Question:

Frank Reid writes: 2nd week of June for me too.

Are you going to drive up, Frank? Dave

Response:

Don’t know.  Was thinking of taking the fast train to Boston and a bus to the stop near your house.  That would save me 11 hours on the road. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply. .

Response:

2nd week of June for me too. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply.

Response:

Peter Charles writes: I’ll give her a ring tomorrow.  2nd week of June sounds right for us – will Jo be there then?

Well, we planned on her going the first week.  We have Angler’s cabin (by the water).  So, if you could make it then, so much the better. Some days that woman knows how to twist the knife.  

Hey, she’s   taken some lessons from the Pirate, dontchaknow? Dave

Response:

[sounds like a bit of tough sledding but even so – it’s Lakewood so who cares, eh? For all you folks planning on going to Lakewood in June:  I have made reservations for the first, second, and fourth weeks.  There was some talk about having a non-clave gathering – Peter, wayno, Jeff, et al.  If youse guys are serious about it, better call Maureen at 207-243-2959.   You’ll need to send her a deposit.  Also, Frank Reid – pick a time.  How about 3rd week?  Or, whenever. Gotta go fix dinner.  What a drag……. Dave

I’ll give her a ring tomorrow.  2nd week of June sounds right for us – will Jo be there then? Suzie labouriously looked through her datebook to see if she was ‘otherwise occupied"  then with a whoop, she announced that she was free those weeks because *she* was retired!!  Some days that woman knows how to twist the knife.   Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

I’m glad your friend liked my rod, Dave.  I am fixing to build one for myself that is a copy of yours, I liked how that taper cast so much. I took a terrific vacation with a couple friends in Alberta and British Columbia a couple weeks ago.  The fishing and the scenery was how you would imagine it being in Heaven.  I fished bamboo almost exclusively the whole while I was out there, using an 8 1/2 foot 6 weight I made for a friend who kindly let me use the rod on that trip.  One of our guides eyed the rod as we loaded up the drift boat in the morning.  He made a vary tactful but mistrustful remark about it, saying,"You know, there are bull trout in here envisioned cane splinters flying should I hang a hog.  I assured him that the rod – against my pleading – had been used to land chinook salmon by its owner, so I din’t forsee any problems on this trip.  I was happy with the 6 weight’s performance.  We had a good dose of that western wind I have read so much about.  I did fine by waiting in between gusts and firing a cast out there.  I landed a 2 foot long bull trout on that drift.  It was considered small by the locals, but the thrill of getting my first bull wasn’t small. It looked and acted like a giant brook trout while I reeled it in. It will be a long wait until we all get to go back there next year, I’m telling you! Pete

Response:

Thanks for the report, Dave.  Sounds like a nice time.  How many folks are out there on the river this time of year? Pete Collin

Response:

Peter Collin writes: How many folks are out there on the river this time of year?

Lots.  There were 11 Lakewood guests fishing (and about 12 kids/wives who weren’t), plus some folks boated in on Sat and Sun. BTW, I let my friend try the rod.  He fell for it.  His wife wants to buy him a boo rod for Christmas/birthday, but he’s always said no.  But after trying your’s, he is sold on it. He was surprised when he found out that it was not as slow as he thought bamboo would be.  <g Dave

Response:

Got in this afternoon after four days at Lakewood.  River was running at 800 cfs, ideal for wading and fishing.   First thing I did was to find out the river temps.  Down-stream it was 74 at 2nd Current, and a very warm 75 at Lower Dam.  I checked out Upper and found it to be 71 at 6 a.m., and it worked up to 74 around noon.  So, it was fishing early and up-river.  My friend Bob McDonald and I hit the dam and immediately got into some small (10-12 inch) salmon.  We were both fishing the same pattern – LaFontaine Caddis Emerger.  Bob was fishing it dry and I fished it as a nymph.  They weren’t fussy – they liked it either way.  We both caught some nice 14+ inch salmon, feisty as hell.  We played them short because of the temps. I called Dave Bottom Saturday night and told him about the noon/afternoon water temps down-river, and we agreed it best if he not make the trip and the walk-in.  We’ll meet up in October and fish the Kennebec at East Outlet. Both Sunday and Monday were the same – warm, humid, and the fish hitting consistantly only on the LaFontain pattern.  I hate to tie that pattern, and since I was running short, I tried other patterns.  No deal!  They wanted only the emerger pattern.  Bob left after lunch on Sunday and knowing I was running short of that fly graciously gave me five from his box – he’s a better tier than I.   Monday night/early Tuesday morning a much needed rain came through. I love it when it rains at Lakewood; the cabin is warm (if you’ve made a fire!), and you can hear every drop on the roof.  Wonderful sleeping.   When I awoke at 5:30, it was cool with just a sprinkle coming down.  After a quick cup of coffee from my thermos and letting Henry out to take a leak, I hit the dam.  Absolutely beautiful in the mist of early morning.  I took up station at Zimmerman’s Run, so named because roff’s very own Steve Zimmerman fished it for three straight days without taking a leak, dump, or eating/sleeping.  <G  First cast produced a small salmon, but it got better with the next fish, a respectable 14 incher. I returned after a great breakfast, and fished this run and two or three other feeding lines accessable from the rocks.  I continued to catch some nice landlocks and a 15 inch brookie.  When the sun came out at 10 a.m., fishing ceased!  I took one more salmon before returning to camp for lunch.  I don’t know what put them down. The sun?  It was bright from Sat – Mon.   After a terrific lunch and a much needed nap, I returned to the dam around 4 p.m. and fished until 6.  Fishing was great, but the catching was scarce.   I spoke to some camp guests who had been fishing down-stream both Mon and Tues, and the only thing they caught were *bass* and yellow perch at both the 2nd Current and Lower Dam.  They killed them per posted instructions from Maine F & G.   The lake level is down 4 feet from full.  Input from Upper Dam is 220 cfs (their minimum flow), while Middle Dam is 800 cfs.  It doesn’t take a math major to see that the lake will be empty come September if they don’t get rain or change the flows. For all you folks planning on going to Lakewood in June:  I have made reservations for the first, second, and fourth weeks.  There was some talk about having a non-clave gathering – Peter, wayno, Jeff, et al.  If youse guys are serious about it, better call Maureen at 207-243-2959.   You’ll need to send her a deposit.  Also, Frank Reid – pick a time.  How about 3rd week?  Or, whenever. Gotta go fix dinner.  What a drag……. Dave .  

Response:

Question:

Hi Folks, I made the long trip from Oz to Orlando for a conference and on Saturday 5th of May got out to Titusville for a fish. I wanted to stop in at The Flyfisherman store, but they didn’t open until 10am, so I sniffed out a likely spot on Mosquito Lagoon about 8am and got started. It was a windy as hell which limited my options and the water was pretty dirty. I put on a white and pink clouser and nervous of crocs, oops, gators, started wading. After 45 min of nothing, I hooked up solid to a decent sized fish in knee deep water that turned out to be a spotted sea trout about 3lb. Soon after I got another about 4lb or so. I really wanted to catch a red so I packed up and went into the Flyfisherman for help. The guys there were really friendly and Chris there drew me a map to one of his favourite secret spots (he doesn’t mind showing them to visitors from a far ). I went forth to spot X on the Indian R with some prefered local flies, being told to shuffle out to a knee deep grass bank and wait patiently for something to happen. After about 20 min, 3 or 4 big red tails popped up through the wind chop about 40 feet to my right. The wind was at that nasty level where flyline comes out of the rod tip sideways. I took 2 or 3 tries to get the fly to them and I ended up slamming it down right over where I thought they were. To cut a sad story short, I don’t know if I spooked them or if they just doddled along their way invisible under the choppy surface – but I didn’t get a touch off them and lost track of them. I stayed out there another 2 hours and didn’t see another thing! In calmer conditions, this kind of fishing would be fantastic, alas, I had my chances and dudded out completely on the reds. I will return!!!!! Thanks to Anis Popp and R Dean for their advice and putting me onto The Flyfisherman. Cheers John K Sydney Flyrodders — John Knight ALEMITE LUBREQUIP PTY LTD mobile 0407 959100 office 61-2-99382999 fax 61-2-99053631

Response:

I stayed out there another 2 hours and didn’t see another thing! In calmer conditions, this kind of fishing would be fantastic, alas, I had my chances and dudded out completely on the reds. I will return!!!!!

Nice report.  I’ve only fished FL once since leaving Gainesville in the early 90s.  Your story brought back pleasant memories. At least you dudded out on the reds and not on the redds.  ;-)  Better luck next time. JR

Response:

I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. I assume you were told Redds are quite moody and what spooks them one minute drives them to mall a fly the next. When the shrimp are running at haul over they’ll nail just about anything. Possibly the fish were cognizant of the shock to your nervous system that would have occurred if you had tied into one of the biggie redds of the area. When you consider most of them caught are too BIG to keep you can see why this is a popular fishing spot. — John Popp in Sanford Fl.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Folks, I made the long trip from Oz to Orlando for a conference and on Saturday 5th of May got out to Titusville for a fish. I wanted to stop in at The Flyfisherman store, but they didn’t open until 10am, so I sniffed out a likely spot on Mosquito Lagoon about 8am and got started. It was a windy as hell which limited my options and the water was pretty dirty. I put on a white and pink clouser and nervous of crocs, oops, gators, started wading. After 45 min of nothing, I hooked up solid to a decent sized fish in knee deep water that turned out to be a spotted sea trout about 3lb. Soon after I got another about 4lb or so. I really wanted to catch a red so I packed up and went into the Flyfisherman for help. The guys there were really friendly and Chris there drew me a map to one of his favourite secret spots (he doesn’t mind showing them to visitors from a far ). I went forth to spot X on the Indian R with some prefered local flies, being told to shuffle out to a knee deep grass bank and wait patiently for something to happen. After about 20 min, 3 or 4 big red tails popped up through the wind chop about 40 feet to my right. The wind was at that nasty level where flyline comes out of the rod tip sideways. I took 2 or 3 tries to get the fly to them and I ended up slamming it down right over where I thought they were. To cut a sad story short, I don’t know if I spooked them or if they just doddled along their way invisible under the choppy surface – but I didn’t get a touch off them and lost track of them. I stayed out there another 2 hours and didn’t see another thing! In calmer conditions, this kind of fishing would be fantastic, alas, I had my chances and dudded out completely on the reds. I will return!!!!! Thanks to Anis Popp and R Dean for their advice and putting me onto The Flyfisherman. Cheers John K Sydney Flyrodders — John Knight ALEMITE LUBREQUIP PTY LTD mobile 0407 959100 office 61-2-99382999 fax 61-2-99053631

Response:

The ones I saw I guessed at 10-15lb. I was just above knee deep and they had big fat tails sticking up 4"-5" from the chop. It was good fun – Chris at The Flyfisherman said he has seen them tailing in 3 feet of water so I know what you mean about maximum sizes. When they are close by can you hear or feel them? About the time I saw them I sensed croaking or popping sounds coming up my spine and at the back of my neck – was that them or something else (like shrimps) they  were feeding on? Sorry about the name John, I went from memory yesterday. Regards John K Sydney Flyrodders

Response:

Thanks to Anis Popp and R Dean for their advice and putting me onto The Flyfisherman.

You’re more than welcome. TC, R – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Cheers John K Sydney Flyrodders

Response:

– John Popp in Sanford Fl.

The ones I saw I guessed at 10-15lb. I was just above knee deep and they had big fat tails sticking up 4"-5" from the chop. It was good fun – Chris at The Flyfisherman said he has seen them tailing in 3 feet of water so I know what you mean about maximum sizes. When they are close by can you hear or feel them? About the time I saw them I sensed croaking or popping sounds coming up my spine and at the back of my neck – was that them or something else (like shrimps) they  were feeding on?

They do croak, like a croaker. Most people miss that as they fish from boats. They must have been on a young oyster bed, they make a popimg sound as the fish crush the shells. they will often also leave a cloud like discoloration in the water. It’s not bottom but the crushed up shell fish remains they emit. As for gators, they do frequent the intercoastal occasionally but prefer fresh water right now folks who have pools close to open water better look before they leap. by the way you were just a bit early due to the weather, but then a good spot kinda beats a brookie. And I was hopeing for you. John Popp in Sanford Fl. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sorry about the name John, I went from memory yesterday. Regards John K Sydney Flyrodders

Response:

Hey Dean;     While you were in G-ville did you ever get over to St.Augestine Beach to fish flounder with a fly? I tied into a winter flounder over there about 20 yrs ago that measured exactly 3′. Did it on a 6wt fiberglass, it took about 45 min. to get it out of the water. It spit the fly when on the beach. Man we hustled to keep it from being a catch and return. My wife grabbed the rod and pinned it and I belly flopped on it. It was delicious. I think that was a once in a lifetime experience for a po boy. — John Popp in Sanford Fl.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks to Anis Popp and R Dean for their advice and putting me onto The Flyfisherman. You’re more than welcome. TC, R Cheers John K Sydney Flyrodders

Response:

I thought the popping sound was them – damn I’m cranky I never got one. I saw a big gator on the Mosquito Lagoon side – about 8′ – laying on the fresh water side of the roadway. A kid picnicking with his parents pointed it out to me, he was throwing bait at it. Dopey things – Believe me, there is no way I would have been that close to an Aussie croc without a .44! Cheers John K

Response:

Question:

I am looking for some new leader formulas for dry fly fishing. I want a 16-18 ft overall leader with tippit ( I use a long tippet, about 31/2 to 4 ft). I am fishing a 3 wt and 4 wt line at the present. Any suggestions? George

Response:

http://globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/leadercalc/index.html It might take awhile to digest, but there is an interesting leader formula program in there. Regards, Jeff

Response:

Question:

um…depends on the moment and method of collection… jeff (finally…a reason to be interested in tying)

Oh, I can picture it.  Jeffy standing on a street corner somewhere in Greensboro, scissors and little plastic baggies in hand – soliciting contributions. Good effin’ luck Peter

Response:

um…depends on the moment and method of collection… jeff (finally…a reason to be interested in tying) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Waitaminute.. is that a dry fly or a wet fly?     "On the Sunday we arrived, I tied an outrageously colourful fly which featured a tuft of my wife’s pubic hair — Particle Salad/ Noom Room Studio http://home.earthlink.net/~psalad mp3 songs: http://www.mp3.com/particlesalad

Response:

um…depends on the moment and method of collection…

Pffft. Joe F.

Response:

Waitaminute.. is that a dry fly or a wet fly?     "On the Sunday we arrived, I tied an outrageously colourful fly which featured a tuft of my wife’s pubic hair

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

Response:

Waitaminute.. is that a dry fly or a wet fly?     "On the Sunday we arrived, I tied an outrageously colourful fly which featured a tuft of my wife’s pubic hair

This whole story smells a little fishy to me.  :P   minkaz – someone had to say it heheh

Response:

While preparing for my move, I found an article from a major London newspaper that some one had sent me about four years ago.  Rather than editorialize (ok, I had to make one comment) it, I thought that this crowd would appreciate it. Fly fishermen find wifely charms provide new lure By Michael Hornsby, countryside correspondent.     Male anglers are going to indelicate lengths to test the age-old belief on the riverbank that female rivals possess some unfair magic enabling them to hook more and bigger fish.     Scientific research (albeit disputed) provides some support for the idea, suggesting that female pheromones, the bodily scents that attract members of the opposite sex, may work equally well in luring salmon and trout.     Anglers now claim to have proved the theory by incorporating strands of their wives’ pubic hair in the material used to make fishing flies. Disclosure of this dubious practice has provoked a risqu

Question:

Dear All,     I will be at a conference in Port Douglas, N. of Cairns, Australia, in late May.  Any advice about FF in the area (contacts, guides etc) Thanks, Gordon

Response:

Dear All,     I will be at a conference in Port Douglas, N. of Cairns, Australia, in late May.  Any advice about FF in the area (contacts, guides etc)

Yesterday I talked with an Australian guide at the San Mateo Expo. He was really enthusiastic about the flyfishing at Cape York, which in in that general area. He seemed like a good guy. His outfit is Australia-America Fishing Connections and his name is — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Dear All,     I will be at a conference in Port Douglas, N. of Cairns, Australia, in late May.  Any advice about FF in the area (contacts, guides etc) Thanks, Gordon

Peter Haynes is one of the best up there (Cairns based). Ph 07 40332398 He is an estuary and river FF specialist who does very well on the glamour species plus some of his own specialities. The guy rw mentions is a booking agent of sorts but I don’t know how many australian outfits he has arrangements with – might be worth an e- mail. You can also hire your own dingies at Port Douglas and do it all yourself – some terrific little creeks up there – mind the crocs though. Cheers JK Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

Couple of friends and I are interested in doing some fly fishing (2 of us are trying to learn) in Ontario this spring.  I was told that there are lakes in Ontario with white fish (considered "rough" but with commercial value) that take Mayflies on the surface.  We naturally thought this would be an ideal way to learn to fly fish and catch some fish as well.  Does anyone know of such lakes?  Has anyone done this?  Is this a bizarre idea? Thank you. Kwan Soo

Response:

Couple of friends and I are interested in doing some fly fishing (2 of us are trying to learn) in Ontario this spring.  I was told that there are lakes in Ontario with white fish (considered "rough" but with commercial value) that take Mayflies on the surface.  We naturally thought this would be an ideal way to learn to fly fish and catch some fish as well.  Does anyone know of such lakes?  Has anyone done this?  Is this a bizarre idea? Thank you. Kwan Soo

        I’ve always found white fish to be bottom feeders, it would surprise me to see them come up for a dry. But, it could happen. I would think you would have much better luck with wet flies. Good luck.

Response:

Kwan Soo, Better look for a medium sized river that has some trout and a good hatch. This is much better and a lot easier than a lake and white fish. I am sure you will like this. Frans Bosman Amsterdam

Response:

White fish like Lake trout are deep water bottom feeders.  The only time they come in shallow and to the surface is early spring and late fall when the water is really cold.  You have to be here before turnover in the spring and after turnover in the fall.  The timing could be really tricky. Any of the Great lakes tributaries have them.  They come in to high current areas to feed and spawn much like walleye.  Buttermilk Falls on Boshkung lake in Ontario’s Haliburton Highlands has a great run Canadian newsgroup that will have more info.  I’ve never heard of flyfishing for them but where you find white fish you’ll probably find lake trout too.  I doubt you will have much success just because of how the feed.  I’d think a streamer on a sinking line would work better then flies.  I’ve never seen a whitefish rise before.  Your are allowed to keep 25 whitefish a day in Ontario and they average about 3 pounds and are excellent fighters.  They have the most paper thin mouths of any species of fish I’ve encountered and not losing the majority of the fish hooked is impossible.  In the summer whitefish are caught in 100 feet or deeper water and always on bottom.

Response:

Question:

Does anyone know of any newsgroups relating to Oregon’s fly fishing?

Response:

Hi Leif:  Iive in Clackamas and read this newsgroup pretty regularily and occaisionally post a note here.  What,s wrong with this group?

Response:

Does anyone know of any newsgroups relating to Oregon’s fly fishing?

Don’t know of any specifically for Oregon but recently joined an International news group called "The Fly Fishing List". It is excellent. Some folks from The West on it. There are lots of sites on the Net from Oregon that offer loads of info such as The Virtual Flyshop at www.flyshop.com They even have a chat room. Many others also. I’m sure a search would turn up more web sites than you’d ever want to peruse. The Gorge Fly Shop has a site I recall also. Anyone can start a news group I understand, but apparently it is quite a *chore*. Good Luck!

Response:

Question:

No question about it being a useful fishing tool. However I retired it because of its sentimental value to me But not before teaching my son to fly fish with it. It now has a place next to my desk in my office along with the old remains of the old bamboo rod and my fathers willow creel. I was just curious about its value. It sounds to me, perhaps, that it is priceless. TimW

Damn good answer *              Standard Disclaimer Applies<<<                *       *                                                               * *  ENTOMOLOGIST    ANTIQUE TACKLE COLLECTOR    ALL-AROUND NUT   * * "the line between human and nonhuman is, like all lines,      * *  one that should be drawn in pencil, so that it can be moved  * *  to accomodate moral evolution and the realization of moral   * *  reality"                                                     * *  –Rutgers University Prof. G L Francione (who, incidentally, * *  as of 13 Feb 1997 uses the Rutgers University logo on the    * *  very same web page where he hawks his rather dry, poorly-    * *  written books…..AND posted to talk.politics.animals        * *  recently using a pseudonym)                                  * *                                                               * *  "Animal rights lunatics are misguided fools" –me            *        

Response:

No question about it being a useful fishing tool. However I retired it because of its sentimental value to me But not before teaching my son to fly fish with it. It now has a place next to my desk in my office along with the old remains of the old bamboo rod and my fathers willow creel. I was just curious about its value.

It sounds to me, perhaps, that it is priceless. TimW

Response:

No question about it being a useful fishing tool. However I retired it because of its sentimental value to me But not before teaching my son to fly fish with it. It now has a place next to my desk in my office along with the old remains of the old bamboo rod and my fathers willow creel. I was just curious about its value. — Regards, Ken

Ken,         If it is Brass and has a Bulldog emblem, it would be the Pfleuger Progress reel, value about $55. Reed

Response:

I have an old Pfluger fly real that was passed to me when I was kid (back in the ice age). It is the essence of simplicity and made mostly of brass. Small in size. It was mounted on an old cheap (as in originally didn’t cost much) split bamboo three piece rod. No label, guides or tip survived the ravages of storage in my parents basement. Question is, does the real have any value other then the obvious sentimental value? — Regards, Ken

Ken- Value, as in could you turn around and sell it for a Whoop of cash?  NO… ..but it’s still a plenty useful fishing tool.  I’d recommend taking it to the gas station and blowing air through it to remove all the dust, giving it a good wipe down and lube job and checking all the screws to make sure they’re tight.. cuz they’re getting tough to replace.  You may want to consider removing the screws and applying a drop of LocTite to them (or head cement) and then threading them back in place. I still have 6 old Pflugers and use them quite a bit….they tend to be rather heavy on the newer graphite rods and are tough to "balance" to an outfit, but it depends on the type (and volume!) of fishing you’re doing if this will pose a "reel" problem   =8^)) Larry #:)#

Response:

No question about it being a useful fishing tool. However I retired it because of its sentimental value to me But not before teaching my son to fly fish with it. It now has a place next to my desk in my office along with the old remains of the old bamboo rod and my fathers willow creel. I was just curious about its value. — Regards, Ken Dry lines catch no fish! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ken- Value, as in could you turn around and sell it for a Whoop of cash? NO… ..but it’s still a plenty useful fishing tool.  I’d recommend taking it to the gas station and blowing air through it to remove all the dust, giving it a good wipe down and lube job and checking all the screws to make sure they’re tight.. cuz they’re getting tough to replace.  You may want to consider removing the screws and applying a drop of LocTite to them (or head cement) and then threading them back in place. I still have 6 old Pflugers and use them quite a bit….they tend to be rather heavy on the newer graphite rods and are tough to "balance" to an outfit, but it depends on the type (and volume!) of fishing you’re doing if this will pose a "reel" problem   =8^)) Larry #:)#

Response:

I have an old Pfluger fly real that was passed to me when I was kid (back in the ice age). It is the essence of simplicity and made mostly of brass. Small in size. It was mounted on an old cheap (as in originally didn’t cost much) split bamboo three piece rod. No label, guides or tip survived the ravages of storage in my parents basement. Question is, does the real have any value other then the obvious sentimental value? — Regards, Ken Dry lines catch no fish!

Response:

Question:

On our recent trip to the Snake River (Oregon/Idaho border), we caught several small Crappies and took the little fillets off and used them for bait.  Needless to say, we ended up with about 100 fish between 3 and 4 pounds, which are excellent eating size.  The guts of crappie also work well.  Good luck!

Response:

…. bought new Gambler, mama sez one of ‘em gotta go !!! Do like I did, let mama go.

Hmmmmmmm, Richard, I think you’ve got something there, buddy …. Let me think about this …. then I could probably keep both boats, my truck and afford a new truck also …… hmmmmmmm                        good fishing                          Jim

Response:

: …. bought new Gambler, mama sez one of ‘em gotta go !!! :   : Do like I did, let mama go. : : : Hmmmmmmm, Richard, I think you’ve got something there, buddy …. Let me : think about this …. then I could probably keep both boats, my truck and : afford a new truck also …… hmmmmmmm Yep pretty much what I did. Now I have a 17.5 foot ProCraft and a new 20 foot Ranger. And a new suburban to pull it with. Course I still have my old 87 van to drive to work. Works for me. Good fishing, All About Computers      | (810) 456-3894 (work) 2887 Pontiac Ct.         | (810) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   | Single and not taking applications. 48326                    | Interviews maybe.

Response:

Hmmmmmmm, Richard, I think you’ve got something there, buddy …. Let me think about this …. then I could probably keep both boats, my truck and afford a new truck also …… hmmmmmmm Yep pretty much what I did. Now I have a 17.5 foot ProCraft and a new 20foot Ranger. And a new suburban to pull it with. Course I still have my old 87 van to drive to work.

Exactly , I would have the 17′ tracker, 19′3" gambler, my 86 Ford F250 (200,000 miles and still going strong, FORD TUFF), then could get my new 97 F350 ….. with gun rack, new 30-30 or 30-06 or politically incorrect socalled "assault weapon" just to tick off the liberals … sounds like a plan, buddy ……                 see ya on the water  (Potomac, that is)                     Jim

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: 1995 Tracker Pro 17 with 25hp merc OB … Motor guide 37lb trolling motor : fully equipped with 2 humminbird Wide Eye fishfinders (bow and console : mounted) *** Trailstar trailer *** Excellent condition   $4500.00 : located in Spotsylvania, VA  fished on freshwater lakes and Potomac river : only …. bought new Gambler, mama sez one of ‘em gotta go !!! Do like I did, let mama go. Expensive at first but now I have two bass boats. Good fishing, All About Computers      | (810) 456-3894 (work) 2887 Pontiac Ct.         | (810) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   | Single and not taking applications. 48326                    | Interviews maybe.

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1995 Tracker Pro 17 with 25hp merc OB … Motor guide 37lb trolling motor fully equipped with 2 humminbird Wide Eye fishfinders (bow and console mounted) *** Trailstar trailer *** Excellent condition   $4500.00 located in Spotsylvania, VA  fished on freshwater lakes and Potomac river only …. bought new Gambler, mama sez one of ‘em gotta go !!!

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What bait is good for channel cats in medium sized lakes? I’ve only caught one once and it was by accident, in Florida, on a fly! Thanks for any help, Dave in Spokane, WA… known on IRC as "Dubbing"

In lieu of live bait or chicken livers, I’ve specifically seen channel cats take small crappie spinners, i.e. Roadrunners.  Also, small crankbaits work as well.  Not to mention plastic worms.  Now I’m not sure about other species of cats though. — **                           ** **   David Meyers **                           **

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Well, I’d just like to say something. Being from the same state, I can testify that Washington doesn’t allow live fish as bait.

That’s true here in Oklahoma, as well, at least if the fish is considered a "gamefish" species.  It doesn’t include minnows.  Also, nightcrawlers or earthworms work well for channel cats. If you can’t use live bait of any kind, that’s no problem.  Catfish love chicken livers and all sorts of prepared baits that are commercially available.  Dried beef blood also works well. Nor do they allow fishing with more than one rod.

That’s true only in some areas here.  If you can only use 1 rod, it makes it harder to try a variety of baits all at once.  You may be allowed to use multiple hooks on 1 line.  If so, this can help. You can’t even troll at different depths.

No problem here.  Although I have heard of people catching channel cats while trolling, they are not a fish one trolls for.  You find a good hole and sit on it. Stupid, I know, but that’s the way it is. Any other suggestions? I’m interested in catfish myself, and the only other type here is bullheads.

Does your state allow chumming?  That means throwing some kind of food into an area to attract the fish and stimulate feeding.  You can buy commercial catfish chum, or just buy a big bag of cheap dog food.  Throw some in an area before you start fishing.  You can also chum a spot every day at the same time for up to 2 weeks before you actually start fishing.  The cats will be there waiting for "feeding time" when you show up to catch ‘em.  Of course, this may not be legal in your state. Hope this helps.  Good luck and good fishing! Richard

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Well, I’d just like to say something. Being from the same state, I can testify that Washington doesn’t allow live fish as bait. Nor do they allow fishing with more than one rod. You can’t even troll at different depths. Stupid, I know, but that’s the way it is. Any other suggestions? I’m interested in catfish myself, and the only other type here is bullheads. Arklier Firsty is the best!

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What bait is good for channel cats in medium sized lakes? I’ve only caught one once and it was by accident, in Florida, on a fly! Thanks for any help, Dave in Spokane, WA… known on IRC as "Dubbing"

‘ ‘ I’ve recently just gotten into catching channel cats, there are a ton of commercial channel cat baits available, any of them will do. The "blood" baits work good also. Liver, shrimp, bacon strips(raw), will do also. I’ve read where channel cats would prefer to eat the fresher tasting meats if available. Here’s also a few "house baits" that I have seen proven to work when your pressed for time and money: Soap Cotton Balls soaked with anything stinky Marshmellows Hot Dog Chunks Lunch meats Onion Chunks – (weird eh?) Apple Chunks With cats just about anything with a scent will attract them! p.s. Don’t forget to "chum" them in with a bag of crunchy dog food!

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – writes: What bait is good for channel cats in medium sized lakes? I’ve only caught one once and it was by accident, in Florida, on a fly! Thanks for any help, Dave in Spokane, WA… known on IRC as "Dubbing" Channel cats will eat damned near anything.  I’ve caught them on minnows, worms (nightcrawlers), crawdads, chicken livers (& gizzards), and homemade stinkbait (not for the faint of heart .  I’ve seen my uncle catch them using possum grapes and mulberries, when these were ripe on the trees along the creek bank (matching the hatch .  There is also a wide variety of commercial baits available for channel cats. Which one of these will work best depends on the location and conditions. When I go catfish fishing, I try to take a variety of baits.  I use 3 rods and bait up with a little of everything.  If the fish show a preference for one type of bait, I switch to that one. I hope this helps.  Good luck and good fishing! Richard Had a catfish guide take me out on Lake Marion (Santee Cooper) S.

Carolina. They use live shad. I would think any small fish would do. They cut the tail off the fish so as to leave a blood trail as they drift. Check out the rig they use. Its a 6" section of parachute cord ( any armynavy store will have this). Fill it with split shot and seal it with a lighter. With a snap swivel and 3′ of line connect it to the bottom of a three way swivel, put your bait out on a 2′ leader. You can cover alot of ground and not a single hang up. Tight lines…..Alex

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What bait is good for channel cats in medium sized lakes? I’ve only caught one once and it was by accident, in Florida, on a fly! Thanks for any help, Dave in Spokane, WA… known on IRC as "Dubbing"

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What bait is good for channel cats in medium sized lakes? I’ve only caught one once and it was by accident, in Florida, on a fly! Thanks for any help, Dave in Spokane, WA… known on IRC as "Dubbing"

Channel cats will eat damned near anything.  I’ve caught them on minnows, worms (nightcrawlers), crawdads, chicken livers (& gizzards), and homemade stinkbait (not for the faint of heart .  I’ve seen my uncle catch them using possum grapes and mulberries, when these were ripe on the trees along the creek bank (matching the hatch .  There is also a wide variety of commercial baits available for channel cats. Which one of these will work best depends on the location and conditions. When I go catfish fishing, I try to take a variety of baits.  I use 3 rods and bait up with a little of everything.  If the fish show a preference for one type of bait, I switch to that one. I hope this helps.  Good luck and good fishing! Richard

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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – writes: Suggest you try just below the "Glory Hole," where Putah Creek exits Lake Berryessa, (that is to say, below the damn dam), fishing nymphs down and across the broken water, merrily, merrily.  Some years (10?) ago, I was fishing here in the rain on a cold day in midwinter, got skunked, but did see a lure-slinger  walking out with fish the size of my leg.  Wondered why he would kill such a fine trout, ‘less he was skared of it!  But I would be wary of anybody who tells you Putah Creek is a "Trophy Trout Stream."  It’s just the only semblance of a moving-water trout-type flyfishing option close-in to the Bay Area, and for that, I guess we must be grateful. Sorry to disagree but there are lots of folks (none tyros) who would classify Putah Creek a trophy fishery. Its a tailwater stream that holds many fish, many large, few  pushovers. I don’t know if that qualifies as a "trophy" fishery but it ain’t a muddy, put-and-take slough.

Last I heard, Putah was officially classified as a "Trophy Trout Stream" by the state of California.  This qualifies it for special environmental protection, and special fishing regs.  They stock "put and take" rainbows down in the Solano Lake end, and there is a resident population of browns and land locked steelhead living from the head of lake Solano to the dam at lake Berryessa.  I’ve never gotten one of the giants, but I’ve seen several trout over 25" there in the water.         Putah is an interesting creek.  From Berryessa to Solano it is a great peice of water.  Cold water, good oxygenation, nice holes large bouldered bottom providing plenty of pocket water.  Lake Solano is a big evaporation pond.  There is a dam at the lower end of the lake, and during the summer, in dry years, there is no flow from it.  I’ve found the stream below Solano bone dry in some summers.  In a wet year, the creek flows on and eventually spreads out and sinks into the ground in the middle of the Sacramento cosway.  When you drive from Davis to Sac across the cosway, look to your right across the rice fields.  There is a peculiar patch of trees and scrub.  That is the termination point of Putah creek!         It’s been a while since I lived in Cali, but Putah was my training ground.  Don’t badmouth it just because your not competent enough to catch any of the multitude of giant (but extremely selective) trout that live there. Enjoy this gift of nature and preserve it for future generations. . Lenny Bloksberg . .

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writes: Suggest you try just below the "Glory Hole," where Putah Creek exits Lake Berryessa, (that is to say, below the damn dam), fishing nymphs down and across the broken water, merrily, merrily.  Some years (10?) ago, I was fishing here in the rain on a cold day in midwinter, got skunked, but did see a lure-slinger  walking out with fish the size of my leg.  Wondered why he would kill such a fine trout, ‘less he was skared of it!  But I would be wary of anybody who tells you Putah Creek is a "Trophy Trout Stream."  It’s just the only semblance of a moving-water trout-type flyfishing option close-in to the Bay Area, and for that, I guess we must be grateful.

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writes: Suggest you try just below the "Glory Hole," where Putah Creek exits Lake Berryessa, (that is to say, below the damn dam), fishing nymphs down and across the broken water, merrily, merrily.  Some years (10?) ago, I was fishing here in the rain on a cold day in midwinter, got skunked, but did see a lure-slinger  walking out with fish the size of my leg.  Wondered why he would kill such a fine trout, ‘less he was skared of it!  But I would be wary of anybody who tells you Putah Creek is a "Trophy Trout Stream."  It’s just the only semblance of a moving-water trout-type flyfishing option close-in to the Bay Area, and for that, I guess we must be grateful.

Sorry to disagree but there are lots of folks (none tyros) who would classify Putah Creek a trophy fishery. Its a tailwater stream that holds many fish, many large, few  pushovers. I don’t know if that qualifies as a "trophy" fishery but it ain’t a muddy, put-and-take slough.

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I hear Putah creek is a trophy trout stream.  I fished it about 1 month ago with some success on 18-20 prince nymphs.  I saw no fish over 8". Steam side brush made casting near impossible.  There were few pockets from which to cast from.  Wading was difficult due to the changing deapth of water and varying stream flows throughout the length of the creek starting just outside of Winters.  Does anyone know how and where to fish this water?

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