Question:

<snip  i just can’t imagine trying to fish with a fly rod for trout under the conditions you have described.

It’s not often like I described. George and I have shared the entire stretch with one or two others for most of the season. Because of the warm weather immediately following a cold snap, and the threat of bad weather all the following week, everyone’s fishing time was compacted into one day. Also, there are other good "wild" rivers around the area, but the drought-like conditions have kept them way down this year, hence the concentration of fishers at the Swift. The Swift has a controlled flow and sustains the good trout conditions pretty much year ’round. thank god for the blue ridge, and the great smokies, and the old north state.     why don’t ya come down and *see* us some time…

I’d like that and, if the invitation remains open and the stars align properly, I plan on getting to the ONS next Autumn. I’d like to hear about the anti-clave from the perspective of a non-participant of the death march so I can better gage the kind of fishing I’d see. Should you find your way to Western Massachusetts some day, there is typically some very good fishing to show you and some wonderful scenery. Why, Stan might even show you his secret spot. . . — TL, Tim

Response:

Ahhhh, "therein lies the rub." While we are trying to be stealthy and fool the fish into taking one of our real-life imitations, the spinner folks are just trying to piss ‘em off. At the next ‘clave, try this experiment – see which takes longer: pissing someone off or fooling them. Based on years of scientific study and black eyes, I’ve found that pissing *people* off can be a much quicker endeavor, and this probably holds true for fish as well.  :)

Tim, it is funny your story. I was in your neck of the woods on Sat afternoon with a spinning rod, a six of budlite, two packs of white owls, a buddy and his son … nah, just kidding. I was up on the Hoosic, though, and the same thing happened: I was in the pool first and a guy with his son came by. He told his son to fish in front of me on the opposite back. He went downstream and start to cast within a couple of yards of me. Judging by his glares, the SOB looked like he cared more about the pool than I did, so I moved on to the next pool. Some things just aren’t worth the hypertension (or the hospital fees). — Gary M (remove ‘x’s from email address)

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The good news is that the kid caught a nice rainbow right after you left. How does this stuff happen?  We stealthy fly fishermen can creep upto a pool on our bellies, deftly cast our 7X tippets from a crouch, and still put fish down for an entire day with a brief glint off a chrome tip top.   Yet a loud bunch of spin fishermen can loudly stroll right into a pool, toss down their cigarette butts, then turn around and catch a nice rainbow.   There’s something wrong with that.  :-)

Ahhhh, "therein lies the rub." While we are trying to be stealthy and fool the fish into taking one of our real-life imitations, the spinner folks are just trying to piss ‘em off. At the next ‘clave, try this experiment – see which takes longer: pissing someone off or fooling them. Based on years of scientific study and black eyes, I’ve found that pissing *people* off can be a much quicker endeavor, and this probably holds true for fish as well.  :) — TL, Tim

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <… As I’m tying on new sections, two beer-drinking, cigarette smoking, spinner-throwing gentlemen with a 5 or 6 year old boy appear with the all subtlety of a runaway train between George and me and start casting into MY pool 10 feet in front of me. Nice report Tim.  Don’t be to hard on the spin fishermen – I used to fish the Swift and Deerfield with spinners when I was younger and poorer.  From their point of view, you and George were hogging the river. However, you did hit on the reason why I just can’t bring myself to fish the Swift on a weekend…     i just can’t imagine trying to fish with a fly rod for trout under the

conditions you have described.     thank god for the blue ridge, and the great smokies, and the old north state.     why don’t ya come down and *see* us some time… yfitons wayno

Response:

<… As I’m tying on new sections, two beer-drinking, cigarette smoking, spinner-throwing gentlemen with a 5 or 6 year old boy appear with the all subtlety of a runaway train between George and me and start casting into MY pool 10 feet in front of me. Nice report Tim.  Don’t be to hard on the spin fishermen – I used to fish the Swift and Deerfield with spinners when I was younger and poorer.  From their point of view, you and George were hogging the river.

You got me all wrong, Stan. I’m innocent – innocent, I tells ya. <g  I haven’t done any spinner fishing in the past few years, but before that I did quite a bit myself. I have nothing against spinner fishing, and would have been just as ticked off had a fly fisher started casting right in front of me. When I was spinner fishing, I always gave other fishers a wide berth when they had staked a claim. I think it’s a courtesy for any type of fishing. However, you did hit on the reason why I just can’t bring myself to fish the Swift on a weekend…

Yeah – the "elbow-to-elbow" conditions aren’t the ultimate. If we get some more decent weather, I’m going to go to some of my downriver spots. I’ve found these far less populated, but the scenery is pretty poor in places. A lot of trash-dumping goes on by the time you get to Bondsville. — TL, Tim

Response:

In the meantime, picture George acting like he’s oblivious to it all as he continues to backcast in their general direction. These guys can’t take a hint, though, and probably wouldn’t even if he landed one of them. Those guys toughed it out. I figured they would take the hint, but if I got too close they probably would have just moved closer to you….they seemed to be that sort. Good that they take the kid fishing, but not setting a good example for him.

The good news is that the kid caught a nice rainbow right after you left. He was very excited and I heard him ask the older guys as they were packing to leave when they could bring him again. The better news is that they *did* release the fish, because I had serious doubts that they would. Hopefully, the fish survived the handling. — TL, Tim

Response:

The good news is that the kid caught a nice rainbow right after you left.

How does this stuff happen?  We stealthy fly fishermen can creep upto a pool on our bellies, deftly cast our 7X tippets from a crouch, and still put fish down for an entire day with a brief glint off a chrome tip top.   Yet a loud bunch of spin fishermen can loudly stroll right into a pool, toss down their cigarette butts, then turn around and catch a nice rainbow.   There’s something wrong with that.  :-) Joe F.

Response:

However, you did hit on the reason why I just can’t bring myself to fish the Swift on a weekend…

The traffic there has been real sporadic all year. There’s been a few weekends when you can’t even find a place to park, yet there’s been as many when I’ve found myself fishing alone for long periods of time. It’s often been more crowded on weekday evenings than the weekends, though Tim and I have fished several weekday evenings with little or no company. To paraphrase Yogi, "Nobody fishes it because it’s so crowded." George Adams "All good fishermen stay young until they die, for fishing is the only dream of youth that doth not grow stale with age."                                                           —- J.W Muller

Response:

Yeah, well, I figured if it’s going to be stupid, short is the best way to go. It just didn’t turn out that way. As someone else mentioned on another TR, we had a relatively warm weekend. As I was raking leaves and cleaning the yard for the winter onslaught, I thought, "What in the hell am I doing wasting perfectly good fishing weather?" When SWMBO decided it was time for her to start Christmas shopping, I wished her well but convinced her that I MUST stay and get the yard work done. As she pulled out of the driveway, I saw my opening and threw the blower and rake in the shed as I ran to grab my waders. So now it’s about 13:00 on a Saturday afternoon. I figured there were two choices: The nearby C & R area was bound to be primed for combat fishing since every other fly fisher in the area was probably throwing their rakes into the shed at about the same time. Or I could go to a less fished area of the river, but there are really only a few decent areas for throwing in a fly and have a possibility of catching much. I decide on the former and speed off. As I pull into the C & R area, this little red Subaru is blocking my forward progress. DAMN – George got the fishing idea just a moment before it came to me. As we pull up to the parking area, the number of vehicles indicate finding a good spot might be a problem. George decides he’ll head downstream to the usual and best spots to see how heavily occupied by the enemy they might be. With my eternal optimism I went upstream to see if any fish had migrated that far. I found a couple of runs that looked semi-promising and started wetting the line. I caught four tremendous lunkers, with the largest being the size of my index finger. One of them received full backcast treatment from me. With that kind of success behind me, I trudge off in search of George. I decided that he must have found a spot and be doing okay since he wasn’t searching for me. I find him in a prime location throwing some kind of black gnat about the size of a pin head. He tells me he has picked up a few decent ‘bows already and I notice there is another prime spot open just downstream from him. I make a run of drifts with a #24 Griffiths Gnat, which was the smallest thing I had. The fish rise at it, but no takes. I then catch the branch directly above me and am doomed to lose the fly and all except the butt section of leader. As I’m tying on new sections, two beer-drinking, cigarette smoking, spinner-throwing gentlemen with a 5 or 6 year old boy appear with the all subtlety of a runaway train between George and me and start casting into MY pool 10 feet in front of me. Can you imagine throwing spinners in the presence of a 5 year old? <G As they get the lure stuck on a log, I hear them discuss having "the guy with the waders" get it for them. Obviously, I am too involved with tying my leader and cannot hear them, so one of them sloshes out into the pool to reclaim it. The fish to which I’d been casting scatter. In the meantime, picture George acting like he’s oblivious to it all as he continues to backcast in their general direction. These guys can’t take a hint, though, and probably wouldn’t even if he landed one of them. Finally, I decide I’ve had enough and reel in my line, raise my rod, give them a stern stare, and . . . move back up river. I decided that I wouldn’t succeed in teaching them anything and would probably just sour the 5 year old from fishing again. Some of the other fishermen come out of the spot just above George, so I enter there. I watch George land a nice ‘bow and I continue to throw stuff at ‘em to no avail. Right before dark, I bring a small brookie (maybe all of 6 inches) to hand and call it a day. Since this was a day when I hadn’t planned to fish at all, it was a fun one all the more and possibly the last shirt-sleeve one of the season. I thank the weather gods for it and head for home. — TL, Tim

Response:

In the meantime, picture George acting like he’s oblivious to it all as he continues to backcast in their general direction. These guys can’t take a hint, though, and probably wouldn’t even if he landed one of them.

Those guys toughed it out. I figured they would take the hint, but if I got too close they probably would have just moved closer to you….they seemed to be that sort. Good that they take the kid fishing, but not setting a good example for him. I watch George land a nice ‘bow and I continue to throw stuff at ‘em to no avail.

Wound up with 3 browns and 3 ‘bows. (not unethical to count if you can do it on your fingers) Likely will be my last time out unless we get another warm spell, even though I tied up some more of the #26 emergers.  I left my last one in a decent fish and decided to call it quits. Come on Spring!! George Adams "All good fishermen stay young until they die, for fishing is the only dream of youth that doth not grow stale with age."                                                           —- J.W Muller

Response:

<… As I’m tying on new sections, two beer-drinking, cigarette smoking, spinner-throwing gentlemen with a 5 or 6 year old boy appear with the all subtlety of a runaway train between George and me and start casting into MY pool 10 feet in front of me.

Nice report Tim.  Don’t be to hard on the spin fishermen – I used to fish the Swift and Deerfield with spinners when I was younger and poorer.  From their point of view, you and George were hogging the river. However, you did hit on the reason why I just can’t bring myself to fish the Swift on a weekend…

Response:

Question:

I am a commercial  bush pilot living in Canada, I fly floats in the summer and wheel/skis in the winter.  I  do all of my fueling, cleaning, loading, basically im a one man show.   I love the float season, i love flying into little lakes, beaching on a island, dumping my passengers off and then swimming or fishing for a while if I have time before my next flight.   My problem is this;  I know that if I want to make any money I will probibaly have to move into the multi ifr stuff in the next couple of years before i get too old (im 26).  And the problem with that is I have done the ifr ground school twice (3-day cram fest in Vancouver for $200) and have not completed it either time.  I am bored shitless and cant concentrate!  I just cant get into it and I’m not sure why?  For you comm pilots out there flying ifr all the time; does it suck?  are you bored most of the time?  I go up to the cockpit on air canada A320 sometimes and visit the pilots and they dont seem to have much to do….or see. Any float drivers turned ifr drivers out there who can give me some encouragement?   Are there any fun ifr jobs where i dont have to dawn a shirt with those prissy gold bars?  Am I doomed to choose between a job I hate for the money or a job I love and poverty? Help, jon

Response:

 …And the problem with that is I have done the ifr ground school twice (3-day cram fest in Vancouver for $200) and have not completed it either time.  I am bored shitless and cant concentrate!  I just cant get into it and I’m not sure why?

Skip the book stuff for now and try IFR flight training for a while-that’s where the challenge is. If it still bores you, go back to what you love. If you make good money doing something you hate, how well off are you, really? Dan N9387D at BFM

Response:

John.  I have a private homebuilt floatplane and suffer with a similar malady. In my case it’s eliminating one rat from the urban rat race and going north to make a meagre living by flying.  I encountered the following, which while not right for me, might help you out.  About a year ago, the ontario government was looking for conservation officers to fly small aircraft in northern ontario enforcing hunting and fishing regs, and doing all those other things that conservation officers are supposed to do.  Might be worth checking out.  IIRC, they were flying Maules. Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a commercial  bush pilot living in Canada, I fly floats in the summer and wheel/skis in the winter.  I  do all of my fueling, cleaning, loading, basically im a one man show.   I love the float season, i love flying into little lakes, beaching on a island, dumping my passengers off and then swimming or fishing for a while if I have time before my next flight.   My problem is this;  I know that if I want to make any money I will probibaly have to move into the multi ifr stuff in the next couple of years before i get too old (im 26).  And the problem with that is I have done the ifr ground school twice (3-day cram fest in Vancouver for $200) and have not completed it either time.  I am bored shitless and cant concentrate!  I just cant get into it and I’m not sure why?  For you comm pilots out there flying ifr all the time; does it suck?  are you bored most of the time?  I go up to the cockpit on air canada A320 sometimes and visit the pilots and they dont seem to have much to do….or see. Any float drivers turned ifr drivers out there who can give me some encouragement?   Are there any fun ifr jobs where i dont have to dawn a shirt with those prissy gold bars?  Am I doomed to choose between a job I hate for the money or a job I love and poverty? Help, jon

Response:

OK I’ll bite, even though floats are still on my "someday" list… I love it all.  I fly all-weather all-night air ambulance operations (IFR, of course), freight, and passengers.  That’s fun.  So is taking my Taylorcraft and hand-propping it, stopping at grass strips, and paying cash for gas (usually whatever cash made it through the laundry in my jeans pocket covers my fuel bill). I also really enjoy giving passengers a super-smooth ride in challenging weather (or at least trying).  I did a life flight the other day with a very ill little girl and her mother and really felt like I was helping them by making the flight as comfortable as possible, even though the destination was barely above minimums.   And, I think I fly each operation better from the experience in the other.  They taylorcraft makes me acutely aware of aircraft limitations (no lights, no radios) and the twins make me aware of the aircraft’s possibilities.  I like both! You’ll need to pursue your IR in order to get full satisfaction.  I know the Canadian system is different from ours but put your head down and get your exams done, then enjoy the flying! Jim Wolper ATP/PhD/CFII

Response:

For you comm pilots out there flying ifr all the time; does it suck? are you bored most of the time?  I go up to the cockpit on air canada A320 sometimes and visit the pilots and they dont seem to have much to do….or see.

No, I’m not bored.  Terror tends to concentrate the mind.  :-)   Not much to see, except the instruments, but you have to watch them VERY closely.  Just because there isn’t much movement doesn’t mean nothing is happening.  Try some flying under the hood & see if you don’t enjoy it.   Admittedly, the ground school isn’t that exciting, but I do enjoy the flying.  If you don’t enjoy precision flying, it won’t be as much fun, but I enjoy the challenge.  A night ILS to minimums makes it seem better.

Response:

Question:

You’re right  - I gave the thing a smack and it’s only -32 C! I’m strippin’ down! I’m in the ‘Peg – Ottawa is tropical in comparison Before you buy.

Response:

Still, -32 C is 32 degrees _below_ the freezing point of water. The only thing hatching at temperatures like that are icecubes? Herman, wondering if America is really _that_ different from Europe You’re right  - I gave the thing a smack and it’s only -32 C! I’m strippin’ down! I’m in the ‘Peg – Ottawa is tropical in comparison Before you buy.

–         Cheers, Herman         Herman Nijland         Daytime webmaster         Lifetime flyfisher

Response:

Yes, Herman!  Things are that different here in America.  We had a lovely *icecube* hatch last year on Upper Creek.  While the damn things are somewhat difficult to tie on a hook. The trout just love the different flavors, when you mix in a little KOOL-AID. — Opie  **Panhandling for a better tomorrow!**

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Still, -32 C is 32 degrees _below_ the freezing point of water. The only thing hatching at temperatures like that are icecubes? Herman, wondering if America is really _that_ different from Europe You’re right  - I gave the thing a smack and it’s only -32 C! I’m strippin’ down! I’m in the ‘Peg – Ottawa is tropical in comparison Before you buy. — Cheers, Herman Herman Nijland Daytime webmaster Lifetime flyfisher

Response:

Just checked the thermometer and its -41 C. The Tricos should be coming off any day now. Ottawa can get pretty cold indeed, but -41C is like -70F. You sure your thermometer is working correctly?

Jeez, your supposed to be an engineer or computer geek or something – -40C is about -40F, it’s the point where the two systems meet. Having been in Winterpeg in the middle of January more than once and having lived in Ottawa, I’ll take the ‘Peg. Peter

Response:

Just checked the thermometer and its -41 C. The Tricos should be coming off any day now.

-41 C?? Well in Fahrenheit that must be nearly… Lesse F = 9/5C + 32… That means -41C is minus fort–no wait, that can’t be right!! <g –Steve (pardon the math joke)

Response:

Ottawa can get pretty cold indeed, but -41C is like -70F.  You sure your thermometer is working correctly?

*Something’s* not working correctly, that’s for sure. HINT: Did you use a UNIX-based calculator to come up with that answer, Dave? –Steve

Response:

Jeez, your supposed to be an engineer or computer geek or something – -40C is about -40F, it’s the point where the two systems meet.

There are other aspects to 2nd childhoods than fast cars… <g — Charlie…

Response:

Just checked the thermometer and its -41 C. The Tricos should be coming off any day now. Ottawa can get pretty cold indeed, but -41C is like -70F. You sure your thermometer is working correctly? Jeez, your supposed to be an engineer or computer geek or something –

A DEMOCRATIC engineer or computer geek or something – I’ll bet he stuffs his turkey through the neck (do with that what you will) <G. TC, R – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –40C is about -40F, it’s the point where the two systems meet.

Response:

–

Just checked the thermometer and its -41 C. The Tricos should be coming off any day now. Sigh

Excuse my ignorance: what’s the Tricos? Chris Always willing to learn.

Response:

Ottawa can get pretty cold indeed, but -41C is like -70F.  You sure your thermometer is working correctly? *Something’s* not working correctly, that’s for sure. HINT: Did you use a UNIX-based calculator to come up with that answer, Dave? –Steve

Yikes – did I post that? To the Windows Calculator with 9/5C+32  and – ooops – there’s where I lost it, I never added the 32…Oh well… Goes to show that posting after drinking your way through "The Big Book Of Wine At That Really Expensive Restaurant" could be hazardous to your dignity. /daytripper (recovering slowly…)

Response:

Does it matter at that point?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just checked the thermometer and its -41 C. The Tricos should be coming off any day now. Ottawa can get pretty cold indeed, but -41C is like -70F.  You sure your thermometer is working correctly?

Response:

Tricos are a little tiny mayfly. About a number 26. I tie them on a #24 hook but only dress the front half of the shank. Paul

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — Just checked the thermometer and its -41 C. The Tricos should be coming off any day now. Sigh Excuse my ignorance: what’s the Tricos? Chris Always willing to learn.

Response:

Dignity?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ottawa can get pretty cold indeed, but -41C is like -70F.  You sure your thermometer is working correctly? *Something’s* not working correctly, that’s for sure. HINT: Did you use a UNIX-based calculator to come up with that answer, Dave? –Steve Yikes – did I post that? To the Windows Calculator with 9/5C+32  and – ooops – there’s where I lost it, I never added the 32…Oh well… Goes to show that posting after drinking your way through "The Big Book Of Wine At That Really Expensive Restaurant" could be hazardous to your dignity. /daytripper (recovering slowly…)

Response:

Tricos are a little tiny mayfly. About a number 26. I tie them on a #24 hook but only dress the front half of the shank. Paul

    i thought they were a type of diptera.  or is that "diphteria"? wayno, a little weak on the entomology.

Response:

Tricos are a little tiny mayfly. About a number 26. I tie them on a #24 hook but only dress the front half of the shank. Paul    i thought they were a type of diptera.  or is that "diphteria"? wayno, a little weak on the entomology.

    wait, no; i meant "diptheria". wayno, just plain weak – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I thought diphtheria is a disease. Diptera is the true fly family of which midges are a member. Tricorythodes is a genus of mayfly (Ephemeroptera).

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tricos are a little tiny mayfly. About a number 26. I tie them on a #24 hook but only dress the front half of the shank. Paul    i thought they were a type of diptera.  or is that "diphteria"? wayno, a little weak on the entomology.     wait, no; i meant "diptheria". wayno, just plain weak

Response:

"Brian D. Nelson" wrote I thought diphtheria is a disease. Diptera is the true fly family of which midges are a member. Tricorythodes is a genus of mayfly (Ephemeroptera).

Diphtheria is a disease, just like flyfishing. Ernie

Response:

Diphtheria is a disease, just like flyfishing. Ernie

Then I hope I don’t catch it (the diphtheria, that is) because, like flyfishing, there is no cure (except to go fishing, of course!). — Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters Missoula, Montana http://www.montana.com/dno/dno.htm 406-626-4022

Response:

Diptera = two wings. Usually the critters that bite, or if not look too much like those not to swat them. Grammatical codswallop, but I guess you get the point. Herman Shit, I think I inhaled.. Tricos are a little tiny mayfly. About a number 26. I tie them on a #24 hook but only dress the front half of the shank. Paul     i thought they were a type of diptera.  or is that "diphteria"? wayno, a little weak on the entomology.

–         Cheers, Herman         Herman Nijland         Daytime webmaster         Lifetime flyfisher

Response:

Herman,   The trico is closely related to a British insect called the Treacle (look up the taxonomy, but as you can tell by the name, they are closely related).  Though both are often mentioned in Winter settings, but at -40 Centigrade or Fahrenheit, they bear a striking similarity, i.e. they don’t move a whole bunch.              Frank – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yes, Herman!  Things are that different here in America.  We had a lovely *icecube* hatch last year on Upper Creek.  While the damn things are somewhat difficult to tie on a hook. The trout just love the different flavors, when you mix in a little KOOL-AID. — Opie  **Panhandling for a better tomorrow!** Still, -32 C is 32 degrees _below_ the freezing point of water. The only thing hatching at temperatures like that are icecubes? Herman, wondering if America is really _that_ different from Europe You’re right  - I gave the thing a smack and it’s only -32 C! I’m strippin’ down! I’m in the ‘Peg – Ottawa is tropical in comparison Before you buy. — Cheers, Herman Herman Nijland Daytime webmaster Lifetime flyfisher

Before you buy.

Response:

That’s my kind of insect.. I don’t move much at -40 C either. Herman – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Herman,   The trico is closely related to a British insect called the Treacle (look up the taxonomy, but as you can tell by the name, they are closely related).  Though both are often mentioned in Winter settings, but at -40 Centigrade or Fahrenheit, they bear a striking similarity, i.e. they don’t move a whole bunch.              Frank

Response:

Correct me if I’m wrong, but here in Montana, Tricos hatch in August, not wintertime. Fill me in on the Treacle. I’ve never heard of it and cannot tell by the name that they are closely related (other than the "Tr").

Herman,   The trico is closely related to a British insect called the Treacle (look up the taxonomy, but as you can tell by the name, they are closely related).  Though both are often mentioned in Winter settings, but at -40 Centigrade or Fahrenheit, they bear a striking similarity, i.e. they don’t move a whole bunch.              Frank

– Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters Missoula, Montana http://www.montana.com/dno/dno.htm 406-626-4022

Response:

That’s my kind of insect.. I don’t move much at -40 C either.

I experienced -40 one time…actually it was -44 F.  At that temperature you had BETTER keep moving!  Trust me on this one.       Wolfgang digging out from under 13" of new snow this morning

Response:

Just checked the thermometer and its -41 C. The Tricos should be coming off any day now. Sigh Before you buy.

Response:

Just checked the thermometer and its -41 C. The Tricos should be coming off any day now.

Ottawa can get pretty cold indeed, but -41C is like -70F.  You sure your thermometer is working correctly?

Response:

Question:

ernie — that’s interesting…might I ask how you are defining "fall" — since the russian, gualala, garcia, etc…didn’t have any confirmed steelhead reported in them until January…. j

Response:

Hi Paul, These are ‘Winter Run’ rivers that are dependent on rain.  Dec/Jan/Feb/March is their normal timing. Unless you are going to be there for some other reason, winter steelheading today is not a good bet for most fly fishers. We fished them in the 60s and 70s with some success, but today you have to really be ‘connected’ so you know when the few good rivers that are left have the right water conditions for fly fishing. Our best steelhead fishing is in Sept/Oct/Nov when the water is warmer and the fish are more active. This can be swinging flies or nymphing with egg imitations behind spawning salmon. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA http://www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m looking for info on best times to steelhead fish in Cali. Specifically, the Russian, Navarro, etc. Is March the time to go?  What about other rivers? Any sites to recommend for additional info?         Thank you for your time, Paul B.

Response:

This year you are going to hit it perfect!  March is going to be prime time for Steelhead on the Navarro and the Russian.  I landed a nice fish on the Russian early this year.  Last year the Navarro was great at this time.  I would give this rain a day or so before heading up there.  They are going to be very swollen.  The Gualala is always a good choice this time of year even if it is raining it seems to run clear.  Take the time to do a bit of research before going, it is important to have the correct lines for those rivers.  If you need more information on this area go to http://www.flyfishingreview.com/flyforum/ There is plenty of good info on the message board. Thanks,Forrest — Forrest http://www.FlyFishingREVIEW.com FlyFishingREVIEW.com I’m looking for info on best times to steelhead fish in Cali. Specifically, the Russian, Navarro, etc. Is March the time to go?  What about other rivers? Any sites to recommend for additional info?         Thank you for your time, Paul B.

– Forrest http://www.FlyFishingREVIEW.com FlyFishingREVIEW.com Before you buy.

Response:

You are correct.  Most of the Steelhead on California coastal streams come in the winter months(dec jan feb mar)  I have found March to be one of the most productive months on the Gualala and Garcia rivers.  In Ernies defense the rivers do see fish in Nov.  This depends on the rainfall.  I landed a nice fish on the Russian in Early November one year.  It is tough to predict but Steelhead usually start congregating around river mouths in Nor Cal around mid Oct. entering the river as the rains come. Thanks,Forrest — Forrest http://www.FlyFishingREVIEW.com FlyFishingREVIEW.com WIN ANY SAGE ROD!!!! Reviews on the gear you want. ernie — that’s interesting…might I ask how you are defining "fall" — since the russian, gualala, garcia, etc…didn’t have any confirmed steelhead reported in them until January…. j

– Forrest http://www.FlyFishingREVIEW.com FlyFishingREVIEW.com Before you buy.

Response:

I’m looking for info on best times to steelhead fish in Cali. Specifically, the Russian, Navarro, etc. Is March the time to go?  What about other rivers? Any sites to recommend for additional info?         Thank you for your time, Paul B.

Response:

Paul,    The salmon gather at the river mouth waiting for enough rain to raise the river and make upstream passage possible so they can spawn.  The steelhead wait for the salmon to start their runs so they can follow them and eat the salmon eggs.  The salmon die after spawning and the steel head spawn and return to the ocean.  You may catch a steel head that hasn’t returned to the ocean yet, but it is kind of late in the season.  Fall is the best time, after the rain starts. Ernie Harrison Want to make tapered leaders? See: http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m looking for info on best times to steelhead fish in Cali. Specifically, the Russian, Navarro, etc. Is March the time to go?  What about other rivers? Any sites to recommend for additional info?        Thank you for your time, Paul B.

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Question:

Hi Mike, I would take a larger #7, 8 or 9 weight outfit with a floating line. It is better during the summer and particularly in the Fall (Oct) when the wind lays down, but if it is warm, who knows, it could be great?. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop http://www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m going to be in the Brownsville, TX area next month and would like to take an extra day while I’m there for a little fishing. Is it worth it at this time of the year? Can anyone recommend a guide? I’m thinking along the lines of redfish, or whatever in the nearby bays. Thanks. — Mike Terrian terrian at ibm dot net

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I’m going to be in the Brownsville, TX area next month and would like to take an extra day while I’m there for a little fishing. Is it worth it at this time of the year? Can anyone recommend a guide? I’m thinking along the lines of redfish, or whatever in the nearby bays. Thanks. — Mike Terrian terrian at ibm dot net

Response:

Mike, Don’t go! If you do go, leave the area immediately!  You might see the flag of a once independent Texas which would be offensive to all with eyesight and will create an off-topic thread from which we will never recover .

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m going to be in the Brownsville, TX area next month and would like to take an extra day while I’m there for a little fishing. Is it worth it at this time of the year? Can anyone recommend a guide? I’m thinking along the lines of redfish, or whatever in the nearby bays. Thanks. — Mike Terrian terrian at ibm dot net

Response:

Mike, I recommend Eric Glass, Gib Little or any one that Larry Haines at The Shop in Port Isabel recommends.  This time of year can be hot for Reds and Specs.  I friend of mine has been taking Snook in the Arroyo.  Unfortunately we just had a chemical spill in the Port of Brownsville and that may damage or disrupt some of our snook fishery.  Eric # is 956.761.2878.  Gib’s 761.7682.  Larry is at 943.1785.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m going to be in the Brownsville, TX area next month and would like to take an extra day while I’m there for a little fishing. Is it worth it at this time of the year? Can anyone recommend a guide? I’m thinking along the lines of redfish, or whatever in the nearby bays. Thanks. — Mike Terrian terrian at ibm dot net

Response:

Unfortunately we just had a chemical spill in the Port of Brownsville and that may damage or disrupt some of our snook fishery.

It’s so comforting to know that due to Gov. George Bush the oil and gas industry in Texas is permitted to comply with environmental regulations in a purely "voluntary" manner. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

Yeah, well it wasn’t oil nor gas. The truck driver broke the law and was hauled of by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Unfortunately we just had a chemical spill in the Port of Brownsville and that may damage or disrupt some of our snook fishery. It’s so comforting to know that due to Gov. George Bush the oil and gas industry in Texas is permitted to comply with environmental regulations in a purely "voluntary" manner. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

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Question:

Phew. Good story. How about more of this? Who out there among us has ever written a story for publication, only to have it rejected by some pip-squeek assistant editor? Why not publish yourself on the web? right here? This beats the hell out of C&R pissing. — /* Sandy Pittendrigh                  –oO0  * http://www.nervana.montana.edu/~sandy  */

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Why not publish yourself on the web? right here?

What, and give away blood, sweat & tears FOR FREE ? My literary agent would have a coronary. — Ken Fortenberry

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‘There’s nothing like making a definitive stement on the net to provehow wrong you are’

Too true, too true!

Response:

Seemingly oblivious to the arcane machinations and unexplainable antics of a veritable host of erstwhile anglers, walkers, canoers, frustrated lovers, and usually inebriated potential suicides on the bridge above, the large and reputedly ancient trout lay just below the second brick foundation of the first bridge arch.  According to local folklore he weighed in excess of ten pounds, but he was apparently oblivious of his fame as well.   He rose occasionally and slurped a particularly inviting morsel from the calm lane at the side of the fast water caused by the water rushing through the narrows of the arch.

(remarkable story snipped) Allright, then, Mike, would it be true? Which part did you play? Mark Faulkner

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(remarkable story snipped) Allright, then, Mike, would it be true? Which part did you play? Mark Faulkner

Perfectly true, I know, I was that trout ! TL MC

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Damn bait fisherman!  We need more bartenders like that around all trout streams! Warren

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Seemingly oblivious to the arcane machinations and unexplainable antics of a veritable host of erstwhile anglers, walkers, canoers, frustrated lovers, and usually inebriated potential suicides on the bridge above, the large and reputedly ancient trout lay just below the second brick foundation of the first bridge arch.  According to local folklore he weighed in excess of ten pounds, but he was apparently oblivious of his fame as well.   He rose occasionally and slurped a particularly inviting morsel from the calm lane at the side of the fast water caused by the water rushing through the narrows of the arch. If some of the local worthies were to be believed he had been doing this every summer for the last ten years. Experts and tyros, men of letters, small boys with worms,  although the water was fly only, and even lowly poachers,  had all attempted the difficult cast at one time or another over the years, some even successfully, the jaw of the fish was laced with white scars easily visible in the clear water, testimony to the "barbs and arrows of outrageous fortune" to which he had been subjected and which he now bore with seeming nonchalance, perhaps even truculent pride. A hard won but most excellent education.  In the "Stag

Question:

    my best buddy has managed an invitation to fish the headwaters of the north platte, just over the wyoming line from colorado, on a working ranch near saratoga.  he knows nothing about the water, although he is highly accomplished at fishing here in the appalachians.     thus, these requests for information…does anyone know any details about this section of the n.platte?  flies of choice (early to mid august); how big is the water; is it too cold to wade without neoprene; are there any tributaries in the area that hold brookies; any other good (or better) water within an hour or so?     remember, this is a one time trip, so it isn’t like you would be disclosing secrets to the great unwashed masses.  please send replies email, or call me collect at 336-275-1231.     thanks for the help.     wayne harrison

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     my best buddy has managed an invitation to fish the headwaters of the north platte, just over the wyoming line from colorado, on a working ranch near saratoga.  he knows nothing about the water, although he is highly accomplished at fishing here in the appalachians.     thus, these requests for information…does anyone know any details about this section of the n.platte?  flies of choice (early to mid august); how big is the water; is it too cold to wade without neoprene; are there any tributaries in the area that hold brookies; any other good (or better) water within an hour or so?     remember, this is a one time trip, so it isn’t like you would be disclosing secrets to the great unwashed masses.  please send replies email, or call me collect at 336-275-1231.     thanks for the help.     wayne harrison

Wayne; Two information sources I can think of, and both are excellent IMO: <<www.rockymtnflyfisher.com and Fly Fishing The North Platte by Rod Walinchus, Pruett Publishing, Boulder, CO, 800-247-8224. Rocky Mountain Fly Fisher produces a Windows CD-ROM with info and maps on sevreal dozen Rocky Mountain streams. Al Marlowe

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Question:

Greetings! I am interested in discussing saltwater flyfishing techniques with anyone who has tried it in the Pacific Northwest.  I’m especially interested in talking to folks who may have tried flyfishing for cod, seabass, or salmon species. Thanks! Best Wishes, Tim Wittman

Response:

Greetings! I am interested in discussing saltwater flyfishing techniques with anyone who has tried it in the Pacific Northwest.  I’m especially interested in talking to folks who may have tried flyfishing for cod, seabass, or salmon species. Thanks! Best Wishes, Tim Wittman

     i have tried, been fairly successful, and had a great time.  i really enjoy fishing for seabass (black rockfish).  it is more difficult without a boat, but casting flies from a jetty is very challenging fishing, from casting to landing fish.      as for tackle, i use a 9.5 ft. 9 wt.  with a ten foot section of cortland quick descent 425 or 325 grain sink tip.  i use a short leader, with 10 or 12 lb. maxima leader.  the flies i use are tube flies, mostly baitfish patterns from 2-5 inches long. the coolest thing about jetty fishing is when you happen to hook one of the big lings, i haven’t landed one yet (they swim into and under the jetty), but they sure can pull.      as for salmon, a boat helps in puget sound, although there is some beach access for resident coho.  look at the new regs for the strait this year, a 2 week, catch and release, surface flies only coho fishery this summer.  i would like to know if anybody in computer land has had any success fishing pink salmon in the strait of juan de fuca, especially flies and fly lines?       as for cod, i just do not know.  the local paper ran an article a couple days ago on the need for saltwater sanctuaries to bring back bottomfish(cod included) in puget sound. good luck, chris

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings! I am interested in discussing saltwater flyfishing techniques with anyone who has tried it in the Pacific Northwest.  I’m especially interested in talking to folks who may have tried flyfishing for cod, seabass, or salmon species. Thanks! Best Wishes, Tim Wittman

There are plenty of folks around here doing this; you might want to contact The Northwest Angler in Poulsbo, they specialize in saltwater. They aren’t on line yet, we’re working on it. Fish on, Allen

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings! I am interested in discussing saltwater flyfishing techniques with anyone who has tried it in the Pacific Northwest.  I’m especially interested in talking to folks who may have tried flyfishing for cod, seabass, or salmon species. Thanks! Best Wishes, Tim Wittman

Tim, You might want to try the WaFlyfishers, an email list I maintain.  Send email to:   Subject line.   Activity on the list is sporadic, but there a couple of avid salt-water fly fishers, including myself, that will try to keep you posted. Let me know if you have any problems with the list or if you have any other questions.  BTW, where abouts do you hail from?? -Wes Wes Neuenschwander Seattle, WA, US * Notice:  Email address modified to foil SPAMMERS!!  * *          Delete "cut-it-out" from my email address  * *          to reply.  Sorry for the inconvenience.    *

Response:

Question:

fish?  What dry fly catches the most? In an attempt to settle that debate and raise money for Trout Unlimited conservation efforts in Vermont, the first-ever Green Mountain Dual Fly Duel will be held June 28,1997 on the Winooski River in Bolton, Vermont. The Duel is open to all fly anglers.<< While I salute and support the cause for which this is being staged, I must ask why it’s being limited to only fly anglers? TU is NOT a group for fly flingers only, as evidenced by the most recent issue of TROUT magazine. Don’t outings like this falsely indicate to the public that TU is an elitist group of snobbish fly anglers, when in truth it’s a cold water conservation group open to all (even worm dunkers and non-anglers)? I’m constantly battling the image that we are a fly fishing only group within my own TU chapter, and wish others wouldn’t work so hard to undo the efforts some of us have performed. Fair winds and following seas, Pat in Pawtucket  RI Board member, Narragansett Chapter TU

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  What wet fly catches the most fish?  What dry fly catches the most? In an attempt to settle that debate and raise money for Trout Unlimited conservation efforts in Vermont, the first-ever Green Mountain Dual Fly Duel will be held June 28,1997 on the Winooski River in Bolton, Vermont.     The Duel is open to all fly anglers.  A morning of fishing will be followed with an awards ceremony and a catered barbecue at Bolton Valley Resort where a bevy of door prizes – rods, tackle and guided trips – will be given away.    The premise behind the Duel is simple.  Anglers – two to a boat – float the Winooski from sunrise to noon.  Each flyfisher chooses their favorite two flies and only that pair of flies (one wet, one dry) may be used during the Duel.  Break off your dry on a 22-inch brown trout? Then you’ve still got the wet fly to use.  Snap off the wet on a submerged log? Well then your Dueling Days are done.  You will, however, be able to fish the rest of the morning for pleasure.      In addition to the door prizes, merchandise awards will be given away for the angler or team of anglers catching the most trout and the largest trout.  Money raised from the Duel’s entry fee of $150 per angler (there are corporate team spots available) will benefit Trout Unlimited’s conversation and restoration efforts on Vermont rivers.  A portion of the entry fee is tax deductible.    John Merwin, the well-known fly fishing author, will be one of the Duel’s guests of honor.      There is a limited number of entry slots available. For more     Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service – 800 805 6495     Vermont Outdoor Guide Association 800 425 TRIP     Fly Tiers’ Heaven 802 879 7304. Bring the family for a weekend of fun on the river and in the mountains and feel good contributing to this noteworthy conservation fundraiser.

GO WITH THE GOLD-RIBBED HARE’S EAR AND A BORCHER’S SPECIAL DRY FLY. You’ll win. Mr. G.

Response:

 What wet fly catches the most fish?  What dry fly catches the most? In an attempt to settle that debate and raise money for Trout Unlimited conservation efforts in Vermont, the first-ever Green Mountain Dual Fly Duel will be held June 28,1997 on the Winooski River in Bolton, Vermont.     The Duel is open to all fly anglers.  A morning of fishing will be followed with an awards ceremony and a catered barbecue at Bolton Valley Resort where a bevy of door prizes – rods, tackle and guided trips – will be given away.    The premise behind the Duel is simple.  Anglers – two to a boat – float the Winooski from sunrise to noon.  Each flyfisher chooses their favorite two flies and only that pair of flies (one wet, one dry) may be used during the Duel.  Break off your dry on a 22-inch brown trout? Then you’ve still got the wet fly to use.  Snap off the wet on a submerged log? Well then your Dueling Days are done.  You will, however, be able to fish the rest of the morning for pleasure.      In addition to the door prizes, merchandise awards will be given away for the angler or team of anglers catching the most trout and the largest trout.  Money raised from the Duel’s entry fee of $150 per angler (there are corporate team spots available) will benefit Trout Unlimited’s conversation and restoration efforts on Vermont rivers.  A portion of the entry fee is tax deductible.    John Merwin, the well-known fly fishing author, will be one of the Duel’s guests of honor.      There is a limited number of entry slots available. For more     Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service – 800 805 6495     Vermont Outdoor Guide Association 800 425 TRIP     Fly Tiers’ Heaven 802 879 7304. Bring the family for a weekend of fun on the river and in the mountains and feel good contributing to this noteworthy conservation fundraiser.

Response:

While I salute and support the cause for which this is being staged, I must ask why it’s being limited to only fly anglers?

‘Cuz it’s a bitch to cast a dry fly with a level-wind?

Response:

Just a quick fact: In Colorado, this competition would be illegal… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

Just a quick fact: In Colorado, this competition would be illegal… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Can you check the regulations there closely for me Tim, and apply your best legal and ethical judgement as to whether it might also be illegal for a fisher to count his fish and tell me his fish count?  I believe the de facto intention for counting fish is for competition purposes. Also check as to how many points one might be dinged against their license for each infraction. Mark Vinsel — http://www.lanminds.com/local/vinnie/gallery.html

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just a quick fact: In Colorado, this competition would be illegal… — TimW Halfordian Golfer Can you check the regulations there closely for me Tim, and apply your best legal and ethical judgement as to whether it might also be illegal for a fisher to count his fish and tell me his fish count?  I believe the de facto intention for counting fish is for competition purposes. Also check as to how many points one might be dinged against their license for each infraction.

I just reread the entire Colorado State pamphlet…probably the first time in 10 years.  Organized competition for any reason is expressly prohibited in all *rivers*.  You can hold one on a lake, but not a river.   Damned good thing too.  It’s hard enough to simply get a decent beat anymore, much less with some frikken one-fly- superman-contest going on… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

Response:

Question:

Anyone been to the MacKenzie Trail Lodge in B.C…… we saw the owner at the sportsman show in denver and are thinking about going next summer….would like some feedback on the place if anyone has been there.

Response:

Anyone been to the MacKenzie Trail Lodge in B.C…… we saw the owner at the sportsman show in denver and are thinking about going next summer….would like some feedback on the place if anyone has been there.

I have visited Tsasha Lake and stayed with Bill the last 4 years. The dry fly fishing on the Blackwater is excellent. I fished in June, July, and August and found the fishing good any month but I prefer June. The weather is cooler and it has a better chance of rain but the fishing makes up for it. Lots of fish-a 50 fish day on the Blackwater is probably below average if you spend any time and effort. I only counted fish one day (my first) and easily topped 100 fish. The real trick on the Blackwater is getting into larger fish 16". There are fly outs available and some of the lakes offer larger fish. Bill will steer you to the spot that will meet your needs. There are a few walk in lakes that offer good fishing. One has very nice fish but it is possible to get skunked. I always give it a shot and catch fish about 1/2 the time. I tie flies for Bill and give seminars after the feasts they call dinner. So factor in my biasis. Perhaps others will have more to say. — Vic Brockett Vic’s Fly-By-Night http://www.navicom.com/~vic

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