Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Those that wanted to should have. You all missed a great one. Suckers! I’ll let Kevin give the details.  I had to get my digs in after driving more than 3,000 miles in the last two weeks just for a little fly fishing. Joel Axelrad **DFD** I wanted to, but wound up at my boss’s lake home.  Dang.  Hot water, flush toilets, sandy beach, pontoon boat.   Now if only I could have done both…

Did you catch any fish? Wolfgang

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rbc:  vixen wrote… I wanted to, but wound up at my boss’s lake home.  Dang.  Hot water, flush toilets, sandy beach, pontoon boat.   Now if only I could have done both…

We missed you cyli.  6, 7, 8, lb. pike on the fly and plenty of them.  We missed you all.  Make this clave the next time it comes up! Joel Axelrad **DFD**

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Reports?

I’ll post one later or more likely tomorrow. Pictures?

My slides and CD come back on Thursday, I’ll post to ABPF then. Willi

Fix underscore in address to reply

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Did you catch any fish? No, but I saw a nice imported striped bass.  It’s been so cold that I think they’re just getting ready to spawn up there in NW Wisconsin. There were no fish in evidence on Saturday, Sunday there were some rises out in the center of the lake and Monday we suddenly saw the same amount of fish I’d seen there on my trip last summer.   All the rivers were running high and lovely.  Each time I took a bridge over the Namekagon I was wishing for a raft and a bunch of time to go down it again.

had a clavemistress. I did do some casting practice from the dock, but only with a spinning rod, as the kids were in the water and up on the dock and on the beach (only two of them, but two kids and water makes a herd) and I was darned if I’d do anything with a back cast involved.

Get a bunch of ROFFians up there for a long weekend and you will get enough free casting instruction to have you threading a weighted woolly bugger effortlessly and successfully through an entire tribe of high speed young’ns…..well, MOSTLY successfully.     Wolfgang who ain’t never fished that neighborhood.

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rbc:  vixen wrote… I wanted to, but wound up at my boss’s lake home.  Dang.  Hot water, flush toilets, sandy beach, pontoon boat.   Now if only I could have done both… We missed you cyli.  6, 7, 8, lb. pike on the fly and plenty of them.  We missed you all.  Make this clave the next time it comes up!

Reports? Pictures? Willi

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Those that wanted to should have. You all missed a great one. Suckers! I’ll let Kevin give the details.  I had to get my digs in after driving more than 3,000 miles in the last two weeks just for a little fly fishing. Joel Axelrad **DFD** I wanted to, but wound up at my boss’s lake home.  Dang.  Hot water, flush toilets, sandy beach, pontoon boat.   Now if only I could have done both… Did you catch any fish? Wolfgang

No, but I saw a nice imported striped bass.  It’s been so cold that I think they’re just getting ready to spawn up there in NW Wisconsin. There were no fish in evidence on Saturday, Sunday there were some rises out in the center of the lake and Monday we suddenly saw the same amount of fish I’d seen there on my trip last summer.   All the rivers were running high and lovely.  Each time I took a bridge over the Namekagon I was wishing for a raft and a bunch of time to go down it again.   I did do some casting practice from the dock, but only with a spinning rod, as the kids were in the water and up on the dock and on the beach (only two of them, but two kids and water makes a herd) and I was darned if I’d do anything with a back cast involved. — rbc:  vixen    Fairly harmless remove invalid or hit reply to email. Though I’m very slow to respond. http://www.visi.com/~cyli

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Those that wanted to should have. You all missed a great one. Suckers! I’ll let Kevin give the details.  I had to get my digs in after driving more than 3,000 miles in the last two weeks just for a little fly fishing. Joel Axelrad **DFD**

Response:

Those that wanted to should have. You all missed a great one. Suckers! I’ll let Kevin give the details.  I had to get my digs in after driving more than 3,000 miles in the last two weeks just for a little fly fishing. Joel Axelrad **DFD**

I wanted to, but wound up at my boss’s lake home.  Dang.  Hot water, flush toilets, sandy beach, pontoon boat.   Now if only I could have done both… — rbc:  vixen    Fairly harmless remove invalid or hit reply to email. Though I’m very slow to respond. http://www.visi.com/~cyli

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Question:

Has anyone fished the San Juan river in mid October? How was it ? Was the weather good? Where did you stay and would you recommend it? Thanks in advance for any  information.

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I’ve been there a couple of times in October. I like to stay at Abe’s. The weather is unpredictable in October. One time it was in the 70’s and beautiful. The other time it rained two days and snowed the other two. Neither should keep you from fishing.

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Hey Tree Skier (great handle, just make sure you baseball cap is on backwards so you don’t hit any branches). October is one of the best months to fish the san juan.  There are a couple of other threads discussing our upcoming trip there in december. Hate to sound like a broken record, but go to http://www.ifly4trout.com and read everything.  it has basically everything you need to know. bruce h Before you buy.

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Question:

Really nice fly shop in Schroon Lake. Friendly, helpful shopkeeper. Adirondacks is God’s country. One warning, get repellent… the blackflies are big and hungry. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am planning a trip to New York’s Adirondacks this July and wonder if anyone had info on fishing in the area.  I have never been there but understand there are tons of rivers.  I’ll be in the Old Forge area near the Moose River (just west of Raquette Lake).  Any info on fly shops, public access to rivers and the hatches I might expect to see in late July would be appreciated. Thanks. Steve

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I am planning a trip to New York’s Adirondacks this July and wonder if anyone had info on fishing in the area.  I have never been there but understand there are tons of rivers.  I’ll be in the Old Forge area near the Moose River (just west of Raquette Lake).  Any info on fly shops, public access to rivers and the hatches I might expect to see in late July would be appreciated. Thanks. Steve

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Question:

Looking for info on fly fishing around Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. I will be there in August of ‘99 for a week and would like to fly fish the area with out a 2 hour drive. Could use any and all help. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. JWTrout

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Looking for info on fly fishing around Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. I will be there in August of ‘99 for a week and would like to fly fish the area with out a 2 hour drive. Could use any and all help. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. JWTrout

John: I don’t have my information here in front of me, but one place you might want to try is the Blackfoot River above Blackfoot Reservoir.  If you do a little checking, you’ll find that the Nature Conservancy and the State of Idaho have purchased a large piece of land surrounding the river and are in the process of restoring the cutthroat fishery there.  Based on pictures I’ve seen, it looks like classic meadow fishing and supposedly there is starting to be some very good fishing. There is also a rod-fee fishery on the Blackfoot Indian Reservation in the something-or-other Springs close to the Snake River near the town of Blackfoot. There is an Idaho Flyfishing book that I’ll look up when I get home.  It has quite a few suggestions for SE Idaho fishing. Bob

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Looking for info on fly fishing around Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. I will be there in August of ‘99 for a week and would like to fly fish the area with out a 2 hour drive. Could use any and all help. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Check out this website         www.2.state.id.us/fishgame/askfish.htm It might help you out Big Al

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Looking for info on fly fishing around Lava Hot Springs, Idaho.

No fishing there. Nope. None.  Don’t bother to bring waders. For some reason Idaho Fish and Game close the river in town to fishing.  Afraid people would hook a swimmer or something. As for fishing ousid of Lava Hotsprings.  Just drive around until you find a stream.   An Idaho Topo Atlas by Delorme is worth the $15 investment even if you are only going to use it that week. Carl

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bring your float tube and try out Daniels, Twenty-Four Mile, and Chesterfield Reservoirs.

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Question:

Call the Blacktail Ranch near Wolf Creek Montana.

Or Dick Klick up at Augusta.  Don’t remember the name of the place, but it’s up against the Bob.  You’ll not find more beautiful country, the cutts in the Sun river are multitudinous and "unsophisticated," horse back and hot springs are at your disposal and the further you’re willing to go into the wilderness, the bigger and better the fish.  Plus you won’t have the hordes you’ll have down in the Madison/Paradise Vallies.

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Call the Blacktail Ranch near Wolf Creek Montana.  It is a working cattle ranch with excellent fishing in a small stream and in a series of beaver ponds with big trout.  You can choose a camping option that is very reasonable.  If you want to fish big water you can go to the Missouri and hire a guide to fish down from Hardy Bridge.  It is my favorite part of Montana. Ted Lannan

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Here’s a wide open question: I have the opportunity to go fishing with two old friends in July or August pretty much anywhere out West.  I have fly fished for quite a while but my two friends have never done it at all.  I have the idea that a lodge with guides etc which has some "easy" water nearby (a casting pond with trout) as well as some more challenging rivers nearby would be ideal. We’re in good shape and can hike a bit I have looked through Sports Afield’s Guide to Fishing Lodges, the Orvis catalog, done web searched etc and I am totally bewildered by the sheer number of lodges. I am interested in comments/recommendations on lodges – as well as any other ideas (e.g. float trips).  Our budget is not huge, but we can spend some money this one time. Thanks for the help, Patrick Keith-Hynes

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Question:

I live in Lake Tahoe, Ca., and everyday on my way to and from work I drive by miles of the Carson River.  I have only just started flyfishing this season and have not had much chance "yet" to stop and try some of the still water.  My question is this; will the road noise impact fishing on rivers such as this?  If so, what is a comfortable distance from the road to the river for the fish?  At places, the road is approx 40 feet horizontal and about 35-40 feet vertical distance from the river and is fairly busy w/ cars and large trucks. Rich

      My favorite fishen hole is in a little canal off the St.John’s river. right under the I-4 bridge as it rises to cross the river and people are always pulling off 17/92 where it goes along side Lake Monrow. They get used to it. If you got room to cast, the water looks right go fishen.                                                          John Popp                                                      in Sanford Fl.

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That’s the key… it’s right on the way home from work!    I used to have that situation with a beautiful little mountain lake.  It was a mile down a dirt road, right on the way home from work.  I brought my float tube to work every day.  If the weather got shitty and I didn’t get to fish for a day or two on the way home, I started getting very irritable — withdrawl symptoms! You’re lucky to have a place like that, I think.

Yea, it is nice this time of the year, it’s the other six months I get tired of. I commute over a 7800′ mountain in some of the most incredible snow storms you can imagine! I guess the hard Winters are what makes this time of year especially enjoyable.  I can’t believe I have waited so long  (14 years) to take up fly fishing, late bloomer I suppose!  So much time to make up for, but I am up to the job!!! Rich

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Rich, The water in the Carson is too rough for a little vibration from a truck or car to bother the trout.  Both forks of the Carson are good fly fishing streams. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-mail GO TO http://users.ccnet.com/~emh FOR TRAVEL TIE BOX PLANS – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I live in Lake Tahoe, Ca., and everyday on my way to and from work I drive by miles of the Carson River.  I have only just started flyfishing this season and have not had much chance "yet" to stop and try some of the still water.  My question is this; will the road noise impact fishing on rivers such as this?  If so, what is a comfortable distance from the road to the river for the fish?  At places, the road is approx 40 feet horizontal and about 35-40 feet vertical distance from the river and is fairly busy w/ cars and large trucks. Rich

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Set up hard on a 3 inch brook trout sending it into the windshield of a passing car…. "Jeeeeeezus Martha….Didja see THAT bug…criminy  !" — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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Set up hard on a 3 inch brook trout sending it into the windshield of a passing car…. "Jeeeeeezus Martha….Didja see THAT bug…criminy  !"

    For a moment I thought this was a response to the "Frying Pan, Roaring Fork" thread. Reminds me of some of the lower water on the Pan. Tom Christian External Technology Program Hewlett-Packard Laboratories 3404 East Harmony Road Fort Collins, CO 80528-9599 Phone: (970) 898-3531 FAX: (970) 898-6198

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My question is this; will the road noise impact fishing on rivers such as this?  If so, what is a comfortable distance from the road to the river for the fish?  At places, the road is approx 40 feet horizontal and about 35-40 feet vertical distance from the river and is fairly busy w/ cars and large trucks.

I don’t think fish can hear the noises that we on the bank can hear but they can feel vibrations and river bed disturbance. Some of my best fish have been caught immediately under a UK motorway bridge (a very busy dual carriage way road).  The noise drives me up the wall but the fish don’t seem to notice it – at least, they favour the deep pool below / under / above the bridge.  But they know all about it if I stumble through the pool in the dark in my studded waders… Street lights are also a problem for those of us who fish for sea trout by night. I’ve heard that migratory fish are intimidated by bridges and other over-water structures.  Anyone have any knowledge / theories on this? — Phil Jones

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The water in the Carson is too rough for a little vibration from a truck or car to bother the trout.  Both forks of the Carson are good fly fishing streams.

Almost too rough for a newbie! Tried it with a weighted wooly bugger and single split shot. Never even felt the bottom!

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Last August I was on highway 50 heading back to SF from Tahoe.  This road runs along the (North Branch?) American River which looked fishable along certain spots.  It’s a two lane highway with loads of traffic and about 40′ above water level.  Parked alongside the road I could spot several trout beside a large boulder less than 5 feet from shore.  Traffic didn’t seem to be bothering them.  Mu Young Lee         Ann Arbor, MI  o             oooo                          o   o   o o   o o o  o – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I live in Lake Tahoe, Ca., and everyday on my way to and from work I drive by miles of the Carson River.  I have only just started flyfishing this season and have not had much chance "yet" to stop and try some of the still water.  My question is this; will the road noise impact fishing on rivers such as this?  If so, what is a comfortable distance from the road to the river for the fish?  At places, the road is approx 40 feet horizontal and about 35-40 feet vertical distance from the river and is fairly busy w/ cars and large trucks. Rich

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This is a tough time of year to fly fish any of the Sierra streams.  It will get better around the end of June.   — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-mail GO TO http://users.ccnet.com/~emh FOR TRAVEL TIE BOX PLANS – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The water in the Carson is too rough for a little vibration from a truck or car to bother the trout.  Both forks of the Carson are good fly fishing streams. Almost too rough for a newbie! Tried it with a weighted wooly bugger and single split shot. Never even felt the bottom!

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I live in Lake Tahoe, Ca., and everyday on my way to and from work I drive by miles of the Carson River.  I have only just started flyfishing this season and have not had much chance "yet" to stop and try some of the still water.  My question is this; will the road noise impact fishing on rivers such as this?  If so, what is a comfortable distance from the road to the river for the fish?  At places, the road is approx 40 feet horizontal and about 35-40 feet vertical distance from the river and is fairly busy w/ cars and large trucks. Rich

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I live in Lake Tahoe, Ca., and everyday on my way to and from work I drive by miles of the Carson River.  I have only just started flyfishing this season and have not had much chance "yet" to stop and try some of the still water.  My question is this; will the road noise impact fishing on rivers such as this?  If so, what is a comfortable distance from the road to the river for the fish?  At places, the road is approx 40 feet horizontal and about 35-40 feet vertical distance from the river and is fairly busy w/ cars and large trucks. Rich

What’s the water like?  Whitewater drowns out other noise VERY well.  I’ve fished on the Wilson in Oregon, highway 6 runs right along the river.  Standing near the whitewater with a tree or two to hide the cars and you’d think you were in the middle of nowhere.  On the other hand, the sound of the water can get "deafening" after a while.  I’m used to it, but my brother was visiting and had to leave for a bit to let his ears stop ringing. Why don’t you go try it and see?  If you like it, stay, if not try to find somewhere else. Later,      - Ken

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What’s the water like?

Right now it’s it’s fairly fast due to snow melt off, in fact I think it’s too deep for good fishing although I have tried it up river a bit.  I will definately try it as a bit at a time.  I figure it will be  great way to unwind on the way home from work this summer!  

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What’s the water like? Right now it’s it’s fairly fast due to snow melt off, in fact I think it’s too deep for good fishing although I have tried it up river a bit.  I will definately try it as a bit at a time.  I figure it will be  great way to unwind on the way home from work this summer!

That’s the key… it’s right on the way home from work!    I used to have that situation with a beautiful little mountain lake.  It was a mile down a dirt road, right on the way home from work.  I brought my float tube to work every day.  If the weather got shitty and I didn’t get to fish for a day or two on the way home, I started getting very irritable — withdrawl symptoms! You’re lucky to have a place like that, I think. Bob Scott

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Rich,     The fish are probably acclimated to the road noise and not bothered by it at all. I’ve fished spots much closer to the road and I’m sure I’m not the only one in the group to get spooled on the back cast (a Ford in my case).             Jim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I live in Lake Tahoe, Ca., and everyday on my way to and from work I drive by miles of the Carson River.  I have only just started flyfishing this season and have not had much chance "yet" to stop and try some of the still water. My question is this; will the road noise impact fishing on rivers such as this?  If so, what is a comfortable distance from the road to the river for the fish?  At places, the road is approx 40 feet horizontal and about 35-40 feet vertical distance from the river and is fairly busy w/ cars and large trucks. Rich

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Question:

I’m an italian fly fisherman,i will be in Vancouver for the next August i need some address of fly fishing shops, thanks Massimiliano

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I’m an italian fly fisherman,i will be in Vancouver for the next August i need some address of fly fishing shops, thanks Massimiliano i do not know which vancouver you are asking about (B.C. or WA), both have great fishing nearby.  if you meant vancouver, wa you might try The Greased Line Fly Shop at 360-573-9383.  i have been in a couple times and they are knowledgeable in the ways of steelhead. Enjoy the west coast while you’re out here.  If you meant BC, forget this message

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I’m an italian fly fisherman,i will be in Vancouver for the next August i need some address of fly fishing shops, thanks Massimiliano

If Vancouver BC: Babcock’s 931-5044 Michael & Young’s 588-2833 Outdoors unlimited 463-0707 Ruddick’s 434-2420(Burnaby) or 681-3747 (Granville Island – downtown) Terminal Tackle 536-4665 B.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m an italian fly fisherman,i will be in Vancouver for the next August i need some address of fly fishing shops, thanks Massimiliano If Vancouver BC: Babcock’s 931-5044 Michael & Young’s 588-2833 Outdoors unlimited 463-0707 Ruddick’s 434-2420(Burnaby) or 681-3747 (Granville Island – downtown) Terminal Tackle 536-4665 B.

Ruddicks in Burnaby will be moving soon.  They have a sale on stuff ’til the end of the month. — The views expressed are my own and does not represent those of my employer.

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  Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly   Ruddicks in Burnaby will be moving soon.  They have a sale on stuff ’til   the end of the month.

How does (did) the Burnaby branch compare to the Granville Island store in terms of selection etc.  I’ve never been to that branch. thanks,         -tony — Tony Gades. Seattle, WA.  USA http://weber.u.washington.edu/~tgades http://weber.u.washington.edu/~tgades/Fishing/fish_page.html email: replace the "this_address_is_wrong" with "tgades"

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SNIP How does (did) the Burnaby branch compare to the Granville Island store in terms of selection etc.  I’ve never been to that branch. thanks,         -tony — Tony Gades. Seattle, WA.  USA http://weber.u.washington.edu/~tgades http://weber.u.washington.edu/~tgades/Fishing/fish_page.html email: replace the "this_address_is_wrong" with "tgades"

Burnaby store is older, larger, more stuff, more selection, less swanky.  They also offer fly tying classes there.                         -cheers — The views expressed are my own and does not represent those of my employer.

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:   Ruddicks in Burnaby will be moving soon.  They have a sale on stuff ’til :   the end of the month. : How does (did) the Burnaby branch compare to the Granville Island : store in terms of selection etc.  I’ve never been to that branch. The store out in Burnaby was "the big one", while the one on Granville Island was a small one meant to snag a few bucks from the large number of folks who go down to the island daily. Not certain why they’re closing out that location. I like Michael & Young; I also visit a little place called "Hanson’s" (perhaps "Hansen’s") in the high-rent district in downtown Van (it’s on Hornby, I believe, only a couple of blocks from my employer’s corporate offices in the Waterfron Centre). Not big, few tying supplies, but you can buy a rod and a few flies, or book a guide who can speak Japanese or Cantonese or German. — 3798 Woodland Drive     voice: (250) 368-9315 Trail, BC               data:  (250) 368-9341

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For Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada I would recommend my favorite, Michael & Young Flyshop in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver.(604-588-2833) The shop is a short walk (1/2 mile) from the Surrey skytrain station by Surrey Centre Mall (30 min. skytrain ride from downtown).  They supply equipment and excellent advice to flyfishermen looking for action locally, at  not too distant hotspots like Kamloops, Merritt, or Vancouver Island (2-3 hrs drive) or even in exotic places like Mexico.  Ruddicks Fly Shop in Burnaby (another suburb) may be closer and is supposed to provide similar service, though I haven’t been there. (604-434-2420) Hope you enjoy your trip. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m an italian fly fisherman,i will be in Vancouver for the next August i need some address of fly fishing shops,

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I’m an italian fly fisherman,i will be in Vancouver for the next August i need some address of fly fishing shops, thanks Massimiliano

For Vancouver BC try Hanson’s Fishing Outfitters, 102-580 Hornby Street, in downtown Vancouver. Ph 604 684 8988.  They also have a web site but I don’t know the URL. Peter Sealy

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Question:

Mr. G. has taken a trip to California and then to Florida shortly after that.  The Gink Staff will be glad to answer any questions posted to anyone needing advice or help on an upcoming trip. Gink Fly Fishing Staff "Gink Keeps It Up!"

Response:

Mr. G. has taken a trip to California and then to Florida shortly after that.  The Gink Staff will be glad to answer any questions posted to anyone needing advice or help on an upcoming trip. "Gink Keeps It Up!"

Not according to the "cheap" whores in California and Florida..;)

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Mr. G. has taken a trip to California and then to Florida shortly after that.  The Gink Staff will be glad to answer any questions posted to anyone needing advice or help on an upcoming trip. "Gink Keeps It Up!" Not according to the "cheap" whores in California and Florida..;)

I simply can’t read beyond "The Gink Staff" without bustin’ a button. — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – While exploring a new stretch of a local smallmouth river (Flat R., MI, near Greenville), I came upon a real shallow stretch of water. Depths ranged from inches to about two feet.  The bass were very small and spooky. The last straw came when a group of wild canoeists (canoers?) paddled through the area I was fishing.  They were loud and obviously drunk (it seems to be a local ordinance that a canoe must have at least one six pack of Busch to be considered legal).  Discouraged, I strung up and started to walk back to shore and the truck. And damn near stepped on a sucker about 14" long!  I froze while he continued to slowly move along the bottom.  Then I realized that there were about thirty or forty of them moving together.  They didn’t spook because of me but they knew enough to avoid me. Well, I hadn’t caught much in the way of fish so I figured, hell, it’s swimming and has fins so I’ll try for it.  I tossed out almost everything I had for about an hour.  Dries, streamers, nymphs, attractors, salmon eggs left over from last fall, everything.  The only action I got was when I lined one of them and he moved a little faster than usual. Now the question: Exactly what do these fish eat and what flies imitate it?  I prefer bass and trout, enjoy panfish and the occassional pike but I’ve never cast for suckers or carp.  I’m not an expert flyfisherman but I can generally put it where I want it.  What’s needed to catch those fish!? Thanks, Brian "Frustrated but Still up to the Challenge" Austin Brian Austin The desperate never believe the obvious

Brian, I have caught many suckers fishing for trout, almost always on nymphs.                                 Mark Faulkner

Response:

Check the July/August issue of American Angler magazine for some tips on fly fishing for suckers. John Likakis

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – While exploring a new stretch of a local smallmouth river (Flat R., MI, near Greenville), I came upon a real shallow stretch of water. Depths ranged from inches to about two feet.  The bass were very small and spooky. The last straw came when a group of wild canoeists (canoers?) paddled through the area I was fishing.  They were loud and obviously drunk (it seems to be a local ordinance that a canoe must have at least one six pack of Busch to be considered legal).  Discouraged, I strung up and started to walk back to shore and the truck. And damn near stepped on a sucker about 14" long!  I froze while he continued to slowly move along the bottom.  Then I realized that there were about thirty or forty of them moving together.  They didn’t spook because of me but they knew enough to avoid me. Well, I hadn’t caught much in the way of fish so I figured, hell, it’s swimming and has fins so I’ll try for it.  I tossed out almost everything I had for about an hour.  Dries, streamers, nymphs, attractors, salmon eggs left over from last fall, everything.  The only action I got was when I lined one of them and he moved a little faster than usual. Now the question: Exactly what do these fish eat and what flies imitate it?  I prefer bass and trout, enjoy panfish and the occassional pike but I’ve never cast for suckers or carp.  I’m not an expert flyfisherman but I can generally put it where I want it.  What’s needed to catch those fish!? Thanks, Brian "Frustrated but Still up to the Challenge" Austin Brian Austin The desperate never believe the obvious

much real help.  I have caught suckers a number of times (fair hooked) and on one occasion in the Kakisa River in the NWT, thought I had hooked up with a world record grayling. The fly was a Golden Stone but the kicker is that the water was quite turbid. Because suckers feed off the bottom it is unlikely in clear water with any velocity that you will have much chance. Small nymphs right on the bottom in rather slow moving water will fare better. Carp are another story altogether, they will take a moving fly.

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While exploring a new stretch of a local smallmouth river (Flat R., MI, near Greenville), I came upon a real shallow stretch of water. Depths ranged from inches to about two feet.  The bass were very small and spooky. The last straw came when a group of wild canoeists (canoers?) paddled through the area I was fishing.  They were loud and obviously drunk (it seems to be a local ordinance that a canoe must have at least one six pack of Busch to be considered legal).  Discouraged, I strung up and started to walk back to shore and the truck. And damn near stepped on a sucker about 14" long!  I froze while he continued to slowly move along the bottom.  Then I realized that there were about thirty or forty of them moving together.  They didn’t spook because of me but they knew enough to avoid me. Well, I hadn’t caught much in the way of fish so I figured, hell, it’s swimming and has fins so I’ll try for it.  I tossed out almost everything I had for about an hour.  Dries, streamers, nymphs, attractors, salmon eggs left over from last fall, everything.  The only action I got was when I lined one of them and he moved a little faster than usual. Now the question: Exactly what do these fish eat and what flies imitate it?  I prefer bass and trout, enjoy panfish and the occassional pike but I’ve never cast for suckers or carp.  I’m not an expert flyfisherman but I can generally put it where I want it.  What’s needed to catch those fish!? Thanks, Brian "Frustrated but Still up to the Challenge" Austin Brian Austin The desperate never believe the obvious

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. . . And damn near stepped on a sucker about 14" long!  I froze while he continued to slowly move along the bottom.  Then I realized that there were about thirty or forty of them moving together.  They didn’t spook because of me but they knew enough to avoid me. Well, I hadn’t caught much in the way of fish so I figured, hell, it’s swimming and has fins so I’ll try for it.  I tossed out almost everything I had for about an hour.  Dries, streamers, nymphs, attractors, salmon eggs left over from last fall, everything.  The only action I got was when I lined one of them and he moved a little . . . Exactly what do these fish eat and what flies imitate it?  I prefer

Unlike carp, suckers appear to be exclusively bottom feeders.  Their underslung mouths do not encourage them to take anything not actually resting on the bottom: and their digestions probably absorb anything from algae to big insects e.g. stoneflies.  They seem especially fond of worms, which hints they may scent food. A northern species of sucker called the Northern Redhorse is a beautiful fish (red fins) that runs to 30 inches and could break most fly tippets. Because so unafraid of predators, they can be caught on big nymphs if you can manage a dead drift within one inch of the bottom.  Dead drift (no skidding sideways) is ultra difficult on tippets strong enough to land a big one. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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… snip stuff preliminary to trying to catch suckers … Now the question: Exactly what do these fish eat and what flies imitate it?  I prefer bass and trout, enjoy panfish and the occassional pike but I’ve never cast for suckers or carp.  I’m not an expert flyfisherman but I can generally put it where I want it.  What’s needed to catch those fish!? Thanks, Brian "Frustrated but Still up to the Challenge" Austin

I am no expert, so have several grains of salt handy, but I believe that suckers determine what is food primarily by the smell of it, whereas bass and trout are sight hunters, determining what is food primarily by what it looks like (I think pike fall into this group as well).  Anyway, because a fly smells like a lump of feathers, fur, and steel, I would guess that you would have limited success with them.   Maybe if you smear that wet fly real well with extract of rotted fish… FWIW, etc. tq

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – While exploring a new stretch of a local smallmouth river (Flat R., MI, near Greenville), I came upon a real shallow stretch of water. Depths ranged from inches to about two feet.  The bass were very small and spooky. The last straw came when a group of wild canoeists (canoers?) paddled through the area I was fishing.  They were loud and obviously drunk (it seems to be a local ordinance that a canoe must have at least one six pack of Busch to be considered legal).  Discouraged, I strung up and started to walk back to shore and the truck. And damn near stepped on a sucker about 14" long!  I froze while he continued to slowly move along the bottom.  Then I realized that there were about thirty or forty of them moving together.  They didn’t spook because of me but they knew enough to avoid me. Well, I hadn’t caught much in the way of fish so I figured, hell, it’s swimming and has fins so I’ll try for it.  I tossed out almost everything I had for about an hour.  Dries, streamers, nymphs, attractors, salmon eggs left over from last fall, everything.  The only action I got was when I lined one of them and he moved a little faster than usual. Now the question: Exactly what do these fish eat and what flies imitate it?  I prefer bass and trout, enjoy panfish and the occassional pike but I’ve never cast for suckers or carp.  I’m not an expert flyfisherman but I can generally put it where I want it.  What’s needed to catch those fish!? Thanks, Brian "Frustrated but Still up to the Challenge" Austin Brian Austin The desperate never believe the obvious

Dear "Frustrated but Still up to the Challenge": When I began fly fishing at the late old age of 24, I apprenticed under the tutelage of a fine old fly fishing gentleman who gave me the real inside skinny on fly fishing and fly selection. The only cast you will ever need is the roll cast and the only fly that will work in such a situation is a #4 Hair Wing Royal Coachman Streamer tied on a Mustad 9575. His reasoning: that the Limerick bend and exaggerated barb of that particular Mustad hook does a superior job of holding the bait. Bait: His enticement of choice was the lowly earth worm, but in your case I would heartlily recommend thin strips of calf’s liver which have aged several weeks or months until dark green (the back of the fridge is perfect for the aging process) and amazingly pungent. Tackle: I recommend a 8-9′, 6 wt., fiberglass, Garcia "Conolon" rod with a "sturdy" action. Line: 6-7 wt. level line. Terminal Tackle: 2-3′ of 0X leader material tied to the line with a double overhand knot. You will need weight to get it to the feeding depth (bottom), so about 1/4 oz. of split shot should do it (remember to use "non-lead" split shot-for the environment you know). Method: Using 6" forceps attach the liver to the aforementioned fly, impaling it twice over the point and barb, douse with a very generous squirt of "Easy Cheez" (my favorite is the "Swiss Flavor"). Simply "Chuck & Duck", quartering upstream, directly into the feeding lane. As the fly approaches the fish, should he not notice the fly (some suckers suffer from "Squirreling Disease" which affects their sight and smell), simply yank the rod 2-3′ upward in the "Field and Stream" position and drive the fly into it’s snout (this is referred to as the "induced take"). Landing the Fish: After a spectacular fight and amazing display of water acrobatics (hauling it in), I implore you to practice "catch and release" fishing, whereby you "release" the fish as far as you can into the woods (ALWAYS be sure to bring "flushable" baby wipes for removing the sucker’s protective slime from your hands and waders after a "catch and release"). This is the option of choice for the true sportsman. Unless of course there happen to be spectators nearby who have emmigrated from country whose vast culinary heritage has bestowed up them a deeper appreciation for such a delicacy. In these cases, I salute their superior senses of taste and smell and it is my practice to reward them with a gift of the fish. Cooking Methods (Once in a while ALL true sportsman will kill a fish to eat): Refer to Schweibert’s "Trout" as many good recipes. adaptable to the tasty sucker, therein can be found. This section of the book alone is makes the purchase of this fine work a justifiable expense. Other great fish cookbooks have been written by LaFontaine and Borger and can be found in better fly shops everywhere. Tight Lines!! Todd L. McCagg "Dry Fly… Schmy Fly!"

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Question:

I’d like to learn how to fly fish, and I’m thinking about attending the LL Bean Fly Fishing School in Freeport. Does anyone have any good or bad comments about this school? Does anyone know of any other fly fishing schools in the Northeast? — Michael D’Alessandro, M.D., Deptartment of Radiology, The Children’s Hospital, Boston

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I highly recommend the LL Bean Fly Fishing School.  My husband Scott and I attended the Introductory school in Freeport last April.  The student/instructor ratio is good; there were about 8 instructors and maybe 35 students.  The sessions were a nice mix of classroom time and time on the water.  They pack a lot of information in 3 days and everything ran like clockwork; they really have their act together.  In addition to the casting lessons there were sessions on fly tying, knots, bugs, reading the water, and safety. Every instructor was very enthusiastic about the sport and that really came through in the sessions.  In addition to learning a lot, being there was just a lot of fun. The course runs about $400, and was well worth the cost.  I’m not sure about the Intermediate school at a fishing camp in Grand Lake Stream, now up to $1200… Good Luck, -Cathy p.s  Good coffee there too!

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