Question:

The best brookie I ever caught at camp (14" in a small stream where a 10-incher is a good one) came to beat up red&white devil bug immediately after my dog took a dip in the bathtub-sized pool it was in.

Response:

…first thing a little kid learns when bas fishing farm ponds with his uncle is to walk softly…….the big stick was a fly rod……john – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Seriously, I believe that trout can better hear your footsteps than they can hear your voice–especially if you are in the water.  Fish hear differently than humans but the ability of sound to travel through any given medium does not change.  Sound travelling in the air does not penetrate the water very well.  Sound travels extremely well in water, it just doesn’t make the transition from air to water very well.  You Footsteps can be enough, cf. the only time in my life I found a trout over 5 lb. actively feeding in daylight exactly as the books say.  This was about 25 year ago on the Pere Marquette, right at the Baldwin campground within sight of 20 to 30 tents. A big one showed about an hour before sundown and I timed the interval until its next rise — something between 7 and 12 minutes, and in exactly the same position.   After waiting appropriately I started drifting my dry through that lie, as carefully as possible.  The fish rose again bang on schedule — but a yard to one side and a bit downstream so did not see my fly.  So I carefully gathered the line and looked at my watch to time the next interval. — And within a couple of minutes two or three children ran along the streamside path.  I could feel the vibrations through my own boots.  And the fish never showed again…. — |        Carlsbad Springs, Ottawa, Canada        |

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A few years ago I was fishing the Tongariro river, here in New Zealand, in the company of a man in his eighties. We were fishing to visible fish, and lots of them, holding at the tail of a pool. We threw everything we had at them, all of these flies they greeted with complete disdain. "Only one way to fire them up,’ said my companion and tossed a thumping great rock in the midst of the fish at the tail of the pool. In less than a minute we were hooking up on just about every cast.????  On quiet days on just about any river here-abouts, we pray for a canoe, or rapid-running raft. Stirs the fish up no end. As I have heard Americans say, "Go figure". Well I’ll be damned, that’s a new one.  What about falling in, does that help? — Levi "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

Yes, falling in does help.  Why, just last week I had walked down to the creek after dinner to do some fishing before dark.  I’d been casting to rising fish for 15 or 20 minutes when I lost my footing and ended up in the water.  5 minutes later a kid rode by on his bike and asked if I had caught anything.  I said ‘no’ and told him that I had just fallen in.  He laughed.  2 or 3 casts later I caught a fish and another shortly after that.  Then the kid and his dad show up and start fishing just downstream of me and they’re catching fish too.  Before I fell in, I didn’t even have a bite.  After falling in, I caught fish. Go figure. Tom Before you buy.

Response:

wayno, who admittedly doesn’t look all that good in green tights

I could have lived without that one in my head. Joe F.

Response:

waldo writes: wayno, who admittedly doesn’t look all that good in green tights yeah a sad sight for sure…. but, laurie seemed to like the lace and frills. waldo <g

You shouldn’t talk — there is no way to describe you and those horrid green waders.  Well, maybe there is —-you look like a sick transvestite frog is those things.  If they check your luggage when you fly up to Portland, you will probably be arrested. Louie

Response:

You shouldn’t talk — there is no way to describe you and those horrid green waders.  Well, maybe there is —-you look like a sick transvestite frog is those things.  If they check your luggage when you fly up to Portland, you will probably be arrested.

Especially if they mistake me (sitting next to him on the flight) as a minor. –Steve

Response:

Seriously, I believe that trout can better hear your footsteps than they can hear your voice–especially if you are in the water.  Fish hear differently than humans but the ability of sound to travel through any given medium does not change.  Sound travelling in the air does not penetrate the water very well.  Sound travels extremely well in water, it just doesn’t make the transition from air to water very well.  You

Footsteps can be enough, cf. the only time in my life I found a trout over 5 lb. actively feeding in daylight exactly as the books say.  This was about 25 year ago on the Pere Marquette, right at the Baldwin campground within sight of 20 to 30 tents. A big one showed about an hour before sundown and I timed the interval until its next rise — something between 7 and 12 minutes, and in exactly the same position.   After waiting appropriately I started drifting my dry through that lie, as carefully as possible.  The fish rose again bang on schedule — but a yard to one side and a bit downstream so did not see my fly.  So I carefully gathered the line and looked at my watch to time the next interval. — And within a couple of minutes two or three children ran along the streamside path.  I could feel the vibrations through my own boots.  And the fish never showed again…. — |        Carlsbad Springs, Ottawa, Canada        |

Response:

When I lived in England, I used to fish the Great Ouse for pike.  Clear water and nothing moving was the rule of the day.  What my tactic came to be was casting after the boats that came down.  The boats would stir the minnows (gudgeon) out of the weeds and the pike new this and would move in with a slashing attack.  You could watch them flying into the center of the river as a boat lumbered by.  Great fishing.       Frank Reid Before you buy.

Response:

When I lived in England, I used to fish the Great Ouse for pike.  Clear water and nothing moving was the rule of the day.  What my tactic came to be was casting after the boats that came down.  The boats would stir the minnows (gudgeon) out of the weeds and the pike new this and would move in with a slashing attack.  You could watch them flying into the center of the river as a boat lumbered by.  Great fishing.

A similar thing occasionally happens on the Salmon R. (NY) during the salmon run.   Things can be slow for a while until a drift boat going through moves ‘em around a bit. Joe F.

Response:

Peter    hilarious.  and the poor misguided man claims he will outfish *me* at the maine clave.  *me*, the peter pan of the smokys! wayno, who admittedly doesn’t look all that good in green tights

Peter Pan, eh?  and exactly what are your intentions toward Tinker Bell? Peter the panning

Response:

I still think that loud wading will spook fish. On the other hand in the fall when jet boat from the lodge go by it does increase the feeding activity after they go by. I ‘m sure that the jet boat wake dislodges eggs on the river bottom causing a feeding frenzy.    Ian – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A few years ago I was fishing the Tongariro river, here in New Zealand, in the company of a man in his eighties. We were fishing to visible fish, and lots of them, holding at the tail of a pool. We threw everything we had at them, all of these flies they greeted with complete disdain. "Only one way to fire them up,’ said my companion and tossed a thumping great rock in the midst of the fish at the tail of the pool. In less than a minute we were hooking up on just about every cast.????  On quiet days on just about any river here-abouts, we pray for a canoe, or rapid-running raft. Stirs the fish up no end. As I have heard Americans say, "Go figure". Well I’ll be damned, that’s a new one.  What about falling in, does that help? — Levi "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

Response:

A few years ago I was fishing the Tongariro river, here in New Zealand, in the company of a man in his eighties. We were fishing to visible fish, and lots of them, holding at the tail of a pool. We threw everything we had at them, all of these flies they greeted with complete disdain. "Only one way to fire them up,’ said my companion and tossed a thumping great rock in the midst of the fish at the tail of the pool. In less than a minute we were hooking up on just about every cast.????  On quiet days on just about any river here-abouts, we pray for a canoe, or rapid-running raft. Stirs the fish up no end. As I have heard Americans say, "Go figure". — Tony Bishop  New Zealand http://bishfish.co.nz

Response:

A few years ago I was fishing the Tongariro river, here in New Zealand, in the company of a man in his eighties. We were fishing to visible fish, and lots of them, holding at the tail of a pool. We threw everything we had at them, all of these flies they greeted with complete disdain. "Only one way to fire them up,’ said my companion and tossed a thumping great rock in the midst of the fish at the tail of the pool. In less than a minute we were hooking up on just about every cast.????  On quiet days on just about any river here-abouts, we pray for a canoe, or rapid-running raft. Stirs the fish up no end. As I have heard Americans say, "Go figure".

Well I’ll be damned, that’s a new one.  What about falling in, does that help? — Levi "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

Response:

Do above the water noises (eg. someone talking loudly or calling out)

According Gary A. Borger in his book Nymphing, "Sound generated in water is louder than a similar sound generated on the bank.  Thus, the angler should not wade unless necessary, and then he should wade cautiously, quietly, and slowly.  Sounds in the air do not enter the water unless they are of explosive force; so talking won’t bother the fish at all. Padishar

Response:

[rocky store snipped] As I have heard Americans say, "Go figure". Well I’ll be damned, that’s a new one.  What about falling in, does that help? — Levi

Doubt it.  If that were true, Louie would be the best damn trout fisherman on the planet.  <g Peter

Response:

Doubt it.  If that were true, Louie would be the best damn trout fisherman on the planet.  <g

Well, that’s what he says, isn’t it? <g — Charlie…

Response:

Well I’ll be damned, that’s a new one.  What about falling in, does that help? — Levi Doubt it.  If that were true, Louie would be the best damn trout fisherman on the planet.  <g Peter

        hilarious.  and the poor misguided man claims he will outfish *me* at the maine clave.  *me*, the peter pan of the smokys! wayno, who admittedly doesn’t look all that good in green tights

Response:

        hilarious.  and the poor misguided man claims he will outfish *me* at the maine clave.  *me*, the peter pan of the smokys! wayno, who admittedly doesn’t look all that good in green tights

yeah a sad sight for sure…. but, laurie seemed to like the lace and frills. waldo <g

Response:

Do above the water noises (eg. someone talking loudly or calling out) put trout down? How about canoes passing by? How long should I wait or should I move on to another spot? Bob

Response:

Do above the water noises (eg. someone talking loudly or calling out) put trout down? How about canoes passing by? How long should I wait or should I move on to another spot? Bob

Of course talking puts trout down–why else would all those old guys constantly be telling their kids to be quiet? Seriously, I believe that trout can better hear your footsteps than they can hear your voice–especially if you are in the water.  Fish hear differently than humans but the ability of sound to travel through any given medium does not change.  Sound travelling in the air does not penetrate the water very well.  Sound travels extremely well in water, it just doesn’t make the transition from air to water very well.  You can’t hear above water human voices very well when you are underwater, and I doubt that trout can either.  You can, however, hear two rocks banged together underwater very well if you are underwater at the time.  You could yell all day when standing in a sandy bottom river and not put the fish down, but not talking while every third step you make is knocking rocks together underfoot would be pointless.  Even when you are on shore I think that the trout can hear your footsteps better than your voice. Canoes–maybe, but not too much if canoes are a common occurence and rarely contain fishermen.  If the fish associate canoes with being caught, well, all bets are off.  Oars banging the side of the canoe, etc. could put fish down quickly. How long to wait?  Not long.  Just keep fishing–move if you think the canoe has seriously disturbed the area but don’t just stop fishing for 10 minutes because a canoe went by with some screaming kids in it. Maybe the fish do take a few minutes to resume feeding, but why wait? The fish will resume feeding at their own pace and you want your fly in their sights when they do. Tom Before you buy.

Response:

Trout have no ears as such, but can sense vibrations very well indeed. Talking should not normally disturb them, but it may well disturb people who are trying to catch them, as will boom boxes, dogs, canoes, children throwing stones etc etc. Depending on circumstances, most fish will resume feeding within ten minutes to half an hour after being disturbed, so it is probably better to wait and try again, at least until the next lot of canoeists, children, dogs, etc appears, before roundly cursing, and going home. TL MC — "In order to know what is possible one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Do above the water noises (eg. someone talking loudly or calling out) put trout down? How about canoes passing by? How long should I wait or should I move on to another spot? Bob

Response:

The other day I was fishing my home river. I was catching a trout now and then using a white miller caddis.As I rounded a bend I noticed a fish rising beside the shoreline alders. I was about to cast when out of the woods came a big branch followed by a very large black lab.Two kids,probably about 8 years old, were standing there grinning like all get out. The rest of the family was camped back in the woods. I made my way past the kids expecting that that was the end of any fishing in that stretch. Then I noticed a rise about 50′ upstream from the game of fetch. And then another. For the next half hour or so I cast to and caught about half a dozen fish no more than a 100′ from the on going water sports taking place  behind me. The noise obviously took a back seat in the fishes minds to the food floating over their heads. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Do above the water noises (eg. someone talking loudly or calling out) put trout down? How about canoes passing by? How long should I wait or should I move on to another spot? Bob Of course talking puts trout down–why else would all those old guys constantly be telling their kids to be quiet? Seriously, I believe that trout can better hear your footsteps than they can hear your voice–especially if you are in the water.  Fish hear differently than humans but the ability of sound to travel through any given medium does not change.  Sound travelling in the air does not penetrate the water very well.  Sound travels extremely well in water, it just doesn’t make the transition from air to water very well.  You can’t hear above water human voices very well when you are underwater, and I doubt that trout can either.  You can, however, hear two rocks banged together underwater very well if you are underwater at the time.  You could yell all day when standing in a sandy bottom river and not put the fish down, but not talking while every third step you make is knocking rocks together underfoot would be pointless.  Even when you are on shore I think that the trout can hear your footsteps better than your voice. Canoes–maybe, but not too much if canoes are a common occurence and rarely contain fishermen.  If the fish associate canoes with being caught, well, all bets are off.  Oars banging the side of the canoe, etc. could put fish down quickly. How long to wait?  Not long.  Just keep fishing–move if you think the canoe has seriously disturbed the area but don’t just stop fishing for 10 minutes because a canoe went by with some screaming kids in it. Maybe the fish do take a few minutes to resume feeding, but why wait? The fish will resume feeding at their own pace and you want your fly in their sights when they do. Tom Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

I’ll be in Breckenridge the last week of July and wonder if anyone can offer any tips on where to go in the area, or any outfitters or guides to check out. Send me any secret spots via e-mail and I promise mum’s the word <g Thanks, Rick Krizman

Response:

I just got back from Keystone near there.  Fishing in the Snake was very slow and put and take fish.  They were dumb and soft. A friend of mine who is a rank amatuer ( he can barely form a loop) caught 20 fish on dries on the Platte with a guide from Summit Outfitters in Keystone.  They are on the net.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ll be in Breckenridge the last week of July and wonder if anyone can offer any tips on where to go in the area, or any outfitters or guides to check out. Send me any secret spots via e-mail and I promise mum’s the word <g Thanks, Rick Krizman

Response:

I’ll be in Breckenridge the last week of July and wonder if anyone can offer any tips on where to go in the area, or any outfitters or guides to check out. Send me any secret spots via e-mail and I promise mum’s the word <g Thanks, Rick Krizman

        right, rick; you won’t tell a soul, but if you do, you will tell them not to tell, for certain.         wayno

Response:

Wayne, my favorite fly shop is in Silverthorne, just above Breckenridge and about an hour and 15 west of Denver; all interstate. Cutthroat Anglers; Trapper, Andrew, Jimmy, others. All neat folks who love to fly fish. 888-876-8818. on the web at www.fishcolorado.com They’ve always put me on good water. If you speak with them please convey my best regards. Phil Joffe, Raleigh, NC

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Question:

Ted I found waders at a good price at Sports Authority on Manchester Road east of Weidman. they have both the sock foot model/neoprene and the rubber type with boots. No I don’t work fo SA I just shop around. Also live in St. Louis.

Response:

I need a new reel and waders. Any suggestions on a reliable mail order house with competitive prices will be helpful. By the way, I found a good source for flies http://www.flymail.com/, located in the UK I received my order in about a week. Last year they were selling dry flies for about 0.33 USD Thanks, Ted Schepp St. Louis

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Question:

MY SON BELONGS TO A HIGH SCHOOL FLYFISHING CLUB AND THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A COPY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FLYFISHING CHAMPIONSHIP RULES.  DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE THIS CAN BE FOUND.

Response:

MY SON BELONGS TO A HIGH SCHOOL FLYFISHING CLUB AND THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A COPY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FLYFISHING CHAMPIONSHIP RULES.  DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE THIS CAN BE FOUND.

If you join IGFA (they have a web site where you can do this) they’ll send you a copy of the latest World Records as part of the membership deal. This lists all the rules for various forms of tackle, including fly fishing.  I think you can join for around $30.  I also saw the IGFA World Records manual for sale for $12.95 from a catalog recently. Hope this helps.

Response:

Get your information from    IGFA    300 Gulf Stream Way    Dania Beach, FL 33004    Phone: 954-922-4212    WEBSITE:  www.igfa.org This is the new site of the beautiful World Fishing  Center of the IGFA. The museum was open to the public on Dec. 19, 1998.  If you are able to visit the museum it will be a great experiance. There lots of hands on exhibits including those for tots through adults. There are demonstrations of fly tying,fly casting, cast netting, knot tying as well as thousands of books and videos in the library. Their gift shop carries hundreds of great items for gifts or personal use. In the main hall ,suspended from the ceiling are hanging mounts of all the world records of all species of the world ,from the smallest Bluegill to the Great White Shark. I am a volunteer at the center and  I must say how excited I am about it. There is something new to see every time I walk in.   I’ve rattled on enough.  Come see us.  Buck

Response:

TRY IFGA HALL OF FAME IN DAINA FLORDIA

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Question:

Hi my name is Sean and I’m looking for a fly tying instructor with 1/2 hours drive of Exeter, New Hampshire. I’ve been fly fishing for several years and just got my first kit and would like to take some tying lessons. Thanks for any help, Sean

Response:

Hi my name is Sean and I’m looking for a fly tying instructor with 1/2 hours drive of Exeter, New Hampshire. I’ve been fly fishing for several years and just got my first kit and would like to take some tying lessons. Thanks for any help, Sean

I believe the shop in Kittery, the Kittery trading post offer lesson. If you can drive a little farther, American Angling in Salem NH and the Hunters in New Boston also offers classes. Wayne

Response:

Question:

Does anyone have any idea how the fishing on this river is. We will be in the area and want to find out what species of fish are in it. Thanks in advance, bruce

Response:

Does anyone have any idea how the fishing on this river is. We will be in the area and want to find out what species of fish are in it. Thanks in advance, bruce

Bruce, I don’t know about the Blackwater River in Virginia.  There is some good fly fishing "near" the Blackwater River in West Virginia.  If that is where you are going, then E-mail me. Doug Milam

Response:

Does anyone have any idea how the fishing on this river is. We will be in the area and want to find out what species of fish are in it. Thanks in advance, bruce Bruce, I don’t know about the Blackwater River in Virginia.  There is some good fly fishing "near" the Blackwater River in West Virginia.  If that is where you are going, then E-mail me.

That isn’t where I’m going but I will be in Charlottesville, VA next week and actually will have time to fish one or two days.  Someone mentioned the Rapidan about a week ago.  How’s it looking now?  Any other places I might try? John Fereira

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Question:

Last week while driving home after a great day of fishing the CaneyFork River in Tn. I laid my reddington fly rod in the back of my pick up truck , and while taking a corner my coleman cooler wiped out my custombuilt rod. Reddington is going to replace the blank , but I would like to get the struble reelseat off the broke rod , any helpful hints ? I would be so

the only way I know is to heat with a heat gun until the epoxy goes soft and pull it off…this works with most of the 5 minute epoxies… TimW

Response:

Last week while driving home after a great day of fishing the CaneyFork River in Tn. I laid my reddington fly rod in the back of my pick up truck , and while taking a corner my coleman cooler wiped out my custombuilt rod. Reddington is going to replace the blank , but I would like to get the struble reelseat off the broke rod , any helpful hints ? I would be so                                                thank you                                                              Kent K. Anderson                                                              Nashville,Tn

Kent, Your Struble Reel Seat may be fine piece, but heating it to a temperature sufficient to loosen the epoxy can ruin the wood finish (speaking from experience here). I know of no way to protect the finish from the heat. You might also consider trying a drill press equipped with a bit the size of the seat’s original bore. Mitch Mulhall

Response:

I’d like to take the time to thank all of you , that took the time to suggest the best way to remove a reel seat .The reel seat is off ! After cussing and breaking the blank again . I first laid it out in the 97 degree sun , while I mowed the yard. I then took the Mrs. . hairdryer and heated that mother up . Then , I pulled the cork grip and the reel seat apart . The corkgrip was the one that came off . To make a long story short  , I drilled it out using a 3/8th drill bit and held the vise in my hand , it just ate away the graphite . Once again thank you.                                                         Kent K .Anderson

Response:

A friend of mine who builds rods tells me that he has done this procedure countless times.  You simply wrap the reel seat in ducy tape (lots of duct tape) and heat it all up with a torch.  The tape protects the wood while still getting the core hot enough to melt the epoxy.  I have not tried it myself. Hope this helps, gp

: Last week while driving home after a great day of fishing the CaneyFork : River in Tn. I laid my reddington fly rod in the back of my pick up truck : , and while taking a corner my coleman cooler wiped out my custombuilt : rod. Reddington is going to replace the blank , but I would like to get : the struble reelseat off the broke rod , any helpful hints ? I would be so :                                                thank you :                                                              Kent K. : Anderson :                                                              Nashville,Tn — gp

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   Last week while driving home after a great day of fishing the CaneyFork   River in Tn. I laid my reddington fly rod in the back of my pick up truck   , and while taking a corner my coleman cooler wiped out my custombuilt   rod. Reddington is going to replace the blank , but I would like to get   the struble reelseat off the broke rod , any helpful hints ? I would be so                                                  thank you                                                                Kent K.   Anderson                                                                Nashville,Tn  Kent,  Your Struble Reel Seat may be fine piece, but heating it to a temperature  sufficient to loosen the epoxy can ruin the wood finish (speaking from  experience here). I know of no way to protect the finish from the heat. You  might also consider trying a drill press equipped with a bit the size of the  seat’s original bore.  Mitch Mulhall

I agree with Mitch, having used this technique a few times, only without the drill press.  I use a hand held drill while holding the reel seat in a workmate (wrap the reel seat in a piece of old carpet).  What you’ll find is that the cutting point will displace the graphite, while the sides of the bit will generally not carve into the wood unless you create a severe angle.  Don’t try to cut to the bottom of the reel seat in one cut.  Instead, drill one quarter of the depth at a time, and pour the graphite out of the reel seat between quarters.  Good Luck Jeff Shafer

Response:

Last week while driving home after a great day of fishing the CaneyFork River in Tn. I laid my reddington fly rod in the back of my pick up truck , and while taking a corner my coleman cooler wiped out my custombuilt rod. Reddington is going to replace the blank , but I would like to get the struble reelseat off the broke rod , any helpful hints ? I would be so                                                thank you                                                              Kent K. Anderson                                                              Nashville,Tn

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, I have just gone through a bunch of older fly rods and decided that I’d like to try them again. Unfortunately, they do not have any markings on them as to line weight. The rods are fiber glass and thus old enough not to have the AFTMA or older ABCDEFGH marking, so it probably will have to be trial and error before I get lines to work properly. Does anyone have suggestions as to how I can get the correct line weights without having to buy a whole bunch of lines? I remember using the rods 25 years ago and enjoying them, so I don’t just want to discard them for my current tackle. There is a 7′, 8′, and an 8 1/2′. The little one seems to overload with a 7weight and the longer rods appear not to load properly with the 7wt.        Frank —

Question:

I am about ready to purchase a float tube but have recently seen adds for Pontoon Kick Boats.  Now I am really confused with so many options. I have tried a float tube and like it.  Is a kick boat really worth the additional cost or should I stay with the basics?  If I were to go with the kick boat, which model would give me the best performance for the cost?

I’v tried both ans still prefer the manueverability of a tube. Bob McDuffee Network Services Manager, WICHE Office:303.541.0299 Fax:303.541.0291

Response:

Whether something is worth the cost is pretty subjective.  I bought a float tube for about $150 a couple of years ago.  It works just fine.   I’ve never been tempted by U-boats, kick boats, pontoon boats or whatever "this year’s greatest invention of the century" the manufacturers can think of.

Response:

I stepped up to a pontoon boat (the Leigh) after wearing float tubes since the 70s.  I don’t plan to wear a float tube again.  Except for the weight, there’s no comparison in ease,etc.  Also on price.  The basic boat I have runs $325 — not much more than some tubes.  ’Course you can run that up considerably with oars and accessories.  I got the oars but seldom use them on stillwater unless I expect considerable wind. Dick Hubbard

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am about ready to purchase a float tube but have recently seen adds for Pontoon Kick Boats.  Now I am really confused with so many options. I have tried a float tube and like it.  Is a kick boat really worth the additional cost or should I stay with the basics?  If I were to go with the kick boat, which model would give me the best performance for the cost? I’v tried both ans still prefer the manueverability of a tube. Bob McDuffee Network Services Manager, WICHE Office:303.541.0299 Fax:303.541.0291 Hi I have fished with boats, they both have their advantages.U-BOATS are great for backbacking and small lakes.Were a kick boat is great with oars on large lakes but costs double the price of a u-boat

Response:

Can’t beat the price and portability of a U-boat for small lakes. If going to fish large windy lakes or reservoirs-get a pontoon boat.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am about ready to purchase a float tube but have recently seen adds for Pontoon Kick Boats.  Now I am really confused with so many options. I have tried a float tube and like it.  Is a kick boat really worth the additional cost or should I stay with the basics?  If I were to go with the kick boat, which model would give me the best performance for the cost? I’v tried both ans still prefer the manueverability of a tube. Bob McDuffee Network Services Manager, WICHE Office:303.541.0299 Fax:303.541.0291 Hi I have fished with boats, they both have their advantages.U-BOATS are great for

backbacking and small lakes.Were a kick boat is great with oars on la I have a tube, a U-boat, and a pontoon boat.  After using the U-boat and pontoon, I think the tube is very awkward and can be dangerous in some situations.  The additional price for the U shape is absolutly worth the additinoal price.  Do not get a regular tube! The difference between a U-boat and a pontoon boat is less imporant, but significant.  The pontoon sits you up higher so you can cast farther and see more fish.  The pontoon is easier to manouver, except in a side-wind.  The pontoon is more stable and more comfortable, and many can accomodate a rowing frame. I have a Caddis tube, a Creek Company U-Boat, and a Super Cat pontoon boat. Tight lines. -Doug (Olympia WA)

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Bruce, I use a SuperCat 60 produced in the Seattle area after having used a float tube for several years.  I love the pontoon boat.  I stay warmer, its easier on my knees, and I have a rowing frame for windy or when-I’m-in-a-hurry conditions.  The only drawback I’ve seen other than slightly increased weight for packing in somewhere is the cost.  If you can afford it, I’d go pontoon boat.  If not, tubes are wonderful anyway.

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Hello, Due to a nice gift certificate I now can comment on two low-end pontoon boats. I have a JW Outfitters Osprey ($300 two years ago) and a new Bucks Bag Colt ($200 now). I highly recommend either the Uboat design or pontoon boats, simply because of the ease of entry/exit.  I consider it a matter both of convenience and Valuable Fishing Time.  It matters because we always seem to wait too long before heading for shore for those necessary short breaks; at these times every second counts (removing smells from waders was another thread). I have been using the JW Osprey for two full seasons and really like it. I have only used the Bucks Colt once but have a few comments on both.  I think both are excellent fishing platforms and well worth the price if you can afford them. The Osprey is bigger and higher, a true pontoon boat as only your legs touch the water.  The Bucks Colt is shorter, stubbier and lower; functionally not much different than a Uboat. The JW Osprey (their lowest cost model) seat is well above the water; it is feasible to go without waders in warm weather, though your butt will get wet from splash.  With the seat out of the water it is possible to go much faster because of less water resistance.  For the same reason it is blown around by the wind more.  It is also more difficult to kick without surface disturbance, which can be very important in the shallows. The seat on the JW is of mesh supported by an aluminum tube framework. Your thighs rest on the forward crosstube and this is uncomfortable at first; I got sore the first few times but have built up muscles there. You have to keep the straps very tight to keep the seat from sagging. Cramps and soreness are pretty common complaints from beginners with any float tube until you get the right muscles developed. Over about 80 – 100 days of use, the seat supports are wearing out and I have had to reinforce the seatback.  The seat doesn’t offer great back support. New models seem to have a more rugged seat but I’m not sure how well it supports. To really enjoy the Osprey it is important to really blow up the tubes and pull the straps tight. The JW Osprey can be taken down completely to the aluminum tube pieces, the seat web and the pontoons, so it can be more compact and individual pieces can be stashed wherever they fit so it is pretty packable in a duffle or suitcase. To assemble it from this stage takes about fifteen minutes including blowing it up. The Bucks has a molded plastic seat that is comfortable for me.  You sit just below the water level so you push a little surface when you paddle, so it’s top speed is more like a Vboat or Uboat. You’d be wet from the waist down without waders.  The rigid seat makes it less compact but it folds into about a 2′ square. It has more support in the lower back area and is very comfortable, even for a beginner, as long as your butt fits the molded seat. The Bucks has hypalon or some covering on the underside of the pontoon tubes, the JW outfitters shows a little abrasion wear on the nylon fabric (more expensive models of JW have hypalon coverings). The Bucks has more pocket space, though stuff in the big pocket in the seat gets wet. It can fold up compact with the tubes together after inflating and with add-on strappsd can be packed.  Both are of similar weight – around 10-15 lbs. The same straps can be used to carry the JW, but it is still about five feet wide  (JW has a "backpacker" model better for this). The only nuisance I found with the Bucks Colt was a lack of velcro tiedowns to secure the rod while changing flies, smoking etc.  I can easily add some.  And no stable deck on which to rest a beer – I set it in a pocket and the zipper holds it. If budget is your main concern, get any float tube and get started as it is an enjoyable way to fish, but if you can afford to get a pontoon boat. Mark Vinsel couch potato no, floating tuber yes Visit my gallery: http://www.lanminds.com/local/vinnie/gallery.HTML

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I am about ready to purchase a float tube but have recently seen adds for Pontoon Kick Boats.  Now I am really confused with so many options. I have tried a float tube and like it.  Is a kick boat really worth the additional cost or should I stay with the basics?  If I were to go with the kick boat, which model would give me the best performance for the cost?

I have had a kick boat called a Waterwagon for about 15 years, and consider it ideal for flyfishing in lakes and ponds.  It is higher off the water than a float tube, and although I haven’t used any of the inflatable pontoon style kick boats, this seems like a superior design because of its rigidity, portability, and so on.  I don’t know if the WaterWagon company is still in business, but there are similar styles out there.  One was shown in a photo in this year’s magazine, FFing for Bass and Panfish. The waterwagon is a flat styrofoam "boat" about, 3×5′ and 6" thick, shaped like this:                           —        –                                            |  |      |  |                                            |  |      |  |        It is reinforced with aluminum pipe |    —–   | and the pipe reinforcing     is exposed in |      x     | front at the open end of the "U".  You sit |            | at the "x" with your flippered feet hanging       |            | in the water from about mid-shin  down.  Since only your|            | feet are in don’t wear waders in water down to about 55.  It weighs about 20 lbs., and is easy to carry over your shoulder, leaving the other hand free for rod and flippers.  It easily carries a small cooler, a second rod, etc., fits in the back of a pick up or is easy to car-top.      It is highly maneuverable, leaves both hands free to handle line and rod, keeps you up high out of the water so drooping backcasts are not a problem, and has nothing to catch your loose line on.  With good fins it is reasonably fast (a slow walking speed), and it is very stable.  I commonly cross a 300 yard arm of a local lake on it, and in an afternoon will often fish about a mile of shoreline, cross over and fish a mile or so back.      Any bass over about 3 lbs. will tow you around a bit.  Overall, I think it’s the best of all possible boats for lake and pond fishing!  It’s better that a bass boat with a trolling motor, because it leaves your hands completely free and still doesn’t put a bunch of stuff on the floor to tangle your line on.  It’s even better that having a partner paddle you in a canoe, because you are in complete control of how far or close to the bank you want to be. Mine cost around $200 10-12 years ago, and I wouldn’t bat hesitate spending 2 or 3 times that amount to replace it, since there is nothing that I know that compares to it for fishing convenience. The only drawbacks are that you move backwards and a right handed FFer will normally be most comfortable moving parallel to a shoreline fishing the left hand bank.  I spent a very frustating 10 minutes going in circles when I started using it, but got accustomed to manuvering it with my feet on the first trip and never thought about it since.   — University of Illinois at Springfield

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: I am about ready to purchase a float tube but have recently seen adds for : Pontoon Kick Boats.  Now I am really confused with so many options. : I have tried a float tube and like it.  Is a kick boat really worth the : additional cost or should I stay with the basics?  If I were to go with : the kick boat, which model would give me the best performance for the : cost? I have been using a kick boat for a few years now and I really like it.   They are better in a few ways.  You can go in shallower water.  You get less cold because you are not IN the water as much.  The casting platform is higher off the water so casting is a bit easier. I’d love to have one of the new commercial kick boats, they look REALLY nice! — Bruce Conner

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I am about ready to purchase a float tube but have recently seen adds for Pontoon Kick Boats.  Now I am really confused with so many options. I have tried a float tube and like it.  Is a kick boat really worth the additional cost or should I stay with the basics?  If I were to go with the kick boat, which model would give me the best performance for the cost?

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Question:

ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON GOOD AREAS/SPOTS ALONG THE DEERFIELD OR MILLERS RIVER FOR FLYFISHING?  HOW ABOUT FOR SPIN FISHING? Thanks,

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ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON GOOD AREAS/SPOTS ALONG THE DEERFIELD OR MILLERS RIVER FOR FLYFISHING?  HOW ABOUT FOR SPIN FISHING? Thanks,

millers … read all about it in this month’s new england fish and game. $2.50   available at  most magazine shops.   complete details on where to park, fish , etc. lexington, ma. 02173

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