Question:

I rented a felluca for day sailing. I think that it would be little trouble to get one for a fair cruise.

Excellent idea, and definitely in my style. —      Mark Anderson – DBA Riparia Resources    www.riparia.org Medical info for cruisers and woodworkers.  Boatbuilding plans. Artistic photography       Landscapes – Nautical and marine – Abstracts, extracts and themes.

Response:

I’m curious as to whether it is practical to cruise up and down the Nile R. with a private yacht. Legalities and other hassles: Practical draft limitations: Safety and pleasurability of your reception by the Egyptians: Any other information that may be of interest: —      Mark Anderson – DBA Riparia Resources    www.riparia.org

I rented a felluca for day sailing. I think that it would be little trouble to get one for a fair cruise. It would avoid all the problems of a rich-looking yacht. I’d not worry too much about piracy or big-deal problems. It’s petty theft that gets you. — Bernard W. Joseph     http://www.appliedgrammar.com   "Speak to us of Emailia."    James Joyce    FINNEGANS WAKE

Response:

Last month I sailed a felucca from Aswan to Edfu, so based on limited knowledge of this stretch of water:

Thanks Tony, yours was the kind of info I was looking for.  As to the political climate, those responses are taken in mind, and as expected. For my own purposes, however, the time I might be taking this cruise will be at least several years into the future, so I’ll hope that the political situation might change by then.  In any event, it’ll be taken into account whenever, and probably I’d get the opinion of the state dept. first. —      Mark Anderson – DBA Riparia Resources    www.riparia.org Medical info for cruisers and woodworkers.  Boatbuilding plans. Artistic photography       Landscapes – Nautical and marine – Abstracts, extracts and themes.

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A rich American cruising his flashy yacht in the Middle East…… Now THERE’s a TARGET of OPPORTUNITY for you. Hated by millions of Arabs because of our undying support for the Israeli War Machine…..tearing up Palestinians. Can you answer your own question?  PLEASE DON’T!

When I was in Egypt a quite few years ago (just after Egypt and Israel "normalized" relations) the average Egyptian on the street preferred Israeli money to Egyptian money for the small cash purchases.  And that was after a 10 to 1 devaluation of Israeli money. Things certainly may have changed in the past 20 years but back then they were very friendly to American tourists.  The only thing that had me feeling unsafe was the way they drive, especially in and around Cairo.  You probably heard about driving in Italy.  Cairo is much worse. Steve

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Oh, I think the average Egyptian is still "American friendly".  Most Arabs I ever met when I lived there were very pro-American and simply LOVED Yankee dollars.  However, times have changed, not the people. This Al Queda network is only one of many anti-American networks with supporters across a wide spectrum of Arab countries.  Bombs are going off almost every day, now. Flashing the big yacht in their faces, and all the cash that goes along with it, attracts attention.  Word is passed to the network from the supporters who will never see their own cars, much less a flashy yacht.  The damned thing is a great "target" and would be a prize on any terrorist’s list.  Egypt is eat up with anti-Israeli, and therefore anti-American, groups. It just seems stupid to put the family, the boat and his personal safety in harm’s way flashing that yacht in their faces after 9/11. Middle East changed that day.  Until the "brothers" in Afghanistan get the word spread out that America is NOT the enemy, and saved them from the gangsters who were killing the country, I’d pick a nice, quiet island someplace for the flashy yacht full of Yankees.  With so MANY beautiful places on the planet, why take the chance? Larry We fail, miserably, to see how hated we are because of our support for Israel, no matter who they kill, no matter what they do.  You have to live in an Arab country to really feel it.

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Yotties are not tourists – we aren’t treated as tourists in most places, don’t use the same visas, don’t follow the same rules, processes, etc.  Most countries treat yotties same as commercial ships, fishing vessels, etc – crew lists, clearances, paid for visas, etc   They know we don’t stay in hotels, buy loads of tourist crap, spend big in restaurants, etc.  We’re not "respected" and "protected" in the same way at all.  We aren’t part of that industry. On Egypt – many cruising friends have transited the Suez and universally agreed (much to my disappointment) that Egypt is a miserable shithole of a country to cruise.  Big theft and bribe problems. They get through there as quickly as possible with as short and few stops as necessary. It’s much easier and safe to park the boat in Cypress in a marina and fly in/out of Egypt – as a respected and protected tourist. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – [...] It just seems stupid to put the family, the boat and his personal safety in harm’s way flashing that yacht in their faces after 9/11. Middle East changed that day.  Until the "brothers" in Afghanistan get the word spread out that America is NOT the enemy, and saved them from the gangsters who were killing the country, I’d pick a nice, quiet island someplace for the flashy yacht full of Yankees.  With so MANY beautiful places on the planet, why take the chance? Personally, I don’t think it would be all that much of a chance.  At least compared to many other beautiful places people cruise to.  Egypt definitely had a problem a while ago with terrorists attacking visitors.  But from what I’ve heard, they cracked down on them pretty hard.  A large part of their economy is based on tourism, so there’s a big incentive to keep tourists safe. Larry We fail, miserably, to see how hated we are because of our support for Israel, no matter who they kill, no matter what they do.  You have to live in an Arab country to really feel it. That’s just not true for the average person you meet in many Arab countries, including Egypt, especially Egypt. Steve

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[...] It just seems stupid to put the family, the boat and his personal safety in harm’s way flashing that yacht in their faces after 9/11. Middle East changed that day.  Until the "brothers" in Afghanistan get the word spread out that America is NOT the enemy, and saved them from the gangsters who were killing the country, I’d pick a nice, quiet island someplace for the flashy yacht full of Yankees.  With so MANY beautiful places on the planet, why take the chance?

Personally, I don’t think it would be all that much of a chance.  At least compared to many other beautiful places people cruise to.  Egypt definitely had a problem a while ago with terrorists attacking visitors.  But from what I’ve heard, they cracked down on them pretty hard.  A large part of their economy is based on tourism, so there’s a big incentive to keep tourists safe. Larry We fail, miserably, to see how hated we are because of our support for Israel, no matter who they kill, no matter what they do.  You have to live in an Arab country to really feel it.

That’s just not true for the average person you meet in many Arab countries, including Egypt, especially Egypt. Steve

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Last month I sailed a felucca from Aswan to Edfu, so based on limited knowledge of this stretch of water: Draft limitation: most of the cruise boats had a draft of 4 feet or 4′ 6".  Our felucca had a centre board so that we could pull into the bank. Buoyage: Almost non existent.  There are shallows and a few rocks. Local knowledge desirable. Wind:  Prevailing wind in this Southern stretch is Northerly (i.e. against the stream) so one can tack North with the stream or run South against it. Height:  The bridge North of Aswan is not yet complete – awaiting the final span.  When finished this would restrict mast height to that of the big cruise boats (30 – 40 feet at a guess). Formalities: I don’t know details, but almost certainly Yes.  Our felucca captain had to advise the police of our trip. Pleasure:  Definitely!  We swam in the river (no crocs below the High Dam), saw water buffalo, ibises etc.  We found people universally friendly, although a strong feeling that America would do anything to support Israel to the detriment of Arab states. Tony Boas Sadler 34 – Bold Warrior – Southampton, UK.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m curious as to whether it is practical to cruise up and down the Nile R. with a private yacht. Legalities and other hassles: Practical draft limitations: Safety and pleasurability of your reception by the Egyptians: Any other information that may be of interest: —      Mark Anderson – DBA Riparia Resources    www.riparia.org Medical info for cruisers and woodworkers.  Boatbuilding plans. Artistic photography       Landscapes – Nautical and marine – Abstracts, extracts and

themes.

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Irving Johnson did his "TwiLight" cruise through the canals of Europe and up the Nile just before the Aswan dam was complete. I have the video here and it looks like a nice cruise. His boat was about 50 ft and moderate draft (not over 5 ft or he wouldn’t have been able to do the canals of Europe). I went to Egypt for a visit back in the mid 80s while I was working in Saudi Arabia. There was no problem as long as you didn’t have any Israeli stamps in you passport. I would imagine the climate is rather hostle now-a-days. I’d be more worried about stopping in Alexandria or transiting the Red Sea and it wouldn’t be the Egyptions that i would be afraid of. My opinion and experience, FWIW. Steve s/v Good Intentions

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A rich American cruising his flashy yacht in the Middle East…… Now THERE’s a TARGET of OPPORTUNITY for you. Hated by millions of Arabs because of our undying support for the Israeli War Machine…..tearing up Palestinians. Can you answer your own question?  PLEASE DON’T! larry I’d love to back to the Middle East where I lived and worked in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.  But, not now.  Not after 9/11/2001, PLEASE DON"T! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’m curious as to whether it is practical to cruise up and down the Nile R. with a private yacht. Legalities and other hassles: Practical draft limitations: Safety and pleasurability of your reception by the Egyptians: Any other information that may be of interest: —     Mark Anderson – DBA Riparia Resources    www.riparia.org Medical info for cruisers and woodworkers.  Boatbuilding plans. Artistic photography      Landscapes – Nautical and marine – Abstracts, extracts and themes.

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I’m curious as to whether it is practical to cruise up and down the Nile R. with a private yacht. Legalities and other hassles: Practical draft limitations: Safety and pleasurability of your reception by the Egyptians: Any other information that may be of interest: —      Mark Anderson – DBA Riparia Resources    www.riparia.org Medical info for cruisers and woodworkers.  Boatbuilding plans. Artistic photography       Landscapes – Nautical and marine – Abstracts, extracts and themes.

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Question:

Northern California Coastal Steelhead fishing in January and February is very, very dependent upon the weather.  Heavy rains create tremendous silting and blows out most North Coast rivers and it may take 5 to 10 days (without more rain) to recover enough for the fishing to get average. Alternate choices are Big Lagoon and Stone Lagoon.  When heavy rainfall is coupled with high tides and high wind and storms, these lagoons burst and adult steelhead rush in creating tremendous fishing opportunities from boats drifting steelhead flies.  But, timing is everything! The two best rivers for different reasons are the Smith and the Mad.  The Smith has less siltation and recovers quicker sometimes as fast as 24 hours. The Mad supports good fishing even with siltation due to the Mad River Hatchery.  While waiting for rivers to recover, may I suggest sunny days inland at Lewiston Lake.  In January and February the 11:00 AM Calibaetis hatch belies the extreme complexity and skill required to land the largest Rainbows of this super sophisticated fishery.  Size 16 to 20 nymphs and emergers, very coldwater float tubing and frequent changes prior,during and post the hatch(s) may be an ample challenge.  As the locals say, "Many are called, but few are chosen". For Northcoast rivers, lagoons and Lewiston Lake status, call Mike Kuczynski at the Eureka Fly Shop.  1-800-435-9546. Good Luck, Tight lines, John – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, I have been following the cold water/warm water steelhead thread a bit and thought perhaps someone might like to offer some suggestions on places to fish in late Jan early Feb. The missus has temporarily moved to San Diego for work and I thought when I visited in February I might take the opportunity for a trip to the northern part of the state and try to catch a fish or 3. Everything will be frozen solid locally so it is a chance to break the winter doldrums. I will also be over next month but I suspect if I head off fishing the first time I visit she may get a tad miffed. I have only very limited knowledge of the state, I cycled from Seattle to San Francisco several years ago and that’s it. I have had some experience catching large lake-run rainbows in SW Ontario and New Zealand but this would be my first chance to have a go at some salties and thought it might be fun. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I will be starting out from a meeting in Ventura, so at least it will not be quite so far to the south as San Diego. thanks Vaughan

Response:

Hi All, I have been following the cold water/warm water steelhead thread a bit and thought perhaps someone might like to offer some suggestions on places to fish in late Jan early Feb. The missus has temporarily moved to San Diego for work and I thought when I visited in February I might take the opportunity for a trip to the northern part of the state and try to catch a fish or 3. Everything will be frozen solid locally so it is a chance to break the winter doldrums. I will also be over next month but I suspect if I head off fishing the first time I visit she may get a tad miffed. I have only very limited knowledge of the state, I cycled from Seattle to San Francisco several years ago and that’s it. I have had some experience catching large lake-run rainbows in SW Ontario and New Zealand but this would be my first chance to have a go at some salties and thought it might be fun. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I will be starting out from a meeting in Ventura, so at least it will not be quite so far to the south as San Diego. thanks Vaughan

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Question:

central PA. Third week of July. Need guide and/or boat rental info,

http://www.billsguideservice.com/ RichZ

Question:

Here in Missouri we use a fly called a "mullberry" made to loof like rotting/floating mulberries, which carp eat. Don’t ask me how to make them, I just buy them. At the right time of year at local lakes and ponds carp can be great fun.

Never made a mulberry fly, but I’ve eaten millions of the berries.  I imagine some coarse purple chenille or yarn wound around a hook to about 3/4" length and 1/2" or so diameter would do just fine.

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"Round and round the mulberry bush. like a teddy bear,  one step two steps, watch out for that crap there " Modification of an old  childrens rhyme, which seemed to fit some of the present threads, and my mood ! By the way, "millions of the berries", assuming a weight of a third of an ounce per berry and two million berries = 41,666 lbs. of berries or 18,94 metric Tonnes  ! Personally I think that would give me the shits !

Third of an ounce per berry is a gross over-estimation.  It’s probably a lot closer to thirty per ounce.  On the other hand, a half pound or so WILL give you the shits…….well, it has me anyway; many times.  Some things are worth the price though.                   p.s.  Aside from the distaste some might have for using bait, the naturals are simply much too good to waste on carp; no one can can truly say that he or she has lived a full life before sampling a well made mulberry pie!

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"Round and round the mulberry bush. like a teddy bear,  one step two steps, watch out for that crap there " Modification of an old  childrens rhyme, which seemed to fit some of the present threads, and my mood ! By the way, "millions of the berries", assuming a weight of a third of an ounce per berry and two million berries = 41,666 lbs. of berries or 18,94 metric Tonnes  ! Personally I think that would give me the shits ! TL MC — "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

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Ok guys, stay on topic, it’s "CARP" not "CRAP" <Gjim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "Round and round the mulberry bush. like a teddy bear,  one step two steps, watch out for that crap there " Modification of an old  childrens rhyme, which seemed to fit some of the present threads, and my mood ! By the way, "millions of the berries", assuming a weight of a third of an ounce per berry and two million berries = 41,666 lbs. of berries or 18,94 metric Tonnes  ! Personally I think that would give me the shits ! Third of an ounce per berry is a gross over-estimation.  It’s probably a lot closer to thirty per ounce.  On the other hand, a half pound or so WILL give you the shits…….well, it has me anyway; many times.  Some things are worth the price though.                   p.s.  Aside from the distaste some might have for using bait, the naturals are simply much too good to waste on carp; no one can can truly say that he or she has lived a full life before sampling a well made mulberry pie!

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I usually fish yarn more than anything else. I’ve had suckers in a river so thick that they are bumpin into your waders, and you cannot even make a drift without snagging or picking up a sucker. Thats when I head to the white water. The steelhead like that heavy water, and the suckers usually will fall back in the slack water.       Tony – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Suckers, the ones with a "down-turned sucker mouth" will readily take a nymph. Much to my surprise, I caught one in brook trout water fishing a big stonefly nymph.  That sucker (pun intended) took off on a great run through a big pool. I thought I had a good size brookie on until I got it in closer.  Must have weighed about 5 pounds.   A couple of friends saw me from a distance and later asked me how big was "that brookie".  I said it was a 4 pounder.  <g Dave LaCourse Don’t laugh but I’ve caught suckers on streamers.  There’s one heavy chute on the Credit that’s tough to fish using regular streamer methods.  I’d dead drift streamers like nymphs using a sinktip and some weight for the steelhead that like to sit on the bottom.  Every now and again, I’d feel a pull rather than a strike, set the hook and up would come one pissed off sucker.  These weren’t foul hookups, the suckers were taking the streamers.  I figure that it was one of two thinks, the suckers were acting territorial or that they feed on dead, drifting minnows.  Hooked up about five suckers but never did get a steelie that day. Peter

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We were fishing right on the bottom, so I don’t know if the carp actually took the fly or if it was nestled in the aquatic vegetation upon which he was a munch’n.

I have landed several here in farm/subdivision ponds and at Callaway Gardens here in west Georgia. All of my fish have taken topwater deer-hair flys – I think they look like grass to them.  The approach & presentation must be very stealthy – grass carp are very spooky when feeding on top. Here’s on of them – http://kje.home.mindspring.com/grass_carp.htm

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I have landed several here in farm/subdivision ponds and at Callaway Gardens here in west Georgia. All of my fish have taken topwater deer-hair flys – I think they look like grass to them.  The approach & presentation must be very stealthy – grass carp are very spooky when feeding on top. Here’s on of them – http://kje.home.mindspring.com/grass_carp.htm

That’s a great looking fish, Kent. Aren’t those big scales fabulous? Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

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I have landed several here in farm/subdivision ponds http://kje.home.mindspring.com/grass_carp.htm

I bet landing that sucker was a blast.  How does a small farm/subdivision "pond" support several fish of that size? I have to assume that once they devour all the grass, fry are next on their menu…. do these ponds have any other fish left in them? jim

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Though I’ve never caught one, the "Carp on a Fly" book claims that grass carp, although known for eating plants, will readily eat other food, insects, nymphs, and whatever. They actually have less of a down-turned "sucker" mouth than normal carp, and thus can take live prey more easily (I assume).

Last week, I had one take a generic black wooly bugger just under the surface, sight casted to him just after sunset as they began rolling up on the surface.  Awesome fight for a 3-4lb fish in a restricted, snag-free channel.

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Jon Cook writes: Though I’ve never caught one, the "Carp on a Fly" book claims that grass carp, although known for eating plants, will readily eat other food, insects, nymphs, and whatever. They actually have less of a down-turned "sucker" mouth than normal carp, and thus can take live prey more easily (I assume).

Suckers, the ones with a "down-turned sucker mouth" will readily take a nymph. Much to my surprise, I caught one in brook trout water fishing a big stonefly nymph.  That sucker (pun intended) took off on a great run through a big pool. I thought I had a good size brookie on until I got it in closer.  Must have weighed about 5 pounds.   A couple of friends saw me from a distance and later asked me how big was "that brookie".  I said it was a 4 pounder.  <g Dave LaCourse

Response:

Here in Missouri we use a fly called a "mullberry" made to loof like rotting/floating mulberries, which carp eat. Don’t ask me how to make them, I just buy them. At the right time of year at local lakes and ponds carp can be great fun.

Response:

Suckers, the ones with a "down-turned sucker mouth" will readily take a nymph. Much to my surprise, I caught one in brook trout water fishing a big stonefly nymph.  That sucker (pun intended) took off on a great run through a big pool. I thought I had a good size brookie on until I got it in closer.  Must have weighed about 5 pounds.   A couple of friends saw me from a distance and later asked me how big was "that brookie".  I said it was a 4 pounder.  <g Dave LaCourse

Don’t laugh but I’ve caught suckers on streamers.  There’s one heavy chute on the Credit that’s tough to fish using regular streamer methods.  I’d dead drift streamers like nymphs using a sinktip and some weight for the steelhead that like to sit on the bottom.  Every now and again, I’d feel a pull rather than a strike, set the hook and up would come one pissed off sucker.  These weren’t foul hookups, the suckers were taking the streamers.  I figure that it was one of two thinks, the suckers were acting territorial or that they feed on dead, drifting minnows.  Hooked up about five suckers but never did get a steelie that day. Peter

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Two years ago the DNR stocked my local fishing hole with grass eating carp in an effort to control the grass/hydrilla. That’s another story…. Wednesday I planned to fish after work and talked my fishing buddy into joining me. He did not have anything with him so he would use one of my rods (Sage 5wt). We hit the water about 3 PM and the fishing was great, in about two hours we had hooked about 100 gills and crappie. Then he set the hook into what turned out to be about a 20 LB carp (my guess). I have been told by DNR that these damn things eat 6 times their body weight each day and grow like hell. I swear the thing was 3 feet long, I don’t remember ever catching a carp and had no idea what they fought like. It did not make any big runs, just short spurts and then unbelievable jumps like a salmon or trout. It made one run directly under the boat and jumped on the other side, at this point his rod (my Sage) was half submerged and bent under the boat, all I could do was yell "Let it run and damn it, don’t break my rod". It made one more beautiful jump and straightened the hook. He was using 4LB tippet with a #12 wooly. Ugly fish but a sight to see. We were fishing right on the bottom, so I don’t know if the carp actually took the fly or if it was nestled in the aquatic vegetation upon which he was a munch’n. Gawd, those leaps were spectacular jim

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Question:

Off the Patuxent River mouth we were seeing huge clouds of bluefish that would sometimes erupt from the water like bait, but they wouldn’t take any lure or fly that we were using. Got so tired of foul hooking we gave up. Were they balled up cause there were larger fish threatening the school? If so, what fish, larger blues or stripers. And how should be have fished for the larger fish? Bob

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On Thu, 22 Jul 1999 in rec.outdoors.fishing.fly BluesRevue wrote about "Great Balls of Bluefish": … Were they balled up cause

… Never heard the saying "ball of fish" until a few weeks ago, when a boatman on an Irish lake referred to a "ball of fish" (meaning a lot of brown trout).  Is it a common saying in the US?  And does it literally refer to a ball-shaped shoal? — Phil Jones South Wales, UK

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On Thu, 22 Jul 1999 in rec.outdoors.fishing.fly BluesRevue wrote about "Great Balls of Bluefish": Were they balled up cause Never heard the saying "ball of fish" until a few weeks ago, when a boatman on an Irish lake referred to a "ball of fish" (meaning a lot of brown trout).  Is it a common saying in the US?  And does it literally refer to a ball-shaped shoal?

I think "ball" in this context just refers to a mass of slashing fish in the middle of a "blitz", not the shape of their surroundings. /daytripper (now wondering if he should have defined "blitz" ;^)

Response:

I think "ball" in this context just refers to a mass of slashing fish in the middle of a "blitz", not the shape of their surroundings. /daytripper (now wondering if he should have defined "blitz" ;^)

By great coincidence, I changed my screensaver today to the MS Scenes Undersea collection.  One of the pics can only be described as a "ball of fish"..!  I’ll post it to alt.binaries.pictures.fishing. — Phil Jones

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Actually, a ball of fish usually refers to baitfish, which do tend "ball up" or school in the shape of a ball.  There are some great underwater photographs of this phenomenon–one recently in (yuck) Outside magazine.  I don’t imagine this is appropriate to schooling blues, unless they’re under attack from, say, tuna.  When they’re making the attack they tend to be far more random and not in any ordered formation. I suspect, too, that the usage of "ball of fish" in this case, just means a big slug of them–but the origin, I’m pretty sure, refers to the shape of a school of bait. Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

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Question:

Ralph Cutter has asked me to pass on the following regarding the successful reversal of a watermaster’s draw down plan on the Truckee river which would have seriously damaged the fisheries.  His access is temporarily blocked for technical reasons. Our effort started with an e-mail message from Ralph last Sunday afternoon.  The word was spread via e-mail to lots of fly fishing interests and fisheries biologists.  The next day the watermaster was deluged by phone calls.  The first reaction was stonewalling and the claim that nothing could be done.  By 4:00 p.m., the watermaster had completely capitulated to our request.  Shows what can be done by an intelligently directed and effective effort.  Ralph’s note is copied below: Congratulations! We did it!! I just spoke with the Federal Watermaster Gary Stone and he has developed a revised ramping schedule as follows: 3/17  5:00 pm  1,850 cfs to 1,400 cfs 3/18  7:00 am  1,400 cfs to 1,100 cfs       10:00am 1,100 cfs to 800 cfs       2:00 pm 800 cfs to 500 cfs       6:00 pm 500 cfs to 300 cfs 3/19  7:00 am  300 cfs to 200 cfs       10:00 am 200 cfs to 100 cfs    He asked me to "tell all your flyfishing friends they can stop calling me now."    As you recall the original plan was to cut flows from 1,950 to 1,000 cfs then six hours later cut that to 100 cfs. This morning Gary relented and added a third cut. After all our pressure (and substantial arm twisting by DF&G biologist Stafford Laird) he sat down this afternoon and did what was right.    You saved a fishery. On behalf of the trout, thanks.   -Ralph

Response:

Nice story Dick, Ralph.  Good one! Cheers — Erik Poole

: Ralph Cutter has asked me to pass on the following regarding the : successful reversal of a watermaster’s draw down plan on the Truckee : river which would have seriously damaged the fisheries.  His access is : temporarily blocked for technical reasons. : Our effort started with an e-mail message from Ralph last Sunday : afternoon.  The word was spread via e-mail to lots of fly fishing : interests and fisheries biologists.  The next day the watermaster was : deluged by phone calls.  The first reaction was stonewalling and the : claim that nothing could be done.  By 4:00 p.m., the watermaster had : completely capitulated to our request.  Shows what can be done by an : intelligently directed and effective effort.  Ralph’s note is copied : below: : Congratulations! We did it!! : I just spoke with the Federal Watermaster Gary Stone and he : has developed a revised ramping schedule as follows: : 3/17  5:00 pm  1,850 cfs to 1,400 cfs : 3/18  7:00 am  1,400 cfs to 1,100 cfs :       10:00am 1,100 cfs to 800 cfs :       2:00 pm 800 cfs to 500 cfs :       6:00 pm 500 cfs to 300 cfs : 3/19  7:00 am  300 cfs to 200 cfs :       10:00 am 200 cfs to 100 cfs :    He asked me to "tell all your flyfishing friends they can : stop calling me now." :    As you recall the original plan was to cut flows from : 1,950 to 1,000 cfs then six hours later cut that to 100 cfs. : This morning Gary relented and added a third cut. After all : our pressure (and substantial arm twisting by DF&G biologist : Stafford Laird) he sat down this afternoon and did what was : right. :    You saved a fishery. On behalf of the trout, thanks. :   -Ralph — Burnaby, BC

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Ralph et al on Phones: Well Done!  Once again, Ralph wrestles a python… S.N.

Response:

Question:

What makes the best strike indicator the old styrophome or the yarn? I have always used the florecent ones but several people I talked to have said that the yarn works as well and doesn’t scare the fish.

Hi Patrick I like a yarn indicator if I’m fishing big, heavy nymphs deep or a larger dry fly on an in-line dropper if I’m fishing a nymph in the first 2-3 feet of water. Often you will catch a fish on the indicator fly – my favorite for the Yellowstone or Madison is a #8 or #10 Royal Wulff. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

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Corke Vs. Yarn         ..they use bobbers we use strike indicators..many streams don’t allow a fly as an indicator…I use "Biostrike"…works pretty good except when I aggressively cast then I may lose it…but NTL it works fine for me steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What makes the best strike indicator the old styrophome or the yarn? I have always used the florecent ones but several people I talked to have said that the yarn works as well and doesn’t scare the fish. Hi Patrick I like a yarn indicator if I’m fishing big, heavy nymphs deep or a larger dry fly on an in-line dropper if I’m fishing a nymph in the first 2-3 feet of water. Often you will catch a fish on the indicator fly – my favorite for the Yellowstone or Madison is a #8 or #10 Royal Wulff. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

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What makes the best strike indicator the old styrophome or the yarn? I have always used the florecent ones but several people I talked to have said that the yarn works as well and doesn’t scare the fish.

I like yarn.  I keep a couple of colors in my vest.  With yarn you can make a large indicator, a small indicator or several small ones to help you detect subtle takes.  Try mixing two colors to improve visibility in heavy water and bad light. Good luck – Jeff Schmitt

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Hi Patrick, I rarely use any thing but yarn these days.  For about $6, I bought a big spool of bright red yarn and pale yellow yarn from Ben Franklin. I have a feeling that even if I keep guiding for the next 10 years, I will still have alot left over.  Myself and the clients I guide prefer it much more so than the "bobber" strike indicatiors.  You can adjust the amount from the size of an Osprey’s nest if your in choppy water or have trouble seeing small indicators to a pinch for spring creek/fussy fishing.  Grease it up, and it floats high and dry for a very long time.  Plus, with the knot I use, it is easy to readjust it’s position and stays put (doesn’t fly off like most of the slip on indicators. But, I usually use a high floating dry or two for an indicator. What makes the best strike indicator the old styrophome or the yarn? I have always used the florecent ones but several people I talked to have said that the yarn works as well and doesn’t scare the fish.

Paul Williamson Emigrant, MT 59027

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What makes the best strike indicator the old styrophome or the yarn? I have always used the florecent ones but several people I talked to have said that the yarn works as well and doesn’t scare the fish.

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What makes the best strike indicator the old styrophome or the yarn? I have always used the fluorecent ones but several people I talked to have said that the yarn works as well and doesn’t scare the fish.

My favorite strike indicator is a #12 royal humpy.  Sometimes the fish will try to take the indicator.  Might as well have a hook in it! CQ

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Question:

Is flyfishing a sport or is it recreation? How about assigning it to a ng about addictions? BobE.

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Is flyfishing a sport or is it recreation? How about assigning it to a ng about addictions? BobE.

The answer is "Yes". This is what I always considered this ng to be about…Addiction…Capital "A"… Dennis

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Question:

I have an Orvis PM-10 8wt with a Ross G-4 reel and would like to gear up for a shooting head/shooting line. I’m planning to buy an xtra spool for the G-4, load up a couple hundred yards of Cortland Spectron 35lb backing, then attach the shooting line and finally shooting head. My questions are:

I do a lot of striper fishing and use shooting heads almost exclusivly. The realy nice thing is you can travel very light. I tend to grab a rod, a box of flies, some leader material, and a couple of shooting heads (floating and  sinking) and put everything in my pockets. Here are some thoughts from my experience.        1) what is the best shooting line to use for steelhead and/or          saltwater? My choices seem to be braided nylon or light level          fly lines. (i.e. in the 2-3 weight category.)

First. Everything is a compromise.  I haven’t used the braided lines, (someone told me they are very hard on your hands) but I am thinking about giving them a try. I have used "amnesia" mono line and found it to be a real pain. It tends to blow around and catch on things pretty easily (I tend not to use a shooting basket, which might solve these problems). But with mono, you sure can cast a long way and a sinking head will sink very deep. So that leaves level fly line, which I’ve been using for quite a while. The biggest advantage to fly line is it floats. I use a fast sinking shooting head quite a bit and floating shooting line makes it much easier to pick up the line for the next cast. If you do use flyline, before you start fishing, stretch it. It will lay in nice coils. Also I found that spraying a rag with some silicon and running the shooting line through it works great. But don’t silicon a sinking head. This year I also decided to mark the shooting line every ten feet with a permenant black marker. This give me some idead of how much line I have out.       2) what is the best way to attach the shooting head to the shooting          line? Do loops work well, or is a direct connection much better?

Again it’s a compromise. If you attach the shooting line directly – ie with a needle or nail knot – it will be easier to shoot the line through the guides. In theory, the shooting head should be outside the tiptop before you try to shoot any line. In practice, this is rarely the case. (BTW, if you make your own rods, use an oversize tiptop, it solves a lot of problems.) I use loops, because it makes switching shooting heads very easy. You don’t have to reel everything in and switch spools. Instead, you just unloop one head and loop on another. I haven’t used the braided loops that are available, but I probably will give them a try next year. Making loops is easy:    a. You need a razor blade, very fine thread (preferably in a bobbin),   and three kinds of glue, "Super glue", Duco Cement and Pliabond.    b. Begin by shaving the end of the fly line down to the center core for    a couple of inches.    c. Lay the shaved part back on the standing part so you have a loop of about 3/4 of a inch.    d. Stick the two parts together with the super glue and let it dry.    e. Wrap the glued part with thread and finish with whip finish, just   like a rod guide.    f. Coat the wrap with Duco Cement. Let it dry.    g. Coat that with Pliabond. I use the same three glues over a needle knot for attaching leader butt material.        3) what kinds of shooting heads are best? (i.e. the pre-made ones          available from Sci Anglers, Orvis, etc. or by cutting a section          from a double-taper flyline or some such.)

I’ve had both. If you make your own you can get two heads from one double taper, but a double taper line probably costs about twice as much as a store bought head. One advantage to making your own is you can tailor the length (and thus the weight) to match your rod. Start with a length of 35 feet or so. Attach it temporarily to the running line and try casting with it. If your rod loads well and casts easily, go ahead and finish it. If it’s not right keep trimming a bit of length. If your are making it from a double taper, it’s probably best to trim it from the rear (where it’s attached to the shooting line.)        4) should I use a shooting head sized for a 9 or 10 weight? I’ve          seen some text which seems to imply that using a size or two          larger than the rod is rated for is appropriate. Is it?

This all depends on the rod. All things considered, if you buying instead of making, you would probably do best to start with a head rated one size too large. I hope this helps — P.O. Box 409 Cambridge, MA 02140-0004

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Quoting templin from a message in rec.outdoors.fishing.fly     should I use a shooting head sized for a 9 or 10 weight? I’ve     seen some text which seems to imply that using a size or two     larger than the rod is rated for is appropriate. Let me answer your question on line weights.  I was listening to our local Southern California radio fishing talk show this morning.  Their guests were Lefty Kreh and Flip Pallot.  They are in town for the annual Marriott’s Fly Shop Flyfishing Fair.  The same question came up.  Lefty said if you are using a shooting head to use a line one weight heavier than your rod weight.   He added that if you are using a sinking line, like a HI-D to go 2 sizes heavier. Jim in Southern California

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1) what is the best shooting line to use for steelhead and/or    saltwater?

I use Cortland’s 0.031" diameter running line – looks like fine fly line.  When using a shooting head setup, you’ll spend lots of time handling the line which is why I would recommend against mono or braided lines. You can find other diameter running lines, but if they’re too thin, handling is tough and the line wears too fast, and if too thick, the head won’t be as able to pull the running line out for good casting distance. 2) what is the best way to attach the shooting head to the shooting    line? Do loops work well, or is a direct connection much better?

You want some sort of loop system to allow exchanging of heads. I’ve tried a ‘double nail knot mono loop’ and a braided loop.  Either works, though I have more confidence in the mono loop.  Just use some 30lb mono.         ___        /   ___vvv The "^^^" nail knot is done first, and not pulled tight until the second "vvv" nail knot is done.  The mono going back to the second nail knot runs under the loops used in forming the first nail knot. Since the PVC cover on most fly lines can pull off the braided core, I usually like to put a knot "+" in the core and sug the nail knots up against it.    3) what kinds of shooting heads are best? (i.e. the pre-made ones      available from Sci Anglers, Orvis, etc. or by cutting a section      from a double-taper flyline or some such.)

Depends on what you’ll be fishing for.   For salmon and steelhead in Oregon, 3, 4, 5 and 6 foot sections of 850-grain Deep Water Express is the norm.    4) should I use a shooting head sized for a 9 or 10 weight? I’ve      seen some text which seems to imply that using a size or two      larger than the rod is rated for is appropriate. Is it?

Many of these setups are *not* tuned to any rod weight.  I use 8wt and 9wt rods when chucking heads, and suspect a 7wt would do. Thomas Gilg

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      1) what is the best shooting line to use for steelhead and/or      saltwater? My choices seem to be braided nylon or light level

I use two kinds; an Orvis shooting Line made for the purpose and a monofile nylon line from Berkley called XL Solange in 0.50 milimeters thickness. The Orvis is good, comfortable and easy to use. The Berkley casts longer, but is harder to handle. Some of my fellow fishermen tried braided line with good luck, but I find it rough on the fingers.    2) what is the best way to attach the shooting head to the shooting      line? Do loops work well, or is a direct connection much better?

I use loops with great success. They’re easier to make and make experiments (see later) much easier. But direct connection goes smoother through the rings, and feels a little better in the cast — more directly connected, if you’ll excuse the pun. If you use mono line for shooting line, then use a real nail knot for the joint. One where the mono goes inside the fly line. If you use level line or ‘real’ shooting line, remove coating from both lines, splice in some way, and cover with aquaseal or the like.    3) what kinds of shooting heads are best? (i.e. the pre-made ones      available from Sci Anglers, Orvis, etc. or by cutting a section      from a double-taper flyline or some such.)

I always made mine from DT line a class (or even two) heavier than the classification of the rod. I cut them in half, which makes them much too heavy, but with a loop system, it’s very fast to find the right weight (that is: length) of the head. Start casting, and cut small peices of the line, until you get the right weight. It’s best to have someone familiar whith shooting heads to help you the first time, if you’ve never used a shooting head before.       4) should I use a shooting head sized for a 9 or 10 weight? I’ve      seen some text which seems to imply that using a size or two      larger than the rod is rated for is appropriate. Is it?

See above. Normally one class above will be OK. But use very inexpensive DT lines for experiments, and remember; there’s always the other half if you cut too much…. BTW: cut off most of the front taper of the half DT line. It’s not much good anyway, and a good knotted or tapered leader will transfer movement better without it. Regards Martin Joergensen Copenhagen, Denmark

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Question:

I am a begining fly fisherman and I am going to be working in canon city, co for the summer. I will be there from May 15- August 15. I would appreciate any suggestions on good places to fish, shops for flys, and approximate times of good hatches. In other words any help would be appreciated. thanks in advance. Paul

You’ll be living right by the headwaters of the Arkansas River, which has some decent trout (so I’ve heard, haven’t gotten down there yet). Also, you won’t be too far from the South Platte, which is pretty famous for awesome catch & release only, artificial flies & lures (barbless hooks) only fishing. The South Platte will be about 1.5 to 2 hours drive from Canon City, either north into Colorado Springs and then West on route 24 to Woodland Park, and north on route 67 to Deckers, or continue through Woodland Park to Lake George, and go up Elevenmile Canyon road (3 dollar access fee you pay at a self-serve station), to the river. I’m still new at the insect hatches, so can’t give you anything of value in that area. Pick up a copy of the Colorado Angling Guide when you get here, or before if you can find it. It’s got a nice collection of Forest Service maps of the areas. As for shops, I know the Angler’s Covey on 8th and West Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs is a great place for fly fishing supplies and advice, although you should be able to find something in Canon City as well, use the yellow pages. — Scott Ferguson                               My views are not necessarily Cray Computer Corporation                    those of Cray Computer Corp.

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I am a begining fly fisherman and I am going to be working in canon city, co for the summer. I will be there from May 15- August 15. I would appreciate any suggestions on good places to fish, shops for flys, and approximate times of good hatches. In other words any help would be appreciated. thanks in advance. Paul

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