Question:

Good Point Randy!!..I’ve been wondering how to explain it away when I get questioned as to the strange noises in the background.  I worry a bit more about the chattering Geese that usually accompany fishing in PA this time of year, or even worse the occasional Pheasant… That being said, I really don’t approve of taking my cell to the stream as it defeats the purpose I usually go out for, to get away from it.  But with a 4 month old, and a 3 year old,  any time that can be stolen away, will be, at any cost, The Finn

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is it true that the sound of a river  in the background over a cell phone is much like the air flow at highway speeds with the window down for circulation?  Just planning ahead.

Response:

Well Mike, I think he was getting ready to tell his boss that he’s "stuck in traffic."  "Sure boss!  Just listen, can’t you hear them guys going by in the opposite direction?  I could be here all day!" — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is it true that the sound of a river  in the background over a cell phone is much like the air flow at highway speeds with the window down for circulation?  Just planning ahead.

Response:

Is it true that the sound of a river  in the background over a cell phone is much like the air flow at highway speeds with the window down for circulation?  Just planning ahead. — rakane at gte dot net (remove NOSPAM)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  when the cell phone rang….when I said sneaking out, I meant I was still on the clock so I kept the phone on to cover myself.  It was the wife,  "pick up some milk and bread on the way home"!!

Response:

Snuck out to the Perkiomen on Friday, after work,  on one of those Spring days that Winter borrowed for us to enjoy.  It was unseasonably warm, approaching 65-70, so the fish were already taking advantage of some early Black Stoneflies, and midges, as I arrived. There was already someone in the honey hole, so I walked downstream and took the next decent stretch.  The wind was up a bit, so I figured this would work in my favor, since the water was low and clear.   The reel of choice was the back-up, as the Lamson is in the midst of a tune-up.  Being hurried, and as a result, unprepared,  I hadn’t checked my leader, but got lucky with a decent 9 foot tapered down to what looked like 4x or 5x. Even with the wind kicking up, there were a few sporadic risers out in front of me, so I knew I had to try a something on top.  I decided to tie on a dropper and go with a black caddis on top, trailed by a beadhead green caddis larvae, what a mistake that was.  The wind was too much to handle and it only took a few casts to have both ends wound around each other.  After unraveling the two sections, I lazily kept fishing the same set-up and in two more casts I was in the bush on the bank behind me.  Getting a little frustrated with conditions, and my "luck", I attempted to pull the line out of the bush first, and it came right out!!  minus the beadhead larvae. Having enough with the dropper, I did some quick leader repair, going with a midge nymph.  As I looked up, not only had the wind decided to just quit, but the trout took that as their queue to go hog wild on the surface, figures, since I whacked the dropper, and tied on the nymph. Not wanting to waste my effort,  I made several casts, getting use to the drift with the new rig, adjusting the weight with a bb or two.  Watching the water, estimating where my fly was drifting, I saw a quick, wavy, flash, and set the hook!!  missed him. ….. Coming from a place in my head, where I was beginning to wonder if I should call it a day, to a level of confidence that couldn’t be surpassed,  I took a step upstream and cast into some fresh water.  As I think about it now,  I had lacked any form of focus up to this point, and those subtle taps that I had written off as bottom, now turned into fish, being sure to set the hook on every one of them.  This is a subject that I have struggled with in this water, as the pool  has an uneven bottom, that combined with the slow, clear, water,  I usually am a bit forgiving because I don’t want to spook the fish in the pool. That first cast was perfect, line went out straight, and true, into water that hadn’t been disturbed with previous drifts.  No mending, or lifting was needed and the fly dropped down into the dim bottom of the slot.  Another flash….lift…set the hook…get the line on the reel…..got’em.  A suitable fight for this time of year, although those Perkiomen Rainbows don’t usually disappoint.  It was around 16 inches, a bit above average for the Perkie, and just fine with me. Checked the line, took another step upstream,  and made another great cast (it’s amazing what adrenaline will do for your casting), flash….set-the hook…got’em.  this one just about the same size, but a little skinny.  Was about to make another cast, when the cell phone rang….when I said sneaking out, I meant I was still on the clock so I kept the phone on to cover myself.  It was the wife,  "pick up some milk and bread on the way home"!! Well, having stolen the time on the stream, I knew it was time to call it a day, I backed out of the hole, and walked away.  I did look back at that hole after a few steps and sure enough they were back on the surface.  Made a few casts upstream on the way back to the truck, without any takers. I passed another angler and he hadn’t any luck, also using a midge nymph, so I took my last boost of confidence from that and bolted home,  enjoying the end of that day, that Winter had borrowed just for me. The Finn

Response:

Question:

Padishar,    The term lure was used because it has a broader in meaning.  I stopped trying to determine the definition of "fly" long ago.  If you would care to give it a try go ahead. All I can say is all flies are lures, but not all lures are flies. Ernie "Padishar Creel" wrote – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ernie, I assume by the "lure" comment that this is not a true fly because of the glass beads Padishar Creel

Response:

Ernie, I assume by the "lure" comment that this is not a true fly because of the glass beads?  If I tied the same thing with mylar piping, or wide floss, tensile chenille, or perhaps Ice yard would that be classed as a fly?  The reason I ask, is that one of the streams I use this pattern on is strictly a "fly fishing only stream".  That last thing I want to do is use a "lure"….

I don’t know why Ernie wrote "lure", but I can’t see why glass beads would disqualify this as a "true" fly. Glass beads are often used in flies, or strung onto the tippet in front of the fly. Aren’t all flies lures? The chamois nymph I’ve been touting for whitefish is something else. I’d call it "bait". — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

rw The definition in the dictionary of fly and fly fishing follows:  I don’t see any thing about glass beads. (I"m getting crotchety in my old age) Ernie fly 2 ( fl

Question:

Hello, I recently was in my local K-Mart and checked out the fishing section, while I would find little use in ,most of the products they sell I did find what I precieve to be a bargain. I found Scientific Anglers AirCel Supreme2  WF-6 and-7-  F/S  wet tip III lines for $10.00 each, the orignal price was $36.00 so I picked up two 7wts. and one 6wt.

Those were a bargain, unless they had been ‘cooking’ in the back of the store for years. Don’t tinker with them: you’ll end up spoiling perfectly good lines. Here on UK stillwaters we use sink tips when we need to get wet flies and nymphs down a foot or three deeper than could be achieved with a full floater. Sink tips aren’t quite as sweet to cast as floaters (or even full sinking lines), but they are handy to have in the armoury. You might find them useful for getting nymphs down a bit in faster/deeper streams. Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

Response:

Hello, I recently was in my local K-Mart and checked out the fishing section, while I would find little use in ,most of the products they sell I did find what I precieve to be a bargain. I found Scientific Anglers AirCel Supreme2  WF-6 and-7-  F/S  wet tip III lines for $10.00 each, the orignal price was $36.00 so I picked up two 7wts. and one 6wt. My questions are has anybody used this line in the sink tip much, I have never used a sink tip and if it would be better to have a top of the line (line) I would use the three I have to trade w/friends and purchase a higher quality line. Does this line have a stiff finish (AirCell)  also my last question is about what line wt. to use, I have a fast 6.wt. and the directions say to use a line wt. heavier if you want to trim the 10ft. tip into say a 6ft. I find a floater is just fine for the majority of my fishing but there are times when a sink tip would be good, Does the weight then come from the tip itself? and if I trimmed back a 6wt. line would it be too light to load easily? if anybody can help please reply I just know $10.00 either way is worth it I have a new S.A. catalog and do not see the old lines anymore and have never had an older catalog so I am not famaliar w/ this product. Thanks…

Response:

My WF4F line is a $10 SA from kmart. nice dull green color, handles well. I like it. There’s the chance it will wear out sooner than a high dollar line, but at $10, just get another one! Since a WF line has most of its weight at the sharp end, cutting 5′ of the sinking section off should have a noticeable effect on how it casts, plus, you will lose the tapered section. But, if you feel like experimenting, all you are risking is $10. Personally, I would leave it as is, at least for the time being. Charlie Quinton Laramie, Wyo.

Response:

Good Deal. I have used the same line for a couple of seasons in 6& 8 wt. (but I don’t use sink tips all that much anyway)  It is shorter than I’m use to … About 85 ft  I think.  I have found it easy casting and long casting.  It is much better than some Cortland sink tips I’ve used.   I think I purchased the lines for about $20 a few years back on a closeout and they are worth every penny! I use the same wt line as the rod and I think I have cut one of these lines back to 8′ with no problem.  If the line is like mine it is a fairly slow sink tip (although the box states fast 1.50"-2" per second) and doesn’t overload the way some of the other sink tips do.  I suspect the sinking portion on this line is accomplished more by it’s small tip diameter than extra weight. I use SA Mastery Bonefish lines mostly but this line is quite similar to SA Ultra with regard to stiffness and feel.  It also works fine in cold weather with little memory. I wish our Kmart’s carried the stuff.  My good find lately was at a Wal-Mart.  2mm Neoprene socks for $8 and 2mm neoprene gloves w/ finger cutouts for $9—-Hunting Dept. Tip:  Try a very short leader with the sink tip (12" then 18" tippet)  It will cast better,the fly will sink better, and the fish don’t seem mind. Good Fishing

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I recently was in my local K-Mart and checked out the fishing section, while I would find little use in ,most of the products they sell I did find what I precieve to be a bargain. I found Scientific Anglers AirCel Supreme2  WF-6 and-7-  F/S  wet tip III lines for $10.00 each, the orignal price was $36.00 so I picked up two 7wts. and one 6wt. My questions are has anybody used this line in the sink tip much, I have never used a sink tip and if it would be better to have a top of the line (line) I would use the three I have to trade w/friends and purchase a higher quality line. Does this line have a stiff finish (AirCell)  also my last question is about what line wt. to use, I have a fast 6.wt. and the directions say to use a line wt. heavier if you want to trim the 10ft. tip into say a 6ft. I find a floater is just fine for the majority of my fishing but there are times when a sink tip would be good, Does the weight then come from the tip itself? and if I trimmed back a 6wt. line would it be too light to load easily? if anybody can help please reply I just know $10.00 either way is worth it I have a new S.A. catalog and do not see the old lines anymore and have never had an older catalog so I am not famaliar w/ this product. Thanks…

Response:

Question:

Hi Bob, I have never fly fished for or oio in Hawaii.  I don’t fish much anymore since fishing is not that good.  I remember fishing for them with lures using ultralight spinning gear when they were more plentiful. I fished the shallow reefs especially in the sandy holes.  I used yellow feathered gig or buck tails.  Plastic lures worked too.  I would bounce them in the sand. I caught fish over five pounds.  Once I hooked them, I would walk out to them rather than reeling them in.  The coral would cut the line if I tried to reel them in.  I lost more fish than I brought in, but it sure was a lot of fun.  I fished ultrlight using four pound test line.  I’m sure you could use the same techniques using fly gear. One of my favorite places used to be on the reef across the channel from Ft. Derussey.  The shallow surf in Bellows produced small oio also. I’ve also caught them on reefs and sand bars in Kaneohe.  All this was ten-thirty years ago. Aloha, Fred E. Nakaguma Aiea, Hawaii I’d like to try for bonefish (Oio) here in Hawaii. I’m looking for someone who’s done it to get some ideas of where and how to start. I’m retired now and have the time to learn. Aloha – bob    ooo_ — http://www.aloha.net/~bgraham

– Sincerely, Fred E. Nakaguma Aiea, Hawaii

Response:

I’d like to try for bonefish (Oio) here in Hawaii. I’m looking for someone who’s done it to get some ideas of where and how to start. I’m retired now and have the time to learn. Aloha – bob    ooo_ — http://www.aloha.net/~bgraham

Response:

Bob, I have been hearing of bonefish in Hawaii for fifteen years. I hope it is true. Remembering back, those bones were caught off the rocks. Start with a good shrimp, crust’s, or small minnow pattern. Then start changing your flylines. If you are fishing 8,9, or 10 weights… I have some lines (shooting heads and full sink), that I can send you for free. Just let me know your address. I would be more than willing to help in your quest. Bob, It is guys like you that search and find new undiscovered fisheries. God Bless You, and good luck. Sincerely, Capt. Greg Rahe

Response:

I’d like to try for bonefish (Oio) here in Hawaii. I’m looking for someone who’s done it to get some ideas of where and how to start. I’m retired now and have the time to learn. Aloha – bob    ooo_ — http://www.aloha.net/~bgraham

Hi Bob, There are bones in the ‘islands’, but they are referred to as ‘deep water’ bones. I think if you can find some water that is 2 feet deep, you might be successful. The south side of Molokai is all shallow flats. If you go there for a week, I think you might be able to find some bones on these shallow flats. Warmer weather is better, so I would not expect them to be on the ‘flats’ in cool weather. There is a guide out of the Hotel Molokai that can take you for bones and trevally. If you can ask around and find any other shallow areas, you might find some bones on any island. Catching bones in deep water on bait is not anything to get excited about. The big deal with bones is finding them in 12" of water about 100 yards from the drop off.  They like the incoming tide and feed on the bottom. An 8 weight rod, floating line, 9′ 0x leader, Crazy Charlies in Gold, Pearl or Pearl Orange, light colored Polarized glasses, hat, sun screen and foot protection are some of the essentials for bone fishing. Bill Kiene www.kiene.com

Response:

Question:

I like the foothills trail, and its connectors. a good 3 day is from upper whitewater falls to laurel valley. great views of lake joccassee, waterfalls, river crossings are bridged. Another three day is from Table rock to Ceasers head, side trail to top of Raven Cliff falls.

Response:

East-West hike through North Carolina’s portion of the Great Smoky Mountains Natioal Park.  Avoid the crowded AT. Enjoy your trip. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you wanted  to go on the most beautiful 3-5 day backountry hike: As far north as New Hampshire As far sounth as the Carolina’s and as far West as West Virginia where would you go? Thanks for any advice…please email direct — Jason Daniels

Response:

The best hike I’ve done in the east started on US Hwy 64 in NC, near Sapphire.  It consisted of going down the Horsepasture River, connecting with the Foothills Trail near the Lake Jocassee shore, over to the Toxaway River and back up the Toxaway to US Hwy 64.  It took 3.5 days, had some trail and some bushwhacking, a nice rappel down Windy Falls on the Horsepasture R. and was in some of the least travelled, most beautiful country I had been to in that area.

Response:

New York’s Adirondak High Peaks! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you wanted  to go on the most beautiful 3-5 day backountry hike: As far north as New Hampshire As far sounth as the Carolina’s and as far West as West Virginia where would you go?

Response:

Spruce Knob area of West Virginia very nice, the head of seneca is great. Day hikes to the big falls of seneca, to the top of spruce knob, highest point in WVA.  Also close to Seneca Rocks an easy place to spend a day. To see pics of area, follow link to my home page. http://www.ncweb.com:80/users/crbock/ CRBO

Response:

If you wanted  to go on the most beautiful 3-5 day backountry hike: As far north as New Hampshire As far sounth as the Carolina’s and as far West as West Virginia where would you go? Thanks for any advice…please email direct — Jason Daniels

Consider the Northville-Placid Trail. Length; 133 miles. 5 days going north to Wakely Dam or 5 days going south, and come back next year to finish. E-mail for more info. Rick Beardsley Olmstedville, which is arguably the center of the Adirondacks and thusly the universe

Response:

If you wanted  to go on the most beautiful 3-5 day backountry hike: As far north as New Hampshire As far sounth as the Carolina’s and as far West as West Virginia where would you go?

I’d go to Maine, but that’s not within your parameters. Gerry

Response:

I’d go to Dolly Sods wilderness in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest. If you like to hike long distances it might be too small for 5 days, but is a great 3-day place. And if you want to do a leisurely 5-day, you can find plenty of things to occupy your time. It may not be quite as spectacular an area as some places farther north or farther south. But it has got a peculiar landscape that is dramatic, spectacular in its own right, intriguing and quite wild. I’ve been there dozens of times and, each time, I find something new and amazing.

As a former West Virginian (and no, I’m not unusually intimate with any of my family members, thank you) I have to agree that Dolly Sods is gorgeous, but it’s no place to go for a 3-5 nighter–way too small. There are other places nearby that are fantastic, so if you don’t mind leaving the wilds and re-entering, it’s an excellent area. A great place is the ridge that you can see above and behind Seneca Rocks. There’s a trail along the entire length. You will have to decend for water, though. I always considered Cranberry Glades wilderness kind of boring, as WV hiking goes. It is quite vast though. — –your favorite soils professional

Response:

If you wanted  to go on the most beautiful 3-5 day backountry hike:

Cranberry back country, Monongahela National Forest, West (by god!) Virginia. jeff Republicanism:  The haunting fear that someone poor may be happy.

Response:

I’d go to Dolly Sods wilderness in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest. If you like to hike long distances it might be too small for 5 days, but is a great 3-day place. And if you want to do a leisurely 5-day, you can find plenty of things to occupy your time. It may not be quite as spectacular an area as some places farther north or farther south. But it has got a peculiar landscape that is dramatic, spectacular in its own right, intriguing and quite wild. I’ve been there dozens of times and, each time, I find something new and amazing. Rob – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you wanted  to go on the most beautiful 3-5 day backountry hike: As far north as New Hampshire As far sounth as the Carolina’s and as far West as West Virginia where would you go? Thanks for any advice…please email direct — Jason Daniels

Response:

Jason, You might want to consider Vermont’s Long Trail.  It runs along the spine of the Green Mountains.  The nice thing about it is that you can see Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks and the White Mountains from Vermont summits. Let me know if you would like more info. James Ehlers Underhill, Vermont Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings http://pobox.com/~uncle

Response:

If you wanted  to go on the most beautiful 3-5 day backountry hike: As far north as New Hampshire As far sounth as the Carolina’s and as far West as West Virginia where would you go?

Adirondacks or Catskills in New York White Mountains in New Hampshire

Response:

If you wanted  to go on the most beautiful 3-5 day backountry hike: As far north as New Hampshire As far sounth as the Carolina’s and as far West as West Virginia where would you go? Thanks for any advice…please email direct — Jason Daniels

Response:

Question:

Does anyone know of a good place to get away for some good fly fishing?  I am willing to hike 4-8 miles in order to find some seclusion and good fly angling.  I’m thinking of going somewhere near the Emigrant Wilderness area early next month.  If your spot is top secret, please Email me directly and I’ll use it very discretely.  Thanks for the good help.

Response:

I will be going into the high country out of Kings Canyone later this month – 10,000′ and up. I inherited a fly rod & reel, and will be taking it along to experiment. I have caught a few trout with it already. I would appreciate any reccomendatiions on what works best in that area as far as fly selections. I will stock up a bit, but can’t get too carried away with gear. Thanks Brian Millin

Response:

I will be going into the high country out of Kings Canyone later this month – 10,000′ and up. <snip I would appreciate any reccomendatiions on what works best in that area as far as fly selections. <snip

Brian, This is almost too easy.  You can catch fish in the high country on just about anything.  Last week I had a brookie hit my strike indicator, and wouldn’t let go! The streams between lakes, and where streams enter lakes are great spots to fish, but you probably already know this.  You can keep your fly selection very limited and simple.  Sizes 12, 14, 16 mainly.  Take along some Adams or Bi-visibles or Royal Wulffs, Gold Ribbed Hares Ear Nymphs, a Wooley Bugger or two.  These fish will NOT be selective.   Be sure to fish barbless, because you’ll catch way to many to keep them all, plus you want to release them fast to catch some more.  Fish every little pocket and seam, cover the water thoroughly, you won’t be disappointed. Write back when you return, Bruce

Response:

Does anyone know of a good place to get away for some good fly fishing?  I am willing to hike 4-8 miles in order to find some seclusion and good fly angling.  I’m thinking of going somewhere near the Emigrant Wilderness area early next month.  If your spot is top secret, please Email me directly and I’ll use it very discretely.  Thanks for the good help.

As far as I’m concerned, the Emigrant Wilderness offers the best fishing to be found in the Sierra backcountry.  I can count on rainbows and brookies in the 18" to 20" range on most of my trips now.  I’ve found the key to good lake fishing is getting in the water.  That plus my black wooly buggers.  The only problem (or saving grace?) with the Emigrant Wilderness is that all of the worthwhile destinations begin at about the 15 mile mark.  So it doesn’t offer much to the weekender. If you’ve got the time, I suggest you contact the Kennedy Meadows Resort (1-209-965-3900) for horse packing information.  A pack trip is fairly inexpensive, you can get a long ways into the mountains and you can live slightly above the austere level of the shoe-buckeroo.  I would be happy to help you get hooked up on a trip, as I do a bit of cooking for the pack station from time to time.

Response:

Question:

I pretreat as I tie to avoid the gumming up problem Ralph refers too.  I use any paste floatant on my fingers as an example when spinning fur on thread to dub a body, or run a dry fly hackle thru thumb and forefinger after having dipped thumb in floatant. Works better for me than soaking in liqids(water seal, scotchguard or whatever)                        Mike in PDX               "When the trout are lost, smash the state."                                           Tom McGuane

Hi Michael-    Cool idea. I’ll give it a try. Thanks!    -Ralph —

Response:

Can anyone, particularly those of you who tie large quantities of flies, tell me what I can use to coat my dry flies.  I have tied several hundred dry flies this winter and want to apply that initial coat.  I know I can buy dry fly silicone mucilin at my fly shop, but I would like more than just a small bottle.  I have been told that Thompsons Water Seal can be used, as well as the silicon spray used to water treat clothes.  Is Thompson ok to use?  What else is out there? What do you mass tyier use?  Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Response:

I soak my dry flies in liquid silicone. It’s avialable from large automotive supply houses, etc. It’s less expensive than the stuff from the fly shop. Good luck Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

   I used to pretreat my flies but finally made the decision to stop. Silicone products leave a tackiness on the flies. This tackiness gets transferred to the fly box. Once a fly is used, algae and other bits of grime adhere to it and get carried into the flybox. In the coarse of a season this grime builds up and pretty soon the whole box has a sticky dirt coating its interior walls and the flies float worse than they would if they hadn’t been treated in the first place.    Many excellent anglers *do* pretreat their patterns, I found it wasn’t worth it to me.    Ralph Ralph Cutter, California School of Flyfishing. http://www.flyline.com

Response:

Question:

writes:    A lot of people are touting the blood knot.

For more interesting reading on knots, including blood knots, try the current issue of FLY FISHERMEN where their test indicate that only two knots retain 100% line strength, given current tippet materials: the Palomar and the Trilene knot. Very interesting…

Response:

I gave up on the clinch and trilene this year because they kept pulling out on big fish, despite very cautious tying. I quit using them because I decided

Without commenting on which knots are best, let me point out that most break-offs will occur at a knot, no matter which knot you use.  The UIAA routinely tests mountaineering ropes, and this is common knowlege to such testing agencies.  It makes intuitive sense when you think about it: stress is concentrated at the bends in a knot. — -Wayne Trzyna

Response:

  A lot of people are touting the blood knot. Blood knots are not as good as they used to be! The newer multi polymer monofilaments are so hard and slick, the blood knot (and the clinch, inproved clinch, and Trilene knots) does not bite. We have a very sophisticated (read expensive) motor driven strain guage device that tests lines and knots to .01 pounds. 7 turn blood knots on Orvis SSS, Dai Riki, and Umpqua pull themselves apart at somewhere around 60-70% of the material breaking strength.

Ralph, I’ve abandoned the blood-knot alltogether because I’ve noticed an alarming decrease in strength in that connection with the new leader materials in recent years. I was beginning to fear that my own ability to tie the knot effectively had diminished, but your breaking strength measurements tell the real story. I now use the double-surgeon’s knot to connect the tapering segments of my leader and the double-surgeon’s loop-to-loop connection to attach tippets. Have you had the opportunity to measure the breaking strength of double-surgeons knots? Does the triple-surgeon’s provide significant additional strength? Thanks, Fred

Response:

  A lot of people are touting the blood knot. Blood knots are not as good as they used to be! The newer multi polymer monofilaments are so hard and slick, the blood knot (and the clinch, inproved clinch, and Trilene knots) does not bite. We have a very sophisticated (read expensive) motor driven strain guage device that tests lines and knots to .01 pounds. 7 turn blood knots on Orvis SSS, Dai Riki, and Umpqua pull themselves apart at somewhere around 60-70% of the material breaking strength.

I gave up on the clinch and trilene this year because they kept pulling out on big fish, despite very cautious tying. I quit using them because I decided that after all these years of using them I must have lost the ability to tie them properly ! I never suspected the mono may be a contributing factor. Used the non-slip mono loop all year and it worked pretty well for me. I use double surgeon’s loops to join tippet to butt (when I use a butt).                                                 jc

Response:

7 turn blood knots on Orvis SSS, Dai Riki, and Umpqua pull themselves apart at somewhere around 60-70% of the material breaking strength. Ralph,

Thanks for telling me the names of leader material to avoid when constructing tapered leaders. Ernie Harrison

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   A lot of people are touting the blood knot. Blood knots are not as good as they used to be! The newer multi polymer monofilaments are so hard and slick, the blood knot (and the clinch, inproved clinch, and Trilene knots) does not bite. We have a very sophisticated (read expensive) motor driven strain guage device that tests lines and knots to .01 pounds. 7 turn blood knots on Orvis SSS, Dai Riki, and Umpqua pull themselves apart at somewhere around 60-70% of the material breaking strength. I gave up on the clinch and trilene this year because they kept pulling out on big fish, despite very cautious tying. I quit using them because I decided that after all these years of using them I must have lost the ability to tie them properly ! I never suspected the mono may be a contributing factor. Used the non-slip mono loop all year and it worked pretty well for me. I use double surgeon’s loops to join tippet to butt (when I use a butt).                       jc

I’ve noticed the same thing with blood knots!  Thanks for the explanation.  I replaced the blood knot with the triple surgeons knot for any line/line connection.  According to a recent study, this line holds 100% of the weaker lines strength, wet or dry.  It’s simple to tie.  The only problem is that the any of the popular "double line through the eye" knots seem to be about the strongest, most durable knot I can find.  Anyone got a very strong, non-tightening loop knot as I fish for Stripers and like the free swing for the fly.  Most loops that I tie either slip or break and I’m looking for alternatives.  Most tippets I use are from 12-24lb Dai Rikki.  Thanks.     Tim —- "Just say no to bait"

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Hi Dan! Thanks for the kind words regarding the slide show.         Re: blood knots. Your formula for X number of turns for X size tippet is rational.          We lubricate the line with KY jelly (it is water soluble unlike silicone) prior to drawing up the knots. Then we soak the line in water to a). remove the lubricant, and b) to test the wet strength of the line and knot. It defies common sense to depend on dry strength for fishing line; however, I’ve NEVER seen anyone else do it.          Wet testing demonstrates some pretty wierd changes in tippet diameter, static strength, dynamic strength, stretch, and abraision resistance. The fluorocarbon lines really shine when compared against standard nylon and multi polymer monofilaments.         You probably want to know what leaders I use?! Umpqua pre tapered leaders because I get them at cost. I replace the tippet section with Dai Rikki Velvet for normal (trout) conditions or with Dai Rikki Diver when I need abraision resistance (toothy critters or abraisive bottom structure).         Tight lines, Ralph —

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   A lot of people are touting the blood knot. Blood knots are not as good as they used to be! The newer multi polymer monofilaments are so hard and slick, the blood knot (and the clinch, inproved clinch, and Trilene knots) does not bite. We have a very sophisticated (read expensive) motor driven strain guage device that tests lines and knots to .01 pounds. 7 turn blood knots on Orvis SSS, Dai Riki, and Umpqua pull themselves apart at somewhere around 60-70% of the material breaking strength.    Back to back uni- knots are excellent as are three turn surgeons knots. I still use blood knots on the heavier parts of my leader because the line is so strong there, someting up front is going to break even though the blood knots is not 100%. Blood knots look cool, sound neat as they click through the guides and don’t tend to catch as much gunk as other joining knots. In short I like ‘em alot but use them with with prejudice.    The strongest loop knot for attaching flies is the monofilamnet loop knot as seen in Kreh’s new knot book. Lefty claims the uni-knot is weak, but our machine says it consistently tests 90-100%. In practice it’s easy to tie and doesn’t take up as mucj material as the monofilament loop knot. Its big disadvantage is that the loop cinches up where the monofilament loop knot is permanent.    tight knots! Ralph —

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Question:

writes: :   Hi I am looking for some information on fly fishing. I : want to know about how much it would cost me to get started. Also : I would like to know any other info to help me gewt started. : Many thanks : Robert

Well Robert, I began fly fishing on a rod made by my friends dad, it was a 7 12 four weight…..a month later I got a L.L. Bean 8 foot 5 weight for 295.00 that includes the reel…..its a great rod and I consider it a very good price for the fun and fish i’ve gotton from it so far…..THey will send you a catalog if you call…..they also have fly kits that will start you out for about 25 dollars……good luck…. Matt, age 16

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   Hi I am looking for some information on fly fishing. I want to know about how much it would cost me to get started. Also I would like to know any other info to help me gewt started. Many thanks Robert

Bob: From another Bob.  Find yourself a sports shop that at least carries flyfishing equipment.  Buy a "discovery" or "introductory" outfit that includes an 8′ to 9′ rod in a 5 or 6 weight.  See if your local adult education organization (or the shop you bought the outfit from) has any beginner flyfishing/casting classes, and go do it.   The outfit shouldn’t cost you much more than $100 to $150. Another good way to try it out is to find a FLYFISHING guide in your area and hire him/her for a day.  A little more expensive, but they can probably provide the equipment, give you some great instruction, and you would probably even catch some fish. Finally, a couple more sources to try are Fly Rod and Reel, American Angler, and Flyfishing magazines.  Also, you may already know about this, but you might want to post your inquiry on the newsgroup rec.outdoors.fishing.fly. Have fun, it’s a great sport. Bob Peters

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        Hi I am looking for some information on fly fishing. I want to know about how much it would cost me to get started. Also I would like to know any other info to help me gewt started. Many thanks Robert

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Path:

internex.net!news.sprintlink.net!gatech!newsfeed.pitt.edu!uunet!in1
uu.net!news.inhouse.compuserve.com!news.production.compuserve.com!
news Newsgroups:

rec.outdoors.fishing,rec.outdoors.fishing.fly,rec.outdoors.fishing.
saltwater,alt.fishing Organization: via CompuServe Information Service Lines: 9 Xref: internex.net rec.outdoors.fishing:12220

rec.outdoors.fishing.fly:13627 rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater:4273 alt.fishing:11732 Try http://www.aminews.com/ami

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Path: internex.net!news.sprintlink.net!gatech!newsfeed.pitt.edu!uunet!in1 uu.net!news.inhouse.compuserve.com!news.production.compuserve.com! news Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing,rec.outdoors.fishing.fly,rec.outdoors.fishing. saltwater,alt.fishing Organization: via CompuServe Information Service Lines: 9 Xref: internex.net rec.outdoors.fishing:12220 rec.outdoors.fishing.fly:13627 rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater:4273 alt.fishing:11732

   Hi, I operate a small Fly Shop here in Maine and would be happy    to help you out.  For info or tackle call 1-800-244-7744 ANYTIME – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Try http://www.aminews.com/ami

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:       Hi I am looking for some information on fly fishing. I : want to know about how much it would cost me to get started. Also : I would like to know any other info to help me gewt started. : Many thanks : Robert Don’t do what I did, and buy the $29.95 Fly-Fishing starter-kit from Shakespeare! What a mistake. I have yet to get a fly on/in the water with this set-up… The fly-line included with the kit was made in China and was wrapped up with a VERY gummy/sticky label. Even after cleaning at the line for an hour it was still gummy and wouldn’t slide through the guides, so I shopped around for some replacement line. $15 dollars (and much confusion about which type line to buy) later, I had that, but still couldn’t get the thing to cast at all, so it’s collecting dust in a corner of the basement. I did manage to succesfully do some flyfishing this past week though, for the first time in my life. I bought some clear bobbers, and used them with about 4 feet of 6lb leader and a fly on my spinning rod. I caught a bucket full of large bluegills, crappie, and bass. Some of the fish were hitting on the bobber, so maybe I should adapt a hook onto it for next time… Anyone else do the majority of their fishing from a seakayak? Cecil Williams

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Question:

Here ya go:       (rec.outdoors.fishing.fly), by the way you can find those addresses by clicking on the Internet Names button on the top of your Newsgroups screen. CF

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: Can anyone tell me how to locate this forum if you are not on AOL?  I have : a fishing buddy that is on Internet but not on AOL and he wants to join : in.  

I am not on AOL but must be in your forum as you call it.  For me it is a newsgroup.  I am on the internet.  I would suggest using lynx. or rn rn rec.outdoors.fishing.fly

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