Question:

These thoughtful posts from Tara are just too good to allow to fade from usenet. Since Tara set them not to be archived, I’ve copied them here to protect them for posterity. MIME-Version: 1.0 User-Agent: Hogwasher/2.6.1 (Macintosh) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.national- parks,rec.backcountry,rec.outdoors.fishing.fly,alt.wolves X-No-Archive: yes Lines: 73 NNTP-Posting-Host: 209.226.237.31 X-Trace: news20.bellglobal.com 1023508397 209.226.237.31 (Fri, 07 Jun 2002 23:53:17 EDT) Organization: Bell Sympatico Path: e3500-atl1.usenetserver.com!newsfeeds-atl2!news- out.visi.com!hermes.visi.com!upp1.onvoy!msc1.onvoy!onv oy.com!sunqbc.risq.qc.ca!torn!webster!nf1.bellglobal.c om!nf2.bellglobal.com!news20.bellglobal.com.POSTED!not-for-mail Xref: usenetserver.com rec.outdoors.national-parks:143809 rec.backcountry:254050 rec.outdoors.fishing.fly:328244 alt.wolves:135493 atl1.usenetserver.com) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Bingo! Yippee!  You win! So youa re actively and vigorously working at protecting the Tom Benos of the world. Ya think?  Well, I guess I’m not going to get too worked up over it.  I mean, how many of them can there be?  I don’t believe I’ve ever encountered the name Beno before……I’d be much surprised if there’s more than a couple dozen Tom Benos on the planet.  And, given how unlikely it is that they share much more than a name, I suspect that giving all of them my active and vigorous support would pretty much be a wash in the long run, don’t you? Thanks for the support! Uh…..you’re welcome…….I guess…….um…….are you a Tom Beno? E-mail his ISP and complain about the illegal and unconstitutional harassment techniques of the far right extremists trying to take away his right of free speech! Rise up and smite the oppressors!  Dirty filthy cowards, all of them… Dan Evidence be damned!  I’m gonna go way out on a limb here and give long odds that you and the rest of the Tom Benos think you got something to say. Wolfgang whattya say boys and girls……who wants to win a shiny new nickel?      :)

Reading all of this – all of this – I am overwhelmed with the sheer pettiness of all of you. ALL of you.  What a waste of time, what a waste of lives. Do none of you have nothing better to do with your time.  Do any of you ever stand back and look at what you write and actually see yourselves. "I’ll do what I want because my way is the right way. And I’ll do what is right because you are wrong!" "And I’ll fix you, ha ha!"  Do you not see that all of you are right and all of you are at the same time wrong?  Nah, you don’t. Your attitude, both sides, is why we have the mess we do.  This is why this world, it’s politics and it’s results are, and continue to be a mess   This is not the way to clean it up or change it. It’s only a way to perpetuate it. I sit back and look at this and I see that Tom, at least has a cause, a purpose and we need that. We need crusaders. But when it becomes a matter of oneupmanship or one of school yard childishness, there is no hope of change. What to do?  Has anyone ever known what to to. I sometimes think it’s simply going to be a struggle forever.   In the history of the world the only ones who have truly changed anything are those who have always been unwilling to resort to the tactics I see here. You, all of you are the grain of sand that is the universe. What kind of universe do you want it to be. Tara Just my 2 cents. MIME-Version: 1.0 User-Agent: Hogwasher/2.6.1 (Macintosh) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.national- parks,rec.backcountry,rec.outdoors.fishing.fly,alt.wolves X-No-Archive: yes Lines: 112 NNTP-Posting-Host: 216.208.65.191 X-Trace: news20.bellglobal.com 1023515054 216.208.65.191 (Sat, 08 Jun 2002 01:44:14 EDT) Organization: Bell Sympatico Path: e3500-atl1.usenetserver.com!newsfeeds-atl2!btnet- peer1!btnet!news.maxwell.syr.edu!sunqbc.risq.qc.ca!torn !webster!nf1.bellglobal.com!nf2.bellglobal.com!news20.b ellglobal.com.POSTED!not-for-mail Xref: usenetserver.com rec.outdoors.national-parks:143811 rec.backcountry:254061 rec.outdoors.fishing.fly:328261 alt.wolves:135495 atl1.usenetserver.com) Tom is not a crusader, he’s a nuisance. I’m sure that you also welcome into your home every person that has a religous message to share. And isn’t that the ultimate crusade?

Ahhh, Jeff, notice how you searched for and of course, found the one thing you could find to perpetuate and continue the madness. And also notice (you won’t, however), how you brought it into a new twist to perpetuate the argument.  But, I’m not arguing, and I will not continue (no matter what idiotic responses come from what I’ve said) to post here anymore on this topic. Tara Bye buy. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Bingo! Yippee!  You win! So youa re actively and vigorously working at protecting the Tom Benos of the world. Ya think?  Well, I guess I’m not going to get too worked up over it.  I mean, how many of them can there be?  I don’t believe I’ve ever encountered the name Beno before……I’d be much surprised if there’s more than a couple dozen Tom Benos on the planet.  And, given how unlikely it is that they share much more than a name, I suspect that giving all of them my active and vigorous support would pretty much be a wash in the long run, don’t you? Thanks for the support! Uh…..you’re welcome…….I guess…….um…….are you a Tom Beno? E-mail his ISP and complain about the illegal and unconstitutional harassment techniques of the far right extremists trying to take away his right of free speech! Rise up and smite the oppressors!  Dirty filthy cowards, all of them… Dan Evidence be damned!  I’m gonna go way out on a limb here and give long odds that you and the rest of the Tom Benos think you got something to say. Wolfgang whattya say boys and girls……who wants to win a shiny new nickel?      :) Reading all of this – all of this – I am overwhelmed with the sheer pettiness of all of you. ALL of you.  What a waste of time, what a waste of lives. Do none of you have nothing better to do with your time.  Do any of you ever stand back and look at what you write and actually see yourselves. "I’ll do what I want because my way is the right way. And I’ll do what is right because you are wrong!" "And I’ll fix you, ha ha!"  Do you not see that all of you are right and all of you are at the same time wrong?   Nah, you

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Dang!  You know, I think she’s right.

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Yeah, she may be right, but in the end, isn’t her responding to them just more of the same?  And isn’t my response to her responding to them just more of the same? …Whoa, too much thinking makes Kurt’s head spin.  I’m going to go sit down now.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dang!  You know, I think she’s right.

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Question:

My only experiece with spawners has involved brookies. I have , for many years, observed them spawning. Many fall fishing trips have turned into fish watching expeditions. One thing I have noriced, is that anything that drifts into the redd will be challenged, usually by the Alpha male. Many times the offending object is picked up and spit out by the fish. When the Alpha male leaves the redd, a bunch of smaller males will rush in and attempt to fertilize the eggs, only to be violently chased out when the big guy returns. Other fish on the redd will also go after foriegn objects if the Alpha male doesn’t respond. Brookies will occassionally "take a break" from the redd, and feed for a while in the adjacent area. This "break" can last from a few minutes to over an hour. Brookies do not always form redds from scratch, but will utilize a gravel area that is kept clean by streamflow. Don’t know if this adds anything to the discussion, but thought I’d throw it in. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

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Fishing on the redds, eh? There’s a lady over in rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater looking for info on Christmas Island. Isn’t that what they call a non sequitur?

Not if the little old lady is Marge Shott. FiddleAway

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My only experiece with spawners has involved brookies. I have , for many years, observed them spawning. Many fall fishing trips have turned into fish watching expeditions. One thing I have noriced, is that anything that drifts into the redd will be challenged, usually by the Alpha male. Many times the offending object is picked up and spit out by the fish. When the Alpha male leaves the redd, a bunch of smaller males will rush in and attempt to fertilize the eggs, only to be violently chased out when the big guy returns. Other fish on the redd will also go after foriegn objects if the Alpha male doesn’t respond.

Geez. All this time I thought I was the only unethical SOB on ROFF who fished on redds.

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One thing I have noriced, is that anything that drifts into the redd will be challenged, usually by the Alpha male. Many times the offending object is picked up and spit out by the fish. Other fish on the redd will also go after foriegn objects if the Alpha male doesn’t respond.

The same is very true of salmon apparently and as a result, that is exactly the behavior the guide was targeting with the ultra-light, ultra-small natural approach.  The trick is to learn the feel of the fly being sucked in and responding with a very quick, but relatively light hook set (the guide referred to it as a "pre-set"), before the fish spits it out again.  Once you get that feel dialed it is amazingly repetitive.  We were disproportionately successful to those fishing nearby for two days by nearly 4 or 5 to one.  That seemed to hold true for others we encountered in the fly shops and around town, as well.  What others were describing as slow days on the river were some of the most successful days of fishing in my life. I am now a firm convert to this method, where applicable. TL Zippy

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Geez. All this time I thought I was the only unethical SOB on ROFF who fished on redds.

Never said I fished ‘em…only observed.{:-) Actually, I used to fish redds, but gave it up after It finally dawned on me that the fish would take just about anything, and were damn near impossible to spook. They’d scatter, but be back on the redd within minutes. Haven’t been able to spy on the little buggers this fall as the prime viewing area has been placed off limits due to the threat of terrorist activity. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her   redd. Any other  ideas? I’ve been trying to find time to put together a trip report on the Salmon River for a month now, but it involved a local guide teaching me a new way (new to me, at least) of targeting salmon.  It centered around small…very small…seemingly improbably small….naturals on frightfully light tippets.  It was outstandingly successful…so much so, that under similar circumstances, I would be hard pressed not to use his method as the "go to" approach. Anyhow, his theory centered around not only a "housekeeping" attitude, but a general territorial defense response, especially for competing males. Got to find a few minutes to cobble that TR together for contribution…. TL, Zippy

Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or  outright snaggin MT

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There’s a lady over in rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater looking for info on Christmas Island. Isn’t that what they call a non sequitur?

christmas island is a non sequi-tour?  how much does it cost? jeff (who’s taken too many sequi-tours)

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Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or  outright snaggin MT

I’ll get on about writing the TR this weekend, Mark.  I’ll try to give a better description of the setup and approach.  Still managed to tail snag about 4 of ‘em that trip, but for the first time salmon fishing, I didn’t feel like I was relying entirely on luck, so I know the feeling well. TL, Zippy

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Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or  outright snaggin MT I’ll get on about writing the TR this weekend, Mark.  I’ll try to give a better description of the setup and approach.  Still managed to tail snag about 4 of ‘em that trip, but for the first time salmon fishing, I didn’t feel like I was relying entirely on luck, so I know the feeling well. TL, Zippy

Will look forward to it. My  arm gets real tired of trying to drag a salmon hooked in the top fin sideways thru fast water <G  MT

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or outright snaggin MT I’ll get on about writing the TR this weekend, Mark.  I’ll try to give a better description of the setup and approach.  Still managed to tail snag about 4 of ‘em that trip, but for the first time salmon fishing, I didn’t feel like I was relying entirely on luck, so I know the feeling well. TL, Zippy Will look forward to it. My  arm gets real tired of trying to drag a salmon hooked in the top fin sideways thru fast water <G  MT

the best solution for large foul hooked fish is to simply point the rod at the fish and break it off.  my opinion is that a fly stuck on a fish causes less stress than the longer landing time required for foul hooked fish (especially those hooked on the back or the tail).  since in most places one must release any foul hooked fish, this is my preference with the accidental foul hooked fish. chris

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or outright snaggin MT I’ll get on about writing the TR this weekend, Mark.  I’ll try to give a better description of the setup and approach.  Still managed to tail snag about 4 of ‘em that trip, but for the first time salmon fishing, I didn’t feel like I was relying entirely on luck, so I know the feeling well. TL, Zippy Will look forward to it. My  arm gets real tired of trying to drag a salmon hooked in the top fin sideways thru fast water <G  MT the best solution for large foul hooked fish is to simply point the rod at the fish and break it off.  my opinion is that a fly stuck on a fish causes less stress than the longer landing time required for foul hooked fish (especially those hooked on the back or the tail).  since in most places one must release any foul hooked fish, this is my preference with the accidental foul hooked fish. chris

Hi Chris  I  do  folow this practice, tho sometimes it s 10 mins into the fight and about 100 yards  down river…..  MT

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Fishing on the redds, eh? There’s a lady over in rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater looking for info on Christmas Island.

Isn’t that what they call a non sequitur? Tell here there are no redds at Christmas Island.

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Fishing on the redds, eh?

There’s a lady over in rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater looking for info on Christmas Island. — Ken Fortenberry

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The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her   redd. Any other  ideas?

I’ve been trying to find time to put together a trip report on the Salmon River for a month now, but it involved a local guide teaching me a new way (new to me, at least) of targeting salmon.  It centered around small…very small…seemingly improbably small….naturals on frightfully light tippets.  It was outstandingly successful…so much so, that under similar circumstances, I would be hard pressed not to use his method as the "go to" approach. Anyhow, his theory centered around not only a "housekeeping" attitude, but a general territorial defense response, especially for competing males. Got to find a few minutes to cobble that TR together for contribution…. TL, Zippy

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  I was fishing in Oswego  for trout  coming in  from the lake. Some nice  rainbows, steel head and Browns  had been taken that day. Most of the  fisherman were using  egg patterns or egg sacks. Deciding something different might work I tried  a  Size 8 stone fly nymph.  The line came to a stop, I  set the hook  and about 10 minutes later landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her   redd. Any other  ideas?  MT

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  I was fishing in Oswego  for trout  coming in  from the lake. Some nice  rainbows, steel head and Browns  had been taken that day. Most of the  fisherman were using  egg patterns or egg sacks. Deciding something different might work I tried  a  Size 8 stone fly nymph.  The line came to a stop, I  set the hook  and about 10 minutes later landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her redd. Any other  ideas?

    Being a pregnant female, she probably mistook it for chocolate.

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… landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her redd. Any other  ideas?

Housekeeping. I caught Muskegon steelhead the same way. They don’t eat, of course, but they will clear insects out of their redds. — Ken Fortenberry

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… landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her redd. Any other  ideas? Housekeeping. I caught Muskegon steelhead the same way. They don’t eat, of course, but they will clear insects out of their redds.

Fishing on the redds, eh?

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 The line came to a stop, I  set the hook  and about 10 minutes later landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her redd. Any other  ideas?

I dunno, but up there I really try to avoid egg patterns unless I’m desperate.   Lots of nymph patterns work well, & I saw a guy last year catch about a 20-pounder on a GR Hare’s Ear.  FWIW Joe F.

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Question:

<snipped Vittorio, Do you have any craft or needle point stores in your area?  I have found some extra small beads this way.  I just did a search with google.com and found these sites: http://www.netway.com/~flyshop/catalog/beads.htm http://www.kman.com/Catalog/Page87/Page87.htm http://www.mwflytying.com/new_stuff/ns_materials.html Hope this helps. bc. — Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. -Benjamin Franklin I don’t care who you are, you are not walking on the water while I’m fishing.

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Hi folks. I am looking for a source of tiny metal (NOT glass) beads to tie size 20-24 bead head flies.  I picked up a few BW-WD40 size 22 in Montana this summer and they seem to work around here too ! Most beads I found around are too large for such small hooks. However, the fly shop in MT must have found their beads somewhere. Any suggestion ? I posted this query to ROFFT, and someone there suggested to post it here too, as many knowledgeable anglers post here but not on ROFFT. Cheers, -Vittorio

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Hi folks. I am looking for a source of tiny metal (NOT glass) beads to tie size 20-24 bead head flies.  I picked up a few BW-WD40 size 22 in Montana this summer and they seem to work around here too ! Most beads I found around are too large for such small hooks. However, the fly shop in MT must have found their beads somewhere. Any suggestion ?

ones in several types (brass, lead, ect) or try Then there is always National Feathercraft in St. Louis but I won’t recommend em. <g — Wayne Knight Expert in creating tailing loops and windknots Otherwise Fishless in Kansas Before you buy.

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Although you specified not glass. There are indeed quite a number of metallised glass beads available in a fair range of sizes.  For very small flies I have not been able to find anything as good as these in metal.  They have a number of advantages I think, They do not tarnish, they are available in a range of metallic colours, and they certainly provide enough weight on small flies. Durability does not seem to be a problem, as though I broke a few when putting them on the hooks, none have so far broken under actual fishing conditions. They are available at a lot of places, and they are cheap compared to metal beads. TL MC — "Where fishing is concerned, most anglers are basically manic excessives" http://www.mikeconnor.de – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi folks. I am looking for a source of tiny metal (NOT glass) beads to tie size 20-24 bead head flies.  I picked up a few BW-WD40 size 22 in Montana this summer and they seem to work around here too ! Most beads I found around are too large for such small hooks. However, the fly shop in MT must have found their beads somewhere. Any suggestion ? I posted this query to ROFFT, and someone there suggested to post it here too, as many knowledgeable anglers post here but not on ROFFT. Cheers, -Vittorio

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Question:

Mary Malmros said… Yeah, but you get other things with a folder, some of which are real important to those of us with fourth-floor walkup apartments, no storage space, and frequent urges to "impulse kayak" on the way home from work Like me!  A folder might be the right solution for me; the problem is, where can you try ‘em out?  I’m sure not gonna sink $3500 into something without a lot of paddling and experimentation.

I can certainly see the portability part, but I’m not too sure about the "impulse" part, having watched someone put one together at the put-in (and not finish by the time I lost sight of her as I paddled away).  Now that was a brand-new Feathercraft, so maybe a little break-in (and experience) would help a lot. -Wayne  Foster-Miller, Inc.        ***Disclaimed***          781-684-4228

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 … I would really hesitate to suggest to someone that was looking for their first kayak to consider a Klepper/Feathercraft for one reason.  They’re expensive.  An Aerius II lists for almost $3500.  Suggesting that someone spend that kind of money for a first boat is absurd when there are boats available at half the price that would meet a beginners needs.   Very few beginning kayakers would need a boat that could be paddled/sailed across the Atlantic.

Of course, you needn’t start with a Klepper; the Folbot Aleut is closer to $1200, and it’s a superb boat. Great boats, great beginner’s boats, and with care they’ll last a lifetime. Get a copy of Ralph Diaz’ book, subscribe to his newsletter and see my web page for more details: http://www.mich.com/~mje/kayak.html — mike

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Hi Mary, I dont know what area of the country you live in, but you need to find a dealer near water. I realize this isnt as easy as it sounds, but in central wisconsin I was able to test paddle a Feathercraft K-1, K-Light, Khatsalano, and a single and double Klepper.   I eventually bought a used Klepper Aerius 1 in very good condition for about $1100 from the Klepper dealer, who was very patient with me (and who has been very helpfull since…. His name is on the shop’s sign too!).   It takes less then 20 min. from bag to the water for my boat, so the after work impules paddling is very do-able.   The boat isnt a speed demon, but it is a gas in rough water.   I realize that I am straying from the point of the original post, though the price I got my folder for wouldnt be out of line for a first boat either, come think of it.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A lot of people have said to try before buying.  There must be big differences in  kayaks. Don’t forget the folding kayak either, which, arguably, may be the best real sea kayak around.  Klepper has been in business for over 90 years (something the plastic and fiberglass guys can’t even comprehend) and fields a kayak (Aerius II) that was paddled/sailed solo across the Atlantic back in 1954 (another thing the hardshell guys can’t comprehend).  Feathercraft, Folbot and others are out there too. I would really hesitate to suggest to someone that was looking for their first kayak to consider a Klepper/Feathercraft for one reason.  They’re expensive.  An Aerius II lists for almost $3500.  Suggesting that someone spend that kind of money for a first boat is absurd when there are boats available at half the price that would meet a beginners needs.   Yeah, but you get other things with a folder, some of which are real important to those of us with fourth-floor walkup apartments, no storage space, and frequent urges to "impulse kayak" on the way home from work Like me!  A folder might be the right solution for me; the problem is, where can you try ‘em out?  I’m sure not gonna sink $3500 into something without a lot of paddling and experimentation.

I agree that there are some definate advantages for a folding kayak. As far as portability they’re hard to beat (although I wouldn’t mind having a three piece hardshell like the Nordkapp either) but as far as a "beginners" boat goes I just can’t see suggesting something that is two to three times as expensive as someting that will suit most beginners needs. I used to see the same thing all the time in the flyfishing newsgroup. Someone would come on asking for recommendations for a flyrod and reel for a beginner and they’d be met with suggestions for a Scott, Winston, Thomas & Thomas, rods that run $350-$500.  I’ve been flyfishing for over 25 years and probably get more use out of my $100 Redington than any of my seven other flyrods.  Someone that is entering a hobby for the first time shouldn’t, IMHO, be spending top of the line prices unless they have money to burn.   John Fereira

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A lot of people have said to try before buying.  There must be big differences in  kayaks. Don’t forget the folding kayak either, which, arguably, may be the best real sea kayak around.  Klepper has been in business for over 90 years (something the plastic and fiberglass guys can’t even comprehend) and fields a kayak (Aerius II) that was paddled/sailed solo across the Atlantic back in 1954 (another thing the hardshell guys can’t comprehend).  Feathercraft, Folbot and others are out there too. I would really hesitate to suggest to someone that was looking for their first kayak to consider a Klepper/Feathercraft for one reason.  They’re expensive.  An Aerius II lists for almost $3500.  Suggesting that someone spend that kind of money for a first boat is absurd when there are boats available at half the price that would meet a beginners needs.  

Yeah, but you get other things with a folder, some of which are real important to those of us with fourth-floor walkup apartments, no storage space, and frequent urges to "impulse kayak" on the way home from work Like me!  A folder might be the right solution for me; the problem is, where can you try ‘em out?  I’m sure not gonna sink $3500 into something without a lot of paddling and experimentation. — ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::         "I would not exchange the sorrows of my heart                 for the joys of the multitude"

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A lot of people have said to try before buying.  There must be big differences in  kayaks. Don’t forget the folding kayak either, which, arguably, may be the best real sea kayak around.  Klepper has been in business for over 90 years (something the plastic and fiberglass guys can’t even comprehend) and fields a kayak (Aerius II) that was paddled/sailed solo across the Atlantic back in 1954 (another thing the hardshell guys can’t comprehend).  Feathercraft, Folbot and others are out there too.

I would really hesitate to suggest to someone that was looking for their first kayak to consider a Klepper/Feathercraft for one reason.  They’re expensive.  An Aerius II lists for almost $3500.  Suggesting that someone spend that kind of money for a first boat is absurd when there are boats available at half the price that would meet a beginners needs.   Very few beginning kayakers would need a boat that could be paddled/sailed across the Atlantic. John Fereira Stop Unsolicited Commercial Email – Join CAUCE (http://www.cauce.org) Support HR 1748, the anti-spam bill.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sea or touring kayak is what I’m looking for.  I’m trying  to learn as much as I can before buying..  I use to do a lot of canoeing when I was younger. Kayaks look like they would be a lot of fun.. They’re an enormous amount of fun, but anyone’s choice of fave boat — or manufacturer — is going to be based on the type of paddler they are and the type of paddling they do.   I’m going to say something that may be a little controversial.  I’ve been reading rbp for about nine months now, and it seems to me that I’ve seen a lot of barely-used "entry-level" boats for sale, on this and other forums.  Now, I could be wrong…but that makes me wonder if a lot of people are buying in a hurry, maybe talking themselves into buying something because they get a good price on a package, and quickly outgrowing that first boat (or finding out, as they spend more time paddling, that it is a good boat but really not suited for the type of paddling they want to do).  

You won’t get any argument from me.  I think part of the reason stems from the idea that the only thing "entry level" about a lot of those boats for sale are the prices.  Sea kayaking seems to have an identity crisis.  It seems that everything from a Perception Keowee to a VCP Nordkapp is classified as a "sea kayak".  There seems to be a range of boats, typically between 13-15′ in length, usually wider than 24" with lots of initial stabilty that (also partially because of their price) are thought of as "entry level" boats.  In my opinion, this class of boats are designed for paddling conditions more so than for beginners.  In fact, I have found that the characteristics of this class does more to keep it’s paddlers at an "entry level" more than anything.  They’re good boats if you want something that is going to be very stable for taking pictures and don’t plan on paddling in rough conditions.  If you want something that is going to allow one to become proficient in rough conditions their stability is going to restrict ones ability to improve. John Fereira Stop Unsolicited Commercial Email – Join CAUCE (http://www.cauce.org) Support HR 1748, the anti-spam bill.

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A lot of people have said to try before buying.  There must be big differences in  kayaks.

Don’t forget the folding kayak either, which, arguably, may be the best real sea kayak around.  Klepper has been in business for over 90 years (something the plastic and fiberglass guys can’t even comprehend) and fields a kayak (Aerius II) that was paddled/sailed solo across the Atlantic back in 1954 (another thing the hardshell guys can’t comprehend).  Feathercraft, Folbot and others are out there too.

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Al Bowers said… Something else to consider, the paddle is more important to enjoyment than even the boat is.  If you have to scrimp a bit on the boat for a top notch paddle, that’s a good idea…

I agree.  A boat can be nice or not so great, but the paddle can make or break the whole experience. We’re going to try a boat for my wife this weekend (maybe).  She’s tried a couple of boats, and I think we’re getting close.  We’re down to the Seda Swift, Perception Sea Lion, and the Perception Shadow…

I didn’t like the Sea Lion at all, personally (and this was the boat I thought I would like).  The deck was too high, the cockpit absolutely huge (I’m 5′10", 175 lbs), and I had a heck of a time making it move.  I did like the Shadow, which was tight and quick, even though (or perhaps partially because) it was too small for me.   Don’t know the Seda Swift. I’m getting ready to build a couple of Pygmy Arctic Terns for my wife and myself. -Wayne  Foster-Miller, Inc.        ***Disclaimed***          781-684-4228

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Erie Pa (Lake Erie) There is a place nearby that rents them.  I have to wate for the water to worm up a bit.  A lot of people have said to try before buying.  There must be big differences in  kayaks.

The more you paddle the better you’ll be able to detect the differences. I realize that it’s a bit of a drive but a friend of mine is opening up a shop in Ithaca, NY.  I’m helping him move some of his boats in this weekend (and will be storing mine there as well since it’s right on the water).  If you ever get over this way let me know.  He’s about about 15 different boats that you could try.  Watch of demo days and symposiums. They’re a great way to try out a variety of boats. John Fereira Stop Unsolicited Commercial Email – Join CAUCE (http://www.cauce.org) Support HR 1748, the anti-spam bill.

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Bill Zimmerman said…  A lot of people have said to try before buying.  There must be big differences in  kayaks. Oh, yeah!  If you start in basic ignorance, then

Good advice to try before you buy.  Or at least have a very good idea at what you want to do.  Even within the "touring" or "sea kayak" genre there is considerable variation; expeditions boats, mid-line touring boats, performance boats, race boats, etc, plus combinations of the above eg: performance expedition boats… 1) Make a list of boats to look at (helped along here, of course), 2) Find out the supposed characteristics of each, 3) Pick the one you think you’ll end up liking, and 4) Go try them all out,

Make a list of the things you want to do and how much time you’ll be doing them.  Say you want to do a BIG trip, like Bowron or the Inside Passage (Vancouver to Alaska), but most of your trips will be short day trips.  then you need a boat that might just work on the long trip, but is biased towards the daytripper type boat. I think your (or anyone else’s) initial guess is usually wrong.  If it isn’t wrong, congratuations, you proved you were right and will be happier with the boat knowing it was the right choice.   You gotta try the boats.  You should check Deja News for recent threads on sea kayak selection, since this isn’t a new subject around here.

Having built 5 boats, and buying 3 over a period of 26 years, when I wanted a high performance boat I had a pretty good idea of _exactly_ what I wanted.  No frills, high performance, to be used for exercise, fast day touring, and the occasional long trip.  I bought a Seda Glider and a Werner Pegasus wing paddle; and I couldn’t be happier with them.  It’s an awesome combination that will exceed my abilities for as long as I continue to paddle. Something else to consider, the paddle is more important to enjoyment than even the boat is.  If you have to scrimp a bit on the boat for a top notch paddle, that’s a good idea.  Try different paddles as well, higher end if you can.  Then after you start to form some opinions on what you like and don’t like, then start trying your desired paddle and boat to see if you were right.  Then you’re REALLY ready to buy… We’re going to try a boat for my wife this weekend (maybe).  She’s tried a couple of boats, and I think we’re getting close.  We’re down to the Seda Swift, Perception Sea Lion, and the Perception Shadow… Al Bowers

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As for touring boats, I can tell you who isn’t the best. Valley Canoe Products. If anyone wants to hear the long version, email me.

Since I own a VCP boat and have been very happy with it I’d like to hear the long version.  If you don’t want to post it her you can send me email. I haven’t paddled the Skerray in plastic but I have glass version and have demo’d a Pintail, Anas Acuta,  and an Aquilla and liked them all.  I haven’t paddled one, and I realize they’re not for everyone, the Nordkapp remains one of the most popular designs in the world. I probably wouldn’t claim that they are the "best" boats but I would put VCP up near the top in terms of performance, ocean worthiness,  construction, and appointments.   The VCP hatch covers are practically an industry standard. John Fereira Stop Unsolicited Commercial Email – Join CAUCE (http://www.cauce.org) Support HR 1748, the anti-spam bill.

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Sea or touring kayak is what I’m looking for.  I’m trying  to learn as much as I can before buying..  I use to do a lot of canoeing when I was younger. Kayaks look like they would be a lot of fun.. Bill

If you’re looking for a durable tandem touring kayak I’d take a look at the Necky Amaruk.   Sea or touring kayaks come in a variety of materials.  The most inexpensive (and generally the most durable) are plastic or polyethelene kayaks.  Different vendors use different methods for constructing plastic boats.  Prijon generally seems to have the best plastic in the business but generally plastic boats are pretty indestructible.  They’re also heavier and slower than boats made with other materials. Fiberglass boats are lighter and their construction allows finer lines than you’ll find in a plastic boat.  The material is also stiffer and smoother which also contributes to speed.  The drawbacks are that they are more expensive and are less durable than plastic (although if you do damage a glass boat it’s easier to repair than plastic). Many models available in fiberglass are layed up with kevlar rather than fiberglass.  They have all the benefits of a fiberglass boat but are even lighter and are more durable.  They are also significantly more expensive. Wood kayaks seem to be becoming more and more popular.  There are a couple of major kit suppliers (Pygmy and Chesapeake Light Craft) that produce some fine kits that someone without prior woodworking skills can build using a stitch-n-glue technique.  For about the price of a plastic boat you can build a wood boat (actually fiberglass over wood) boat.  They’re lighter than almost all fiberglass and kevlar boats, have about the same durability as a glass boat.  They require a little more maintenance but can be repaired if damaged and of course require the time to build.  They are, however, some of the prettiest kayaks you’ll find on the water.  There are also a few kits and/or plans available for wood kayaks built using narrow strips.  They’re more work but can produce some gorgeous boats.   There aren’t that many around but some people are still building skin over frame boats. There are a couple of other materials worth mentioning.  There are a few companies that build "take apart" boats that use a frame with a waterproof fabric cover.  Klepper, Feathercraft, and Folbot are three such companies. These kayaks can be quite expensive but can’t be beat for portability (many will fold up into a backpack).  There are also some decent inflatable kayaks. You’ll even find some sea kayaks which use combinations of materials. John Fereira Stop Unsolicited Commercial Email – Join CAUCE (http://www.cauce.org) Support HR 1748, the anti-spam bill.

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Bill Zimmerman said… Erie Pa (Lake Erie) There is a place nearby that rents them.  I have to wate for the water to worm up a bit.

    ^^^^ Still a big eel problem up there?  ;-)  A lot of people have said to try before buying.  There must be big differences in  kayaks.

Oh, yeah!  If you start in basic ignorance, then 1) Make a list of boats to look at (helped along here, of course), 2) Find out the supposed characteristics of each, 3) Pick the one you think you’ll end up liking, and 4) Go try them all out, I think your (or anyone else’s) initial guess is usually wrong.  If it isn’t wrong, congratuations, you proved you were right and will be happier with the boat knowing it was the right choice.   You gotta try the boats.  You should check Deja News for recent threads on sea kayak selection, since this isn’t a new subject around here. -Wayne  Foster-Miller, Inc.        ***Disclaimed***          781-684-4228

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As for touring boats, I can tell you who isn’t the best. Valley Canoe Products. If anyone wants to hear the long version, email me. Jeff

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Mary Malmros said… I’m going to say something that may be a little controversial.  I’ve been reading rbp for about nine months now, and it seems to me that I’ve seen a lot of barely-used "entry-level" boats for sale, on this and other forums.  Now, I could be wrong…but that makes me wonder if a lot of people are buying in a hurry, maybe talking themselves into buying something because they get a good price on a package, and quickly outgrowing that first boat (or finding out, as they spend more time paddling, that it is a good boat but really not suited for the type of paddling they want to do).  

I think that’s true in many cases, but I think there might also be a certain amount of the ‘exercise machine syndrome’, where someone is convinced kayaking’s for them, runs out and buys a boat (in many cases the wrong boat), and finds out the sport’s not for them.  A lot of people look at kayaking and get a funny look in their eye at the thought of how beautiful it must be out there.  Others look at it and think that it looks a lot like work.  A lot of the used boats are from people who got the look in their eye and _then_ found out it was a lot like work. -Wayne  Foster-Miller, Inc.        ***Disclaimed***          781-684-4228

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Sea or touring kayak is what I’m looking for.  I’m trying  to learn as much as I can before buying..  I use to do a lot of canoeing when I was younger. Kayaks look like they would be a lot of fun.. That’s a horrible question to ask. It depends on what you’re looking for.

It’s still a horrible question. Plastic or glass? Inland lake or open water? And so on, and so on. "Best" is relative, based on what you want to use it for and the conditions you want to use it in. "Best" can change with every stroke of the paddle. At your stage, the "best" you can hope for is "pretty good." There are an awful lot of touring boats out there that fall into the category of "pretty good." — Wes

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Erie Pa (Lake Erie) There is a place nearby that rents them.  I have to wate for the water to worm up a bit.  A lot of people have said to try before buying.  There must be big differences in  kayaks.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sea or touring kayak is what I’m looking for.  I’m trying  to learn as much as I can before buying..  I use to do a lot of canoeing when I was younger. Kayaks look like they would be a lot of fun.. They’re an enormous amount of fun, but anyone’s choice of fave boat — or manufacturer — is going to be based on the type of paddler they are and the type of paddling they do. I’m going to say something that may be a little controversial.  I’ve been reading rbp for about nine months now, and it seems to me that I’ve seen a lot of barely-used "entry-level" boats for sale, on this and other forums.  Now, I could be wrong…but that makes me wonder if a lot of people are buying in a hurry, maybe talking themselves into buying something because they get a good price on a package, and quickly outgrowing that first boat (or finding out, as they spend more time paddling, that it is a good boat but really not suited for the type of paddling they want to do). The nice thing about choosing a sea or touring kayak is that it’s not too hard to find liveries where you can try out a lot of different boats.  I think it’s worth the investment in time and rental fees. An inexpensive touring kayak might list for no more than a few hundred dollars, a really superior one could be close to ten times that, but whether it’s a little or a lot, it’s wasted money if it’s not the right thing for you.  I’ve paddled touring kayaks by Necky, Wilderness Systems, Current Designs, Perception, Walden, and others, but I’d want to paddle a lot more before making a purchase. Where are you located?  Perhaps someone can recommend a livery in your area where you can get some instruction and some paddling time. — :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: "I would not exchange the sorrows of my heart for the joys of the multitude"

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Sea or touring kayak is what I’m looking for.  I’m trying  to learn as much as I can before buying..  I use to do a lot of canoeing when I was younger. Kayaks look like they would be a lot of fun..

They’re an enormous amount of fun, but anyone’s choice of fave boat — or manufacturer — is going to be based on the type of paddler they are and the type of paddling they do.   I’m going to say something that may be a little controversial.  I’ve been reading rbp for about nine months now, and it seems to me that I’ve seen a lot of barely-used "entry-level" boats for sale, on this and other forums.  Now, I could be wrong…but that makes me wonder if a lot of people are buying in a hurry, maybe talking themselves into buying something because they get a good price on a package, and quickly outgrowing that first boat (or finding out, as they spend more time paddling, that it is a good boat but really not suited for the type of paddling they want to do).   The nice thing about choosing a sea or touring kayak is that it’s not too hard to find liveries where you can try out a lot of different boats.  I think it’s worth the investment in time and rental fees. An inexpensive touring kayak might list for no more than a few hundred dollars, a really superior one could be close to ten times that, but whether it’s a little or a lot, it’s wasted money if it’s not the right thing for you.  I’ve paddled touring kayaks by Necky, Wilderness Systems, Current Designs, Perception, Walden, and others, but I’d want to paddle a lot more before making a purchase. Where are you located?  Perhaps someone can recommend a livery in your area where you can get some instruction and some paddling time. — ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::         "I would not exchange the sorrows of my heart                 for the joys of the multitude"

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Who is the best kayak manufacture??

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Who is the best kayak manufacture??

     You forgot the "r" on the end of that last word.      The best kayak manufacturer has got to be Nanook of the North. Splash

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That’s a horrible question to ask. It depends on what you’re looking for. Prijon probably has the most durable boats, while Riot has the most radical designs. Wavesport has great plastic and designs… etc. Not to mention, whitewater companies are completely different in this area than touring, slalom, and sea kayaks. Sam —    Nothing is fool-proof to a sufficiently talented fool. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Who is the best kayak manufacture??

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Sea or touring kayak is what I’m looking for.  I’m trying  to learn as much as I can before buying..  I use to do a lot of canoeing when I was younger. Kayaks look like they would be a lot of fun.. Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That’s a horrible question to ask. It depends on what you’re looking for. Prijon probably has the most durable boats, while Riot has the most radical designs. Wavesport has great plastic and designs… etc. Not to mention, whitewater companies are completely different in this area than touring, slalom, and sea kayaks. Sam —    Nothing is fool-proof to a sufficiently talented fool. Who is the best kayak manufacture??

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – here’s the story.  about a month ago a friend of mine and i got our california fishing licenses.  we have gone out several times with not much luck.  we live in reno nevada and have easy access to the truckee river, lake tahoe area, bridgeport area, and the lake davis area. most of our efforts have been concentrated on the truckee river and various other streams close by.  i have not caught anything yet and my friend has only caught one trout.  i have an experienced friend who says that flyfishing is "something you have to pay your dues with".  is that the general consensus?  what do you suggest if nothing seems to be working (like in my case)?  fish new areas?  delve into entomology?  read books? pay for a guide?  i feel like i can do this i just need to build some momentum up (and going in the right direction would help). my current setup is a 7′-6" bamboo 5/6 weight rod; 100 yards of 10 lb. backing; "courtland" shooting head line (floating); "scientific angler" leader.  i have been using and had strikes on wooly worms, wooly buggers, helgramites.  i have been using and not having luck with nymphs, cahills, grasshoppers, and various dry flies. there is nothing more frustrating than to be wading in the middle of a hole with fish rising all around me and not being able to catch one. this has actually happened twice. if anyone would be kind enough to help, my friend and i would greatly appreciate it.  thank you in advance.

Try to pick a fly that most closely matches the size of the insects that you see on the surface.  The next most important thing is to keep one hand on your line line at all times.  The fact that you are getting strikes means that your fly selection is not that bad.   A problem I used to have is I would mend and leave to much line out.   When I got a strike, I could not pull the line taught quickly enough to set the hook.  If you are not able to pull your line taught by raising your rod tip to 45 deg above horizontal, plus a single pull with your line hand, then you have to much line out. Brian Brian

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here’s the story.  about a month ago a friend of mine and i got our california fishing licenses.  we have gone out several times with not much luck.  we live in reno nevada and have easy access to the truckee river, lake tahoe area, bridgeport area, and the lake davis area. most of our efforts have been concentrated on the truckee river and various other streams close by.  i have not caught anything yet and my friend has only caught one trout.  i have an experienced friend who says that flyfishing is "something you have to pay your dues with".  is that the general consensus?  what do you suggest if nothing seems to be working (like in my case)?  fish new areas?  delve into entomology?  read books? pay for a guide?  i feel like i can do this i just need to build some momentum up (and going in the right direction would help). my current setup is a 7′-6" bamboo 5/6 weight rod; 100 yards of 10 lb. backing; "courtland" shooting head line (floating); "scientific angler" leader.  i have been using and had strikes on wooly worms, wooly buggers, helgramites.  i have been using and not having luck with nymphs, cahills, grasshoppers, and various dry flies. there is nothing more frustrating than to be wading in the middle of a hole with fish rising all around me and not being able to catch one. this has actually happened twice. if anyone would be kind enough to help, my friend and i would greatly appreciate it.  thank you in advance.

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Question:

. and.erols.net!rill.news.pipex.net!pipex!warwick!newsfeed.ed.ac.uk!nerc-keyw o

Question:

Many rivers still high, but they are dropping as fast as they went up.   Extremely hot weather melted a lot of snow(still a lot to melt, though).   Big Hole is dropping 10-15% per day.  2′ viz at Melrose yesterday, and salmon flies are showing up down near the "Notch".  River is fishing fairly well with nymphs.  Madison is beginning to drop, too, and traditionally the Montana Power Company drops the Madison flows around the 3rd week of June and begins to fill Hebgen Lake.  Gallatin and Yellowstone are still a mess.  Yellowstone has done some serious damage to  DePuy’s and Armstrong’s Spring Creeks, but NOONE knows for sure how much until the river goes done.  I guess I am the eternal optimist, and I figure this flood is like the YNP fires of 1988.  It will be temporarily inconvenient for us humans, but I expect this event will be beneficial.   Talked to Bob Auger, DePuy’s riverkeeper, yesterday, and he is poised to begin work to rebuild the dam as quickly as the water comes down.  I hope there will be fishing in DePuy’s again by mid-July(will take small bets on this!).  Beaverhead and Big Horn are very good.  Smith River is excellent.  Firehole and Henry’s  Fork are good, too.  Firehole has caddis and PMD’s and the Henry’s Fork is getting ready for green and brown drakes.  High water as this time of year is normal.  Remember, we have been in a decade long drought cycle here, and the recollections of many fishermen are of LOW water years.  Things will look fairly good by first week of July.   Dave Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters,Bozeman html

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Hi Dave, Thanks for the Montana report.  It’s obvious to me you spend a lot of time on it (and for our benefit) and I wanted you to know it’s appreciated. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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Al Beatty writes: Hi Dave, Thanks for the Montana report.  It’s obvious to me you spend a lot of time on it (and for our benefit) and I wanted you to know it’s appreciated.

I second that. -Ande Rychter

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David, Thanks for the information.  It sure is helpful for those of us who live in the city (ie, Dallas, TX) who plan on traveling to Montana in the near term. I was wondering, do you not receive info on the North Blackfoot (from around North Fork down to either Scotty Browns bridge or Clear Creek), as well as Rock Creek? If you or anyone else could provide info on these areas (such as water conditions, hatch & pattern info, whether I should consider wading or floating, etc.) and what I might expect from around July 10 through July 14, I would appreciate it. Thanks again! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Many rivers still high, but they are dropping as fast as they went up.   Extremely hot weather melted a lot of snow(still a lot to melt, though).   Big Hole is dropping 10-15% per day.  2′ viz at Melrose yesterday, and salmon flies are showing up down near the "Notch".  River is fishing fairly well with nymphs.  Madison is beginning to drop, too, and traditionally the Montana Power Company drops the Madison flows around the 3rd week of June and begins to fill Hebgen Lake.  Gallatin and Yellowstone are still a mess.  Yellowstone has done some serious damage to  DePuy’s and Armstrong’s Spring Creeks, but NOONE knows for sure how much until the river goes done.  I guess I am the eternal optimist, and I figure this flood is like the YNP fires of 1988.  It will be temporarily inconvenient for us humans, but I expect this event will be beneficial.   Talked to Bob Auger, DePuy’s riverkeeper, yesterday, and he is poised to begin work to rebuild the dam as quickly as the water comes down.  I hope there will be fishing in DePuy’s again by mid-July(will take small bets on this!).  Beaverhead and Big Horn are very good.  Smith River is excellent.  Firehole and Henry’s  Fork are good, too.  Firehole has caddis and PMD’s and the Henry’s Fork is getting ready for green and brown drakes.  High water as this time of year is normal.  Remember, we have been in a decade long drought cycle here, and the recollections of many fishermen are of LOW water years.  Things will look fairly good by first week of July.   Dave Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters,Bozeman html

Steve Ginn 2nd VP – Consulting Group

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Question:

Will be in Lake Almanor, No. CA area end of May.  Any suggestions on good streams, patterns, etc.? Sincerely, William Collins

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Will be in Lake Almanor, No. CA area end of May.  Any suggestions on good streams, patterns, etc.? Sincerely, William Collins

Hi-    You might go 10 miles downstream to Butt Lake. PG&E is draining it and the fish will be concentrated. They might also be dead, but hey, it’ll be worth a shot.    Failing that you can go Yellow Creek, a cute but highly over rated spring creek a few miles west of Almanor.    Lake Almanor itself should be good. The smallmouth should be turned on. Fish the rocky points with buggers. As an added bonus you can "accidently" whack jet skiers with your backcasts. Great fun.    -Ralph —

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Question:

I am fishing a small lake for brookies in Hawkes Bay in the next week. The only information that I have is that they are there, and in patches. No one seems to fish there much. Does anyone have any ideas that work in small lakes elsewhere in the world? Simon

Brookies attempt spawn in the fall.  Fish the shallows or if the lake has inlet stream at mouth.  Bright flies work well as well as black leaches. Don’t be afraid to try blood worm or chironomid larva imitations as the blood worm migrates from shallows to deeper water in the fall.  At Henry’s lake bright crystal buggers and sparce crystal bodied flies do great.  

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My experience with brookies in lakes generally varies with lake location and time of year.   When fishing the Cypress Hills lakes in southeastern Alberta, I have the most luck fishing deep (right off the bottom) and slow using a black or very dark green nymph pattern.  I generally use a dragonfly pattern in a size 8 to 10 hook. I have often seen these insects in shallow water along the shore. From a belly boat, I can slowly troll my line from shallow to the deepest water. My luck increases if I regularly twitch the line with my fingers.  When I connect, the fish strike hard and put up an amazingly good fight.  Trout sizes generally range from 10 to sixteen inches in length. I generally have very poor luck trying to take the brookies off the surface of the lake with a dry fly. Hope this helps. — David J. Wormsbecker, Regina, Saskatchewan Ph/Fax: (306) 789-4024

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Question:

Greg, sounds like you got some good advice from Gene. Would also like to throw in the name of a good guide in Sterling. John Lesterson PO Box 865 Sterling, AK 99673 907-262-7319 Has a Halibut boat, Dory boat for Kenai salmon fishing and does trips in remote areas for trophy sized Rainbows. Have a blast, Steve

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I am looking for all the information I can find concerning the fishing & camping situation for the Anchorage(within 2- 3 hours) – Kenai area. I am looking for a day guide for three persons. Also I am looking for 2 – 3 different areas to camp with good fishing as well as good sightseeing there and on the trip to get there. Almost finally I am looking for specific information on what is working and where. Finally, I am looking for a book or guide covering any or all of the above info. P.S. I would also like crowd updates Our trip will cover AUG21 – AUG27 Thank you, Greg in GA

Response:

Greg,  August is one of the best times to be on the Kenai.  Most of the toursist crowd is gone, hunting is starting so the locals are changing sports and the Silver and Rainbow fishing is great. Some tent camp areas are the Russian River camp area (near the town of Coopers Landing), the Quartz Creek campground (on Kenai lake at the headwaters of the river), plus a whole series of campgrounds along the river at Jims Landing, Upper Skilak Lake & Lower Skilak Lake (if you are going to fish the middle section of the river), Centenial Park (in Soldotna – for fishing the lower river).  Russian is the nicest in my opinion because you can walk the river to the falls and sight fish rainbows and Silvers, plus you generally can see a bear or two. Flies to use are generally Flash Flies and bright flies for Silvers, Flesh Flies and Egg patters for the Rainbows and Dollies Some good books are "Fishing the Kenai Peninsula" by Dan Sisson, "Flyfishing Alaska" by Tony Route and "Fly Patters of Alaska" by AK Flyfishers Federation (for pattens).  Don’t get that fishing the road system of Alaska by Pederton (guy was a tourist, spent probally two weeks here and wrote a book by reading others). Some good guide companies are Freebird (Mike out of Sterling – have his number in the office.  Will E-mail), and Troutfishers in Cooper Landing – will send also by E -mail.   — Gene Dobrzynski, Eagle River, Alaska

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