Question:

A friend is leaving our fishing committee after a number of years. We would like to mark the occasion with a gift. In some ways it is easy you can always find use for a cape, a reel, a fly box, a line, the list is endless… Perhaps a good strong fly box that could take a small inscription would be a permanent reminder, does anyone have any suggestions? — Ellis Morgan

Response:

A friend is leaving our fishing committee after a number of years. We would like to mark the occasion with a gift. In some ways it is easy you can always find use for a cape, a reel, a fly box, a line, the list is endless… Perhaps a good strong fly box that could take a small inscription would be a permanent reminder, does anyone have any suggestions? — Ellis Morgan

I’ve seen Wheatly fly boxes that people have engraved. Paul

Response:

I’ve used a UK company which specialises in fishing gifts: http://www.justfish.co.uk I’ve had resin fish for the wall, cards and fishing related ornaments etc.  The catalogue is pretty good, in fact I think they sent out a Xmas one recently – might be worth requesting one ?

Response:

In reference to my previous post for justfish.co.uk, the resin fish sculptures are quite nice – they are not very big mind.  I ordered one last year for the wall – only 12 x 8 inches – under

Question:

Lots of good fishing on Bushkill Creek, but Ressica Falls is extra-special.  Actually, there are a lot of Big and Little Bushkill Creeks in Pennsylvania; Ressica Falls is near 611 & 402. Ressica Falls is owned by the Liberty Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and a permit is required to fish there.  Way worth it. The stream is as pretty as any you’ll find, the water as suited for trout as you could like, and the water is so well-stocked with nice trout that first time visitors are likely to be flabbergasted.  Hatches are common in spring and summer, and can be quite abundant.  Imagine standing in hemlock lined pool, fishing a riffle, with ten trout rising noisily all around you.  Now imagine miles of stream just like that.  Now imagine you’ve just hooked a 14" brown, and boy is he pissed.  That’s Ressica Falls. Wednesday evening was quite warm.  Once again, forgot to check the water temp, but was comfy while wading wet, until my pipe started rattling in my teeth, and I started shaking violently as soon as I stepped out to go home.  ’Bout 55 degrees? Quill Gordon duns and spinners, as well as grannoms were out and about.  a tan-colored fly was also laying eggs on the water, but I wasn’t able to get a good look.  The trout were taking small brown imitations, quill gordens, henrysville, etc.  As it got dark and I was forced to switch to lighter colored flies, hits became tougher to get. Also out in profusion were buffalo gnats.  These are like the no-see-ums of the North, except that you can see them.  In fact, you can rope ‘em and ride ‘em.  You usually won’t get bitten by one; you’ll get bitten by 5 or 6.  As a repellent, I recommend a burly pipe tobacco, as they are quite aggressive. The stream bed is rocky, with numerous pools and riffles, and it’s full of brookies, browns , and rainbows.  Careful wading is important.  The scenery is beautiful, and the entire experience is more than worth the modest permit fee. Two words of caution: first, pesky bears.  Bothersome bears occasionally hassle folks in this area.  Just don’t be afraid of them. Bears can smell fear, you know.  Don’t poke them with a stick either; they really don’t like that, take my word for it. Chiggers – very common here.  Any exposed skin can become home to those cuddly little burrowing mites, and I’ve got a red dot on the side of my knee to prove it. Jeez, I feel bad that I forgot to get the water temp for you.  I’ll go back up this evening & do it right this time.  That is, if I don’t forgot again, what with the trout rising all around me, bitey gnats nipping at my ears, tobacco fog all around my head, snarly bears trying to get my attention, minimites digging holes through me like a swiss cheese, and me with the wrong fly all tangled up around the tip of my rod. Timothy Juvenal In sleep every dog dreams of food, and I, a fisherman, dream of fish.     -Theocritus

Response:

Lots of good fishing on Bushkill Creek, but Ressica Falls is extra-special.  Actually, there are a lot of Big and Little Bushkill Creeks in Pennsylvania; Ressica Falls is near 611 & 402. Ressica Falls is owned by the Liberty Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and a permit is required to fish there.  Way worth it.

Timothy, Your posts, which are quite pleasant to read, would be even more so if you would kindly set your line length to 70-75 or so. JR — To reply, remove the Qs from the address above

Response:

"JR" wrote …  kindly set your line length to 70-75 or so.

Oops.  Thanks for the tip. Timothy Juvenal

Response:

Question:

rw, It’s in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia. There are bones there too. It is an Australian Territory and has provided the only official fly caught bones in Australian waters. It is better known to us as a refugee landing point. Hundreds of Chinese, Indonesians, now Iranians have arrived there in the last few months. Cheer JK

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But no, that wasn’t me. rw’s off to Easter Island at some point; Uh, I think you got the wrong holiday there Trip, it’s *Christmas* Island<g. One funny thing is that there are two Christmas Islands in the South Pacific, and both have fishing. The "wrong" Christmas Island has blue water big game fishing. (No bonefish.) I wonder whether some confused flyfisherman has ever shown up there with totally wrong tackle. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Mike: here’s the Alberta snow report: I drove through Calgary early this week. No snow to speak of. Absolutely none in Lethbridge where I live. Foescast calls for some flurries tonight, but a high of 8 C, so it won’t last long. No snow forecasted until Tuesday or Wednesday. Probably be another brown Xmas. Tim Lysyk

Well… Ok then… Maybe winters I remember. Heck last year in December I remeber we got some serious snow all around the region! I decide to stay here and it stay’s nice… What’s up with that? My parents are down in the Phillipines until January and I am having them scout some nice possiblities to fish while they travel around to golf… That’ll be a nice trip but one when my kids are much older. I can’t imgaine lugging all three girls around on an 18 hour plane trip! I am still thinking about Calgary in the Summer but I am not too sure. I’ll have to see how things go in the spring… That’d be nice though two weeks back home and as much fishing as I can squeeze in! — Michael Era

Question:

Howell Raines’ great book "Fly Fishing the Midlife Crisis" is on sale for only $5.99 at www.bargainbookwarehouse.com. In the stores it sells for $22. I don’t think they have any other fishing books.

Response:

"Fly Fishing Through the Midlife Crisis" I agree that it is an excellent read, and I’m not even at mid-life yet…Clint – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Howell Raines’ great book "Fly Fishing the Midlife Crisis" is on sale for only $5.99 at www.bargainbookwarehouse.com. In the stores it sells for $22. I don’t think they have any other fishing books.

Response:

Question:

Sorry, I forgot to mention the price and ordering number for the outfit below, it is $39.97 and order # D8C-26617.  They also have a couple of fly fishing vests, a 9 pocket mesh for $24.97 and a 17 pocket classic for 29.97. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-mail GO TO http://users.ccnet.com/~emh FOR TRAVEL TIE BOX PLANS – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just saw this in the Sportsman’s Guide catalog for you guys that are looking for a cheap outfit to learn to fly fish or teach you son flyfishing.  The toll free ordering number is 1-800-888-3006.. 6/7 weight 8 foot Martin 8067C fiberglass fly rod Martin 6355 reel WF6F Line 100 yards of backing 7 1/2 foot tapered leader 4 pound test tippet — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-mail GO TO http://users.ccnet.com/~emh FOR TRAVEL TIE BOX PLANS

Response:

I just saw this in the Sportsman’s Guide catalog for you guys that are looking for a cheap outfit to learn to fly fish or teach you son flyfishing.  The toll free ordering number is 1-800-888-3006.. 6/7 weight 8 foot Martin 8067C fiberglass fly rod Martin 6355 reel WF6F Line 100 yards of backing 7 1/2 foot tapered leader 4 pound test tippet — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-mail GO TO http://users.ccnet.com/~emh FOR TRAVEL TIE BOX PLANS

Response:

Question:

I purchased a pair of GoreTex waders a couple years ago from LL Bean. The price was much more reasonable than some, and the Bean service is excellent. I haven’t exposed them to a great degree of abuse, but the material appears quite durable. They are well made, double thickness at the knees. The suspenders are adequate, but could be sturdier. John Nesselrode Shawnee, KS

Response:

I bought a pair of the Clearwater waders.  I fished in the early season (read cold) here in Minnesota and found that they erformed very well with fleece pants underneath.  They are truly awsome on a 80 degree day with 80% humidity.  However, after around 65 days on the water the seam tape on both feet started to come off.  Although they never leaked, I took them to my Orvis dealer as I was going to Montana and didn’t want them to start leaking.  I walked out with a new pair for free, now that’s service.   Anyway, the new pair has been fine so far.  I think I am harder on my gear than most.  I fish 3-4 times a week on small streams and am often crashing through brush in the dark with no flashlight. Long Live Hay Creek MikeH

Response:

They’re great!!!

Response:

I remember seeing a thread about Gore-Tex waders a while back. Would anyone be willing to put forth their $.02 again, for I’m interested in these waders. Thanks, — Don Pisinski C.C.S. Digital Equipment Corporation (When replying remove the "x" from the e-mail address) My opinions are not reflective of the opinions of my employer, my  cat, dog, or goldfish.

Response:

Don, I finally broke down and got some goretex waders but not before an outfitter/shop did me a huge favor.  They let me try out the Clearwater and Bulletproof waders by Orvis and I was stoked.  Then they ruined me by letting me try out the Simms Guide models.  The Simms’s were the most comfortable and the quietest in my experience (fishing them each for a day in warm temps and cold water) but at $350.00, I balked.  My wife, in a rare display of toy-encouragement, thought that since I believed they were the ones to get and I didn’t come out of them all stinky and wet, said go ahead.  I can’t comment on their long term wear and tear, others will though, but I think it was a good decision for me even though I had to use money from the "Bamboo savings". Try them out if you can and I must say that the Clearwaters color is the most pleasant if only because EVERY outdoors-wear maker uses sage or light green/olives in all their clothes.(Fashion tip courtesy the beautiful Stephanie). Good Luck, Bob

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I remember seeing a thread about Gore-Tex waders a while back. Would anyone be willing to put forth their $.02 again, for I’m interested in these waders. Thanks, — Don Pisinski C.C.S. Digital Equipment Corporation (When replying remove the "x" from the e-mail address) My opinions are not reflective of the opinions of my employer, my  cat, dog, or goldfish.

Hi Don I’ve been guiding and fishing in Simms GoreTex waders for several years now and find they are great. The comfort of being able to fish in light weight breathable waders is one of the nicest things I’ve done for myself in years. The downside of any of these waders is minute pin holes that wild roses, nettles, thistles, etc can cause in the membrane of the waders. I just accept this will happen and patch the waders when needed. It’ real simple to do and a minor inconvienience when compared to the comfort. Take care & … — Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Catalog,Tips & Tricks, Fishing Reports, & NeverSink at: http://www.btsflyfishing.com

Response:

I remember seeing a thread about Gore-Tex waders a while back. Would anyone be willing to put forth their $.02 again, for I’m interested in these waders. Thanks,

Don, I recently bought a pair of Orvis 3mm neoprenes to fish the cold waters of Labrador.  When I got there, all the guides were wearing Orvis’ Gore-tex $300 + waders.  This was their 2nd or 3rd year with them, and they were wearing like stainless steel.  The guides were in them from 8 in the morning til 6 every day.  They said that the neoprenes they used to wear wore out too quickly.  They swore by the Gore-tex. Upon my return, I went to my Orvis dealer and jokingly told him that I had purchased the wrong waders — I should have bought the Gore-tex.  Long story short — he took back the 3mm neoprenes and I paid the difference (<$100) for the Gore-tex.  Now, *that’s* what I call a guarantee!!  BTW, the Gore-tex are famulous in cold water or warm air. Dave L.

Response:

Question:

[snip] Cat fishing there with a fly rod dead drifting a simple worm on the limestone shelves just below the dam at Waterville is probably some of the finest sport known. [snip] Is that really you, George – or is your shadow posting again? Didn’t you recently go ballistic over someone using fly gear with bait, George? Hypocrite, George??

_______HEY MAN, give me a little slack please. How can a boy be a hypocrite at the age of 12? George — MZ

Response:

[snip] Cat fishing there with a fly rod dead drifting a simple worm on the limestone shelves just below the dam at Waterville is probably some of the finest sport known.

[snip] Is that really you, George – or is your shadow posting again? Didn’t you recently go ballistic over someone using fly gear with bait, George? Hypocrite, George??

Response:

Steelhead in the Maumee River now?!!!  Along with the Walleye runs that have been showing up for the last 25 years?  I happen to know the Maumee River like no man alive.  I grew up on it.  Whitehouse, Waterville, Monclova, Ohio area.  Cat fishing there with a fly rod dead drifting a simple worm on the limestone shelves just below the dam at Waterville is probably some of the finest sport known.  Used to club carp there.  Has a lot of drop offs in order to get out there.  Ron Kinkaid in Whitehouse Ohio knows that area even better than me because he still fishes it and you forget things over the years.  The Maumee, named because a crying Indian baby at Turkey Foot Rock was whimpering ma-me, mau-me is how it was named . . . believe it or not.  All the General Anthony Wayne Signs are of my design and invention back in 1953 – 54.  The entire bust and hat and everything.  General Mad Anthony Wayne is the logo for Anthony Wayne High School where I graduated in 1954.  Went directly from H.S. into Flight Training for the U.S.A.F.  Was the first H.S. Graduate in the United States to qualify for fighter pilot school via Chanute Air Force Base in the United States.  I’m kind of proud of that Lee. Yah, I’m an old Buckeye Bronco from Ohio, you betcha!  Used to walk to school (Monclova Grade School) along Swan Creek everyday, even in the winter.  Loved it so.  Chuck Holloway still lives on that road along Swan Creek.  Good place to hunt Wood Duck when the season was in but now not so much as it is basically only a nesting area now, all the way down to Wreckerly Road and where the old county dump used to be, where I used to shoot rats with a .22 single shot.  Great sport!  Rat hunting. Lou Klewer, the ex-outdoor editor of the Toledo Blade lived on Wreckerly Road and I bought my first and most favorite rifle and caliber from Lou. A pre-64 Model 70 in the .220 Swift, which still is my most favorite of all calibers. If God said I had to settle for only one Rifle it would be the .220 Swift.  You betcha!  (Once again) Anyhow Lee, where in Toledo do you live?  I hope this post you aren’t bored with.  You just brought back memories.  I’ll be flying into Toledo Express this spring, a few more weeks or so away.  I have a brother living in Sylvania and Whitehouse, Ohio.  Plus, I always visit Ron Kinkaid.  He lives directly a cross the road from A.W. High School. Have to run Lee.  I knew there was something about you I liked. George Gehrke — MZ — MZ

Response:

Question:

I know Loomis does, they have told me so.  I don’t know who else however, but Sage is a good possibility.  Their rods are very nice. Burton On Tue, 29 Oct – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sort of off the subjet of previous posts in this thread, but: I know that Loomis used to make some of Bean’s top rods.  Recently some of them have been looking like Sages, others like Loomis.  Anybody know the skinny on who’s making LL’s rods lately? zeno

Response:

Sort of off the subjet of previous posts in this thread, but: I know that Loomis used to make some of Bean’s top rods.  Recently some of them have been looking like Sages, others like Loomis.  Anybody know the skinny on who’s making LL’s rods lately? zeno

Response:

LLBean is making their own rods now, I think they get their blanks from sage – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sort of off the subjet of previous posts in this thread, but: I know that Loomis used to make some of Bean’s top rods.  Recently some of them have been looking like Sages, others like Loomis.  Anybody know the skinny on who’s making LL’s rods lately? zeno

Response:

Sort of off the subjet of previous posts in this thread, but: I know that Loomis used to make some of Bean’s top rods.  Recently some of them have been looking like Sages, others like Loomis.  Anybody know the skinny on who’s making LL’s rods lately? zeno

As of about 8 months ago I heard it was Loomis, but that report was from another fisherman, and we all know how reliable fisherman’s reports are. He said he called Bean, and they wouldn’t say exactly who manufactures their rods. Brett

Response:

I have a 10ft. 5wt Double L designed for float tubes.  I use it for saltwater wade fishing.  Broke it once at the ferrule.  (may have been my fault but Bean replaced it.)  Has a medium fast action.  Works well for small snook and specks. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m relatively new to the NG, so forgive me if I have missed a thread on this subject. However, does anyone have any experience with the Double L rods, specifically the two-piece 5-weight? – MM

Response:

I’ve been considering an LL Bean Guide series rod.  They’re made with IM-6 graphite, have medium-fast action and run around $190.  This seems like a great deal when coupled with Bean’s 25-year free replacement guarantee. Any comments about Guide Series rods? Dave Anderson Columbia, Maryland

Response:

Sort of off the subjet of previous posts in this thread, but: I know that Loomis used to make some of Bean’s top rods.  Recently some of them have been looking like Sages, others like Loomis.  Anybody know the skinny on who’s making LL’s rods lately? zeno

Don’t know who makes them, but I had a chance to fish the Double L "S" saltwater 9′ 10 weight and it *looked* more like a Sage. It was matched with a #10 Bean intermediate line and casts were some of the most effortless I’ve ever made. If I were to buy a production rod this would be very high on my list.                                                         jc

Response:

MM, I have a 9 ft 6 wt LL rod.  Bought it at the Bean outlet in Nashua, NH. CAsts great, looks great.  I would buy another any time.  It has a medium/fast action, is fairly light in construction and nicely finished. Gerry Crow

Hi Gerry, I’ve found all of LL Bean’s equipment both fly fishing and other to be of excellent quality.  I too think their rods are an excellent peice of equipment.  I do have one and use it but still am partial to RPL and Scott rods as well. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/expo/specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

Response:

I’m relatively new to the NG, so forgive me if I have missed a thread on this subject. However, does anyone have any experience with the Double L rods, specifically the two-piece 5-weight? – MM

Response:

MM, I have a 9 ft 6 wt LL rod.  Bought it at the Bean outlet in Nashua, NH.   CAsts great, looks great.  I would buy another any time.  It has a medium/fast action, is fairly light in construction and nicely finished. Gerry Crow

Response:

Question:

Several flyfishing folks in the Northeast Texas area are interested in organizing a FF club and  have ‘kinda’ elected me to put it together.  If anyone has any experience in organizing or even being a member in a FF club I could use some (all) of your guidance.  We would like to have it somewhere between a beer bust in the back yard and formal reading of the minutes etc. Thanks for any help! Knack Whitehouse, TX

Response:

Several flyfishing folks in the Northeast Texas area are interested in organizing a FF club and have ‘kinda’ elected me to put it together.  If anyone has any experience in organizing or even being a member in a FF club I could use some (all) of your guidance.  We would like to have it somewhere between a beer bust in the back yard and formal reading of the minutes etc. Thanks for any help! Knack Whitehouse, TX

Hi Knack Contact the Federation of Fly Fishers at 800-618-0808 and ask for their "Forming a Club" literature.  The information is straight forward and easy to follow. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

Southern council of FFF (includes TX) has a web site: http://www.sky.net/~flyfish/ There are several small/local clubs affiliated with FFF. I don’t know the economics of the affiliation, but there might be something for you there. John Nesselrode Shawnee, KS

Response:

Question:

Back Sunday night from four days in and around Clinton and Savona areas in the interior of BC. Two and a half days at Big Bar Lake and a day and a half at Tunkwa Lake. Big Bar was great, beautiful, uncrowded and good fishing. The fish were a mixed bag of some coloured fish and some bright silver fish. Tunkwa wasn’t quite as easy, was more crowded, and the weather wasn’t as nice. Quite a contrast between a popular lake and one that has a low-profile but which offered a better fishing experience. A question: are the dark fish spawning or is it post-spawning colouration? The largest fish was a 20" rainbow with heavy shoulders and a bulldog disposition. It leapt like a silver fish and fought as hard as any other fish I have caught, but fishermen seem not to have such a high opinion of them. Is this only because of the poor table qualities of such a fish? I have hooked other dark fish and they have not fought nearly as hard as bright fish, but this trout was an exception.

Response:

Sounds like a post spawn fish. The low opinion stems from poor   flesh quality and the lack of fight comes from depleted physical   condition. Your fish was probably just starting to come back   into condition. Sounds like you had a great time. Ken Lindsay Fly Fishing Online http://www.flyfishing-online.com

Response: