Question:

Thanks for the info.  I’ll have to try the "Prissy".  I figure even with the 5wt it ought to be fun just trying.

Response:

…  I’d like to try out my first fly rod and wondered if anyone had any suggestions on what to throw? Oh yea,  my only rod (so far) is a 5wt …

Poppers, the bigger the better but whatever you can cast. I like deer hair poppers but they’re real wind eaters. The weedless ones are best, they have a loop of heavy mono tied in to surround the hook point. Use a short & heavy leader, ie less than 7′ and tapered from .021 (~ 50 lb test) or so down to about a 3X or even 2X. Some folks don’t even worry about taper when tossing big bass poppers and just use 6 or 7 foot of moderately heavy (30-40 lb test) mono. You can catch big bass on a 5wt but you’d be better off with a heavier rig, especially if you need to horse ‘em out of the weeds. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

<<I’ll be down in Tx early in April and have the opportunity to fish lake fork.  Bass should be in the shallows and i’ve been told it’s a good opportunity to do some sight fishing.   I’d like to try out my first fly rod and wondered if anyone had any suggestions on what to throw? Oh yea,  my only rod (so far) is a 5wt so I suspect I can’t throw the monster bugs. You will be here at a very good time. From the first of April until tmid June is the best time for fly fishing Laker Fork. If you are using a 5 wt rod I would advise taking an extra. This is also a very good time for blue gill and crappie. They are huge and will be just right for your 5 wt. . I usually use 17 lb. leader at Lake Fork. No taper. These fish aren’t leader shy. Even the big bass will hit small poppers. A favorite of mine is called "Miss Prissy". You can buy them at WalMart for less than you can make them. It may still be a little early for poppers. If so, try something like chartruese or white wooly buggers or zonkers. The fish that you see are probably bedding fish. Cast to them but if they ignore it leave them alone to spawn. You will see people torment them until they are able to snag them. There are a couple of good fly fishing guides on the lake if you need one.

Response:

I’ll be down in Tx early in April and have the opportunity to fish lake fork.  Bass should be in the shallows and i’ve been told it’s a good opportunity to do some sight fishing.   I’d like to try out my first fly rod and wondered if anyone had any suggestions on what to throw? Oh yea,  my only rod (so far) is a 5wt so I suspect I can’t throw the monster bugs. thanks in advance for any suggestions or tips.

Response:

Question:

Hi, Is there a good flyfishing spot for trouts, salmon or steelhead near Portland, Oregon?  I will be visiting Portland at the end of October. Thanks in advance. Kang

Response:

Is there a good flyfishing spot for trouts, salmon or steelhead near Portland, Oregon?  I will be visiting Portland at the end of October.

Closest would be the Clackamas and Sandy, both of which run through the metro area. Closest for world class fly fishing would be the North Santiam, about an hour south of PDX

Response:

Hi, Is there a good flyfishing spot for trouts, salmon or steelhead near Portland, Oregon?  I will be visiting Portland at the end of October. Thanks in advance. Kang

Go to the Deschutes river.   You’ll have a chance to catch trout and steelhead.   Check at a couple of the fly shops in Portland.   One other fishery that will be going on is the Tillomook bay/river.  You can go for the BIG chinook in the Trask or Wilson rivers.   There are other rivers on the coast that have this same fall chinook run going on.  When you get into town call Fisherman’s Outdoor at 503-283-8310 or Great American Tackle at 503-650-2662 they can direct you in the right direction. Sharp Hooks, Pat Holdzit Fishing Products Inc. http://www.holdzit.com Before you buy.

Response:

Wow, I surely wouldn’t call the N. Santiam a "world class flyfishing river." I floated it yesterday and saw lots of big October Caddis flys hatching, but nary a rise. My vote would be for the Deschutes/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is there a good flyfishing spot for trouts, salmon or steelhead near Portland, Oregon?  I will be visiting Portland at the end of October. Closest would be the Clackamas and Sandy, both of which run through the metro area. Closest for world class fly fishing would be the North Santiam, about an hour south of PDX

Response:

Wow, I surely wouldn’t call the N. Santiam a "world class flyfishing river." I floated it yesterday and saw lots of big October Caddis flys hatching, but nary a rise. My vote would be for the Deschutes/

Guess that just goes to show you…. I floated the section around Mill City/Lyons last weekend. Caught and released well over 30 fish in 4 hours. Waded one bar and caught at least 10 in 20 minutes. Most in the 10"-12" range, a few dinks and one truly huge cut. Maybe the river isn’t the problem….

Response:

Well, good for you! I didn’t have my flyrod along on Sunday, but was keeping a watchful eye for rising fish, and saw none. Guess we have different opinions on what constitutes a "World Class river." I like the N. Santiam, but have never seen it given that kind of status. Also, never have seen it listed in any "top rivers" articles. I didn’t see my experience as a "problem" as I wasn’t fishing. If I was and I heard about your success the prior day, I would readily admit that it was my problem! Good luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wow, I surely wouldn’t call the N. Santiam a "world class flyfishing river." I floated it yesterday and saw lots of big October Caddis flys hatching, but nary a rise. My vote would be for the Deschutes/ Guess that just goes to show you…. I floated the section around Mill City/Lyons last weekend. Caught and released well over 30 fish in 4 hours. Waded one bar and caught at least 10 in 20 minutes. Most in the 10"-12" range, a few dinks and one truly huge cut. Maybe the river isn’t the problem….

Response:

Wow, I surely wouldn’t call the N. Santiam a "world class flyfishing

river." Someone responsed: Caught and released well over 30 fish in 4 hours.

The North Santiam can be excellent for trout and steelhead until they start dumping lots of water out of Detroit Reservoir.  For bank fishers I would rank it behind the Deschutes, but for float fishers, there are some outstanding areas. Thomas Gilg

Response:

Question:

My wife and I will be visiting the St. Joe River area after the Fourth of July.

My friend and I were up to the end of the road last August, early Sept.  That was my first fly-fishing experience, so I can’t give much advice.  Pretty much every fly my friend gave me worked very well.  Elk-hair caddis is the only one I remember.  Cuthroat all over at the end of the road.  Mostly small ones, 7-8".  I got one that was about 10-11" but he left half his lower jaw on my hook.  I wasn’t too happy about that. There was a bear rampaging around the campground at that time.  F&G was going to catch him.  Just a young blackie and I’m certain he’d be gone now, but it can be pretty "wild" out there. Good luck.  Very beautiful up there. E. O’Daniel IDAHO

Response:

Howdy, My wife and I will be visiting the St. Joe River area after the Fourth of July. Is there anyone out there who could help with info about good water and good hatches. Thanks, Marty

Response:

Marty, The St. Joe is still feeling the effects of a huge snowpack this year and is still running quite a bit higher than it normally would be this time of year.  However, in my experience the further upstream you can get the better the fishing…..above Prospector Creek is C&R and below is 1 Cutthroat limit over 14". The cutthroat on the Joe aren’t picky…..just about any dry fly will draw strikes but some of the better ones are Renegades, hoppers, elk hair caddis, humpies, and royal wulffs.  I have heard there is a fly called the St. Joe Special but I have never seen it and have never used it.  Hare’s ears and prince nymphs will also work well. Good luck! Dustin

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Howdy, My wife and I will be visiting the St. Joe River area after the Fourth of July. Is there anyone out there who could help with info about good water and good hatches. Thanks, Marty

Response:

Question:

<<  I wasn’t so much scared, though, as hurt. After all I had done for him the damned squirrel never even looked back.  Anyone out there have similar stories they’d like to share?   I think former President Jimmy Carter had something like that happen while fishing too far from Secret Service agents from providing details. William Buchman

Response:

"No good deed goes unpunished."

Response:

Cute story Joe but that’s not being attacked by a squirrel.  Come on down to the Clave and I’ll show you the scars from REALLY being attacked by a squirrel.  Story too long to post here. Wayne To fish is human…to release divine. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone out there have similar stories they’d like to share?

Response:

Wayno, swear ta gawd, I never touched ya. Big Al – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Cute story Joe but that’s not being attacked by a squirrel.  Come on down to the Clave and I’ll show you the scars from REALLY being attacked by a squirrel.  Story too long to post here. Wayne To fish is human…to release divine. Anyone out there have similar stories they’d like to share?

Response:

No Al, not Wayno, that’s the OTHER Wayne! Wayne To fish is human…to release divine. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wayno, swear ta gawd, I never touched ya. Big Al Cute story Joe but that’s not being attacked by a squirrel.  Come on down to the Clave and I’ll show you the scars from REALLY being attacked by a squirrel.  Story too long to post here. Wayne To fish is human…to release divine. Anyone out there have similar stories they’d like to share?

Response:

Cute story Joe but that’s not being attacked by a squirrel.  Come on down to the Clave and I’ll show you the scars from REALLY being attacked by a squirrel.  Story too long to post here. Wayne

is jimmy c. gonna join us? tell him to bring plenty of peanuts and billy beer. –wataugan walt

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Cute story Joe but that’s not being attacked by a squirrel.  Come on down to the Clave and I’ll show you the scars from REALLY being attacked by a squirrel.  Story too long to post here. Wayne is jimmy c. gonna join us? tell him to bring plenty of peanuts and billy beer. –wataugan walt

That was a rabbit that went after old Jimmy. — Charlie…

Response:

doggone this grouse….let me go find my sm, memory is slippin…. –Wataugan Waldo – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Cute story Joe but that’s not being attacked by a squirrel.  Come on down to the Clave and I’ll show you the scars from REALLY being attacked by a squirrel.  Story too long to post here. Wayne is jimmy c. gonna join us? tell him to bring plenty of peanuts and billy beer. –wataugan walt That was a rabbit that went after old Jimmy. — Charlie…

Response:

 Winter is a lousy time for fishing here in New England. there’s something about that slight two-foot film of ice that inhibits the trout and salmon  rising to your exquisitely presented dry fly; perhaps that slight tap on the head as they slam into the solid wall of ice.  If it’s bad for fishing, though, it’s a great time for contemplating fishing trips of the past. One of my all time favorite days on the water ended without a single fish.  It was one of those perfect fall days when the air is dry and crystal clear, not the best weather for catching but perfect for fishing, if you know what I mean. I was supposed to be at work, but the day was too nice and the feeling of freedom I got from playing hooky from work just added to the enjoyment of the day.  About three miles from the dock I saw something swimming in the water. Stopping to check it out, I found a gray squirrel. He was almost a mile from land and the water was cold. the poor thing swam up to my boat and I could hear it’s claws scraping on the aluminum side as the near-frozen animal tried desperately to get out of the water.  Now I enjoy eating a fish now and then but otherwise consider myself a kindly soul so up picked up my landing net and hoisted the half-frozen rodent out of the water. When I laid it on the seat of my boat it was so cold it just layed there.  Being somewhat foolhardy as well as kindly, I took off my coat, an old Vietnam-era Army jacket, built a nest and placed the cold-cold squirrel inside.  I continued on to my favorite fishing hole and proceeded to cast for smallmouth bass. The sun was getting warmer and the squirrel in my coat would, once in a while let out a little sneeze but was otherwise silent.  After two or three hours of casting, I had totally forgotten about my guest, now comfortably asleep in my coat. I put my rod down and turned to start the motor.  As the motor roared to life, I hard a scrambling sound in back of me and turned to see a gray streak come flying from the front seat, onto the middles seat, onto the small of my back and up my back to the top of my head where it dove off into the water and swam the short 10 feet to shore.  Now I know I was at least 10 miles from the dock but when I returned a couple of the guys there swore they heard me scream.  I wasn’t so much scared, though, as hurt. After all I had done for him the damned squirrel never even looked back.  Anyone out there have similar stories they’d like to share?

Response:

Joe Mitko writes:

(good story mostly snipped) As the motor roared to life, I hard a scrambling sound in back of me and turned to see a gray streak come flying from the front seat, onto the middles seat, onto the small of my back and up my back to the top of my head where it dove off into the water and swam the short 10 feet to shore.

Joe:  great story, but you missed out on some great tying material. Mark Faulkner

Response:

Question:

bellows writes: actually, the reverse of that is what we should be looking for.  we should work to stop the offshore-mixed stock fisheries and work to create selective harvest methods in terminal fisheries.  you are right though, we cannot have both offshore mix-stock and terminal fisheries at the same time.  the tribes didn’t destroy the resource, and they probably take less columbia river fish than alaska and canada (steelhead excepted).  the problem is the method, gill-nets are plain wrong when you have co-mingled fish stocks, which is basically all the time.

Modify or eliminate the dams, and there would be plenty of wild salmon for everyone. CQ

Response:

I want to expand further on what I discussed in my first post.  I didn’t take  the time to go into detail so I came away sounding like a redneck who doesn’t  feel the tribes should have access to the fish.  They should.  Afterall, they  were fishing for salmon long before the first European stepped foot on the  land in North America.  However, I think there are better solutions out there  then running gill nets around the clock for several weeks at a time.

you are correct, there are options.  the state and feds should be trying to develop and encourage selective fisheries when it comes to commercial fisheries, whether they be treaty or non-treaty. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Salmon/steelhead fishing has become a game of who has the most money in our  state.  I despise  politics because of special interest monies way of buying  influence vs. doing the right thing.  That is why I enjoy getting out on the  water.  It is one of the few acts that normally doesn’t involve much in the  way of politics.  Salmon/steelhead fishing is the exception to this.  If your  resources are endanger, common sense says you do the right thing and shut the  fishing down for a year or two to EVERYBODY.  That way, you get your fish  stocks back up  and the resource is boosted.  Cutting off sportsmen in the  least populated section of the state does nothing but tell us where we really  stand.

in most cases, i would agree with that statement regarding closures, but in the columbia river system will closures restore the stocks?  i believe that signifigant strides must be made towards increasing the survival of downstream and upstream migrants through the dams before real gains will be seen in the upper columbia basin.  it’s not just eastern washington getting the short end of the stick (resource).  where i live, along the strait of juan de fuca, communities are going belly up because salmon seasons have been cut dramatically, while commercial fishermen keep netting. One person mentioned that they didn’t think the tribal fishing accounted for  much of the catch.  If I am not mistaken, the tribes are entitled to 50% of  the commercial catch each year.  I may be mistaken on this but those are the  numbers I have heard.

i said that, and i stand behind it.  with regard to salmon the tribes take less fish than the offshore fisheries in alaska, canada and washington. with steelhead they are the only commercial fishers and catch too many wild fish in their nets (goes back to how much we need selective fisheries that allow the live release of wild fish).  the tribes are entitled to 50% of the fish, but they do not always catch the 50%. the problem with the tribal fisheries is that we can see what they are doing.  we don’t see the millions of fish that get caught off the coast, from alaska to the columbia, and the tribes get a larger share of the blame than they deserve (not that they are blameless). Irregardless of catch percentage, you can’t feel very good about seeing row  after row of nets all the way across the river during the main part of the  run.  You know that any type of fish that swims by is getting caught in the  net.   In closing, when you are dealing with a limited resource that is in much  demand, you can’t make everybody happy.  However, it just seems like the  sportsmen are the ones asked to give up their rights first.

the state had no other option but to close the upper columbia.  they have no control over the main problem, which are the dams, and very little control over tribal netting.  the date for listing was oct. 17th, so the state acted ahead of time.  next year will be the test year as to whether the tribal fishing will be restricted also.  another thing that made the closures automatic was the listing of the upper columbia hatchery fish (which heavily outnumber wild fish) as endangered.  this took away the option of fishing for hatchery fish and releasing wild fish, which has been the case for the seasons precluding this one.  I just bought a  new salmon fly rod blank a week before they closed down ALL of the steelhead  fisheries in my area.  I now have to drive 6 hours one way to use it. That  isn’t going to happen so I am building the rod for my sister in AK instead.  At least there she will get to use it.  At least in this round, I am the loser  while the folks who have the loudest voices still have all their fishing rights.

 it’s time to work for true restoration of wild, naturally spawning salmonids in the columbia system.  it’s time for BPA to put some money into wild, native fish management.  it’s time for other groups with loud voices such as the industries that use the columbia to the detriment of the fish to take some hits to restore the once large runs of salmon and steelhead to this river.  i’m willing to pay more money for electricity to help fund measures that help wild salmon.  i’m willing to accept closures to give the fish a break, but only if i see a real effort to restore the runs, not as an excuse to do nothing.  i would love to see the tribes sue the hell out of the government to make them take the steps to restore wild salmon.

Response:

actually, the reverse of that is what we should be looking for.  we should work to stop the offshore-mixed stock fisheries and work to create selective harvest methods in terminal fisheries.  you are right though, we cannot have both offshore mix-stock and terminal fisheries at the same time.  the tribes didn’t destroy the resource, and they probably take less columbia river fish than alaska and canada (steelhead excepted).  

I think it would be fair to say that Canada would support reduced interceptions of columbia River salmon to the extent you can persuade Alaska from intercepting fish bound for our rivers. I believe some action has been taken to protect Columbia River fish off the West Coast of Vancouver Island though I’m not sure of the numbers and it likely isn’t enough – however interceptions by Alaska are the major problem and have to be addressed. It’s an issue that have very broad implications far beyond the commercial fishery and the Pacific Salmon Treaty. Ralph H remove "(take_this_out)" for email reply.

Response:

I had the good fortune of meeting the Director of Fish & Wildlife, Bern Shanks, last night while he spoke at the Renton Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers. His basic message was this: Unless we make some drastic changes in the way our state is managing our salmon and steelhead, we will no longer be charged with that management resposnibility, the Federal Government will. He said that it appears to those in Olympia that the only parties interested in the outcome of this struggle to save salmon are the commercial fishing interests and Washington tribes. Please read my article and contact a commissioner and your elected representatives in Olympia. There is a crucial vote pending before the F&W Commission that will decide on a Wild Salmonid Policy option that will have significant lasting impacts on our future abilities to fish for and catch salmon and steelhead in this state. My article can be found at http://www.nwfishing.com/dweitl/ww1.html Thanks. — David and B.J. Weitl Poulsbo, Washington Washington Statewide Fishing Reports http://www.nwfishing.com/dweitl/ww1.html

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – David, Thanks for the update.  I know many anglers who are mad as hell at the way this  states salmon and steelhead are managed.  Skip Knowles, publisher of the  Washington Fishing and Hunting News, has been an ongoing advocate who has been  trying to raise everbodys awareness and has done a great job.  In my personal  opinion, the sportsman are just fed up with nobody listening to what we have  to say.  It seems that the commercial and tribal fisherman have all their  attention. A classic example of this is the recent listing of the upriver steelhead as  endangered species.  The tribal and commericial fisherman can net the hell out  of them in the lower Columbia, but once they pass a certain dam and are no  longer of interest to these two parties, they become "endangered."  The only  loser here is the sportsmen. Then, to top it off, some clown wants to open the Hanford reach to a commercial  fishing study two weeks later.  (The same fish that are now considered  endangered here would have been exposed to commercial nets!) Fortunately this  was nixed by Senator Murray. I personally don’t know what else to do.  It seems that special intersts have  outbid the sportsman to the the point that we don’t  have much of a voice  anymore. The solution here is simple:  GET THE TRIBAL NETS OUT OF THE WATER AND CREATE A  NON COMMERCIAL NO FISHING ZONE AROUND THE OUTLETS TO THESE RIVERS.

actually, the reverse of that is what we should be looking for.  we should work to stop the offshore-mixed stock fisheries and work to create selective harvest methods in terminal fisheries.  you are right though, we cannot have both offshore mix-stock and terminal fisheries at the same time.  the tribes didn’t destroy the resource, and they probably take less columbia river fish than alaska and canada (steelhead excepted).  the problem is the method, gill-nets are plain wrong when you have co-mingled fish stocks, which is basically all the time. bern shanks is on our side on this issue.  we must force the commision to follow his lead in protecting the resource, not special interests.

Response:

Question:

After many years of using FF equipment, I thought that I understood the meaning of value but with prices today being what they are, I’m not sure anymore. I have fished with bamboo and glass and of course now the ubiquitous graphite! I have always held that each man has the duty to select and own the very best equipment he can afford, but somewhere along the line of reason, the meaning of the word value has lost it’s punch. I know that perhaps, one’s ability to feel good about their equipment is an important issue to some and there is of course the snob appeal of ownership that somehow owning the most expensive equipment somehow also creates a better fisherman. Sadly, this is of course not true and most of us who ply the water in search of our outdoor pleasure has found the the type of who I speak. Conversely I seem to run into many more fishermen who are satisfied to use off the shelf equipment as long as it does the job. Now I have not made these comments as a discourse on the merits of one type of person versus the other, but rather to put some meaning into how a person can select the very best in value from the present tremendous spectrum of available graphite rods. I know that there is a rating system for the graphite used in a rod, but the explaination of this tidbit seems to be lost in the hype of fit and finish and word paintings of the fish one can expect to catch. Of course fit and finish should be taken into consideration, but it also must have some limitation brought on by value! I guess the point I am leading to is how can you select a piece of equipment and be satisfied with the relationship between value and quality. I’m not looking for any My granddaddy use to say that the value of anything was more a product of what you thought something was worth than anything else. I suspect that this comes as close to being right as anything. Of course he was living in the late 1800s and we all know about the days when the value of a dollar was a good deal more than it is today. If you consider the value spread between a rod costing $79.00 vs one which cost $1,100.00, somewhere in between, there has to be a value where cost versus quality meet. At what point on the curve does cost outsrip value and value begin to take a beating? I’d be interested in hearing from anyone who would care to join in on this topic. I know that there are more fishermen out there using the under $100.00 rod and reel combinations than those who sport the $500.00 tickets! Your thoughts? —  

Question:

   To All;   I have been asked by some in my tying classes , what 5 things makes up a High Quality Fly. The question is valid and would like to hear what the ROFF group may say.    Harry

Response:

  To All;  I have been asked by some in my tying classes , what 5 things makes up a High Quality Fly. The question is valid and would like to hear what the ROFF group may say.   Harry

Hi Harry, I offer my ideas regarding the 5 things that make a high quality fly from my perspective, a commercial fly tier: 1. Durability – quality materials, strong hook, etc. 2. Proper proportions, tail length, hackle, etc. 3. Attractive to the fly fisher 4. Attractive to the fish 5. Will sell It will be interesting to see what other fly tiers/fisher think. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

   To All;   I have been asked by some in my tying classes , what 5 things makes up a High Quality Fly. The question is valid and would like to hear what the ROFF group may say.    Harry

Harry,         Here’s my list of the five characteristics of a good quality fly: Durability – It has to last.  This isn’t art for art’s sake. Ease of tying – The point is to go fishing sometime this century.  I         lose enough flies that I need to tie more than one per day. Bugginess – Oh, that elusive quality.  If it doesn’t "look buggy" it         probably will never get tied on my tippet.  I’ve carried flies         for years that just don’t get a rise out of me. Availability of Ingredients – Part of this is my frugality.  But, part         is my ecological awareness.  If I’m going to have to spend         my tying and fishing time tracking down materials, I’m outta         here. Catches Fish – Course, before I know this, I’ve tracked down the         materials, easily tied the fly, am confident in its durability,         and have tied it on my tippet.  But, hey, this is what we’re         doing this for, isn’t it? Charley

Response:

  To All;  I have been asked by some in my tying classes , what 5 things makes up a High Quality Fly. The question is valid and would like to hear what the ROFF group may say.   Harry

Reply Never counted my reasons. 1. Do I enjoy tying the fly? 2. Does it REALLY require all of those materials that I don’t have? Can I sub. and    still have a good looking fly that will work. 3. Do I have confidence in the fly. 4. Do I need another fly like this one. How many of this type do I already carry that    I don’t use now. 5. And back to # 1. If I like to tie the fly thats what matters. I’m here for just      the fun.  CU, Steve Birkes Buckner, Mo.

Response:

  To All;  I have been asked by some in my tying classes , what 5 things makes up a High Quality Fly. The question is valid and would like to hear what the ROFF group may say.

I can boil it down to just three things: 1.  It has to catch fish. 2.  It has to catch fish. 3.  It has to catch fish. Larry H.

Response:

I fish mainly in still waters and I fine one other quality to be of importance when tying.I like to call this Pulsability; giving the illusion of a bubbling, pulsating, swimming creature. John Hafner

Response:

Harry, as a former pro tyer I would have to say it’s more a case of WHO makes a good fly. Style and expertise does not come to everyone, even if you have the correct materials for any given pattern.   To All;  I have been asked by some in my tying classes , what 5 things makes up a High Quality Fly. The question is valid and would like to hear what the ROFF group may say.   Harry

– dave tait

Response:

I fish mainly in still waters and I fine one other quality to be of importance when tying.I like to call this Pulsability; giving the illusion of a bubbling, pulsating, swimming creature. John Hafner

A good fly should take less time to tie than it does to lose it.    -Ralph —

Response:

  To All;  I have been asked by some in my tying classes , what 5 things makes up a High Quality Fly. The question is valid and would like to hear what the ROFF group may say.   Harry

1. proportion 2. balance 3. durability 4. castability 5. silouette these are what i shoot for when tying flies for stripers, etc. shade/color would probably come in 6th for me.                                                 jc

Response:

        Does it catch fish?         That, essentially, is the bottom line.

Response:

        Does it catch fish?         That, essentially, is the bottom line.

Yes, but,…… There are lots of flies out there that catch marlin, peacock bass, sharks, etc.  They catch fish, but are not a good fly for me.  I don’t get to sea too often.  And, when I do, I’m usually looking for salmon! So, now we have to add the delimiter, "Does it catch the fish I’m after?". This is such a complex question! :^) Charley

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –         Does it catch fish?         That, essentially, is the bottom line. Yes, but,…… There are lots of flies out there that catch marlin, peacock bass, sharks, etc.  They catch fish, but are not a good fly for me.  I don’t get to sea too often.  And, when I do, I’m usually looking for salmon! So, now we have to add the delimiter, "Does it catch the fish I’m after?". This is such a complex question! :^) Charley

Hi Charley, Good point Charley! My flies always catch the fish I’m after IF i’m telling the story.?! Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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Al Beatty said: Hi Charley, Good point Charley! My flies always catch the fish I’m after IF i’m telling the story.?!

Cheers for Al’s honesty.  I will add that if they don’t, I damn quick change the story. Dick Hubbard

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   To All;   I have been asked by some in my tying classes , what 5 things makes up a High Quality Fly. The question is valid and would like to hear what the ROFF group may say.    Harry

Harry: 1. Ease of tying: most of us fit fly tying between the responsibilities work, running a home, and the ten o’clock news. Functional patterns are not necessarily a compromise. You can crank out a dozen brown-hackle-peacocks or BWO compara duns in the time it takes to tie half-as-many extended body paradrakes. This is not to say you don’t need extended body paradrakes–just save the more involved patterns for those rare occasions when you have a few hours to spend on the vice. 2. Proportions and technique: Spend time understanding how to size hackle and dimension tails; without such understanding, you can easily turn a humpy into a spider. Study A. K. Best’s "Production Fly Tying." He explains technique in this book, not recipes for ties (this book is made most valuable as a reference source: when you’re lashing down a moose mane tail, you can consult the book for a brief technique refresher before you begin, and your flies look a little better for your trouble). 3. Materials: Garbage in, garbage out. Webby dry fly hackle, too soft biots, it doesn’t matter. There’s nothing you can do to disguise poor materials. 4. Hooks: I used to recycle hooks but quit when I discovered that hooks grow weaker in boxes–every time your fly box gets submerged, the hooks will weaken from rust, particularly where the bend enters foam. I prefer Tiemco (particularly the 200R) and Daichi hooks. 5. Bottom Line: tie patterns that have proved their worth on the waters you fish. While just about any pattern will work at one time or another, there are a lot of useless diversions out there. Get to know old timers and knowledgable guides. They’ll turn you on to patterns you won’t find in books. Mitch Mulhall

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –    To All;   I have been asked by some in my tying classes , what 5 things makes up a High Quality Fly. The question is valid and would like to hear what the ROFF group may say.    Harry Harry: 1. Ease of tying: most of us fit fly tying between the responsibilities work, running a home, and the ten o’clock news. Functional patterns are not necessarily a compromise. You can crank out a dozen brown-hackle-peacocks or BWO compara duns in the time it takes to tie half-as-many extended body paradrakes. This is not to say you don’t need extended body paradrakes–just save the more involved patterns for those rare occasions when you have a few hours to spend on the vice. 2. Proportions and technique: Spend time understanding how to size hackle and dimension tails; without such understanding, you can easily turn a humpy into a spider. Study A. K. Best’s "Production Fly Tying." He explains technique in this book, not recipes for ties (this book is made most valuable as a reference source: when you’re lashing down a moose mane tail, you can consult the book for a brief technique refresher before you begin, and your flies look a little better for your trouble). 3. Materials: Garbage in, garbage out. Webby dry fly hackle, too soft biots, it doesn’t matter. There’s nothing you can do to disguise poor materials. 4. Hooks: I used to recycle hooks but quit when I discovered that hooks grow weaker in boxes–every time your fly box gets submerged, the hooks will weaken from rust, particularly where the bend enters foam. I prefer Tiemco (particularly the 200R) and Daichi hooks. 5. Bottom Line: tie patterns that have proved their worth on the waters you fish. While just about any pattern will work at one time or another, there are a lot of useless diversions out there. Get to know old timers and knowledgable guides. They’ll turn you on to patterns you won’t find in books. Mitch Mulhall

  To Mitch and all who took the time to reply, thank you !!  I will take these notes to the start of yet another class Thursday night.   Again Thanks    Harry

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Question:

I am interested in learning more about flyfishing for stripers in fresh water.  I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and would like any information that pertains to fishing the SF bay delta area as well.   I would like to know of good books to read and local quides to contact Thanks Stu Booth

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Good places for stripers in the SF area are Franks Tract in the Delta; you will need a boat, and the O’Neill Forebay of San Luis Reservoir which is accessible by canoe, float tube or boat.  The O’Neill is right at the intersection of Rte. 152 and I-5 near Los Banos jsut as you come down out of the Pacheco Pass into the Central Valley.  Although I haven’t caught one yet, there are reported to be a nice population of big stripers in this small lake. There are also stripers to be found in the main reservoir too, but it is a much more formidable piece of water. Pick up a copy of California Fly Fisher.  There are always ads for guides for striper fishing the bay and Franks tract in the back. Good luck–Crashjibe

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Question:

I’m planning to drive up from L.A. to spend a couple of days fishing the Owens.  Would appreciate any help regarding good places to fish, patterns, etc.   David Sheffield

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I’m planning to drive up from L.A. to spend a couple of days fishing the Owens.  Would appreciate any help regarding good places to fish, patterns, etc.   David Sheffield

You should pick up a current copy of California Fly Fisher at your local fly shop.  There is a good article with all this info. The gist of it:  try #14-16 nymphs (pheasant tails, hare’s ears, etc), wooly buggers, and have some small caddis and midge dries too.  Fish anywhere between Pleasant Valley Rreservoir and Bishop. Use a long tippet and drift it downstream as the trout are line wary. Fish the undercuts and riffles as well as the pools where the fish are more obvious. Mark Vinsel http://www.lanminds.com/local/vinnie/gallery.html

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Question:

I would appreciate any information on fishing for steelhead or salmon around Vancouver in late October, particularly on wadeable river spots. Thanks in advance, RK —   /      RedKnight               | Chris McCarley   /      "I have seen the future |            and it is neural."      |

Try calling Ruddicks Fly Shop in Burnaby (Suburb of Van)

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I would appreciate any information on fishing for steelhead or salmon around Vancouver in late October, particularly on wadeable river spots. Thanks in advance, RK —   /      RedKnight               | Chris McCarley   /      "I have seen the future |            and it is neural."      |

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