Question:

Anybody have an opinion on these reels?  I have the ability to buy one at a significant discount but don’t know a thing about them.  I’m looking at a model 11/12 and would like to use it in the salt along the east coast. Thanks, Bill

Response:

Anybody have an opinion on these reels?  I have the ability to buy one at a significant discount but don’t know a thing about them.  I’m looking at a model 11/12 and would like to use it in the salt along the east coast.

Redington makes a fine product.  I have a large arbor in a smaller line weight and really like the reel.  The big concern now is the fact that Redington will soon discontinue manufacturing these reels for a new line.  Parts and service have been a big question with the old reel lines.  Redington was owned by Orvis at one time and apparently that partnership has dissolved and Redington is out on their own.  Smart move, IMHO. — remove all x’s for reply email. To worry is folly so let us be jolly.

Response:

The drag mechanisms get a bit rusty if not looked after properly. I used one in the salt for a few hours and it had started to rust before I even got out. But with care they can last for a helluva long time. I’ve got customers who’ve certain of the reels for three or four years of incessant saltwaterfishing with no problems. Ari Anybody have an opinion on these reels?  I have the ability to buy one at a significant discount but don’t know a thing about them.  I’m looking at a model 11/12 and would like to use it in the salt along the east coast. Thanks, Bill

Ari & Gaelle Bert                                   +27 (0) 83 232 9903 & +27 (0) 83 236 5308 +27 (0) 11 443 9984 / +27 (0) 11 882 8537 (fax)                 www.troutfishing.co.za www.africanfishing.com Physical Address: 72 Swemmer Rd, Sunningdale, 2192 Postal Address: P.O.Box 79067, Senderwood, 2145, South Africa

Response:

Redington makes a fine product.

    Redington doesn’t make anything. They are a marketing company that "outsources" all of their products. Not that it matters in this case, Redington reels have a good reputation.

Response:

I was told by a local fly shop owner that these reels are made in Korea.  He also said they have an unconditional lifetime warranty. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     Redington doesn’t make anything. They are a marketing company that "outsources" all of their products. Not that it matters in this case, Redington reels have a good reputation.

Response:

Redington don

Question:

I fish the manistee below m-72 when i can get the chance. I know the betsie much better though. I was on the manistee for the hex hatch this year. way too many bugs though. i didnt think i could ever be chased off of a river. mu i totally agree with you. I went onto steelheadsite and told everyone how i went to missouri and people that i met there told me that every one they met on their trip to michigan was arrogant. i no  longer wanted to be associated with fly fisherman. I just ignore it now though. if you are arrogant on the water to me. I will let you know. steelheadsite is a decent place. i met a guy off of there and he taught me a lifetime of things in 4 hours. great fisherman, great guy. dont judge everybody. but i do understand your prejudging of most of us fly fisherman. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks guys for the replys. A couple of years ago I was able to get us going with an information chain relative to the action on the rivers. I for reasons beyond control dropped out of sight and have only recenmtly returned here and to the rivers. Any one else like to get something like this moving? I will do my part if anyone is interested. Fished the Jordan Last weekend with moderate success. The stretches below Rogers brige produced a couple of hefty bows and two snmaller browns. Being the afternoon and fairly bright that is not surprising. I used a Light Cahill (10) and a Royal coachman bucktail (8) I tie with flashabu instead of bucktail. This is also a good spot for a Royal Wulf in a variety of sizes. Anybody fishing the Manistee below m-72? Tight Lines M. William Olson

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Fish it every year. Know a couple of holes where big trout and hexes go hand in hand. As to further info, see www.troutbums.com/forums. Info from my friends is water is kind of warm, going to do the upper mannistee Tuesday morning, near where some springs come into it. Thanks guys for the replys. A couple of years ago I was able to get us going with an information chain relative to the action on the rivers. I for reasons beyond control dropped out of sight and have only recenmtly returned here and to the rivers. Any one else like to get something like this moving? I will do my part if anyone is interested. Fished the Jordan Last weekend with moderate success. The stretches below Rogers brige produced a couple of hefty bows and two snmaller browns. Being the afternoon and fairly bright that is not surprising. I used a Light Cahill (10) and a Royal coachman bucktail (8) I tie with flashabu instead of bucktail. This is also a good spot for a Royal Wulf in a variety of sizes. Anybody fishing the Manistee below m-72? Tight Lines M. William Olson

Upper Manistee? As in Deward area? I have a couple of buddies taht love that section, I have never been there with them and can never quite seem to find the right spot. Lots of pretty water though. Small but gorgeous. Let me know how you do please?

Response:

Fish it every year. Know a couple of holes where big trout and hexes go hand in hand. As to further info, see www.troutbums.com/forums. Info from my friends is water is kind of warm, going to do the upper mannistee Tuesday morning, near where some springs come into it. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks guys for the replys. A couple of years ago I was able to get us going with an information chain relative to the action on the rivers. I for reasons beyond control dropped out of sight and have only recenmtly returned here and to the rivers. Any one else like to get something like this moving? I will do my part if anyone is interested. Fished the Jordan Last weekend with moderate success. The stretches below Rogers brige produced a couple of hefty bows and two snmaller browns. Being the afternoon and fairly bright that is not surprising. I used a Light Cahill (10) and a Royal coachman bucktail (8) I tie with flashabu instead of bucktail. This is also a good spot for a Royal Wulf in a variety of sizes. Anybody fishing the Manistee below m-72? Tight Lines M. William Olson

Response:

Thanks guys for the replys. A couple of years ago I was able to get us going with an information chain relative to the action on the rivers. I for reasons beyond control dropped out of sight and have only recenmtly returned here and to the rivers. Any one else like to get something like this moving? I will do my part if anyone is interested. Fished the Jordan Last weekend with moderate success. The stretches below Rogers brige produced a couple of hefty bows and two snmaller browns. Being the afternoon and fairly bright that is not surprising. I used a Light Cahill (10) and a Royal coachman bucktail (8) I tie with flashabu instead of bucktail. This is also a good spot for a Royal Wulf in a variety of sizes. Anybody fishing the Manistee below m-72? Tight Lines M. William Olson

Response:

Thanks guys for the replys. A couple of years ago I was able to get us going with an information chain relative to the action on the rivers.

You should check out http://www.steelheadsite.com/reports/michigan/ After lurking there for a while you’ll figure out who the serious anglers are.  Try to get in contact with them.  Once in a while a biologist from among a few of the more trustworthy and non-idiotic regulars.  I used to try to post thoughtful stuff there but found that ROFF is a far better place for really interesting and substantive discussion.  As far as reports go, yes, ROFF ain’t such a great place for sharing info on your local streams.  However I did meet a wonderful gentleman named Wayne Williams here on ROFF and we went fishing up on the Manistee.  Capital fellow with top manners and Southern hospitality.  FWIW though, I stayed away from fly fishing for a long time because most (with a few exceptions) of the FFers I met afield in Michigan were real jerks.  During my time in Michigan I basically was a self-taught fly angler.  Taught myself to cast from books and videos.  Taught myself to tie flies and build rods.  Most of the FFers I’ve met so far in California have been extremely friendly, helpful and generous – to the point that it’s very surprising. Mu

Response:

Went below the CCC bridge a couple of months ago. Very nice time. Lots of action even though the size left a lot to be desired. All went back in, so they are there for you to enjoy as well. Did do some FFing above the bridge but did not have as much luck. WLM – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks guys for the replys. A couple of years ago I was able to get us going with an information chain relative to the action on the rivers. I for reasons beyond control dropped out of sight and have only recenmtly returned here and to the rivers. Any one else like to get something like this moving? I will do my part if anyone is interested. Fished the Jordan Last weekend with moderate success. The stretches below Rogers brige produced a couple of hefty bows and two snmaller browns. Being the afternoon and fairly bright that is not surprising. I used a Light Cahill (10) and a Royal coachman bucktail (8) I tie with flashabu instead of bucktail. This is also a good spot for a Royal Wulf in a variety of sizes. Anybody fishing the Manistee below m-72? Tight Lines M. William Olson

Response:

Question:

Despite many indications to the contrary, I still have faith in the rationality of the human animal.  <g But you weren’t addressing one of those… <g

True – but give him credit for being half right…

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Posted false winning of Florida by Gore to influence Western States like California, etc. while they were still open.< 1.  George, ALL the networks were giving Fla. to Gore at that time. 2.  IF there was a conspiracy, it was directed against Gore: lulling his western supporters into a false sense of security and energizing Bush voters to turn out to help offset the loss of Florida. Think about it. I did before I posted.  It was a ruse to keep Bush voters away from poles. Think about it.

—- I knew it, you guys were going to get back to fly fishing, after all.  Damn those Gore supporters keeping the republicans away from their fishing’s poles, or did you mean polls? —- Padishar Creel "What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult to each other."  – George Eliot

Response:

It was a ruse to keep Bush voters away from poles.

Those damn safety nazis at it again?  If Bush voters want to run into poles it’s their own damn business. ,      - Ken — "The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness.  You have to catch it yourself."      -Ben Franklin

Response:

Well, that’s one possibility.  The other might be to lull last minute Bush voters in the FL panhandle into thinking their cause was lost.  Why look for a conspiracy when stupidity and self-serving hubris are sufficient explanations? JR – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 1.  George, ALL the networks were giving Fla. to Gore at that time. 2.  IF there was a conspiracy, it was directed against Gore: lulling his western supporters into a false sense of security and energizing Bush voters to turn out to help offset the loss of Florida. Think about it.

Response:

Bellows writes: and dan rather… i don’t give a fuck how accurate historically your exit pollsters have been… they weren’t yesterday, and when a candidate is leading in the polls, you don’t call the race against them (washington senate race). Last election they had the wrong person winning the senate race in NH.  Dan Rather announced it very early in the evening and later changed it without an apology.   You are right about cbs sports too.

yeh, i’ve had a bug in my ass about their sports coverage since their coverage of the olympics… some things are unforgivable <G. cb

Response:

Bellows writes: and dan rather… i don’t give a fuck how accurate historically your exit pollsters have been… they weren’t yesterday, and when a candidate is leading in the polls, you don’t call the race against them (washington senate race).  

Last election they had the wrong person winning the senate race in NH.  Dan Rather announced it very early in the evening and later changed it without an apology.   You are right about cbs sports too. Dave

Response:

True – but give him credit for being half right…

I believe you meant half-there…< And I believe I mean fuck you.

Response:

With 1% of the vote in, while the polls were still open in west Florida it was Bush 53  Gore 48, the networks decided Gore had won. The "data" is collected by one agency paid by the collective networks. It was an obvious bad call which was backed unchallenged by the nets. Only a call from bush headquarters made them check the figures-major WHOOPS, others followed.

well, it wasn’t just florida.  the networks really need to get rid of any competitive urges from the elections.  it’s not about who figures it out first, but being correct.  that i know of there were three fuck ups… two in florida and one in the washington senate race.  and dan rather… i don’t give a fuck how accurate historically your exit pollsters have been… they weren’t yesterday, and when a candidate is leading in the polls, you don’t call the race against them (washington senate race).  i sure wish i got another channel besides cbs last night… they fucking suck at everything they do.  their sports coverage sucks, their local news are parasites, the national news bores me to death.

Response:

With 1% of the vote in, while the polls were still open in west Florida it was Bush 53  Gore 48, the networks decided Gore had won. The "data" is collected by one agency paid by the collective networks. It was an obvious bad call which was backed unchallenged by the nets. Only a call from bush headquarters made them check the figures-major WHOOPS, others followed.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Posted false winning of Florida by Gore to influence Western States like California, etc. while they were still open.< 1.  George, ALL the networks were giving Fla. to Gore at that time. 2.  IF there was a conspiracy, it was directed against Gore: lulling his western supporters into a false sense of security and energizing Bush voters to turn out to help offset the loss of Florida. Think about it.

Response:

True – but give him credit for being half right…

I believe you meant half-there…

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Posted false winning of Florida by Gore to influence Western States like California, etc. while they were still open.  Federal Reserve, powers that be behind the Network scenes, responsible.  Greenspan and cronies still control or trying to control elections and American People. No joke.  Doesn’t look like it won’t work this time but MSNBC is a crooked operation in reporting the truth and breaking the rules. — MrG. *now* i understand the meaning of "psycophant". thanks, george. wayne

no that’s psychopath !!

Response:

Well, that’s one possibility.  

The other might be to lull last minute Bush voters in the FL panhandle into thinking their cause was lost.  Why look for a conspiracy when stupidity and self-serving hubris are sufficient explanations?< Uhhh, I was responding to Gink’s "Greenspan Conspiracy Theory."   *I* don’t need one, I was just offering one that I consider MORE plausible (as your’s is).  Greenspan for Gore?   Get a grip George.

Response:

Despite many indications to the contrary, I still have faith in the rationality of the human animal.  <g

But you weren’t addressing one of those… <g — Charlie…

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Posted false winning of Florida by Gore to influence Western States like California, etc. while they were still open.< 1.  George, ALL the networks were giving Fla. to Gore at that time. 2.  IF there was a conspiracy, it was directed against Gore: lulling his western supporters into a false sense of security and energizing Bush voters to turn out to help offset the loss of Florida. Think about it.

I did before I posted.  It was a ruse to keep Bush voters away from poles. Think about it. — Mr.. http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html (shop site)   affordable bamboo flyrods & blanks

Response:

you were doing fine, harry, until you

told him to "think about it".   <g< Despite many indications to the contrary, I still have faith in the rationality of the human animal.  <g

Response:

Posted false winning of Florida by Gore to influence Western States like California, etc. while they were still open.  Federal Reserve, powers that be behind the Network scenes, responsible.  Greenspan and cronies still control or trying to control elections and American People. No joke.  Doesn’t look like it won’t work this time but MSNBC is a crooked operation in reporting the truth and breaking the rules. — MrG.

        *now* i understand the meaning of "psycophant".         thanks, george. wayne

Response:

Think about it.

Uh, Harry, I don’t think that will happen<g. — Charlie…

Response:

*now* i understand the meaning of "psycophant". thanks, george.

And now *I* understand the definition of the word "serendipity." My newserver is *still* not sending me those posts! –Steve

Response:

Harry B. writes: 1.  George, ALL the networks were giving Fla. to Gore at that time.   2.  IF there was a conspiracy, it was directed against Gore: lulling his western supporters into a false sense of security and energizing Bush voters to turn out to help offset the loss of Florida.   Think about it.

you were doing fine, harry, until you told him to "think about it".   <g dave l.  (using lower case on my wife’s pc because my phone line is down….) Dave LaCourse

Response:

Posted false winning of Florida by Gore

to influence Western States like California, etc. while they were still open.<   1.  George, ALL the networks were giving Fla. to Gore at that time.   2.  IF there was a conspiracy, it was directed against Gore: lulling his western supporters into a false sense of security and energizing Bush voters to turn out to help offset the loss of Florida.   Think about it.

Response:

Posted false winning of Florida by Gore to influence Western States like California, etc. while they were still open.  Federal Reserve, powers that be behind the Network scenes, responsible.  Greenspan and cronies still control or trying to control elections and American People. No joke.  Doesn’t look like it won’t work this time but MSNBC is a crooked operation in reporting the truth and breaking the rules. — MrG. http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html (shop site)   affordable bamboo flyrods & blanks

Response:

Question:

Hi Folks, after all the e-mails enquiring as to my reasons for ceasing to subscribe

Gentlemen and Ladies, I am moved by the loss of the best among us. I have filed Mike’s post in a place where I’ll be able to find it next time I feel like launching a salvo. Hope we can all do the same. sniff…..

Response:

I have simply made a personal decision not to subscribe.

Good to see your byline again, Mike, even if for the last time.  best wishes….. Mark Faulkner

Response:

Mike Connor wrote [final farewell snipped] Huge loss for ROFF.  I’ll miss your wit Mike.

Response:

Mike Connor Honi soit qui mal y pense.

George Visit: http://www.gink.com

Response:

Hi Folks, after all the e-mails enquiring as to my reasons for ceasing to subscribe to the news groups generally and ROFF specifically, and although I was of the opinion that I had made my reasons quite clear, here they are once again. The subject is now closed for me. I will not answer any further e-mails on this subject, it would serve no useful purpose. E-mails to the various websites or bulletin boards to which I contribute are also a waste of time, as I will not discuss the matter further. I would be most obliged if you would consider this, especially in the chat rooms where I am on line, nobody is interested in the matter, and it just wastes time and annoys people. I will also not join in discussions denigrating ROFF, or any of its contributors under any circumstances whatsoever. If you have a problem with somebody on ROFF then talk to them or take it to e-mail with the people concerned, I have no interest in the matter. I have no personal axe to grind as far as ROFF is concerned, I still think ROFF is basically  great actually, I have simply made a personal decision not to subscribe. The reasons are listed in order of importance, just in case anybody wants to know exactly, as it appears quite a few do. 1.  I cannot afford to pay for the downloading of large amounts of spam. This is purely  a financial criteria, and is by far the most important one. Without attempting to define spam, I mean anything which may generally be described as crap, be it multiple senseless posts, or direct commercial misuse of usenet. This simply costs me a lot of money which I do not have in amounts sufficient to waste on this nonsense. Before anybody else sends me tips for saving money on usenet, do me and yourself a favour, forget it. Most of the ideas are not practicable, and as I pay metered rates for on line time, sometimes not even possible. 2. I see no point in allowing myself to be insulted or provoked by people whose main interest in life seems to be annoying or upsetting  as many people as they can in the shortest possible time. Especially when it is just nasty and not even remotely amusing. This runs contrary to the spirit of the newsgroup, and continuing to pay out good money for this sort of thing would mean I would have to have a screw loose, this is fortunately not the case. 3. I am my own man, I do what I do, say what I say, and think what I think, I do not like it much when people attribute my words or actions to reasons they have dreamed up themselves, and attempt to prove their invariably faulty conclusions in print on a public forum. I am nobodies sycophant. I also resent it deeply when people make stupid or annoying or simply false statements based on posts I or others have made, where it is perfectly obvious that they have either not read the posts properly or are lacking the wherewithal to understand them. 4.  The informational and amusement content of the newsgroups seems to be deteriorating in direct proportion to the amount of ill mannered and ignorant persons subscribing to them. I would tend to avoid such people in private life, ( the "bar" analogy ), and see no reason why I should not follow this eminently sensible policy elsewhere also. 5.  There are too many people who want to control all sorts of things, up to and including what other people may or may not post. Usenet is in my opinion one of the last bastions of true free speech, to those who can not accept this, or attempt continually to misuse it, I can only say you are not ready for freedom of speech.  Freedom of speech allows you to say what you like when you like to whoever you like, like many great things it should be exercised with manners and self-control if it is not to degenerate into a senseless insulting free for all, even more so on a relatively  anoymous medium like usenet.  If some of the things said on here in the past were indeed said in a bar, then the people responsible would certainly be looking for a new set of teeth at the very least, and a good thing too. Unfortunately as I am unable to come into even remote striking distance of the aforementioned dental accoutrements, I find it better to remove myself from the sphere of influence, whether a bar or usenet is immaterial. 6.  I was indeed extremely angry at the amount of direct e-mail spam I received as a result of the ill considered efforts of one ROFF contributor in distributing my e-mail address to commercial spammers. I am prepared to accept that this was a mistake, the person concerned apologised profusely and sincerely,and I am no longer angry at him.  This was not my main reason for leaving the group, just an extra annoyance. 7. I was ever more dismayed at the number of trolls obviously designed to get a rise out of somebody or provoke a useless argument, which turned nasty fairly quickly, I see no point in this, and I imagine it is just some perverse form of entertainment, in which only perverts would indulge, especially in view of the anonymous nature of the whole thing. Purposely pissing off someone you dont even know for enjoyment strikes me as being perverse in the  extreme, and I prefer to keep my distance in such cases. 8. The comment from many  posters that anybody who posts in public forums should expect to be insulted and must develop a thick skin is in my opinion a symptom of their own perversity and lack of manners. I expect to be treated at least with good manners. When this is not the case I have several options usually. In this particular case, retiring from the field is probably the most sensible. 9.  I was of the opinion that groups such as ROFF provided a service and source of information on the subject at hand, and everything even remotely related to it. I attempted to subcribe in this spirit, as I assume most others also do.  This attempt met  with far more negative criticism and insulting responses than I would have hoped it might, and this was extremely disappointing. This also contributed to my decision to leave. I hope this clears up any wierd ideas, misconceptions, or even downright lies as to why I no longer subscribe, and that the subject is now definitely closed. I welcome personal and private e-mail on any and every subject under the sun, and I am happy to help anybody at all if it lies within my power, however as I already said on at least one other occasion, enquiries which start with the words "How do I start fly-fishing" or similar all embracing questions are beyond my power to answer in a couple of e-mails, and anybody who thinks he can become a good flyfisherman by studying a potted set of answers from one person, or even a group of people, or watching videos etc, ought to take up tennis, or bowling or something similar. The only way to become a good flyfisherman is to go and do it, read as much as you can, talk to as many flyfishers as you can, and try out what they say, advice on specific problems will always be available. One of the greatest attractions of flyfishing is the fact that however much you learn, and however good you become, there is always something new to learn, the possibilities and facets are infinite.  Flyfishing is not just a hobby like embroidering cushion covers, or weaving carpets, as a way of killing time, it is a philosophy, a religion, a way of life. It is hard work all the way, but absolutely fascinating, entrancing and enslaving. Thanks again for all your e-mails, I am surprised ( and of course pleased ! ) that my leaving a forum like this could generate such a furore which lasts such a long time. I obviously made a positive and pleasant impact on at least some of you, as indeed many of you did on myself. It is very pleasant to get such support and encouragement mostly from people I have never met , and probably never will, I met some lovely people on the groups, I enjoyed myself, and I learned an awful lot, but I will not return to any of the newsgroups, if only to prove some of the ignorant and insulting people  wrong who e-mailed me telling me what a pompous over educated ( If only they knew !!! )ass I am, and that I would doubtless return at some point. I would not like to give such people the satisfaction of being right, even if I got usenet access for free ! Tight lines ! Mike Connor Honi soit qui mal y pense.

Response:

Question:

A friend has a decent two piece bamboo rod but the ferrules are damaged and he wants to replace the ferrules.  Any one have a suggestion on where these can be found?

Hi Steve, I think that Cortland bought out Rodon, rod building components, a while back and I think I got some good nickel silver ferrules from them for about $35 a set. Call me at 800/4000FLY and I’ll check in the catologs for you. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

Response:

A friend has a decent two piece bamboo rod but the ferrules are damaged and he wants to replace the ferrules.  Any one have a suggestion on where these can be found?

Collected a couple of years ago…. 1.  in Toronto, famous rod builder Ted Knott 2.  Bruce Conner (Cane Rod FAQ) rx. Bailey Woods- Classic Sporting Enterprises, Box 1909, Fitch Hill Rd., Hyde Park, VT  05655    (802) 888-7859. I have found two sources for ferrules for cane [ bamboo] fods. On is from the Powell Rod company in Chico, Ca. You may reach them at 1-800- 782-7600 inside Ca. Outside Ca. call 1-800-228-0615. They can supply both Hard Chrome ferrules as well as the more expensive nickel silver ferrules. If you are looking to more closely restore the rod to original condition you might try Classic Sporting Enterprises Inc. Roaring Brook Rd. RD#3 Box 3 Barton, Vermont 05822. Their phone # is (802) 525 3623. 4.  I eventually bought odd ferrules directly from Orvis (Peter Brown, fishing manager) — 802 362-3750 or fax 802 362-3525 Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly If you’re looking for chrome-plated brass try Netcraft – (419) 472-8058 – FAX  -9826 They have 10/11 (64’s) pair on up to 24/25 (64’s). If you want nickel-silver ferules, try Dale Clemens – (610) 395-5119 – FAX 398-2580 or  Angler’s Workshop – (360) 225-9445  - FAX 225-8641. Also, take out a second on the house ($30-40 US). You also might try surfing over to URL — http://www.gorp.com/bamboo.htm  and ask for their latest "The Classic Chronicle" newsletter. They have new and used ferrules listed. Pick-up a couple of cane rods while you’re there. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

A friend has a decent two piece bamboo rod but the ferrules are damaged and he wants to replace the ferrules.  Any one have a suggestion on where these can be found? Steve           __                /          Steven Patterson, Ph.D.         / ..|       Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry        (_  |_)      University of Notre Dame       /            _   /  `   |        \/    | _        A Protestant dawg at a Catholic University     /_ || \_        ____)|_) _)  

Response:

Question:

I was recently introduced to fly fishing ( a long story of which I will spare you the details).  I took a 1/2 day lesson with a very experienced instructor which I greatly enjoyed and considered very valuable.  I know I still have a lot to learn and look forward to it, but I cannot afford more lessons.  Would anybody out there be willing to take me under their wing? I promise not to take much of your time if you just let me observe; let me know how I am doing every now and then; tell me some fly fishing stories you hvae experienced over the years; etcetera.  On our outtings, I could provide with excellent food, good beer, a good cigar, …  I know that this is not much to offer in return, but that’s all I can offer … plus a good friendship.  I live in Manchester, CT and be willing to drive anywhere to meet you. Let me know if you want to know more about myself or perhaps meet me.  I look forward to hearing from you.  Thank you so much in advance. Rafael  

Response:

<snip  Would anybody out there be willing to take me under their wing? I promise not to take much of your time if you just let me observe;<snip  On our outtings, I could provide with excellent food, good beer, a good cigar, <snip  I live in Manchester, CT and be willing to drive anywhere to meet you.

  Drive on out to Colorado and bring a box of Cohibas, and I will let you watch me fish. You can surprise me with the good food and beer.                                    Charlie

Response:

Try finding a local flyfishing club.  Dues are usually very nominal and such clubs often offer neophytes free instruction in various aspects of the sport.  Also, you’ll meet people there who you can buddy up with.  My club in San Diego organizes 3 or 4 long range trips per year, shorter range trips (within State) about once a month and weekly meets at the local lakes.  I cannot thing of a better way to get into and enjoy the sport than through your flyfishing local. —                                                            -dnc- – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I promise not to take much of your time if you just let me observe; let me know how I am doing every now and then; tell me some fly fishing stories you hvae experienced over the years; etcetera.

Response:

Try finding a local flyfishing club.  Dues are usually very nominal and such clubs often offer neophytes free instruction in various aspects of the sport.  Also, you’ll meet people there who you can buddy up with.  My club in San Diego organizes 3 or 4 long range trips per year, shorter range trips (within State) about once a month and weekly meets at the local lakes.  I cannot thing of a better way to get into and enjoy the sport than through your flyfishing local.

– Rafael, ol’ buddy. This could be your most important flyfishing lesson of all. Never trust any flyfisherman who turns down a good cigar, good food, and good beer. Club schmub. Gas up and head for Colorado. That was a much better deal:)) BP

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Actually Meta might be right.  Obviously clubs aren’t for him.  That offer from Colorado does sound pretty good.  If you want to drive all that way to become a cook and give up your best Cubans, please suit yourself.  If that doesn’t work out, you can still use a local club as your back up, and you can always quit that, if it doesn’t suit your fancy.  Actually, you could try a club first, if one exists locally, and find out if that suits you. Never trust a man who tries to convince you to limit your options.–                                                            -dnc- PS.  By the way, I would gladly take you up on your offer for food and beer.  But alas, I hate cigars.  So I guess maybe you could trust me about two-thirds of the time.  Or perhaps the cigar thing is the telling factor, we’ll have to wait for sage Meta to pass us the phacts on that one.

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On our outtings, I could provide with excellent food, good beer, a good cigar, …  I know that this is not much to offer in return, but that’s all I can offer …

Sounds like a HELL of an offer to me… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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<Actually Meta might be right.  Obviously clubs aren’t for him.  That offer <from Colorado does sound pretty good.  If you want to drive all that way to <become a cook and give up your best Cubans, please suit yourself.  If that <doesn’t work out, you can still use a local club as your back up, and you <can always quit that, if it doesn’t suit your fancy.  Actually, you could t<ry a club first, if one exists locally, and find out if that suits you. <Never trust a man who tries to convince you to limit your options.– <   <                                                         -dnc- (It’s gettin’ a little too southern California serious for me.I don’t know, maybe its cause they don’t have any spring creeks for 100s of miles.  Please plant tongue firmly in cheek before reading.) Limit Options hell. Keep em wide open. How about Cheeseman, Frying Pan, Blue, and a hundred others that I’m sure shall remain nameless? Given the options to fish there, would one really want to spend the summer talking about ff in CT by comparison? Why drive? United, who does allow you to carry on flyrods, flies there cheap. As for cigars, I thought Rafael was gettin’  off easy only having to supply Cohibas instead of providing the proper cigar for each hatch. And he did say good food, so let’s at least call him a chef. But for clubs, to paraphrase Graucho Marx (famous cigar smoker), " I wouldn’t join any club that would have me as a member."

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<Never trust a man who tries to convince you to limit your options.– <   <                                                         -dnc- (It’s gettin’ a little too southern California serious for me.I don’t know, maybe its cause they don’t have any spring creeks for 100s of miles.  Please plant tongue firmly in cheek before reading.) Limit Options hell. Keep em wide open. How about Cheeseman, Frying Pan, Blue, and a hundred others that I’m sure shall remain nameless?

Not too serious, I hope.  But your rejoinder has given me a good laugh, so thank you…I think.  Unfortunately, you are 100% correct about the spring creeks (not even sure if I could define the term, although smooth water and the need for delicate presentation comes to mind…certainly an experience to be sought, and probably worth a few cigars!). As far as clubs go, they can offer an awful lot of free information for the urbanite neophyte.  So I say try it.  It couldn’t hoit.  Who knows, they might offer you a cigar.

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(JRGonza) writes: SNIP<

I’d suggest tracking down a copy of the "Curtis Creek Manifesto," an excellent primer (humorous too).  Then, while you’re browsing around the fly shops looking for it, ask about local flyfishing clubs.   99.99999% of flyfishing is going to be practice.  Here’s a tip: to catch fish, you don’t have to be a great caster, just learn to be sneaky.  Most of your casts will be thirty feet or less (10′ leader and 20′ of line out).  Learning not to spook the fish is a good thing.  I have caught some very nice Brown’s by hiding in the bushes and flipping a beetle over some grass into a lake with nothing but leader out. Oh yeah, buy a good pair of polarized glasses…makes a huge difference. Good luck! DP

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The Curtis Creek Manifesto is hilarious and good.  The author was a friend of my Dads and he lived near the Williamson River in Oregon.  He’s dead now, the victim, I think, of hard and fast living. As for mentors, my Dad was the best for me.  I am a fourth generation fly fisherman and that wisdom of the ages is good to have. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (JRGonza) writes: SNIP< I’d suggest tracking down a copy of the "Curtis Creek Manifesto," an excellent primer (humorous too).  Then, while you’re browsing around the fly shops looking for it, ask about local flyfishing clubs.   99.99999% of flyfishing is going to be practice.  Here’s a tip: to catch fish, you don’t have to be a great caster, just learn to be sneaky.  Most of your casts will be thirty feet or less (10′ leader and 20′ of line out).  Learning not to spook the fish is a good thing.  I have caught some very nice Brown’s by hiding in the bushes and flipping a beetle over some grass into a lake with nothing but leader out. Oh yeah, buy a good pair of polarized glasses…makes a huge difference. Good luck! DP

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Question:

I am going to have 3 or 4 days in No. Ark/So. Mo to kill in mid June.   Can anyone recomend a guide service?  Hope to find some big browns! Thanks, KNACK Whitehouse, TX

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Check with Dale Fulton at Blue Ribbon Flies in Mountain Home, Ark. Also, check out Andy McMinn’s Arkansas fly fishing page at: http://kanweb.com/fly/ It’s full of information. Good Luck! Steve Rosenblum

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I am going to have 3 or 4 days in No. Ark/So. Mo to kill in mid June.

Sandra,         Used to guide in Ark.   Here’s a list of guides and phone numbers that will give you the best available in that area. SHOPS:           Blue Ribbon Flies – Dale Fulton – (501)or(870) 425-0447         P.J.’s Resort (501) 499-7500         Wapsi Fly (a wholesaler) – ask for T.L. – (501) 425-9500 GUIDES:         John Gulley 501-499-7517         Bob Snyder      499-4287         Dwayne Hada     452-3559 (The Woodsman – Ft. Smith)         Sandra, the best way to be assured of catching large browns is to night fish, since they are primarily nocturnal feeders. Be sure to have plenty of Gink for your large dries and Xink for the huge nymphs required for those record browns.          John Gulley is a pro at night fishing and can definitely put you on some big fish if the time  is right when you go up there.  Be sure to ask about water conditions and generating schedules for that time of year when you call.  I’ve know and fished with John since the mid 70’s but have been out of contact with him for about ten years.  John, a seasoned guide, is rather drole and deliberate in his manner.         Dwayne Hada, also a personal friend of mine, guides all over that area.  I don’t know about Dwayne’s experience with brown trout per-se’. However, Dwayne, a former high school art teacher, is very personable and well mannered. Have Fun – Wendell Hise Snake River – Hell’s Canyon Gink keeps it up – Xink puts it down!

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Question:

Any suggestions for a line for Pike.  I am tempted to go for a floating shooting head, but noticed SA Mastery have a purpose built Pike line – Has anyone used this? Thanks

Response:

Any suggestions for a line for Pike.  I am tempted to go for a floating shooting head, but noticed SA Mastery have a purpose built Pike line – Has anyone used this? ThanksYes.  I’ve used it for Muskie (and Largemouths).  It does everything I

need from such a line.  I can even roll-cast, after a fashion. Bob Lundy IWFFC Mississauga, ON http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/rlundy — Bob Lundy IWFFC Mississauga, ON, Canada http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/rlundy

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Any suggestions for a line for Pike.  I am tempted to go for a floating shooting head, but noticed SA Mastery have a purpose built Pike line – Has anyone used this? Thanks

Simon, I had great success for pike using a shooting head system with intermediate thru xtra-fast sink heads. I bought a couple of floating shooting heads, but never used them because they’re incredibly thick and bulky on the reel when compared with the sinking heads. Also, since you’ll probably be fishing big streamers and stripping them most of the time, it really doesn’t matter if the head sinks. (Often it’s even more desirable to use xtra-fast sink to get the streamers down to submerged weed beds. As to the special-purpose pike lines, I havn’t tried them because I just can’t justify a line which was built for just one specific purpose like that. A good shooting-head system is infinitely more versatile. (Plus allows you to cast heavier flies further and with less effort than a full-length line.) Regards, Fred

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Any suggestions for a line for Pike.  I am tempted to go for a floating shooting head, but noticed SA Mastery have a purpose built Pike line – Has anyone used this? Thanks

Simon,    I don’t think shooting heads will give you any advantages.  In fact, I think they’ll cause more problems than fix.  A long cast is not needed, and the pike often hit it close to the boat leaving you with a bunch of line to clear.  Sight fishing is also a definite possibility with pike, so you need a line that can deliver the fly accurately.  Also, in the spring and fall they are in shallow water, so a sinking line is not needed (maybe for summer).  I use a cortland pike taper, and it works fine, but I’ve thrown the same flies (2/0 bunny flies and mega-divers) with an inexpensive cortland 444 WF 8wt and a bass bug taper lazer line.  They work well enough.  In my opinion, a shooting taper is not the correct line.  A pike or bass bug floating weight forward is what I’d reccomend. Rob Gregoire

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Question:

Has nay of the national magazines had any reports about whirling disease? about eating Great Lakes fish. "In-Fisherman" provided some in-depth coverage, and was rewarded with the loss of over $250K of advertising revenue. "Outdoor Life", knowing which side its bread was buttered on, published a blistering editorial calling the advisory 16 kinds of crap. No loss of advertising for these pillars of journalistic integrity

  This may be true in the case of Outdoor Life, but not in the case of Fly Fisherman. I have been in touch with Dave Engerbretson, who often contributes to this group, and he informs me that John Randolph and John Holt are not only aware of the whirling disease issue, but are preparing a story. Keep in mind that glossy magazines are usually layed out and printed 3 or so issues in advance, and that the Madison River story broke less than a month ago. Why the Colorado story hasn’t received more press is a mystery. But it soon will.   Tim Walker recently sent me a zeroxed/faxed copy of an article that appeared in the Angling Report, summarizing recent whirling disease developments in Colorado. The news is very bad. Taken at face value, it appears there has been *no* natural reproduction of Rainbows, for three seasons now, in parts of the Colorado, Gunnison, South Platte and Arkansas rivers. How do *you* define disaster? The only good news I have heard yet, is that Cutthroats and Brookies are somewhat resistant, at least by comparison with Rainbows. —

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Peter – I suspect that you will get several responses to your post, and certainly some that are more scientific than I can be, so I will just reply briefly.  If, for some reason, you don’t get a fuller reply, send me a post and I will send more information. First, the disease is a neurological disorder that affects the fish’s system and causes it to swim in circles (thusthe name).   the fis weaken and ultimately fal prey to predators or other disease.  the disease is of no danger to humans if the fish are eaten.  there is not cure and probably got ito the Madison River from illegal stocking.  It can be transmitted on fishing gear, so there is a real risk of it spreading to other rivers. It is a very bad situation, but fortunatley does not affect the brown trout. The rainbow are most susceptible. again, if you do not get a better scientific description, let me know.  I have some materials that I can use to compose a longer post.                                               Dallas, TX                                               Ennis, MT

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This is far from scientific, but as far as I understand whirling disease, it’s parasitic infestation (whether a protozoan or worm, or other loathsome critter, I’m not sure) which lodges in the nerve/spinal column of the fish.  The beasties keep eating their way through (right into the brain, I’ve heard) until the fish is neurological/mental invalid.  The effect is particularly pronounced in fry and parr, leading to the classic symtpoms of swimming in erratic circles or "whirling."  By the time things get to that point, the fish is defenseless.  I’m not sure about the propagation cycle of the parasite. I think that it can be spread by ingestion, so if an adult gobbles up a fry that is addled with the disease, the parasite can spread to the adult.  What I do not remember is how the parasite propagates once the host is dead, assuming something does not ingest it. I do recall that on avergage 10% of a population will not be affected by the disease, but they could be carriers. It can strike older fish as well, but it takes much longer.  One reason the disease is particularly insidious (sp?) is that we notice the adults for the most part.  By the time an adult in the population is diagonosed with the condition, you’ve got one hell of a problem because odds are the disease has spread through the population.  The truly horrific part of it is that it tends to wipe out whole year classes, with a disproportionate effect on the fry and par.  So, if you you start seeing adults with the condition, the younger year classes, and therefore future populations, may be in very serious trouble. The spread of the disease is increases with higher water temperatures because the beasties become more active.  Last I heard, once there is an infestation, there is very little that can be done other than killing off the host population.  I don’t know if that is true. Illegally stocked fish are likely a principal source, but I don’t know how the parasite gets into the hatchery in the first instance. Rainbows are very susceptible.  Browns are not.  The disease is European and so are browns, who have developed a restisance.  So, expect to see a much higher percentage of browns caught on the Madison. That’s what I’ve heard, for what it’s worth.  If there’s a fisheries biologist out there, please set this straight if it’s wrong.  I hope I’m wrong about some of the nastier aspects, because it sounds like rather like a fish version of bubonic plague. John C. Crow

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I lived for 5 years in Bozeman in the 1980’s and loved fishing the Madison when I could.  I have just heard about this "whirling disease" phenomenon.  Can someone explain in a bit of scientific detail what it is?

For more than you probably want to know, search the Flyfishing archive at www.adp.unc.edu/cgi-bin/wais-flyfish-q using "whirling" as a key word. Phil Holt

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I’m not sure what this article stated, but I received a release from the New York DEC a couple of months ago indicating that Whirling disease had contaminated a hatchery in NY State. I don’t think many fish with Whirling disease were stocked, but it wiped out an entire hatchery. Forgive my ‘net ignorance; this information is certainly timely and quite important, so I’m willing to risk a little self-dignity to keep everyone informed. See you on the rivers! Dennis Suler, Jr Hackettstown, NJ Forbes Newspapers

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Whirlings disease is caused by a protozoan, that eats the cartilage around the equilibrium center in the fish.  It is deadly to fry and small fish, as stated before, but seems to have no effect on older fish.  If an older fish had it when it was young, you will often times find a sunken cranium, or deformed back.  Young fish that are infected often times also have a black tail.  Their is NO cure for it and the only way to get rid of it is to kill all the fish, sterilize (with some really potent chemicals) and start over, not a good thing for a stream, but it is required when a hatchery gets it.  Brown trout are susseptible to it, but they seem to have a better genetic defense of it, so it doean’t show up much in them. I hope this helps, I am not a fish biologist, but studiing to become one, I recently became interested in whirlings disease due to the outbreak of it in CO. Feel free to reply to me via email. Kevin — | ALL opinions |    OF COURSE I DID IT IN COLD BLOOD…..     | are mine,    |            I’M A POIKILOTHERM | Nobody else  |                                Kevin Case

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I lived for 5 years in Bozeman in the 1980’s and loved fishing the Madison when I could.  I have just heard about this "whirling disease" phenomenon.  Can someone explain in a bit of scientific detail what it is?

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The only good news I have heard yet, is that Cutthroats and Brookies are somewhat resistant, at least by comparison with Rainbows. —

At the fly fishing show in New Jersey, Gary LaFontaine listed a hierarchy of the suseptability to all trout, I cannot remember it exactly but I do remember that Rainbow was number one, and lake trout were at the bottom, I believe unaffected totally.                                         Brian

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Could somebody please give me a short summary, what whirling disease is and how it affects fish and people eating them? (Btw, I am on good terms with biology, so it can be a rather scienific explanation) Thanx, or "Vielen Dank", as we Austrians put it,                                                 Peter

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Tom Fry writes that it is not likely that the national magazines will publish  anything on the whirling disease because of the risk of loss of advertising. Tom = I think that you are wrong on this because the problem has already gotten a lot of national press.  But your scepticism is not without foundation. I suggest that if we do not see any articles in the next couple of editions of FF and Fly Rod & Reel, for example, we ought to beseige them with letters demanding attention to the problem.                                               Dallas, TX                                               Ennis, MT

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Has nay of the national magazines had any reports about whirling disease?

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re: WHIRLING DISEASE… Excellent summary in compuserve fishing library. I could fax it too you if you like…

Response:

Has nay of the national magazines had any reports about whirling disease?

about eating Great Lakes fish. "In-Fisherman" provided some in-depth coverage, and was rewarded with the loss of over $250K of advertising revenue. "Outdoor Life", knowing which side its bread was buttered on, published a blistering editorial calling the advisory 16 kinds of crap. No loss of advertising for these pillars of journalistic integrity — 3798 Woodland Drive     (604) 368-9315 Trail, BC

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Question:

Mike and Sue Solgat of the Fish Connection in Gardnerville, NV — a fly fishing specialty shop — produce regular fishing reports for the "Fish Sniffer."  I help type and submit them.  If there is interest, I’ll post abbreviated versons for the Carson Pass/Alpine County and Western Nevada areas.  Or you can call "The Fish Connection" direct at (702) 782-4734 for the latest information.  We have some great fly fishing up here, so come up and check it out.       Let me know if you’re interested in reports.  e-mail me: Dick Hubbard,

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(RICHARD HUBBARD ) writes:

I help produce a N California flyfishing report that is fax’d to interested parties in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Your info will be most helpful.  You can send info e-mail or fax to Fish First ! 510/528-2613

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