Question:

"the jettys can be a blast. I did catch a striper and 2 blues on deceivers this fall (so far) on a nearby jetty ." of course, this was a jetty nearby my home … I live in Monmouth County which is the the northern end of the Jersey coast. Avalon is down at the southern end. Rob — so much fishing, so little time — –please remuv the ‘NOWAY2it’ from my email addy to email me–

Response:

Rob, Thanks for the info.  I think I’ll bring my 10×10 and my decievers and sea-bait flies and see if the stripers or blues are around down south.   Should I bring my waders?  My guess is yes. Thanks Chas – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "the jettys can be a blast. I did catch a striper and 2 blues on deceivers this fall (so far) on a nearby jetty ." of course, this was a jetty nearby my home … I live in Monmouth County which is the the northern end of the Jersey coast. Avalon is down at the southern end. Rob — so much fishing, so little time — –please remuv the ‘NOWAY2it’ from my email addy to email me–

Response:

Chas, If you can fit them, I would bring waders.  The jetties in NJ are 2 types: rough rock jetties and "finished" jetties, ie. filled in with a lot of concrete. I’m not sure about the Avalon jetty having never been there, but as you might suspect another aspect of fishing the salt is wading out on bars to get at better parts of the channel, better casts due to wind, better drifts due to tides etc. Another point on jetties: if you saw my post about jetty jumping earlier, I would *definitely* recommend having korkers or studded boots for jetties.  Even if it’s a "finished" jetty, if you actually have to land a fish, it will require you climbing down the rocks.  Water temps will be in the 50’s by then, which is perfect. Up until this week, they were in the low 60’s. On bait fish, we have peanut bunker, spearing, bay anchovies all hanging around now, so a variety of deceivers and clousers  should be the ticket. Hope you do well, Rob — so much fishing, so little time — –please remuv the ‘NOWAY2it’ from my email addy to email me–

Response:

I will be in Avalon NJ for a wedding November 9th.  We arrive the 7th and leave on the 11th.  We’ll be staying at a friend’s house on the beach.  I’m wondering if I should be bringing any tackle for fishing either from the beach, or in some inland waterway that’s nearby.  I’d probably not get more than a day’s fishing in, more likely a couple hours. What might I find, and should I be trying. Thanks Chas

Response:

Chas, I’m not too up on Avalon specifically, but in general this is prime time for surf fishing in NJ. According to Jim Freda in Fishing the NJ coast,  if you drive to the north point of Avalon you’ll come to Townsends Inlet. You can fish the eighth street jetty and 2 smaller groins (jettys).  Apparently there is a sand bar that forms from this point out into the inlet and you can work the various structures, either the jettys or from the bar into the adjacent channel. When fish are around (which they should be), working the jettys can be a blast. I did catch a striper and 2 blues on deceivers this fall (so far) on a nearby jetty . Prime target for this time of year are stripers, and there may be some slammer blues around as well.  Many live line eels for the stripers, but if you go onto stripersurf.com or njstriper.com (or even reel-time.com) you may be able to get some specifics on flyfishing the area.  Both sites have a flyfishing message board. Of course, if you ask at local tackle shops, you may find that Tautog (blackfish) are around. These are fished strictly with bait, specifically green crabs, and are little bulldogs when caught.  It’s tough fishing for them as they’re always around structure, have very hard teeth with which they can suck a crab off a hook in a split second, but are very good eating…14" minimum size Enjoy, Rob — so much fishing, so little time — –please remuv the ‘NOWAY2it’ from my email addy to email me–

Response:

Question:

We would like to go back to Cozumel for scuba next summer but this time go in our own plane.  With all the red tape that is expected, I guess I should start now.  I understand that an experimental has to get Mexican gov’t approval, but am not sure how to go about that. Also, to go from north Alabama to Cozumel, as much as I dislike overwater flying, is it more risky to take the long way around, via the entire country of Mexico’s land mass?  What do you guys recommend? Thanks, AI Nut

Response:

I have flown down to Honduras twice from Texas.  Flying down the gulf coast of Mexico is easy with excellent airports and very pleasant airport personnel.  Enter at Brownsville and land as needed at Tampico, Veracruz, Villahermosa, Carmen. Cross the base of the Isthmus from Carmen to Chetumal and fly north to Cozumel.  Get the latest info packet from AOPA. The reason to cross the isthmus from Carmen to Chetumal is to follow the road rather than cross uninhabited, trackless jungle. — Richard TEXAS is not just a place, TEXAS  is a state of mind.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We would like to go back to Cozumel for scuba next summer but this time go in our own plane.  With all the red tape that is expected, I guess I should start now.  I understand that an experimental has to get Mexican gov’t approval, but am not sure how to go about that. Also, to go from north Alabama to Cozumel, as much as I dislike overwater flying, is it more risky to take the long way around, via the entire country of Mexico’s land mass?  What do you guys recommend? Thanks, AI Nut

Response:

Take a look at bajabushpilots.com  Geared more to California pilots flying down to Baja, but the answer re experimentals will be known. Re crossing over the Gulf from Alabama, you can manage the risk by having a raft and a 406 epirb and a person back home who will report you missing if you do not call them a certain time after departure.  Do you fly at night, over mountains, or in low IFR in a single?  These are similar, maybe even greater, risks.  Your chances are really bad in these situations if the engine quits.  At least with a ditching you are OK if someone will come get you and you can stay alive until then.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We would like to go back to Cozumel for scuba next summer but this time go in our own plane.  With all the red tape that is expected, I guess I should start now.  I understand that an experimental has to get Mexican gov’t approval, but am not sure how to go about that. Also, to go from north Alabama to Cozumel, as much as I dislike overwater flying, is it more risky to take the long way around, via the entire country of Mexico’s land mass?  What do you guys recommend? Thanks, AI Nut

Response:

Cash only, preferrably Mexican Pesos.  Strainer cloth and a Mexican mecahnic is required for any repairs.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We would like to go back to Cozumel for scuba next summer but this time go in our own plane.  With all the red tape that is expected, I guess I should start now.  I understand that an experimental has to get Mexican gov’t approval, but am not sure how to go about that. Also, to go from north Alabama to Cozumel, as much as I dislike overwater flying, is it more risky to take the long way around, via the entire country of Mexico’s land mass?  What do you guys recommend? Thanks, AI Nut

Response:

You can’t do repairs on your own aircraft????  Thats scary!  Might want to take some vasoline too!  Whats a strainer cloth? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Cash only, preferrably Mexican Pesos.  Strainer cloth and a Mexican mecahnic is required for any repairs. We would like to go back to Cozumel for scuba next summer but this time go in our own plane.  With all the red tape that is expected, I guess I should start now.  I understand that an experimental has to get Mexican gov’t approval, but am not sure how to go about that. Also, to go from north Alabama to Cozumel, as much as I dislike overwater flying, is it more risky to take the long way around, via the entire country of Mexico’s land mass?  What do you guys recommend? Thanks, AI Nut

Response:

You can do the repairs, but a mexican mechanic has to supervise the repair. Some people use a chamios to strain the fuel.  Probably not necessary at major airports, but if you are burning car gas or at a remote airport it is a cheap precaution.

You can’t do repairs on your own aircraft????  Thats scary!  Might want to take some vasoline too!  Whats a strainer cloth?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Cash only, preferrably Mexican Pesos.  Strainer cloth and a Mexican mecahnic is required for any repairs. We would like to go back to Cozumel for scuba next summer but this time go in our own plane.  With all the red tape that is expected, I guess I should start now.  I understand that an experimental has to get Mexican gov’t approval, but am not sure how to go about that. Also, to go from north Alabama to Cozumel, as much as I dislike overwater flying, is it more risky to take the long way around, via the entire country of Mexico’s land mass?  What do you guys recommend? Thanks, AI Nut

Response:

Take a look at bajabushpilots.com  Geared more to California pilots flying down to Baja, but the answer re experimentals will be known. Re crossing over the Gulf from Alabama, you can manage the risk by having a raft and a 406 epirb and a person back home who will report you missing if you do not call them a certain time after departure.  Do you fly at night, over mountains, or in low IFR in a single?  These are similar, maybe even greater, risks.  Your chances are really bad in these situations if the engine quits.  At least with a ditching you are OK if someone will come get you and you can stay alive until then.

Yeah, and not usually much problem with hypothermia in the Gulf Cheers, John PPASEL Temple, Texas

Response:

Before I started flying 10 years ago (and have made two trips through Mexico by plane) I lived aboard yachts for 23 years.  This included a great many crossings of the Gulf of Mexico in sail yachts, power yachts and commercial fishing vessels and oilfield service vessels..  Having been over 100,000 miles on the ocean in boats, I personally think that long passages over water in single engine planes are totally nuts.  It is often very rough down there and in those conditions, a ditching would not likely go very well.  It is also fairly unlikely that you will be found before it is too late.  What looks like calm water and short distances from a plane looks very very different from the surface.  I personally think that the risk is totally unacceptable in a single and would not do it in a twin, if the plane could not complete the trip from the 1/2 way point on one engine. On the other hand the trip around the edge with stops in nice Mexican cities and airports is a lot of fun.  The fuel is very very clean and the service is polite and excellent. No sweat. — Richard TEXAS is not just a place, TEXAS  is a state of mind.

Take a look at bajabushpilots.com  Geared more to

California pilots flying down to Baja, but the answer re experimentals will be known. Re crossing over the Gulf from Alabama, you can manage the risk by having a raft and a 406 epirb and a person back home who will

report you missing if – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – you do not call them a certain time after departure.  Do you fly at night, over mountains, or in low IFR in a single?  These are similar, maybe even greater, risks.  Your chances are really bad in these situations if the engine quits.  At least with a ditching you are OK if someone will come get you and you can stay alive until then. Yeah, and not usually much problem with hypothermia in the Gulf Cheers, John PPASEL Temple, Texas

Response:

100,000 miles on the ocean in boats, I personally think that long passages over water in single engine planes are totally nuts.  It is often very rough down there and in those conditions, a ditching would not likely go very well.  It is also fairly unlikely that you will be found before it is too late

You may know sailing, but you don’t know ditching. Ditching is not risk-free but can be accomplished without harm more often than not. Down home, many of us have ditched. Only one lost his life. He was drowned by a panicked passenger. D.

Response:

How high were the seas when you ditched.  How far from shore?  How long till rescue.  From Alabama to Yucatan is 600 or 700 NM. I have a friend who has ditched twice, right next to shore. The middle of the Gulf is a whole nother animal.  Of course, If you trust your machine that much, have at it. I have noticed something interesting.  I know quite a few instructors and pilots who love night flying and some who do some pretty serious IFR in singles.  Funny, that all of the mechanics that I know well who are also very experienced pilots, avoid night flight and heavy IFR in singles.  I am a pretty competent mechanic, but not an A&P and there is no way that I am flying under those conditions.  Of course two partial power losses in 1200 hours might have something to do with that. The sea is big and your life raft is ridiculously small.  If you ditch successfully, and if you get out and get in the raft, and if you still have the epirb (406 or not) and if you are detected, you might be found and they might even be able to rescue you.  That is a hell of a lot of ifs, for an unnecessary risk. — Richard TEXAS is not just a place, TEXAS  is a state of mind. message .net… 100,000 miles on the ocean in boats, I personally think that long passages over water in single engine planes are totally nuts.  It is often very rough down there and in those conditions, a ditching would not likely go very well. It is also fairly unlikely that you will be found before it is too late You may know sailing, but you don’t know ditching.

Ditching is not risk-free – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – but can be accomplished without harm more often than not. Down home, many of us have ditched. Only one lost his life. He was drowned by a panicked passenger. D.

Response:

Question:

cheers peter waldo, who just shut down the clave… well sorta… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Most of you who grace these pages, have heard that I missed the NC clave thanks to a Windows NT project that was going to consume my life for the next two months.  Well, it hasn’t quite turned out that way. Despite all sorts of weird problems and NT idiosyncracies, it’s been rolling along not too badly.  So to cut to the chase, I got to knock off work around 3:00pm on Friday.  My fishing buddy begs off so I head up to the Grand alone.   First a quick stop at Grindstone, met John and he mentioned an access point well downstream of where I normally fish.   OK, new spot – I’m game. After driving by it the first time, I find it and it is a very pretty spot with an old bridge that has been closed to traffic.  The river is fairly wide here so two or three guys can fish the same flat without crowding one another.  There’s one guy fishing already and fish rising all around the flat.  While I’m getting my shit together, he pulls in two fish, one of a half decent size.  We chat when I get down to the water and he recommends small – #16 and under.  This is a late season tactic, early on most of the fish can be taken on #14s and larger. Anyway, I figure since he’s catching fish, I’ll follow suit.  Without going into a long song ‘n dance, I must have hooked up twenty chubs. Most of the rising fish were chubs and some were of a fair size 8+" so it wasn’t always easy to tell the chubs from the browns.  Plus the chubs were so aggressive, they’d often take the fly before it got to the brown I was aiming for. I must of looked like I needed help as he frequently offered advice and instructions on how to set the hook, present a fly, etc.  I was there almost an hour after many chubs, I finally took my first brown on a #20 caddis.  I didn’t really go for his "small is better" philosophy and standing around, I could see larger insects coming off. Just upstream of me, a brown lunged at an emerging caddis and missed. The caddis flew toward me and I caught it – tan body, size #14, dark spotted wing – perfect Kings River Caddis.  On went a #14 KRC and good things started to happen.  After a few browns, I caught one very large chub with what appeared to be spines on it’s head and a pink hue to the scales.  Afterward, I looked it up at home and the spines were tubercles – the fish was in its spawning colours.  It was a pretty fish but I was getting fed up of the chubs. To solve the chub problem, I tied on a min-brown streamer.  After about ten casts I’d hooked up six or seven fish.  This went on for about half an hour and along the way, I managed to pick up one nice one amongst the smaller browns.  After I landed the nice one, the other guy announces that he’s going back to his car to get some streamers.  After about 20 or so browns, my poor little mini was wrecked – it was the only one I had left.  I moved to the other side of the bridge and took about another half-dozen on a Little Brown Trout before the thunder started up and I headed home. BTW, after about my tenth brown on the mini, the flow of instructions sorta dried up.  <g Cheers Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

– Walter G. Winter Ezflyfish.com:  http://www.ezflyfish.com Blue Ridge Book Gallery: http://www.crosswinds.net/~brbg/books/brbg-2.html

Response:

Most of you who grace these pages, have heard that I missed the NC clave thanks to a Windows NT project that was going to consume my life for the next two months.  Well, it hasn’t quite turned out that way. Despite all sorts of weird problems and NT idiosyncracies, it’s been rolling along not too badly.  So to cut to the chase, I got to knock off work around 3:00pm on Friday.  My fishing buddy begs off so I head up to the Grand alone.   First a quick stop at Grindstone, met John and he mentioned an access point well downstream of where I normally fish.   OK, new spot – I’m game. After driving by it the first time, I find it and it is a very pretty spot with an old bridge that has been closed to traffic.  The river is fairly wide here so two or three guys can fish the same flat without crowding one another.  There’s one guy fishing already and fish rising all around the flat.  While I’m getting my shit together, he pulls in two fish, one of a half decent size.  We chat when I get down to the water and he recommends small – #16 and under.  This is a late season tactic, early on most of the fish can be taken on #14s and larger. Anyway, I figure since he’s catching fish, I’ll follow suit.  Without going into a long song ‘n dance, I must have hooked up twenty chubs. Most of the rising fish were chubs and some were of a fair size 8+" so it wasn’t always easy to tell the chubs from the browns.  Plus the chubs were so aggressive, they’d often take the fly before it got to the brown I was aiming for. I must of looked like I needed help as he frequently offered advice and instructions on how to set the hook, present a fly, etc.  I was there almost an hour after many chubs, I finally took my first brown on a #20 caddis.  I didn’t really go for his "small is better" philosophy and standing around, I could see larger insects coming off. Just upstream of me, a brown lunged at an emerging caddis and missed. The caddis flew toward me and I caught it – tan body, size #14, dark spotted wing – perfect Kings River Caddis.  On went a #14 KRC and good things started to happen.  After a few browns, I caught one very large chub with what appeared to be spines on it’s head and a pink hue to the scales.  Afterward, I looked it up at home and the spines were tubercles – the fish was in its spawning colours.  It was a pretty fish but I was getting fed up of the chubs. To solve the chub problem, I tied on a min-brown streamer.  After about ten casts I’d hooked up six or seven fish.  This went on for about half an hour and along the way, I managed to pick up one nice one amongst the smaller browns.  After I landed the nice one, the other guy announces that he’s going back to his car to get some streamers.  After about 20 or so browns, my poor little mini was wrecked – it was the only one I had left.  I moved to the other side of the bridge and took about another half-dozen on a Little Brown Trout before the thunder started up and I headed home. BTW, after about my tenth brown on the mini, the flow of instructions sorta dried up.  <g Cheers Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

Question:

…  got real sick.  bad stomach ache.  threw up a lot.  a real clear, slightly amber viscous vomitus.  bad gas pains. real cramping belly wrenchers.

That water probably wouldn’t be so bad without the absinthe. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

You know, if I ever have the big one….I hope I’m around you guys…..I mean I wouldn’t have to worry about extended efforts to prolong my life without regard to the quality of it….taint no mercy here!     john – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Personally, I like to use a died marabou I get at the local hobby shop. Yea: go with the died marabou. The live ones are ugly bastards and they’ve got bloody great sharp beaks! Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

Response:

Personally, I like to use a died marabou I get at the local hobby shop.

Yea: go with the died marabou. The live ones are ugly bastards and they’ve got bloody great sharp beaks! Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

Response:

_____  One of these days, I should probably reveal the greatest secret known to man regarding the deadliest WOOLLY BUGGER Pattern known.  I should probably do it for Flies of the World because that is where everyone will find it, but this is a moral dilemma!  Who does Catch & Release and how many (in secret and behind our backs) really are Catch & Killers!??  Ahhhhh, the question boggles the mind. I have been told by a friend that if I reveal this pattern (MickeyMouse-a code word known to only a few) I would probably be assassinated, ground up into flake food and used in all the aquariums owned by ROFFIANS!  (Who would chuckle in glee dispensing me even way past midnight!) I will instruct in my will to reveal this pattern if I don’t change my mind before hand.  This pattern will triple the tonnage for all the fly fishing killers in ROFF . . . thereby, making me immortal in the eyes of mine gill-sayers. Oh!  The price of glory and it is so fleeing!  The fish and the fly is gone leaving us once again with only tippet in hand. Isn’t life a bitch?! — Mr.G http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html

Response:

Personally, I like to use a died marabou I get at the local hobby shop.  The dark green tends to fade after you fish it for a while – giving it a streaked appearance like what would be on the carapace of a crawdad (crayfish) when twitched along the bottom. Pearl chenille works great for spring fishing, add a dash of flashabou in the white marabou tail for an extra attention getter. I almost always tie with a bead head, and sometimes a silver works better than a brass and visa versified. Sometimes I’ll make the body out of two colors of chenille…black and brown or perhaps use a contrasting hackle color. Often I’ll tie in a few bright red wispy hanging down strands of marabou in the tail, with maybe one or two coming off the body to give an impression of a minnow with his guts hanging out.  Called up Erie way a ‘bleeding minnow.’ If I’m planning on fishing it along the bottom, I’ll use a shorter hackle but for ripping it through the water I like a real long hackle to give plenty of pulsation. I use basically one size of hook but vary the length of the body and where I begin the tail. Having contrast helps avoid changing light conditions, and having to change colors so often Personally, I have to rank a wooly bugger right up there at the top of the list. john p.s. went steelhead fishing.  the water was real cold. before the sun came up the air was real cold.  shoulda had a net.  steelhead have teeth…..up around lake erie, they get their drinking water from the lake.   put a lotta chlorine in it.  got real sick.  bad stomach ache.  threw up a lot.  a real clear, slightly amber viscous vomitus.  bad gas pains. real cramping belly wrenchers.

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Question:

Grow up and get a life!  If you have a "head in the sand" approach to flyfishing that’s fine, but don’t try to foist it on the rest of us.  Most fly fishers enjoy a variety of approaches to catch, and often release, a variety of fish species.   To each his or her own.

Response:

A nicely weighted nymph, quietly cast upstream, on a dead drift, is truly the only sporting way to pursue the honorable Mr. Trout.                                                        __ john quill taylor                                     / / writer at large                                      / /   Hewlett-Packard, Storage Systems Division    __     /_/ / Boise, Idaho U.S.A.                         /_/  __ _ Telephone: (208) 396-2328 (MST = GMT – 7)     /  \  / Snail Mail: Hewlett-Packard                    / \             11413 Chinden Blvd                 \             Boise, Idaho 83714                   _/             Mailstop 852                            _/                                                   _/       "When in doubt, do as doubters do." – jqt –                   haiti, rwanda, cuba, bosnia, … we have a list,              where is our schindler?

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Question:

=2E. Struggle in Sedona .. Below is an editorial from Fred Johnson published last week in Sedona Red Rock News …

"It’s symbolic of his struggle agains reality!"  - John Cleese, Monty Python’s Life of Brian

Response:

=2E. Struggle in Sedona .. Below is an editorial from Fred Johnson published last week in Sedona Red Rock News … Fred is good man and has done an admirable job of defining the issues involved with our Struggle in Sedona. Let=92s carry Fred=92s concept of  community approval for USFS land trades one step further, send me email and register =93your two cents worth=94 so that we may provide your opinion (support of no more land trades) to the USFS at the next meeting.  Let=92s face it, when the USFS trades land, these trades affect not just Sedona — they affect the entire world. Let’s not loose one more trail or tree. Let’s not loose one more bit of scenery. Let’s not loose one more bit of open space. Our forests are Public land and should remain public — not condos, not minimarts, not resorts, not wastewater treatment facilities (the USFS gave the city a couple hundred acres for one of these a few months ago) … We have one more week before we submit our local/national/global opinion to the USFS. Send us your letter today.  Thank you for your email, your support and your time. Tell a freind … Fred=92s editorial follows … Forest Service Land Trades Fly in the Face of the Public                                 by Fred Johnson The Forest Service Ideas for the Future statement addresses some concerns about land trades with sympathetic and soothing words and limited accommodation to past issues. However, the Forest Service still persists in desiring land acquisition by exchanges, regardless if such exchanges results in commercial and residential development, environmental denudation of the area transferred and unhappy public reaction. The Forest Service statement misses three strong expressions of public concern: The Sedona Community Plan, which in effect aims for the end of land exchanges that result in commercial development; The Sedona Forum, which identified major conflicts centered around the rate of growth, management of that growth and the primary issue being land trades for private development; and The many vocal written testaments against land trades, made and given at meeting in preparation for this management plan and at public hearings involving past land trades. The Forest Service position for maintaining land trade decision authority flies in the face of all the above.  It is also out of step with the General Goals (pg 29 Ideas for the Future): =93We strive to make decisions that reflect the connection of the community with the forest – recognizing the importance of the forest to citizens for …. open space and scenery …=94 And later, reference to land patterns of private and public ownership that meets the needs of the community and the forest. And item 7 on page 32 involving =93maintaining lands as public lands where important for community natural opens space values. =93Where important community values exist, forest lands will not be considered for trade.=94 These latter statements strongly indicate the need and justification for a local =93say=94 in matters. These all indicate that not only is local voice in order, but local acceptance should be required when the local public and community are affected by the loss of nearby national forest lands, its denudation and development for commercial and private purposes. It must be realized that land trades can mean a loss of open space in communities. Also, the increase in the land development base is unpopular in a community that wishes to keep a =93small town=94 atmosphere. Our voices count.  We are part of the ecosystem, too. Accordingly, I inject my request for local, public approval of all land trades that result in National Forest land being made eligible for commercial and residential development. In such instances, scoping, public hearing, discussion and agreement by formal or informal referrendums hould be required prior to processing the trade. Do others share my opinion? If you could like, copy and email the letter of support below and I will forward your email to the USFS at the next meeting.  Thank you for your support. HELP US SAVE THE FORESTS! HELP US SAVE SEDONA If you support Hiking Opportunities, If you support Biking Opportunities, If you support Camping Opportunities, If you support Climbing Opportunites, If you support Fishing Opportunities, If you support Equestrian Opportunities, If you support any Outdoor Opportunity, If you like Sedona, If you like Arizona If you like the Forest, If you like Nature … Write your own letter or copy and mail the passage below  … Thanks for your help. Rama Dear Forest Service Folks, I am opposed to ALL land trades in and around the Sedona area.  Please register my opinion and take it into consideration as you construct your =93Ideas for the Future=94 …         Name …         Age …         State …         City …         Country …

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Question:

Anyone have any info on how the fishing has been on the St. Mary’s Rapids in Sault Ste. Marie  as of late ?  Never been there before – any advice ?

Response:

Anyone have any info on how the fishing has been on the St. Mary’s

Rapids in Sault Ste. Marie as of late ?  Never been there before – any advice ? See the Linsenman/Nevala book Great Lakes Steelhead: a Guided Tour for Fly Anglers (Backcountry Pubs. 1995) which suggests SSM trout are practically a year-round fishery and mentions a local guide, Karl Vogel IIRR. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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Hi and thanks for the replies. To clarify, he will start at Moose Lake, travel through Knife Lake and then loop back. StephenC.

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Hi,         I have a friend who is going to the Boundary Lakes canoe area late this summer and was wanting to get some fishing info. What kind of fish are there? What’s the best bait, lures? Thanks. StephenC.

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Hi,    I have a friend who is going to the Boundary Lakes canoe area late this summer and was wanting to get some fishing info. What kind of fish are there? What’s the best bait, lures? Thanks. StephenC.

Stephen: Primary species are smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleyes.  Best lures (in my experience) are Rapalas (floating and Shad Raps) and Mepps spinners for northerns and smallmouths, grub, marabou, and bucktail jigs for the walleyes. I believe it is still true that live minnows (or live baitfish of any kind) are illegal.  Live nightcrawlers, however, are legal and very effective for smallies and for walleyes. If you are so inclined, flyfishing can be very productive.  Big, flashy things like Deceivers, Clouser minnows, and flashy streamers work well for pike and wooly buggers, muddlers, and damselfly nymphs will work for the smallmouths.  Also, deerhair mice can work EXTREMELY well for bass in the morning and evening, and you may get surprised by a big pike. Hope your friend has fun, it is a beautiful part of the world. Good luck, Bob

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi,       I have a friend who is going to the Boundary Lakes canoe area late this summer and was wanting to get some fishing info. What kind of fish are there? What’s the best bait, lures? Thanks. StephenC. Stephen: Primary species are smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleyes.  Best lures (in my experience) are Rapalas (floating and Shad Raps) and Mepps spinners for northerns and smallmouths, grub, marabou, and bucktail jigs for the walleyes.

Huh? I would have said the primary species are rainbow, brook, splake and lake trout. I guess we hang out in different neighborhoods. Lance

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I took up fly fishing last summer, during a trip to Newfoundland, and now the family can’t imagine any other kind of fishing. I have a few questions. Lot’s of places we fish seem to have tons of mosquitos.  Why are there so few flies that look like mosquitos (or am I missing something). In Lappland this summer, I got something called a "musta polar tohtori" (black polar doctor), which looked a bit like a mosquito, but there don’t seem to be many.  Do fish not like mosquitoes?  My wife’s theory is to the effect that mosquitoes are so common that fish are bored with them, and would rather go for something more unusual and tasty. The second question:  We took our fly rods to Finnish Lappland this summer (around Kilpisjarvi), but had no luck in the lakes around there, nor around Yllas either.  We tried muddler minnows, dry flies, streamers, wet flies, and good good at casting, but didn’t pick up anything (though some of the lakes are stocked with char).  It was fun anyway, but I’m wondering if anybody has tips on fishing the Northern Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian lakes and streams. Finally, closer to home, I’m looking for good trout streams in Wisconsin or N. Illinois, within 3-4 hours of Chicago.  I’m not looking for anybody to give away their secret spots, but if there are some well know good spots I’d appreciate the advice.  I like to fish in places that are quiet and away from busy roads and noisy power boats (and far, far away from jet skis!). Thanks, Ray Pierrehumbert

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Lot’s of places we fish seem to have tons of mosquitos.  Why are there so few flies that look like mosquitos (or am I missing something).

If trout get a shot at mosquitoes, I’m sure they’d eat them.  However, the life cycle of a mosquito pretty well takes place in water which trout cannot survive.  Mosquitoes hatch in stagnant water that is usually warmer than trout prefer and has little if any dissolved oxygen.   Not nearly enough dissolved oxygen for trout to survive.  "Mosquito wrigglers" use a tube that  penetrates the surface film to respirate. The are actually air breathing in this immature form.  That is why they used oil on the stagnant water to eliminate the malaria problems in the first half of the century.  The mosquito tubes couldn’t penetrate the oil film and they died from lack of oxygen. They hatch from stagnant water into that blood-sucking beast we all know, and they lay eggs back into the same stagnant water they came from. The attractions for them around the water are the warm blooded animals that frequent the area.  Since all animals need water, that’s a good supply of blood.  But they are not readily available for ingestion by trout. By the way, that "mosquito pattern" that most fly shops sell is a great mayfly imitation and works well in trout waters.                                                     Hope this helps,                                                              Dan

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I’ve often seen the advice posted to ask a local fly shop about what flies are currently on a stream where I intend to fish and what a good stretch of water is.  If the fly shop is not near my home and therefore I don’t usually take my business there, what is the fair way to compensate them for their advice?  Should I buy a fly or two?  Some fur or feathers?

Sure that’d be good.  But lets say your headed there maybe next month.  In the mean time, give them a call and get their address.  Send them $20 or so, and ask them to gather up a few flies that should be working when you arrive and mail them to you.  Also ask them for a tip on locations, etc. Typically, you’ll get good stuff, probably more than what you actually paid for (lets say the $ covers 10 flies, most times you’ll get a dz anyway), plus you’ll have models for your own tying bench. When you get there, stop in.  You will be warmly greeted by the guy or gal who filled your order, and they’ll remember you as a friend.  Trust me on this- it always has been effective! — Mike Tucker- The Virtual Flyshop, The Complete Resource              Web Page:  http://rmii.com/~flyshop/flyshop.html              Tel. 970-498-8779   FAX 970-491-2585 If you try 970 and it doesn’t work use 303.  Leave it to US WEST to change our area code and not tell the rest of the world……

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I’ve often seen the advice posted to ask a local fly shop about what flies are currently on a stream where I intend to fish and what a good stretch of water is.  If the fly shop is not near my home and therefore I don’t usually take my business there, what is the fair way to compensate them for their advice?  Should I buy a fly or two?  Some fur or feathers?  (I tie my own flies.)  Or do they really not mind some guy coming in, asking about flies and good spots, then walking out? Thanks for the advice/opinions, Dave

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Braunegg) writes: I’ve often seen the advice posted to ask a local fly shop about what flies are currently on a stream where I intend to fish and what a good stretch of water is.  If the fly shop is not near my home and therefore I don’t usually take my business there, what is the fair way to compensate them for their advice?  Should I buy a fly or two?  Some fur or feathers?  (I tie my own flies.)  Or do they really not mind some guy coming in, asking about flies and good spots, then walking out? Thanks for the advice/opinions, Dave

Buy only what you need and try to give them some feedback on your experience so your not the only one getting something out of this. They aren’t running a community service, they are in business! Sharing good locations and tips keeps *customers* comming back so it makes good business sense, but, after a while, they may find that they take a bit longer to get to you…

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I’ve often seen the advice posted to ask a local fly shop about what flies are currently on a stream where I intend to fish and what a good stretch of water is.  If the fly shop is not near my home and therefore I don’t usually take my business there, what is the fair way to compensate them for their advice?  Should I buy a fly or two?  Some fur or feathers?  (I tie my own flies.)  Or do they really not mind some guy coming in, asking about flies and good spots, then walking out?

This is really a nice question to see.  Without deteriorating into a rant, if you go into a fly shop and someone won’t give you the time of day until you flash your AMEX, leave and go elsewhere.  There are too many people who run shops who simply don’t deal with anyone but their perceived "good customers."  Let ‘em starve.  In our shop, everyone I’ve hired remains employed primarily on a customer service basis.  The sales people are not commissioned.  In my mind and the vision of our store, we treat a purchase of a tippet and the purchase of an outfit are equally important.  If I catch someone short-answering any customer, I point out proper behavior. (and most of those guys got jobs with other fly shops . . . strange how that works.) Of course, store-folk are human.  We deal with the 20 questions about this knot, that fly, or those fisheries, many asked in the most unbelievably rude and offensive manner, and every once in a while, our heads start to whirl a bit.   So, as  a previous poster noted, it is nice to call back and return information.  Luckily, this business is still one in which relationships can develop between customers and shop owners.  As a customer, if you feel someone treated you well, return the favor.  If they were unhelpful and rude spend your money elsewhere.   Many times my eventual "best customers" came from a 15 minute phone conversation in which I didn’t make any money at all. Well, got to go open the shop — hope this helps –jim *                                                     *

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If I catch someone short-answering any customer, I point out proper behavior. (and most of those guys got jobs with other fly shops . . . strange how that works.) Luckily, this business is still one in which relationships can develop between customers and shop owners.  As a customer, if you feel someone treated you well, return the favor.  If they were unhelpful and rude spend your money elsewhere.  

Good to see this response from a fly shop owner. Where I live we have three fly shops.  I frequent two of them, and these tow are as happy to see a customer when he’s buying a sppol of tippet (or nothing at all) as when he’s buying a new rod.  The other shop just doesn’t have a friendly atmosphere.  I think the main thing that makes anyone a repeat customer in a fly shop is that they are comfortable there, even if they don’t spend their money.   As consumers, it’s only fair that we support the shops we like.  Don’t go cast a rod at your local shop, and the buy it through mail order because you can save a few bucks.  It’s low class, and it may result in the fly shop not being there the next time you really need something.  Want to wait three weeks for mail order when you need something for the weekend. Just my $0.02

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: I’ve often seen the advice posted to ask a local fly shop about what : flies are currently on a stream where I intend to fish and what a good : stretch of water is.  If the fly shop is not near my home and : therefore I don’t usually take my business there, what is the fair way : to compensate them for their advice?  Should I buy a fly or two?  Some : fur or feathers?  (I tie my own flies.)  Or do they really not mind : some guy coming in, asking about flies and good spots, then walking : out? : Thanks for the advice/opinions, : Dave         The easiest thing to do is to buy some of the flies that they recommend whether you tie or not there has to be something that you don’t have.         Rick

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Braunegg) writes: I’ve often seen the advice posted to ask a local fly shop about what flies are currently on a stream where I intend to fish and what a good stretch of water is.  If the fly shop is not near my home and therefore I don’t usually take my business there, what is the fair way to compensate them for their advice?  Should I buy a fly or two?  Some fur or feathers?  (I tie my own flies.)  Or do they really not mind some guy coming in, asking about flies and good spots, then walking out? Thanks for the advice/opinions, Dave Buy only what you need and try to give them some feedback on your experience so your not the only one getting something out of this. They aren’t running a community service, they are in business! Sharing good locations and tips keeps *customers* comming back so it makes good business sense, but, after a while, they may find that they take a bit longer to get to you…

Hi, I hate quoting quotes, but to follow this up… We welcome people just dropping in and chatting about NS and where to flyfish. I even went so far as to put in a map and a bl;ackboard and some markers for the map, and we made a "community fishing bulletin board- the old style not electronic!). Why I don’t mind, even if you don’t buy then, is that someday you will weant to buy, and hopefully you’ll remember us – In the meantime…. Tight Lines Bill Curry Tight Lines Tackle Shop and Guide Service Lockeport, Nova Scotia Canada   B0T 1L0 902-656-3329 (ph and fax)

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