Question:

I’ve heard that big nocturnal browns hit mouse patterns like crazy. I’d love to try that sometime. From the waters I’ve fished, the Beaverhead looks like a good bet for that action. How do you fish a mouse? I suppose you give it a LOT of action. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

I have had a lot of success with big surface lures at night. The target was invariably sea-trout, ( anadromous browns), but a lot of native big browns get caught like this. These fish are hardly ever caught otherwise, and many do not even know of their existence. One excellent pattern is a large black muddler minnow, tied on a tube.  You don

Question:

I attended claves in Va., N.C.  and Idaho last year and each of them  had their own strengths and particularities. From car racing, to home made beer and quality fishing.   This clave sounds like there will be different stokes for different folk.  I hope it will be O.K.  if I bring and old friend who lives outside Chayneene on a goat farm.  She used to belly dance in Greek bars on the Baltimore waterfront, but is old now and picks up a few pasos posing as an Indian Mystic. Perhaps for those who wish she could check our flies around the campfire at night,   and if we can manage to tie down a live goat on the roof of my van , she might even cook it over the campfire one night. Perhaps Zorba will appear and play for us.    Indian Joe  Wilmington N.C.

______ Shucks Joe, all you have to worry about now is defending that goat’s virtues at any Western Conclave.  They look a lot like sheep you know?  LOL!  Zorba, who lives in Denver could very well show up with his movie cameras and make a documentary of everything ‘Mystic’.  Just showing up would be mystic enough!  Are you listening Wayne Harrison? Almost as mystic as winning a case!  LOL!   — Mr.G http://www.gink.com/

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Thanks for another great post Indian Joe. Bring on the belly dancer. Made me think of one of my old roomates from the 70’s…One of Cindy’s many jobs was teaching belly dancing. She was one of the best roomates I ever had. Big Dale

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I attended claves in Va., N.C.  and Idaho last year and each of them  had their own strengths and particularities. From car racing, to home made beer and quality fishing.   This clave sounds like there will be different stokes for different folk.  I hope it will be O.K.  if I bring and old friend who lives outside Chayneene on a goat farm.  She used to belly dance in Greek bars on the Baltimore waterfront, but is old now and picks up a few pasos posing as an Indian Mystic. Perhaps for those who wish she could check our flies around the campfire at night,   and if we can manage to tie down a live goat on the roof of my van , she might even cook it over the campfire one night. Perhaps Zorba will appear and play for us.   Indian Joe  Wilmington N.C.

9.8   10   9.9   9.9   9.9  10 Kiyu

Response:

Kiyu writes:

(ij snip) Perhaps Zorba will appear and play for us.   Indian Joe  Wilmington N.C. 9.8   10   9.9   9.9   9.9  10

LMAO.  If you knew IJ, you’d give him all  tens.  You aren’t Russian or Bulgarian, are you?  <g Dave LaCourse

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I read all that NC clave stuff last year and envied people who were going to fish on streams I fished on as a kid.  If god wills I’m sure going to show up in Montana which ain’t that far from Denver.  Last July I drug my boat to the Columbia River by way of I-90 and saw an incredible amount of trout water with no one fishing streams like the Clarke’s Fork.  I’ve fished the Madison and Yellowstone and Henry’s Fork and a few smaller streams in that area and I don’t know what a bad day would be on any of them.

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I attended claves in Va., N.C.  and Idaho last year and each of them  had their own strengths and particularities. From car racing, to home made beer and quality fishing.  

Let me guess:   Car racing was in N.C.   Home-made beer was in Va.   Quality fishing was in Idaho. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

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I attended claves in Va., N.C.  and Idaho last year and each of them  had their own strengths and particularities. From car racing, to home made beer and quality fishing. Let me guess:   Car racing was in N.C.   Home-made beer was in Va.   Quality fishing was in Idaho.

bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzttttttt… Sorry Steve. I don’t know quite what to say. It always leaves me speechless when a player misses the 100 dollar question. We’ll be right back folks after this message brought to you by the fine folks at ezflyfish to find out who the next contestant will be on "WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE?"  – Regis

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_____  I can only offer this observation.  Most of you will not have to worry about a thing except how to concentrate on the Henry’s Fork or the Madison or Gibbon Rivers.  The Firehole will burn in your memories and one of these rivers may well be the last thought you have the instant before you die. Take all your guns and bullshit and stick it up your ass.  Roffians of your intelligence should know better.  This isn’t a East verse West Conclave at all.  This isn’t going to be one of your drinking bashes. If any of you think that is what this all about, I personally wish you would stay home. This is a Conclave that will put you into fish of a lifetime.  This is where the finest fly fishing remaining in the lower forty eight exists. Some of you may even end up moving out west because of the experiences you will have here.  This is a get together of those who really love of fly fishing . . . at its finest. Forget the bears and the snakes.  You won’t see any worth worrying about.  What you will have before you will be the finest gifts GOD can offer you as a fly fisherman.  Evenings will be spent, I’d think, talking about hatches and what to use the next day.  The photography alone will boggle your mind and if you expect to shoot anything of worth . . . it will be film.  Yes.  It will be with film. As in the production, "A River Runs Through It" "Nothing last’s forever, except in our memories."  I do not wish to have any of those memories to be about drunks and/or guns or of those who have bad tempers.  This is a party about loving life at its finest.  Leave your guns and bullshit at home.  Come bare faced to meet nature at her finest.  She will marry with you for the rest of your life here.  All you have to do is say . . . " I do." May you come armed only with the best fly rod you own. Sincerely, – Mr.G http://www.gink.com/chat Flyfishing Conversations 6:00 PM PST

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_____  I can only offer this observation.  Most of you will not have to worry about a thing except how to concentrate on the Henry’s Fork or the Madison or Gibbon Rivers.  The Firehole will burn in your memories and one of these rivers may well be the last thought you have the instant before you die.

(george’s musings about the nature of a clave snipped) May you come armed only with the best fly rod you own.

        george, i respectfully suggest that you have the wrong idea about what a clave is all about.         it’s not about fish, or the places they swim, or pulling them out of those places.  it’s about getting to know the people who share a love for this sport.         of course, that process will involve fishing, and the doing of it in predictably beautiful places.  but the bounty to be harvested will not be numbers of fish, or fish of awesome size; it will be the collection of friendships to take back home to colorado, and nevada, and massachusetts, and even carolina.         to be sure, whisky (and whiskey) will likely be drunk, and lies will surely be told; but no one will be offended, let alone shot, for god’s sake.  the only raised voices will be joined in laughter.         i went to my first clave to meet an enemy and fish with four of my life-long friends.  when the clave was over, i had lost that enemy, and gained a dozen more friendships that i hope will last until the water stops running downhill in the blue ridge.         don’t expect more or less in montana.  wish i was gonna be there.         wayno

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     i went to my first clave to meet an enemy and fish with four of my life-long friends.  when the clave was over, i had lost that enemy, and gained a dozen more friendships that i hope will last until the water stops running downhill in the blue ridge.         don’t expect more or less in montana.  wish i was gonna be there.         wayno

there is a way.  You could make the earth move if you so desired.  What a wonderful vacation that would be.  You and him in West Yellowstone together?  Make it happen Wayne.  Bring that nice boy of yours and I will show up to shake his hand. That is a promise, my dear friend. — Mr.G http://www.gink.com/

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snip Take all your guns and bullshit and stick it up your ass.  Roffians of your intelligence should know better.  This isn’t a East verse West Conclave at all.  This isn’t going to be one of your drinking bashes. If any of you think that is what this all about, I personally wish you would stay home. Snipped

Me thinks you are a little to paranoid G! LOL – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Sincerely, – Mr.G http://www.gink.com/chat Flyfishing Conversations 6:00 PM PST

Response:

I attended claves in Va., N.C.  and Idaho last year and each of them  had their own strengths and particularities. From car racing, to home made beer and quality fishing.   This clave sounds like there will be different stokes for different folk.  I hope it will be O.K.  if I bring and old friend who lives outside Chayneene on a goat farm.  She used to belly dance in Greek bars on the Baltimore waterfront, but is old now and picks up a few pasos posing as an Indian Mystic. Perhaps for those who wish she could check our flies around the campfire at night,   and if we can manage to tie down a live goat on the roof of my van , she might even cook it over the campfire one night. Perhaps Zorba will appear and play for us.    Indian Joe  Wilmington N.C.

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I attended claves in Va., N.C.  and Idaho last year and each of them  had their own strengths and particularities

    (amazing shit snipped) joe, i can only say that if there is a roff heaven, it will be filled with endless posts from you and asadi. just too much, man. wayno

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Question:

I vote we change the name of ROFF to Alt. M. Skeeter seems much more appropriate lately. Willi

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I vote we change the name of ROFF to Alt. M. Skeeter seems much more appropriate lately. Willi

Over in the comp.* newsgroups, they have something called "advocacy" groups.  The idea is that all of the "Mac sux, PC Rulz!" and "Bill Gates is the Great Satan" threads should be limited to comp.*.advocacy, leaving the technical newsgroups for discussion of technical issues.  If you don’t like having the "M. Skeeter" threads in ROFF, you might consider forming ROFF.advocacy. Having said that, let me make it clear that I am not taking aim at Tim W. In my opinion, his posts are as relevant as those from the spokespersons for the flyfishing industry, any of the posts on the morality of C&R, debates about whether real flyfishers use indicators, condemnations of shuffling, condemnations of fishing for spawning salmon, or the thread on jet skis.  You just need to decide where you want this stuff to appear. If you want any of it in ROFF, then you should be prepared for all of it. — Frank

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Question:

writes:   Chuck Barris and Jaye P. Morgan ?   —   TimW Finally someone said it!  I couldn’t come up with Barris. Gong fishing indeed.

I met a guy once that was a winner on the Gong show.   He played "Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer"  with his arm pit. I’ve been fishing just about every day for the past two weeks.  The cayuga lake german browns have been in the tributaries for the past few weeks. The water is very low and clear however and the fish are really spooked. Yesterday, however I went downstream a bit and just before dark had a couple of takes and lost both of them.  A kid next to me that had never caught a fish on a flyrod before caught a nice lake trout though.   John Fereira Stop Unsolicited Commercial Email – Join CAUCE (http://www.cauce.org) Support HR 1748, the anti-spam bill.

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Finally someone said it!  I couldn’t come up with Barris. I met a guy once that was a winner on the Gong show.   He played "Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer"  with his arm pit.

You fella’s are showing the signs of a misspent youth… (bravo) Tony, have a great trip to Antarctica…please, please share with us your notes when you return… Hark !!!  There Goes…..Glacierman ! — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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Gene Gene The Dancing Machine — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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Gene Gene The Dancing Machine — TimW Halfordian Golfer         Didn’t Chuck Barris always seem stoned?  His eyes were alays red slits.  I wonder if HE fishes. JE

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Chuck and JP Morgan were burnin’ bones before each and every show. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Gene Gene The Dancing Machine — TimW Halfordian Golfer         Didn’t Chuck Barris always seem stoned?  His eyes were alays red slits.  I wonder if HE fishes. JE

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Dear Fellow Fly Fisherman: Have any of you tried to fly fish from the beach in a tropical country such as Brazil?? Well, I’d be spending 3 weeks in an island in Southern Brazil in December. I grow up in this place and I know there is fish everywhere. I am going to take my fly rod down there hoping to catch some fish. Here are my questions: 1) What fly patterns should I take? Are there any basic ones? 2) How should I fish? Botton? Am I too crazy or is it really worth giving it a shot? I’d'd love to hear from anyone! Thanks a lot! Marcelo

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I know I am, if only for an hour at lunch today.  A little stretch of the Big Thompson here in Loveland.  The water is perfect right now and the wild browns will surely be feeding during the warmest part of the day.  I got the 3 weight rigged in the van, 6X and a #20 Adams.  Almost a sure thing.  People look at me funny as they stroll the bike path while I’m waist deep in the river with a tie on.

  Gee Jon, I ran the bike path today during the lunch hour and I only saw two guys fishing.   The first guy had parked his Winston Edition Humvee Up by the compost center on Wilson. He was attired exquisitely, all the way down to his custom Gucci wading boots. I noticed he was casting a 7 1/2 ft Payne with a rare Bogdan trout reel, I use the word "casting" lightly because he looked like a blind man trying to beat a mouse to death with a broomstick as he whipped the water into foam.   The second guy had parked his 68 Dodge (with mismatched snow tires and a coat hanger antennae) by the First St bridge. I didn’t see his rod, but he did have a long handled dip net. There were a bunch of empty bleach bottles on the bank, and he had two coolers full of trout.   Sorry I didn’t see you out there, I think.                                       Charlie

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I know I am, if only for an hour at lunch today.  A little stretch of the Big Thompson here in Loveland.  The water is perfect right now and the wild browns will surely be feeding during the warmest part of the day.  I got the 3 weight rigged in the van, 6X and a #20 Adams.  Almost a sure thing.  People look at me funny as they stroll the bike path while I’m waist deep in the river with a tie on.         Sometimes they’ll stop and ask:         "Any fish in there?"         And of course I say:         "Oh no, I’m just practicing my casts"         But if they looked a little closer they’d see the numerous rises 20 feet above me in the current.  It’s good to be alive.         Anybody else gonna wet a line today?  I’ll let you know how I did tommorow, or maybe a little later this evening.         Well, I guess noone fished yesterday.  Very very sad.  I managed to land two and lose two in my 45 minutes of VFT (valuable fishing time). The most rewarding was a brown working close to the bank.  After twenty minutes of perfect drifts being nudged aside in lieu of naturals, a 15" brown casually sucked my Adams in.  What a day, what a day. JE

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I know I am, if only for an hour at lunch today.  A little stretch of the Big Thompson here in Loveland.  The water is perfect right now and the wild browns will surely be feeding during the warmest part of the day.  I got the 3 weight rigged in the van, 6X and a #20 Adams.  

Tomorrow, all day, on the Yakima, and the fishing is hot.  Skipping work, oh, there is no better feeling… — Andrew Brunette

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I am: fished the Unec, and although it was cold (45) and windy, still managed to fool a few brownies, one marble, and several nice grayling. Hope I don’t get a job anytime soon… Mike in Slovenia Hey Mike, sounds great, but what’s a "marble"? JE

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you guys should be banished forever form roff… this just ain’t fair and I mean it

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  Chuck Barris and Jaye P. Morgan ?   —   TimW

Finally someone said it!  I couldn’t come up with Barris. Gong fishing indeed. -tgades — Tony Gades. Seattle, WA.  USA http://weber.u.washington.edu/~tgades http://weber.u.washington.edu/~tgades/Fishing/fish_page.html email: replace the "this_address_is_wrong" with "tgades"

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I know I am, if only for an hour at lunch today.  A little stretch of the Big Thompson here in Loveland.  The water is perfect right now and the wild browns will surely be feeding during the warmest part of the day.  I got the 3 weight rigged in the van, 6X and a #20 Adams.  Almost a sure thing.  People look at me funny as they stroll the bike path while I’m waist deep in the river with a tie on.         Sometimes they’ll stop and ask:         "Any fish in there?"         And of course I say:         "Oh no, I’m just practicing my casts"         But if they looked a little closer they’d see the numerous rises 20 feet above me in the current.  It’s good to be alive.         Anybody else gonna wet a line today?  I’ll let you know how I did tommorow, or maybe a little later this evening. JE

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Anybody else gonna wet a line today?  I’ll let you know how I did tommorow, or maybe a little later this evening.

I fished today. Although we are experienceing very low water conditions in the Southeast it was a good day. The air now feels like fall and the water has cooled(what there is of it). Caught a few, lost a few, missed a few. Talked with some other anglers on the stream. Regards, J. Webb Atlanta Mac User Group "It may be big but it is still MicroSoft"

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Question:

Olympus Pro-Master Twin. Water resistant. Great lens. Great pictures. Gary C. "Lie ? Me ? Never!  No, no, no, the truth is far too much fun !" – Captain Hook

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 One other thing to consider….choose a camera that has "macro focus". This feature allows you to have clearly focussed shots of fish that are between 1 to 4 feet away from you.  Such as, right at your feet, or on your lap while in a float tube.  Many cameras don’t have this capaability and you will end up with a blurred image of your prize…….

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I use one of those cheap-ass disposable jobs.  It doesn’t take the greatest pictures but all I care about is "evidence."  Besides, I wade too deep and fall too much. I don’t want to have to worry about a camera when I should be worried about the fish (and myself for that matter.)

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I carry a Pentax 90WR.  This is a "showerproof" zoom fully automatic compact.  It is slightly larger and heavier than most compacts but I prefer that.  When turned off, it would survive a complete dunking (shallow water) – certainly if it was in a case or in a vest pocket – and will operate in rainy conditions if required. Laurie Melbourne, Victoria Australia – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi I’m new to flyfishing and I’d trying to decide what kind of camera to permanently carry in my fly vest. What do you guys use? _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ Neil Summers Calgary, Alberta Canada _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/

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  Hi   I’m new to flyfishing and I’d trying to decide what kind of camera to   permanently carry in my fly vest. What do you guys use?

        In addition to those already mentioned you might want to look into an Olympus camera I think is called the "Stylus." (?) I have an older model Olympus which isn’t made anymore but which I *think* was replaced by the Stylus, which I also think has the features I bought mine for: I.e. not only a 35 mm wide angle lens but also a 70 mm lens which is very nice, and a "splashproof" rating saying it is seriously water-resistant, usable even in the rain. (Just not good for use underwater.) In fact I’ve had it submerged for a good 10 minute dunk once on accident and it has showed no ill effects, and it has gotten wet many times in the rain, even in the cold rain while duck hunting. Mine cost me about $170 if I recall right.         As stated, I *think* the Stylus is its replacement, and the only change I know of is that it is smaller. But if not, then I’d look for a camera giving you at least those two features of a "zoom"-type second lens (which has really turned out to be very very nice if not indispensable) and at least some degree of water-proofedness.         Cheers, and good luck. Let us know what you decide. Tom B. (P.S. Though, as one other poster noted, if you really are after very very fine quality shots don’t get a camera with two lenses; get the one with the Zeiss lens. But expect to pay, and if you are just after casual snaps, expect to wish that you had something other than a wide-angle lens.)

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Question:

looking for info on fly shops in victoria, bc.  would appreciate info including name of shop and hopefully a phone #.  would prefer a shop within walking distance from the ferry terminal, even if it’s a long walk. thanks in advance, chris

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looking for info on fly shops in victoria, bc.  would appreciate info including name of shop and hopefully a phone #.  would prefer a shop within walking distance from the ferry terminal, even if it’s a long walk. thanks in advance, chris

Chris, you will have a long walk from the ferryto a fly shop, when you get to town look up robinsons sporting goods, if you go up to cowichan or naniamo, cambell river there are more and better shops to look around. Trevor Hanson’s Fishing Outfitter’s    "just add water" 813 First Street SW Calgary, Alberta T2P 1N3 1-888-522-4489 102-580 Hornby Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3B6 1-800-784-3312 (604)684-8988 fax (604)684-8998

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: looking for info on fly shops in victoria, bc.  would appreciate info : including name of shop and hopefully a phone #.  would prefer a shop : within walking distance from the ferry terminal, even if it’s a long walk. Depends on which ferry terminal. The ones from the US side (believe they come from Port Angeles, Anacortes, perhaps both) dock fairly close to downtown. However, most ferry traffic arrives from the Canadian side, leaving the mainland at Tsawassen (near the border, and about an hour south of Vancouver).  These ferries dock at Swartz Bay, which is a good 20 miles east of downtown Victoria.  However, should you choose to walk ;-^), the first town (about 3 miles) is Sydney, and there are three or four "fishing" shops there.  Most are saltwater-oriented (get yer bait herring here!) but all have a few flies and tying supplies. Trail, BC               voice: (250) 368-9315 Canada V1R 2V7          data:  (250) 368-9341

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Question:

Those of you who have more mobility than mere wading but without a Mako, Whaler, or Hewes: what is your preferred way of getting away from shore and why? Darren Lew NYC

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If you don’t have a boat and fish during daylight hours, consider renting a skiff.  Long Island has a number of fishing stations that do so.  The shallow-draft boats they feature would be fine for fly casting–stable with shallow-water capability.

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<<Those of you who have more mobility than mere wading but without a Mako, Whaler, or Hewes: what is your preferred way of getting away from shore and why? I am currently strictly a wading FFer, but my next toy will be a kayak. There is a whole new breed of ocean-going kayaks, some which are sort of hybridized canoes with open cockpits, some with a bit more beam for stability. I’m told that a good sized striper can give the kayaker a "Nantucket Sleighride". If anyone wishes to advance me $700 – $1,000 I will be pleased to report in more detail on the effectiveness of the craft.

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Those of you who have more mobility than mere wading but without a Mako, Whaler, or Hewes: what is your preferred way of getting away from shore and why? Darren Lew NYC

Depends. If we’re talking back bay low light. Canoe. Almost anywhere else a small (Carolina skiff ?) GLASS boat (12-14 ft) with a Honda engine. I have never tried a kayak. Perhaps it would be great in the surf ? I prefer glass to tin for less noise, better long term durabilty and more inertia for waves to overcome. "The true angler is always content to fish alone" Brian Di Carlo

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I get around Gardnier’s bay in a poke boat which is a cross ,between a Kayak and a canoe, but more to the kayak side of things. Its great becauuse its so portable, but very hard to fish from. You can’t even kneel in a  kayak and that makes it tough. If you’re using it to get from one flat to another then its good, but not too swift as a fishing platofrm itself. Ira Clair

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Question:

How’s the fishing on the Truckee this time of year?  Would I be wasting my time if I were to go out this weekend (I don’t feel like driving to Pyramid Lake)?  The water seems very cold, but does that mean trout go totally dormant in the winter.  What patterns work this time of year.

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(Charles Taylor) writes: How’s the fishing on the Truckee this time of year?  Would I be wasting my time if I were to go out this weekend (I don’t feel like driving to Pyramid Lake)?  The water seems very cold, but does that mean trout go totally dormant in the winter.  What patterns work this time of year.

Chuck, All of the Truckee on the California side is closed.  The Nevada side is open and you should give the Reno Fly Shop (702) 827-0600 a call to find out if the water’s warm enough.  Needs to be in the mid 40’s at least to do much good.                                                    Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Schools Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

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How’s the fishing on the Truckee this time of year?  Would I be wasting my time if I were to go out this weekend (I don’t feel like driving to Pyramid Lake)?  The water seems very cold, but does that mean trout go totally dormant in the winter.  What patterns work this time of year.

HI CHUCK-    Our weather has been unseasonably warm with resultant runoff. The fishing is poor in the river. Sorry.    -Ralph —

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey does anybody have any experience good/bad with these waders?  They look interesting but are they worth it?  And yes, Gore-Tex does work underwater. Hi Jorge- I trust you mean Simm’s Gore-Tex Micro Fiber. I have several pair including a protoype three seasons old. I’m in them just about every day and wear ‘em hard. I walk railroad tracks in 90 degree sun and wade waist deep with ice in the guides. They have yet to let me down.   In short, the micro fibers are great. Maybe better than great. I love them and have not put on neoprenes since. Because they expell moisture (where neoprene doesn’t) the *percieved* temperature is warmer in Gore-Tex than in neoprenes where the air is damp. Your best insulation is from layering fleece, Capilene, etc under a wader rather than depending on 3 or 4mm of neoprene anyway.   Gravel will grind in your shoes and the Micro-Fiber WILL leak in the feet unless you wear neoprene outer socks (provided with the waders). The water that migrates between the socks and the Gore-Tex allows even the feet to breath. Magic.       BEWARE! New models will soon be available with built in neoprene feet. These are convenient to wear (no messing with the neoprene outer sock) but despite what Simms, Orvis or anyone else say, the moisture laden air does NOT migrate up into your legs to be "breathed away". You WILL have wet feet. I have Micro-Fibers both with and without the built in neoprene feet. I’ll spend a minute putting on the extra sock any day to have dry feet!   I’m on the Simms technical advisory panel and work very closely with the company. To hopefully let you know my assesments are honest, let  me say:  Stay away from the Simms Cordura waders. They have a history of leakage problems. Also, I will tell you that Simms has had a very hard time meeting consumer demand and you might have a tough time finding your waders. Also, if you get a leak in your $300.00+ waders, it will take *at least* a month (based on history- their new plant opens next week and maybe this will speed things up) to get them repaired by Simms. You can not fix them at home. There. Now go out and buy a pair with my urging and enjoy! They *ARE* worth it.   Tight lines! Ralph —

  Ralph   Not to be contrary ,but I,ve have buddies that say after a few hours on the river they are soaked from within. Could this be condensation that does not "osmose" through the fabric fast enough ?   Harry  { I looking as well )

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 Ralph  Not to be contrary ,but I,ve have buddies that say after a few hours on the river they are soaked from within. Could this be condensation that does not "osmose" through the fabric fast enough ?

Hi Harry! Contrary? I think not, You asked a good question.    The greater the temperature "differential" (inside the wader vs outside the wader) the better Gore-Tex works. Walking around on a hot day will not only work up a sweat but will not provide much of a "differential" and the Gore-Tex won’t work.  If you’ve worked up a sweat then wade into cold water you’ll be dry in a few minutes. Gore-Tex down jackets and sleeping bags fail miserably because the down is such an efficient insulator the temp differential is minimal.    My guess is that your friends are fishing in very warm water or they have pin hole leaks (a big problem with the Simms *Cordura* Gore-Tex waders. If they are Cordura, have your friends throw them through the wash. The open weave of the Cordura traps very small stickers that poke nearly invisible holes into the Gore-Tex membrane. Very often the wash will soften and dislodge the stickers and the holes will reseal themselves).     Check to see they are using Gore-Tex. Some of the other "waterproof/breathable" materials aren’t as breathable as Gore-Tex and at least one is very prone to clogging with body oils. (All waterproof/breathble fabrics work best when kept relatively clean. Be sure to run them through the drier after they’ve been cleaned, this rejuvenates the water repellent coating applied to the outer fabric.)    Tight lines, Ralph —

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Just a question on the topic of Gortex Waders….. Do they provide any bouyancy, ala neoprene?  My buddy fell into the McKenzie last Saturday and was washed downstream about 150 ft. in about three minutes.  He survived because he was in neoprene and he remembered that they would provide bouyancy.  He lost his rod, but he lived to tell the story. Charley

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Just a question on the topic of Gortex Waders….. Do they provide any bouyancy, ala neoprene?  My buddy fell into the McKenzie last Saturday and was washed downstream about 150 ft.

When Gortex snow suits came out I quickly concluded they were for rich folks who don’t ski a lot.  Those who ski a lot tear up ski clothing, and can’t afford to purchase new gortex every season. By analogy, in my humble opinion, gortex waders are for rich folks who don’t really fish a lot.  My neopremes are so patched up they look like they have leprosy.  I can’t afford new gortex every season. — -Wayne Trzyna

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just a question on the topic of Gortex Waders….. Do they provide any bouyancy, ala neoprene?  My buddy fell into the McKenzie last Saturday and was washed downstream about 150 ft. When Gortex snow suits came out I quickly concluded they were for rich folks who don’t ski a lot.  Those who ski a lot tear up ski clothing, and can’t afford to purchase new gortex every season. By analogy, in my humble opinion, gortex waders are for rich folks who don’t really fish a lot.  My neopremes are so patched up they look like they have leprosy.  I can’t afford new gortex every season. — -Wayne Trzyna

Wayne  I tied 20 doz. flies for my last pair. Scotts, they lasted 4 years, even in the acid water of the Lower Sac.   Harry

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Wayne, :gortex waders are for rich folks who don’t really fish a lot.  My :neopremes are so patched up they look like they have leprosy.  I can’t :afford new gortex every season. I disagree.  I think that Gortex waders are for those of use who fish so much when it is hot that we would shorten our lifespans without them.  I would typically sweat at least two quarts up in South Park in my neoprenes.  I still sweat in my Goretex, but not nearly as much, because my bodies system actually works with the Goretex.  It’s also great to be able to take off your waders and not feel like you’ve had a bath.  I think that the only alternative to Goretex is to wade wet (which I love to do) but this doesn’t offer as much temperature variability as the Goretex. And that water in S. Park can be quiet cold.  Besides, they make patch kits for Goretex too..

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Harry, I am skeptical of anyone who is associated with a product. I don’t call that contrary,  just smart.  Their credibility is an inverse ratio to their financial involvement.

   The question is: Is there anyone out there who has used the Simms GoreTex waders for a year or so that would go back to using anything else?    I’m only an occasional fisherman, but I’ve had my older type Simms for three years and wouldn’t consider going back to neoprene or ‘lightweights’.  Given the other costs of this sport, I think these waders are pretty good value of the money. — Lloyd Fortney —Opinions are mine—

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  I’m only an occasional fisherman, but I’ve had my older type Simms for three years and wouldn’t consider going back to neoprene or ‘lightweights’.  Given the other costs of this sport, I think these waders are pretty good value of the money. — Lloyd Fortney —Opinions are mine—

Actually, I am convinced there is a place for both.  I absolutely love gore tex for 75% of my fishing.  However, yesterday I was fishing in some pretty cold water and wished i had had on neoprene about the time my feet turned blue. Mike Ray

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Hey does anybody have any experience good/bad with these waders?  They look interesting but are they worth it?  And yes, Gore-Tex does work underwater.

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Hey does anybody have any experience good/bad with these waders?  They look interesting but are they worth it?  And yes, Gore-Tex does work underwater.

Hi Jorge- I trust you mean Simm’s Gore-Tex Micro Fiber. I have several pair including a protoype three seasons old. I’m in them just about every day and wear ‘em hard. I walk railroad tracks in 90 degree sun and wade waist deep with ice in the guides. They have yet to let me down.    In short, the micro fibers are great. Maybe better than great. I love them and have not put on neoprenes since. Because they expell moisture (where neoprene doesn’t) the *percieved* temperature is warmer in Gore-Tex than in neoprenes where the air is damp. Your best insulation is from layering fleece, Capilene, etc under a wader rather than depending on 3 or 4mm of neoprene anyway.    Gravel will grind in your shoes and the Micro-Fiber WILL leak in the feet unless you wear neoprene outer socks (provided with the waders). The water that migrates between the socks and the Gore-Tex allows even the feet to breath. Magic.        BEWARE! New models will soon be available with built in neoprene feet. These are convenient to wear (no messing with the neoprene outer sock) but despite what Simms, Orvis or anyone else say, the moisture laden air does NOT migrate up into your legs to be "breathed away". You WILL have wet feet. I have Micro-Fibers both with and without the built in neoprene feet. I’ll spend a minute putting on the extra sock any day to have dry feet!    I’m on the Simms technical advisory panel and work very closely with the company. To hopefully let you know my assesments are honest, let  me say:  Stay away from the Simms Cordura waders. They have a history of leakage problems. Also, I will tell you that Simms has had a very hard time meeting consumer demand and you might have a tough time finding your waders. Also, if you get a leak in your $300.00+ waders, it will take *at least* a month (based on history- their new plant opens next week and maybe this will speed things up) to get them repaired by Simms. You can not fix them at home. There. Now go out and buy a pair with my urging and enjoy! They *ARE* worth it.    Tight lines! Ralph —

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Question:

I,ll be in Missoula May 5-12.  Whenever I get to Montana I like to make the best of it! I have never fished there in early May.  What can I expect?

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Early may can be an excellent ime for our rivers. As long as the runoff hasn’t started, which is usually late may, there will be dry fly activity as well as streamer and nymph fishing. One of my favorite hatches at that time is the Skwala hatch, an olive stonefly.Also there will be Ameletus, a large black mayfly. If you like streamer fishing, there will be plenty of opportunities to fish large nymphs and streamers to imitate the salmonfly which would be hatching within two to four weeks of when you plan to be there. I’m a local guide and would be glad to offer any advice. Tight Lines! Brian D. Nelson

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