Question:

I’m considering an expat job in Frankfurt Germany. A quality of life question: Is there good fishing around there – fly fishing preferably, any fishing in a pinch? Thanks for the help – FlyFisherRay

Response:

I’m considering an expat job in Frankfurt Germany. A quality of life question: Is there good fishing around there – fly fishing preferably, any fishing in a pinch? Thanks for the help – FlyFisherRay

Hi Ray, I lived in Frankfurt for some time and never found any decent fishing.  If you are prepared to, and can afford to travel, you can reach some good fishing.  It is quite difficult to obtain a fishing licence here, you have to pass an exam.  If you need further specific info e-mail me and I will try to be of assistance.  I now live in a small village not far from Hamburg, but I should have no trouble providing you with the relative info. Tight lines ! Mike Connor

Response:

Question:

As the proud single parent of the Virtual Flybox I was so excited to learn that the very successful, publically traded corporation, About.Com thought highly enough of my humble web offering to write a feature article touting it’s accomplishments. If you have a spare minute or two please visit…  http://flyfishing.about.com/sports/fishhunt/flyfishing/mcurrent.htm …and ponder the praises…and you of course are always welcome to stop by the VFB. Thanks everyone…it wouldn’t have happened without you! keep tyin’…byard * * * * * * * * *   V I R T U A L    F L Y B O X    * * * * * * * * *    Fly Tyers Worldwide * Hundreds of Patterns * Tying Instructions                     http://www.VirtualFlybox.com * * * *   F E A T U R I N G   *  9 6 2  *   P A T T E R N S   * * * *

Response:

Congratulations on your recent mention in About.com   I took a look at your link, are you on your way to commercial success? Making a web site is tough, even more so when you do it for fun… Have a great day!

Hi Adam… Thanks for the visit and the congrats! The Virtual Flybox was never or will ever be a commercial project. It was never my intent to profit from this venture. On the other hand, due to the mega-hours involved with the production of this website, some form of compensation had to be considered. So the institution of an advertising program was necessary as well as an appeal for financial support from the viewership. In the last year the VFB has served up over 1 million pages of information to flyfisherman worldwide. The hours involved in keeping abreast with this demand exceed 50 per week. My need for nutrition is the same as anyone elses…hence, what you may consider commercialism. BTW…you are doing a wonderful job with your Small Streams site…it has always been one of my favorites. keep tyin’…byard * * * * * * * * *   V I R T U A L    F L Y B O X    * * * * * * * * *    Fly Tyers Worldwide * Hundreds of Patterns * Tying Instructions                     http://www.VirtualFlybox.com * * * *   F E A T U R I N G   *  9 8 0  *   P A T T E R N S   * * * *

Response:

Question:

Hi, I’m a relative new comer to both fly fishing and Florida.  Having said that, I’ve fished the no motor zone at Cape Canaveral twice in the last few days and only caught a few small spotted sea trout. Anyone having any better luck?  Is it me, the screwy weather or a combination? Mind you, I’m not really complaining.  You know what they say about a bad day fishing…. David

Response:

See Action Spotter in January Florida Sportsman.  Somebody’s been catching fish on flyrod there recently.   Good Luck.

Response:

Hi, I’m a relative new comer to both fly fishing and Florida.  Having said that, I’ve fished the no motor zone at Cape Canaveral twice in the last few days and only caught a few small spotted sea trout. Anyone having any better luck?  Is it me, the screwy weather or a combination? Mind you, I’m not really complaining.  You know what they say about a bad day fishing…. David

   Been off the water a bit but the same goes for fresh water. I got out this last week a couple of hrs. Weather was cool so the gators has took to the mud, all I caught were about a dozen bity bream and 1 decent war mouth. Seems it’s kinda off on the east central but I understand the gulf is hot.                                                              John Popp                                                           in Sanford Fl.

Response:

Well, I can only tell you of my experiences over on the west coast, but the fish (Snook, Redfish & Trout) are not in their usual Fall/Winter haunts. Since it is not spring and the Gulf waters here are warmer than they should be, the fish are still on the flats, hungry as ever, but they seem scattered as opposed to the same weather/water conditions in the late spring/summer. I’ve had to cover a lot of water to find them. Good Luck — Tight Lines.

Response:

Question:

Man you guys are really hallucinatin bout those trees! hehe Open yer eyes and youll uncover that there are Millions of trees out there and anybody willin to do a little investigatin is gonna uncover any kind of tree FREE within reason,,I mean most trees are ground up into sawdust so dont ya think those folks discarding those trees would just LUV some one to come along and take a few???The library has books on USIN SALVAGED WOODS,And even shows where to find your own stache! Everytime i see somebody get excited about findin a lone tree i gotta think BOY if they only knew! hehe                      

Response:

The library has books on USIN SALVAGED WOODS,And even shows where to find your own stache! Everytime i see somebody get excited about findin a lone tree i gotta think BOY if they only knew! hehe

        Just curious.  Does anyone know what the smallest diameter of trunk/limb from Red Oak, White Oak or Walnut trees will yield useable lumber?  Also, normally, what thickness/width can you expect from given diameters?         Terry

Response:

The logs must be 12 inches or better. Once you remove the bark and the sap wood you really don’t have much to work with on the sawmill.  Tree which don’t grow in a thick stand ie. like in a forest will have "reaction wood" which will cause the lumber to deflect when sawn. This can be very dangerous and also reduce useable lumber.   Trees around a house are generally not used since they will contain nails, bolt, etc. Good Luck. Be careful with the salvaged lumber. Morgan Monks – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The library has books on USIN SALVAGED WOODS,And even shows where to find your own stache! Everytime i see somebody get excited about findin a lone tree i gotta think BOY if they only knew! hehe         Just curious.  Does anyone know what the smallest diameter of trunk/limb from Red Oak, White Oak or Walnut trees will yield useable lumber?  Also, normally, what thickness/width can you expect from given diameters?         Terry

Response:

        Just curious.  Does anyone know what the smallest diameter of trunk/limb from Red Oak, White Oak or Walnut trees will yield useable lumber?  Also, normally, what thickness/width can you expect from given diameters?         Terry

This really depends on what you are going to use the wood for. I’m finding a lot of reaction to pieces I have carved from wood centers. These can be as small as a few inches.

Response:

I have access to 3- 6′ lengths of cherry full rounds approx 10" diam.  These were cut from a tree fallen in a storm and have just been out in the elements for almost a year.  There is some cracking on the ends but it is not splitting.  My question is wether or not it would be worth attempting to turn this into acceptable stock for small projects, and second what I would need to do at this point to do just that.  Any information would be appreciated. Beau Wiseman

Response:

Dear Beau: When I was a younger man I became enamored with fly fishing and I tied my own flies.  I used a lot of saddle hackle which comes from roosters. So every time I saw a coup of chickens I started looking it over to see if there was a rooster; everything from Rhode Island Reds, Dominickers, White Legorns, even Banties. Now I can’t drive past a tree without wondering what kind of wonderful grain a tree will have.  I once came upon a crawler tractor ripping up a side of the road and they uncovered large Eucalyptus branches which had been buried in relatively dry soil.  My heart pounded with the same kind of excitement as it did when I saw one of those beautiful roosters. Anyway, I took what I could carry off cleaned off the dirt and let it set. Several months later I put a piece of it on my lathe and became excited with the magnificent grain which began to appear.  My regret is that I didn’t salvage more of it.  I left so much that I could have had, and out here, Eucalyptus dries so fact it checks and cracks. To your question.  Absolutely lay your hands on that Cherry.  Guard it with a gun, then when you have it home, put it under your bed and don’t tell anyone where you have it stored.  If it’s dry, which it probably is, as was my experience, it has a lot of uses.  As to how to get it milled into lumber, I haven’t the foggiest.  If you live in an area where there are mills, getting it into board shouldn’t be that difficult.  If you have the capability, I suggest having a lot of it cut into dimension. Good Luck Robert Lee, Chandler, aZ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have access to 3- 6′ lengths of cherry full rounds approx 10" diam.  These were cut from a tree fallen in a storm and have just been out in the elements for almost a year.  There is some cracking on the ends but it is not splitting.  My question is wether or not it would be worth attempting to turn this into acceptable stock for small projects, and second what I would need to do at this point to do just that.  Any information would be appreciated. Beau Wiseman

Response:

Sure, you have a treasure. Find someone with a large band saw to make the slices you will need and then have them planed. In the meantime, pour some parafin on the ends of the logs to force more even drying. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have access to 3- 6′ lengths of cherry full rounds approx 10" diam.  These were cut from a tree fallen in a storm and have just been out in the elements for almost a year.  There is some cracking on the ends but it is not splitting.  My question is wether or not it would be worth attempting to turn this into acceptable stock for small projects, and second what I would need to do at this point to do just that.  Any information would be appreciated. Beau Wiseman

Response:

My question is wether or not it would be worth attempting to turn this into acceptable stock for small projects,

might as well try. if not at least you’ll have firewood ready to burn. and second what I would  need to do at this point to do just that.

my technique for found wood: paint some sorta sealant on the ends. old paint, commercial selaent, thinned down wood glue, whatever.. remove bark w/ a draw-knife square it up two adjacent faces is fine, w/ a side axe, chainsaw, froe, whatever… take it to your bandsaw w/a resaw blade and rip it into 6/4 (1-1/2") stock… sticker it..  wait… see what develops in a year or two — ~ John  http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/1824/ Please post follow-ups to the group.

Response:

what he said. ‘cept I cut it to 8/4…                 jd – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My question is wether or not it would be worth attempting to turn this into acceptable stock for small projects, might as well try. if not at least you’ll have firewood ready to burn. and second what I would  need to do at this point to do just that. my technique for found wood: paint some sorta sealant on the ends. old paint, commercial selaent, thinned down wood glue, whatever.. remove bark w/ a draw-knife square it up two adjacent faces is fine, w/ a side axe, chainsaw, froe, whatever… take it to your bandsaw w/a resaw blade and rip it into 6/4 (1-1/2") stock… sticker it..  wait… see what develops in a year or two — ~ John  http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/1824/ Please post follow-ups to the group.

– **  James J. Momenee-DuPrie     Operations Manager     ** **  Phone (978) 684-3722        ADSmart Corp.          ** **  Fax (978) 684-3618          100 Brickstone Square  **

Response:

Question:

I will be in Shelton Wa. this weekend and would like to get in some flyfishing for Steelhead.  I figure the Satsop or Wynoochee are the closest rivers.  What kind of bank access is there on these rivers?  Any info. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Brian

Response:

I will be in Shelton Wa. this weekend and would like to get in some flyfishing for Steelhead.  I figure the Satsop or Wynoochee are the closest rivers.  What kind of bank access is there on these rivers?  Any info. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Brian

Your timing is good.  Both rivers should be getting  a good run of native fish about now.  Who knows is they will be fishable.  They both clear pretty quickly after a storm but they don’t do it in a regular pattern.  Some times the Satsop will be high and ugly while next door the Nooc is pretty and green.  Next time around they’ll be opposite. I’m sure it has to do with dam releases (on the Nooch) storm patterns and freezing levels.  I’ve never figured it out.  I just fish the one thats clear.   Both have ok bank access.  Not any thing special but you can spend a full day fishing either without refishing any water.  Get a good road map.  The crossover bridge and the west side of the white bridge boat ramp on the Nooch a little walking and there is enough holding water for anyone.  The road leading to the State Park (I can’t think of it’s name right now) follows the main stem of the Satsop river.  The fishermens access places are pretty easy to spot.  Again, a little walking and  You’ll find enough water to keep you busy for a long time. Both are nice little rivers that are a lot of fun to fish.  I hope you have a good time. Steve

Response:

Question:

Great responses from all

Question:

I may be in the Minneapolis area for a few days some time this fall. Any recommendations for fly fishing within three or four hours of Minneapolis (trout, bass, whatever, as long as it takes a fly)? If I have a choice, what would be the best time to go? Email or post is fine. Thanks in advance. Bill S.            

Response:

I may be in the Minneapolis area for a few days some time this fall. Any recommendations for fly fishing within three or four hours of Minneapolis (trout, bass, whatever, as long as it takes a fly)? If I have a choice, what would be the best time to go? Email or post is fine. Thanks in advance. Bill S.

Bill, A good time to come! If you come before the season closes (Sept. 30th) You have your choice of thousands of "Spots". I’d recommend the Whitewater River Watershed south of Minneapolis, between Rochester and Winona. Stop at the State Park there and ask the naturalists for advise, or at the fly shops in Rochester ("Burger Brothers" for expl) Wisconsin has an overwhelming number of rivers to choose from also. When you buy the WI liscense, you get fabulous pamphlets for directions. I wish MN was as good. They have materials, but they don’t hand them out with the ticket. I live in Duluth, and fall is great for Brookies all over the place. I can catch ‘em right in town, But I like the drive to "Get away" and find some solitude. My favorite is the Brule River in WI. (Boise Brule, officially). It is an honest, naturally reproductive, trout stream. Late Sept. is closing there too. Finally, if your visit is after Sept. 30th, come to Duluth. Steelhead will be running up from Lake Superior. Fall Salmon too. Give me an E-mail if you feel like driving north, I can point out some spots on the map for you. Have fun! Jim Wrobleski

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I may be in the Minneapolis area for a few days some time this fall. Any recommendations for fly fishing within three or four hours of Minneapolis (trout, bass, whatever, as long as it takes a fly)? If I have a choice, what would be the best time to go? Email or post is fine. Thanks in advance. Bill S. Bill, A good time to come! If you come before the season closes (Sept. 30th) You have your choice of thousands of "Spots". I’d recommend the Whitewater River Watershed south of Minneapolis, between Rochester and Winona. Stop at the State Park there and ask the naturalists for advise, or at the fly shops in Rochester ("Burger Brothers" for expl) Wisconsin has an overwhelming number of rivers to choose from also. When you buy the WI liscense, you get fabulous pamphlets for directions. I wish MN was as good. They have materials, but they don’t hand them out with the ticket. I live in Duluth, and fall is great for Brookies all over the place. I can catch ‘em right in town, But I like the drive to "Get away" and find some solitude. My favorite is the Brule River in WI. (Boise Brule, officially). It is an honest, naturally reproductive, trout stream. Late Sept. is closing there too. Finally, if your visit is after Sept. 30th, come to Duluth. Steelhead will be running up from Lake Superior. Fall Salmon too. Give me an E-mail if you feel like driving north, I can point out some spots on the map for you. Have fun! Jim Wrobleski

Good info Jim, I would add the Namakogen (sp?) in Northwest WI. Vince

Response:

I may be in the Minneapolis area for a few days some time this fall. Any recommendations for fly fishing within three or four hours of Minneapolis (trout, bass, whatever, as long as it takes a fly)? If I have a choice, what would be the best time to go? Email or post is fine. Thanks in advance. Bill S.  

        I would recommend that you contact Dennis Graupe at the Spring Creek Angler in Coon Valley WI. (608-452-3430). Tell him that John Myers sent you. Note that the WI season closes 9/30/96.                                 j.m.          

Response:

Question:

I will arrive in Hot Springs Aug. 10th and be fishing several days. Would appreciate any tips on good locations and what may be hatching or emerging at that time. Thank you. Don Whipple from Kansas

Response:

I have fly fished for trout on the Little Red below the dam in Heber Springs, AR.  The trout feed on freshwater shrimp that are coming out of the bottom of the lake.  A mysis shrimp pattern imitates this. This is the only fly fishing I have done in AR, and there may be good places closer to Hot Springs than this.  Looking at my road atlas, I see no less than 10 rivers crossing the highways near Little Rock. My brother has done some fly fishing on the White River. Good Luck, Eric

Response:

Question:

Does anyone know if fishing is permitted on the Prisons property of Spring Creek???                                        Brian

The answer to this question is yes and no.  You cannot fish on the prison property where it is posted. This includes a stretch above and below the area mentioned by another poster.  He is talking about turning onto Shiloh Road at the white church and fishing the Benner Springs hatchery stretch.  There has been quite a bit of controversy over this area in the past few years. Much of the access at Benner Springs has been taken away along with the parking which used to be available.  The Fish commission says it isn’t trying to keep people from fishing there but they have taken away parking, taken to closing the gates earlier, and generally made it very difficult to enjoy. The Yes part to your question about fishing prison land…most of where you can fish between Shiloh Road and the Paradise area IS prison land.  The DEC and prison have agreements.  If you fish anywhere in this stretch, the land surrounding the stream and up the hills, on both sides, is prison land. You’ll notice signs which post for trespass and No Hunting all along here. If you stick to the public access waters you ARE fishing prison land.  Can you fish the other posted areas of prison land…not legally.  It is your choice. For all the fantastic fishing available in the open waters I don’t feel the need to take a chance at hitting the posted waters.                              Scott

Response:

Does anyone know if fishing is permitted on the Prisons property of Spring Creek???                                         Brian —

Response:

Hi Brian,    I’ve fished on prison property near the fish hatchery below the State Trooper barracks.  I’m not sure of the name of the road but I can give you directions.  From State College head towards the Nittany Mall.  Get on Rt. 150 (Benner Pike) headed towards Bellefonte and take a left at the second Mall entrance (at the little white church).  Go down that road until you run into the prison property.  Do not take a left on Trout Road.  You’ll run into a gate and if you read the sign, they close the gate at 9:00PM. You must be out at that time, they’re pretty good about not closing the gate if they see cars parked there.  There are some big fish (16-24") in there.  E-Mail me at the Internet address below the next time you plan on fly-fishing, I try to get out everyday.  See you later.

Response:

Question:

I have an upcoming business trip to Ann Arbor, MI (May 22-26) and am wondering whether to bring the rod…..   Can anybody on the net suggest some nice trout waters within a 2 hours radius of Ann Arbor?  (Thanks, but the Au Sable is too far away, some other time perhaps) Perhaps also a Ann Arbor fly shop? If I get some suggestions, I’d stay an extra day…. Please email, thanks, -PWM Nat’l Center for Atmos Research    voice:  (303) 497-1293 Scientific Computing Division     Consulting Office

Response:

Fly-sishing for trout is out if you are looking to fish in a two hour radius of Ann Arbor.   If you want to fly-fish for Bass in the huron River, call MacGregor’s out doors on Mainstreet (an Orvis shop) and ask for Mac Richardson. He and his son know where to fish for small mouth on the Huron.   GaryLarry

Response: