Question:

Would appreciate info on traveling to and in Belize. We love Costa Rica, but would like to do something different. Thanks. G&G

Response:

Hi G&G, I know a lot about fishing the coast of Belize from our fly fishing travel service for the last 16 years, but for some of the best info on Belize if you are not into salt water fly fishing, email Margie Perez at the International Airport just out of Belize City. She has a travel agency right at the airport and can tell you everything about Belize and help arrange your trip. She use to work for one of the Belizean airlines and really knows the entire country well. Many companies like ours and the big Orvis Company use Margie for help with their groups going to Belize. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Fishing Travel & Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com 800/4000FLY

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Would appreciate info on traveling to and in Belize. We love Costa Rica, but would like to do something different. Thanks. G&G

Response:

Question:

In 14 hours, the EBAY auction for a Beautiful Hardy Marquis 6 Fly Fishing Reel – No Reserve – will be completed. Please check it out. You may see it here: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=141623991 Thanks!

Response:

I am sick of this damn ad. Big Dale

Response:

Me too. Bob Elliott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am sick of this damn ad. Big Dale

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello All, <snip Hello Warren.  I’m a relative newcomer to ROFF myself, having first set foot here about three months ago.  Since then I have been badly beaten up only once, though every once in a while I still get an unexpected slap in the back of the head.  I consider this a small price to pay for the education and entertainment I get here. Welcome aboard.

Nonsense !!! You have been here forever, just like the meniscus ))) ( Slap, Slap ! ) Is it really only three months ?  You seem like one of the old crowd somehow, you fit in so well. TL MC

Response:

Is it really only three months ?

Um…not sure Mike.  I was just guessing….something I would never do in a more serious thread where, as you well know, I always come armed with TRUTH and LIGHT!

Response:

Um…not sure Mike.  I was just guessing….something I would never do in a more serious thread where, as you well know, I always come armed with TRUTH and LIGHT!

Don’t you mean VERACITY and ILLUMINATION ? TL MC

Response:

Don’t you mean VERACITY and ILLUMINATION ?

As always Mike, I am not sure what I mean.  I eagerly await ROFFian consensus on just what it is I am trying to say.  Imagine; just three (?) months ago I thought I knew my own mind!    :)

Response:

This old Texan still thinks God made mountains for Texans to go to in August.

Thank God for mountains and Texans!!!! Everything is Peachy Keene (hehehe) got lots of family in Keene, Ft Worth, ect.  Lived there a tad myself. You coming up this way this August perchance? Warren

Response:

Warren asked: You coming up this way this August perchance?

Sorry Warren, but I leave Monday to drive to Gatlinburg for the FFF Conclave.The first day’s drive always kicks my ass…dosen’t matter whether it is Dallas to Denver or the 670 miles from Dallas to Nashville. I plan to visit Montana again next summer. Big Dale

Response:

Hello All,

<snip Hello Warren.  I’m a relative newcomer to ROFF myself, having first set foot here about three months ago.  Since then I have been badly beaten up only once, though every once in a while I still get an unexpected slap in the back of the head.  I consider this a small price to pay for the education and entertainment I get here. Welcome aboard.

Response:

ROTFLMAO Mark Faulkner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Good God! Massachusetts is the center of the roffian universe. SNIP … the elite circles of this group, most of whom live south, west, and east of massachussets.

Response:

…AND THE HOME…..OF THE……DAVE’S! /daytripper (PLAY BALL!! ;^) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Good God! Massachusetts is the center of the roffian universe.

Response:

the last couple of months.  I finally decided to get off my duff and come out of the shadows and introduce myself.

Welcome to the group Warren,I hope you enjoy it as much as most of us do.I have visited the Livingston area several times and have enjoyed it very much. This old Texan still thinks God made mountains for Texans to go to in August. I try to get out that way every couple of years. Big Dale

Response:

I’m sorta a newbie also Warren, and I extend you a welcome as well. Look forward to reading your posts here, and the way things look in here, we both have alot of smart humor, exciting commentary, up to the minute play-by-play of current fly fishing topics, candid view points and some real good laughs ahead of us!….What more could ya want??!! Jeff Boks Fly Fishing~~~~~Just Do It

Response:

Good God! Massachusetts is the center of the roffian universe.

SNIP … the elite circles of this group, most of whom live south, west, and east of massachussets. wayno Warren

– Mike in PDX "When the trout are lost, smash the state."                          Tom McGuane

Response:

Welcome to the extended family that is ROFF, Warren! One thing, though: mind if we call you Wayne? It’ll be easier to remember your name that way ;^) Cheers! /daytripper

        now there’s a one liner that reaches right up to the level of le duc himself! wayno

Response:

[very pleasant intro snipped] Welcome to the extended family that is ROFF, Warren! As you’ve been lurking for a couple of months, you’re well aware that we put the "fun" in "disfunctional" – but there’s always room for another wacko member of the tribe. One thing, though: mind if we call you Wayne? It’ll be easier to remember your name that way ;^) Cheers! /daytripper

Response:

[snip] this group, most of whom live south, west, and east of massachussets. wayno "EAST" of Mass ???

    thought you’d never ask; how about wales, the brits, the netherlands, scandanavia; and, of course, mike connor in germany. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Hello All, My name is Warren Findley and I have been lurking this NG for the last couple of months.  I finally decided to get off my duff and come out of the shadows and introduce myself.  Actually, I have been holding back to responding to some the posts because I didn’t want to seem like some FNG (freaking new guy) coming in and trying to raise a ruckuss.

Welcome to Freak-R-Us. Mu Young Lee             Ann Arbor, MI  USA

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – [snip] this group, most of whom live south, west, and east of massachussets. wayno "EAST" of Mass ???     thought you’d never ask; how about wales, the brits, the netherlands, scandanavia; and, of course, mike connor in germany. wayno

Okay, I fell for that one…

Response:

No actually almost all live West of Seattle. Welcome aboard. Dave

Response:

 My wife has chewed my ass several times for "paying more attention to the computer" than her.

I think both our wives are related. Right now my wife is kicking me off the computer, mumbling something about moving in to days and I haven’t started packing yet. WOMEN! since my daughter was born 6 weeks ago it hasn’t been nearly enough.

Congratulations! We should all chip in and buy her a Playskool tying vise. I am looking forward to becoming a participating member of this NG and hopefully pick up some more good tips and info from you all

We’re looking forward to reading your post. What’s good about ROFF is that although it’s easy to put your foot in your mouth (mine is permanently coated in sugar for flavor) the people here forgive and forget very soon after. I gotta go now, the wife’s at it again! Welcome to the fly paper. Chris Fleitman Fisherman by nature-goofball by society.

Response:

Hello All, My name is Warren Findley (good intro snipped)

Welcome to ROFF Warren. Check out:  http://www.roff.org for comings and goings of claves, pics, etc. Congrats on your’n youngin’….what…should be fly casting in another 18 months? Walt — Ezflyfish.com                 Blue Ridge Book Gallery Quality Gear & Service        Used & Out-of-Print Books http://www.ezflyfish.com      http://www.abebooks.com/home/BLUEBOOKS P.O. Box 5112  Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828)963-5001

Response:

Hello All, My name is Warren Findley and I have been lurking this NG for the last couple of months.  I finally decided to get off my duff and come out of the shadows and introduce myself.

        good to have you, warren.  your tasteful and polite introduction bodes well for your inclusion in the elite circles of this group, most of whom live south, west, and east of massachussets. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Warren

Response:

[snip] this group, most of whom live south, west, and east of massachussets. wayno

"EAST" of Mass ???

Response:

Always glad to welcome freaking new guys, to talk on anything from booze to ginking dry flies Welcome Warren, and I hope you get your wish that reading some of this will help you catch more fish. Tight lines ! Mike Connor

Response:

Warren  Findley writes:

(snip of good stuff) <<I am looking forward to becoming a participating member of this NG and hopefully pick up some more good tips and info from you all. And I, for one, am looking forward to hearing from you.  Welcome aboard, Warren.  You live in some beautiful country, so I am sure your tales will be well read.   Dave LaCourse

Response:

Hello All, My name is Warren Findley and I have been lurking this NG for the last couple of months.  I finally decided to get off my duff and come out of the shadows and introduce myself.  Actually, I have been holding back to responding to some the posts because I didn’t want to seem like some FNG (freaking new guy) coming in and trying to raise a ruckuss. Over the last few months I have had a good look at what goes on around here and like what I see for the most part (except for the AR lunacy that sometimes runs rampant, ect).  The part I have enjoyed the most is how well you people interact, debate, and rag on one another.  It is truly interesting to keep up with.  My wife has chewed my ass several times for "paying more attention to the computer" than her.  Of course she uses that line when I go fishing too. I am currently living in Livingston, MT and try to fish as much as I can. However, since my daughter was born 6 weeks ago it hasn’t been nearly enough. I am still surving though.  I actually even got to go today (took the wife and baby so she couldn’t refuse).  I have been fly fishing since about the last ten years, but really started hard core the last two years.  I fish all year long and actually prefer winter because there aren’t as many people crowding the waters (not that I don’t enjoy company mind you, just like a little time to mull things over without any interuptions as I fish). I am also a novice fly tyer, hunter (yes, I eat what I kill) and enjoy working my in-laws horses as often as possible.  Actually broke my thumb in two places 3 months ago and had 4 pins put in, but I didn’t let it stop me from floating the Big Horn as the pictures and my wife will attest (she still gets mad at me for leaving for the weekend).  As you can guess, my wife has been jealous since the little one was born because she fishes too and hasn’t been able to go out since I don’t have the necessary equipment to keep the baby from starving. I am looking forward to becoming a participating member of this NG and hopefully pick up some more good tips and info from you all. Warren

Response:

Question:

Does anyone know if a larger reel foot is available for a Ross Gunnison G3 reel? The slip ring on my fly rod’s reel seat has streched enough that it slides all the way over my reel foot, and the nut on the reel seat cannot tighten the reel down.  The reel seat is a Struble U3 reel seat, with a removeable fighting butt attachment on it, so I don’t think I can take the reel seat apart and put a new ring on the reel seat.  If a larger foot can be put on the reel (there are four screws holding the current foot on) I think the slip ring should work ok.  I fixed the problem by putting three layers of duct tape on the reel seat, to minimize the spacing inside the ring with the reel foot in place.  This is not the solution I want to live with.  A new reel is not a solution I want to consider either, since I still have my old Pflueger Medalist that fits fine. Thanks, Mark Johnson A Sorry if this question has something to do with fly fishing.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know if a larger reel foot is available for a Ross Gunnison G3 reel? The slip ring on my fly rod’s reel seat has streched enough that it slides all the way over my reel foot, and the nut on the reel seat cannot tighten the reel down.  The reel seat is a Struble U3 reel seat, with a removeable fighting butt attachment on it, so I don’t think I can take the reel seat apart and put a new ring on the reel seat.  If a larger foot can be put on the reel (there are four screws holding the current foot on) I think the slip ring should work ok.  I fixed the problem by putting three layers of duct tape on the reel seat, to minimize the spacing inside the ring with the reel foot in place.  This is not the solution I want to live with.  A new reel is not a solution I want to consider either, since I still have my old Pflueger Medalist that fits fine. Thanks, Mark Johnson A Sorry if this question has something to do with fly fishing.

Apology accepted.  Just don’t do it again, OK? I used to have a Gunnison 3 with the same problem.  Apart from tape, the only thing I can suggest, is try to find a reel that has the same screw pattern and then order just the foot from that manufacturer.  If I remember correctly, the G3 has a screwed-on reel seat.  (If it’s riveted, you’re screwed.)   Most other reel manufacturers make thicker feet.  Don’t drop your G3 on anything hard either, the foot is awful thin.  I had to work on mine to remove a ding before it would fit on the rod again.  Also, don’t overheat the drag (i.e. no Chinook or salt fishing.)  You’ll wear (melt?) the point off the plastic pawl. Peter

Response:

D433-Mark_E_Johnson(Mark)x3037 schrieb in Nachricht … Does anyone know if a larger reel foot is available for a Ross Gunnison G3 reel?

Hi Mark, I had this problem on a rod which I did not want to take apart either.  I built a new reel foot.  Any good fitter or mechanical workshop should be able to do this for you at minimal cost. It mainly depends on how the reel foot is attached to the reel. Mine was held by four small screws, so the modification was easy. I  got a secondary advantage out of the mod too, by making the reel foot come off at an angle from the reel, I moved the reel up the rod about one and a half centimeters effectively. This makes for better casting and holding, less fatigue, and my fingers or hand no longer touch the metal of the reel seat. This makes it much more comfortable. Hope this helps ! Tight lines  ( and reel seats ! ) Mike Connor

Response:

Probably — I had the same problem with the G4 and a Scott rod.  I asked the dealer involved if he could help, and a week later, Ross sent a larger reel foot that works great.  I believe that Ross sent the dealer a kit with a bunch of feet for various reels in their line. Rob

Response:

Question:

<< An Orvis bobber. Peter

Indicator’ pretty good Pete. Pete, wait until George sees my new Orvis Zebra line.  He’ll plop that scrawny  ass of his down on a rock and probably will never get up!  <G  I have decided that I *will* show up in full Orvis mufi.  I am having trouble trying to rent an Orvis Jeep, however. Dave PS:  Gladys, get the man a few drams of the old Grouse — he looks pale behind the gills!

Response:

Pete, wait until George sees my new Orvis Zebra line.  He’ll plop that scrawny  ass of his down on a rock and probably will never get up!  <G  I have decided that I *will* show up in full Orvis mufi.  I am having trouble trying to rent an Orvis Jeep, however.

I don’t think they make Orvis Jeeps anymore, but one of their catalogs had some D90’s in it so I should be in good shape<g. — Charlie…

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – << An Orvis bobber. Peter Indicator’ pretty good Pete. Pete, wait until George sees my new Orvis Zebra line.  He’ll plop that scrawny  ass of his down on a rock and probably will never get up!  <G  I have decided that I *will* show up in full Orvis mufi.  I am having trouble trying to rent an Orvis Jeep, however. Dave PS:  Gladys, get the man a few drams of the old Grouse — he looks pale behind the gills!

—

Question:

  I am from the Hartford ,CT. area and do most of my fishing either on the CT./RI. line out of the Pawcatuck River where I launch my boat and fish the Watch Hill,RI. area., or near the mouth of the CT. River in Old Saybrook,CT. where I have another residence to go to but I would like some pointers on where to go (with or without  the  boat) on the western Sound because of the late season world class Striper fishery to be found there. My preference is fly fishing but I also do some three waying,trolling and bait drifting.               Thanks;                                                 Glen

Response:

I grew up fishing the Greenwich shoreline, which offers excellent casting opportunities.  The stretch from the mouth of the Mianus River, including Goose, Bluff and Diving Islands, all the way to Greenwich harbor is particularly "prime."  Best tide:  Half tide falling.  Second choice: Half tide rising.  A trout fisherman would feel quite at home in the river mouth/island areas, as striped bass position themselves behind boulders, islands, points, etc. and wait for bait to be swept toward them by the current (tide).  There is a large fly fishing community in this area. Greenwich Cove area also is good–usually for smaller fish.  Here, it is a sod bank/quiet water environment.  Best tide:  3 hours either side of high.

Response:

Question:

A while back I saw some info on the TMA on the Housatonic in Northern CT. including a phone number for latest info.  I hope to have a chance to fish there Sept. 10 and 11.  Any info and that phone number would be appreciated. Thanks. Tom G.

Response:

To answer a previous inquiry, for information about fly fishing in the trout management area of the Housatonic River in northwestern Connecticut, try calling the Housatonic Meadows Fly Shop in Cornwall, Connecticut at 203-672-6064.  Good luck! Mark Melnick Stamford, Connecticut, USA

Response:

To answer a previous inquiry, for information about fly fishing in the trout management area of the Housatonic River in northwestern Connecticut, try calling the Housatonic Meadows Fly Shop in Cornwall, Connecticut at 203-672-6064.  Good luck! Mark Melnick Stamford, Connecticut, USA

The owner of the HMFS is Phil .. Phil pointed out a nice spot for us this spring, and we ended up the day with a few nice smallmouth and a 16" rainbow, plus watched others get some nice ones. you can also look at the CT fishing page http://metro.turnpike.net/J/jfagan/index.html

Response:

A while back I saw some info on the TMA on the Housatonic in Northern CT. including a phone number for latest info.  I hope to have a chance to fish there Sept. 10 and 11.  Any info and that phone number would be appreciated.

The best source is the Housatonic Fly Fishermen’s Association’s recording at 203 248-8616.  However, unless we get some good rain in the next week, you really should stay off the Housie:  water levels are too low and the water temperature is too hot, with the result that the fish get overstressed when caught and have a poor likelihood of survival even with the most caring resuscitation.  

Response:

(203) 248-8616

Response:

Haven’t been to river but my guess is it’s unfishable due to drought.Fish move to mouths of cold feeder creeks which are closed to fishing. Anyway, info number is 203 248 8616. Better bet is Farmington River from Riverton downstream to New Hartford. Water remains cold ’cause it’s dam-fed. Info number 860  738 7327. Brian Matthews

Response:

Haven’t been to river but my guess is it’s unfishable due to drought.

I drove down Rte 7 along the TMA today, Saturday, 9/3, and stopped at a few places to look at the water.  I have never seen it so low; barely a trickle. Rocks I’d never seen before were fully exposed.  A couple of jerks were ffing in the Church Pool, but there seemed little risk that they’d catch anything.  Otherwise I think I would have jumped in and splashed around just to put down any trout that might have been thinking of lunch. This river should not be fished until after we’ve had some rain and cooler weather.

Response:

Question:

Hello everyone!  I am looking for fishing listservers.  I know of the flyfishing listserver in kentucky, are there any others?  Thanks a bunch. Tight Lines, George — *George M. Chan                 * "New York City has no power,       * *                               *  ’cuz I stay away from dairy."     * *                               *                      -Phoebe       *

Response:

Hello everyone!  I am looking for fishing listservers.  I know of the flyfishing listserver in kentucky, are there any others?  Thanks a bunch. Tight Lines, George

George, Noticed the following listservers on rec.hunting……. **If you are a flyfisher, have a look on the following: **or **The first list gives you a lot of traffic while the latter is a bit **less active. Hope this helps Alex * Spinner of the WWWeb Page at                                      * *            http://www.well.com/www/amv/amv.htm                    *

Response:

Question:

says… Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them. All I know is what I read about them in their catalog. Never heard of anyone really using this setup…the guy at the local Orvis shop thought they had been discontinued until I showed them to him in the catalog.

It’s a great leader for the small stream technical fishing that I do here in the Blue Ridge Mtns. It lays out nice with no memory and is the best leader by far I’ve ever used for bow and arrow casting into small pockets under and around mountain laurel. I’ve never used it for wide open water so I can’t comment on it for that but I suspect it would more than suffice for stillwater situations where you would desire a light presentation. I don’t believe I’d use it for nymphing. –Walt

Response:

forgot to mention one thing…. throw away the mono bimini-twist tippet they provide. THAT IS A PIECE OF JUNK  and will cause you nothing but pain, frustration and agony on the river. I build my own 2 to 6 foot tippet addition with a loop to connect to the braided leader. –Walt

Response:

says… Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them. All I know is what I read about them in their catalog. Never heard of anyone really using this setup…the guy at the local Orvis shop thought they had been discontinued until I showed them to him in the catalog. Check out the new Airflo leaders. They’re available in floating and several

different sink rates. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s a great leader for the small stream technical fishing that I do here in the Blue Ridge Mtns. It lays out nice with no memory and is the best leader by far I’ve ever used for bow and arrow casting into small pockets under and around mountain laurel. I’ve never used it for wide open water so I can’t comment on it for that but I suspect it would more than suffice for stillwater situations where you would desire a light presentation. I don’t believe I’d use it for nymphing. –Walt

Response:

i use them for nymphing all the time.. the braided section tends to grip a strike indicator very well and the bimmini twist in the tippet helps to turn over a wieghted

fly quite well.. the only trouble i have had with them is that they tend to streach a bit when striking a fish Steve

Response:

…

I use braided leaders all the time, for surface flies and nymphs, mostly because they’re soooo easy. But they also work. This topic comes up every now and then, and the only real criticism that I can resonate with is that they tend to hold water and so can create a spray. This can scare spooky fish, especially in flat water, but false casts cure it.

Response:

… I use braided leaders all the time, for surface flies and nymphs, mostly because they’re soooo easy. But they also work. This topic comes up every now and then, and the only real criticism that I can resonate with is that they tend to hold water and so can create a spray. This can scare spooky fish, especially in flat water, but false casts cure it.

 Airflo also produce a tapered leader called ‘Polyleader’ – these have a  monofilament core surrounded by a tapered coating which does away with  the splashing problem.  About 5 feet long, you just tie on a mono  tippet as for the braided type and they turn over pretty well.  cheers all,  Dave — Fishy pix of N.Wales at:  http://xavier.bangor.ac.uk/dlane/fishing/ He that is giddy thinks the world turns round.

Response:

Dave,     I have used the AirFlo leader and found it to be very useful.  For a beginning fly fisher my local shop suggested I skin back a little of the tippet end of the leader to expose the core and tie a loop.  I can then change tippets with a simple handshake knot very quickly.  The setup certainly casts very well with my limited ability and offers great flexibility as I make up various size tippets in advance. Wayne To fish is human…to release devine.

Response:

Dave,    I have used the AirFlo leader and found it to be very useful.

Ditto, I find the Airflo Poly leader the best I’ve ever used. Wes

Response:

Tom, I have been using an Orvis braided for about a year now, for dry’s , nymphs and streamers. I am still using the same leader, where as before I would go through a dozen leaders a season (actually saves me $).  They are great, hardly ever knot up, but when they do you must be very careful because you can ruin it picking it apart. They tend to sink easier tham mono, but when fishing a dry a little floatant takes care of the problem.  They turn over great and have no memory. Scott Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them. All I know is what I read about them in their catalog. Never heard of anyone really using this setup…the guy at the local Orvis shop thought they had been discontinued until I showed them to him in the catalog.

– Scott Maxwell http://www.page.az.net/scud

Response:

: They are too expensive at $9-10. I got a 9′ 5X about 3 months ago and : it has fallen apart (fished once a week). Flies that have a tendency : to twist (hoppers) will tangle a lot faster. After a couple of trips, : it started to fray and cause the line to tangle even more. : On the other hand. There is little memory. Just rig the line off the : reel. I have an Orvis line with the loop and it makes a good fit. It : did seem to help with controlling drag. No problems casting small : drys. : I wish it would be a little more durable or a little less expensive. : I might buy another but only use it when casting small drys. : Michael L You may want to try the AirFlo braided leaders.  I’ve been using them for several years and really like them.  They’re more durable than the Orvis leaders and they seem to float better as well. I also really like their lack of memory.  A little more spray than monofilament leaders (tho not much); but not a problem if you don’t make your first cast after pickup over the fish you are casting to (a good idea even if you’re not using braided leaders).  I’ve used these leaders with really small flies on spring creeks (Silver Creek and the Henry’s Fork) and not ever had a problem with presentation or spooking fish due to a braided leader (of course I usually fish downstream in these situations).  In fact the braided leader usually allows me to make a better presentation because it has so little memory.  I think the AirFlo leaders cost around $7-8.  They also have sinking braided leaders with different sink rates; makes it easy to create a sink tip from your floating line (or give your sinking line a little more "sink" at the tip). – Ward — —  Ward Foster            Hewlett-Packard, Boise Idaho

Response:

Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them. All I know is what I read about them in their catalog. Never heard of anyone really using this setup…the guy at the local Orvis shop thought they had been discontinued until I showed them to him in the catalog.

Hi All, This all happened about 10 years ago here in California. Orvis and others brought in the tapered braided leaders and they soon died off. I hear that they are alive and well in Europe. Try it, you might like it? Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them. All I know is what I read about them in their catalog. Never heard of anyone really using this setup…the guy at the local Orvis shop thought they had been discontinued until I showed them to him in the catalog. Hi All, This all happened about 10 years ago here in California. Orvis and others brought in the tapered braided leaders and they soon died off. I hear that they are alive and well in Europe. Try it, you might like it? Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

Hi! I use them for nymphing on big rivers, With small dries and small creeks I use mono. I think they are best for big waters and bigger fish. In other words the opposite opinion from earlier writers on this subject. Hans

Response:

Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them. All I know is what I read about them in their catalog. Never heard of anyone really using this setup…the guy at the local Orvis shop thought they had been discontinued until I showed them to him in the catalog.

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Tom, When they first came out Orvis was giving away samples so I took one and stuck it in my tackle box where it remains still in its wrapper. I make my own leaders.  If you want it give me your mailing address and I will send it to you. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-Mail Selling my Fly Fishing Books Go to: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them.

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They are too expensive at $9-10. I got a 9′ 5X about 3 months ago and it has fallen apart (fished once a week). Flies that have a tendency to twist (hoppers) will tangle a lot faster. After a couple of trips, it started to fray and cause the line to tangle even more. On the other hand. There is little memory. Just rig the line off the reel. I have an Orvis line with the loop and it makes a good fit. It did seem to help with controlling drag. No problems casting small drys. I wish it would be a little more durable or a little less expensive. I might buy another but only use it when casting small drys. Michael L – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them. All I know is what I read about them in their catalog. Never heard of anyone really using this setup…the guy at the local Orvis shop thought they had been discontinued until I showed them to him in the catalog.

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Interested in opinions about or experiences with Orvis’ braided leaders and the long (4 ft) tippets that loop connect to them.

– I purchased one 8-ft braided section (w/4-ft 5X tippet) this spring based on the recommendation of a friend who also gave me some other advice… 1.  Trash the 4-foot bimini twist tippet with the package 2.  Loop a 3-foot section of 3X to the braided leader 3.  Tie on a 4-foot section of 5X-7X depending on conditions 4.  Dress the braided leader with a very light wax/silicone coating     to prevent water uptake and enhance floatability Makes a good 15-ft small tippet leader that turns over like a 9-foot knotless tapered leader.  I have had good success with this set-up fishing both small drys and nymphs on the tailwater streams here in NE TN this season.   Still fishing the original braided section (over 15-trips), but it probably won’t make it to next season. My understanding is that Orvis has coated the braided sections (see #4 above) on some of the later versions of this leader set-up due to problems with water uptake and misting.             | /              |/    (         /|     —     / | C. Michael Bullard The Yellar Hammer

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Jim.  Buy one roll of 5x braided and then in a warm well lighted room try to thread a freshly cut section of braided tippet through the eye of a # 20 hook.  This may help you decided if you want to switch over

I’m actually interested in a braided butt section, since that is the part that is really stiff.  I plan to stick with mono tippets, since they’re flexible enough.  I think a braided butt would be better for eliminating drag. — Jim Benenson                 Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA "The commonplace is only the self-constructed wall that separates us from the marvelous"  Tom Brown, Jr.

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I own a set of Orvis braided leaders.  While they do produce tight loops, they soak up water.  This make them heavy to pick up on the backcast and you run the risk of spooking fish with the spray during false casts. Lastly, I tried to add a 4 foot section of tippet material to the 5 foot braided leader (making it a nine foot leader).  THe tippet section did not straighten well.  Orvis sells tippet sections that are supposedly tapered, but they are expensive. Daren Valentine

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I use the Orvis braided leaders and LOVE them.  They last for about two years and I just tie on a length of tippet material on the end, then change that from time to time.  I’ve used both the light ones on my 5 weight rod, and the medium weight ones on my 7 weight.  I feel that the price is justified, even though I have to buy tippet material too.  Plus like you say, they’re not as stiff.

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I use the Orvis braided leaders and LOVE them.  They last for about two years and I just tie on a length of tippet material on the end, then change that from time to time.  I’ve used both the light ones on my 5 weight rod, and the medium weight ones on my 7 weight.  I feel that the price is justified, even though I have to buy tippet material too.  Plus like you say, they’re not as stiff. Don’t you have problems with wind knots? I know wk’s are mainly due to poor casting technique, but I always seem to have more problems with the braided leaders. But you are correct – they are limp. Bob –

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Question:

: Recently I have begun to do some offshore racing outside the San Francisco Bay  and I now need to buy my own offshore harness.  I’ve been advised that a : a self-inflating harness is the best way to go. : However, I work the foredeck. : Some people say that you really have to submerge these harnesses for them : to inflate, others say that they’ve had them inflate when they are piled : in with other wet gear for a period of time. I’ve used the belt inflated life jacket for about 3 years now.  Normal maintanence requires that you inflate them once a year at least.  If you do that the unit will not inflate until it is under water for a time. If you don’t inflate it regularly it may more may not inflate when you need it.  The CO2 cartrage will discharge over time so you want to replace it yearly to be on the safe side.  If you inflat it put it under water to check for leaks.  A unit that isn’t repack once in a while will be more likely to be holed. I’d say get you’re own equipment.  Also look at the line that connects the harness to the boat.  You may want different lengths for different boats. I’m currently running my jack line from the cochpit around the babystay and back.  This way I can walk around the mast and back if I don’t like the seas on the low side etc.  As this line floats up I can run a very short line.  If I have crew up there on the foredeck helping I need more line. I find line length effects productivity up there.  A short line that is long enough to do the job doesn’t get tangled, stepped on or removed because it’s in the way.  You can make a long line short by splicing your own end and feeding a bunge cord through it. For fore deck work I would recomend getting very creative with this jack line.  If you don’t you will find yourself up there removing it to untangle yourself etc. As for the clip for a jack line they put some pretty user unfreindly line connectors on some of the harness.  I’m devided as they must have a reason but I end up using carbeners because they are easy to work with going in and out of the cabin.  Basicly if I don’t have to think about it I find I connect myself.  If I have to fiddle with it I catch myself unconnected. Another thing to look at on a harness is storage.  I know this sounds strange but the ‘right’ place to put a wistle and a water prouf flash light is on the harness.  It’s been measured that you can blow a wistle in cold water when you can’t yell to flag another boat down. I have the personel strobes but the helogen flash lights (small ones using the AA batteries) can be pointed right at the boat you’re trying to flag down.  These little guys are bright and last a good long time. I also have more faith in a light I’m using often to one that is stored and never used but to test.  Tests don’t give you a feel for the battery life etc. As a fordeck person I hope you know never to go up there without a good sharp knife.  This could save your life someday if you ever get wrapped. I started doing this years ago never needed it but if it’s blowing hard you may not be able to communicate you’re arm being broken to the guy behind you. — AST Research Inc.          (714) 727-8669

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In practice it’s actually very rare for foredeck crew to be "hooked in" while working the foredeck of a competitive race boat. They hook in while sitting on the rail or trimming, but being tethered during a jibe or sail change would be problematic. *Some* crew hook in during these maneuvers at night, but this is rare, in my experience. Even singlehanded, it took practice to learn how to jibe the spinnaker while hooked in. For a full crew to jibe an ocean racer with all their tethers attached would be chaos.   Your first defense against being lost overboard (after holding on tight, that is) is a good life jacket and a personal strobe and whistle. Maybe a backup waterproof flashlight, too. I’m very strict about wearing this equipment offshore. The harness, in the vast majority of weather conditions you’ll encounter off the coast, is going to be far too encumbering to allow you to race the boat effectively. I have an old North vest which I love because it has nice deep pockets for the strobe and other stuff (and it served well when I survived a sinking, the Bird boat FALCON in 1989 Master Mariners, in the middle of SF Bay). If I were shopping for a new lifejacket I’d probably favor one of the Stearns fishing models, because of the multiple pockets, and the high degree of freedom of motion they offer. Having said that, you still need a harness for the times that the weather is *really* bad, and especially for the long time intervals between maneuvers when there’s no efficiency lost by being hooked on. So my preference is for a single-purpose shoulder harness, of a fairly simple design that can be sorted out and put on in the dark while you hold on with the other hand. It’s important that the tether have good, oversized (expensive) shackles at *both* ends, so if you find yourself tangled in something you can re-lead from your end. Also consider using some nylon rope instead of the webbing for the tether. A cleat hitch around the nearest cleat is generally more reliable than a carbiner through a pad eye, and you can adjust the length of the teather to be no longer than what you really need. BTW I don’t think much of caribiners for this application, because they have to be closed to develop full strength. (my tether has a very large torsion-spring gate-type snap hook on the far end, and an equally oversize "fly-away" type spinnaker sheet shackle (about what you’d find on a 40′ boat) at my end.                                              -"Call me Fishmeal"-

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Some people say that you really have to submerge these harnesses for them to inflate, others say that they’ve had them inflate when they are piled in with other wet gear for a period of time.

My experience is that on a long wet trip e.g. sailing from Hawaii back to California, the self-inflating life jackets always trigger. My suboptimal solution has been to remove the self inflating cap, spring, and tablet, but leave the CO2 cartridge and the manual trigger pull tab. Stan Honey San Francisco

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|   | Some people say that you really have to submerge these harnesses for them | to inflate, others say that they’ve had them inflate when they are piled | in with other wet gear for a period of time. |   | My experience is that on a long wet trip e.g. sailing from Hawaii | back to California, the self-inflating life jackets always trigger. | My suboptimal solution has been to remove the self inflating cap, | spring, and tablet, but leave the CO2 cartridge and the manual trigger | pull tab. On the other hand, my experience with a Crewsaver, Crewfit lifejacket is that it has never inflated when I haven’t wanted it to, and has inflated when needed.  I have been out in conditions when I would have expected it to trigger and it hasn’t. I suspect that the tendency to trigger "accidently" depends on the particular lifejacket.  The self inflating capsule on the Crewsaver is well protected by the folded lifejacket and this may not be the case in other designs. Marion Edwards

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Recently I have begun to do some offshore racing outside the San Francisco Bay  and I now need to buy my own offshore harness.  I’ve been advised that a a self-inflating harness is the best way to go. However, I work the foredeck. Some people say that you really have to submerge these harnesses for them to inflate, others say that they’ve had them inflate when they are piled in with other wet gear for a period of time. I would appreciate anyone else’s feedback and experience on this before I spend some money. Thanks for the help, Allison Serventi

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