Question:

This year we’re going to France to do some Fly-fishing. Does anybody has some experience in Bourgondie, Avergne, Midi-Pyrenes (or other places) thanks, martin

Response:

Hey Martin, have a look at the following WebPages. The first two are for fishing only, Union Nationale pour la P

Question:

Pounding, powerful and relentless, against uncaring and eternal sand, each wave seems to reach a little further, striving for the spot on which I stand. Two steps forward, three steps back, the dance is similar for every cast, a constant rhythm, lulling and relaxing, who knows how much time has passed? Feet, sinking in, requiring that one shuffle now and then, a welcome break, Casting, waiting, watching, senses tensed, hoping  for the long expected take. Was that a bite? Or merely seaweed drifting in the current, dead, but active still, Perhaps a wily seatrout or a cod, just mouthed the fly, and moves in for the kill? Shooting stars distract, hurtling brilliant through the cold and crackling winter night, freezing fingers, cold protesting feet, red face and dripping nose, a sorry plight, legs, slowly turning numb, arms aching from the constant and unceasing strain, rod held high. above the waves, each tiny pluck and movement causes pain Swimming, hopefully enticingly, the fly, spurred on by faith and hope and thought, approaches yet again the crashing waves, hovers for a moment, once more caught, capricious currents, drive it, to wobble, shimmer, shake and  twist and bend. much like the thoughts of  he, who patient and persistent, holds fast the other end. At last! A solid take, and line runs freely from the spool, twenty yards or more, Rod bends, arms tense, back bends, heels dig deeper into crumbling shore, the battle wages, fish and man, bound now by tenuous strands, far mightier than steel, commence to measure, each their skill, with each run and leap, each hard-won turn of reel. Eyes, long since accustomed to the starry night, still strain to see a glimpse or flash, who knows what might have taken? and then the fish leaps, falling with a mighty splash, a silver ghost, a monster, a prize beyond compare, rising from the dark and restless deep, how long and hard must angler fight, before he be allowed his prize to land and keep? Hours and nights, long winters, in cold and storm,  for many  seasons he has stood, searching, learning, hoping,  waiting, to gain just such a prize, from the raging flood, Alas, this night, although he uses every trick and all his skill, it is simply not to be, almost within his grasp, his prize spits contemptuously the hook, and sinks into the sea. Freezing now, disconsolate, gear is packed, and angler turns to home along the beach, the prize is gone, but angler knows, that this time it was very nearly well within his reach, there will be other nights, perhaps indeed much greater prizes, things well beyond compare, should you seek such, haste to the beach, you will find angler, watching, waiting, hoping, there. TL MC

Response:

Thanks, Mike. Danl Pounding, powerful and relentless, against uncaring and eternal sand, each wave seems to reach a little further, striving for the spot on which I

[Great lines snipped]…..

Response:

OK Mike you are starting to worry me. As always I enjoy your dissertations and sharp wit.  However this is another long message, why are you spending this much time in front of the computer instead of fishing?  Your current posts are what I would expect to see in January and February not in August. Just askin a question Dave —

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Pounding, powerful and relentless, against uncaring and eternal sand, each wave seems to reach a little further, striving for the spot on which I stand. Two steps forward, three steps back, the dance is similar for every cast, a constant rhythm, lulling and relaxing, who knows how much time has passed? Feet, sinking in, requiring that one shuffle now and then, a welcome break, Casting, waiting, watching, senses tensed, hoping  for the long expected take. Was that a bite? Or merely seaweed drifting in the current, dead, but active still, Perhaps a wily seatrout or a cod, just mouthed the fly, and moves in for the kill? Shooting stars distract, hurtling brilliant through the cold and crackling winter night, freezing fingers, cold protesting feet, red face and dripping nose, a sorry plight, legs, slowly turning numb, arms aching from the constant and unceasing strain, rod held high. above the waves, each tiny pluck and movement causes pain Swimming, hopefully enticingly, the fly, spurred on by faith and hope and thought, approaches yet again the crashing waves, hovers for a moment, once more caught, capricious currents, drive it, to wobble, shimmer, shake and  twist and bend. much like the thoughts of  he, who patient and persistent, holds fast the other end. At last! A solid take, and line runs freely from the spool, twenty yards or more, Rod bends, arms tense, back bends, heels dig deeper into crumbling shore, the battle wages, fish and man, bound now by tenuous strands, far mightier than steel, commence to measure, each their skill, with each run and leap, each hard-won turn of reel. Eyes, long since accustomed to the starry night, still strain to see a glimpse or flash, who knows what might have taken? and then the fish leaps, falling with a mighty splash, a silver ghost, a monster, a prize beyond compare, rising from the dark and restless deep, how long and hard must angler fight, before he be allowed his prize to land and keep? Hours and nights, long winters, in cold and storm,  for many  seasons he has stood, searching, learning, hoping,  waiting, to gain just such a prize, from the raging flood, Alas, this night, although he uses every trick and all his skill, it is simply not to be, almost within his grasp, his prize spits contemptuously the hook, and sinks into the sea. Freezing now, disconsolate, gear is packed, and angler turns to home along the beach, the prize is gone, but angler knows, that this time it was very nearly well within his reach, there will be other nights, perhaps indeed much greater prizes, things well beyond compare, should you seek such, haste to the beach, you will find angler, watching, waiting, hoping, there. TL MC

Response:

OK Mike you are starting to worry me. As always I enjoy your dissertations and sharp wit.  However this is another long message, why are you spending this much time in front of the computer instead of fishing?  Your current posts are what I would expect to see in January and February not in August. Just askin a question Dave

For various reasons, I am unable to go fishing at the moment.  I can still think about it though, and also reflect on past trips. I don

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey All, I’ve finally taken the plunge and decided to Build my first fly rod.I’ve ordered a St.Croix Avid nine foot seven weight.I figured I’d go with a kit for my first one so that at least all the components would match and I didn’t want to spend too much money in case I  f**k it up.This rod will fill nicely a gap in my rod collection.I like flyfishing for largemouths and my nine weight seems like overkill and my six weight not enough.I’m not buying any fancy tools (yet),I’m going to be doing it the old way using a heavy book for tension and turning the rod every few minutes while I watch t.v..I’d appreciate any tips on what usually goes wrong for first time rod builders. regards,Shawn

Several points to ponder: Get Garcia’s book on graphite rodbuilding. tons of good info there, especially if you’ll be turning the rod by hand. also: Instead of 5 minute epoxy for the reel seat, etc, go for something with a slightly longer cure time. I found some 15′ stuff that worked well, and was even stronger. makes you a bit less nervous about getting everything the way you want it in 5′ as well. Keep redoing the wraps until they’re just the way you want them. Wrap the winding check last; it’s the most visible wrap when you’re fishing, and by saving it for the end, you’ll have all that practice beforehand. Take one last look at the wraps and the guide alignment before you mix the rod finish. Once the epoxy goes on the rod, there’s no turning back. Use syringes to measure the epoxy and hardener, and use only syringes made/sold expressly for rodbuilding. Medical syringes, while cheap and abundant, have nothing to offer the rodbuilder but misery and regret. You *will* get bubbles in the finished wraps. Steam from a cup of hot water will make them go away. I’ve hand-turned all my rods and gotten nice results. Got nothing against the automatic turners, just don’t have one. Follow Garcia’s suggestions for turning intervals and you should be fine. I strongly suggest that you use an oven timer or something similar to remind you to get up and turn the rod, especially near the end, when the intervals have stretched to 30-60′. Finally, my overall advice is to be patient, and do a quality job. Your care (or haste) in building it will be evident for many years. — Rusty Hook Laramie, Wyoming

Response:

A * much * better solvent for epoxies is acetone. — Don Thompson Another Thompson Scion

Acetone must be used with great care near rods. It will eat into the blank and damage it irreparably. Alcohol is better for wiping off excess epoxy for this reason. TL MC

Response:

Thanks Guys,  I’m going crazy waiting for the damn thing to arrive in the mail.I was hoping to get it done this week while I’m still on vacation.I have a video and a pretty good book so I’m hoping things will go pretty smoothly, but no book or video can prepare you for my own personal style of screwups.My attitude is if I mess up I’ll just scrape it off and start over until I get it right. Regards,Shawn

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A * much * better solvent for epoxies is acetone. — Don Thompson Another Thompson Scion Acetone must be used with great care near rods. It will eat into the blank and damage it irreparably. Alcohol is better for wiping off excess epoxy for this reason. TL MC

Response:

Hey All, I’ve finally taken the plunge and decided to Build my first fly rod.I’ve ordered a St.Croix Avid nine foot seven weight.I figured I’d go with a kit for my first one so that at least all the components would match and I didn’t want to spend too much money in case I  f**k it up.This rod will fill nicely a gap in my rod collection.I like flyfishing for largemouths and my nine weight seems like overkill and my six weight not enough.I’m not buying any fancy tools (yet),I’m going to be doing it the old way using a heavy book for tension and turning the rod every few minutes while I watch t.v..I’d appreciate any tips on what usually goes wrong for first time rod builders. regards,Shawn

Response:

I’m not buying any fancy tools (yet),I’m going to be doing it the old way using a heavy book for tension and turning the rod every few minutes while I watch t.v..I’d appreciate any tips on what usually goes wrong for first time rod builders.

They watch some damn show that captures their interest and don’t turn the rod often enough. — Don Thompson Another Thompson Scion – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – regards,Shawn

Response:

I’d appreciate any tips on what usually goes wrong for first time rod builders. It starts with opening the package and goes down hill from there. The bright side is…you learn from every mistake. Have fun…it really ain’t that hard. jim

Response:

Its already been said –  Epoxy keeps flowing after you’r really sure it’s set up.  You may turn the thing for hours and be sure it set, so you put it up.  Next morning bumps where overnight the stuff has continued to flow.  If you can jury rig something to turn it do so ( I made one cheap using a dryer timing motor 6RPM) If you have never built or repaired a rod before I suggest going to Goodwill or Salvation Army and buying one.  Redo the guides and then give it back to them, it’s cheap practice. Good Luck

I’d appreciate any tips on what usually goes wrong for first time rod – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -builders. regards,Shawn

Response:

Hey All, I’ve finally taken the plunge and decided to Build my first fly rod.I’ve ordered a St.Croix Avid nine foot seven weight.I figured I’d go with a kit for my first one so that at least all the components would match and I didn’t want to spend too much money in case I  f**k it up.This rod will fill nicely a gap in my rod collection.I like flyfishing for largemouths and my nine weight seems like overkill and my six weight not enough.I’m not buying any fancy tools (yet),I’m going to be doing it the old way using a heavy book for tension and turning the rod every few minutes while I watch t.v..I’d appreciate any tips on what usually goes wrong for first time rod builders. regards,Shawn

Here’s a couple of items could save you some grief. Don’t use 5 minute epoxy to put on the reel seat or the handle. It can take longer than 5 minutes to get things properly situated. Use something with a longer pot life. Be real careful mixing up the wrap coating epoxy lest it set sticky. Use a minimum of 3 cc’s of each component when mixing. This will tend to minimize the error in measuring equal quantities. The stuff tends to be real sensitive to silicones which tend to be found in plastic measuring and mixing cups, stirring rods etc. There are these special syringes supplied by the coating maker for measuring the stuff which are guaranteed free of it. Don’t use any substitutes. Mix the stuff up in something made of glass like a shot glass and stir it with something like a stainless steel spoon handle. Denatured alcohol will work as a solvent to clean up afterward. good luck Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories Phone: (650)-857-5491               Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971          

Response:

Be real careful mixing up the wrap coating epoxy lest it set sticky. Use a minimum of 3 cc’s of each component when mixing. This will tend to minimize the error in measuring equal quantities.

Good advice all around.  Equal parts is a good thing.  I’ve been able to use steel kitchen measuring spoons to mix up 1 teaspoon at a time w/o problems. Mu

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey All, I’ve finally taken the plunge and decided to Build my first fly rod.I’ve ordered a St.Croix Avid nine foot seven weight.I figured I’d go with a kit for my first one so that at least all the components would match and I didn’t want to spend too much money in case I  f**k it up.This rod will fill nicely a gap in my rod collection.I like flyfishing for largemouths and my nine weight seems like overkill and my six weight not enough.I’m not buying any fancy tools (yet),I’m going to be doing it the old way using a heavy book for tension and turning the rod every few minutes while I watch t.v..I’d appreciate any tips on what usually goes wrong for first time rod builders. regards,Shawn Here’s a couple of items could save you some grief. Don’t use 5 minute epoxy to put on the reel seat or the handle. It can take longer than 5 minutes to get things properly situated. Use something with a longer pot life. Be real careful mixing up the wrap coating epoxy lest it set sticky. Use a minimum of 3 cc’s of each component when mixing. This will tend to minimize the error in measuring equal quantities. The stuff tends to be real sensitive to silicones which tend to be found in plastic measuring and mixing cups, stirring rods etc. There are these special syringes supplied by the coating maker for measuring the stuff which are guaranteed free of it. Don’t use any substitutes. Mix the stuff up in something made of glass like a shot glass and stir it with something like a stainless steel spoon handle. Denatured alcohol will work as a solvent to clean up afterward.

A * much * better solvent for epoxies is acetone. — Don Thompson Another Thompson Scion – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – good luck Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories Phone: (650)-857-5491               Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971

Response:

… Denatured alcohol will work as a solvent to clean up afterward. A * much * better solvent for epoxies is acetone. — Don Thompson

There is some opinion out there that acetone attacks rod finishes. Denatured alcohol has worked quite well for me for cleaning up epoxy that’s still in the fluid state, and it’s arguably less toxic for skin contact and vapor too. But acetone may be the right answer if the stuff has started to set up and you need to get it off. Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories Phone: (650)-857-5491               Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971          

Response:

I’d rather throw a few spoons and shot glasses away than mess around with acetone in the  house.   Very flamable. Great stuff if your an arsonist because it leaves almost no residue. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A * much * better solvent for epoxies is acetone. — Don Thompson Another Thompson Scion good luck Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories Phone: (650)-857-5491               Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971

Response:

I’d rather throw a few spoons and shot glasses away than mess around with acetone in the  house.   Very flamable. Great stuff if your an arsonist because it leaves almost no residue. A * much * better solvent for epoxies is acetone.

Or just go to a charity store and buy a "china" (i.e., not plastic) dinner plate and a few dinner/butter knives.  The plate "palette" will lhave room for several batches. TC, R

Response:

Actually not.It leaves a distinct burn pattern that is readily aparent to an accomplished fire investigator. — Don Thompson Another Thompson Scion

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’d rather throw a few spoons and shot glasses away than mess around with acetone in the  house.   Very flamable. Great stuff if your an arsonist because it leaves almost no residue. A * much * better solvent for epoxies is acetone. — Don Thompson Another Thompson Scion good luck Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories Phone: (650)-857-5491               Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971

Response:

Question:

I just bought my first fly rod , And went out fishing with it the other day, Wow was i missing the whole sport of fishing! I caught some Largemouth Bass , Rock Bass and Sunnys. Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

Response:

I just bought my first fly rod , And went out fishing with it the other day, Wow was i missing the whole sport of fishing! I caught some Largemouth Bass , Rock Bass and Sunnys. Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

Advice on what?  Sounds like you are doing fine.      - Ken

Response:

I just bought my first fly rod , And went out fishing with it the other day, Wow was i missing the whole sport of fishing! I caught some Largemouth Bass , Rock Bass and Sunnys. Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

    become more literate. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I just bought my first fly rod , And went out fishing with it the other day, Wow was i missing the whole sport of fishing! I caught some Largemouth Bass , Rock Bass and Sunnys. Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

Well, if you’re having fun and getting into fish then it sounds like you’ve gotten the important parts down pat. I personally tend not to care too much beyond that. That being said…what do you need advice about in particular? I’ve only been flyfishing 18 months and plan to be the eternal newbie, but give me some ideas what you want help with and I’d be glad to. Vegetables aren’t food. Vegetables are what the food eats.

Response:

I just bought my first fly rod , And went out fishing with it the other day, Wow was i missing the whole sport of fishing! I caught some Largemouth Bass , Rock Bass and Sunnys. Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

Walk away while you still can. — Rusty Hook Laramie, Wyo Before you buy.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just bought my first fly rod , And went out fishing with it the other day, Wow was i missing the whole sport of fishing! I caught some Largemouth Bass , Rock Bass and Sunnys. Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

Response:

Bring your own Scotch. Bring enough for everybody. Bring 24 year old Macallan. Bring a tall glass for me. — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

Response:

I just bought my first fly rod , And went out fishing with it the other day, Wow was i missing the whole sport of fishing! I caught some Largemouth Bass , Rock Bass and Sunnys. Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

Ummmm, please tell US how you did it! Regards, Jeff

Response:

I just bought my first fly rod , And went out fishing with it the other day, Wow was i missing the whole sport of fishing! I caught some Largemouth Bass , Rock Bass and Sunnys. Any advice would be greatley appreciated.

Gear, gear and more gear!  And when you think you have enough, buy more! Now where’s that damn Orvis catalog?

Response:

Well, if you’re having fun and getting into fish

How the hell does one get into a fish??? That must be ONE BIG FISH!!! <laugh then it sounds like you’ve gotten the important parts down pat. I personally tend not to care too much beyond that. That being said…what do you need advice about in particular? I’ve only been flyfishing 18 months and plan to be the eternal newbie, but give me some ideas what you want help with and I’d be glad to.

Can we make a club for that? I’ve been at it for 10 Months and have yet to figure out if I am doing ANYTHING right… Oh I do catch fish but I tend to think that it more the fish feeling sorry for me. Vegetables aren’t food. Vegetables are what the food eats.

There goes my theories on the food chain! — Michael Era

Question:

I am looking for a web site that has salt water fly tying. I am going to Key West in June and I would like to tie some flies before I go. Any ideas?

Response:

Try http://www.mindspring.com jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for a web site that has salt water fly tying. I am going to Key West in June and I would like to tie some flies before I go. Any ideas?

Response:

I apologize my previous post was a bum address try  http://www.mindspring.com/~joeb3   Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for a web site that has salt water fly tying. I am going to Key West in June and I would like to tie some flies before I go. Any ideas?

Response:

Thanks! This is exactly what I was looking for. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I apologize my previous post was a bum address try  http://www.mindspring.com/~joeb3  Jim I am looking for a web site that has salt water fly tying. I am going to Key West in June and I would like to tie some flies before I go. Any ideas?

Response:

Try http://www.reel-time.com/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for a web site that has salt water fly tying. I am going to Key West in June and I would like to tie some flies before I go. Any ideas?

Response:

Try Joe Branham’s page www.mindspring.com/~joeb3

Response:

I am looking for a web site that has salt water fly tying. I am going to Key West in June and I would like to tie some flies before I go. Any ideas?

Hi JG, I try to get some sample patterns from someone who fishes the area. I would order some samples of the patterns for the fish that you are after. There are lots of things going on in FL in April/May/June. Example: If you are not renting a boat or going with a guide, you won’t need any tarpon flies, so why tie any? On foot, the most popular thing to fly fish for are bonefish. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop www.kiene.com

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:

does anyone know of any web sites that deal with flyfishing in labrador?

Response:

does anyone know of any web sites that deal with flyfishing in labrador?

a good site is: http://ad-here.com/cfho/NF2.HTM If you’re interested in fly fishing large brook trout contact:         Bill Murphy         owner/operator         Adventure North Ltd.         102 Brentwood Drive, Bedford, Nova Scotia B4A 3S1         ph/fax: 902-835-8033 See Crook’s Lake Lodge featured in this month’s Fly Rod and Reel and Gray’s Sporting Journal The Expeditions Issue. Lynn Martin

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – does anyone know of any web sites that deal with flyfishing in labrador? a good site is: http://ad-here.com/cfho/NF2.HTM If you’re interested in fly fishing large brook trout contact:         Bill Murphy         owner/operator         Adventure North Ltd.         102 Brentwood Drive, Bedford, Nova Scotia B4A 3S1         ph/fax: 902-835-8033 See Crook’s Lake Lodge featured in this month’s Fly Rod and Reel and Gray’s Sporting Journal The Expeditions Issue. Lynn Martin

and the rivers full of Big "Brookies"!        

Response:

tanya try YAHOO ON YOUR BROWSER AND SEE WHAT THAT BRINGS TYPE LABRADOR FLY FISHING GOOD LUCK                    DICK PATREDIS —     In the immortal words of OLD RANCID CRABBTREE    Any time a man ain’t fishing he is frittering away                       HIS LIFE. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – does anyone know of any web sites that deal with flyfishing in labrador?

Response:

does anyone know of any web sites that deal with flyfishing for labradors?

 I don’t know why you would want to fish for a labrador but I would suggest a tennis ball type of pattern (if the labs that you’re after are anything like mine). Maybee chum with some barbeque scraps. MT —             It’s not the bible that’s filled with contradictions,                  It’s our brains that are filled with them.                              J. Vernon McGee

Response:

 I don’t know why you would want to fish for a labrador but I would suggest a tennis ball type of pattern (if the labs that you’re after are anything like mine). Maybee chum with some barbeque scraps.

HAHA!! tennis balls, footballs, snowballs, airballs, sticks, rocks, onions, roadkill…it just doesn’t matter!  Labs are the gamin’est fish in the sea, and they don’t care what you use.  They’re all over it, and that’s why they’re the best dogs ever invented. Right on, Mark. BTW, I grew up with a black lab, and the only thing I found that it wouldn’t eat was canned pineapple – but it loved the fresh stuff.  Smart dog. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – MT —             It’s not the bible that’s filled with contradictions,                  It’s our brains that are filled with them.                              J. Vernon McGee

Response:

Question:

I have two $69.00 caddis tubes that I use for striped bass fly fishing here in CA.. My 8 year old daughter and 10 year old son have no problems at all using them as neither do I. I find the lighter and less expensive the better…One of the responses to you mentioned being "pee" friendly either way you still have wadders on. good luck.  

Response:

One thing to consider is where you will be using the tube or pontoon boat.  I have used both and when conditions permit a pontoon boat is easier to fish from for the reasons others have listed, but I often enjoy backpacking into lakes, and my tube weighs far less than a pontoon boat, which would be too cumbersome for such a trip.  Good luck with your decision.

Response:

There is a pontoon boat that addresses the needs of the backpacker and the river fisherman. Try the Supercat. —                    "One Fish is Worth a Thousand Lies"                             http://Flyfish.Com

Response:

There is a pontoon boat that addresses the needs of the backpacker and the river fisherman. Try the Supercat.

I just tried out a Supercat yesterday and it was great. I’ll be ordering one soon. I guess I shouldn’t have bought that float tube a couple of weeks ago. Brad

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Hello, I am going to make a purchase of either a float tube, or a pontoon float. If you have had experience in any of the above, I sure would like to hear your opinion as the database of information is pretty scarce. If you have a pontoon float, how are they in the wind?  U shape verses V shape verses Round?  How about brand names, general price, etc, good or bad? Sure would appreciate your input. Thanks. Mike

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I just replaced my tube with a JW Outfitters Kingfisher 4 pontoon.  I like it alot better because 1) casting is much easier, 2) sight-fishing is much better, 3) it is faster and more manuverable, 4) ingress-egress MUCH nicer, 5) it is certainly more pee-friendly, and 6) it is lighter.  As to the wind, not a problem.  You can kick out real easily.

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Pontoon boat more comfortable, drier, covers more area. But nothying like fightinhg  a big fish from a float tube. if you gert a flaoat tube-go u or v -boat design only.

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Hello, I am going to make a purchase of either a float tube, or a pontoon float. If you have had experience in any of the above, I sure would like to hear your opinion as the database of information is pretty scarce. If you have a pontoon float, how are they in the wind?  U shape verses V shape verses Round?  How about brand names, general price, etc, good or bad? Sure would appreciate your input. Thanks.

Hi Mike I’ve had a lot of experience with float tubes and pontoon boats.  The float tube will cost you less than a pontoon boat (tube = $100 or so, pontoon = $400 – $1600 or so) Personally I would use a pontoon boat over a float tube no matter what the cost difference is.  After I reached the age of 45 whenever I got my crotch in cold water it was an immediate trip to the bank for a nature call.  Also as I got older staying warm in a tube became a problem.  Also I never felt comfortable floating a river in a tube although I’ve done quite a bit of it.   In the wind you can kick your heart out in a tube and progress on you way very slowly.  With a pontoon craft you can kick and row at the same time and really scoot.  My wife and I use our boats here in Montana on streams like the Big Horn.  When we float through a section that is particularly productive, we pull over to the soft side of the river and kick and row our way back up stream to the top end of the pool and float through it again.  I’ve had my craft in rapid up to grade #3 and did not feel in jeopardy (I have had a lot of experience in white water so that could be part of the reason).  By the way I’m in the fly fishing business but do not sell pontoon boats. For what it’s worth, that’s my belief.  I’m sure you will get other responces with different oppinions.  Which ever way you go, ENJOY! Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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Sorry, got always an error message from the server, thats why I tried to send it several times!                          Thomas

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: <snip  I had a 7′ 3 wgt. T&T Paralite that : was the most beautiful rod I ever owned…. But it was useless… You : couldn’t shoot a #14 humpy with it… I couldn’t disagree more.  The paralite (my favorite rod) has a different action than most are used to, but it is perfectly capable of handling any sized dry (for trout, that is) and quite a few wieghted nymphs.  I use it often, even in slightly windy conditions.  It won’t, however, deliver larger flies into a stiff breeze- but then again, that’s not really what it was designed for.  And you’re absolutely correct about the beauty of the rod… best regards, Hans — "The worst monotonous drone coming from a lectern or the most eye-splitting textbook written in turgid English is nothing in comparison to the psychological Sahara that starts right in your bedroom and spurns the horizon."         -Joseph Brodsky, from "In praise of Boredom"          delivered as a commencement address at Dartmouth College. Hans T.H. Beernink, Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am interested in purchasing a new rod for fishing very tight, small, brushy streams with obstructions on sides and overhead.  I already own 3 rods ranging from 8′-9′ but these are all too long and heavy. I would like to buy a rod between a 2 and 4 weight in a 6-1/2′ to 7-1/2′ length.  After having broken the tip twice on my Sage LL rod, a definite must for this rod is a lifetime warranty or 25 year warranty that Orvis offers. I have looked at the Reddington 4wt 7-1/2′ which has a lifetime warranty but I know 20 years from now Orvis will still be here and they may not.  After reviewing all of the Orvis rods in these sizes it appears that the HLS One Ounce which is a 4wt. 7′ one ounce rod would be best although I am not sure I will like the cork-and-ring reel seat. Has anyone had any experience with the HLS One Ounce?  Or should I consider the Orvis Superfine 2wt. 6′6" One Ounce, 3wt 7′6" Tippet, or the 4wt 7′6" Brook Trout?  Any other rod lines I should look at that have a 25 year or more warranty?  Will I create much more water disturbance by going from a 2-3 weight line to a 4 weight where I will be approaching fish that are very wary?  Is there much difference in throwing a 3wt compared to a 4wt line into the wind on under 20-30′ casts? Thanks for your help in making the best decision possible.

I wouldn’t be afraid of the cork-and-ring reel seat, I have one on my Patridge rod and I have never had problems with it, it’s simpl= y more lightweigth.  To the Orvis rods: Personally i wouldn’t consider the 2weight, the rod is to swippy and has no backbone to cast a weighted nymph or=  cast in windy conds. The 3weight made from HLS graphite is nearly as good as the SAGE LL rod. Anyway: you don’t really feel a diffe= rence between a #3 and a #4 rod, except that the 3weight cast a little bit worse with more wind resistant or heavier flies or in win= dy conditions. I use a short 5weight (!) for nearly all my fishing and I don’t have the feeling to spook trout by serving a 5weight = line more than with the 3weight. The difference is that with that rod it is possible to cast even a very heavy weighted stonefly nym= ph on a heavy leader with lots of split shot without trouble, in contrast to a 3weight. You don’t have to worry about water disturba= nce, if you do, learn to serve the fly better, as I am trying (it works! I learned to serve a fly with a 5weight with nearly as litt= le disturbance as with a #3, it was worth it). Only in very shallow (about 1ft) and very slow and clear water I change to the 3weigh= t, where you don’t need heavy weigthed flys or leaders and the flies are tiny. Anyway: I don’t know how you wade, but most of the flyfishers I spoke to and which were worried about spooking a trout with a #5 lin= e spook the trout before they start to fish (with their 2 or 3weight rod) by incareful wading (so there was no problem to spook the = trout with a heavier line, they spooked them already! Most of these guys make more waterhiking and trout-spooking than flyfishing in= stead standing at one pool and fishing it carefully.). I don’t say, that you do it that way, but cosider the disadvantages of a too = light rod. Something can be evened out by a different (more careful) presentation and approach to a fish! A last point to consider: You can fight a fish faster with a rod with more backbone, which means that you increase the survival rate=  of a released trout (Don’t go under a 3weight! With kindest regards: The Trout). Hope that helps                     tight lines                                Thomas

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I am going to offer a dissenting opinion to most of the feedback you will likely get on your question.  I would not hit a dead dog in the butt with anything lighter that a 4 wgt. for small, tight stream work.  I believe a 5 wgt to be even better.  I have seen very few light (less than 4 wgt….) rods that are capable of punching a fly through brush and under a  hemlock bough that is only 18" off the water.  I had a 7′ 3 wgt. T&T Paralite that was the most beautiful rod I ever owned…. But it was useless… You couldn’t shoot a #14 humpy with it… I fish an Orvis Small Stream Special (7′ 5wgt) for this work… But I have also used the Orvis Rocky Mtn. Flea (6 1/2′ #4) and it is OK.  I like the 5 wgt better.  Eithr of these would be a good choice in my view…    

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I am interested in purchasing a new rod for fishing very tight, small, brushy streams with obstructions on sides and overhead.  I already own 3 rods ranging from 8′-9′ but these are all too long and heavy. I would like to buy a rod between a 2 and 4 weight in a 6-1/2′ to 7-1/2′ length.  After having broken the tip twice on my Sage LL rod, a definite must for this rod is a lifetime warranty or 25 year warranty that Orvis offers. I have looked at the Reddington 4wt 7-1/2′ which has a lifetime warranty but I know 20 years from now Orvis will still be here and they may not.  After reviewing all of the Orvis rods in these sizes it appears that the HLS One Ounce which is a 4wt. 7′ one ounce rod would be best although I am not sure I will like the cork-and-ring reel seat. Has anyone had any experience with the HLS One Ounce?  Or should I consider the Orvis Superfine 2wt. 6′6" One Ounce, 3wt 7′6" Tippet, or the 4wt 7′6" Brook Trout?  Any other rod lines I should look at that have a 25 year or more warranty?  Will I create much more water disturbance by going from a 2-3 weight line to a 4 weight where I will be approaching fish that are very wary?  Is there much difference in throwing a 3wt compared to a 4wt line into the wind on under 20-30′ casts? Thanks for your help in making the best decision possible.

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Question:

I would like you to take note of my new e-address <My old one has expired and I guess I was on a demo period

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For those who couldn’t discern our location-CFS is a San Francisco Bay Area (reputed to have the largest concentration of whitewater boaters in the galaxy)

Hmmm…I wonder where they all are when I’m visiting my family in Berkeley and environs?  Mine is the only whitewater boat I ever see on top of a car or next to a house in any of my family members’ and friends’ neighborhoods…which is fine by me.  Who wants to boat in a crowd anyway? — Chris

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(Robert Mault) writes: For those who couldn’t discern our location-CFS is a San Francisco Bay Area (reputed to have the largest concentration of whitewater boaters in the galaxy) Hmmm…I wonder where they all are when I’m visiting my family in Berkeley and environs?  Mine is the only whitewater boat I ever see on top of a car or next to a house in any of my family members’ and friends’ neighborhoods…which is fine by me.  Who wants to boat in a crowd anyway? — Chris

Ya’ see, we keep our boats inside mosta’ tha time ’cause a all that great Cal sunshine! Ain’t ta’ good for the plastic and glass. I remember livin’ in Charlotte and it wasn’t nothin’ like here. Hey wait, I just saw a boat out in downtown San Jose! He was paddlin’ main street!  ’Kay, sometimes we get a bit a rain… Later, Aaron — "Nothing more is needed to destroy a man, than the conviction that his life’s work is useless."  -Antonin Artaud

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For those who couldn’t discern our location-CFS is a San Francisco Bay Area (reputed to have the largest concentration of whitewater boaters in the galaxy) based organization with a POB & Voice Mail in Marin County and meetings at the University of California on Parnassus Ave. in San Francisco. More Info: (415) 435-7936 and/or read above message. "Go w/the flow"-"Z".

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For those who couldn’t discern our location-CFS is a San Francisco Bay Area (reputed to have the largest concentration of whitewater boaters in the galaxy)

Funny…every diversion that I’m into seems to have the most interest base in the bay area. Flyfishing, Astronomy, and Kayaking all have more participants in the bay area than anywhere else in the country (as a group). Too bad it costs so damn much to live there. Kai

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