Question:

Had not seen many Alaska posts yet this year.  One guy was worried about RV park reservations and I sent the following email which said he had bigger problems facing him than park reservations. …. We got back into Washington before October but drove on to Texas then back to Oregon, 22,000 miles round trip …

Does driving to Texas before an Alaska trip heat your tires up enough to get you up back up to Alaska?

Response:

The purpose of my original post was to suggest common sense RV prep when going to Alaska.  We are particularly indebted to this NG.  We want to thank all posters for their past service.  A number of individuals posted extremely useful information, some posts turned out to be essential. Oh we had a great time going to Alaska – it was truly a trip of a lifetime for us.  We enjoyed coming and going through BC and Yukon as much as Alaska itself.  We took our time, tried to be flexible, stayed 2-3 days in one area and generally towed our 30′ Arctic Fox on paved roads.   Maybe our prep was more than most people but our experiences were about average from what we heard from other people for the time we spent there. From May to September, I probably fished 100 times – no ocean nor fly outs – all roadside angling, some days no fishing, some days three times.  Many days I got skunked, some times I limited out but mostly I caught just enough fish to make it FUN!  My wife read a lot and put our photographs in binders which are the envy of kids and family.  We saw Valdez on a sunny day which was spectacular!  One day while fishing near Talkeetna, I saw sunny Denali in all its glory(but my wife missed it). We enjoyed touring Homer, Fairbanks, Hyder, Ketchikan and Seward and other spots.  But our most enduring memories are of the friends we made coming, going and while there. If you haven’t gone, go.  If you’ve gone before, go again. But realize in Alaska, Yukon, B C and Alberta services may not always be available. Be prepared.  On the Cassiar Highway, a guy from Maine and I stopped to help an older gentlemen with a blowout who had driven all the way from North Carolina.  Between us we were able to get him back on his way because he did not have a jack and his spare tire was flat. Go figure.  John  To reply, lose FLYROD

Response:

a party pissing & moaning about the terrible travel conditions on a trip to AK: All I can say is, you are like a friend of ours that also went to Alaska, and had the same outlook about the trip as you.

Unfortunately, some of the people who like travel seem to like it because it gives them new and different things to piss & moan about. They snarl about the lousy condition of the Alcan highway, oblivious of the fact that it is virtually impossible to keep such a road in pristine condition, considering its remoteness, length, terrain, and vicious climactic conditions.  They bitch about the magnificent Top Of The World Highway, insensitive to the fact that it was built and is maintained mainly for their pleasure.  They recite how many equipment problems they and their ilk suffer, clueless about the ill effects of stupid driving practices and neglected maintenance.   People looking for something to cry about will find it.  It doesn’t matter where they look.   For us, our trip to AK was one of the greatest travel experience we’ve enjoyed in over 40 years of rv travel.  We were delighted, impressed, and grateful for the work that is done by both Canadian and Alaskan highway crews to make it possible for us to tour such magnificent country is relative comfort and safety.  We had some flat tires and saw some others who had troubles, but we did not think to blame them on AK or BC.   Your personal attitude will dictate whether you are happy or unhappy. Circumstances have little to do with happiness. Will Sill

Response:

Had not seen many Alaska posts yet this year.  One guy was worried about RV park reservations and I sent the following email which said he had bigger problems facing him than park reservations. Last year we cleared Vancouver BC on April 30 heading north but they had late spring storms and we got snowed in several times and several northern BC and Yukon lakes were still frozen so we skipped on to Valdez to get into fishing.  Unlike us, you might want to dawdle in US or southern Canada until ice out all the way. We got back into Washington before October but drove on to Texas then back to Oregon, 22,000 miles round trip The RV res info previously posted is fairly accurate.  2002 RV traffic was down 10-25% from 2001 and with gas/diesel expected to be higher this summer, my guess is traffic will be down more than last year which will free up more RV spaces in crowded areas such as Los Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali, Palmer, Homer, Paxton, North Pole and others. Watch out for the dreaded RV caravans.  Some parks block out spaces for them and will chase you out just so their caravan buddies can park next to each other. I hate to move around until we’re ready to go.  Be sure and ask the parks how long you can stay at that spot.  Parks at Palmer, Los Anchorage and Fairbanks were snitty so we passed them up the second time through. Like most people going to Alaska you have bigger problems facing you than where to park.  You better make sure all your equipment is in tip top shape. We saw three class C’s burned out – one on fire as we passed, 8 trailers 5ers and class A’s under tow, 3 class A’s wrecked on the side of the road, one 5er and tow truck rolled and we listened intently while 3 New Hampshire guys told us how they waited 3 hours on Top Of the World Highway while Search and Rescue used grappling hooks trying to pull up body parts from a diesel pusher that went over the side. Oh yeah.  We were so smug and pleased with ourselves.  We had double spare tires, auxiliary batteries, water, diesel and backup fuses, lights, filters, oil, etc.  We drove slow and we drove carefully and we only had minor damage and repairs.  We thought we had skated by. Then we got back to Oregon and a trailer rim separated and tire exploded, a gray tank separated, our transmission went out, trailer and truck breaks went out, a tow truck tire exploded and we found propane and water leaks.  O well.  The Alaska highways can be humiliating.  Like the Boy Scouts – Be Prepared! John To reply, lose FLYROD

Response:

Los Anchorage? Please explain.

Response:

All I can say is, you are like a friend of ours that also went to Alaska, and had the same outlook about the trip as you. There are over 135 people a week dying on US highways, so they are to be expected, even in Alaska. On the other hand, I only saw a couple of rigs in distress, nothing life threatening. We enjoyed the trip very much, and would like to return. I notice one thing you pointed out.  From all the problems you had with your rig after returning to the states, You must have pushed your rig beyond it’s design capabilities or it wasn’t maintained in the best condition before you took the trip.  My rig suffered none of the calamities you mention, either in Alaska, or after returning home.  When road conditions were bad, we slow to a crawl so as not to do damage.  I did need some new tires, but that was expected before we made the trip. Tom J Had not seen many Alaska posts yet this year.  One guy was worried about RV park reservations and I sent the following email which said he had bigger problems facing him than park reservations. Last year we cleared Vancouver BC on April 30 heading north but they had late spring storms and we got snowed in several times and several northern BC and Yukon lakes were still frozen so we skipped on to Valdez to get into fishing.  Unlike us, you might want to dawdle in US or

southern Canada until ice out all the way. We got back into Washington before

October but drove on to Texas then back to Oregon, 22,000 miles round trip The RV res info previously posted is fairly accurate. 2002 RV traffic was down 10-25% from 2001 and with gas/diesel expected to be higher this summer, my guess is traffic will be down more than last year which will free up more RV spaces in crowded areas such as Los Anchorage,

Fairbanks, Denali, Palmer, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Homer, Paxton, North Pole and others. Watch out for the dreaded RV caravans.  Some parks block out spaces for them and will chase you out just so their caravan buddies can park next to each other. I hate to move around until we’re ready to go.  Be sure and ask the parks how long you can stay at that spot.  Parks at Palmer, Los Anchorage and Fairbanks were snitty so we passed them up the second time through. Like most people going to Alaska you have bigger problems facing you than where to park.  You better make sure all your equipment is in tip top shape. We saw three class C’s burned out – one on fire as we passed, 8 trailers 5ers and class A’s under tow, 3 class A’s wrecked on the side of the road, one 5er and tow truck rolled and we listened intently

while 3 New Hampshire guys told us how they waited 3 hours on Top Of the World Highway while Search and Rescue used grappling hooks trying to pull up body parts from a diesel pusher that went over the side. Oh yeah.  We were so smug and pleased with ourselves.  We had double spare tires, auxiliary batteries, water, diesel and backup

fuses, lights, filters, oil, etc.  We drove slow and we drove carefully and we

only had minor damage and repairs.  We thought we had skated by. Then we got

back to Oregon and a – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – trailer rim separated and tire exploded, a gray tank separated, our transmission went out, trailer and truck breaks went out, a tow truck tire exploded and we found propane and water leaks.  O well. The Alaska highways can be humiliating.  Like the Boy Scouts – Be Prepared! John To reply, lose FLYROD

Response:

I don’t understand your point in posting this  crap.  2002 RV traffic was down 10-25% from 2001

Where did you get this info? Is this from your own count? Why couldn’t it be narrowed down to say 19%. I don’t a big math guy, but 10-25% allows for like 250% error. Is all of this coffee shop talk. Just some wild guesses? I can assure you that Los Angeles and Anchorage have little in common. The "main street" highway 1 is 2-3 lanes wide and runs at 35-45mph. That what caravans do–everything together. And they are a considerable income source to campground owners. If there are only a few sites available when you check, and your site is booked for a caravan in a week–then you have to move. If you don’t undstand this, ask when checking into a campground. I have made three (five actually, the first two don’t count as they were to Ketchikan) to Alaska and have seen only one burned out RV. You say you saw three last year, what do that mean. Do you suppose there is something air in Alaska that makes class Cs burn? How many burned out vehicles have you seen in Los Angeles? And you saw 8 RVs under tow, was that in you total of 22K miles? What do you mean by "3 class A’s wrecked on the side of the road"? What does that have to do with being in tip top shape? And the grappling hook story? What is that supposed to tell us? That class As just fly off the road on the Top of the World, but not in Colorado or Vermont. I do appreciate you telling everyone that extra tires, fuel, water and fuses aren’t needed for the trip. Why not tell everyone that the roads for the most part are in very good condition. That there areas of not so good road in construction areas and one must drive slowly through these areas. That the Top of the World really isn’t too bad of a road, but does have some sections where driving slow is required. Beter yet, why not just tell eveyone about the hazards of taking an old motorhome in poor condition to Oregon and to beware of tow truck tires.  

Response:

Question:

My wife & I are looking forward to attending this show in February. Any Roffians planning to attend?  I would love to meet up and perhaps share a beverage or two. Seattle, Washington, Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Feb 22 – 23, 2003 www.flyfishingshow.com Let me know…and we can arrange a meeting time and place at the show???

Response:

My wife & I are looking forward to attending this show in February. Any Roffians planning to attend?  I would love to meet up and perhaps share a beverage or two. Seattle, Washington, Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Feb 22 – 23, 2003 www.flyfishingshow.com Let me know…and we can arrange a meeting time and place at the show???

I’d love to get over there, but at this time I can’t make any plan’s. I’ll let you know closer to the time if I’m going to make it. Darin

Response:

I’m going.  Don’t know the detail just yet.   Is that a three day weekend? If so we may go and see how the rich and famous in Bellevue live.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife & I are looking forward to attending this show in February. Any Roffians planning to attend?  I would love to meet up and perhaps share a beverage or two. Seattle, Washington, Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Feb 22 – 23, 2003 www.flyfishingshow.com Let me know…and we can arrange a meeting time and place at the show???

Response:

Question:

A couple of young ladies from the college are taking Mac Browns fly fishing class  and they want to come over an talk about the size of rods.

The instructor probably told them "There’s nothing like holding a nice, stiff rod in your hands."  (Direct quote by the way from an instructor I heard several years ago.) Regards, Jeff

Response:

They will probably want to put article in school newspaper  after Big Dale and I meat with them  and offer sage adventure suggestions.

        after you and big dale "meat" with them, their next stop will undoubtedly be the district attorney’s office.  you know about your miranda rights and my phone number, don’t you?       Was going to kill Old Bob { the burro] today but he must of pooped out during the night. I chased the buzzards away this morning and my  squaw is  hanging parts on trees outside to cure. Chili will be ready for everyone Tuesday night. Indian Joe  Wilmington NC

        my god.  my first meal at the clave is likely to be the last meal of my life.         wayno, serious as a cerebral hemmorrage – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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out during the night. I chased the buzzards away this morning and my squaw is  hanging parts on trees outside to cure. Chili will be ready for everyone Tuesday night.  Indian Joe  Wilmington NC

IJ, looking forward to the chili!  If I see anything along the road on the way down which might compliment the fixin’s I’ll be sure and scrape it up and throw it in the trunk.  Now, no more of those "my rod is bigger’n your rod"  "is not" "is too" "is not" "is too" discussions. After all, size doesn’t matter, its the technique! — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

Response:

It was touch and go for quite a while with my plans changing daily, but now all has come to a final resolution and I will be able to attend the "MAY CLAVE". I will miss the BBQ but will be there for the CHILI. Plan to leave Monday morning and arrive in Foscoe early afternoon. I have also finally fully recovered from a bout with the Chernobyl computer virus that wiped out my HD. Really looking forward to meeting, fishing and learning. jim

Response:

 Really looking forward to meeting, fishing and learning. jim

        so, obviously, you have post-clave plans.  but we’re happy to have you, anyway. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

so, obviously, you have post-clave plans.   wayno

Who could pass up a chance to meet "The rain man" (Ken) or fish with local "Legends" (Walt and Jeff) and learn to "Tie a flat turkey" (Dave La) My other option was hemorrhoid surgery…..it was a tough decision. jim

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Taking ‘em out or putting ‘em in?                 Frank Reid – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My other option was hemorrhoid surgery…..it was a tough decision. jim

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Really looking forward to meeting, fishing and learning. jim    so, obviously, you have post-clave plans.  but we’re happy to have you, anyway.

You beat me to the punchline – it was begging for it, wasn’t it? Regards, Jeff

Response:

So Jim, you’re saying you have to choose between assholes? <bseg Frank Church – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – so, obviously, you have post-clave plans.   wayno Who could pass up a chance to meet "The rain man" (Ken) or fish with local "Legends" (Walt and Jeff) and learn to "Tie a flat turkey" (Dave La) My other option was hemorrhoid surgery…..it was a tough decision. jim

Response:

 Really looking forward to meeting, fishing and learning. jim         so, obviously, you have post-clave plans.  but we’re happy to have you, anyway. wayno

…the first bit of learnin will be trying to find clave central… i’m lookin forward to the stories of the misguided and lost, i.e., those who thought it’d be easy locating mill ridge because it’s across the road from the orvis shop… my bet is most will never even notice the orvis shop.  course, me and tom and waldo know right where to go, and we’ll keep the food warm and the beer chilled…HAHAHA… btw wayno…talked with jim last night…he didn’t sound like he was gonna come up. i told him he and JB could stay at my place for the weekend…you might need to nudge him some more. jeff

Response:

so, obviously, you have post-clave plans.   wayno Who could pass up a chance to meet "The rain man" (Ken) or fish with local "Legends" (Walt and Jeff) and learn to "Tie a flat turkey" (Dave La) My other option was hemorrhoid surgery…..it was a tough decision. jim

hell, jim…you can get that little problem taken care of at the clave, too. just listen for the banjo music… jeff

Response:

btw wayno…talked with jim last night…he didn’t sound like he was gonna come up. i told him he and JB could stay at my place for the weekend…you might need to nudge him some more.

Tell him Forty grew a ponytail and is calling himself "Fort Pamlico"<g. — Charlie…

Response:

btw wayno…talked with jim last night…he didn’t sound like he was gonna come up. i told him he and JB could stay at my place for the weekend…you might need to nudge him some more. Tell him Forty grew a ponytail and is calling himself "Fort Pamlico"<g. — Charlie…

…already told jim that forty claimed he could outfish him and beat him arm wrestling while chugging wild turkey…but your suggestion just might do it… jeff

Response:

btw wayno…talked with jim last night…he didn’t sound like he was gonna come up. i told him he and JB could stay at my place for the weekend…you might need to nudge him some more. Tell him Forty grew a ponytail and is calling himself "Fort Pamlico"<g. — Charlie…

        what a riot.  but, otoh, why don’t *you* tell him that.  i’ll just wait in the car. wayno

Response:

Rained out tennis last night so I read the 600 posts on roff.  Sounds  like we will be discussing microsoft spam  and doctors sticking fingers up your ass  during the evening clave sessions. A couple of young ladies from the college are taking Mac Browns fly fishing class  and they want to come over an talk about the size of rods.  They will probably want to put article in school newspaper  after Big Dale and I meat with them  and offer sage adventure suggestions.        Was going to kill Old Bob { the burro] today but he must of pooped out during the night. I chased the buzzards away this morning and my  squaw is  hanging parts on trees outside to cure. Chili will be ready for everyone Tuesday night.  Indian Joe  Wilmington NC

Response:

Question:

I am planning a trip to Ixtapa, Mexico in March and was hoping someone might have some information on fly fishing opportunities in the area.  The brochures mainly describe fishing for swordfish, but I am hoping there might be a guide that specializes in fly fishing.  Thanks in advance for your help. Rob

Response:

There are bones and snook and even some tarpon inside the sand bars. BUT!!! be prepared. They re all SMALL. Bones average in 1-2# range with snook averaging only at about 2-3# the only tarpon I have ever caouht or seen there have never been over 10# Dont get me wrong they are all great figters and take a fly readilly but just dont go looking for Keys sized fish there. Have fun with ‘em

Response:

I am visiting Acapulco the week of Feb 6-15 and will be also visiting a lake in the mountains outside of Acapulco…. 1.  where can i find more (basic) info on the saltwater flyfishing opportunities nearby?  i have zero experience in salt water. 2.  can i flyfish in the nearby lakes and what am i likely to catch? PS  Thanks to whomever described the construction of schedule 40 pvc rod tubes.  I went to home depot and  bought all the stuff i needed for two bombproof rod tubes for only $12!  I replaced a couple of cheap black scott rod tubes.  Those things were worthless at temps above 75 degrees, thin, black, abs tubing. I’d love to do some fishing in Mexico….. bruiser

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am visiting Acapulco the week of Feb 6-15 and will be also visiting a lake in the mountains outside of Acapulco…. 1.  where can i find more (basic) info on the saltwater flyfishing opportunities nearby?  i have zero experience in salt water. 2.  can i flyfish in the nearby lakes and what am i likely to catch? PS  Thanks to whomever described the construction of schedule 40 pvc rod tubes.  I went to home depot and  bought all the stuff i needed for two bombproof rod tubes for only $12!  I replaced a couple of cheap black scott rod tubes. Those things were worthless at temps above 75 degrees, thin, black, abs tubing. I’d love to do some fishing in Mexico….. bruiser

Largemouth Bass or cichlids  (Peacock Bass family).  You can’t go wrong with black leach patterns.

Response:

Try www.fish-r-us.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am visiting Acapulco the week of Feb 6-15 and will be also visiting a lake in the mountains outside of Acapulco…. 1.  where can i find more (basic) info on the saltwater flyfishing opportunities nearby?  i have zero experience in salt water. 2.  can i flyfish in the nearby lakes and what am i likely to catch? PS  Thanks to whomever described the construction of schedule 40 pvc rod tubes.  I went to home depot and  bought all the stuff i needed for two bombproof rod tubes for only $12!  I replaced a couple of cheap black scott rod tubes. Those things were worthless at temps above 75 degrees, thin, black, abs tubing. I’d love to do some fishing in Mexico….. bruiser

Response:

Question:

I will be going to a family reunion in Northern Wisconsin next summer and I would like to do a little flyfishing while I’m there.  I’m new to flyfishing and have only fished in Colorado.  I will be North of Green Bay on the Oconto River.  Does anybody know what type of fly is good in June/July time frame?  I will be taking my tying equipment but would like to know so I can tie up some flies before I drive to grandma’s house. I’m also interested in fishing for walleye and pike or anything else that swims!!!!!  Any advice would be welcomed.  You can either post Thanks, Rik Meyers Colorado Springs, CO

Response:

I will be going to a family reunion in Northern Wisconsin next summer and I would like to do a little flyfishing while I’m there.

The two web sites I find most accurate and useful for WI trout: http://home.dwave.net/~patrick/ http://www.vbe.com/~heusers/ff_wi/streams/whereto.htm Hope this helps. — Ken Fortenberry

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Question:

"I caught the Salmon So please cook it Madam Mr.G.

If you set this to music, it would be…. …ginksta rap!    ;-) Well, you’re back.  Some of us didn’t even get to dry our hankies. Woods Hole, MA  USA I submit my resignation from rec.outdoors.fishing.fly et.la. . . . My time, my energy, my efforts are not to be wasted on a vicious majority that is unworthy of my talents and who have no claim to be regarded as ‘Fly Fishermen’. . . .

      –  George Gehrke/Professional Sportsman

Response:

T-bone, What rhymes with salmon?  How about mammon?

We’d like to be hearing ’bout salmon But so many posts are just spammin’ These guys really bite I wonder how tight Their mailboxes we could be crammin’ August Kristoferson Watercolor Fish Art http://www.eskimo.com/~augustk

Response:

"I caught the Salmon So please cook it Madam

But go easy on the ‘leh-mon’… TimW

Response:

here’s a poem about salmon. which is tough, because nothing rhymes with salmon…. TimW

"Ham-bone" almost does.  Maybe even T-bone.   Hmmm….. I might have something to work with here…..       Gene

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T-bone, What rhymes with salmon?  How about mammon? Dave Anderson Almond ? At least that’s the pronunciation I was given in Ca.

It shows both pronounciations (probably spelled wrong, I should look this up also) in my dictionary. Curtis Quist

Response:

here’s a poem about salmon. which is tough, because nothing rhymes with salmon…. TimW

        Mammon, T-Bone, Mammon! David Somerville, Calgary, Alberta (where the Bow flows)

Response:

here’s a poem about salmon.

which is tough, because nothing rhymes with salmon…. TimW

Response:

here’s a poem about salmon. which is tough, because nothing rhymes with salmon…. TimW

When fishing for Great Lakes Chinook Salmon You’ll find all the fishermen jammin’ the banks of the stream like an awful bad dream And you’ll wish they would all be a’scrammin’. Tim, I rose to your cast like a brookie to a #12 Royal Wulff. Paul DiConza Albany, NY

Response:

T-bone, What rhymes with salmon?  How about mammon? Dave Anderson

Response:

T-bone, What rhymes with salmon?  How about mammon? Dave Anderson

Almond ? At least that’s the pronunciation I was given in Ca.

Response:

T-bone, What rhymes with salmon?  How about mammon?

Mammon ? You can slam ‘em ! [on a Grannom...] TimW

Response:

T-bone, What rhymes with salmon?  How about mammon? Dave Anderson Almond ? At least that’s the pronunciation I was given in Ca.

        RHYME FOR A DIME "I caught the Salmon So please cook it Madam Mr.G. Always liked a good camp-lacky.  Please do not send pictures.

Response:

Question:

Try fishing Daniels Park on the Chagrin. It has a Dam which is the end of the line for the fish, unless the water is very high. There is a good holding pool below the dam and a few runs downstream could hold winter Steelhead. Since it is a public park, it does tend to get pressure during Salmon and Trout runs. Good luck, and release them. Tom Steele

Response:

Has anyone had any success flyfishing for steelhead around the Cleveland area? Grand River, Chagrin, ect. I know the rain should have brought in a few fish over the last few days. Thanks in advanceI just came to this group looking for the same info.  There is a shopcalled Grand river Tackle shopwho usually has the skinny on cleveland area steelies.

IS IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO POST "Grand River Tackle" (’s) address and/or phone number,  please. George Gehrke/Mr. Gink

Response:

Don’t tell anyone else, but the Plain Dealer had a "kiss and tell" article about how awesome the steelhead fishing is in the Grand, Conneat and Chagrin. Seems the Little Manistee River fingerlings that were stocked a while back have made it all happen. Oh, I guess all the rain we had over the last week pumped up the rivers to allow the silver bullets to pass through the gate. As we speak, I am tying egg sucking leaches and garish colored woolly worms. Guess you can tell what I will be doing this weekend. (Plus there are NO soccer games this weekend!!) Mark Rupp

Response:

Has anyone had any success flyfishing for steelhead around the Cleveland area? Grand River, Chagrin, ect. I know the rain should have brought in a few fish over the last few days. Thanks in advanceI just came to this group looking for the same info.  There is a

shopcalled Grand river Tackle shopwho usually has the skinny on   cleveland area steelies.

Response:

Has anyone had any success flyfishing for steelhead around the Cleveland area? Grand River, Chagrin, ect.       I know the rain should have brought in a few fish over the last few days. Thanks in advance

Response:

Question:

Hi Sandy, I have a bunch of EVA ZOTE closed cell foam I bought from a dealer at the Fly Tackle Dealer Show a couple of years ago. I don’t avertize it in my catalog but I’ve got it if you need some. Give me a holler at 585-0745. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

I have found some good foam for bugs by searching the boxes we regularly receive here at work.  Alot of the computer companies use good quality closed cell foam for shipping.  Soft and floats well. I’ve accumulated more than I’ll use in a very long time. It’s kind of like finding road kill foam. Seek and ye shall find. You can also find adhesivfoam in Hardware Stores (used to stop drafts)-

Fishfinder

Response:

I want some advice on different glues to use on foam body bugs.  I have tried head cement and it seems to work somewhat, but doesn’t bond the hook to the foam.

The strongest glue for anything will always be epoxy. Model airplane shops sell *thin* 5 minute epoxy that works well for fly tying. 20-minute epoxy will be more flexible and stronger yet, however. Super glue is handy, also sold at model airplane shops, along with ‘instant’ hardening catalyst. I make a lot of foam flies. I use cheap, open-cell polyurethane foam for soft-bodied nymphs and streamers, and EVA (ethyl-vinyl-acetate) closed-cell foam for grass hopper bodies, etc. Big, soft foam streamers are interesting because fish don’t spit them out. They bite down and say ‘yes, this is what I thought.’ Where do you get closed-cell EVA foam? I dunno, for sure. John Betts used to sell under an ‘Evazote’ trade name, but he never had colors. I get it from a wholesaler. But most folks can’t do that. I don’t use foam strips, I cut out a hopper body, wrap it lightly with thread to segment it, and then tie it on *loosely* with thread, and then use super glue. One last note: Not all closed-cell foam is worth anything. Some is so dense it hardly floats. You need to find *lightweight* foam to make unsinkable dry flies. Most fly shops sell strands of ’round-in-cross-section’ closed-cell foam (made by ??) that looks really handy. But the damn stuff is so heavy it’s more like rubber, and hardly floats.

Response:

Question:

Have spent many of my earlier years on the Little Lehigh….thru Hs and College and since then.It is a great stream to fish year around with some sort of surface activity(lots of Midges) just about year around. It is a limestoner with lots of trout to fish over in the c+r area near the hatchery. that part of the stream can be fished from the bank only…..about .5 of a mile long.Very picky fish who just about see everything…..be prepared to go small 8x……size24…….5 wt rod is  I wish the stream was closer….but our saltwater action makes up for it. Good Luck Peter Whelan

Response:

Looking for any info on how the Little Lehigh fishes early/mid March. Patterns, places, local shops…..even better if someone familiar with the river wouldn’t mind me jumping in on an early season fish  (and not Thanks in advance. Tight Lines. JAPPLE

Response:

Looking for any info on how the Little Lehigh fishes early/mid March. the river wouldn’t mind me jumping in on an early season fish   Post it here or

Hi JAPPLE know, Lee Iacocca went here).  I am most familiar with the Little Lehigh. I have been here for 5 months and have fished it almost exclusively.  It is 8 miles from my home.  There is a Fly Fishing Heritage section for FF only C&R water.  I atleast can get you to where you want to go.  Also, the Monocacy (in Bethlehem, 2 miles from my house) has Trophy Trout water open then.  The Bushkill (20 min. from my house) has a 1 mile  of C&R, but I’ve never been there.  There are all kinds of decent fly shops that give good advice.  They are very frendly and helpful: that’s how I found where to go!  I can be a good contact point.  I’m not a loon and I get along with people.  I at least can get you to the REAL people in the know.  Many stores (the ones I know) have a list of what flies are working on which streams.  You need line no heavier than #6 (what I use.  Shit, #4 would be perfect, but I’m not going to buy a whole new outfit for a few situations).  7X tipet and a hand-full of what ever flies are recommended.         Sincerely;         Jason Beary

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Looking for any info on how the Little Lehigh fishes early/mid March. the river wouldn’t mind me jumping in on an early season fish   Post it here or Hi JAPPLE know, Lee Iacocca went here).  I am most familiar with the Little Lehigh. I have been here for 5 months and have fished it almost exclusively.  It is 8 miles from my home.  There is a Fly Fishing Heritage section for FF only C&R water.  I atleast can get you to where you want to go.  Also, the Monocacy (in Bethlehem, 2 miles from my house) has Trophy Trout water open then.  The Bushkill (20 min. from my house) has a 1 mile  of C&R, but I’ve never been there.  There are all kinds of decent fly shops that give good advice.  They are very frendly and helpful: that’s how I found where to go!  I can be a good contact point.  I’m not a loon and I get along with people.  I at least can get you to the REAL people in the know.  Many stores (the ones I know) have a list of what flies are working on which streams.  You need line no heavier than #6 (what I use.  Shit, #4 would be perfect, but I’m not going to buy a whole new outfit for a few situations).  7X tipet and a hand-full of what ever flies are recommended.    Sincerely;    Jason Beary

Response:

Question:

Hi, I hit the "D" key instead of the "S" key by mistake so lost the e-mail address and name of the guy I was talking with about flyfishing Puget Sound. I was just wondering how things went for you.  Did you try the area near Shilshole?  Catch anything?  What type and how big?  See any Salmon or Steelhead?  What flys did you use?  Try any shiney streamers? Another spot was across the sound near the Straights of Juan De Fuca, off some of the jettys and sand bars out there.  Makes a nice weekend trip when the salmon are running.  Nothing like double-hauling a 9wt line on a two-handed rod in a stiff breeze casting a 6" streamer.  I can taste the salt on my face just thinking about it.

Response:

" Nothing like double-hauling a 9wt line on a two-handed rod" says

Exactly how does one double haul with a two handed rod?  Have the ghilly do the hauling?                                 Mike in PDX                "When the trout are lost, smash the state."                                            Tom McGuane

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