fishing. I have been using the Fusion Wire with Jitter Bugs and Hulla Poppers the past couple of weeks with great results. I use a stiff rod and keep all slack out of the line. Perhaps it is the line or the line made me change my style of fishing but I sure do like the Fusion wire.                                     Mike   WOLVERINE

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I tried to tie SpiderWire to mono.  To avoid the complicated Bimini Twist, I used Spider Hitch (6 loops) on my 50 pounds SpiderWire.  Surprisingly, SpiderWire broke at the knot.  I tested several times and results were the same.  What’s wrong with the SpiderWire/Spider Hitch combination?  Seems to me that the SpiderWire is not as strong as what I thought. John What did you test it with, a tow truck? Believe it or not, I simply used my hand to pull and it broke. I tested several time to prove it.  Not that SpiderWire is no good, but the tests showed that the Spider Wire/ Spider Hitch combination is probabily no good.

I am assuming you are using the braided spider wire.  That will cut right through itself or mono.  I have switched to using spider wire fusion or fireline.  I use palomar knots for terminal tackle and uni-knots for line to and some terminal knots and albrights for line to wire.  Of course I am not using 50 pound test, but the results should be the same.  Never had any of them break due to knots and only had some wear problems on slip weights that rub on the line over time, have to retie once or twice a day.  Love the lines! — Tim’s Coastal Georgia Fishing Page http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/1000/

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I love the stuff for bottom fishing.  This is where it’s ultra sensetivity shines.  I use palomar knots for terminal tackle and albrights for lint to line or wire.  I haven’t had a problem with the line cutting through itself.  Although, it will dig through the line on the spool and bury itself.  That isn’t much of a problem.  I use 80 lb. test for grouper.  Ocasionally a hook will hang on the bottom.  All I do is tie the line to a cleat and power ahead.  The albright holds, and if you have a strong enough swivel, you can go right back fishing w/o tying a new knot. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I tried to tie SpiderWire to mono.  To avoid the complicated Bimini Twist, I used Spider Hitch (6 loops) on my 50 pounds SpiderWire.  Surprisingly, SpiderWire broke at the knot.  I tested several times and results were the same.  What’s wrong with the SpiderWire/Spider Hitch combination?  Seems to me that the SpiderWire is not as strong as what I thought. John What did you test it with, a tow truck? Believe it or not, I simply used my hand to pull and it broke. I tested several time to prove it.  Not that SpiderWire is no good, but the tests showed that the Spider Wire/ Spider Hitch combination is probabily no good. I am assuming you are using the braided spider wire.  That will cut right through itself or mono.  I have switched to using spider wire fusion or fireline.  I use palomar knots for terminal tackle and uni-knots for line to and some terminal knots and albrights for line to wire.  Of course I am not using 50 pound test, but the results should be the same.  Never had any of them break due to knots and only had some wear problems on slip weights that rub on the line over time, have to retie once or twice a day.  Love the lines! — Tim’s Coastal Georgia Fishing Page http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/1000/

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Question:

Can anyone suggest an inexpensive rod and reel for salt water fly fishing. Line weight, tippets, etc. No Orvis recommendations please.

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Can anyone suggest an inexpensive rod and reel for salt water fly fishing. Line weight, tippets, etc. No Orvis recommendations please.

Yea.  A St. Croix 9 ft. 8 wt., Lamson Model 3, Dacron backing (20#), and a WF8F line.  Use tough leader material. So.. what do you have against Orvis?  I think a lot of their stuff is has a good price/performance ratio and the local salesguys have been very helpful even though I don’t spend big bucks there. Andy Schreckenghost

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Paul Ruff writes: Can anyone suggest an inexpensive rod and reel for salt water fly

fishing. Line weight, tippets, etc. No Orvis recommendations please.

Paul, Look for a so called fast action  (more tip than whole rod bend)… as you will need to be able to cast 80 feet plus to do well in salt water.  It is true you can get some casts in under 50 feet by stalking….. and have, but tarpon, bonefish and especially permit are spooky on the flats and require extra long casts to reach.  A fast tip action will help this.  In addition, practice 5 to 10 minutes a day for 3 to 4 weeks to strengthen the specific shoulder and arm muscles you will use….. makes a big difference after fishing…Also use the very best salt water line you can afford….. more important than the rod.   I have not used other than Orvis, Sage and Scott and all are not

inexpensive…. so I will pass on a specific recommendation of a rod…. I have seen and cast in a yard the St. Croix series and they look promising…. but have not fished them. have fun Alan E. Hoover Anglers’ Rest Powhatan, Va        *the trout teach many, lessons*

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Question:

I will be out in the Durango Co. area in mid July.  I’m looking to get some good fly fishing in, but may not have enough time to spend fishing with a guide.  Any suggestions on some streams that I can fish casually? If so, what flys might be useful at this time. Thanks Mike

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I will be out in the Durango Co. area in mid July.  I’m looking to get some good fly fishing in, but may not have enough time to spend fishing with a guide.  Any suggestions on some streams that I can fish casually? If so, what flys might be useful at this time.

What you want is the San Juan River. It’s actually in New Mexico, but easily accessed from Durango. Wonderful fishing for big trout. Some special regulations and challenges, but well worth it. There are some good accessible places just down from Navajo Reservoir. Check out: Duranglers (guide service in Durango, can give advice at least) http://www.creativelinks.com/recreat/Duranglers.htm New Mexico Flyfishers http://www.thereellife.com/reellife/ — |    Liberty Communications — Michael P. Thompson      | |  Writing, editing, desktop publishing, consulting     | |      <http://www.ecentral.com/members/thompson       |

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Question:

<snip : I’d like to toss another wrinkle into your condsideration. I use a small : kayak called an Aquatera Caspia. It cost $440, weighs 30lbs, is 10 ft long : and will hold an adult with waders on comfortably. The seat folds and will : also hold a cooler and tackle bags. It floats in 6 " of water and is it : extremly stable. The downside is storing and hauling. This boat is not a <snip They are also on the web at http://www.kayaker.com/ complete with dealer search ability. I’ve never tried a Caspia, but we have fished from our Keowee II at times. P.S. I’m not an employee of Aquaterra, however, i do own 2 of thier boats.      (and am very happy with them. — Chicago Area Paddling/Fishing Page:  http://www.ripco.com/~jwn/

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What is the best pontoon boat out there?  What are some nice features. I’m thinking about buying and would appreciate some input.  If you thanx!

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I would look at the 75 Hobie Float Cat. Pricey but a fine piece of equipment. Regards. Jack

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What is the best pontoon boat out there?  What are some nice features. I’m thinking about buying and would appreciate some input.  If you

Hi Jason According to the shop owners I talk with the Buck Bronco is the best buy for the money. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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What is the best pontoon boat out there?  What are some nice features. I’m thinking about buying and would appreciate some input.  If you thanx!

I’d like to toss another wrinkle into your condsideration. I use a small kayak called an Aquatera Caspia. It cost $440, weighs 30lbs, is 10 ft long and will hold an adult with waders on comfortably. The seat folds and will also hold a cooler and tackle bags. It floats in 6 " of water and is it extremly stable. The downside is storing and hauling. This boat is not a good white water craft as it is too wide. In class 2 plus water it would be a bitch. Best of all its a real boat and is darn near impossible to sink. You can use it on rivers, streams, ponds, lakes and creeks. I love this boat and it is about half the price of a pontoon boat. With the money you save in buying the boat you can buy a very nice Yakima car rack for $125. There is also a two person Kiwi model. It has a 5 year warranty and is made of recycled poly material. Fantastic fishin’ boat! If you like a can get the snail mail address fro you and maybe they have a dealer in your area. Company’s HQ is in North Carolina. A good paddling and Canoe store stocks these and will let you try it out.  A guide from Arkansas clued me in on this. Bags sink, get holes in them and imagine shooting a low-head dam with a rowing frame…No thanks, I’d like to see 80 some day.Mike

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Question:

The original remark may be humorous to a man, but not to many of the women who may be exploring fly fishing on the internet. This type of attitude and mind set on the stream or anywhere else is not always comfortable to everyone.

I dont’s intend to speak for everyone nor to make everyone comfortable.  All I know is that I only read one response (yours) that took offense at my little joke.  I know that there are quite a few women that read this group and none of them seemed to take offense at it either.  I did, however, see at least one response from a woman that takes offense that the industry seems intent on selling equipment "designed" specifically for women.  I contend that trying to turn flyfishing into a non-gender neutral sport is more damaging then my little joke could ever be.  I’d also like to believe that a sense of humor is a gender neutral attribute as well. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

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The original remark may be humorous to a man, but not to many of the women who may be exploring fly fishing on the internet. This type of attitude and mind set on the stream or anywhere else is not always comfortable to everyone.

Uh Oh, someone’s going to save us all from the evils of politically incorrectness.  Lighten up. Jerry Cobb Nashville, TN

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Lighten up?…NO I DON’T THINK SO….saying something like tits on the grips is not funny, it’s not mature, and it doesn’t belong here.

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Seems to be any rod that can be taken apart has a male AND a female end!

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 guess some women just, want to be "Fashion Barbie"…

I’d like to point out that women have been less than pleased with the manufacturers who have tried to make them into "Fashion Barbie."   It has to be the most negative comments I’ve hear at women’s flyfishing club meeting.  Most, being conservationists, are into greens and browns and wouldn’t be caught dead in pink or purple on a stream.

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You ought to see what has happened to the diving equipment industry. All these wild colors for wet suits, fins, masks, snorkles, tanks, regulators, knives, gauges, bc’s. You’re supposed to be color co- ordinated for the fish! An then you go down…..guess what happens to all those colors at 80 feet? Yup, unless you have a strobe flash on all that fancy equipment, it all looks the same.  :) What you are seeing in ffing equipment is the same thing except it doesn’t go away when it goes into the woods. Bees and yellow- jackets do like yellow and pink, though. :OOO– Bill Fashion plate of leftover GI olive drab equipment…..

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The original remark may be humorous to a man, but not to many of the women who may be exploring fly fishing on the internet. This type of attitude and mind set on the stream or anywhere else is not always comfortable to everyone.

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Your remark regarding women’s rods possibly having breasts is rather ignorant…one would like to believe that even you would see that there is no place for that sort of comment in the fly fishing community. Good grief, are you suggesting that the "fly fishing community" is humorless? You know, now that I consider a good protion of the posts

Sexism, bigotry, and general boorishness is NOT considered humor in a public place.  This is a public forum, not the locker room.  Some humor will always be appropriate in the locker room and nowhere else.  It might serve some of you well to learn when and where such humor is appropriate. —— Mike Tucker-  The Virtual Flyshop Web: http://www.flyshop.com Phone: 970/225-6445

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The largest diameter grip I ever made on a fly rod was for a woman. The lady in question had tendonitus (sp?) in her hand and the small diameter grips on her factory made rods made it much worse. After using the rod I built her, she came back and had me replace the grips on all of her rods. Trying to generalize by gender is, IMNSHO, Bullsh*t. — Phil Koenig Manhattan Custom Tackle Ltd. http://fishdoc.com./ "I’m the boss,so WHATEVER I say is OK"

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Your remark regarding women’s rods possibly having breasts is rather ignorant…one would like to believe that even you would see that there is no place for that sort of comment in the fly fishing community.

Oh give me a break.  It was a joke, actually one I stole from George Carlin from his observation in describing a brand of womens cigarettes. I agree with the other person that mentioned that creating a flyrod for women is just a bit insulting.  Flyfishing is as a gender neutral sport as you can get and I don’t understand why people are trying to turn it into something otherwise.  Actually, I do.  Equipment manufacturers are just trying to sell more merchandise.  Women step into their waders the same way I do and can fart around on the stream as well as the next guy. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sounds like hype to me…a little sand paper will make the grip smaller…I can almost live with the mauve vest, and the burgandy waders, but this idea that fishing has to be *marketed* to women seems like an insult to women to me.  When Orvis says "here you go women, a flyrod just for you", they sound as if they are saying all our other rods are for men and not for you. It’s a nothing but an insulting gimmick in my mind DAMN RIGHT, Craig.. All Orvis did was put on a smaller grip..Like ALL women have little hands (like Frenchmen;)). I don’t think so!!!! If I can handle a SAGE 9′8Wt .. and 7+" of real man;).. like most REAL outdoors women can.. and have done for years…It is down right insulting! It’s like Walker says,"A cash flow runs through it". By the way, I have brown waders and a green vest, I look like a cute little tree on the stream,(stealth…it’s an Art!); not like "Barney". I guess some women just, want to be "Fashion Barbie"…

Who knows.  Maybe there will be a market for "Catskill Barbie" and "Catskill Ken". I personally want to catch fish..that’s why it’s called fishing….that’s why I’m out there, and none of my equipment has a cute little white "O" on it!! ….and NO,John F. the rods don’t have little breasts on them..the grips are still the basic "penis" shape, they have always been… Tickles, &"Bear "hugs for Charley

And as someone pointed out awhile back,  "queer" flyfishers like to hold the rod with the other hand because it feels like someone else is holding it. In flyfishing size doesn’t matter. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

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Your remark regarding women’s rods possibly having breasts is rather ignorant…one would like to believe that even you would see that there is no place for that sort of comment in the fly fishing community.

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Sounds like hype to me…a little sand paper will make the grip smaller…I can almost live with the mauve vest, and the burgandy waders, but this idea that fishing has to be *marketed* to women seems like an insult to women to me.  When Orvis says "here you go women, a flyrod just for you", they sound as if they are saying all our other rods are for men and not for you. It’s a nothing but an insulting gimmick in my mind

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Your remark regarding women’s rods possibly having breasts is rather ignorant…one would like to believe that even you would see that there is no place for that sort of comment in the fly fishing community.

Good grief, are you suggesting that the "fly fishing community" is humorless? You know, now that I consider a good protion of the posts to this group you may be right. It seems that the computerized fly fisherman spending time on this group are endowed with an excess of selfimportance and no fun whatsoever. How about we all take a giant step back and a look at the big picture. We are really just a small, insignificant piece of that picture.  Just enjoy you days astream and not make it into more than it is – fishing.

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Sounds like hype to me…a little sand paper will make the grip smaller…I can almost live with the mauve vest, and the burgandy waders, but this idea that fishing has to be *marketed* to women seems like an insult to women to me.  When Orvis says "here you go women, a flyrod just for you", they sound as if they are saying all our other rods are for men and not for you. It’s a nothing but an insulting gimmick in my mind

DAMN RIGHT, Craig.. All Orvis did was put on a smaller grip..Like ALL women have little hands (like Frenchmen;)). I don’t think so!!!! If I can handle a SAGE 9′8Wt .. and 7+" of real man;).. like most REAL outdoors women can.. and have done for years…It is down right insulting! It’s like Walker says,"A cash flow runs through it". By the way, I have brown waders and a green vest, I look like a cute little tree on the stream,(stealth…it’s an Art!); not like "Barney". I guess some women just, want to be "Fashion Barbie"…I personally want to catch fish..that’s why it’s called fishing….that’s why I’m out there, and none of my equipment has a cute little white "O" on it!! ….and NO,John F. the rods don’t have little breasts on them..the grips are still the basic "penis" shape, they have always been… Tickles, &"Bear "hugs for Charley …..N.

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.Your remark regarding women’s rods possibly having breasts is rather ignorant…one would like to believe that even you would see that there is no place for that sort of comment in the fly fishing community.

First Day being a P.C. Cop in Owl Creek…Huh? Honey, if you think John’s comment was ignorant..maybe you should haul your ass over to R.O.F.F.PC ONLY!!! or R.O.F.F.H. (humorless);…  (Tim, these weren’t on your list…please add.) Some of us aren’t PC on the P.C., but don’t worry, after we die, we will burn in Hell….Remember, life’s a bitch, and 7X tippet breaks….. Tickles;) …N.  

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(PWullenweb) writes: A few brands offer a women’s version (e.g. Orvis’ Mary Orvis Marbury), but I’m not sure if there is a significant or logical reason to go with those other than the lighter weight.

Th only difference between the Orvis "MOM" rod and the Orvis "Trout" rod is the handle.  Both are 8 ft. 6 wt. fullflex rods made out of the same blank.  The MOM rod has a handle that has been turned down for smaller hands.   You would be best served by casting the appropriate rods for the conditions you will fish until you find one you like, and if you want a smaller handle on it, any custom rod maker can turn the handle smaller for just a few $.  Size and weight is not a problem. All three of my kids started with 8 1/2 to 9  foot rods when they were between 9 and 11 years old.                                                            Dan Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

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Hi Pluck, The ‘womens rod’ is a silly idea. I don’t believe that a rods purpose or application changes with gender. The rods purpose is to cast a line and play a fish. Seems as silly as a ’soft periwinkle’ fishing vest. My ideas on rods are governed by the fact that I build bamboo but for trout a 7 1/2 ft 4 or 5 in a fast action is a good place to start. For smallmouth bass I woul choose an 8ft parabolic action rod for a  5/6 weight. Good fishing, A.J. Thramer

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I’m new to fly fishing and am looking to buy a rod.  A few brands offer a women’s version (e.g. Orvis’ Mary Orvis Marbury), but I’m not sure if there is a significant or logical reason to go with those other than the lighter weight.  I’d like to make this rod somewhat of an "all arounder", at least for the present.  Most of the time I’ll be on a small upstate NY lake, fishing from shore or in a boat for panfish, trout, as well as smallmouth and largemouth bass.  I’d like though to be able to take this rod to fish in some nearby streams.  Info on length, line weight and/or model would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance. Puck Wullenweber Ithaca, NY

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Pluck, Women can fly fish better then men and its not the rod!! I suggest a week vacation in July, Aug. or Sept at the Hawley MT. Ranch, where you can Fly Fish, ride horese,hike or just read a book, Its just 25 miles north of Yellowstone Park.   We do a lot of things other than fishing. Just ask!!! BBlewett

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I’m new to fly fishing and am looking to buy a rod.  A few brands offer a women’s version (e.g. Orvis’ Mary Orvis Marbury), but I’m not sure if there is a significant or logical reason to go with those other than the lighter weight.  I’d like to make this rod somewhat of an "all arounder", at least for the present.  Most of the time I’ll be on a small upstate NY lake, fishing from shore or in a boat for panfish, trout, as well as smallmouth and largemouth bass.  I’d like though to be able to take this rod to fish in some nearby streams.  Info on length, line weight and/or model would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance. Puck Wullenweber Ithaca, NY

I think lighter weight is one critical factor, the other being the size of the grip. Rods not designed for women may have grips that are larger than you are comfortable with (depending of course on whether you have large hands.) If you can find a comfortable grip you can use it – most quality rods are pretty light anyways.

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The possible difference with woman’s rods would be in the grip.  Possibly smaller than normal.  I would suspect that it is generally hype and marketing.  Try both and let me know.   For suggestions for a rod, I would suggest a 5 or 6 weight.  You are asking a lot for a rod to do all you want it to do and still be fun.   I lean towards the 5wt for the fun factor with trout and panfish.  You would have to use small poppers & deerhair bugs with the 5 wt due to the wind resistance.  Also, make sure the rod is 9′. If your starting out you’ll ask for 1 rod to do it all.  After a few years thought, you’ll own about 4 rods (trust me, I’ve been there)!

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I’m new to fly fishing and am looking to buy a rod.  A few brands offer a women’s version (e.g. Orvis’ Mary Orvis Marbury), but I’m not sure if there is a significant or logical reason to go with those other than the lighter weight.

<snip Hi, My recommendation would be for you to locate a reputable local dealer and cast as many rods as possible in your price range. The rod that ends up working the best for you may or may not be a women’s version. I think it’s much more important how the fly rod works than what it says on the label. I hope this helps,   Alan.   Alan Barnard   Kiene’s Fly Shop   Sacramento, California   WWW Fly Tyer   http://www.ns.net/~barnard

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Pluck, Women can fly fish better then men and its not the rod!! I suggest a week vacation in July, Aug. or Sept at the Hawley MT. Ranch, where you can Fly Fish, ride horese,hike or just read a book, Its just 25 miles north of Yellowstone Park.   We do a lot of things other than fishing. Just ask!!!

Womens fly rods?  What, do they have little breasts on them or something? Just to clarify a couple of things.  The name was "Puck", not "Pluck". Since I also live in Ithaca I know that we can flyfish (a five minute walk for me to the nearest stream from my front door), ride horses (there’s a B&B place about 1000′ down the road of me that is a horse ranch), hike (across my driveway and 100′ in the other direction from the B&B are trailheads which go into a wildlife reserve, and I can read a book just about anywhere.  I’ll let you sleep on my couch for half of what your ranch charges. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

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Question:

Hello Dcoop,    I’ve been flyfishing for only a few years now here in NY state. I live in Rensselaer near Albany, NY and don’t get to as much fishing as I would like to, but I do fish the adirondacks once in a while. I do have some friends though that fish it quite a bit up on the Ausable and Scroon rivers. What would you like to know? Maybe I can help. Email me at – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  I writing this article to see if there is anyone on the web who flyfishes the Adirondacks. I’m looking to chat about fly hatches and fishing conditions in the great northeast. Thanks’ Dcoop

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  I writing this article to see if there is anyone on the web who flyfishes the Adirondacks. I’m looking to chat about fly hatches and fishing conditions in the great northeast. Thanks’ Dcoop

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