Question:

Well, I’ve hinted at it; and now it’s time to start writing in ink.   I’m proposing a ROFF mini-clave in Altmar, NY to catch a few salmon, drink a few beers, and tell a few lies.   At this late date, accommodations in the entire area should be nigh on impossible to obtain; but I have already reserved two large rooms at Malinda’s for Thurs., October 17 thru the 20th. One room is essentially full already; but the other sleeps 3 or 4 should any intrepid souls want to make definite plans for that weekend. I’m willing to bet that most folks interested will already be familiar with the area; but any questions about the fishing, fly selection, places to eat, lodges, etc. will be cheerfully answered for those who are not; and I’ll even put up a web site if necessary. So consider this a preliminary announcement.   More info will be provided as needed. Joe F.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, I’ve hinted at it; and now it’s time to start writing in ink.   I’m proposing a ROFF mini-clave in Altmar, NY to catch a few salmon, drink a few beers, and tell a few lies.   At this late date, accommodations in the entire area should be nigh on impossible to obtain; but I have already reserved two large rooms at Malinda’s for Thurs., October 17 thru the 20th. One room is essentially full already; but the other sleeps 3 or 4 should any intrepid souls want to make definite plans for that weekend. I’m willing to bet that most folks interested will already be familiar with the area; but any questions about the fishing, fly selection, places to eat, lodges, etc. will be cheerfully answered for those who are not; and I’ll even put up a web site if necessary. So consider this a preliminary announcement.   More info will be provided as needed. Joe F.

Joe- It’s a really busy semester for me, but I might be able to swing by on the weekend (yeah, I know about the crowds, but it will be for the comeraderie and not the fishing).  Joe Verdone might be interested as well.  I don’t think we’ll be needing accomodations, we’re a stone’s throw away — Scott Reverse first field of address to reply

Response:

Well, I’ve hinted at it; and now it’s time to start writing in ink.   I’m proposing a ROFF mini-clave in Altmar, NY to catch a few salmon, drink a few beers, and tell a few lies.  

Those salmon aren’t, like, trying to spawn, are they? — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Well, I’ve hinted at it; and now it’s time to start writing in ink. I’m proposing a ROFF mini-clave in Altmar, NY to catch a few salmon, drink a few beers, and tell a few lies. Those salmon aren’t, like, trying to spawn, are they?

They sure are.  They swim right into the loving hands of the folks at the hatchery, where the hens get squeezed like bagpipes and the males are emptied like a tube of toothpaste. Pete

Response:

Those salmon aren’t, like, trying to spawn, are they? They sure are.

In that case, I’m afraid it’s unethical. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

In that case, I’m afraid it’s unethical.

Ethics on the Salmon River are as rare as a 2 – minute steak. Pete Collin

Response:

Pete?  "Flyfishing," is not a generalization sport which is as rare as a 1 minute steak. George Gehrke :  ) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In that case, I’m afraid it’s unethical. Ethics on the Salmon River are as rare as a 2 – minute steak. Pete Collin

Response:

Question:

J Axelrad;  Sign me up for the raffle with a Strens fisherman’s clipper with zinger and a North Dakota water proof box.  I’m coming in Wed afternoon. Let me know if the timing is off.  Then again, I could always donate 1,000 used flies that never caught anything and never will 8}.

Response:

Lou Teletski wrote… J Axelrad;  Sign me up for the raffle with a Strens fisherman’s clipper with zinger and a North Dakota water proof box.  I’m coming in Wed afternoon. Let me know if the timing is off.  Then again, I could always donate 1,000 used flies that never caught anything and never will 8}.

You had better send it to me rather than bring it just in case.  Wed.  might be after the Raffle.  Don’t know for sure.  But why take a chance. Joel Axelrad **DFD**

Response:

You had better send it to me rather than bring it just in case.  Wed. might be after the Raffle.  Don’t know for sure.  But why take a chance. Joel Axelrad **DFD**

Joe, I will send you a package of swap flies as well if you want to include them in your raffle. I need your snail mail addy. Frank Church Swap nazi

Response:

Joel, I’ll be there early but leaving Wednesday morning.  No problem if not being there makes a difference on paricippating in the drawing.  My 12 hooks with chicken feathers tied on (God bless Tyson’s Chicken) will still be there to participate.  Better not un-zip the baggy until outdoors and downwind from anyone of the few who may have taken a shower that week. Wayne to fish is human….to release Divine!!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You had better send it to me rather than bring it just in case.  Wed.  might be after the Raffle.  Don’t know for sure.  But why take a chance. Joel Axelrad **DFD**

Response:

Raffle rules again… All those giving a prize will get one even if you don’t attend the clave. All those attending bring your prize with you but let me know what it is beforehand if you would. All those not attending and those who think they will depart before the raffle or arrive after the raffle send your prize to me.    Joel Axelrad    Uniform Graining Corp.    2120 W, Lake Street    Chicago, IL 60612     And lastly, I don’t know which nite, for sure, the raffle will be held.  The Clavemeister has not spoken!   Tom, we wait your decision.  Tues.? Wed.?  Let us know. Watch this space for the answer. Joel Axelrad **DFD**

Response:

And lastly, I don’t know which nite, for sure, the raffle will be held. The Clavemeister has not spoken!   Tom, we wait your decision.  Tues.? Wed.?  Let us know.

Since Tuesday is the only night I have a snowball’s chance of being there, that gets my vote. Joe F.

Response:

Joe writes: Since Tuesday is the only night I have a snowball’s chance of being there, that gets my vote.

Don’t forget the torches! Dave

Response:

Joe F. wrote… Since Tuesday is the only night I have a snowball’s chance of being there, that gets my vote.

If you promise to do an encore of your act I’ll vote with you. Joel Axelrad **DFD**

Response:

And lastly, I don’t know which nite, for sure, the raffle will be held. The Clavemeister has not spoken!   Tom, we wait your decision. Tues.? Wed.?  Let us know. Since Tuesday is the only night I have a snowball’s chance of being there, that gets my vote. Joe F.

Sounds good to me too Scott

Response:

If you promise to do an encore of your act I’ll vote with you. Joel Axelrad

Well shit, I better find some glue & put the boxes back together. <g Joe F.

Response:

Don’t forget the torches!

We got us a volunteer again Stan!   Better start practicing.  <g Joe F.

Response:

Joe F. If you promise to do an encore of your act I’ll vote with you. Joel Axelrad Well shit, I better find some glue & put the boxes back together. <g Joe F.

I’ll bring matches and lighter fluid.  <g For the torches, the torches, not those little box thingies……d;0(

Response:

Joe F. writes: Don’t forget the torches! We got us a volunteer again Stan!   Better start practicing.  <g

Yeah, Stan.  Practice, practice, practice.  No fishing from now until then – just practice with those torches.  You don’t mind if I face Stan instead of you, Joe. Dave practicing running and ducking and trying to remember where his asbestos bvds are

Response:

Oh almighty rafflemiester put me down for a fly-tying book as i don’t tie yet i don’t need one maybe some flyline as someday i may tie so maybe i should keep it boy do i hate these aarp moments.Whatever day is picked will be fine with me. Handyman   Mike

Response:

I’m with Joe.  Tuesday night! — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Since Tuesday is the only night I have a snowball’s chance of being there, that gets my vote. Joe F.

Response:

I’m with Joe.  Tuesday night!

Well, if you’re with me, you’ll be at a dinner with me and swmbo. Aaaaargh.   As it turns out, she had screwed up the dates she told me for that one.   Now I have committments on Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday.   It’s looking pretty f*cking unlikely I’ll get there at all now.   Giant bummer. Joe F.

Response:

Joe fleischman wrote… Well, if you’re with me, you’ll be at a dinner with me and swmbo. Aaaaargh.   As it turns out, she had screwed up the dates she told me for that one.   Now I have committments on Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday.   It’s looking pretty f*cking unlikely I’ll get there at all now.   Giant bummer. Joe F.

You gotta come.  You gotta juggle.  You gotta fish.  You gatta be with friends. Joel Axelrad **DFD**

Response:

Joel writes: You gotta come.  You gotta juggle.  You gotta fish.  You gatta be with friends.

You gotta try and hit me with the flaming torch.   Be there, Joe, be there. Dave

Response:

I’m with Joe.  Tuesday night! Well, if you’re with me, you’ll be at a dinner with me and swmbo.

millheim inn? <g Aaaaargh.   As it turns out, she had screwed up the dates she told me for that one.   Now I have committments on Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday.   It’s looking pretty f*cking unlikely I’ll get there at all now.   Giant bummer. Joe F.

bummer indeed….. i was hopin we could wet a line together this year….. 2003? –wally

Response:

You gotta come.  You gotta juggle.  You gotta fish.  You gatta be with friends. You gotta try and hit me with the flaming torch.   Be there, Joe, be there. Dave

If it’ll help you, Dave, I can toss a few cigars at you…  Just trying to help.

Response:

Stan writes: If it’ll help you, Dave, I can toss a few cigars at you…  Just trying to help. If it’ll help you, Dave, I can toss a few cigars at you…  Just trying to help.

Wouldn’t be the same, Stan.

Response:

If’n ya’ll want, I can wait till more people get there before I start the fire for the stew.  That oughta be ’nuff entertainment for the most jaded.            Frank

Response:

bummer indeed….. i was hopin we could wet a line together this year….. 2003?

Friday’s still alive as a longshot.   SWMBO gets degree at ceremony Thurs. a.m.   Perhaps a celebratory lunch, a leisurely afternoon basking in the glow of academic success, them off to Coburn?   I dunno; I might get away with it.  :-) Joe F.

Response:

aw hell…i heard they will deliver diplomas by mail now …if you were a real manly man, you’d try that approach and do your celebrating at the historic millheim hotel.  of course, i must admit i tried similar antics more than 20 years ago with my first spouse, and it got me a whole lotta new freedoms…freedom from my bank account, furniture, car, and marriage.  but then, i didn’t have your magical talents… <g we’ll miss you this year… hope you can find your way down to carolina again now that you have some proper footgear… jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – bummer indeed….. i was hopin we could wet a line together this year….. 2003? Friday’s still alive as a longshot.   SWMBO gets degree at ceremony Thurs. a.m.   Perhaps a celebratory lunch, a leisurely afternoon basking in the glow of academic success, them off to Coburn?   I dunno; I might get away with it.  :-) Joe F.

Response:

Joe, Suggest we do a combined blowout Sunday for both the wives in collective celebration.  You keep waders in the van to bug out right after ceremonies Thursday and get back late Saturday night.  If we make a big enough deal out of Sunday, think we can make it fly(fish)?? Wayne to fish is human….to release Divine! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Friday’s still alive as a longshot.   SWMBO gets degree at ceremony Thurs. a.m.   Perhaps a celebratory lunch, a leisurely afternoon basking in the glow of academic success, them off to Coburn?   I dunno; I might get away with it.  :-) Joe F.

Response:

Question:

SSSHHHHHHH  Why tel anyone SSSSHHHHHHHHHHH. Nobody knows but us…

DSR is a big place on a bigger river.   I think our secret is safe. Apparently only about a hundred thousand guys know it, judging by last weekend’s crowd outside DSR. And don’t get me started on the cultural differences between the few fly fishers there and the lead-chucking majority. Joe F.

Response:

(photos to follow, including one in my roff shirt)

Okey dokey, if you’re interested, the photos are up at alt.binaries.pictures.fishing.   The subject headings are just variations of my screen name: rb608-1, rb608-2, and rb608-3.   The roff shirt is in -1, but it’s unfortunately less than obvious.   -3 is a big salmon with the rod, and -2 is the standard guy-with-a-fish photo. Joe F.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep

Question:

Well, it’s been a couple weeks since the idea lit up, caught fire briefly and fizzled, so I thought I’d try posting a reminder. For you newbies: I am compiling a directory of ROFF members, initially to allow ROFF members travelling to another state to maybe look up a fellow member to share some local knowledge, some time on a stream or a cold beer together.   To participate, send me your screen name and state.   Other info, such as you real name, home city, age, home waters, occupation, etc. is optional (most so far have shared most of these).   You can surrender as little anonymity as you are comfortable with.   None of this info will be shared by me outside this group or with commercial concerns. For the "experienced" ROFFians: Awright goddammit, where the hell are ya?   A lousy 50 names in three weeks? What about the rest of ya?   You know who you are!   Seriously though, I am hoping some of the discussions about file size, databases or other esoteric computer shit didn’t put anybody off (responses dropped like a stone shortly after that).   I’d like to see this grow to a potentially useful tool for everybody.   If you post regularly or even occasionally, send me your info (see above). Joe F.

Response:

Ok Joe, Didn’t see the last thread, musta been fishn’ or drinkn’ or sleeping as far as I know? Tim Apple Rockford IL Good smallmouth and some trout(top secret on the trout thing, about 5 people in the world know where they are.) Also finally figured out how to get walleye on the fly, good fishing for em’ to. I’d give you my address but I’m going in the Coast Guard soon and it wouldn’t do ya much good unless you cruise by in the next 2 months or so. see ya Tim Apple — "Bamboo is Better"

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, it’s been a couple weeks since the idea lit up, caught fire briefly and fizzled, so I thought I’d try posting a reminder. For you newbies: I am compiling a directory of ROFF members, initially to allow ROFF members travelling to another state to maybe look up a fellow member to share some local knowledge, some time on a stream or a cold beer together.   To participate, send me your screen name and state.   Other info, such as you real name, home city, age, home waters, occupation, etc. is optional (most so far have shared most of these).   You can surrender as little anonymity as you are comfortable with.   None of this info will be shared by me outside this group or with commercial concerns. For the "experienced" ROFFians: Awright goddammit, where the hell are ya?   A lousy 50 names in three weeks? What about the rest of ya?   You know who you are!   Seriously though, I am hoping some of the discussions about file size, databases or other esoteric computer shit didn’t put anybody off (responses dropped like a stone shortly after that).   I’d like to see this grow to a potentially useful tool for everybody.   If you post regularly or even occasionally, send me your info (see above). Joe F.

Response:

Question:

Hi Scott I’ve been to Puerto Escondido in Baja – where, exactly, is the one to which you refer ? Dave

Response:

Hi Scott I’ve been to Puerto Escondido in Baja – where, exactly, is the one to which you refer ? Dave

Actually, I was talking about the Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca, but any info about light tackle flyfishing would help!

Response:

Does anyone have information about fishing in Huatulco/Puerto Escondido, Mexico area? I am planning a trip for mid august, but the only problem is, with less then a month left, I still have no idea what to expect. I will only be able to bring a 7/8 weight, and I will probably fish the bays in Huatulco and Puerto Angel….any other hot spots in the area???? I need to know what kind of fish are availible to me, and of course what flies (specific patterns?) or type of flies (shrimp? baitfish?) and what sizes i should tie them in….also handy would be possibly guide recommendations and leader strengths? Actually, any information at all would be great! I just need all the help I can get! Anyway, if you have any ideas, please either email me OR reply to this message!                                 Thanks in advance,                                 Scott

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone have information about fishing in Huatulco/Puerto Escondido, Mexico area? I am planning a trip for mid august, but the only problem is, with less then a month left, I still have no idea what to expect. I will only be able to bring a 7/8 weight, and I will probably fish the bays in Huatulco and Puerto Angel….any other hot spots in the area???? I need to know what kind of fish are availible to me, and of course what flies (specific patterns?) or type of flies (shrimp? baitfish?) and what sizes i should tie them in….also handy would be possibly guide recommendations and leader strengths? Actually, any information at all would be great! I just need all the help I can get! Anyway, if you have any ideas, please either email me OR reply to this message!                                Thanks in advance,                                Scott

You can find some information about fishing in Huatulco and Puerto Angel on my web page.  You can start with http://www.eden.com/~tomzap/hfishing.html Tom Penick             Web page:             Austin, Texas            http://www.eden.com/~tomzap

Response:

Does anyone have information about fishing in Huatulco/Puerto Escondido, Mexico area? I am planning a trip for mid august, but the only problem is, with less then a month left, I still have no idea what to expect. I will only be able to bring a 7/8 weight, and I will probably fish the bays in Huatulco and Puerto Angel….any other hot spots in the area???? I need to know what kind of fish are availible to me, and of course what flies (specific patterns?) or type of flies (shrimp? baitfish?) and what sizes i should tie them in….also handy would be possibly guide recommendations and leader strengths? Actually, any information at all would be great! I just need all the help I can get! Anyway, if you have any ideas, please either email me OR reply to this message!                                             Thanks in advance,                                                       Scott                                  

Response:

Question:

Hello All, Can anyone tell me what are the best fly patterns (for trout) to use in the White Mountains of New Hampshire during mid-April?  I’m not sure which river as of yet. Thanks much! Alex

Response:

Alex, Early black stones, early brown stones, little black caddis and BWO work here in VT…should work in NH as well. Good luck. Regards, James Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings

Response:

Try the North Country Angler in North Conway on Rte. 16 just past the busy down town area.  The can tell you water conditions, hatches. etc. Paul Koulouris

Response:

Question:

Comparaduns are a style of fly, i.e. no hackle, and the Hendrickson is a particular design to match either the Ephemerella subvaria as a Light Hendrickson, or the Ephemerella X , as the dark pattern. Check Al Caucci’s homepage at www.mayfly.com for comparadun info he invented the things. jg

Caucci may have coined the term "comparadun," but I believe the style of fly (no hackle with hair wing) was developed by Fran Betters as the "Haystack."  Either way, it’s a pattern that works when standard Catskill ties don’t. Michael

Response:

Comparaduns are a style of fly, i.e. no hackle, and the Hendrickson is a particular design to match either the Ephemerella subvaria as a Light Hendrickson, or the Ephemerella X , as the dark pattern. Check Al Caucci’s homepage at www.mayfly.com for comparadun info he invented the things. jg

Response:

I am both a novice fly fisherman and fly tyer.  I am looking for a good recipe for a comparadun pattern and a Hendrickson pattern.  Preferably the patterns will be relative to the Michigan/Great Lakes region and the recipes will also come with tying instructions.  I realize that this may sound a little demanding but I am very much a novice fly tyer. I would also be forever grateful. thanx. NEWFISHBOY  

Post this same message to: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying B.

Response:

 I am both a novice fly fisherman and fly tyer.  I am looking for a good  recipe for a comparadun pattern and a Hendrickson pattern.

Those are in many of the soft-bound books on the market.  Check your local flyshop.

Response:

I am both a novice fly fisherman and fly tyer.  I am looking for a good recipe for a comparadun pattern and a Hendrickson pattern.  Preferably the patterns will be relative to the Michigan/Great Lakes region and the recipes will also come with tying instructions.  I realize that this may sound a little demanding but I am very much a novice fly tyer. I would also be forever grateful. thanx. NEWFISHBOY  

Response:

Question:

I went to the San Jaoquin last year and it was great!!  Go to any of the local FF stores and purchase a handful of Sierra Bright Dots 16 – 18.   Also and of the beadhead nymphs worked on dropper rigs with a large dry works great too.  The "river" is actually pretty narrow and shallow this time of year, so hip waders or lightweight waders are the best choices. As to how to get there, go towards the Mammoth ski area and take the road towards Devils Postpile.  Its a long and naroow road down to the valley.  You’ll past a small lake then turn right into the 1st or 2nd campground and the stream is right there.   You’ll catch a ton of small fish but they’ve pulled some nice browns out of there.  Good luck! Bill

Response:

When You get to the area stop by any store and pick up a copy of the " Anglers guide to the Eastern Sierra" by John Barbier, its a good reference on most lakes and rivers in the area. If you dont mind the hike Lane lake is a good spot for cutthroat and brookies, The trail head starts at Levitt meadows and is well marked. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I will be taking a weekend trip to the Eastern Sierras next weekend (Sept. 13,14,15).  Any suggestions?  Plan to try the San Joaquin (I’ve never fished it, and am curious on how to get there, "hot" spots, and how to fish it), the Owens, and possibly the East Walker.  I’m a fly novice, so any specifics would be greatly appreciated.

Response:

I will be taking a weekend trip to the Eastern Sierras next weekend (Sept. 13,14,15).  Any suggestions?  Plan to try the San Joaquin (I’ve never fished it, and am curious on how to get there, "hot" spots, and how to fish it), the Owens, and possibly the East Walker.  I’m a fly novice, so any specifics would be greatly appreciated.

Make sure that you stop by Hot Creek (which I would go to over the East Walker).  The lower section is a little easier than the upper (at least with my rod).  The San Joaquin is a blast!  You have to drive there  prior to 7 am–after that the only way to get in is via shuttle.  I think that the shuttle might stop by running by LaborDay(so you may be able to drive at any time now).  In  the higher Sierra creeks small Adams and caddis work well.  Even with no visible hatch theese small fish will rise. Have a great time up there! Aaron

Response:

  Plan to try the San Joaquin (I’ve never fished it, and am curious on how to get there, "hot" spots, and how to fish it), the Owens, and possibly the East Walker.

Excellent selection.  As far as the SJR goes, the further from the road, the better.  Hike down to Rainbow Falls, fish the pool, go a bit further downstream and have a good time.  Just about any old small fly will work, dry or nymph–these fish will be hungry.  In the old days, you had to drive in before the bus service starts, 6 AM?  8 AM? The East Walker is tougher fishing, but bigger fish.  If you’re a confident wader, explore downstream from the bridge (a mile or so below Bridgeport Res.).  There’s a dirt road that cuts to the right, just at the bridge, follow it down a ways to where the terrain opens up a bit, and get on the water.  Above the bridge, the water is slower and flows through a meadow, below the bridge it’s more like pocket water.   If you’ve got a float tube, don’t miss fishing the lakes in the vicinity. Good luck, Anglerboy

Response:

I will be taking a weekend trip to the Eastern Sierras next weekend (Sept. 13,14,15).  Any suggestions?  Plan to try the San Joaquin (I’ve never fished it, and am curious on how to get there, "hot" spots, and how to fish it), the Owens, and possibly the East Walker.  I’m a fly novice, so any specifics would be greatly appreciated.

Response:

I will be taking a weekend trip to the Eastern Sierras next weekend (Sept. 13,14,15).  Any suggestions?  Plan to try the San Joaquin (I’ve never fished it, and am curious on how to get there, "hot" spots, and how to fish it), the Owens, and possibly the East Walker.  I’m a fly novice, so any specifics would be greatly appreciated.

You can get to the eastern section of the San Joaquin by taking the road out of Mammoth Lakes that runs down to Devil’s Postpile.  I don’t recall the number but it’s pretty easy to find on a map.

You might want to revaluate your choice of user id if you’re going to hang around in this newsgroup long. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

Response:

Question:

Greetings, I’m moving to southeastern S. Dakota in a couple of weeks.  Any good suggestionsfor flyfishing opportunities to start with?  I’m not much into big water walleye spin fishing that I hear so much of in that part of the country.  Any trout? thanks,        curt Curt Anderson Dept. of Biological Sciences Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ  86011

I think that there are some nice small streams in the Black Hills. William Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA

Response:

Curt, you’re along way from any trout.  Best try to find a good farm pond or small lake for some bluegills and bass.

How about trying Northeastern Nebraska. The State of Nebraska  has a page on fishing and hunting in the state. http:/adm-server.ngpc.state.ne.us/ I took a peek about six months ago and noticed that they stock streams in the northeastern part of Nebraska. Maybe South Dakota does somthing similar in tributaries to the Missouri?

Response:

Greetings, I’m moving to southeastern S. Dakota in a couple of weeks.  Any good suggestionsfor flyfishing opportunities to start with?  I’m not much into big water walleye spin fishing that I hear so much of in that part of the country.  Any trout? thanks,         curt Curt Anderson Dept. of Biological Sciences Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ  86011

Response:

Question:

I’ll be trying the Big Sur River just south of Monterey Calif. on Wednesday.   I figure I’ll use dark flies and quarter the stream.  It’s not a deep river so I’m going to use a floating line and let the weight of the fly do the work of getting down to the fish. So, what do you think?  Am I on the right track?

Hello Bob, We are all curious as to how you did.  If you caught one then you confirm the truism that sometimes a first time beginner can walk up to a river and catch a steelhead. Back to reality, our winter run steelhead are a very difficult quarry. They usually move quickly through the short lower sections where fishing is allowed.  Even if you can find them, you can pass a fly right in front of their nose time after time without provoking a response, although sometimes they will bite. And in many years like this one, the water isn’t clear enough for flies for months. They are a lot easier to catch on roe, but as a fly fisher I don’t find that very satisfying. I recommend you try the fall run on the Klamath and its tributaries, in late September or October.  They bite flies much more readily and often hold in riffles where fly fishers have an advantage. Good luck, Mark Vinsel

Response:

Yes, that will work, but just remember, like with big trout, you must put the fly in front of their nose.  It might take something like a heavily weighted stonefly nymph to do the trick.  The rod wt. is OK, I have landed steelhead on my Orvis Western Spring Creek 4 wt.  If i am targeting steelhead though, I usually take a 6 or 7.  A fly I’ve had luck with on small strams that are ahallow and clear where you and the fish can see each other, is a Black Diamond (first tyed in Black Diamond, Washington).  If you’re interested and can’t find the pattern, give a yell – be glad to provide it. Burton Hawley, Corvallis, OR

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Although I’m an experienced flyfisher, I really don’t know anything about flyfishing for steelhead.  What are the best tactics and flies to use for steelhead?  What is the best equipment and setup?  I have 7wt equipment.  Is this sufficient? I’ll be trying the Big Sur River just south of Monterey Calif. on Wednesday.   I figure I’ll use dark flies and quarter the stream.  It’s not a deep river so I’m going to use a floating line and let the weight of the fly do the work of getting down to the fish. So, what do you think?  Am I on the right track? Thanks Bob Moss Landing, Ca.

Response:

Lots of good books on the topic, especially Advanced Steelhead Flyfishing that seems to focus on your area.  Flies are typically bright streamers and wild marabou patterns, though some folks prefer to fish darker flies that actually look like something alive.  Salmon egg patterns are used alot. Typical tactic is to flip it out 45 degrees to current and drift, pulling line in to cover water completely before moving a few steps.  Floating line is common(specail steelhead line is flaoting and designed for winter usage), sometimes with longer leaders with heavy flys to sink. Monofilament shock obsorbers are common as well.  So much has been written, I couldn’t do it justice.  Like most new water, its probably good to get a guide. Tom      

Response:

Although I’m an experienced flyfisher, I really don’t know anything about flyfishing for steelhead.  What are the best tactics and flies to use for steelhead?  What is the best equipment and setup?  I have 7wt equipment.  Is this sufficient? I’ll be trying the Big Sur River just south of Monterey Calif. on Wednesday.   I figure I’ll use dark flies and quarter the stream.  It’s not a deep river so I’m going to use a floating line and let the weight of the fly do the work of getting down to the fish. So, what do you think?  Am I on the right track? Thanks Bob Moss Landing, Ca.

Response:

Yes you are.  I would suggest you get a copy of both Dry Line Steelhead by Bill McMillan and Greased Line Fishing for Salmon (and Steelhead) by Jock Scott.  They’re the bibles.

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