Question:

Had not seen many Alaska posts yet this year.  One guy was worried about RV park reservations and I sent the following email which said he had bigger problems facing him than park reservations. …. We got back into Washington before October but drove on to Texas then back to Oregon, 22,000 miles round trip …

Does driving to Texas before an Alaska trip heat your tires up enough to get you up back up to Alaska?

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The purpose of my original post was to suggest common sense RV prep when going to Alaska.  We are particularly indebted to this NG.  We want to thank all posters for their past service.  A number of individuals posted extremely useful information, some posts turned out to be essential. Oh we had a great time going to Alaska – it was truly a trip of a lifetime for us.  We enjoyed coming and going through BC and Yukon as much as Alaska itself.  We took our time, tried to be flexible, stayed 2-3 days in one area and generally towed our 30′ Arctic Fox on paved roads.   Maybe our prep was more than most people but our experiences were about average from what we heard from other people for the time we spent there. From May to September, I probably fished 100 times – no ocean nor fly outs – all roadside angling, some days no fishing, some days three times.  Many days I got skunked, some times I limited out but mostly I caught just enough fish to make it FUN!  My wife read a lot and put our photographs in binders which are the envy of kids and family.  We saw Valdez on a sunny day which was spectacular!  One day while fishing near Talkeetna, I saw sunny Denali in all its glory(but my wife missed it). We enjoyed touring Homer, Fairbanks, Hyder, Ketchikan and Seward and other spots.  But our most enduring memories are of the friends we made coming, going and while there. If you haven’t gone, go.  If you’ve gone before, go again. But realize in Alaska, Yukon, B C and Alberta services may not always be available. Be prepared.  On the Cassiar Highway, a guy from Maine and I stopped to help an older gentlemen with a blowout who had driven all the way from North Carolina.  Between us we were able to get him back on his way because he did not have a jack and his spare tire was flat. Go figure.  John  To reply, lose FLYROD

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a party pissing & moaning about the terrible travel conditions on a trip to AK: All I can say is, you are like a friend of ours that also went to Alaska, and had the same outlook about the trip as you.

Unfortunately, some of the people who like travel seem to like it because it gives them new and different things to piss & moan about. They snarl about the lousy condition of the Alcan highway, oblivious of the fact that it is virtually impossible to keep such a road in pristine condition, considering its remoteness, length, terrain, and vicious climactic conditions.  They bitch about the magnificent Top Of The World Highway, insensitive to the fact that it was built and is maintained mainly for their pleasure.  They recite how many equipment problems they and their ilk suffer, clueless about the ill effects of stupid driving practices and neglected maintenance.   People looking for something to cry about will find it.  It doesn’t matter where they look.   For us, our trip to AK was one of the greatest travel experience we’ve enjoyed in over 40 years of rv travel.  We were delighted, impressed, and grateful for the work that is done by both Canadian and Alaskan highway crews to make it possible for us to tour such magnificent country is relative comfort and safety.  We had some flat tires and saw some others who had troubles, but we did not think to blame them on AK or BC.   Your personal attitude will dictate whether you are happy or unhappy. Circumstances have little to do with happiness. Will Sill

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Had not seen many Alaska posts yet this year.  One guy was worried about RV park reservations and I sent the following email which said he had bigger problems facing him than park reservations. Last year we cleared Vancouver BC on April 30 heading north but they had late spring storms and we got snowed in several times and several northern BC and Yukon lakes were still frozen so we skipped on to Valdez to get into fishing.  Unlike us, you might want to dawdle in US or southern Canada until ice out all the way. We got back into Washington before October but drove on to Texas then back to Oregon, 22,000 miles round trip The RV res info previously posted is fairly accurate.  2002 RV traffic was down 10-25% from 2001 and with gas/diesel expected to be higher this summer, my guess is traffic will be down more than last year which will free up more RV spaces in crowded areas such as Los Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali, Palmer, Homer, Paxton, North Pole and others. Watch out for the dreaded RV caravans.  Some parks block out spaces for them and will chase you out just so their caravan buddies can park next to each other. I hate to move around until we’re ready to go.  Be sure and ask the parks how long you can stay at that spot.  Parks at Palmer, Los Anchorage and Fairbanks were snitty so we passed them up the second time through. Like most people going to Alaska you have bigger problems facing you than where to park.  You better make sure all your equipment is in tip top shape. We saw three class C’s burned out – one on fire as we passed, 8 trailers 5ers and class A’s under tow, 3 class A’s wrecked on the side of the road, one 5er and tow truck rolled and we listened intently while 3 New Hampshire guys told us how they waited 3 hours on Top Of the World Highway while Search and Rescue used grappling hooks trying to pull up body parts from a diesel pusher that went over the side. Oh yeah.  We were so smug and pleased with ourselves.  We had double spare tires, auxiliary batteries, water, diesel and backup fuses, lights, filters, oil, etc.  We drove slow and we drove carefully and we only had minor damage and repairs.  We thought we had skated by. Then we got back to Oregon and a trailer rim separated and tire exploded, a gray tank separated, our transmission went out, trailer and truck breaks went out, a tow truck tire exploded and we found propane and water leaks.  O well.  The Alaska highways can be humiliating.  Like the Boy Scouts – Be Prepared! John To reply, lose FLYROD

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Los Anchorage? Please explain.

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All I can say is, you are like a friend of ours that also went to Alaska, and had the same outlook about the trip as you. There are over 135 people a week dying on US highways, so they are to be expected, even in Alaska. On the other hand, I only saw a couple of rigs in distress, nothing life threatening. We enjoyed the trip very much, and would like to return. I notice one thing you pointed out.  From all the problems you had with your rig after returning to the states, You must have pushed your rig beyond it’s design capabilities or it wasn’t maintained in the best condition before you took the trip.  My rig suffered none of the calamities you mention, either in Alaska, or after returning home.  When road conditions were bad, we slow to a crawl so as not to do damage.  I did need some new tires, but that was expected before we made the trip. Tom J Had not seen many Alaska posts yet this year.  One guy was worried about RV park reservations and I sent the following email which said he had bigger problems facing him than park reservations. Last year we cleared Vancouver BC on April 30 heading north but they had late spring storms and we got snowed in several times and several northern BC and Yukon lakes were still frozen so we skipped on to Valdez to get into fishing.  Unlike us, you might want to dawdle in US or

southern Canada until ice out all the way. We got back into Washington before

October but drove on to Texas then back to Oregon, 22,000 miles round trip The RV res info previously posted is fairly accurate. 2002 RV traffic was down 10-25% from 2001 and with gas/diesel expected to be higher this summer, my guess is traffic will be down more than last year which will free up more RV spaces in crowded areas such as Los Anchorage,

Fairbanks, Denali, Palmer, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Homer, Paxton, North Pole and others. Watch out for the dreaded RV caravans.  Some parks block out spaces for them and will chase you out just so their caravan buddies can park next to each other. I hate to move around until we’re ready to go.  Be sure and ask the parks how long you can stay at that spot.  Parks at Palmer, Los Anchorage and Fairbanks were snitty so we passed them up the second time through. Like most people going to Alaska you have bigger problems facing you than where to park.  You better make sure all your equipment is in tip top shape. We saw three class C’s burned out – one on fire as we passed, 8 trailers 5ers and class A’s under tow, 3 class A’s wrecked on the side of the road, one 5er and tow truck rolled and we listened intently

while 3 New Hampshire guys told us how they waited 3 hours on Top Of the World Highway while Search and Rescue used grappling hooks trying to pull up body parts from a diesel pusher that went over the side. Oh yeah.  We were so smug and pleased with ourselves.  We had double spare tires, auxiliary batteries, water, diesel and backup

fuses, lights, filters, oil, etc.  We drove slow and we drove carefully and we

only had minor damage and repairs.  We thought we had skated by. Then we got

back to Oregon and a – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – trailer rim separated and tire exploded, a gray tank separated, our transmission went out, trailer and truck breaks went out, a tow truck tire exploded and we found propane and water leaks.  O well. The Alaska highways can be humiliating.  Like the Boy Scouts – Be Prepared! John To reply, lose FLYROD

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I don’t understand your point in posting this  crap.  2002 RV traffic was down 10-25% from 2001

Where did you get this info? Is this from your own count? Why couldn’t it be narrowed down to say 19%. I don’t a big math guy, but 10-25% allows for like 250% error. Is all of this coffee shop talk. Just some wild guesses? I can assure you that Los Angeles and Anchorage have little in common. The "main street" highway 1 is 2-3 lanes wide and runs at 35-45mph. That what caravans do–everything together. And they are a considerable income source to campground owners. If there are only a few sites available when you check, and your site is booked for a caravan in a week–then you have to move. If you don’t undstand this, ask when checking into a campground. I have made three (five actually, the first two don’t count as they were to Ketchikan) to Alaska and have seen only one burned out RV. You say you saw three last year, what do that mean. Do you suppose there is something air in Alaska that makes class Cs burn? How many burned out vehicles have you seen in Los Angeles? And you saw 8 RVs under tow, was that in you total of 22K miles? What do you mean by "3 class A’s wrecked on the side of the road"? What does that have to do with being in tip top shape? And the grappling hook story? What is that supposed to tell us? That class As just fly off the road on the Top of the World, but not in Colorado or Vermont. I do appreciate you telling everyone that extra tires, fuel, water and fuses aren’t needed for the trip. Why not tell everyone that the roads for the most part are in very good condition. That there areas of not so good road in construction areas and one must drive slowly through these areas. That the Top of the World really isn’t too bad of a road, but does have some sections where driving slow is required. Beter yet, why not just tell eveyone about the hazards of taking an old motorhome in poor condition to Oregon and to beware of tow truck tires.  

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You’re missing something. A float tube in many states is considered a boat. And CG regulations require you to have a personal flotation device handy on the boat. When float tubes go bad, they often dont’ just leak a little, they deflate quickly. Every year it seems, at least one person dies because his float tube deflates and he/she panics and gets stuck getting out of it or can not swim. Or back home in the southeast, float tubes are a favorite way to fish the tailwaters, and it is not difficult to get careless and upended on moving waters, especially during unscheduled releases.. As long as you’re not stuck under a rock or a log, the floatation device will at least bring you back to the surface. Wayne Maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t see the point of wearing a life vest in a float tube. A float tube by definition floats, doesn’t it? If you fall out, can’t you just hang on to it?

Wayne makes some additional good points r.w. George

  george.vcf

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Response:

You’re missing something.

Well, I’m not going to start wearing a life jacket in my float tube. I can always rely on the whistle I had to buy in Yellowstone if I get in trouble. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

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Well, I’m not going to start wearing a life jacket in my float tube. I can always rely on the whistle I had to buy in Yellowstone if I get in trouble.

Or maybe someone will happen by with 100 wine corks. <g — Charlie…

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Anyhow r.w. I bought a couple of those minature, under the vest life-vests and I don’t go wading in water over my head without one on.

        it’s statements like that one that make me question whether or not we could exist without you, george.         really, though, i thought you could simply walk on top of water over your head. wayno

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Well, I’m not going to start wearing a life jacket in my float tube. I can always rely on the whistle I had to buy in Yellowstone if I get in trouble. Or maybe someone will happen by with 100 wine corks. <g

Won’t be necessary.  The little ball inside the whistle is made from cork. Given the well known crowding on Yellowstone waters, it should be obvious that a single toot on the whistle would cause everyone in the immediate area to hurl his or her own whistle at the poor unfortunate, thus providing enough little cork balls to float even the densest ROFFian until the appropriate rescue personnel arrive on the scene. Wolfgang ya gotta love that sense of selfless cooperation

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, I’m not going to start wearing a life jacket in my float tube. I can always rely on the whistle I had to buy in Yellowstone if I get in trouble. Or maybe someone will happen by with 100 wine corks. <g Won’t be necessary.  The little ball inside the whistle is made from cork. Given the well known crowding on Yellowstone waters, it should be obvious that a single toot on the whistle would cause everyone in the immediate area to hurl his or her own whistle at the poor unfortunate, thus providing enough little cork balls to float even the densest ROFFian until the appropriate rescue personnel arrive on the scene. Wolfgang ya gotta love that sense of selfless cooperation

Some people have been known to drown, while others were wetting their whistles. TL MC

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As long as you’re not stuck under a rock or a log, the floatation device will at least bring you back to the surface.

…so your next of kin can claim the body before it gets all yucky.  :-) Joe F.

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Well, I’m not going to start wearing a life jacket in my float tube. I can always rely on the whistle I had to buy in Yellowstone if I get in trouble. Or maybe someone will happen by with 100 wine corks. <g

Man, have you guys got the wrong theory on this…pull the cork, drink the wine, put the cork back in the bottle, and then toss him both. You’d not need anywhere near 100 – I’d bet that the cork AND the bottle offer more flotation than just the cork, and that way, everyone is happy…. TC, R

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rw  wrote Maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t see the point of wearing a life vest in a float tube. A float tube by definition floats, doesn’t it? If you fall out, can’t you just hang on to it?

I think it’s pretty clear that if you only have one floatation device, in this case, your tube, and it fails… you’re sunk. I recommend one of the auto inflatable life vests as a back up…they have a little ‘panic’ cord that causes the vest to inflate immediatly from a CO2 cartridge.  I understand they have these in models that are basically like suspenders until you need them.  I’m not sure how bulky these are.  Personally, I use an auto inflatable that packs nicely into a pouch approx 10"x6"x2" that easily fits into one of the large storage pockets on my tube.  I would strongly recommend such a device to anyone, especially those who still use a donut style tube. Another word to the wise regarding donut tubes.  Have you ever figured out what you’d do if you fell over in shallow water as you are stepping out of your tube? It’s a good idea to think, in advance, about what you’d do in this situation.  I have heard that some people have drowned just this way. Personally, I use a U-boat that’s got a styrofoam block as a seat.  The latter will float me even if the tube completely deflates.  Given the fact that I wear neoprene waders, and I still keep my auto-inflatable vest in a storage pocket, I feel pretty unsinkable.  (By the way, I keep a whistle too) (Just my luck, I’ll still figure a way to drown myself even with all that back-up!) FiddleAway

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Oh boy BJC.  If ever there was a river to have a Personal Floatation Device, I would think the Deschutes just about rates right up there.  The least someone should do is put a small bottle of Gehrke’s Fly Floatation Device in their vest.  At the last second, they can smear it on their face giving them a chance for a couple of last breaths and casts?

Oh man…if a whole bottle were to fall in a river…man…I shudder. That would have drastic consequences. Iimagine the whole river floating…higher and higher all the way to the jetstream where it flows ethereal and winds its way back to the dream. By the way?  Do you need a free hat B.C.?

Yes, I was thinking it should say…. "Get some Ginkee on your Fingee" Your pal, — The Halfordian Golfer The deceipt ends with the lure.

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Maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t see the point of wearing a life vest in a float tube. A float tube by definition floats, doesn’t it? If you fall out, can’t you just hang on to it? — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – rw  wrote Maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t see the point of wearing a life vest in a float tube. A float tube by definition floats, doesn’t it? If you fall out, can’t you just hang on to it? I think it’s pretty clear that if you only have one floatation device, in this case, your tube, and it fails… you’re sunk. I can swim. In fact, I can swim pretty well. If I couldn’t swim I probably wouldn’t use a float tube. Life in a series of tradeoffs. I think my chance of a catastrophic float-tube failure, leaving me somewhere from which I couldn’t swim to shore, is pretty remote. That chance doesn’t (in my opinion) merit me using a life vest. I’ll roll those dice, and if they come up snake eyes so be it.

Actually, I was addressing your original statement which was that you do not see the point of wearing a vest.  Actually,  I think you knew in advance why most people have backup floatation devices, but you wanted to make your fatalistic point about snake eyes. I see your point, and I can respect your attitude.  In fact, if having backup weren’t so easy, low hassle, and inexpensive, I might even cop it myself. But, flotation backup is easy and cheap and death by drowning really gives me the creeps.  So as long as I can imagine realistic situations (and I can), though unlikely, where having backup would save my life (when not having them would not), I’ll take it. That is the point for me and I suspect that’s the point for most people (which, as I said, I think you knew already, right?) FiddleAway

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Actually, I was addressing your original statement which was that you do not see the point of wearing a vest.  Actually,  I think you knew in advance why most people have backup floatation devices, but you wanted to make your fatalistic point about snake eyes.

I didn’t mean to imply that someone who wears a life vest or a "backup floatation device" is stupid. I’m sorry if it came across that way. It’s just that in my personal experience I haven’t felt the need for one. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

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rw wrote Actually, I was addressing your original statement which was that you do not see the point of wearing a vest.  Actually,  I think you knew in advance why most people have backup floatation devices, but you wanted to make your fatalistic point about snake eyes. I didn’t mean to imply that someone who wears a life vest or a "backup floatation device" is stupid. I’m sorry if it came across that way. It’s just that in my personal experience I haven’t felt the need for one.

Er, well, I didn’t mean to imply that you meant to imply that… Actually I thought your subtext was more along the lines of …the less you worry about unlikely things, the more you enjoy whatever it is you’re doing … or something like that. Which happens to be a sentiment I agree with … still, we all have our own comfort level. FiddleAway

Response:

You’re missing something. A float tube in many states is considered a boat. And CG regulations require you to have a personal flotation device handy on the boat. When float tubes go bad, they often dont’ just leak a little, they deflate quickly. Every year it seems, at least one person dies because his float tube deflates and he/she panics and gets stuck getting out of it or can not swim. Or back home in the southeast, float tubes are a favorite way to fish the tailwaters, and it is not difficult to get careless and upended on moving waters, especially during unscheduled releases.. As long as you’re not stuck under a rock or a log, the floatation device will at least bring you back to the surface. Wayne

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t see the point of wearing a life vest in a float tube. A float tube by definition floats, doesn’t it? If you fall out, can’t you just hang on to it? — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Isn’t the backrest in your tube inflateable? Isn’t it in all of them? If so, then there is a floatation device right there. Ok, so it’s not CG approved, BFD. Darin

Response:

rw  wrote Maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t see the point of wearing a life vest in a float tube. A float tube by definition floats, doesn’t it? If you fall out, can’t you just hang on to it? I think it’s pretty clear that if you only have one floatation device, in this case, your tube, and it fails… you’re sunk.

I can swim. In fact, I can swim pretty well. If I couldn’t swim I probably wouldn’t use a float tube. Life in a series of tradeoffs. I think my chance of a catastrophic float-tube failure, leaving me somewhere from which I couldn’t swim to shore, is pretty remote. That chance doesn’t (in my opinion) merit me using a life vest. I’ll roll those dice, and if they come up snake eyes so be it. Maybe if I were float tubing in the middle of the Great Slave Lake I’d feel differently. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

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Maine now requires that you carry, not necessarily wear, a USCG approved floatation device when fishing from a tube as they do with any type of boat and/or personal watercraft. I’ve taken to dragging one of those cheapie orange wall mart vests behind my tube since wearing it would be a pain in the ass. I’ve looked at the inflatable SOS-penders and the like and will probably one day get one since I’m not the swimteam type anymore Flyfish

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t see the point of wearing a life vest in a float tube. A float tube by definition floats, doesn’t it? If you fall out, can’t you just hang on to it? — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Not necessarily r.w.  Cold water temperatures lower the body tempertures which tends to make the blood want to congeal which could result in a heart attack.  One should always have a back up floatation device and it is also a good idea to take asprin the night before to help thin the blood.  Asprin for older folks, each day is a good idea anyhow, if your doctor okays it for you. Float tube do go flat in the middle of a lake for no good reason at all.  We should remember that tire tubes get punctured or spring leaks.  Most systems are two chambered R.W. and all you need is one side to go flat on you and you’re leaning sideways and over you go. Often, in float tubes of various models, the user may fall into the water or need to get out of the floatation tube for various reasons.  The worst thing anyone can do once in the water is to hold onto the fly rod.  Unless someone is close enough to let them reach your butt section to drag you out or towards them, let the damned thing go.  Fly rods are expendable but you’re not. Anyhow r.w. I bought a couple of those minature, under the vest life-vests and I don’t go wading in water over my head without one on.  I also don’t go tubing or floating anywhere without wearing one.  So the smart option is to always make a back up floatation device part of your main system.  Be a ground hog, have a back door escape route  planned or ready in case you may need it. Trying to swim with fly fishing thermo clothing, waders, flippers, vests, heavy coats, etc. on is not the same as trying to swim in a warm pool with just trunks on. (Or skinny dipping)  Another factor is does the tuber smoke?  Frailing around in ice cold lake water and worse yet, spring fed ponds with little or no good lung power doesn’t assure enough energy to reach shore.  I know of one gentleman who was paddled himself right into a sharp stick that was just an inch under the water.  Put a hole the size of a baseball into his tube and he sunk in seconds!  If I wasn’t there, he would have drowned. Get one of those little CO2 life vests r.w.  It’s wonderful life insurance. George Gehrke – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t see the point of wearing a life vest in a float tube. A float tube by definition floats, doesn’t it? If you fall out, can’t you just hang on to it? — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

  george.vcf

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Response:

Last I heard, here in Washington a float tube was considered a swim toy, therefore no PFD required. Darin

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If you are in the deschutes in your pontoon boat you have to have a PFD,  a trip permit and a container for waste ( that more that just candy bar wrappers ).  I have heard from some people that it applies to float tubes also but have not had a chance to talk to the ODFG yet. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I never wear a life vest when I am in my float tube

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Oh boy BJC.  If ever there was a river to have a Personal Floatation Device, I would think the Deschutes just about rates right up there.  The least someone should do is put a small bottle of Gehrke’s Fly Floatation Device in their vest.  At the last second, they can smear it on their face giving them a chance for a couple of last breaths and casts?  By the way?  Do you need a free hat B.C.? ;  } – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you are in the deschutes in your pontoon boat you have to have a PFD,  a trip permit and a container for waste ( that more that just candy bar wrappers ).  I have heard from some people that it applies to float tubes also but have not had a chance to talk to the ODFG yet. I never wear a life vest when I am in my float tube

  george.vcf

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Response:

I wouldn;t use a tube without a life vest system of some sort. I use a floater vest, made by mustang. It is inflatable, fits just like a fishing vest, is waterproof, and has a CO2 cartridge for inflation. Also has a mouth tube. Catsing is no problem, even when I weighed 250 lbs. Tim Lysyk

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I never wear a life vest when I am in my float tube.  The reason, of course, is that you can’t cast with a life vest on over my 225 pounds of body.  I saw an article that discussed flooding your waders to see what happens.  At least with neoprene, you float and in fact it is hard to keep your feet down, even when it is completely filled with water.  Since I use neoprene, exclusively, in my float tube that was an encouraging article.  However, there are the fish & game folks out, very rarely, but sometimes and I don’t want a ticket and I don’t want to wear a life vest.  I looked at the inflatable suspenders thingies ($75 a pair and coast guard approved), and they are a bother to cast around also (I tried them on at the fly shop, stepped outside with one of their rods and was not pleased, especially while I was sitting).  My float tube, The Woodriver Gliderider, comes with a floatation cushion and it puts me too high up in the seat of my tube and I also lose some of the pinch effect of the pontoons that hold me in (besides the law is that I have to be ‘wearing’ the floatation device.  I feel safe in my neoprenes; even if  I have to swim in them (the article goes on to say that it was not much of a challenge to swim in waders, a little awkward, but not much).  Also, my float tube has separate chambers for safety and I think that is good as well.  I realize that there is an available safety inflatable cushion that you can put in a pocket, but the current law requires the angler to be WEARING the floatation device. What the hell do you guys, who use float tubes, do? Padishar Creel – Don’t mind the whistle part of the law, makes good sense…

Response:

I know that you did not like them, but I use the SOSpenders.  I weigh a little more than you so it can be done.  I find that in either the pontoon or tube I can cast while wearing them.  As I’m a lousy swimmer, I sometimes wear them if I fish alone on the Deschutes.  In Oregon, I think the law is to have one available in a floating device, but not specifically to be wearing it.  That allows those hip pack inflatables to be used if they are Coast Guard approved. On swimming, here is a link on swimming in waders.  It also shows the application of a hip pack inflatable. http://www.westernflyfisher.com/index.asp?i=0101p25v5&t=1 ra kane at gte dot net "BassCreel" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I never wear a life vest when I am in my float tube.  The reason, of course, is that you can’t cast with a life vest on over my 225 pounds of body.  I saw an article that discussed flooding your waders to see what happens.  At least with neoprene, you float and in fact it is hard to keep your feet down, even when it is completely filled with water.  Since I use neoprene, exclusively, in my float tube that was an encouraging article.  However, there are the fish & game folks out, very rarely, but sometimes and I don’t want a ticket and I don’t want to wear a life vest.  I looked at the inflatable suspenders thingies ($75 a pair and coast guard approved), and they are a bother to cast around also (I tried them on at the fly shop, stepped outside with one of their rods and was not pleased, especially while I was sitting).  My float tube, The Woodriver Gliderider, comes with a floatation cushion and it puts me too high up in the seat of my tube and I also lose some of the pinch effect of the pontoons that hold me in (besides the law is that I have to be ‘wearing’ the floatation device.  I feel safe in my neoprenes; even if  I have to swim in them (the article goes on to say that it was not much of a challenge to swim in waders, a little awkward, but not much).  Also, my float tube has separate chambers for safety and I think that is good as well.  I realize that there is an available safety inflatable cushion that you can put in a pocket, but the current law requires the angler to be WEARING the floatation device. What the hell do you guys, who use float tubes, do? Padishar Creel – Don’t mind the whistle part of the law, makes good sense…

Response:

I never wear a life vest when I am in my float tube.  The reason, of course, is that you can’t cast with a life vest on over my 225 pounds of body.  I saw an article that discussed flooding your waders to see what happens.  At least with neoprene, you float and in fact it is hard to keep your feet down, even when it is completely filled with water.  Since I use neoprene, exclusively, in my float tube that was an encouraging article.  However, there are the fish & game folks out, very rarely, but sometimes and I don’t want a ticket and I don’t want to wear a life vest.  I looked at the inflatable suspenders thingies ($75 a pair and coast guard approved), and they are a bother to cast around also (I tried them on at the fly shop, stepped outside with one of their rods and was not pleased, especially while I was sitting).  My float tube, The Woodriver Gliderider, comes with a floatation cushion and it puts me too high up in the seat of my tube and I also lose some of the pinch effect of the pontoons that hold me in (besides the law is that I have to be ‘wearing’ the floatation device.  I feel safe in my neoprenes; even if  I have to swim in them (the article goes on to say that it was not much of a challenge to swim in waders, a little awkward, but not much).  Also, my float tube has separate chambers for safety and I think that is good as well.  I realize that there is an available safety inflatable cushion that you can put in a pocket, but the current law requires the angler to be WEARING the floatation device. What the hell do you guys, who use float tubes, do? Padishar Creel – Don’t mind the whistle part of the law, makes good sense…

Response:

Question:

  One of the things i was doing for years when I came up to structure is cast at it over and over.And after a while i would cast in the right spot and have a good catch.I was wasting allot of time doing this.Now I got away to get my catch and move on.What I do now is when I ease up to a pier or any other structure that is hard to cast into,over,or under I pull some line out the tip of the rod grasp the lure and throw it to where i want it,It works for me and it will put another fish in your boat.I use this allot when i am by my self,When i have some one with me i feel pressured unless they tell me i am the leader.Other than that i there just having fun.I hope some one from rofb can use this tip and it works for them. Bubba This tip gose out to Don Screen a fishing partner of mine. use it Don

Response:

Don, what’s the barometer doing there?  That’s the key as far as I am concerned.  If it’s rising, go watch TV; you won’t be catching any fish. Also, 50 d. water is a bit cool for LM; they might be sitting very tight in heavy cover.  Try a jig, r-e-a-l  s  l  o  w   right in the middle of the crud. Warren2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks Bubba!     I’ve never heard of doing this before..but will certainly give it a try. Went fishing today for a few hours at Ray Roberts…got zero hits.  Water temp was 50 degrees and very stained.  Fished carolina rigged watermleon stud fries and white floating worms and a tandem gold willow leaf blad spinnerbait.  Nada..nothing…   Don’t know if they have shutdown because of the water temp or I was just fishing the wrong baits. Don   One of the things i was doing for years when I came up to structure is cast at it over and over.And after a while i would cast in the right spot and have a good catch.I was wasting allot of time doing this.Now I got away to get my catch and move on.What I do now is when I ease up to a pier or any other structure that is hard to cast into,over,or under I pull some line out the tip of the rod grasp the lure and throw it to where i want it,It works for me and it will put another fish in your boat.I use this allot when i am by my self,When i have some one with me i feel pressured unless they tell me i am the leader.Other than that i there just having fun.I hope some one from rofb can use this tip and it works for them. Bubba This tip gose out to Don Screen a fishing partner of mine. use it Don

Response:

Thanks Bubba!     I’ve never heard of doing this before..but will certainly give it a try. Went fishing today for a few hours at Ray Roberts…got zero hits.  Water temp was 50 degrees and very stained.  Fished carolina rigged watermleon stud fries and white floating worms and a tandem gold willow leaf blad spinnerbait.  Nada..nothing…   Don’t know if they have shutdown because of the water temp or I was just fishing the wrong baits. Don

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   One of the things i was doing for years when I came up to structure is cast at it over and over.And after a while i would cast in the right spot and have a good catch.I was wasting allot of time doing this.Now I got away to get my catch and move on.What I do now is when I ease up to a pier or any other structure that is hard to cast into,over,or under I pull some line out the tip of the rod grasp the lure and throw it to where i want it,It works for me and it will put another fish in your boat.I use this allot when i am by my self,When i have some one with me i feel pressured unless they tell me i am the leader.Other than that i there just having fun.I hope some one from rofb can use this tip and it works for them. Bubba This tip gose out to Don Screen a fishing partner of mine. use it Don

Response:

Hi Warren,     There is an approaching cold front so the baro should have been dropping today.  I did not try a jig despite the owner of the Buck Creek tackle and taxidermy store telling me that they were hitting white jigs.  :-( A local here had boated not one but two bass in the 11.5 lb range in the last two weeks at Buck Creek (Lake Ray Roberts). Saw a polaroid of one of them.  It was massive looking!  Caught on a worm of some kind. The lake has come back up a full 5 ft and it almost looks like a different lake now.  Still 12ft to go to full pool level. Much easier to navigate my favorite fishing areas.   Guess I need to work on my jig techniques.  :-) Don

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Don, what’s the barometer doing there?  That’s the key as far as I am concerned.  If it’s rising, go watch TV; you won’t be catching any fish. Also, 50 d. water is a bit cool for LM; they might be sitting very tight in heavy cover.  Try a jig, r-e-a-l  s  l  o  w   right in the middle of the crud. Warren2 Thanks Bubba!     I’ve never heard of doing this before..but will certainly give it a try. Went fishing today for a few hours at Ray Roberts…got zero hits. Water temp was 50 degrees and very stained.  Fished carolina rigged watermleon stud fries and white floating worms and a tandem gold willow leaf blad spinnerbait.  Nada..nothing…   Don’t know if they have shutdown because of the water temp or I was just fishing the wrong baits. Don   One of the things i was doing for years when I came up to structure is cast at it over and over.And after a while i would cast in the right spot and have a good catch.I was wasting allot of time doing this.Now I got away to get my catch and move on.What I do now is when I ease up to a pier or any other structure that is hard to cast into,over,or under I pull some line out the tip of the rod grasp the lure and throw it to where i want it,It works for me and it will put another fish in your boat.I use this allot when i am by my self,When i have some one with me i feel pressured unless they tell me i am the leader.Other than that i there just having fun.I hope some one from rofb can use this tip and it works for them. Bubba This tip gose out to Don Screen a fishing partner of mine. use it Don

Response:

Don, what’s the barometer doing there?  That’s the key as far as I am concerned.  If it’s rising, go watch TV; you won’t be catching any fish.

Are there any techniques that will be of help fishing while the barometer is rocketing through the roof? Does anybody know why the fish go off the bite? — So it goes.

Response:

Good tip Bubba, THANKS!  I suggest you start praqcticing pitching.  It’ll give you the same presentation as your toss-cast, but with a quieter entry (always good). Warren

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   One of the things i was doing for years when I came up to structure is cast at it over and over.And after a while i would cast in the right spot and have a good catch.I was wasting allot of time doing this.Now I got away to get my catch and move on.What I do now is when I ease up to a pier or any other structure that is hard to cast into,over,or under I pull some line out the tip of the rod grasp the lure and throw it to where i want it,It works for me and it will put another fish in your boat.I use this allot when i am by my self,When i have some one with me i feel pressured unless they tell me i am the leader.Other than that i there just having fun.I hope some one from rofb can use this tip and it works for them. Bubba This tip gose out to Don Screen a fishing partner of mine. use it Don

Response:

Bubba, that is an interesting concept, which I might try, when I don’t have a crankbait tied! Jimmy Houston said something at a seminar about pitching and flipping.  His inexact words were ‘That was developed by someone who never learned how to throw under hand’.  With your free-hand method, which works best?! —    Go Fishing.  And may your fish be as big as your tales.    Columbia, SC  Lake Murray

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   One of the things i was doing for years when I came up to structure is cast at it over and over.And after a while i would cast in the right spot and have a good catch.I was wasting allot of time doing this.Now I got away to get my catch and move on.What I do now is when I ease up to a pier or any other structure that is hard to cast into,over,or under I pull some line out the tip of the rod grasp the lure and throw it to where i want it,It works for me and it will put another fish in your boat.I use this allot when i am by my self,When i have some one with me i feel pressured unless they tell me i am the leader.Other than that i there just having fun.I hope some one from rofb can use this tip and it works for them. Bubba This tip gose out to Don Screen a fishing partner of mine. use it Don

Response:

Brendan, from what I have been told, it is not whether a high or low pressure system moves in.  It is the change that turns the bite off, as bass need some time to adjust. —    Go Fishing.  And may your fish be as big as your tales.    Columbia, SC  Lake Murray

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Don, what’s the barometer doing there?  That’s the key as far as I am concerned.  If it’s rising, go watch TV; you won’t be catching any fish. Are there any techniques that will be of help fishing while the barometer is rocketing through the roof? Does anybody know why the fish go off the bite? — So it goes.

Response:

It is the change that turns the bite off, as bass need some time to adjust.

Actually, in my observation, it doesn’t have anything to do with the bass being off their feed… What happens, in my observation, is it shuts down the food chain.  The plankton quits growing, the minnows, bream, etc quit moving around, hence the bass know it’s not a good time to go rooting around for lunch.  They’ll still bite, but because they aren’t in any "attack" mode, the presentation must be precise. This is a long argued topic.  

Response:

exactamundo!

Response:

Right On Warren!  Pitching will accomplish the same objective more effectively, and you can pitch every lure type Bubba, I do!  Worms, Jigs, Spinnerbaits, Crankbaits, Jerkbaits, etc. Pitching is deadly quiet up to 30′, fairly quiet up to 50′, quieter then casting up to 70-80′.  The longer the rod, the further you can pitch quietly.  With one of the new 8′ Flipping Sticks, you can reach those further distances 70-90′ Me personally, with a 8′ Flipping Stick, I can now pitch 30-40′ super easy and deadly quietly.  You will be amazed at how far and quiet you will be able to pitch with a 8′ rod, especially if you are use to using a shorter 7′ or 7′6" rod.  The rod length really is the secret to effective pitching! — Craig

Response:

I feel comfortable pitching with a 6′6" rod.  I never have a need to pitch further than 15-20 feet. Warren

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Right On Warren!  Pitching will accomplish the same objective more effectively, and you can pitch every lure type Bubba, I do!  Worms, Jigs, Spinnerbaits, Crankbaits, Jerkbaits, etc. Pitching is deadly quiet up to 30′, fairly quiet up to 50′, quieter then casting up to 70-80′.  The longer the rod, the further you can pitch quietly.  With one of the new 8′ Flipping Sticks, you can reach those further distances 70-90′ Me personally, with a 8′ Flipping Stick, I can now pitch 30-40′ super easy and deadly quietly.  You will be amazed at how far and quiet you will be able to pitch with a 8′ rod, especially if you are use to using a shorter 7′ or 7′6" rod.  The rod length really is the secret to effective pitching! — Craig

Response:

 I think every one for the responseon this i ask a couple of group members about this they thought it  be a good idea,Don knows i can pitch,flip put and lure that i use in the spot i aim for,but some of them piers u can’t ppl put wire,allot of boards,ect., and i don’t make just a coupleof cast and move on i will stick with it for a while, some times you need to use the toss method.All my rods are 6′to 6′6" i like them very well. Bubba

Response:

My northern Wisconsin tip of the month??? DON’T put your tongue on anything metal that’s outside.  That includes jigging spoons. This tip goes out to anyone north of the Mason/Dixon line. —

Response:

Are there any techniques that will be of help fishing while the barometer is rocketing through the roof? Does anybody know why the fish go off the bite?

        The best advice I can tell you would be that most high barometer conditions usually mean that it’s time to bring the soft plastics out to do some heavy-duty worm fishing.  And there is nothing necessarily wrong with this because while the high barometer often provides a slower bite, sometimes that bite is more reliable.         As with most everything in fishing, there are a lot of exceptions to this rule.  Always remember that it’s always possible that the high barometer might come along with another condition that could trigger the fish…  (ie. warmer water triggering a shad or fish movement, warmer air increasing the fly hatch) — Dwayne E. Cooper, Atty at Law Indianapolis, IN Web Page: http://www.cooperlegalservices.com Personal Fishing Web Page: http://www.hoosierwebsites.com/OnTheWater Favorite Fishing Web Page: http://www.hoosiertradingpost.com/FishingTackle 1st Annual ROFB Classic Winner

Response:

I believe you’re a fine basser Bubba, in fact I’m gonna look you up if I ever get down to your neck of the woods.  What kinds of lures do you use this method with? WW – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  I think every one for the responseon this i ask a couple of group members about this they thought it  be a good idea,Don knows i can pitch,flip put and lure that i use in the spot i aim for,but some of them piers u can’t ppl put wire,allot of boards,ect., and i don’t make just a coupleof cast and move on i will stick with it for a while, some times you need to use the toss method.All my rods are 6′to 6′6" i like them very well. Bubba

Response:

My tube bait,But u can use what ever u want just watch those hooks,I went yesterday only got 13 lbs in 4 hours it was cold 39 out there my water temp  quit on me but it was cold to i was in 10-15 ft water carolina a tube 3′ leader with alke. in it. I got to fish this weekend there is a front comming in oh boy it tis goig to be cold. But thats ok i still will be up there on top.lol Bubba

Response:

That’s the spirit Bubba!  You think I should buy stock in Alka-Seltzer this winter? Warren

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My tube bait,But u can use what ever u want just watch those hooks,I went yesterday only got 13 lbs in 4 hours it was cold 39 out there my water temp  quit on me but it was cold to i was in 10-15 ft water carolina a tube 3′ leader with alke. in it. I got to fish this weekend there is a front comming in oh boy it tis goig to be cold. But thats ok i still will be up there on top.lol Bubba

Response:

It helps warren.works for me. Bubba

Response:

You’re convinced that adding Alka Seltzer to your tubes catches you more bass?  Any proof it doesn’t cost you fish sometimes?  Is it effective in clear water Bubba? Warren

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It helps warren.works for me. Bubba

Response:

Warren not saying that but when there is no bite i will try anything as long as i can.But TNT or live bait ok.It just seem to help. Bubba

Response:

I have to back Bubba.  I use Alka Seltzer myself from time to time when the bite is off.  It’s not my first choice, but it especially works well in clearer water & hot water under pressured conditions. — Craig

Response:

Warren you know better!  You know that bass will react to different stimulus.  One hour they will react to one type of presentation and an hour later to another.  You know that if you miss a bass with one presentation, that throwing right back to the same spot with another type of lure and presentation can immediately draw that same bass to strike. — Craig

Response:

I guess you got me.  Some times I hammer them with a glass rattle, sometimes I get em better w/o the rattle. Warren

Response:

Question:

Hello there, I’m scheduled to spend a couple of weeks near London on work assignment. I’m very interested in any advice you may have for fly fishing in this area. Any and all suggestions are welcome!! Thanks, John Erskine

Response:

I’m scheduled to spend a couple of weeks near London on work assignment. I’m very interested in any advice you may have for fly fishing in this area. Any and all suggestions are welcome!!

Surprisingly good fishing is available near London, as many of the classic chalk streams (Test, Itchen, Bourne, Lambourne, etc.) are within a 90 minute drive west-southwest of the city in Hampshire. Isaak Walton, for example, is buried in Winchester cathedral.  There’s a small chapel where he lies, with stained glass scenes of the apostles fishing, intermixed with scenes of the master himself.  If you hit my website, address below, you can read an account of my trip last year. The problem, of course, is that virtually all of the water is private, controlled either by private land-owners or clubs.  You’ll have to at least pay a rod fee, and probably need to hire a guide, at least to begin. My fishing was arranged by: William Daniel, some of the best water in the area. Michael — www.geocities.com/yosemite/falls/3363 Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Question:

I will be going to a family reunion in Northern Wisconsin next summer and I would like to do a little flyfishing while I’m there.  I’m new to flyfishing and have only fished in Colorado.  I will be North of Green Bay on the Oconto River.  Does anybody know what type of fly is good in June/July time frame?  I will be taking my tying equipment but would like to know so I can tie up some flies before I drive to grandma’s house. I’m also interested in fishing for walleye and pike or anything else that swims!!!!!  Any advice would be welcomed.  You can either post Thanks, Rik Meyers Colorado Springs, CO

Response:

I will be going to a family reunion in Northern Wisconsin next summer and I would like to do a little flyfishing while I’m there.

The two web sites I find most accurate and useful for WI trout: http://home.dwave.net/~patrick/ http://www.vbe.com/~heusers/ff_wi/streams/whereto.htm Hope this helps. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Question:

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Response:

Question:

Quesion? If I could sell you a $200.00 rod for 115.00, how many takers would I have. I have the opportunity o buy wholesale, but would have to buy quantity. I don’t want to sit on any inventory, but if I could spread the wealth and make 15.00 a rod on 100 rods I’d be perfectly happy. I don’ want to say what brand, bu it is quality.Let me know what you think. please respond by e-mail Have a super day! Please visit us at .www.teleport.com/~aafinart

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Quesion? If I could sell you a $200.00 rod for 115.00, how many takers : would I have. : I have the opportunity o buy wholesale, but would have to buy quantity. I : don’t want to sit on any inventory, but if I could spread the wealth and : make 15.00 a rod on 100 rods I’d be perfectly happy. I don’ want to say : what brand, bu it is quality.Let me know what you think. : please respond by e-mail Careful what you sell at a discount. Many of the higher brands of rods are price protected by the manufacturor. If they get wind of any discounting, you could wind up with some legal trouble. Jon Porter

Hey Jon, remember the anti trust laws? Price fixing remains illegal, and market price controls by manufacturers is also illegal.  We all know there is a degree of it but the manufactureres reactions can only be the refusal to continue doing business. MSRP is o.k., and direct agents can lose their agencies – but…for the legal sale of legally obtained merchandise pricing remains the sellers option. jg

Response:

It’s because of people like this that small legitimate custom rod builders have problems getting accounts with major brand name companies. Sage for example use to have a great program for rod builders that they droped because to many people would flood the market with wholesale priced blanks. They got smart…we got screwed….This goes along with snaggin thanks Tom Wolf

Response:

Quesion? If I could sell you a $200.00 rod for 115.00, how many takers would I have. I have the opportunity o buy wholesale, but would have to buy quantity. I don’t want to sit on any inventory, but if I could spread the wealth and make 15.00 a rod on 100 rods I’d be perfectly happy. I don’ want to say what brand, bu it is quality.Let me know what you think. please respond by e-mail <<<<<<<<<<< For typical brand name rod, maybe not a Sage or Powell, the discount a distributor gives a retailer off of the so called retail price is at least 50%.  60% or more is not unlikely.  This allows every rod to be sold at both a "discount" and healthy profit.  I have bought 50% off rods from a retailer, and I was pretty sure he wasn’t loosing money. Bill Buchman

Response:

: Careful what you sell at a discount. Many of the higher brands of rods are : price protected by the manufacturor. If they get wind of any discounting, : you could wind up with some legal trouble. : : Jon Porter : Hey Jon, remember the anti trust laws? Price fixing remains illegal, and : market price controls by manufacturers is also illegal.  We all know : there is a degree of it but the manufactureres reactions can only be the : refusal to continue doing business. MSRP is o.k., and direct agents can : lose their agencies – but…for the legal sale of legally obtained : merchandise pricing remains the sellers option. Hope I don’t start a different argument here.  ;-)  My point was that a manufacturor can set the price for his product. This is what happens with some of the big name rod companies. It would be anti-trust if the various companies got together and decided how they were going to set the prices. But that is not what is happening! It’s simply this:  Say, for instance, that SuperFisher Rod company decides to market their product. As a condition for the dealer to sell their product, the dealer has to agree not to discount it. SuperFisher Rod Company makes the exact same deal with all dealers that move their product. This prevents price wars between dealers selling SuperFisher products. It does not prevent Sage from under cutting SuperFisher in price. Their is no "trust" involved between manufacturors, and no price compitition among dealers for that ONE product. Other companies might do the same with their own product; but it is a different line, and a different price. We are having this problem now in my local area. Rumor has it that one dealer is discounting the price on some merchandise that is price protected. This males it impossible for the compeating dealers in the local market to compete. Good for the consumer, black eye for the manufacturor who has that same agreement with everybody. If they find some truth in it, the discounter will no longer receive his product. Jon Porter

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Quesion? If I could sell you a $200.00 rod for 115.00, how many takers : would I have. : I have the opportunity o buy wholesale, but would have to buy quantity. I : don’t want to sit on any inventory, but if I could spread the wealth and : make 15.00 a rod on 100 rods I’d be perfectly happy. I don’ want to say : what brand, bu it is quality.Let me know what you think. : please respond by e-mail Careful what you sell at a discount. Many of the higher brands of rods are price protected by the manufacturor. If they get wind of any discounting, you could wind up with some legal trouble. Jon Porter Hey Jon, remember the anti trust laws? Price fixing remains illegal, and market price controls by manufacturers is also illegal.  We all know there is a degree of it but the manufactureres reactions can only be the refusal to continue doing business. MSRP is o.k., and direct agents can lose their agencies – but…for the legal sale of legally obtained merchandise pricing remains the sellers option. jg

 I sometimes deal with a sports shop which used to sell sage and other fine blanks at deep discount. No more! He was reported to the mfgr. by another shop and from then on his  blanks were on continuous back-order! Doug

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I wish you were even close to the truth.  Any dealer who is selling ANY rod at 50% off is losing money.  A dealer who is selling any fly rod at 50% off is either stupid AND desperate, or that dealer is dumping(at a loss), a rod because it has been discontinued by the manufacturer, or has been a dog for a couple of years.  Fly fishing businesses can be more than a hobby, and good dealers can make money, but overall margines are very low compared to other industries, and very low compared to the high cost of running a good business.  As for competing with Cabela’s and Bass Pro, it’s actually not that difficult to beat them.  For people who are only shopping for price, those big guys win their share of the battles, but for customers who want the highest quality products and best possible service along with reliable accurate information, a good fly shop beats those guys ever time.  Good fishing, Stephen Vletas

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A fly fishing shop seems like a really tough business to me. The one near me (Cary, NC) went out of business, but it was located in a giant strip mall (Crossroads) that primarily has discount stores. The margins seem high. But how many times do you have to stand in line at the register? Rarely, it seems, and then it is usually only one or two people at most. The traffic is pretty slow. Lots of people pop in to look, maybe buy a few flies for a buck apiece. An occasional higher dollar item like a rod or good waders helps keep them in business. But they are losing a lot of that to Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops through the mail these days. I have to admit I use mail order to save money many times. A fly shop almost has to be a hobby for the owner. -Andy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For typical brand name rod, maybe not a Sage or Powell, the discount a distributor gives a retailer off of the so called retail price is at least 50%.  60% or more is not unlikely.  This allows every rod to be sold at both a "discount" and healthy profit.  I have bought 50% off rods from a retailer, and I was pretty sure he wasn’t loosing money.

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Question:

I’ll be camping in the area of Roscoe, N.Y. next week. Any tips on what’s been working successfully in the local streams? (Since I’ve typically fished in California. I have no knowledge of upstate N.Y. fishing).

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I’ll be camping in the area of Roscoe, N.Y. next week. Any tips on what’s been working successfully in the local streams? (Since I’ve typically fished in California. I have no knowledge of upstate N.Y. fishing).

I’d check with the local fly shops–they’re several in the Roscoe area.   Conditions change rapidly at this time of year, and the the shop owner ought to be knowledable. Good luck, Emil Department of Education Phone:  (607) 255-2267 419 Kennedy Hall                Fax:    (607) 255-7905 Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853

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I’ll be camping in the area of Roscoe, N.Y. next week. Any tips on what’s been working successfully in the local streams? (Since I’ve typically fished in California. I have no knowledge of upstate N.Y. fishing). I’d check with the local fly shops–they’re several in the Roscoe area.   Conditions change rapidly at this time of year, and the the shop owner ought to be knowledable. Good luck, Emil

Just got back from a weekend in the Roscoe area. The water is very low, but fishable. BUT trout are few and far between. The low water seems to have driven most of the fish out.    Your best bet is to head down to the East Branch. We had good fishing in the special reg area upstream from Fishs Eddy. We saw light cahills, slate drakes (isonychia), sulphurs, tiny blue wing olives, yellow cranefly, and all types of caddis. They are releasing water from the dam, which has the water up about a foot, but it is running clear    The West branch is high and discolored from NY releasing water full bore for the last few months.  People are fishing it, but your better off on the East Branch. Todd R. Seigfried    aluxpo.att.com!trs *  Todd Seigfried’ Custom Flies                                       * *  Custom flies, fly tying instruction, Licensed Delaware River Guide *

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Just got back from a weekend in the Roscoe area. The water is very low, but fishable. BUT trout are few and far between. The low water seems to have driven most of the fish out.

Ahem.  There are plenty of fish in the Beaverkill.  They are just hard to catch.  I was also in the Roscoe area last weekend, fishing the Beaverkill and Willowemoc.  I saw plenty of fish, especially in the riffles and deeper pools.  But they were not feeding on the surface despite good hatches of BWOs and other flies.  Managed a few on nymphs, and it is tough fishing.  But there are plenty of fish in the river.

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Question:

Could someone point me towards a Flyfishing Mailing List?  I nosed around this group looking for directions to a FAQ, thinking that would mention it, but haven’t managed to locate it either. Thanks in advance! Jack Gilbert

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use no subject "subscribe Flyfish" (your real name, no quotes) that’s all there is to it. Enjoy!! Frank Church

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Question:

We are making small booklet that outlines the major fly fishing rivers and lakes in Colorado. This an easy to read guide that can take you from the airport to a beautiful Rocky Mountain fly fishing destination. Filled with maps, written directions, tips on flies, and even hints on other activities with this booklet you don’t even need a fishing buddy to help navigate.

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: We are making small booklet that outlines the major fly fishing rivers and lakes : in Colorado. This an easy to read guide that can take you from the airport to a : beautiful Rocky Mountain fly fishing destination. Filled with maps, written : directions, tips on flies, and even hints on other activities with this booklet : you don’t even need a fishing buddy to help navigate. Oh, great – just what I need.  More outsiders coming in to take over my favorite fishing spots Rick

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: We are making small booklet that outlines the major fly fishing rivers and lakes : in Colorado. This an easy to read guide that can take you from the airport to a : beautiful Rocky Mountain fly fishing destination. Filled with maps, written : directions, tips on flies, and even hints on other activities with this booklet : you don’t even need a fishing buddy to help navigate. So keep us posted. When it’s done, how do we get a copy? — |     Bob Lundy                   | |     IWFFC                       | |     Mississauga, ON, Canada     |

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We are making small booklet that outlines the major fly fishing rivers and lakes in Colorado. This an easy to read guide that can take you from the airport to a beautiful Rocky Mountain fly fishing destination. Filled with maps, written directions, tips on flies, and even hints on other activities with this booklet you don’t even need a fishing buddy to help navigate.

Thanks, Jeffrey M. Goodwin Ashley Laurent, Inc. email:       Compuserve           : 73473,3417       IBM VMID             : v1jmg at bcrvmpc2

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