Question:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

Oh bite me you cynical SOB

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

Wayne Knight wrote… good stuff snipped.

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

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

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

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Question:

I was hoping someone  had some information or plans on how i could build some fishing rod holders for my garage. I want to screw them to the ceiling. Thanks in advance for any help Wade

Response:

Wade, If no one has plans, let me know and I will trace mine for you. Gary

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was hoping someone  had some information or plans on how i could build some fishing rod holders for my garage. I want to screw them to the ceiling. Thanks in advance for any help Wade

Response:

One of the best ways to hold your rods to the rafters of your garage is to install lengths of PVC pipe from the rafters.  Size determines how many rods you can put in each pipe. Single storage for the small pipe, multiple storage several rods in one spot.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was hoping someone  had some information or plans on how i could build some fishing rod holders for my garage. I want to screw them to the ceiling. Thanks in advance for any help Wade

Response:

    This depends on what you are looking for.  As for mine, they are made from lenghts of 4" PVC pipe.  I have to cap mine, no glue, to keep the insects out.  Also keeps the dust and dirt off the equipment.  I have them tied to the ceiling stringers with cord as my garage is not lined.     Thought I’d pass this along.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was hoping someone  had some information or plans on how i could build some fishing rod holders for my garage. I want to screw them to the ceiling. Thanks in advance for any help Wade

Response:

I was hoping someone  had some information or plans on how i could build some fishing rod holders for my garage. I want to screw them to the ceiling.

I knew a girl like that once . . . Marc, who luckily got older and wiser Seriously, depends on what kind of rods.  If it’s surf rods I’ll second the PVC suggestion.  Fly rods I’d just buy a contraption which hangs from the rafters and holds the rods horizontally.  Wouldn’t waste the time trying to build something like that.

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Question:

I’ll be in Sydney the end of Feb and should be able to manage at least one free day for fishing. I’ll be staying by Sydney Harbour near the Convention center. Any suggestions on where to go and what equipment to bring? Thanks. — Charlie…

Response:

You might try this link, should give you all the info required. One of the members ( John Knight? ) used to subscribe here, perhaps he is still around? http://www.sydneyflyrodders.com.au/index.html TL MC — "Where fishing is concerned, most anglers are basically manic excessives" http://www.mikeconnor.de – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ll be in Sydney the end of Feb and should be able to manage at least one free day for fishing. I’ll be staying by Sydney Harbour near the Convention center. Any suggestions on where to go and what equipment to bring? Thanks. — Charlie…

Response:

You might try this link, should give you all the info required. One of the members ( John Knight? ) used to subscribe here, perhaps he is still around? http://www.sydneyflyrodders.com.au/index.html

Thanks, I did look there first. Not knowing the area, some of the places could be 30 minutes or 30 days away from where I will be<g. I do recall John but haven’t seen him post in a while. — Charlie…

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Question:

Well Ernie, that is very flattering, but before anybody gets the wrong idea, there are a great number of things about which I know little or nothing. I know a lot about fishing, simply because I was always crazy about  it, and I have spent a great deal of time either doing it, or studying it. I rather fear that my knowledge in various other spheres is severely lacking. Just as well we don

Question:

(Sandy’s observations snipped) — /* Sandy Pittendrigh                  –oO0

I think we’ve been down these threads before Sandy, but they are worth repeating.  I asked the question once before and never got a definitive answer (like you ever do in this group); What about crushing ants and rolling your ant pattern around in a bottle of crushed ants?  Work? Ethical?  I was stopped and questioned at length once by a game warden because he thought my Bio-Strike looked like Power Bait!  I might try the ant thing this summer though.  Mossy Creek Browns are notoriously pickey! Just an additional note here about the scent thing.  A Wildlife Biologist/Fraternity Brother always swore by Oil of Anise.  Said fish and small game couldn’t resist the smell.  What if some enterprising floatant maker developed Anise scented floatant?  Ant scented, Mayfly scented floatant lines? — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

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Just an additional note here about the scent thing.  A Wildlife Biologist/Fraternity Brother always swore by Oil of Anise.  Said fish and small game couldn’t resist the smell.  What if some enterprising floatant maker developed Anise scented floatant?  Ant scented, Mayfly scented floatant lines?

I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F.

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I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F.

If your gonna smear dead ants all over your fly then why not just hook a dead ant on the thing.  For that matter, why not dispense with the extra furry junk and just use the ant?  Let’s see, worms will hang on a hook easier than ants.  How about just using a worm and a big ball of strike indicater about 2 feet up the line?  Add to that a one piece bamboo "fly" rod and you have something which sounds familiar. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

Response:

Dear Chief the extra chili last night and they really enjoyed it. They howled alot during the night but seemed fine this A.M.  You forgot to take the extra set of underware I washed for you.  Perhaps you can borrow a pair from DEave, use your suspenders to keep them up.   Try to stay away from that Fontenberry guy, last time you went fishing with him you came home with alot of new dirty words and some screwed up opinions.  Take your celostral pill each  morning.your metamusal each night and don"t forget you should have one Manhatten each night. Your side of the tribe has never been able to handle firewater,

Response:

"Wayne Hart" wrote <snip Just an additional note here about the scent thing.  A Wildlife Biologist/Fraternity Brother always swore by Oil of Anise.  Said fish and small game couldn’t resist the smell.  What if some enterprising floatant maker developed Anise scented floatant?  Ant scented, Mayfly scented floatant lines? Wayne

How about giving the whole area a rotten egg scent after one of Dave LaCourse’s clave breakfasts?  It isn’t from Anise but that’s close. Ernie

Response:

Knowledge is power.

Excellent post Sandy. Mu, who spent the morning alternating between spinnerbaits and wooly buggers.  Didn’t bring my minoow trap though.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F. If your gonna smear dead ants all over your fly then why not just hook a dead ant on the thing.  For that matter, why not dispense with the extra furry junk and just use the ant?  Let’s see, worms will hang on a hook easier than ants.  How about just using a worm and a big ball of strike indicater about 2 feet up the line?  Add to that a one piece bamboo "fly" rod and you have something which sounds familiar. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine!

Man, y’all gotta complicate thangs…get a old field phone and a bucket…or for you wacky types, Nitromon S and a good defense lawyer…you can fish and check fer erl… R To crank is exercise…. To blast Dangerous!

Response:

Joe Fleischman writes: I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F.

Well hell, Joe!  I guess I can’t fish in my favorite waders.   Hmmmmm, come to think of it, they don’t smell like bait, they smell Dave

Response:

Ernie Harrison writes: How about giving the whole area a rotten egg scent after one of Dave LaCourse’s clave breakfasts?  It isn’t from Anise but that’s close. Ernie

Ernie, damn it, I resent that!  My breakfasts at the clave are eaten by all with much gusto and no complaints.  If you ever get your scrawny ass to one of these claves, I will prove it to you, if I have to force feed the %&# eggs to ya!  <g And then I will get my buddy Jeffy to deep fry you an egg in bacon grease and we will force you to eat it.  Then, we’ll seal you in your waders, and send you on your way.   And people will shun you, forever and ever. Dave

Response:

Indian Joe sends a smoke signal: Dear Chief the extra chili last night and they really enjoyed it. They howled alot during the night but seemed fine this A.M. You forgot to take the extra set of underware I washed for you.  Perhaps you can borrow a pair from DEave, use your suspenders to keep them up.   Try to stay away from that Fontenberry guy, last time you went fishing with him you came home with alot of new dirty words and some screwed up opinions. Take your celostral pill each  morning.your metamusal each night and don"t forget you should have one Manhatten each night. Your side of the tribe has never been able to handle firewater,

Golly, Forty, only you and I made IJ’s celebrity  list this time around.  That underware stuff — is that like Tupper-ware? Your Pal, DEave

Response:

Charlie Choc: My breakfasts at the clave are eaten by all with much gusto and no complaints.   Never knew you were the cook at Tooties (where I ate *my* clave breakfasts)<g. — Charlie…

That’s right, you never stay at clave central.  Put it this way, if you liked Tooties, you will love the breakfast IJ and I will fix you.  (pssst, don’t eat Jeffy’s eggs). Dave LaCourse

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Charlie Choc: My breakfasts at the clave are eaten by all with much gusto and no complaints. Never knew you were the cook at Tooties (where I ate *my* clave breakfasts)<g. — Charlie… That’s right, you never stay at clave central.  Put it this way, if you liked Tooties, you will love the breakfast IJ and I will fix you.  (pssst, don’t eat Jeffy’s eggs). Dave LaCourse

i’m workin on lasagna this year…hmmm…now, lemmesee, where’s the bacon grease… jeff

Response:

In the Great State of North Carolina, it is unlawful to desecrate the body of the dead.  Furthermore, anyone who *smears* the dead aunt onto a fly pattern is just plain sick!!

Umm, Rosanne Rosannadanna, that’s "ant".  Not "aunt", "ant". Regards, Jeff

Response:

My God man, don’t unbuckle that wader belt up wind! Fishing tip for the day:  A fisherman in neoprenes with a tight wader belt can be used to replace a punctured pontoon if you feed him enuf Burro Chilli.  Hint: ensure he is secured with a slip knot for easy release and to allow for expansion.                                     Frank Reid

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Joe Fleischman writes: I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F. Well hell, Joe!  I guess I can’t fish in my favorite waders.   Hmmmmm, come to think of it, they don’t smell like bait, they smell Dave

Response:

Folks, In the Great State of North Carolina, it is unlawful to desecrate the body of the dead.  Furthermore, anyone who *smears* the dead aunt onto a fly pattern is just plain sick!!

If you just hold it close to aunt Bea, though, it’ll pick up some of that gravy smell and that should work. — Charlie…

Response:

Folks, In the Great State of North Carolina, it is unlawful to desecrate the body of the dead.  Furthermore, anyone who *smears* the dead aunt onto a fly pattern is just plain sick!! Op

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know I’ve mentioned this here before; but it’s been a while, so here it is again.   The state regs in MD used to have a simple clause for artificials-only water, "if it smells like bait, it is bait." Joe F. If your gonna smear dead ants all over your fly then why not just hook a dead ant on the thing.  For that matter, why not dispense with the extra furry junk and just use the ant?  Let’s see, worms will hang on a hook easier than ants.  How about just using a worm and a big ball of strike indicater about 2 feet up the line?  Add to that a one piece bamboo "fly" rod and you have something which sounds familiar. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

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You’ll have to ask Al for sure, but I think Tupper just wears big ol’ cotton panties…

Gee thanks.   That’s a visual I could have done without.  :-) Joe F.

Response:

Nice post.  The only thing I would question is the part about lateral lines left out of the fly fishing definition – I think everyone agrees a muddler minnow is a fly, and part of its appeal is supposedly that it gives off enough vibration to get a trout’s interest. Anyway, I think part of the reason some people are attracted to fly fishing is to challenge themselves to fool trout.  The less real the "bait/fly" is, the more challenge there is in the deception.  The more real it is, the less challenge.  How much people care to challenge themselves in this respect seems to be a very personal thing.  The more natural the whole *scenario* is, the more challenge.  Some people will set up a chum line of real beetles to be followed by their own beetle imitation.  I don’t know how legal that is, but it’s not entirely natural. Knowledge is power.

– Regards, Jeff Before you buy.

Response:

Golly, Forty, only you and I made IJ’s celebrity  list this time around.  That underware stuff — is that like Tupper-ware?

You’ll have to ask Al for sure, but I think Tupper just wears big ol’ cotton panties… — Charlie…

Response:

My breakfasts at the clave are eaten by all with much gusto and no complaints.  

Never knew you were the cook at Tooties (where I ate *my* clave breakfasts)<g. — Charlie…

Response:

Knowledge is power. I like to know things about fish behavior. I often try things just to see what will happen. Once my experiment is finished, my new experimental technique may or may not become a steady habit. But I seldom regret trying something once. There is a lot to be learned from bait fishing for instance. Years ago–when it was still legal to fish with sculpins in Montana–I used to go sculpin fishing once every two or three years. If you use barbless hooks and set the hook when you first detect the strike, you get to return the fish unharmed, if you choose to do so. More important, in a few short hours of sculpin fishing you can learn about large brown trout behavior what might take a lifetime of fishing with flies. I used bait fishing to make myself a better streamer fisherman. You can learn a lot about riffle feeding behavior too–by fishing with live nymphs. The feedback rate (the number of fish you catch) is so great you learn more in a very short period of time (when you fish with live nymphs). When fishing with live nymphs doesn’t work, for instance, you know the fish are asleep. You learn to recognize those times, and not to waste your time. When the fish *are* on the feed, you can catch so many more fish in such a short period of time, you don’t have to work with hunches anymore. You quickly learn how to size up a riffle: to know where the big ones lie and how the little ones line up behind. You learn how much weight to use, how much slack to throw, and how and when to wait for the strike. You can learn all of those things from fly fishing too, of course. But you learn it slower, over a much longer time period, and you reach conclusions with far less confidence when fly fishing—-because the feedback rate is so slow. We do what we want. I choose to bait fish occasionally because I learn from it. I fly fish frequently because I prefer to fish that way. PUNCHLINE:    The line between bait fishing and fly fishing can be substantially obscured.  I’ve been making soft-bodied, open-cell foam nymphs for years. They’re good looking nymphs. Because they’re soft, fish don’t spit them out. They swim around chewing on soft nymphs, which makes it easier to detect the strikes. With soft foam nymphs, you don’t necessarily get more strikes, but you definately feel more of them happen.   Then, the other day, while fishing in the Madison canyon, I found a fat golden stonefly nymph under a rock. I killed it on a whim: I crushed it up and squeezed the resulting paste into the body of a soft foam nymph. I rolled the soft foam nymph back and forth in the palm of my hand, in a puddle of bug paste. That (open-cell foam) nymph, at that point, became equally effective as a live bait. But I could cast it as far as my fly rod would reach. I caught one fish after another in a riffle I had been working steadily and unsuccessfully foam nymph, but without the bug paste. Now I’m not suggesting anybody else should do anything like this at all. But this is interesting information. Fish detect their prey by: 1) eye sight 2) by detecting vibrations with their lateral line 3) by smell. And smell, I think, is the most powerful attractant of all. Now that I think of it, perhaps fly fishing (for those who worry about categories and definitions) means fishing with a fly rod in a way that only targets the piscatorial visual cortex: IE with no help from the lateral line, nor from the (fishes) olfactory system. For those of us who enjoy breaking the rules occasionally (but still like casting with a fly rod), you can also target the lateral line–with lightweight fly rod wigglers. And you can target the olfactory system too (and still do long distance fly rod casting) by fishing with soft foam nymphs……and bug paste. — /* Sandy Pittendrigh                  –oO0  * http://nervana.montana.edu/~sandy  */

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Question:

Hello, just thought id tell you that I won a tournament on Hartwell Lake in SC last Sept.and my pattern was fishing behind the surfacing gar.My theory was that the baitfish where thereand the gar were injuring some and the bass were after an easy meal.

Response:

Please don’t laugh. I mean this as a serious question. Are gars good to eat? I always thought of them as a trash fish like drum or carp. But maybe they are a member of the pike family. I don’t know. If so, maybe they are good to eat. I’ve never caught a bass while a gar was around. But the gars I see always seem to be right at the surface while the bass are usually deeper. – Larry

Response:

What were you throwing?  (We have tons of gar on Lakes Murray, Greenwood, Russel, et al.)  I have thrown to where gar where hitting bait fish, but have yet to get a strike from bass. — Go fishing. And may your fish be as big as your tales!

Hello, just thought id tell you that I won a tournament on Hartwell Lake in SC last Sept.and my pattern was fishing behind the surfacing gar.My theory was that the baitfish where thereand the gar were injuring some and the bass were after an easy meal.

Response:

In South Louisiana Gar are plentiful, a 4ft gar is common  they normally tread open water where Bass like cover, they both eat the same forage fish and Gar will usually hit on the same baits as Bass, they will even chase a Buzz Bait, As a general rule like turtles and gators if they are  around so are the Bass I cant say I ever noticed the Gar scaring off the Bass, Bass are Territorial also which is the other reason why they seek cover either the Bass are on or they arent. And yes they are edible, I’ve tasted them cooked several ways, can’t really say I care for it much but theyre ok…….coonass eat anything though, Im not Cajun though I grew up in Fla. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Please don’t laugh. I mean this as a serious question. Are gars good to eat? I always thought of them as a trash fish like drum or carp. But maybe they are a member of the pike family. I don’t know. If so, maybe they are good to eat. I’ve never caught a bass while a gar was around. But the gars I see always seem to be right at the surface while the bass are usually deeper. – Larry

Response:

RE: What were you throwing? I was thowing a combination of things.  I was using a popper surface plug throwing it into shallow water near trees and stumps.  I usually spend alot of time getting the doggone thing untangled but what the heck, that’s why I bought a boat-I’ve yet to lose a lure from a snag (cross my fingers). Nothing makes my heart race like seeing the water erupt after the plug hits the water and a bass has decided to make a meal of my wood and stainless steel lure.  I’m probably more suprised than the bass. When there were fewing visible snags, I’d throw a spinner bait (1/4 oz , day glow green head and mixed day glow green and white skirt with gold spinners).  I also tried a 1/8 oz spinner bait with a white head and skirt. The fish (some bass) seem to like this better although I’ve caught a bowfin once on this type of lure and don’t even want this nasty looking thing near the boat!  I presume the white skirt looks more like shad in the greenish water, whereas the day glow green/yellow doesn’t.  It may be a size thing too-the 1/4 oz lure is much bigger than the 1/8 ounce lure. Ryan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What were you throwing?  (We have tons of gar on Lakes Murray, Greenwood, Russel, et al.)  I have thrown to where gar where hitting bait fish, but have yet to get a strike from bass. — Go fishing. And may your fish be as big as your tales! Hello, just thought id tell you that I won a tournament on Hartwell Lake in SC last Sept.and my pattern was fishing behind the surfacing gar.My theory was that the baitfish where thereand the gar were injuring some and the bass were after an easy meal.

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Ryan, my question was posted to Donald, who, like me, lives and fishes in South Carolina. Sounds like you are doing OK when around gar, but Donald raised a point about something I see a lot: four or five gar gorging themselves on minnows or shad. — Go fishing. And may your fish be as big as your tales! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – RE: What were you throwing? I was thowing a combination of things.  I was using a popper surface plug throwing it into shallow water near trees and stumps.  I usually spend alot of time getting the doggone thing untangled but what the heck, that’s why I bought a boat-I’ve yet to lose a lure from a snag (cross my fingers). Nothing makes my heart race like seeing the water erupt after the plug hits the water and a bass has decided to make a meal of my wood and stainless steel lure.  I’m probably more suprised than the bass. When there were fewing visible snags, I’d throw a spinner bait (1/4 oz , day glow green head and mixed day glow green and white skirt with gold spinners).  I also tried a 1/8 oz spinner bait with a white head and skirt. The fish (some bass) seem to like this better although I’ve caught a bowfin once on this type of lure and don’t even want this nasty looking thing near the boat!  I presume the white skirt looks more like shad in the greenish water, whereas the day glow green/yellow doesn’t.  It may be a size thing too-the 1/4 oz lure is much bigger than the 1/8 ounce lure. Ryan What were you throwing?  (We have tons of gar on Lakes Murray, Greenwood, Russel, et al.)  I have thrown to where gar where hitting bait fish, but have yet to get a strike from bass. — Go fishing. And may your fish be as big as your tales! Hello, just thought id tell you that I won a tournament on Hartwell Lake in SC last Sept.and my pattern was fishing behind the surfacing gar.My theory was that the baitfish where thereand the gar were injuring some and the bass were after an easy meal.

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I was using a 6 inch black worm carolina rig.I thought that the different bait would throw in a little contrast. It worked.Sometimes you have to go against thr grain I guess.                                 Good Luck

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In Arkansas some of my friends fish for gar as we fish for Bass—Their best lure is unbraided nylon rope-no hooks!!  The gar’s teeth are like Velcro loops and the unbraided 1/4 inch nylon is a sure fire bait. Try it–it’s fun—But you don’t get your "bait" back after a battle! Blaine "Fishing is a disease—and I got it BAD!"

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hello All, In the river that I fish (the Merimac in St. Louis, MO) I regularly see what I *think* are gar surfacing all the time.  They kind of ‘porpoise’; come up out of the water so that their dorsal fin and tail fin break the top of the water then submerge.  Some of them are huge-tonight I saw one I swear was 5 feet long.  My boat is only 17 feet long so it looked pretty big!  While I’m fishing for bass and these fish are around, I seldom get any bites.  I have to conclude that these are predator fish and will eat bass, therefore the absence of bass when these fish are around.  Anyone know for sure? Also, it would *might* fun to catch one of these monsters-anyone know what they’ll bite on?  If there are any Missouri fisherman out there who know what kind of fish they are, please identify them for me! Thanks, Ryan

It’s real fun to hook into a 10,20,30 pound gar with a fly rod…      Featuring the worlds only Anonymous Usenet Server

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I have got to hear more about this…I see gar in Beaver Lake all the time….I have thrown all kinds of flies at them while thery are coming up for a "gulp" of air……tell me more about this nylon rope; how long…do you use it like a lure?  Tie it on like a lure? GregH – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In Arkansas some of my friends fish for gar as we fish for Bass—Their best lure is unbraided nylon rope-no hooks!!  The gar’s teeth are like Velcro loops and the unbraided 1/4 inch nylon is a sure fire bait. Try it–it’s fun—But you don’t get your "bait" back after a battle! Blaine "Fishing is a disease—and I got it BAD!"

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 While I’m fishing for bass and these fish are around, I seldom get any bites.  I have to conclude that these are predator fish and will eat bass, therefore the absence of bass when these fish are around.  Anyone know for sure?

At times both bass and other predators inhabit the same areas. The reason mainly being availability of food and cover or water temp and oxygen levels. However gars will tolerate areas that no respectable bass will. This doesn’t mean that they can’t be found together, just that more often than not an area covered with gars is often void of bass. — Good Fishing – Moe Moe’s Guide Service –  http://members.aol.com/moefran/index.html

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Hello All, In the river that I fish (the Merimac in St. Louis, MO) I regularly see what I *think* are gar surfacing all the time.  They kind of ‘porpoise’; come up out of the water so that their dorsal fin and tail fin break the top of the water then submerge.  Some of them are huge-tonight I saw one I swear was 5 feet long.  My boat is only 17 feet long so it looked pretty big!  While I’m fishing for bass and these fish are around, I seldom get any bites.  I have to conclude that these are predator fish and will eat bass, therefore the absence of bass when these fish are around.  Anyone know for sure? Also, it would *might* fun to catch one of these monsters-anyone know what they’ll bite on?  If there are any Missouri fisherman out there who know what kind of fish they are, please identify them for me! Thanks, Ryan

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Question:

I’ll be in north georgia next week and plan to fly fish for trout.  I”m used to fishing Montana, so I’m not sure what to use. Any suggestions on flys or streams?

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<<I’ll be in north georgia next week and plan to fly fish for trout.  I”m used to fishing Montana, so I’m not sure what to use. Any suggestions on flys or streams? Try the Chattooga in the NE corner of the state.  Take Fire Road 646 off of Rt28 to Burrells Ford.  Walk upstream about two miles and fish down. In Helen, off of Alt 75, fish Dukes Creek.  Reservations necessary. Visit the fly shop in Helen on Rt 75.  They should be able to set ya straight.  Then, go next door to the working grist mill and sample Georgia Ice Cream (actually grits). Dave LaCourse A Bay Stater who’s heart is in Georgia (along with 90 acres). d;0)

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I’ll be in north georgia next week and plan to fly fish for trout.  I”m used to fishing Montana, so I’m not sure what to use. Any suggestions on flys or streams?

Take a look at http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ngto/ — Charlie…

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Can you cast easily in your bathroom?   If you want to get the true feel of Apalachian flyfishing try the Noontootla. The scenery is worth it, but she’s a man-killer. Another spot, if you have access to a float tube or canoe is the tailrace of the Toccoa River below the Blue Ridge Dam (in Blue Ridge GA).  Easy access at the dam and you can get out a few mile down the river at a bridge or at the homes along the bank.  Try to time it so that you are at the dam when they stop generating and turn down the flow.  The trout will start rising as the water drops. The Chattooga is a far more comfortable river to fish, open enough for a back cast all the way to Elliott Rock (which is the NC,SC, and GA border.)  You need a NC license to fish above Elliott Rock.   Good Luck. Patrick

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any recommendations or advice on flyfishing in/around the Yellowstone area in June? Thanx. Gregg.  Gregg  From what I hear, find some not still frozen lakes. Water will be everywhere, not that one cannot fish  during the run- off, it is just limiting. Harry June is usually a good month for dry flies on the Firehole inside the Park. Snow pack is at 200% in most of the Yellowstone area. Most rivers and tributaries will be high until Aug. Stick to the lakes. Guy

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June is usually a good month for dry flies on the Firehole inside the Park.

There is no Firehole outside the Park. <g  -AR

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Any recommendations or advice on flyfishing in/around the Yellowstone area in June? Thanx. Gregg.

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Expect Snow! Any recommendations or advice on flyfishing in/around the Yellowstone area in June?

– Brian D. Nelson, Missoula, Montana Montana Flyfishing and Hunting Outfitter http://www.montana.com/dno/dno.htm http://www.montana.com/dno/hunt.htm

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Any recommendations or advice on flyfishing in/around the Yellowstone area in June? Thanx. Gregg.

 Gregg  From what I hear, find some not still frozen lakes. Water will be everywhere, not that one cannot fish  during the run- off, it is just limiting. Harry

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My wife and I fished Yellowstone the last week of June 2 years ago when they had an unusually high run-off.  The only river fishable was the Firehole.

I can give you updates from time to time, but the snowpack here in the wyoming mountains is very high this year- I will not be a pretty spring. I plan on starting my fishing in August (no, I’m not joking)

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My wife and I fished Yellowstone the last week of June 2 years ago when they had an unusually high run-off.  The only river fishable was the Firehole.  We had pretty good luck about 3 miles below Old Faithful Inn – can’t remember the names of the river sections.  Every other river we tried was so full of water you couldn’t reasonably fish them. I suggest you wait until after 15 July. J. Bjostad John Bjostad Columbia Heights, MN Retired avionics engineer – full time fly fishing addict

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any recommendations or advice on flyfishing in/around the Yellowstone area in June? Thanx. Gregg.  Gregg  From what I hear, find some not still frozen lakes. Water will be everywhere, not that one cannot fish  during the run- off, it is just limiting. Harry

June is usually a good month for dry flies on the Firehole inside the Park.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any recommendations or advice on flyfishing in/around the Yellowstone area in June? Thanx. Gregg.  Gregg  From what I hear, find some not still frozen lakes. Water will be everywhere, not that one cannot fish  during the run- off, it is just limiting. Harry June is usually a good month for dry flies on the Firehole inside the Park.

 Hi Steve   You are right, PMD’s are in full swing, as well as the Winnabago emergence and the evening Mini Van fall. Makes for some real fun back casting, at Fountain Flats one can hook a  tuna sandwich and a Brown on the same cast     HM

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Question:

I’m taking a Troop of Boy Scouts to Canada this July. To preserve my sanity I’m taking my fly rig. Anybody got some hot tips on the best flys and equipment to use? also if you have any info on what the boys should spin fish with we would appreciate it.  Thanks norm

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I’m taking a Troop of Boy Scouts to Canada this July. To preserve my sanity I’m taking my fly rig. Anybody got some hot tips on the best flys and equipment to use? also if you have any info on what the boys should spin fish with we would appreciate it.  Thanks norm

 In case no one told you, Canada is a little bit bigger than the U.S.A and spans the continient from Nova Scotia on the Atlantic to British Columbia on the Pacific ;^) But seriously, there is lots of great fly fishing all across the country.  I live in British Columbia and use minnow imitations for sea run cutthroat trout in coastal waters,  colourful flys for summer steel head in coastal streams, and traditional insect patterns for lakes and streams in the interior of the Province.

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 In case no one told you, Canada is a little bit bigger than the U.S.A and spans the continient from Nova Scotia on the Atlantic to British Columbia on the Pacific ;^)

Jeez …. I thought since ‘49 it started at Newfoundland on the east coast. I hope the NF and Labrador outfitters don’t read your posting!

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 In case no one told you, Canada is a little bit bigger than the U.S.A and spans the continient from Nova Scotia on the Atlantic to British Columbia on the Pacific ;^) Jeez …. I thought since ‘49 it started at Newfoundland on the east coast. I hope the NF and Labrador outfitters don’t read your posting!

O.K. your right,  I was off by about 350 miles!  Still a really huge country. But while were on the subject of Newfoundland – do you know why the Newfy was happy to hear that Quebec was leaving Canada……because the drive to Toronto would be so much closer!

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I’m taking a Troop of Boy Scouts to Canada this July. To preserve my sanity I’m taking my fly rig. Anybody got some hot tips on the best flys and equipment to use? also if you have any info on what the boys should spin fish with we would appreciate it.  Thanks norm

Hi, Canada is a BIG country, your choice of flies and gear will depend on where you are going. If you are interested in Novca SAcotia, I can help you out and would be more than pleased to do something with you even. Our specialty is teaching flyfishing to youngsters (16 years experience and nationally certified coaching level one). If you are interested in NS, drop me a line, even if you are coming here and don’t want them to flyfish, I think I could probably still help you out ! Tight Lines !00 Little Harbour Road, Lockeport Nova Scotia Canada  B0T 1L0 ph/fax 902-656-3329

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Never was too good a Geography, even in the good ole USA. I should have said that I was going to the Boundary Waters above Minn. Maybe I’ll come out and try the minnows pattern like you suggest. Any tips a little further east of BC? Norm

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:  In case no one told you, Canada is a little bit bigger than the U.S.A and spans the continient from : Nova Scotia on the Atlantic to British Columbia on the Pacific ;^) : Jeez …. : I thought since ‘49 it started at Newfoundland on the east coast. : I hope the NF and Labrador outfitters don’t read your posting! Thanks Don. Sorry I couldn’t make your conference. Still hoping to wangle a means of getting over to fish the Miramichi and maybe even talk about multimedia Jack  – Newfoundland and Labrador Science  and Technology Advisory Council                Tel     (709) 738-3400 114 Empire Ave., St. John’s, NF    A1B 1C7      Fax     (709) 738-3276

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m taking a Troop of Boy Scouts to Canada this July. To preserve my sanity I’m taking my fly rig. Anybody got some hot tips on the best flys and equipment to use? also if you have any info on what the boys should spin fish with we would appreciate it.  Thanks norm In case no one told you, Canada is a little bit bigger than the U.S.A and spans the continient from Nova Scotia on the Atlantic to British Columbia on the Pacific ;^) But seriously, there is lots of great fly fishing all across the country.  I live in British Columbia and use minnow imitations for sea run cutthroat trout in coastal waters,  colourful flys for summer steel head in coastal streams, and traditional insect patterns for lakes and streams in the interior of the Province.

Just to clarify: Canada Spans from Newfoundland to British Columbia, Not Nova Scotia to British Columbia,  There are about 500000 Newfoundlanders who don’t like being forgotten. Thanks Chris Newfoundland, Canada

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Question:

Introducing a new catalog featuring custom flyfishing tackle. For a free catalog, send your name and address to : or by U.S. Mail to:      Jordon Creek Outfitters      PO Box 302      Orefield, Pennsylvania 18069 Thanks for the interest.

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Sure, please send me a copy of your catalog: John Wernet 1022 Timber Creek Drive Grand Ledge, MI  48837

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writes: For a free catalog, send your name and address to :

Sure, please send me a copy of your catalog: John Wernet 1022 Timber Creek Drive Grand Ledge, MI  48837

Please, not this again. If you take the trouble to cite "For a free catalog, send your the  trouble to READ it? It says: (I’ll paraphrase and capitalize, for the literacy impaired)  SEND ME EMAIL.DON’T POST YOUR REQUEST TOTHE NEWSGROUP.  REALLY. You quoted it yourself, right? Please excuse the rant, but this one deserved a public flogging. Chris Knight Syracuse NY

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Please send a free flyfishing catalog to: Don Dodson # 8 Didrickson Lane Amarillo, TX  79124 Thank you

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Please send a free flyfishing catalog to: Don Dodson # 8 Didrickson Lane Amarillo, TX  79124 Thank you

I propose that we each e-mail a 10Meg core dump to the next person who posts a request like this to the group.   Please read the original post, it asks you to e-mail to Sean Brennan (.std disclaimers)

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Please send a catalog. Stephen Feinberg 131 High St. Hastings NY 10706         thx

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