Question:

The previous posts on the RRR provided a great description of the weather, the river and the activity.  This was my first smallmouth fishing opportunity as well as my first clave. Until the clave, most of my fly fishing experience was limited to largemouth and bluegills in ponds, lakes, and slow moving rivers. The clave was an outstanding introduction to fishing for smallmouths.  It was also the first time I fished a river like the Rapp – and really learned to appreciate a wading staff. It was hot and there were a number of challenges, but it was also a great learning experience.  With some coaching from Wayne and Frank Reid, I caught my first smallies, had the opportunity to try out a float tube and a kayak, and to learn a lot about heat stress.  Special thanks to Allan Epps for his help with the kayak. Bottom line – I really enjoyed the chance to meet and fish with the other clave attendees, a great group.  Looking forward to the next time – maybe trout? Thanks Al Poklemba

Response:

Al,    Glad you have you along.  That was the "newbie initiation" clave.  Hot weather, humidity, low water, high water, tough fishing, all designed to weed out the chaff.  Depending on your point of view, it will only get better.       Frank Reid

Response:

(nice TR snipped) Thanks Al Poklemba

Al, it was our pleasure to fish with such a gentleman.  I have some great small stream jaunts for Brookies in the SNP  or Mossy Creek for a spring creek experience, and the Jackson River for a big trout water experience.  Just let me know and we’ll hit the creeks! Wayne to fish is human…to release Divine!

Response:

Al,   Glad you have you along.  That was the "newbie initiation" clave.  Hot weather, humidity, low water, high water, tough fishing, all designed to weed out the chaff.  Depending on your point of view, it will only get better.      Frank Reid

smallie or two, what with the tough fishing and all.  Looking forward to seeing you next year on the Rapp. Frank (chaff) Church in Elkhart, IN bassbugr AT yahoo dot com "jes’ blowin’ in the wind"

Response:

Hey Frank baby, what’s up with the Mr. G. intro? Op

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Al,   Glad you have you along.  That was the "newbie initiation" clave.  Hot weather, humidity, low water, high water, tough fishing, all designed to weed out the chaff.  Depending on your point of view, it will only get better.      Frank Reid smallie or two, what with the tough fishing and all.  Looking forward to seeing you next year on the Rapp. Frank (chaff) Church in Elkhart, IN bassbugr AT yahoo dot com "jes’ blowin’ in the wind"

Response:

Question:

I will be making my first trip to Yosemite National Park at the end of the week and would be interested in hearing what specific recommendations people have for specific areas to flyfish for trout while I am there.  I do not have a float tube, so they would need to be lakes that are fly-fishable from the bank/wadable or  streams/creeks that are accessible for a daytrip/hike.  I am looking for areas, perhaps, where the fishing pressure hasn’t been excessive (if that exists) and someone of my beginner-intermediate skills would have a reasonable chance having fish take my fly.  Areas with plenty, albeit small trout are a-ok by me. I have tried to do some reading and one area I wondered about was the Dana Fork of the Tuolemne? Any thoughts or other rec’s? Thank you very much in advance.

Response:

Try Rafferty Creek in Tuolomne Meadows or go over 120 (Tioga Pass) and go to 395, then try the Owens drainage…large browns starting to spawn now! Larry #:)# www.sierraflyfish.com has some info (no affiliation)

Response:

Question:

Someone wrote, about Slough Creek: The fish’s condition, IMO, left much to be desired. They appeared healthy but their fights were normally poor considering their size. The fish were long, large headed and skinny. I was surprised to see large headed fish over 20". The only times I’ve seen large headed fish were in populations of fish that were stunted due to over population or lack of food. Every large headed fish I had seen in the past was small. Interesting.

Some Slough cutts will fight hard, others won’t. There’s been 3 consecutive years of dought, which might have something to do with their late season lethargy. Once, when still guiding, I took an old guy out–on the Yellowstone. He was in his mid-80’s and could hardly stand up. He was cheerful about it. He was some kind of an environmental big shot. He had known Starker and Aldo Leopold. Late in the evening, when we should have already taken out, I stood downstream of the old guy and propped him up while he tossed a large hopper into a riffle near Carbella bridge. He hooked a fish that made my jaw drop. I saw the dorsal fin break the water and thought it had to be at least ten pounds. When we finally got the fish to the net, it turned out to be a 22" cutthroat. It was the first time I had ever been dissapointed to see a fish that long. Judging from the dorsal fin and the tail, which we had seen several times before we got him in, I thought he must surely be 6" longer than that. This cutthroat looked like an expanded version of a Beartooth Plateau brook trout: fully 1/2 of it’s 22" length was head! That’s trout’s head almost a foot long! I could have put a clinched fist into his mouth. I don’t know how old he was, but he seemed to survive us. I got 2-3 quick pictures (with the customer’s daughter’s camera) and let him go. How old does a trout get? That one had to be somewhere near the upper limit. ….got a $200 tip for that fish, which was a record of sorts in itself, at least for me.

Response:

He hooked a fish that made my jaw drop. I saw the dorsal fin break the water and thought it had to be at least ten pounds. When we finally got the fish to the net, it turned out to be a 22" cutthroat. It was the first time I had ever been dissapointed to see a fish that long. Judging from the dorsal fin and the tail, which we had seen several times before we got him in, I thought he must surely be 6" longer than that. This cutthroat looked like an expanded version of a Beartooth Plateau brook trout: fully 1/2 of it’s 22" length was head! That’s trout’s head almost a foot long!

The Cutts we caught in the Yellowstone were typical small headed fish and fat. The smaller Cutts we caught in other places were also typically proportioned. The Slough Creek fish were the only ones I remember with big heads. Willi

Response:

The Slough Creek fish were the only ones I remember with big heads. Willi

I’ve been fishing Slough Creek for over 15 years and have never caught a cut that was abnormally proportioned.   I’m sorry to hear of your experience Willi. Must be bad luck Joel Axelrad **DFD**

Response:

The Slough Creek fish were the only ones I remember with big heads. Willi I’ve been fishing Slough Creek for over 15 years and have never caught a cut that was abnormally proportioned. I’m sorry to hear of your experience Willi. Must be bad luck Joel Axelrad **DFD**

Maybe it was my perception, but I felt that the majority of the fish we caught were large headed. Willi

Response:

Maybe it was my perception, but I felt that the majority of the fish we caught were large headed.

I am still wondering if the low water levels and above normal water temps haven’t done something to the food supply.  The fish in the 1st and 3rd meadows seemed normal to me. — Warren Findley Remove (nospamZZ) to respond via email http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt/

Response:

Maybe it was my perception, but I felt that the majority of the fish we caught were large headed. I am still wondering if the low water levels and above normal water temps haven’t done something to the food supply.  The fish in the 1st and 3rd meadows seemed normal to me.

I thought the fish is the second meadow were very sluggish fighters. They looked like normal cutthroat to me, but they came to hand with a deplorable lack of vigor. I don’t know whether this was due to the warm water, or the food supply, or the fact that this is one of the most heavily fished areas in the Park. Maybe it was a combination of all three factors, and maybe more. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

They looked like normal cutthroat to me, but they came to hand with a deplorable lack of vigor. I don’t know whether this was due to the warm water, or the food supply, or the fact that this is one of the most

Been out of state for a while and haven’t been able to post. My experience is that this type of sluggishness is due to the water temp. When it gets like that, I usually quite fishing. — Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters, Missoula, Montana www.diamondnoutfitters.com

Response:

They looked like normal cutthroat to me, but they came to hand with a deplorable lack of vigor. I don’t know whether this was due to the warm water, or the food supply, or the fact that this is one of the most Been out of state for a while and haven’t been able to post. My experience is that this type of sluggishness is due to the water temp. When it gets like that, I usually quite fishing.

I’ve only ever run into large headed fish on Spring Creek, PA – something I attribute to over stocking.  What’s the story here? Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – They looked like normal cutthroat to me, but they came to hand with a deplorable lack of vigor. I don’t know whether this was due to the warm water, or the food supply, or the fact that this is one of the most Been out of state for a while and haven’t been able to post. My experience is that this type of sluggishness is due to the water temp. When it gets like that, I usually quite fishing. I’ve only ever run into large headed fish on Spring Creek, PA – something I attribute to over stocking.  What’s the story here?

I’m the one that commented on the large headed fish. Steve didn’t see them that way. (Maybe he has some pix?) I can see a skinny fish in my mind of about 20" that was almost one third head. I remember thinking that the only fish I’ve seen proportioned in this way were stunted fish. But since the picture is Willi

Response:

I can see a skinny fish in my mind of about 20" that was almost one third head. I remember thinking that the only fish I’ve seen proportioned in this way were stunted fish. But since the picture is Willi

Here’s one from PA. http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/images/brown.jpg I’m judging by the size of the mouth.  This 11" brown would’ve been 16" to 18" on the Grand, given the same sized mouth. Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://members.home.net/pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

Slough Creek big fish always were very sluggish to me.  I’ve caught them from mid July to end of August and the BIG ones always acted slow.  Another strange thing was that they would play dead after being released.  The fish would swim off and go to the bottom belly up.  When you went over to get it to help revive it, it would quickly swim away. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – They looked like normal cutthroat to me, but they came to hand with a deplorable lack of vigor. I don’t know whether this was due to the warm water, or the food supply, or the fact that this is one of the most Been out of state for a while and haven’t been able to post. My experience is that this type of sluggishness is due to the water temp. When it gets like that, I usually quite fishing. — Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters, Missoula, Montana www.diamondnoutfitters.com

Response:

Excellent reports Willi, and I like the format of dividing them up for each place you  fished.  I never knew that cutts were so different in their approach to the dry – very cool. bruce h

Response:

The fish’s condition, IMO, left much to be desired. They appeared healthy but their fights were normally poor considering their size. The fish were long, large headed and skinny. I was surprised to see large headed fish over 20". The only times I’ve seen large headed fish were in populations of fish that were stunted due to over population or lack of food. Every large headed fish I had seen in the past was small. Interesting.

That is interesting.  It makes you wonder how that even came to be.  It takes quite a bit of food to grow a fish over 20".  Yet, they looked malnourished.  So they must have been very old fish, another thing that doesn’t usually happen without good conditions.

Response:

We left too late for the walk into Slough Creek. Although the hike wasn’t steep, it was a pretty good hump into the second meadow where we fished and it was already hot when we started. Lots of sweat, the river was a welcome sight. The walk would have been much more pleasant in the cool of the morning. Slough Creek seems to me to be the most publicized water in Yellowstone and I was pleasantly surprised by the uncrowded conditions there.  We did run into a few people, but we pretty much had the river to ourselves. There were low, late summer water conditions. Being a meadow river, it was very placid with large oxbow pools punctuated by shallow runs with moderate current. The water was clear and sight fishing was possible for cruising or feeding fish, but the fish were also willing to rise a long distance from the bottom of the deep stretches to take a dry. The fishing was good, somewhat challenging and with lots of fish. The Cutts feeding behavior was very frustrating at first especially in the slow sections of deeper water. The fish would materialize out of the depth and slowly lift up below and behind the fly. Most would casually drift back with the current, hovering below the surface scrutinizing the fly. Some fish would then slowly sink back into the depth and others would SLOWLY inch toward the fly. Of the fish that moved to the fly, some would drift down at the last moment, some would nudge the fly, some would swat at the fly and others would take it with confidence in an agonizingly slow, deliberate manner. Many fish were sizable and their appearance out of the depths made them appear more so. The result was missed fish from false takes and from pulling the fly away before the fish took. The fish forced you to adopt their unhurried, deliberate approach. Their approach gave you a clear idea of what they though of your fly. For some flies they would just move a bit and retreat back, others they would scrutinize and reject, others they would slash at, bump, mouth or hit, and if you found the right one they would take it with slow assurance. A size 12 black deer hair beetle worked very well for me. We had a very good day of fishing with lots of fish even under the hot, bright sun. The fish’s condition, IMO, left much to be desired. They appeared healthy but their fights were normally poor considering their size. The fish were long, large headed and skinny. I was surprised to see large headed fish over 20". The only times I’ve seen large headed fish were in populations of fish that were stunted due to over population or lack of food. Every large headed fish I had seen in the past was small. Interesting.  We saw one truly large fish cruising in a backwater area. It was probably close to the length of Steve’s big fish from "Rattlesnake" but it would have weighed about a third as much. The area was very "western" to me with a nice mixture of bluffs, trees, meadow and huge skies. I enjoyed the day and plans had been made to go to the third meadow, but time seemed to while away and we didn’t make it back. Willi

Response:

……. The Cutts feeding behavior was very frustrating at first especially in the slow sections of deeper water. The fish would materialize out of the depth and slowly lift up below and behind the fly. Most would casually drift back with the current, hovering below the surface scrutinizing the fly. Some fish would then slowly sink back into the depth and others would SLOWLY inch toward the fly…….

Very nice report, Willi.  Over the years, I’ve gone from a confirmed dry fly fisher to a confirmed nympher.  When I do use dries or emergers, splashy rises don’t excite me much anymore.  The slow, painfully deliberate, all-too-visible rise of a big fish from the deep that you describe, however, remains one of the greatest, and trickiest, thrills in fishing.  Amazing how much tension can mount in the space of just a few seconds.  I think the best is when it happens in close, with the fish facing directly toward you, and you can see straight down its gullet as it opens up to take the fly. JR

Response:

When talking about Slough Creek, one thinks of meadows (lower meadow, first meadow, second meadow and, if you have horses, third meadow).

You don’t need horses to get to third meadow. It’s only eight miles from the parking lot to the confluence of Slough & Elk Tongue Creeks. It’s an easy hike over a well maintained trail of less than 2.5 hours. What is the terrain like upstreams, between meadows ? Can one access the river ? is it worth fishing ?

I’ve only fished between second and third. It’s steep, the scree can be very dangerous but if you’re careful and choose your entry & exit points with prudence it’s quite fishable. Expect cutts to average 17" with the occasional 22" or better. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

As a matter of fact I just got off the phone with a friend who was up there last weekend and did really well between the first and second meadows. He said he was fishing in the tree line and caught one 18" cutt after another. He talked to a Ranger who said not many people fish between the meadows. Neither knew why, certainly not from a lack of fish. The best they could speculate was bears. Make sure you remember bear spray.  Might never need it, certainly won’t if you are dead. Warren PS-He was knocking them dead on parachute Adams.

Response:

Interesting, it took me about 45 minutes to get to the 1st meadow, I thought it took 2 1/2 hrs to get to the 2nd meadow. Thanks, -Vittorio – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – When talking about Slough Creek, one thinks of meadows (lower meadow, first meadow, second meadow and, if you have horses, third meadow). You don’t need horses to get to third meadow. It’s only eight miles from the parking lot to the confluence of Slough & Elk Tongue Creeks. It’s an easy hike over a well maintained trail of less than 2.5 hours. What is the terrain like upstreams, between meadows ? Can one access the river ? is it worth fishing ? I’ve only fished between second and third. It’s steep, the scree can be very dangerous but if you’re careful and choose your entry & exit points with prudence it’s quite fishable. Expect cutts to average 17" with the occasional 22" or better. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Hmm, how often do serious bear accidents occur in Yellowstone ? You do not really hear about that many people eaten or even mangled, inspite of the fact that tourists can be real idiots (last year, every time a wild animal was spotted, a horde of turists would swarm from the cars towards the animal. I thought I would see someone gutted to death by an elk, a moose or  a bison by the end of my visit, however, this did not happen). I agree, though, bears can be frightful sight when fishing ….. -Vittorio – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As a matter of fact I just got off the phone with a friend who was up there last weekend and did really well between the first and second meadows. He said he was fishing in the tree line and caught one 18" cutt after another. He talked to a Ranger who said not many people fish between the meadows. Neither knew why, certainly not from a lack of fish. The best they could speculate was bears. Make sure you remember bear spray.  Might never need it, certainly won’t if you are dead. Warren PS-He was knocking them dead on parachute Adams.

Response:

Get a copy of Mark of the Grizzly.  Excellent book about bear attacks.  Quite a few stories about Yellowstone tourists being eaten, people being attacked in Gardiner, ect ect.  If I remember correctly there was even one about an attack in Slough. Obviously not something Yellowstone would like to publicize.  You would probably be suprised at the number of non fatal bear "incidents".  For $40 it isn’t too bad of an investment.  Think of it as living insurance.  Probably won’t ever need it, but better to be safe than sorry.  I am going to buy some soon.  Especially after getting a little close for comfort a few weeks ago on Mill Creek in the Paradise Valley. Warren

Response:

There’s a pretty bearanoia story (involving Sough Creek) at http://www.montana-riverboats.com/flies/     …under the Roadkill link…. — /* Sandy Pittendrigh                  –oO0  * http://www.nervana.montana.edu/~sandy  */

Response:

Hi folks, I have a question regarding Slough Creek in Yellowstone. When talking about Slough Creek, one thinks of meadows (lower meadow, first meadow, second meadow and, if you have horses, third meadow). How about between meadows ? Below the lower meadow, the river gets into a steep canyon which is somewhat unaccessible, and can be dangerous (or so books say, I have never tried it). What is the terrain like upstreams, between meadows ? Can one access the river ? is it worth fishing ? Thanks, -Vittorio

Response:

Question:

        choose from among the well known sources, such as kaufmann’s, dan bailey, orvis, umpqua, ll bean, etc.; or, suggest your own favorite individual tier.

I don’t know who makes the best flies, but I was intrigued a couple of years ago by a tiny note in the upper corner of a page full of flies in an Orvis catalogue.  The note stated clearly and unambiguously that all Orvis flies are made in America except for those that are imported.  This eased my mind considerably as it is my policy to ALWAYS buy American….except when I want an import.

Response:

drinking, the bdt society now solicits both members and input regarding this vital question:  which commercial house produces the highest quality pre-tied flies?

What? You want me to quit bying 85 dollar chicken necks from people who choose to live in the ugly part of Colorado?`This almost sounds unamerican. Seriously I seldom buy commercialy tied flies, but when I do it gives me another excuse to do business with those great folks at Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone.It is kinda cool to do business with a shop that sells flies only in useful sizes( none of that such and such patterns in sizes 2-22 etc.) Big Dale

Response:

Every time I buy flies from someone else, I am unsatisfied with them.  If you want it done right, do it yourself. Pete C

Response:

You are right Pete and if you still don’t like them blame the wife. Ernie Harrison Like to make fly-fishing stuff?  See: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Every time I buy flies from someone else, I am unsatisfied with them.  If you want it done right, do it yourself. Pete C

Response:

(snip) Well, I qualify on both counts but I’m afraid you guys would steal my boots and make me drink Canadian beer and American whiskey.

        a fate far better than you deserve, illini swine!!!         god, i keep forgetting. ahswaretuhgawd i’ll get them mailed next week. wayno

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –         only wastrels and louts need apply for membership.  waldo, that means you and jeffey miller are pre-approved. muchas gracias, senor. we will wear those badges with honor this afternoon as we’re fishing all those grandfather watershed streams you love so much  :) go brookies, waldo

I just bought some sand eels ’cause I was too lazy to mess with the epoxy.  I guess I qualify too.  I hope the D’s still let me fish with them. Peter

Response:

Peter I-buy-most-of-my-flies Charles scribbles: <<I just bought some sand eels ’cause I was too lazy to mess with the epoxy.  I guess I qualify too.  I hope the D’s still let me fish with them. No way, deprived one.  You ain’t fishin’ in *my* water with no stinkin’ sand eel.  Do you realize that you have been lumped into the same class as wayno, Pamlico Jim, Ken Fortenberry, Jeff never mind.  Can I join your club, amigo.  I promise to never ever Long Lost Louie Dave LaCourse

Response:

I just bought some sand eels ’cause I was too lazy to mess with the epoxy.  I guess I qualify too.  I hope the D’s still let me fish with them.

I don’t know about them there store-bought sand eels – they *might* work if depth-charge line. But as long as you bring the Sleeman’s, I’m sure both of us D’s will be happy to fish with you, Peter ;^) /daytripper (It’s gonna happen! I’m rigged for adventure once again!)

Response:

wayno –  pssst…waldo tied some flies in my presence…it was a horrifying experience…thought you’d want to know…btw, i generally forego belonging to any club that would have me as a member…gotta have some standards, don’t ya know…however, given the quality of this group, i’m proud to be a charter member…just don’t be askin fer no dues… me and walt been fishin for two days and are headin out again this morning…sorry you couldn’t make it… jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –         founded in order to preserve more spare time for serious drinking, the bdt society now solicits both members and input regarding this vital question:  which commercial house produces the highest quality pre-tied flies?         choose from among the well known sources, such as kaufmann’s, dan bailey, orvis, umpqua, ll bean, etc.; or, suggest your own favorite individual tier.         only wastrels and louts need apply for membership.  waldo, that means you and jeffey miller are pre-approved.         all responses are greatly appreciated by the charter member, yours truly wayno

Response:

Harrison) writes: choose from among the well known sources, such as kaufmann’s, dan bailey, orvis, umpqua, ll bean, etc.; or, suggest your own favorite individual tier.

Sam Surrey, from Michigan. Wayne Knight (remove nospam to respond via mail) Expert in the creation of  wind knots and tailing loops.

Response:

        only wastrels and louts need apply for membership.  waldo, that means you and jeffey miller are pre-approved.

muchas gracias, senor. we will wear those badges with honor this afternoon as we’re fishing all those grandfather watershed streams you love so much  :) go brookies, waldo — 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:

which commercial house produces the highest quality pre-tied flies?

The obvious answer is http://www.ezflyfish.com Before the grand opening of that preeminent establishment this bdt’er thought Feather-Craft Fly Fishing of St. Louis had the best quality. http://www.flyfishamerica.com/Ads/National/FeatherCraft98JF.html I find that I’ve been at this long enough not to need to mail order many flies anymore. I have the "basics" and I like to drop a dime in the local fly shop wherever I happen to be to pick up local favorites and replenish the "basics".         only wastrels and louts need apply for membership.  

Well, I qualify on both counts but I’m afraid you guys would steal my boots and make me drink Canadian beer and American whiskey. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Wayno, the misled, writes:

<<founded in order to preserve more spare time for serious drinking, the bdt society now solicits both members and input regarding this vital question:  which commercial house produces the highest quality pre-tied flies? Buy?  Buy?  You can drink while tying, my friend.  That’s half the fun.  Buy flies instead of tying them?  Sacrilege, I tell you, sacrilege!  Buy instead of spending countless hours in front of your vice using up thousands of dollars worth of materials?  Buy instead of getting deer hair clippings, herl, feathers etc all over the rug? Buy instead of providing your puppy a tasty saddle to munch on? (I like Kaufman’s, with LL Bean a very close second.  Go to www.kman.com.  Tell ‘em Louie sent ya!) Louie

Response:

        founded in order to preserve more spare time for serious drinking, the bdt society now solicits both members and input regarding this vital question:  which commercial house produces the highest quality pre-tied flies?         choose from among the well known sources, such as kaufmann’s, dan bailey, orvis, umpqua, ll bean, etc.; or, suggest your own favorite individual tier.         only wastrels and louts need apply for membership.  waldo, that means you and jeffey miller are pre-approved.         all responses are greatly appreciated by the charter member, yours truly wayno

Response:

Question:

NATO quiet! I`m fishing.

Response:

NATO quiet! I`m fishing.

Go fishing off the Sava bridhe idiot and uyou can learn how to fly!

Response:

NATO quiet! I`m fishing.

Go fishing off the Sava bridge idiot and you can learn how to fly!

Response:

NATO quiet! I`m fishing. ROTFL!  

Response:

NATO quiet! I`m fishing.

Response:

NATO quiet! I`m fishing.

Go fishing off the Sava bridhe idiot and uyou can learn how to fly!

Response:

NATO quiet! I`m fishing.

Go fishing off the Sava bridge idiot and you can learn how to fly!

Response:

NATO quiet! I`m fishing. ROTFL!  

Response:

Question:

See the photo series in alt.flyfishing. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

Response:

Need some help with egg flies.   Any ideas.  They aren’t that bad, but I would like to tighten them up a bit

Response:

Need some help with egg flies.   Any ideas.  They aren’t that bad, but I would like to tighten them up a bit

The key to any good egg pattern is to drain the egg of the embryo. I accomplish this by poking the "fat" end with a good sized needle. Then I sit the egg vertically in a large shot glass and poke the other end from the top. What this accomplishes is to eliminate the naturally occuring vacumn, you’ll be surprised how fast the embryonic contents drain into the glass. I than take the contents of the glass, position it perfectly, and drain them down my throat in a quick, but practised motion. I than follow (optional) with a good hearty shot of gin. I am now ready to tie some eggs. I wish I could help you here…what few I have tied, are also loose. –Wataugan "burp" Walt

Response:

Use kevlar thread.  Make your wraps tight, one on top of the other.  make several more wraps around the base of the material, between the shank and the hank of yarn. Pete C

Response:

Question:

I am going fly fishing in the Sierras Oct. 1.  Has anyone been to Lake Crowley or Lake Sotcher recently.  If so can you let me know what you

Response:

 Just got back on the 29th and grasshoppers are the hot ticket!!! I am going back Oct 8th for 6 more days.                  K.S. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am going fly fishing in the Sierras Oct. 1.  Has anyone been to Lake Crowley or Lake Sotcher recently.  If so can you let me know what you

Response:

Just got back on the 29th and grasshoppers are the hot ticket!!! I am going back Oct 8th for 6 more days.                 K.S.

RE: grasshoppers, were you fishing them in the lake or up at the mouth of the Owens where it drops into the lake? FAS – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am going fly fishing in the Sierras Oct. 1.  Has anyone been to Lake Crowley or Lake Sotcher recently.  If so can you let me know what you

Response:

Question:

Does anyone know an e-mail address for Gary or Jason Borger? I would like to ask one of them a question about fly lines.

Don’t know an e-mail address, but if you look on the back of one of his videos you will find a phone number for his company.  I called them one time regarding availability of one of their titles and Gary answered the phone.  Worth a shot.  You can probably also reach him (although in a round about way) through Thomas & Thomas rods.                                                Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

Response:

Borger don’t post… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

Borger don’t post… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Who can blame him! Ralph H

Response:

Jasons E-mail is listed at www.Flyfishamerica.com

Response:

Borger don’t post… — TimW Halfordian Golfer Who can blame him!

all of us that do…for starters… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

Does anyone know an e-mail address for Gary or Jason Borger? I would like to ask one of them a question about fly lines. Thanks! Steve Rosenblum

Response:

  Does anyone know an e-mail address for Gary or Jason Borger? I would   like to ask one of them a question about fly lines.   Thanks!   Steve Rosenblum  Both can be reached through Flyfishers Online at www.flyfishers.com PFY

Response:

Question:

Deke Meyer’s Advanced FlyFishing for Steelhead,  Frank Amato Pubs. has a ggod chapter on fishing and tying Spey Flies, with some good patterns. They aren’t too hard to tie, but a rotary vise, such as a Renzetti, will make it a lot easier.–Crashjibe

Response:

I wonder if there are any good instructional books out there that focus on spey flies.  My Jourgenson doesn’t cover them well and Alcott’s Building Salmon Flies hardly mentions them.  They are cool so I’d like to try tying some.  (Would want to do a good job).  Please reply with any good suggestions.   Catch and Release Dave Wood Ravenna OH

Response:

(Dht360slt) writes: I wonder if there are any good instructional books out there that focus on spey flies.

For a step by step, see if you can find a copy of T.E. Pryce-Tannat’s book "How to dress Salmonflies".  He gives nice instructions even though he doesn’t use a vice to hold the hook.  This is one of *the* books on tying salmonflies. It was originally published in 1914.  There was a reprint available a few years ago for around $30.  Worth looking for. If your local fly fishing club does such things, see if you can get Steve Gobin to come do a one day class.  He makes it easy.                                          Tight Threads, Slack Sucks,                                                                    Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Schools

Response:

Question:

Can anyone help me? I ‘ve been invited to go to the Salmon River in Pulaski, NY the first week of Nov. to go Steelhead fishing.  The guys who invited me do not FF.  I just started FF last fall and have never FF for Steelhead or Salmon.  I have an 8.5′  7/8 wt rod, currently loaded with 7wt WF Floating line.  I also have some Orivis Sink-Tip leaders with loops I’ve used to fish streamers and such.  How should I prepare for this trip?  What line/leader/tippet should I be rigging up?  What kind of flies should I use? How should I use them?  Should I buy them when I get there and ask what there biting on?  Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Don

Response:

Check out the following URL and search on Pulaski or Steelhead, Salmon or NY and you will find all the information you need.  Hope this helps. Im leaving tomorrow for Pulaski (Salmon). http://www.adp.unc.edu/cgi-bin/wais-flyfish-q Good fish’n Bill A.

Response:

Can anyone help me?

 I’m far from an expert, but here’s some quick thoughts: Think cold –  and prepare Eliminate any thoughts you might hold about using dry flys Prepare for crowds – just a fact of life on the Salmon. Plan on short line nymph fishing – sort of – with lots of weight. Dont bother buying flys or leader set ups before you arrive. Read what you can before hand but plan on buying flys at a local store.  Whitakers (sp) is pretty complete and there’s another fly shop ‘downtown’ by the river.   The bad news is some local patterns are pretty specialized (as in things like "butterscotch sucker spawn").  The good news is the flys are cheap. As for leaders, read what you can before hand but throw yourself on the mercy of a local shop.  I’ve found them very helpful in setting people up with legal rigs.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone help me? I ‘ve been invited to go to the Salmon River in Pulaski, NY the first week of Nov. to go Steelhead fishing.  The guys who invited me do not FF.  I just started FF last fall and have never FF for Steelhead or Salmon.  I have an 8.5′  7/8 wt rod, currently loaded with 7wt WF Floating line.  I also have some Orivis Sink-Tip leaders with loops I’ve used to fish streamers and such.  How should I prepare for this trip?  What line/leader/tippet should I be rigging up?  What kind of flies should I use? How should I use them?  Should I buy them when I get there and ask what there biting on?  Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Don

I’ve never been fly fishing on the Salmon River, but I can tell you this: If you are going with buddies that aren’t fly fishing, you won’t be fishing anywhere near them, because the methods aren’t compatible.   I’ve caught thousands of steelhead from Michigan to Alaska and I’m leaving for Kodiak next week for a fishing vacation.  It is my opinion that steelhead take only two kinds of flies– bright flies and dark flies, so bring various sizes of both.   Since the water will probably be fairly cold when you get there, I would imagine most of the fish are on the bottom and won’t move very far for a fly.  You’ll have to dredge the bottom with sink tips rated 3,4, and 5 in 13 or 17 foot sections.  I’d fish light leaders, either 6,8, or 10# test. Then of course, you could just bring your gear rods and tie up a bunch of spawn… good luck. –Alaska man, on his friend’s account… —                         APP3L II R00LZ THE W00RLD, D00D!!!!!11

Response: