Fly Fishing Fisherman Wiki » Fly Fishing Tying » Another Float Tube Story

Another Float Tube Story

Question:

I printed it out for just that reason.. hopefully, she’ll laugh all the way to the FF shop.. Maybe you should let her read that story, Particle.

– Particle Salad/ Noom Room Studio http://home.earthlink.net/~psalad mp3 songs: http://www.mp3.com/particlesalad

Response:

Great story!However the problem wasn’t really with the float tube,was it?I’ve been using mine for nearly ten years now.Even had to re-sew the stitching on the nylon shell.I’ve never had anything even like a close call.Float tubing is a lot of fun.I’ll sometimes use it in places where I could have easily used my canoe instead,just because theres nothing like floating in the middle of a patch of lilypads,catching fish at eyelevel.I recommend you give your tube another try.(and only bring one rod!) Good Luck, Shawn

Response:

A few years back, I got my first tube.

An instant classic! Thanks for a wonderful story. -r

Response:

A few years back, I got my first tube.

The next time you go, do us all a favor and take someone with you who has a Camcorder. Another Kodak moment….many moments in your case! LMAO jim

Response:

That story ranks up there with tales from Patrick McManus!  Great stuff, Frank. Mike Wilson Spangle, WA

Response:

To finally know that I’m not the only fool out there! :-) I had a friend do something similar, he now knows what the crotch strap is for as well. Flyfish

Response:

                           Frank Reid

My sides hurt! Never, never, never will SWMBO ever get to read that story.  See, she bought me a tube for Christmas and I haven’t had it out yet.  She’d lock me in permanently.  Even made me up the accidental on my life policy. OK, something’s wrong with this picture  . . . I’ll get back to ya Peter

Response:

[a _very entertaining_  story snipped] Way to go Frank! I trust that the next itube trip was a little more mundane :-) Steve *still cackling* — "Experience must be the teacher in this game – not only your own  but the other man’s" – Dick Wigram http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~steve/fush/

Response:

That story ranks up there with tales from Patrick McManus!  Great stuff, Frank. Mike Wilson Spangle, WA

_______  I agree.  As soon as you hit civilian stride Frank, I think you should run to a good magazine like McManus did.  Imagine it?  Here you can be a fly fishing fool for the rest of your life and get paid for it! Keep tying those Crawdads Frank. George http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html

Response:

                           Frank Reid

Never, never, never will SWMBO ever get to read that story.  See, she bought me a tube for Christmas and I haven’t had it out yet.  She’d lock me in permanently.  Even made me up the accidental on my life policy. OK, something’s wrong with this picture  . . . I’ll get back to ya Peter

Response:

I very rarely get a good, hearty laugh here.. funny, to think I was just talking with my wife about acquiring a tube myself… — Particle Salad/ Noom Room Studio http://home.earthlink.net/~psalad mp3 songs: http://www.mp3.com/particlesalad

Response:

I very rarely get a good, hearty laugh here.. funny, to think I was just talking with my wife about acquiring a tube myself…

Maybe you should let her read that story, Particle. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

<great story snipped That gave me a good hearty laugh Frank!  Thanks for the great story. bc. —

Response:

Excellent story. Has the ring of ridiculous reality to it ! :) TL MC — "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

Response:

Ah, but I got a tube!                             Frank Reid

Great story, Frank! I think I hurt myself laughing. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

A few years back, I got my first tube. It was a "surprise" birthday

present [snip]                             Frank Reid

Supurb, Funniest thing I’ve read in a long time.

Response:

(snip) I needed a bottle of champagne to drink or break on my tube. It was a joyous feeling. Right up until I found out what that little crotch strap is for.  See, when I stepped out off that rock, my butt hit the saddle of the tube, the tube folded up like a chocolate taco and I shot through the bottom, right past that dangly little strap.  

(rest of hilarious story snipped) Frank, I laughed so hard my dog came over to the desk to see what was happening, followed closely by my amused wife.  She laughed just as hard, which really pleased Henry the dog.  One of the funniest stories ever posted on ROFF.  Definitely Hall of Fame material. Dave L.      —–  Posted via NewsOne.Net: Free Usenet News via the Web  —–      —–  http://newsone.net/ —  Discussions on every subject. —–    NewsOne.Net prohibits users from posting spam.  If this or other posts

Response:

A few years back, I got my first tube. It was a "surprise" birthday present from my loving wife (I suspect she had a boyfriend and wanted me out of the house or she had gotten my signature down well enough for the insurance papers). I say surprise because it truly was. I had filled out the Cabela’s order form and used one of my daughter’s alphabet magnets to secure it firmly to the fridge. This had been a standard, if useless tactic of mine for years. A very subtle hint on my birthday wishes. My lovely bride of course always knew me better than that. Saw right through this clever charade. Normally got me things she knew I really needed and wanted. Like that bathroom cozy set that can turn a toilette seat cover into a bear trap. When she trotted it out for my birthday, well actually, she came in to the living room, dropped the form in my lapped and told me to "order the damn thing," I boldly informed her of the extra costs associated with a tube, i.e. breathable waders, vest, flippers. She immediately agreed that these items had to go with the tube. Well, not immediately. I first explained the purpose of the different items and she gradually built up a mental picture of her masterful husband in waders, flippers with brand new Caddis float tube firmly ensconced on his hips. I did have to get the less expensive waders though. Had to pay for that emergency room visit for her right about then. She had this terrible episode characterized by hysteria. Almost couldn’t breath, it hit her so hard. Kept saying something like "donut hole." When the whole package arrived, I immediately took the whole kit and kaboodle down to the lake. On the way, I stopped off at the gas station and gave my tube its first breath of air. Just left it in the trunk, didn’t even bother to take it out and inspect it. Filled and off to the lake! Fish beware! When I got to the lake, I pulled my waders out of the back seat and quickly donned them. Put my rod together, hooked up a crawdad fly and finally, the last step, I put on my flippers. I then went to the trunk and got the tube out. Well, not exactly just then. See, I’d filled it while it sat in the trunk of the car. It was now too large to get out of the trunk. All’s I wanted to do was a bit of fishing, but my spatial cognitive skills had been less than perfect. That’s something else my bride always told me. I found that if I deflated the float tube about 1/3 of the way down, I could get it back out of the trunk. Didn’t really have to deflate it that far, but it took that much air out of the thing before I figured that one of the "D" rings was caught on the trunk spring. I could go back up the road to the gas station and fill it back up, but it still looked pretty full so I decided to go for it. It was about 200 yards from the parking area to the lake. About 150 yards across the field, I discovered that you can walk much better if you carry the tube over your shoulder and take off the flippers. You can understand my need to get at the fish had slightly clouded my judgement.  No more hanging out on shore with those other slobs, I had a boat. I finally got down an area that looked like a good place to launch. I had talked to a friend with a float tube and had heard of the problems with mud at a launch site. Not this bubba, no sir. Found a good rock ledge to launch from. There was a rock in calf deep water that dropped off to about 12 feet. You couldn’t see the bottom but I figured it was the same distance swimming to the bottom as at my high school swimming pool. I stood on the ledge, had my tube around me, my rods in my right hands and I launched. I needed a bottle of champagne to drink or break on my tube. It was a joyous feeling. Right up until I found out what that little crotch strap is for.  See, when I stepped out off that rock, my butt hit the saddle of the tube, the tube folded up like a chocolate taco and I shot through the bottom, right past that dangly little strap.  Didn’t even have to worry about a life vest to slow my hi-speed passage through that torus from hell. Had to let go of the rods as I felt them flex in my hand and was afraid to break them. Came up struggling for air. Be amazed at the water temp in Omaha, Nebraska in the third week of April.  I now know how Jesus walked on water.  The water was cold as ice and as soon as he hit it, he was on his feet moving. Felt like I was in one of those "polar bear clubs." I reached out and quickly grabbed my tube and dragged it back with me to the rock ledge. One of my two rods had caught on the right side handle by the reel and I was able to quickly retrieve it.  Unfortunately, it was the cheep rod.  The good rod was at the bottom of this rock ledge somewhere. This is how I learned how deep the water was.  I stripped off my boots and waders and dove in before I realized how cold, cold could get.  Water was a bit chill to say the least.   On my fourth dive, I found a rod and brought it to the surface.  It was a wonderful three-dollar Zebco.  Went back down and finally found my rod after about two or three more tries. Now I had a bit of a problem.  Hypothermia was setting in.  An inability to stop shaking was my first clue.  But ever the fisherman, I thought, "wonder what other rods are down there?"  I shook off that thought put my wading boots back on, piled my stuff in the tube, SECURED IT WITH THE CROTCH STRAP, and headed back up to the car.  The air temp was a brisk 40 degrees with a good wind.  I did have to stop after about ten feet and drain the water out of the float tube cover.  That area not filled with inner tube from the deflation was now filled with water.  Added about 60 lbs to the whole package. When I got to the car, I dumped my stuff in the trunk but didn’t have anything to dry off with.   My jeans were soaked and the only thing dry was my sneakers that I’d left in the car.  I knew there were three opportunities to die on this day.  I’d just lived through one, a drowning.  I was in the middle of another, hypothermia.  I got my clothes off and covered my self with a small rucksack.  I then found a rag t-shirt under the seat that I used to check the oil.  I turned the engine on and luckily, the car hadn’t had much of a chance to cool down and the heater was soon up to full speed. There would be one other way to die on this day, the most horrible of the three.  Not the panic of the drowning, not the slow loss of consciousness of hypothermia, but the death of a thousand I-told-you-so’s.  If the mother of my children found out about the fact I couldn’t get more than three feet from shore without killing myself, what chance would I ever get to go out on a quiet morning and go fishing by myself?   She had already insisted that I wear an international orange hat to keep me from turning into the marine version of the lane turtles on the interstate, on a no-wake lake no less! Couldn’t go home.  Explain my new oily-t-shirt-and-wet-underpants outfit to the wiff.  Not on your life.  Couldn’t go to a laundry mat.  The mid-west populace does not look kindly on some shirtless blue Pict in chest waders wandering into the laundry mat and scaring hell out of old aunt Sally.  But, as a fisherman, I had the answer, duct tape. I had to get my pants and shirt dry.  I duct taped my Levi’s to the inside of the hood of my car.  This was rather fun as I was now wearing the t-shirt as a toga wrap-around.  I then duct taped my flannel shirt to the heater underneath the passenger seat dash.  I closed the shirt up with tape so all of the hot air would have to go through the shirt.  Hopped on the highway and took an eighty mile drive to Lincoln and back.  Got back to the lake and in a secluded area checked out my handy work.  All, except for the seams of the shirt collar, was dry. I went home and strolled in, bold as brass (and smelling of gas).  My wonderful wife queried me about my fishing.  I answered quite honestly that I’d not gotten a bite all day (except frostbite).  The poor woman will never really understand me as a fisherman.  Her next comment was "I don’t know why you just don’t fish from the bank.  That outfit looks like more problems than its worth."  Ah, but I got a tube!                             Frank Reid

Response:

the funniest story I’ve seen in a long time!

I don’t have a wife or kids, don’t live in the Midwest and didn’t find a $3 Zebco rod, but I can attest the rest of this story has to be true. Why? I’ve done all the rest… though I scorched the pants on a hot exhaust manifold. Thanks for a great story! Cheers Rick

Response:

Very funny Frank,    Now I know what I missed by not getting a float tube. Ernie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A few years back, I got my first tube. It was a "surprise" birthday present                            Frank Reid

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Fly Fishing Fisherman Wiki » River Fly Fishing » northern colorado

northern colorado

Question:

Northern Colorado is a pretty big area, Are you coming from Ft. Collins or Steamboat or Rangely or what? The Poudre or Big Thomson rivers are good. A sixteen incher is a trophy and 12" is more common but there are a lot of them.  If you are going into the North Park area the North Platte river can be great and so can Delaney Buttes or Lake John. Small streams will also be good, you need to be more specific though, like I said it is a big area. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Try the White river near Meeker. The largest rainbow I ever hooked was near downtown Meeker. Good luck. Could someone recomend a good trout stream or lake in the northern part of Colorado around the last part of this month?

Response:

Going west out of Fort Collins – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Northern Colorado is a pretty big area, Are you coming from Ft. Collins or Steamboat or Rangely or what? The Poudre or Big Thomson rivers are good. A sixteen incher is a trophy and 12" is more common but there are a lot of them.  If you are going into the North Park area the North Platte river can be great and so can Delaney Buttes or Lake John. Small streams will also be good, you need to be more specific though, like I said it is a big area. Try the White river near Meeker. The largest rainbow I ever hooked was near downtown Meeker. Good luck. Could someone recomend a good trout stream or lake in the northern part of Colorado around the last part of this month?

Response:

Try the White river near Meeker. The largest rainbow I ever hooked was near downtown Meeker. Good luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Could someone recomend a good trout stream or lake in the northern part of Colorado around the last part of this month?

Response:

Could someone recomend a good trout stream or lake in the northern part of Colorado around the last part of this month?

Response:

What can I expect in the way of fly fishing, the middle to last part of Sept. on the Poude river??

Response:

September and October are my favorite months. No tourists, low clear water.  Be prepared to fish small stuff 18 and below. Cloudy days bring out some size 20 mayflies and midges are always on the menu. Weather throughout September is generally good. Have you fished the Poudre? Willi – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What can I expect in the way of fly fishing, the middle to last part of Sept. on the Poude river??

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Fly Fishing Fisherman Wiki » Flyfishing » Surgeon's knot — help!

Surgeon's knot — help!

Question:

[surgeon's knot instructions snipped] I was curious about the way most people tie knots.  I use my tongue in almost every knot I tie. Hey now! That’s gotta make you popular with the ladies!

Really! Can you tie an overhand not in the stem of a cherry with using your hands? — Those who say do not know; those who know do not say. — Lao Tsu, who must have been a fisherman. something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

I use my tongue in

almost every knot I tie.  < Is that a sexual reference?  I think that’s a sexual reference.  <g

Response:

I *think* this one’s for you, Mu (and rw probably meant to say "not" using your hands). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was curious about the way most people tie knots.  I use my tongue in almost every knot I tie. Really! Can you tie an overhand not in the stem of a cherry with using your hands?

Response:

I see we are complete agreement. <g  Nothing like confusing the rookies, eh?

I’m not exactly a rookie, since I’ve been flyfishing on and off (mostly off) for over 40 years, going back to the days when fiberglass rods were the latest thing and line weights were letter-coded . I’ve just never used the surgeon’s knot much. I have to admit, though, that I’ve caught more trout in the past four months than in the previous 40 years. Thanks for the tips. I’m starting to think my tippet material is too old. — Those who say do not know; those who know do not say. — Lao Tsu, who must have been a fisherman. something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

RW: (snip) <<Thanks for the tips. I’m starting to think my tippet material is too old. Awwwww, you stole my thunder, RW.  Seriously, if a surgeon’s knot (double,triple) is tied correctly (and it should be since you are an experienced FFer), it shouldn’t fail.  Unless, of course, the tippet material has gone bad. Dave LaCourse

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I see we are complete agreement. <g  Nothing like confusing the rookies, eh? I’m not exactly a rookie, since I’ve been flyfishing on and off (mostly off) for over 40 years, going back to the days when fiberglass rods were the latest thing and line weights were letter-coded . I’ve just never used the surgeon’s knot much. I have to admit, though, that I’ve caught more trout in the past four months than in the previous 40 years. Thanks for the tips. I’m starting to think my tippet material is too old. — Those who say do not know; those who know do not say. — Lao Tsu, who must have been a fisherman. something bogus to avoid spam)

I wasn’t specifically thinking about you since we’ve seen you around the group for quite a while.  I read Dave’s post a minute after hitting the send button and it just made me laugh how we (meaning all of us) give contradictory responses to basic questions.  It must be as confusing as hell for real rookies when they read this stuff.   Peter

Response:

RW: (snip) <<Thanks for the tips. I’m starting to think my tippet material is too old. Awwwww, you stole my thunder, RW.  Seriously, if a surgeon’s knot (double,triple) is tied correctly (and it should be since you are an experienced FFer), it shouldn’t fail.  Unless, of course, the tippet material has gone bad. Dave LaCourse

I refrained from rude "old tippet" jokes.  Too easy. There’s an easy test for bad knot vs.bad tippet.  Hold the knotted sections in an inverted ‘U’ with the knot at the top of the ‘U’ and work the mono back and worth.  If the knot is OK, the shape of the ‘U’ will be maintained.  If the tippet has been damaged, it’ll hinge at the knot.  You may not even be able to form the ‘U’ as it may simply fold over at the weak point on the tippet side of the knot. Peter

Response:

Peter Charles: <<There’s an easy test for bad knot vs.bad tippet.  Hold the knotted sections in an inverted ‘U’ with the knot at the top of the ‘U’ and work the mono back and worth.  If the knot is OK, the shape of the ‘U’ will be maintained.  If the tippet has been damaged, it’ll hinge at the knot.  You may not even be able to form the ‘U’ as it may simply fold over at the weak point on the tippet side of the knot. You are a never-ending font of information, Charles! Did you get my directions? Dave LaCourse

Response:

Did you get my directions? Dave LaCourse

Yes thanks.  Sounds straightforward – until I get lost. Peter

Response:

Just for clarification. Are you tying the two overhand knots separately or together? If you tie the overhand then tighten then tie the secound overhand knot over the first its much weaker and will pull through easier. You can go to three overhand knots. A little bulkier but will lock down the tippet. Also some tippet material is very slick. Changing brands might save some grief. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In the past I’ve always used a blood knot to tie tippet to leader. Lately I’ve been using a surgeon’s knot because it’s definitely easier, if not prettier. My problem is that the damn things keep breaking on me. I’ve heard this is a very strong knot. I’m sure I’m tying it right — just two overhand knots with the tag ends. What’s going on? Is there a trick to tightening it? I’m tightening the non-tag ends first and then the tag ends, and then trimming the knot. — something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Just for clarification. Are you tying the two overhand knots separately or together?

I’m tying them both together. — Those who say do not know; those who know do not say. — Lao Tsu, who must have been a fisherman. something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

I’m tying them both together.

I suppose everyone loves to do things their own way.  But the beauty of the surgeon’s knot is #1 it’s really strong, and #2 you can tie it even in the wind with a hangover (no tools required). After years of tying the knot, I’ve worked out a method I find foolproof and very fast (I’m right handed, you might reverse directions if you’re not). 1) overlap the leader and tippet a couple of inches, and fold back the two strands to create a vertical, double overhand loop, with the tag ends crossing behind and to the right.  Hold the loop closed between the left thumb and index finger. 2)  You now have two tag ends trailing out the right side:  A short one from the leader, and a long one from the tippet. 3) Thread the short tag end through the loop, making sure you thread it through from the front. Pull it just tight enough to get rid of any slack, but do not tighten the loop. 4) Now grab the tippet tag end about an inch from the end, and slip it through the loop TWICE, each time pulling in the slack and feeding it from the front. 5) Thread the short tag through the loop, from the front, a second time, and eliminate the slack. 6)Now grab all four ends (two on each side in one hand), wet the loop with saliva, and pull tight, slowly.  Trim. This gives you a double surgeon’s knot.  Alternate feeding the short and long tag ends through the loop a third time to tie a triple. Michael — www.geocities.com/yosemite/falls/3363 Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Michael Goldstein: < <I suppose everyone loves to do things their own way.  But the beauty of the surgeon’s knot is #1 it’s really strong, and #2 you can tie it even in the wind with a hangover (no tools required). (directions snipped for brevity) I used to tie it in a similar fashion, Michael, until I saw a tool demonstrated at a fly show.  I bought the tool and use it exclusively for surgeon’s and clinch knots.  The beauty of the tool is that you do not have to fumble with tag ends or any ends which can be difficult in cold weather, especially if your hands aren’t very nimble to begin with.  I amazed a couple of professional guides recently with the speed at which I can tie both knots.  Different strokes I guess….. Dave LaCourse

Response:

I used to tie it in a similar fashion, Michael, until I saw a tool demonstrated at a fly show.  <snip

Dave, I hate being dependent on a tool, since sooner or later they have a way of disappearing.  I use a nail knot tool, for example, and found myself stymied when it disappeared out of my pack. With the surgeon’s knot, when it gets cold, I just make the loop larger.  You waste more tippet and leader, but I’ve never not been able to tie it, and I fish year round (though NJ winters have been pretty mild). But if the tool works for you, mazel tov. Michael — www.geocities.com/yosemite/falls/3363 Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

[surgeon's knot instructions snipped] I was curious about the way most people tie knots.  I use my tongue in almost every knot I tie.   Mu Young Lee           Ann Arbor, MI  USA

Response:

[surgeon's knot instructions snipped] I was curious about the way most people tie knots.  I use my tongue in almost every knot I tie.  

Hey now! That’s gotta make you popular with the ladies! /daytripper (Hardcore "alphabet" practitioner ;^)

Response:

In the past I’ve always used a blood knot to tie tippet to leader. Lately I’ve been using a surgeon’s knot because it’s definitely easier, if not prettier. My problem is that the damn things keep breaking on me. I’ve heard this is a very strong knot. I’m sure I’m tying it right — just two overhand knots with the tag ends. What’s going on? Is there a trick to tightening it? I’m tightening the non-tag ends first and then the tag ends, and then trimming the knot. — something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

I’m sure I’m tying it right — just two overhand knots with the tag ends. What’s going on? Is there a trick to tightening it? I’m tightening the non-tag ends first and then the tag ends, and then trimming the knot.

Spit on it, and tighten everybody at the same time slooooooowly. Works for me. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Ken Fortenberry: I’m sure I’m tying it right — just two overhand knots with the tag ends. What’s going on? Is there a trick to tightening it? I’m tightening the non-tag ends first and then the tag ends, and then trimming the knot.

Spit on it, and tighten everybody at the same time slooooooowly. Works for me. Have you tried tying it with a tool?  You can use your forceps. Align the two pieces (leader and tippet) and make a "U" of them, with the right side of the U being the end of the tippet. Hold the U in your left hand between thumb and index finger acroos the top of the U.  Insert the forceps and twist twice (or three times for a triple surgeons knot). Then grab the tag end of the leader and the long end of the tippet (the right side of the U) and draw them through.  Grab the leader and long tippet end and pull to tighten.  Then do the same with the tag ends.  I usually spit on the knot (or stick it in the water) for lubrication.  I have never had this knot fail. Once you practice it, you can tie it, tighten it, clip it and be ready to tie on a fly in 30 seconds. Dave LaCourse

Response:

I’m sure I’m tying it right — just two overhand knots with the tag ends. What’s going on? Is there a trick to tightening it? I’m tightening the non-tag ends first and then the tag ends, and then trimming the knot.

Pulling the non-tag ends is the worst thing to do.  As the knot tightens, the tippet is pulled through the knot and is heated and crushed by the heavier leader.  The failure point ends up a millimetre or so below the knot where the tippet has been thinned the most.  As Ken has said, pull all simultaneously and keep the knot wet. Sometimes it’s hard to get a tight knot.  In that case take the tippet tag end and pull it down against the knot to snug things up. Cheers Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.cgocable.net/~pcharles/index.html

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Ken Fortenberry: I’m sure I’m tying it right — just two overhand knots with the tag ends. What’s going on? Is there a trick to tightening it? I’m tightening the non-tag ends first and then the tag ends, and then trimming the knot. Spit on it, and tighten everybody at the same time slooooooowly. Works for me. Have you tried tying it with a tool?  You can use your forceps. Align the two pieces (leader and tippet) and make a "U" of them, with the right side of the U being the end of the tippet. Hold the U in your left hand between thumb and index finger acroos the top of the U.  Insert the forceps and twist twice (or three times for a triple surgeons knot). Then grab the tag end of the leader and the long end of the tippet (the right side of the U) and draw them through.  Grab the leader and long tippet end and pull to tighten.  Then do the same with the tag ends.  I usually spit on the knot (or stick it in the water) for lubrication.  I have never had this knot fail. Once you practice it, you can tie it, tighten it, clip it and be ready to tie on a fly in 30 seconds. Dave LaCourse

Dave I see we are complete agreement. <g  Nothing like confusing the rookies, eh? Peter

Response:

Spit on it, and tighten everybody at

the same time slooooooowly.< Works for me.

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Fly Fishing Fisherman Wiki » Flyfishing » our winter of discontent; or, michael, will ye nae come again

our winter of discontent; or, michael, will ye nae come again

Question:

        i would have preferred to send this communication on an email basis;  but we are too many for that.         finally, i hope that i am not too late to change the mind of one of the best of us; i hope that our english will reconsider, and stand with the rest of us, from timbo to jimbo, to….(god help me) ralph h,

God has helped me and I am sure he will help you as well.. Ralph H

Response:

<A bunch of nice stuff Usenet tradition addresses a good many of the problems that led to our brouhaha. I’m going to append the Welcome to Usenet from news.announce.newusers. Anyone that comes to a Usenet newsgroup should be able to expect a level of respect and decorum. Everyone from an 11 year old looking at flyfishing for the first time to a 60 year old with a closet full of degrees. We shoot the bull, swap tall tales and start to feel like we’re the Famous Grouse Good Old Boy’s Club, but we’re not. We are a Usenet newsgroup and in a junior high computer lab somewhere an 11 year old is getting a decidedly unfair advantage over his peers. I mean, imagine, swearing lessons from the great George Gehrke himself delivered straight to the screen. The kid will be a scourge and I hope his mom doesn’t ask where he learned that ! :-) "The resources of civilization against its enemies are not exhausted."                                                         -Gladstone- Ken Fortenberry Welcome to Usenet!  The newsgroup news.announce.newusers contains a lot of introductory information about Usenet.  All new users should read and fully understand all the documents in news.announce.newusers before trying to post messages to Usenet or create new Usenet groups.  This may take a while, but it will help you find your way around Usenet much more easily. This short message is repeated three times a week to ensure that it is always available on your news system.  All other documents in news.announce.newusers are repeated every two weeks and should stay around for at least a month.  If you find news.announce.newusers empty (or cannot figure out how to read documents in it), please contact the help desk, customer support or news administrator on the computer system or service that you’re using and ask them for help.  Please do not send me e-mail asking for help reading news on your computer system or service. Please do not try to post or send any messages to news.announce.newusers. This is the list of the documents that news.announce.newusers should contain:         What is Usenet?         What is Usenet?  A second opinion.         Rules for posting to Usenet         Hints on writing style for Usenet         A Primer on How to Work With the Usenet Community         Emily Postnews Answers Your Questions on Netiquette         How to find the right place to post (FAQ)         Introduction to news.announce         A Guide to Social Newsgroups and Mailing Lists         Introduction to the *.answers newsgroups         FAQs about FAQs         Anonymous FTP: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) List         Advertising on Usenet: How To Do It, How Not To Do It         Copyright Myths FAQ: 10 big myths about copyright explained         Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Usenet         How to Get Information about Networks         How to become a Usenet site         Usenet Software: History and Sources         Guidelines on Usenet Newsgroup Names         How to Create a New Usenet Newsgroup If you don’t see any of these documents in the newsgroup, you can ask for them by sending mail to with the following in the body of the message.  Note the address carefully; please do NOT send these requests to me. setdir usenet-by-group/news.announce.newusers send What_is_Usenet? send What_is_Usenet?__A_second_opinion. send Rules_for_posting_to_Usenet send Hints_on_writing_style_for_Usenet send A_Primer_on_How_to_Work_With_the_Usenet_Community send Emily_Postnews_Answers_Your_Questions_on_Netiquette send How_to_find_the_right_place_to_post_(FAQ) send Introduction_to_news.announce send A_Guide_to_Social_Newsgroups_and_Mailing_Lists send Introduction_to_the_*.answers_newsgroups send FAQs_about_FAQs send Anonymous_FTP:_Frequently_Asked_Questions_(FAQ)_List send Advertising_on_Usenet:_How_To_Do_It,_How_Not_To_Do_It send Copyright_Myths_FAQ:_10_big_myths_about_copyright_explained send Answers_to_Frequently_Asked_Questions_about_Usenet send FAQ:_How_to_find_people_s_E-mail_addresses send How_to_Get_Information_about_Networks send How_to_become_a_Usenet_site send Usenet_Software:_History_and_Sources send Guidelines_on_Usenet_Newsgroup_Names send How_to_Create_a_New_Usenet_Newsgroup quit You can also find these documents on the World Wide Web;  see         http://www.netannounce.org/news.announce.newusers/

Response:

        some observations:  it appears to me, unscientifically, that the postings to this group have undergone a massive increase in the last couple months.  the influx of newcomers has included some very bizarre, often unpleasant contributors.  many of the newbies have failed to understand (understandably) some of george gerkhe’s posts, and the wierdness thereof.  confrontations have been engendered thereby.  furthermore, the tendency of many to engage in what i will always contend are the only taboos (politics and religion) have contributed to the confrontational atmosphere.  this is a wonderful, but fragile, environment.  by my best count, there are more than fifty souls that emit consistently high levels of humor, insight, information, life advice, and all around bullshit, on a daily basis. many of us have made friends here.         but growth carries with it certain problems.  some folks don’t assimilate as comfortably as others.  some folks have no patience with the foibles of others, others who are fixtures in this group.  there comes a time when we must deal with the changes wrought by growth. one of those times has come, today.  one of the most intelligent, witty, and general good guys i have ever known has announced his intention to resign from this group.  that is truly unfortunate.  all of us hope that he will reconsider, find patience, and stay.  surely, though, this is a sufficient sign that we must discipline ourselves in the areas of communication that are most disruptive of the general good:  politics, and spam.         in short, we must call upon george to cease his relentless spamming.  i have come to consider the man a friend of mine; but we can no longer wink at george’s excesses while tearing the stranger limb from limb for less offensive posts.         i would have preferred to send this communication on an email basis;  but we are too many for that.           finally, i hope that i am not too late to change the mind of one of the best of us; i hope that our english will reconsider, and stand with the rest of us, from timbo to jimbo, from ken to ken, from charlie to yankee dave, from snedeker to the royal wulff, from fletcher (who is too silent for our own good) to (god help me) ralph h, to jon, the father of us all.  from waldo and john (not ever annis) popp, and all the rest of us,  the waynes and mark, and tom…         stick with us, connor. wayno  

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Fly Fishing Fisherman Wiki » Fly Fishing Rods » Fly fishing the surf

Fly fishing the surf

Question:

I’m a newbie to this NG so please forgive me if this question has been asked before but here goes.  I live in Southern California right next to the beach and regularly enjoy surf fishing and would like to try fly fishing in the surf.  My father used to do it a LONG time ago before fly fishing became hi-tech.  He said that he got some lead-core trolling line and put it on a fly real and used a 6 WT rod.  Evidently there were no 9 or 10 WT rods back then so he really tore up his shoulder trying to shoot the lead-core which was necessary to keep the line from being tossed around by the waves. Anyway, I know that surf fishing is much more common nowadays and better equipment is available so my question is this, what equipment is needed?  What weight rod, line, etc?  Is the lead-core necessary? Can anybody recommend any good books or web sites?  Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. DM

Response:

< SNIP Try this URL, some great info on surf fly fishing there. Including a very good introduction. www.marco-island-florida-com Hope this helps ! Tight lines ! Mike Connor

Response:

The authors name escapes me but there is a great book out there (Jim Shewey?? maybe) called Trout & Beyond that chronicles in part his surfperch fishing. Maybe that will help.  Try amazon.com for it… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a newbie to this NG so please forgive me if this question has been asked before but here goes.  I live in Southern California right next to the beach and regularly enjoy surf fishing and would like to try fly fishing in the surf.  My father used to do it a LONG time ago before fly fishing became hi-tech.  He said that he got some lead-core trolling line and put it on a fly real and used a 6 WT rod.  Evidently there were no 9 or 10 WT rods back then so he really tore up his shoulder trying to shoot the lead-core which was necessary to keep the line from being tossed around by the waves. Anyway, I know that surf fishing is much more common nowadays and better equipment is available so my question is this, what equipment is needed?  What weight rod, line, etc?  Is the lead-core necessary? Can anybody recommend any good books or web sites?  Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. DM

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I was watching a PBS station that was showing a film about Nantucket lighthouses on the East Coast last night.  In one shot they showed a picture of several fly fishermen lined up along the beach surf fishing. Does any one know what type of fish they were fishing for? — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-Mail Selling my Fly Fishing Books Go to: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – < SNIP Try this URL, some great info on surf fly fishing there. Including a very good introduction. www.marco-island-florida-com Hope this helps ! Tight lines ! Mike Connor

Response:

They were probably fishing for striped bass, Ernie. Homey – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was watching a PBS station that was showing a film about Nantucket lighthouses on the East Coast last night.  In one shot they showed a picture of several fly fishermen lined up along the beach surf fishing. Does any one know what type of fish they were fishing for? — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-Mail Selling my Fly Fishing Books Go to: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh

Response:

I was watching a PBS station that was showing a film about Nantucket lighthouses on the East Coast last night.  In one shot they showed a picture of several fly fishermen lined up along the beach surf fishing. Does any one know what type of fish they were fishing for? — Ernie Harrison

Probably stripers and bluefish.   (and in the fall, Bonito and False Albacore)   The coasts of NY, MA, CN, and ME are famous for the great striper fishing.  Plenty of easy access, plenty of willing fish. If you haven’t tried it, you should!   I live inland, but started making a two-week trip to the coast (Cape Cod) every year after my first trip. Imagine a 25lb. saltwater brute on an eight or nine weight.   Yee ha! Bob Scott

Response:

His and Her Fly shop in Newport specialize in fly fishing the surf. There are many Fly Fishimg clubs in Southern Ca. that can help. Check with Bob Marriot’s Fly Fishing Store in Fullerton. Their fall show , the week end before thanksgiving is usually loaded with world class saltwater flyfishermen such as Nick Curricone, Dan Blanton, Lefty Kreh,Bob Popovics and Bob Clouser. If they can’t help no one can.

Response:

Probably Stripped Bass.

Response:

Probably Stripers or possibly Bluefish Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was watching a PBS station that was showing a film about Nantucket lighthouses on the East Coast last night.  In one shot they showed a picture of several fly fishermen lined up along the beach surf fishing. Does any one know what type of fish they were fishing for?

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Fly Fishing Fisherman Wiki » River Fly Fishing » Oregon (Eugene) Fishing in May

Oregon (Eugene) Fishing in May

Question:

Will be going to the Eugene area in mid-May to fish with my father-in-law.  Does anyone know of some convenient locations to trout fish?  I would really appreciate some help.  Both spin and fly.

Response:

Will be going to the Eugene area in mid-May to fish with my father-in-law. Does anyone know of some convenient locations to trout fish?  I would really appreciate some help.  Both spin and fly.

I would call Bob Guard at the Caddis Fly Shop in Eugene for some good info. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

Response:

Will also be in Eugene fishing May 17-25. My friend is acting as our guide. He says the McKenzie has awesome caddis hatches this time of year. Will also be going to the Motolius River. He also recommended the Caddis Fly Shop. Good Luck and tight lines

Response:

Will be going to the Eugene area in mid-May to fish with my father-in-law.  Does anyone know of some convenient locations to trout fish?  I would really appreciate some help.  Both spin and fly.

Fall creek is a small creek just outside of Eugene that has trout. If you have access to a boat the lower part of the McKenzie is great, if not just drive up hwy 126 along the river. Above Leaburg dam the water is small enough to wade and fish and they have recently stocked it so there will definately be some dumb easy to catch fish along with the natives.   Basicly just about any stream you see will have trout in it. Get a synopsis from a fishing shop if you don’t have one because some of the water has special restrictions, like no bait, barbless, fly fishing only and release of non-hatchery fish (can you believe it T-Bone, its the law and there are some huge wild redsides in the lower McKenzie because of it) Have fun and let us know how it went. Martin Allen

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Fly Fishing Fisherman Wiki » Flyfishing » Broken FF Database Home page

Broken FF Database Home page

Question:

Is it me, or is the FlyFishing Database and FAQ home page totally broken.  Everytime I follow a link it gives me a page with a return link and no content. The location I’m accessing is: http://www.geo.mtu.edu/~jsuchosk/fish/ff-faq/masterIndex.html kat.

Response:

Is it me, or is the FlyFishing Database and FAQ home page totally broken.  Everytime I follow a link it gives me a page with a return link and no content. The location I’m accessing is: http://www.geo.mtu.edu/~jsuchosk/fish/ff-faq/masterIndex.html kat.

It’s not you.  Either it’s broken, or it’s us.  I got the same response you did. Jim Browder Kalispell, MT

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Fly Fishing Fisherman Wiki » Fly Fishing » Fly fishing near Galway?

Fly fishing near Galway?

Question:

Hi, I am going to be in Galway, Ireland for a few days and I am thinking about spending one or two of them fishing. I may get a chance to fish the River Courrib (?) for half a day, but I have no idea about anywhere else to go, and many other things, such as: 1. What does a foreigner pay for a permit (?) for a couple of days. 2. Are there any places to fish for free (besides the Gov’t permit mentioned above). 3. What flies might I want to tie up for mid-Sept? Any relevant information would really be appreciated! Thanks, —

Response:

I am going to be in Galway, Ireland for a few days and I am thinking about spending one or two of them fishing. 1. What does a foreigner pay for a permit (?) for a couple of days.

Probably dirt cheap (I found 20 years ago) 2. Are there any places to fish for free (besides

Trout anywhere, salmon nowhere without paying for access (cheap) If there has been recent rain, salmon or seatrout (spate) rivers would be the most fun.  There’s always the Galway River itself, right in the city. In dry weather you can sometimes do OK in hill loughs (need access permit and legs for a long walk). Homework (none recently published): Conor O’Malley’s With a Fishing Rod in Ireland (1975) for geography and T.C. Kingsmill Moore’s A Man May Fish (1960) for folklore and flies (nothing unusual.) —  |          Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Rd., Carlsbad         |  |        Springs, Ont., Canada K0A 1K0; tel: (613) 822-0734       |  |  "What I’ve always liked about science is its independence from |  |  authority"–Ontario Science Centre (name on file) 10 July 1981 |

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Fly Fishing Fisherman Wiki » Fly Fishing Flies » Missouri Trout?

Missouri Trout?

Question:

You’re a wealth of information.  Thanks!  And glad to see you’re in higher ed too.  No wonder you’re so willing to share info.  Got any suggestions on the best dry fly patterns to use?? Roger Gary L. Bertrand

: Thanks for your help Gary.  I really appreciate it.  But a : question…terms I’ve not heard "put&take" and "NoCreel."  Do both of : those mean catch a release?  That’s just fine with me, I’d never keep : a fish unless it accidently was killed in the process of catching it : anyway. : : Are the parks closed during the week all winter?  When do they open : and about what time of year does the good dry fly fishing start? : : Roger. : : I say "put & take" in the sense that during the regular season at the trout : parks, they PUT them (rainbows, usually 11-14") in each evening (about 2.3 : trout per expected tag) and we TAKE them out the next day (limit 5) on a $2 : daily tag.  Whistle blows at 6:30, everybody casts, 1/3 catch a fish, 2/3 : catch somebody else.  You can C&R if you like (20+ days are not uncommon), : but I don’t recommend it in crowded areas when the bubbas aren’t catching : much.  There are different conditions at the 4 parks (I am not familiar : with Roaring River Park) during the regular season – March 1 to October 30. :  Meramek Springs (St.James) Park allows anything, and I don’t recommend it : unless you enjoy casting around some guy chunking cheese on a treble hook : with a Rhino rod.  Bennett Springs (N of Lebanon) has 3 zones – flies only, : something like flies only but you aren’t restricted to a single-point hook : (lots of rooster tails), and bait.  Montauk Springs (SW of Salem, SE of : Licking) has flies only, anything goes, and a c&r area.  Winter season in : all 4 parks is from mid-November to mid February, weekends only, c&r (only : they call it NoCreel), flies only.  They stock them only once pretty : heavily at the start of winter season, so the catching is great in Nov and : drops off during the winter. :       The rivers below Meramec Springs (Meramec R) and Montauk (Current R) are : trophy trout areas (limit 3,15" minimum) and are open all year anytime. : You can fish them on a state or out-of-state license, put can’t keep trout : without a trout stamp.  The catching is not as good as it is in the parks, : but the fishing is much better.  The river below Bennett Springs (Niangua : R) is also open all year with no restrictions, but I haven’t fished it very : much.  I find the Bennett Springs area too crowded, even during winter : season, but they have some of the best shops in the state, so I make a : couple of trips (it’s about an hour-and-a-half from here) a year for : fly-tying supplies. :       The good dry fly fishing starts around daybreak on any day you’re lucky : enough to be out in the river without freezing your butt off (and maybe : even a few mornings with frost on your pumpkin), but I think the fishing is : best on weekdays in April.  There’s too many people on weekends, and by May : there’s too many people all week. : Gary : — : Gary L. Bertrand   Dept. of Chemistry : University of Missouri-Rolla

Response:

One good place to start might be Bennett Spring State Park. It’s a put-n- take fishery but at least is relatively easy to get to from KC and can provide a fairly decent "fix". Ask any store that sells flies how to get there.

Response:

I’ll give it a try….an, I’m glad you know about the need for a fishing "fix."  I’d take a 6" rainbow right now just to see a fish — it’s been too long since my waiders have been wet. : One good place to start might be Bennett Spring State Park. It’s a put-n- : take fishery but at least is relatively easy to get to from KC and can : provide a fairly decent "fix". Ask any store that sells flies how to get : there.

Response:

I’ll give it a try….an, I’m glad you know about the need for a fishing "fix."  I’d take a 6" rainbow right now just to see a fish — it’s been too long since my waiders have been wet.

Don’t go running down there right now, expecting to put&take.  All of the Missouri trout parks are now in Winter Season for NoCreel (C&R) fishing only, and only open Fri, Sat, Sunday.  A $5 permit lets you fish all the parks (4) all winter. — Gary L. Bertrand

Response:

Thanks for your help Gary.  I really appreciate it.  But a question…terms I’ve not heard "put&take" and "NoCreel."  Do both of those mean catch a release?  That’s just fine with me, I’d never keep a fish unless it accidently was killed in the process of catching it anyway. Are the parks closed during the week all winter?  When do they open and about what time of year does the good dry fly fishing start? Roger. Gary L.

: I’ll give it a try….an, I’m glad you know about the need for a fishing : "fix."  I’d take a 6" rainbow right now just to see a fish — it’s been : too long since my waiders have been wet. : : Don’t go running down there right now, expecting to put&take.  All of the : Missouri trout parks are now in Winter Season for NoCreel (C&R) fishing : only, and only open Fri, Sat, Sunday.  A $5 permit lets you fish all the : parks (4) all winter. : — : Gary L. Bertrand

Response:

Thanks for your help Gary.  I really appreciate it.  But a question…terms I’ve not heard "put&take" and "NoCreel."  Do both of those mean catch a release?  That’s just fine with me, I’d never keep a fish unless it accidently was killed in the process of catching it anyway. Are the parks closed during the week all winter?  When do they open and about what time of year does the good dry fly fishing start? Roger.

I say "put & take" in the sense that during the regular season at the trout parks, they PUT them (rainbows, usually 11-14") in each evening (about 2.3 trout per expected tag) and we TAKE them out the next day (limit 5) on a $2 daily tag.  Whistle blows at 6:30, everybody casts, 1/3 catch a fish, 2/3 catch somebody else.  You can C&R if you like (20+ days are not uncommon), but I don’t recommend it in crowded areas when the bubbas aren’t catching much.  There are different conditions at the 4 parks (I am not familiar with Roaring River Park) during the regular season – March 1 to October 30.  Meramek Springs (St.James) Park allows anything, and I don’t recommend it unless you enjoy casting around some guy chunking cheese on a treble hook with a Rhino rod.  Bennett Springs (N of Lebanon) has 3 zones – flies only, something like flies only but you aren’t restricted to a single-point hook (lots of rooster tails), and bait.  Montauk Springs (SW of Salem, SE of Licking) has flies only, anything goes, and a c&r area.  Winter season in all 4 parks is from mid-November to mid February, weekends only, c&r (only they call it NoCreel), flies only.  They stock them only once pretty heavily at the start of winter season, so the catching is great in Nov and drops off during the winter.         The rivers below Meramec Springs (Meramec R) and Montauk (Current R) are trophy trout areas (limit 3,15" minimum) and are open all year anytime. You can fish them on a state or out-of-state license, put can’t keep trout without a trout stamp.  The catching is not as good as it is in the parks, but the fishing is much better.  The river below Bennett Springs (Niangua R) is also open all year with no restrictions, but I haven’t fished it very much.  I find the Bennett Springs area too crowded, even during winter season, but they have some of the best shops in the state, so I make a couple of trips (it’s about an hour-and-a-half from here) a year for fly-tying supplies.         The good dry fly fishing starts around daybreak on any day you’re lucky enough to be out in the river without freezing your butt off (and maybe even a few mornings with frost on your pumpkin), but I think the fishing is best on weekdays in April.  There’s too many people on weekends, and by May there’s too many people all week. Gary — Gary L. Bertrand   Dept. of Chemistry University of Missouri-Rolla

Response:

I’m looking for some good fly fishing places in Missouri.  I’m expecially interested in streams that are within easy driving distance to Kansas City.  I normally fish Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, so this will be a new exprerience, so I’d appreciate any suggestions.  Thanks!

You will have to decide what is easy driving distance, but I’ll give you some ideas.If you are talking about in the normal in season time, Do the Merremac River and the Current river. As far as the Merremac goes, there is a bunch of big water fishing from around St. James on downstream. (Jon boat is good to float with then get out and wade.) The Current river offers some great classic trout stream fishing from Montauk springs on downstream. (Montauk is good for the kids and some practice in the flys only sections. Also a decent place to stay.) concentrate your serious fishing however on the current river downstream from the springs. Locals can give you guidance. Canoe is good for transportation. There are a few liveries around Montauk and you can park your car at the pickup and float down to it and leave the canoe. Don’t be put off by the Corn fisherman in the parks. They are gettin’ dinner and having a good time with the family. The Classic fishing, as I said is in the streams out of the parks. If you want some REAL western type fishing, go to Mountain Home Arkansas and fish the White and Norfolk rivers. Definitely hire a guide at Blue Ribbon Flies in Mountain Home. It will make your trip worthwile and safe. Best fishing is this time of year for the big ‘uns. Great fishing year around though. By the way, some of the land on the Current River (which is part of the Ozark Sceninc Riverway) was homesteaded by my ancestors, and I still have a bunch of relatives  we go see from time to time.     If you want specifics on locations and suggestions rather than these generalizations, Email me and I’ll respond. Kevin Williams-Indianapolis, IN

Response:

I’m looking for some good fly fishing places in Missouri.  I’m expecially interested in streams that are within easy driving distance to Kansas City.  I normally fish Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, so this will be a new exprerience, so I’d appreciate any suggestions.  Thanks!

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Fly Fishing Fisherman Wiki » Fly Fishing Flies » Smallmouth Bass on Moving Water

Smallmouth Bass on Moving Water

Question:

Good flies?   Try something like a black girdle bug with yellow rubber legs.

I’ve also had good luck with a long shank hook (8-4), white marabou tail ( long) body of gold tinsle chenille, palmer wrapped with dark hackle and very small lead eyes or lead wraps forward… looks like the little minnows that smallies love…. Good Luck / /—– /     Bob Bowes |/         |     Defense Systems Divison |   ^   ^   |     Lockheed Sanders Inc |     &     |     Merrimack NH 03045     _/   /      (603)-885-6779     ___ /

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| I’ll be in West Virginia  from 6/7 through 6/13 and | I’ll have three days an a couple of evenings free to | chase smallmouths.   I’m staying at Pipestem State | Park on the New River. | | I’ve never tried smallmouths on moving water | before, so any advice will be appreciated.  I’ll be | using a fly rod but want advice from all anglers.   | I find I can adapt other techniques to fly fishing | quite nicely.  I’ve had great luck with Bay stripers, | landlocked stripers, black bass, ocean pearch, rock | fish, etc. Chip, I have fished the upper Potomac quite a bit for smallmouth and we’re basically talking about the same conditions here. The most efficient technique I have found for spring and fall is a two-inch floating Rapala on ultralight spinning tackle. Spinners work well, too, but they get hung up alot in shallow water, which is where the active fish are. The Rapala dives when retrieved and lets you effectively fish topwater and down to a couple of feet. While I’m not a big fan of spin fishing, I usually fish from a canoe where fly casting is a little awkward. To fly fish I usually beach the canoe and wade. I also use an ultralight casting outfit, though the Rapala is a little too light for it. Works fine with a junior size sluggo (no weight added) and a Zara Spook. For fly fishing in the evening, try deer hair bass bugs. I use patterns tied on #4 hooks and a 6-weight line/rod combination. You could go heavier, but since river smallmouth in this area tend to be on the small side, the light tackle adds to the fun. If there’s alot of glare on the water and/or the fish aren’t coming to the surface, I use a muddler minnow with a little lead tied into it. If you want to take the quality over quantity approach and stalk the larger fish, bring an 8-weight rod and proportionately larger flies. If you’ve never caught smallmouth in moving water, you’re in for a treat, especially with light tackle. You’ll find alot of fish going airborne once they’re hooked. Good luck. —

Response:

Park on the New River. I’ve never tried smallmouths on moving water before, so any advice will be appreciated.  I’ll be using a fly rod but want advice from all anglers.

Depressions, ledges, side pools – all are good holding and cruising zones.   With flies, I often made long casts and retrieved in any old way, as long as they followed.   Then when they all came running in close, I’d work the fly more carefully, often seeing them dare each other to take the fly, and eventually setting the hook when the big one bit down. Good flies?   Try something like a black girdle bug with yellow rubber legs. Thomas Gilg

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I’ll be in West Virginia  from 6/7 through 6/13 and I’ll have three days an a couple of evenings free to chase smallmouths.   I’m staying at Pipestem State Park on the New River. I’ve never tried smallmouths on moving water before, so any advice will be appreciated.  I’ll be using a fly rod but want advice from all anglers.   I find I can adapt other techniques to fly fishing quite nicely.  I’ve had great luck with Bay stripers, landlocked stripers, black bass, ocean pearch, rock fish, etc.

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