Question:

Pounding, powerful and relentless, against uncaring and eternal sand, each wave seems to reach a little further, striving for the spot on which I stand. Two steps forward, three steps back, the dance is similar for every cast, a constant rhythm, lulling and relaxing, who knows how much time has passed? Feet, sinking in, requiring that one shuffle now and then, a welcome break, Casting, waiting, watching, senses tensed, hoping  for the long expected take. Was that a bite? Or merely seaweed drifting in the current, dead, but active still, Perhaps a wily seatrout or a cod, just mouthed the fly, and moves in for the kill? Shooting stars distract, hurtling brilliant through the cold and crackling winter night, freezing fingers, cold protesting feet, red face and dripping nose, a sorry plight, legs, slowly turning numb, arms aching from the constant and unceasing strain, rod held high. above the waves, each tiny pluck and movement causes pain Swimming, hopefully enticingly, the fly, spurred on by faith and hope and thought, approaches yet again the crashing waves, hovers for a moment, once more caught, capricious currents, drive it, to wobble, shimmer, shake and  twist and bend. much like the thoughts of  he, who patient and persistent, holds fast the other end. At last! A solid take, and line runs freely from the spool, twenty yards or more, Rod bends, arms tense, back bends, heels dig deeper into crumbling shore, the battle wages, fish and man, bound now by tenuous strands, far mightier than steel, commence to measure, each their skill, with each run and leap, each hard-won turn of reel. Eyes, long since accustomed to the starry night, still strain to see a glimpse or flash, who knows what might have taken? and then the fish leaps, falling with a mighty splash, a silver ghost, a monster, a prize beyond compare, rising from the dark and restless deep, how long and hard must angler fight, before he be allowed his prize to land and keep? Hours and nights, long winters, in cold and storm,  for many  seasons he has stood, searching, learning, hoping,  waiting, to gain just such a prize, from the raging flood, Alas, this night, although he uses every trick and all his skill, it is simply not to be, almost within his grasp, his prize spits contemptuously the hook, and sinks into the sea. Freezing now, disconsolate, gear is packed, and angler turns to home along the beach, the prize is gone, but angler knows, that this time it was very nearly well within his reach, there will be other nights, perhaps indeed much greater prizes, things well beyond compare, should you seek such, haste to the beach, you will find angler, watching, waiting, hoping, there. TL MC

Response:

Thanks, Mike. Danl Pounding, powerful and relentless, against uncaring and eternal sand, each wave seems to reach a little further, striving for the spot on which I

[Great lines snipped]…..

Response:

OK Mike you are starting to worry me. As always I enjoy your dissertations and sharp wit.  However this is another long message, why are you spending this much time in front of the computer instead of fishing?  Your current posts are what I would expect to see in January and February not in August. Just askin a question Dave —

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Pounding, powerful and relentless, against uncaring and eternal sand, each wave seems to reach a little further, striving for the spot on which I stand. Two steps forward, three steps back, the dance is similar for every cast, a constant rhythm, lulling and relaxing, who knows how much time has passed? Feet, sinking in, requiring that one shuffle now and then, a welcome break, Casting, waiting, watching, senses tensed, hoping  for the long expected take. Was that a bite? Or merely seaweed drifting in the current, dead, but active still, Perhaps a wily seatrout or a cod, just mouthed the fly, and moves in for the kill? Shooting stars distract, hurtling brilliant through the cold and crackling winter night, freezing fingers, cold protesting feet, red face and dripping nose, a sorry plight, legs, slowly turning numb, arms aching from the constant and unceasing strain, rod held high. above the waves, each tiny pluck and movement causes pain Swimming, hopefully enticingly, the fly, spurred on by faith and hope and thought, approaches yet again the crashing waves, hovers for a moment, once more caught, capricious currents, drive it, to wobble, shimmer, shake and  twist and bend. much like the thoughts of  he, who patient and persistent, holds fast the other end. At last! A solid take, and line runs freely from the spool, twenty yards or more, Rod bends, arms tense, back bends, heels dig deeper into crumbling shore, the battle wages, fish and man, bound now by tenuous strands, far mightier than steel, commence to measure, each their skill, with each run and leap, each hard-won turn of reel. Eyes, long since accustomed to the starry night, still strain to see a glimpse or flash, who knows what might have taken? and then the fish leaps, falling with a mighty splash, a silver ghost, a monster, a prize beyond compare, rising from the dark and restless deep, how long and hard must angler fight, before he be allowed his prize to land and keep? Hours and nights, long winters, in cold and storm,  for many  seasons he has stood, searching, learning, hoping,  waiting, to gain just such a prize, from the raging flood, Alas, this night, although he uses every trick and all his skill, it is simply not to be, almost within his grasp, his prize spits contemptuously the hook, and sinks into the sea. Freezing now, disconsolate, gear is packed, and angler turns to home along the beach, the prize is gone, but angler knows, that this time it was very nearly well within his reach, there will be other nights, perhaps indeed much greater prizes, things well beyond compare, should you seek such, haste to the beach, you will find angler, watching, waiting, hoping, there. TL MC

Response:

OK Mike you are starting to worry me. As always I enjoy your dissertations and sharp wit.  However this is another long message, why are you spending this much time in front of the computer instead of fishing?  Your current posts are what I would expect to see in January and February not in August. Just askin a question Dave

For various reasons, I am unable to go fishing at the moment.  I can still think about it though, and also reflect on past trips. I don

Question:

Hi Mike, Here in northern California our #1 selling fly rod is a 9′ #5 and our second is a 9′ #6. I think that an 8′6" or 9′ #4 is a distant third. If you just fish small streams, I would go for a #4, for all around trout, lakes and streams, I would try a #5, but for trout in lakes and warm water fishing a #6 is very vestal. Also, for those who are unaware of the slow change in the industry, multi-piece rods are taking a bigger part of the market place.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m going to visit my son in Phoenix in February and would like to buy a 4-piece graphite travel rod.  We will probably fish for trout in the mountains, but I would like an all purpose rod I can use back home.  A six weight seems most versatile. Any suggestions from ROFF readers? Mike

Response:

Sage has discontinued the RPL – I’m not sure about the RPL+.  They have, however, brought back some of the RPL models as the new VPS series.  The 690 (9′-0" 6wt) is available in a 4 piece blank or rod, and is my rod of choice for large waters.                                 Michael   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Mike, there are brands and models to suit almost all budgets. Most importantly, you should find a good shop and cast a few to see which suit your style. Personally I can vouch for Sage RPL (now RPL+ series), I have had a 4pc RPL 5wt for 5 or 6 years. It is very strong (though heavy) and has survived many trips, falls, knocks and even being trodden on a few times. Cheers JK

Response:

Steve, the 5/6 designation means the rod is spined for a 5 weight forward or a 6 double taper.  Kerry Evans

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You didn’t say what price range you would be interested in Mike, but I will recommend the one I use, from St. Croix.  A  9′ 6 wt 4 pc (medium action) for $160. Worldwaters (www.worldwaters.com) has the st croix imperial 8′6" 5/6 weight on sale for $99.  I’m not affiliated with them; just a satisfied customer. Steve PS: If anyone else out there has this rod, do you recommend a 5 or 6 weight line with it (for a beginner)?

Response:

You didn’t say what price range you would be interested in Mike, but I will recommend the one I use, from St. Croix.  A  9′ 6 wt 4 pc (medium action) for $160. Worldwaters (www.worldwaters.com) has the st croix imperial 8′6" 5/6 weight on sale for $99.  I’m not affiliated with them; just a satisfied customer. Steve PS: If anyone else out there has this rod, do you recommend a 5 or 6 weight line with it (for a beginner)?

Steve,   I have an Imperial, 4 piece 5/6 weight rod.  This was my first graphite fly rod which replaced my fiberglass, Fenwick.  I think it’s a fine rod.  I use #6 WF and DT on this rod and haven’t tried a #5 line. Sometimes, when I have a lot of line out, I feel that the #6 lines are overloading the rod a bit.  Might pay to try it with #5 line before you purchase line.  At $99, this rod represents a good value.   This last season, I fished 99% of the time with an Ultra Ledgend, 4 piece, 4 weight and now take the 6 weight along as a spare.  For lake fishing or when there are strong winds, the 6 weight works a bit better but I sure like the Ultra. Bob Skinner   Buffalo, WY —

Response:

Mike, there are brands and models to suit almost all budgets. Most importantly, you should find a good shop and cast a few to see which suit your style. Personally I can vouch for Sage RPL (now RPL+ series), I have had a 4pc RPL 5wt for 5 or 6 years. It is very strong (though heavy) and has survived many trips, falls, knocks and even being trodden on a few times. Cheers JK

Response:

Mike, there are brands and models to suit almost all budgets. Most importantly, you should find a good shop and cast a few to see which suit your style. Personally I can vouch for Sage RPL (now RPL+ series), I have had a 4pc RPL 5wt for 5 or 6 years. It is very strong (though heavy) and has survived many trips, falls, knocks and even being trodden on a few times. Cheers JK

I will second that.  I purchased a Sage 4-piece 5-wt. RPL+ for a trip to the western Aleutians, and liked it so much that it is now my primary rod for bigger streams and lakes.

Response:

You didn’t say what price range you would be interested in Mike, but I will recommend the one I use, from St. Croix.  A  9′ 6 wt 4 pc (medium action) for $160.

Worldwaters (www.worldwaters.com) has the st croix imperial 8′6" 5/6 weight on sale for $99.  I’m not affiliated with them; just a satisfied customer. Steve PS: If anyone else out there has this rod, do you recommend a 5 or 6 weight line with it (for a beginner)?

Response:

on sale when I’m ready to buy? :-/) Steve, I believe the 5/6 designation is the manufacturers way of saying for a DT line, use a #5.  If you’re using WF line go for the #6 weight. Also, for a beginner, I feel the heavier line will help you feel the rod load on the backcast.  This particular rod is a moderate action and will handle a 6wt line just fine.  FWIW. Frank Church Elkhart, IN USAF RETIRED – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You didn’t say what price range you would be interested in Mike, but I will recommend the one I use, from St. Croix.  A  9′ 6 wt 4 pc (medium action) for $160. Worldwaters (www.worldwaters.com) has the st croix imperial 8′6" 5/6 weight on sale for $99.  I’m not affiliated with them; just a satisfied customer. Steve PS: If anyone else out there has this rod, do you recommend a 5 or 6 weight line with it (for a beginner)?

Response:

I’m going to visit my son in Phoenix in February and would like to buy a 4-piece graphite travel rod.  We will probably fish for trout in the mountains, but I would like an all purpose rod I can use back home.  A six weight seems most versatile. Any suggestions from ROFF readers? Mike

Response:

You didn’t say what price range you would be interested in Mike, but I will recommend the one I use, from St. Croix.  A  9′ 6 wt 4 pc (medium action) for $160.  Probably the best buy out there for the price.  Go to www.stcroixrods.com and check out their online catalog.  Now, on the low end of the scale, if you don’t want to spend alot of money, check out Cabela’s 3 Forks combo rods.  They have an 8′6" 6 wt (slow to medium action) rod for a paltry $39.99 (rod only)  Don’t let the low price scare you off.  I have their 3 and 5 wt 3 Forks rods, and they are a surprisingly decent rod. @ $59.95 but you can order the rod only….and take a look at their new 5 pc rod for about 70 bucks.  Hope this helps. Frank Church Elkhart, IN USAF RETIRED – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m going to visit my son in Phoenix in February and would like to buy a 4-piece graphite travel rod.  We will probably fish for trout in the mountains, but I would like an all purpose rod I can use back home.  A six weight seems most versatile. Any suggestions from ROFF readers? Mike

Response:

Question:

Response:

Hey, this is a "Catch & Release" newsgroup…                            - jqt –

Response:

Well said, and moderate yesiree. Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Remove me from your mailing list you forgot to say please. for that little faux-paus, you have to grovel here by posting: "oh pretty please, please for god’s sake, let me please be removed from this list" hourly, for three more weeks. sorry, it’s the facs maam. waldo, snedekerated appointed facs bastard.

Response:

You did it again Wayne.  You used up all of the on topic subjects, now we only have off topic subjects to talk about. Ernie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Remove me from your mailing list Wayne Harrison wrote no, wait, stop!  don’t leave!  we can do better, i swear! we’ll stay on topic, honest to god!  please, wait…listen, how about this:  um, let’s see…oh, yeah:  7.5 foot rods are great for eastern freestone streams of average size; i like thomas & thomas, but that’s because i’m a very wealthy gear whore—you can get great, all-american type bargains at cabela’s.  remember to use a 9′5wt on those big, brawling western rivers, though.  oh, yeah, if you’re looking for a tip on where to go, try the beaverkill in new york, the madison or the yellowstone in montana, the south platte in colorado…ok, here’s a *real* inside tip:  go to the confluence of the frying pan and the roaring fork in colorado; a great guide lives there, in a shiny new house.  he let’s people stay for free.  oh, if you don’t know how to cast very well, always remember to keep your wrist firm, and don’t overpower the rod, ok?  hey, if you get all frustrated about your choice of fly your first time out on the battenkill, just slip an improved clinch (tied with an orvis leader) around that trusty ol royal wulff (size 14 is *unbeatable*) and hold on, pard!  and, heck, if you don’t haul em in by the dozens, what’s to worry:  i mean, it is "fishing", not "catching", right (pretty funny, eh?), and the whole point is to just be closer to nature or give a kid a chance to fish or be with god in your own special way or… did anybody ever tell you that you snore terribly? wayno, on topic, do or die.

Response:

Remove me from your mailing list Before you buy.

Response:

Remove me from your mailing list

        no, wait, stop!  don’t leave!  we can do better, i swear! we’ll stay on topic, honest to god!  please, wait…listen, how about this:  um, let’s see…oh, yeah:  7.5 foot rods are great for eastern freestone streams of average size; i like thomas & thomas, but that’s because i’m a very wealthy gear whore—you can get great, all-american type bargains at cabela’s.  remember to use a 9′5wt on those big, brawling western rivers, though.  oh, yeah, if you’re looking for a tip on where to go, try the beaverkill in new york, the madison or the yellowstone in montana, the south platte in colorado…ok, here’s a *real* inside tip:  go to the confluence of the frying pan and the roaring fork in colorado; a great guide lives there, in a shiny new house.  he let’s people stay for free.  oh, if you don’t know how to cast very well, always remember to keep your wrist firm, and don’t overpower the rod, ok?  hey, if you get all frustrated about your choice of fly your first time out on the battenkill, just slip an improved clinch (tied with an orvis leader) around that trusty ol royal wulff (size 14 is *unbeatable*) and hold on, pard!  and, heck, if you don’t haul em in by the dozens, what’s to worry:  i mean, it is "fishing", not "catching", right (pretty funny, eh?), and the whole point is to just be closer to nature or give a kid a chance to fish or be with god in your own special way or…         did anybody ever tell you that you snore terribly? wayno, on topic, do or die.

Response:

Remove me from your mailing list

You are hearby transferred to the mailing list of alt.flyfishingvampires.flonk.flonk.flonk!! — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

Response:

Well he is not going to get a refund for unsubscribing so soon

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wayno That was goooooooooooooooooood. Almost poetic. I see an opportunity as a Wallmart greeter. My hero. Dave PS Maybe need a line on how to dress and perhaps something about how now that they are retired from mid management they can’t expect others to coddle them. Remove me from your mailing list no, wait, stop!  don’t leave!  we can do better, i swear! we’ll stay on topic, honest to god!  please, wait…listen, how about this:  um, let’s see…oh, yeah:  7.5 foot rods are great for eastern freestone streams of average size; i like thomas & thomas, but that’s because i’m a very wealthy gear whore—you can get great, all-american type bargains at cabela’s.  remember to use a 9′5wt on those big, brawling western rivers, though.  oh, yeah, if you’re looking for a tip on where to go, try the beaverkill in new york, the madison or the yellowstone in montana, the south platte in colorado…ok, here’s a *real* inside tip:  go to the confluence of the frying pan and the roaring fork in colorado; a great guide lives there, in a shiny new house.  he let’s people stay for free.  oh, if you don’t know how to cast very well, always remember to keep your wrist firm, and don’t overpower the rod, ok?  hey, if you get all frustrated about your choice of fly your first time out on the battenkill, just slip an improved clinch (tied with an orvis leader) around that trusty ol royal wulff (size 14 is *unbeatable*) and hold on, pard!  and, heck, if you don’t haul em in by the dozens, what’s to worry:  i mean, it is "fishing", not "catching", right (pretty funny, eh?), and the whole point is to just be closer to nature or give a kid a chance to fish or be with god in your own special way or… did anybody ever tell you that you snore terribly? wayno, on topic, do or die.

Response:

mraz says: remove me from your mailing iist

Actually, mraz, you are not subscribed to a mailing list.  This is a newsgroup.  YOU have to unsubscribe yourself.  No one at Rec. Outdoors. Fishing. Fly (ROFF) can unsubscribe you.  I know how to do it with my isp, but not with your’s.  Do you have a window that that says "Remove" or perhaps "Quit"? Highlight roff and click on Remove or whatever and you should be unsubscribed. good luck. Dave L.

Response:

True, but it wouldn’t have been as much fun. Ernie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – remove me from your mailing iist Jeff Cook wrote Okay, stop torturing the guy. <snip By the way, a simple question or polite request would have been much less noisy. Jeff Cook

Response:

remove me from your mailing iist Before you buy.

I don’t know how to break this to ya bud, but you subscribed yourself and only you can unsubscribe.  Perhaps you should use the Help feature in your email/news client and put in the word "subscribe" in the help search.   Don’t blame us if you don’t know how to use your newsreader. Peter

Response:

<snipped some helpful advice Please hold, an analysts will be with you shortly. <elevator music

actually Insid….doesn’t roff employs a proctologist for unsubscribing the az’s… jeff (avoiding the endoscope and proctoscope, and enjoyin the sh*t outta        roff)

Response:

Well he is not going to get a refund for unsubscribing so soon

I say we hold him hostage and stake him out for the meowers…

Response:

remove me from your mailing iist

Okay, stop torturing the guy. This is not a mailing list, it is a newsgroup. You are not subscribed to anything, but are actively asking for these messages to be displayed. Ask your internet provider or read the help files of your newsgroup reader software or your my-deja.com service to figure out how to drop rec.outdoors.fly.fishing from your active newsgroup list so you won’t be distracted by it anymore. By the way, a simple question or polite request would have been much less noisy. — Jeff Cook http://www.cookstudios.com Washington DC area

Response:

good luck.

There should be instructions on deja.com on how to do this, it’s not an ISP issue unless you are accessing through a news server as opposed to a web site. — Charlie…

Response:

        i have come to the terrifying conclusion that this goddam place is the hotel california, without the "champagne on ice", and all the other perks.

ROFLMAO! bc.

Response:

remove me from your mailing iist Before you buy.

Response:

remove me from your mailing iist

Pardon me, could you please repeat that?

Response:

remove me from your mailing iist

But you haven’t even asked for the address to send the unsubscribe fee.  It takes an incredible number of man-hours to unsubscride someone from this end, and we need to pass the costs onto the person requesting an emergency unsubscription. Now, it may cost you extra, as the ROFF tech staff is not sure where we keep the "iists" for mailing. Please hold, an analysts will be with you shortly. <elevator music

Response:

I say we hold him hostage and stake him out for the meowers…

Let’s stake him out and give him a good flonking! — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

Response:

I was extremely disappointed to find that you made no mention of what breathable waders he should buy. –Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – no, wait, stop!  don’t leave!  we can do better, i swear! we’ll stay on topic, honest to god!  please, wait…listen, how about this:  um, let’s see…oh, yeah:  7.5 foot rods are great for eastern freestone streams of average size; i like thomas & thomas, but that’s because i’m a very wealthy gear whore—you can get great, all-american type bargains at cabela’s.  MORE GREAT STUFF DELETED wayno, on topic, do or die.

Response:

Remove me from your mailing list

OK, I give up.  Whence cometh this overwhelming need to be abused in a public forum?  Would the Flagellants not accept you?  Have you been so naughty that you feel no punishment is strong enough?  What….WHAT on this Earth compels one to so obviously and abjectly come begging for a beating?

Response:

Remove me from your mailing list Wolfgang replied OK, I give up.  Whence cometh this overwhelming need to be abused in a public forum?  Would the Flagellants not accept you?  Have you been so naughty that you feel no punishment is strong enough?  What….WHAT on this Earth compels one to so obviously and abjectly come begging for a beating?

Add him to the femailing list. Ernie

Response:

Good luck. I have been trying to unsubscribe for 5 years. I have finally determined this NG is the ultimate virus that even my Norton Super Virus Killer cannot kill.

Response:

Good luck. I have been trying to unsubscribe for 5 years. I have finally determined this NG is the ultimate virus that even my Norton Super Virus Killer cannot kill.

        i have come to the terrifying conclusion that this goddam place is the hotel california, without the "champagne on ice", and all the other perks.         wayno, who is…afraid

Response:

Remove me from your mailing list

you forgot to say please. for that little faux-paus, you have to grovel here by posting: "oh pretty please, please for god’s sake, let me please be removed from this list" hourly, for three more weeks. sorry, it’s the facs maam. waldo, snedekerated appointed facs bastard.

Response:

Wayno That was goooooooooooooooooood. Almost poetic. I see an opportunity as a Wallmart greeter. My hero. Dave PS Maybe need a line on how to dress and perhaps something about how now that they are retired from mid management they can’t expect others to coddle them. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Remove me from your mailing list no, wait, stop!  don’t leave!  we can do better, i swear! we’ll stay on topic, honest to god!  please, wait…listen, how about this:  um, let’s see…oh, yeah:  7.5 foot rods are great for eastern freestone streams of average size; i like thomas & thomas, but that’s because i’m a very wealthy gear whore—you can get great, all-american type bargains at cabela’s.  remember to use a 9′5wt on those big, brawling western rivers, though.  oh, yeah, if you’re looking for a tip on where to go, try the beaverkill in new york, the madison or the yellowstone in montana, the south platte in colorado…ok, here’s a *real* inside tip:  go to the confluence of the frying pan and the roaring fork in colorado; a great guide lives there, in a shiny new house.  he let’s people stay for free.  oh, if you don’t know how to cast very well, always remember to keep your wrist firm, and don’t overpower the rod, ok?  hey, if you get all frustrated about your choice of fly your first time out on the battenkill, just slip an improved clinch (tied with an orvis leader) around that trusty ol royal wulff (size 14 is *unbeatable*) and hold on, pard!  and, heck, if you don’t haul em in by the dozens, what’s to worry:  i mean, it is "fishing", not "catching", right (pretty funny, eh?), and the whole point is to just be closer to nature or give a kid a chance to fish or be with god in your own special way or… did anybody ever tell you that you snore terribly? wayno, on topic, do or die.

Response:

Question:

Here’s a link that may provide you with the information you’re looking for. http://www.fedflyfishers.org/club_list.html#pa —                                                       -dnc- – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for a fly fishing club in the Philadelphia/South Jersey area with a good percentage of women anglers or a women’s club.  My wife is learning and would like to meet other female ff’s.

Response:

We’ve got you covered!  http://www.halcyon.com/wffn/clubs.htm Nationwide clubs listings (Canada too).

Response:

I am looking for a fly fishing club in the Philadelphia/South Jersey area with a good percentage of women anglers or a women’s club.  My wife is learning and would like to meet other female ff’s.

Response:

Question:

Howell Raines’ great book "Fly Fishing the Midlife Crisis" is on sale for only $5.99 at www.bargainbookwarehouse.com. In the stores it sells for $22. I don’t think they have any other fishing books.

Response:

"Fly Fishing Through the Midlife Crisis" I agree that it is an excellent read, and I’m not even at mid-life yet…Clint – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Howell Raines’ great book "Fly Fishing the Midlife Crisis" is on sale for only $5.99 at www.bargainbookwarehouse.com. In the stores it sells for $22. I don’t think they have any other fishing books.

Response:

Question:

I am only 16 and just starting to flyfish. I plan to do some fly fishing on a local stream this weekend. What are the best kinds of fly’s to use?

Hi Jared, The simple thing to do for this weekend would be to check with your local fly shop to see what info they have on the local river you plan to fish.  It’s in their best interest to help you be successfull so don’t hesitate to ask.  If they won’t give you the time of day, go to a different shop. The suggestions Donn gave you are the best for the long term though.  Learn the basic life-cycles of mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and midges.  Learn to identify them.  Don’t need to know the particular species or latin name, but at least learn to tell the difference between mayflies and caddisflies, etc.  To start, ignore the latin names most books will give, though they may interest you later.   Remeber, the other spelling for entomolgy is "bugs".  Learn how to take a stream sample without destroying a lot of habitat.  What works can change from hour to hour let alone week to week and if you can identify what’s available you’ll do much better than "chuck it and chance it."  You’ll never learn it all, but you’ll have a great time trying.                                      good fishing,                                              Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

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Jared, That is a question that even 66 year old men ask.  This is what fly fishing is all about and what you spend a life time doing in this sport to try to figure out.  The fly can change from one moment to the next to the next and so on.  I can change right in front of you for several hundred different reasons. Do not get overwhelmed by this but just look at it as a challenge.  Do yourself a favor and try to do a couple of the following things and it will make you a much better fly fisher. First and foremost – learn the basics of entomology; this looks hard but really isn’t.  Get with another fisherman who understands the basics and have him explain it to you.  Pick up any of many primers on this to help you. Next – Check the streams you intend to fish for what type of insects you have and when they hatch and how they act. Next – Begin gathering those insects in specimen bottles and preserving them for future studies.  Hopefully in the not too distant future, you can begin tying flies and you will have a data base to begin to copy.  Pick up some isopropyl alcohol from Wal-Mart, K-Mart or any drug store; it is very inexpensive.  Put a solution of 90% alcohol and 10% water in the vial and then add your insect and cover. Put a sticker of some kind on it and put what it is and where you got it from.  If you want to begin a diary of all this, it will help you learn faster and give you tremendous abount of your own information that is better than anything you hear or read. Next – Always be observant for changes in anything in or around the river and what effect it has on the fish and insects.  Go with other fly fishers and ask questions.   Your brain is a many giga-byte hard drive and just begin to fill it with as many bite of information as you can.  You will never come close to getting them all and just never stop; it is a life long endeavor. This is not tuff stuff and as long as you enjoy it, it will be easy and fun and make you an experinced fly fisher at the same time. Donn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am only 16 and just starting to flyfish. I plan to do some fly fishing on a local stream this weekend. What are the best kinds of fly’s to use? Thankyou Tight Lines, Jared Staskiel "In our family, there was no clear line between religion and                fly fishing"                     —Norman Maclean (1976)

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I am only 16 and just starting to flyfish. I plan to do some fly fishing on a local stream this weekend. What are the best kinds of fly’s to use? Thankyou Tight Lines, Jared Staskiel "In our family, there was no clear line between religion and                 fly fishing"                     —Norman Maclean (1976)

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Question:

How do I get to archives of this group? I remember recently seeing a discussion about Wulff triangle taper lines. I’m thinking about getting one, so I would like to review the old postings. How do I do that? Thanks! Steve Rosenblum

Point your web browser to: search for tapered lines Remember to search the older archives as well. Good Luck Michael Smith

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How do I get to archives of this group? I remember recently seeing a discussion about Wulff triangle taper lines. I’m thinking about getting one, so I would like to review the old postings. How do I do that? Thanks! Steve Rosenblum

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How do I get to archives of this group? I remember recently seeing a discussion about Wulff triangle taper lines. I’m thinking about getting one, so I would like to review the old postings. How do I do that? Thanks! Steve Rosenblum

The consensus was that everyone liked them.  They are particularly good for roll-casting. -Burton — L. Burton Hawley     2330 NW Hummingbird Corvallis, OR

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these words of wisdom: ; How do I get to archives of this group? I remember recently seeing a ; discussion about Wulff triangle taper lines. I’m thinking about getting ; one, so I would like to review the old postings. How do I do that? enter ~g rec.outdoors.fishing.fly & wulff triangle taper lines into the search box

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Question:

I know an awesome salt water fly guide who fishes Long Island sound. He is reasonable and thinks like a fish. He is a good freind, but an even better guide. Let me know if you are interested.

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I WILL BE IN THE LONG ISLAND AREA IN THE EARLY SUMMER.  ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR SALT WATER FLY OPPORTUNITIES?

Sorry – I should have said try    rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater

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If you’re gonna be on the east End of Long Island, there are three shops in east hampton. Paul Dixon, who used to manage Orvis in NYC, has a shop in EH called Dixon’s sporting life and he runs flats boats on Gardiners Bay for Strippers and blues. There’s another fellow between EH and Amagagansett who has a french name which I do not recall right now. His shop is Lure and Feather and its worth checking out. Finally, there’s Harvey Bennett and the Amagansett tackle shop where Fly fishing is not the only show, but he’s worth checking out. For flats fishing check out gardiners bay. On a map this is the area north of the south Fork where it gets wide just east of EH. There are some beaches that provide access to the water, but you may have to talk to the town offices to find out where you could park without a required permit. It is NY afterall. Gerard Drive, which seperates Gardiners bay from Accabonac Harbort is Beautiful. Have a good time.

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I WILL BE IN THE LONG ISLAND AREA IN THE EARLY SUMMER.  ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR SALT WATER FLY OPPORTUNITIES?

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I’d like to doing some salt action in the chessequake state park area this spring from the beach area, any suggestions as to time(apr,may, june?), and specific locations?

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GBloom, Bay Head Outfitters, in Bay Head N.J. should be able to answer all you questions. Regards, Ed

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I WILL BE IN THE LONG ISLAND AREA IN THE EARLY SUMMER.  ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR SALT WATER FLY OPPORTUNITIES?

Try   rec.outdoors.fishing.fly   You have e better chance for good info there.

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Question:

: I seem to recall reading that he owned property in Montana where he liked to go : and fish.  I read this some time ago, so I don’t remember the details.  Anyone : else have additional info? Heh – looks like he’ll have lots of time to use it this year — 3798 Woodland Drive     voice: (604) 368-9315 Trail, BC               data:  (604) 368-9341

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Did anyone catch Coach Phil Jackson’s outfit during the postgame press conference after Sunday’s win over the Magic?  He had his suit coat off, and I noticed his suspenders were decorated with fly patterns!  And you thought the biggest news in Chicago was Number 23’s return! So, what’s the deal, Bulls fans?  Is this guy just a smart dresser, or does he REALLY know what to do in the off season? Regards, Bill Uyeki

I know they say he spends his off season in Montana.

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Did anyone catch Coach Phil Jackson’s outfit during the postgame press conference after Sunday’s win over the Magic?  He had his suit coat off, and I noticed his suspenders were decorated with fly patterns!  And you thought the biggest news in Chicago was Number 23’s return! So, what’s the deal, Bulls fans?  Is this guy just a smart dresser, or does he REALLY know what to do in the off season?

I seem to recall reading that he owned property in Montana where he liked to go and fish.  I read this some time ago, so I don’t remember the details.  Anyone else have additional info?

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Path: interramp.com!psinntp!psinntp!uunet!news.cloud9.net!news.sprintlink.net!gat ech!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!news.netins.net!bj.palmer.edu!SCHMIDT_K Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly Organization: Palmer Chiropractic University Lines: 12 NNTP-Posting-Host: bj.palmer.edu Did anyone catch Coach Phil Jackson’s outfit during the postgame press conference after Sunday’s win over the Magic?  He had his suit coat off, and I noticed his suspenders were decorated with fly patterns!  And you thought the biggest news in Chicago was Number 23’s return! So, what’s the deal, Bulls fans?  Is this guy just a smart dresser, or does he REALLY know what to do in the off season? I seem to recall reading that he owned property in Montana where he liked to go and fish.  I read this some time ago, so I don’t remember the details.   Anyone else have additional info?

The Coach actually has a home just outside of Kalispell Montana, near Lakeside. (has two basketball courts too! nice place) and he also helped start a physical fitness gym there called ’second wind’ right up on the hill in Kalispell. So, I imagine he fishes when he gets home.

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Did anyone catch Coach Phil Jackson’s outfit during the postgame press conference after Sunday’s win over the Magic?  He had his suit coat off, and I noticed his suspenders were decorated with fly patterns!  And you thought the biggest news in Chicago was Number 23’s return! So, what’s the deal, Bulls fans?  Is this guy just a smart dresser, or does he REALLY know what to do in the off season? Regards, Bill Uyeki

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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Fly Fishing in Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay ? What type of equipment (rod/line) ? What type of flies work there and what can you catch? Where along the Santa Cruz/ Monterey area do you go? I have a 7 weight 8 1/2 ft bass fly rod with a 8 weight ST fly line. Can I use this in the Santa Cruz / Monterey area ? I have a few Whistlers red/white 3.0 can I use these flies? thanks, Bob Dea

Bob, your 7 weight is perfect for the inshore rockcod. The Blue and Olive Rockcod run arout 2 pounds (bigger when your lucky). You need a fast sinking line such as leadcore, but you can use a High D, High speed shooting head. I suggest you use about twenty feet of leadcore in a shooting head fashion. I use Amnestia running line, but anything is fine. Your leader is not important, but use 10-15 lb. leader material for added strength. I use about six feet of leader. Occaisionally you can take fish on the surface, so a floating line is nice to have along. I use flies like Blondes and Lefty’s Deceivers. The fly is not all that important, but don’t make the size too big (long). Your Whistlers will probably work just fine. Your hook size is pretty big, but it’ll work. I like 1/0 hooks for rockcod, but like bass they can handle big hooks.I fish with a two fly setup. I like to put a red or orange colored fly on the terminal end, the other fly is line-looped about 18 inches up from the end. That fly is usually a blue/white or green white Blonde. You might start off fishing the reaf off of the lighthouse at Santa Cruz. Also, you can try Soquel reaf and the nearby kelp forest. You can catch White Sea Bass during the Summer months if your persistent. Let me know if you need other info. John

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Fly Fishing in Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay ? : What type of equipment (rod/line) ? : What type of flies work there and what can you catch? : Where along the Santa Cruz/ Monterey area do you go? : I have a 7 weight 8 1/2 ft bass fly rod with a 8 weight ST fly line. : Can I use this in the Santa Cruz / Monterey area ? : I have a few Whistlers red/white 3.0 can I use these flies? : thanks, : Bob Dea Bob, I assume you’re talking about Salt Water Fly Fishing.  If so, I can’t help you, but I will be watching this space for more information on the subject. I live in Moss Landing and have Surf Fished here.  There are perch, shark, stripers, and salmon in this area along with rock fish near the jettys.  I have seen fly fishers on our beaches, but have not tried it myself.  I would like to as I am a fly fisher, I just don’t know how!

Have you tried flyfishing in Elkhorn Slough?  I wrote an article about it awhile back in response to a discussion about flyfishing in the SF Bay.   A back issue of California Flyfisher has an article about fishing for bat rays (they recommended putting squid juice on your flies) in SF bay and the shallows in the back of Elkhorn slough would seem to be ideal for flyfishing for bat rays, leopard shark, and guitarfish. Santa Cruz county also has several streams which get runs of steelhead and opening day is just around the corner. — John Fereira Pleasanton, CA

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: Fly Fishing in Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay ? : What type of equipment (rod/line) ? : What type of flies work there and what can you catch? : Where along the Santa Cruz/ Monterey area do you go? : I have a 7 weight 8 1/2 ft bass fly rod with a 8 weight ST fly line. : Can I use this in the Santa Cruz / Monterey area ? : I have a few Whistlers red/white 3.0 can I use these flies? : thanks, : Bob Dea Bob, I assume you’re talking about Salt Water Fly Fishing.  If so, I can’t help you, but I will be watching this space for more information on the subject. I live in Moss Landing and have Surf Fished here.  There are perch, shark, stripers, and salmon in this area along with rock fish near the jettys.  I have seen fly fishers on our beaches, but have not tried it myself.  I would like to as I am a fly fisher, I just don’t know how! Where are you?  can you shed any light on the Santa Cruz County freshwater fly fishing?  If you aren’t familar with Monterey County Fly Fishing, I can help!  Just let me know if you’re interested and I’ll describe some locations. Good Luck and remember… CATCH & RELEASE (in fresh water, at least)  :) —           Bob                   "Computers will reduce the amount of           Moss Landing, Ca.       paper consumed."

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Fly Fishing in Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay ? What type of equipment (rod/line) ? What type of flies work there and what can you catch? Where along the Santa Cruz/ Monterey area do you go? I have a 7 weight 8 1/2 ft bass fly rod with a 8 weight ST fly line. Can I use this in the Santa Cruz / Monterey area ? I have a few Whistlers red/white 3.0 can I use these flies? thanks, Bob Dea

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