Question:

I’ve been lurking around these parts lately.  A while back I saw that ROFF was going to the San Juan.  That’s just over 3 hours from home, and I fish there pretty often, so I hooked up with Bruiser and made plans to be there for the Clave.  I fish lots of waters around northern New Mexico – some because of the fishing, others because of the beauty of the places. Off to the ‘Juan we went.  The SJ is a tailwater, behind a large earthen dam, flowing through a spectacular sandstone canyon in an exceptionally dry and arid region – it gets an average of 8" of precipitation each year.  It’s near the village of Navajo Dam, east of Farmington, at 6000′.  Willi’s pictures were great – but they still don’t capture the beauty of the area. I met Bob and Charlie, Willi, Bruce, and Dan’l when they arrived Friday night.  Chuck arrived in a little while.  We had dinner and a few beers, figured out where/when we’d meet the next morning, and turned in pretty early. We started fishing early Saturday morning.  Early enough to have ice in the guides and to break through ice in the sloughs next to the river. By the time I got my flies tied on, Willi had caught a couple of fish. I understand that’s pretty common.  Everyone caught fish on Saturday. Everyone but me, it seems.  I hooked up with a few, but not as many as I should have, and landing them was almost impossible.  I got tangled, I broke off, it was like I’d never done this before!  Of course, it was still fun, but here I am, on water I know pretty well, not catching much of anything. Sunday I slept in a bit.  I got down to the river at 9:30 or 10:00. Charlie and Bob are in the Kiddie Pool, and Bruiser shows up while I’m getting ready.  Things are going kind of slow, so I put my seine in the water to see what kind of bugs were around.  Lots of light-colored midges and midge larva showed up in the net, so we tied on light-colored patterns.  And fish were on!  I was catching my share, and everyone was having a good day.  We moved around the river, to the big holes, to the fast canyon water, to the flats – pretty much all over.  Fishing was good.  Chuck fished part of the day and went home.  He was replaced by Arni and Scott. One of the big thrills of fishing the SJ is catching large fish on tiny flies.  A 12" rainbow is a tiny fish there.  Most are 14-18".  Lots are bigger, with 20+" fish not uncommon.  And they take #20-#24 midge larva – basically thread on a hook.  We made the regular jokes about fishing a #76 paramecium.  But then we figured out that the fish really wanted egg patterns.  Midge eggs.  That’s about a #84 hook. Two exceptional things happened Sunday.  Fish at the SJ collect behind the fishermen.  They see so many fishermen every day that they don’t spook too easily.  They swim behind you, sifting through the junk that your feet stir up.  I’m fishing in the Texas Hole and a big fish starts tapping on my boot!  He’s bumping it with his head!!  We figured he was trying to tell me to move my feet some more, so I’d stir up some more food. The second thing was when a beautiful blue heron came to our pool in the evening and watched us fish.  He squawked at us for a while, then he just watched. One of the problems with fishing the SJ is the crowds.  It’s become really popular.  The normal rules of stream etiquette just don’t apply, and you’re always fishing in sight of someone, and in the popular spots, with people very close by.  Except between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Monday there wer 8 people on the top ~1.5 miles of the river, from Texas Hole up to the dam (not counting two duck hunters).  7 of them were us!   It was deserted.  But the fish seemed to want to ride the tilt-a-whirl, and with fewer anglers on the river, they viciously attacked our flies.  My flies, at least.  Monday was one of those days you hear about, but seldom have.  Fish after fish after fish.  Big fish.   No tangles.  No break-offs.  Spot a fish, get a good drift to him, and he’d take.  Toss your fly in the water as you waded to a new place, and they’d find it when you weren’t expecting it.  I caught what was probably the largest trout of my life – ask Dan’l how big it was.  We layed it up against my fly rod to measure it.  I measured the fly rod later – it was a 24-25" rainbow – a true denizen of the deep.  I caught at least 4 over 20" on Monday, and lots and lots of the "small" ones. That evening, I walked over to a hole we’d been fishing every evening. I was the only one there – I couldn’t even see anyone else.  By Monday we knew what would work in this particular hole – any midge larva with red in it.  Unable to understand how fish could find such tiny flies in the failing light, I tossed in a #22 Desert Storm and started catching fish.  Pretty soon the blue heron came over to watch me.  Just me, the heron, and the fish.  I caught 5 in ~30 minutes before I decided to call it quits and head for home. It was a great weekend.  Fishing was good to great.  The weather was spectacular – the storm that was predicted went to the south and we never saw it.  Everyone got along well, and there was plenty of comraderie When do we do it again?  I’d fish with these guys any time.  Thanks Bruce, for setting this up.         – Bryan

Response:

Bryan, After a great report like that, you will be in great demand around here. Everyone enjoyed meeting you and fishing with you.  Glad to hear you had a good time.  Once we heard the "everyothercast" echo down the river, we knew you were. And I’ve got some news for you:  next year you’re the co-host! bruce h

Response:

I’ve been lurking around these parts lately.  A while back I saw that ROFF was going to the San Juan.  That’s just over 3 hours from home, and I fish there pretty often, so I hooked up with Bruiser and made plans to be there for the Clave.

    thanks for a nifty report, bryan.     funny how much your experience reminds me of fishing up in the smokies….  :( yfitons wayno

Response:

Bryan, [snip] And I’ve got some news for you:  next year you’re the co-host!

You realize that almost guarantees snow for next year, right? Sure, I’ll help.  If we act early, we can reserve most of Rizuto’s!         – Bryan

Response:

Sure, I’ll help.  If we act early, we can reserve most of Rizuto’s!

  Rizuto’s wins out over Abe’s, don’t you think?  I asked Chuck if he’d give a discount if I could get all of the roffians at next year’s clave booked there and he said yes.  Something to remember.  I knew it was a bad sign when we pulled up to #52 at Abe’s and there was the plumber’s truck sitting in front. Still not fixed after a year:)   Another great clave.  Thanks, Bruiser.  Bryan, it was nice to meet and fish with you.  You fit right in.  (Scary, isn’t’ it?)   As others have given such nice trip reports, I don’t have much to add.  I did discover the joys of studded, felt waders.  Unbelievable traction.  Should have purchased them years ago. I also bought some of that high priced Rio Fluoroflex plus tippet.  5X with a 5 lb. test.  It worked very well and I didn’t break off as many fish.   The first two days were the best for me.  I don’t know when I’ve caught as many big fish.  You couldn’t beat the weather, either.  I had a lot of fun driving down with Willi and Charlie, again.  They weren’t much fun on the way back as I think they slept the whole way.  I only took short naps as I was driving:)  It was great to see my clave buddies again and I’ll see you next year. Snoop — —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

    The first two days were the best for me.  I don’t know when I’ve caught as   many big fish.  You couldn’t beat the weather, either.  I had a lot of fun   driving down with Willi and Charlie, again.  They weren’t much fun on the way   back as I think they slept the whole way.  I only took short naps as I was   driving:)  It was great to see my clave buddies again and I’ll see you next   year. Get those pictures developed and out to me, please. Willi

Response:

Get those pictures developed and out to me, please.

  They’re being processed as we speak.  Hopefully will have them Monday.  Send me your mailing address. Snoop — —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

  Rizuto’s wins out over Abe’s, don’t you think?

Abe’s is part of the "experience."  I’ve experienced the "experience." This was the first time I’ve stayed at Rizuto’s.  Definately nicer. Seeing all those picnic tables around, I think we’ll need to haul a BBQ grill up there and have a Clave Banquet in the parking lot!   Another great clave.  Thanks, Bruiser.  Bryan, it was nice to meet and fish with you.  You fit right in.  (Scary, isn’t’ it?)

Doesn’t that mean I should be flaming somebody?  Everybody? I left one thing out of my trip report.  There were these bait fishermen.  They were fishing below the quality waters, down by the campground.  But they were staying at Rizuto’s, in room #1. AND THEY BROUGHT THEIR OWN SATELLITE TV DISH! [for those who don't know much about northern NM - you only get one TV station in Navajo Dam, and the reception of that one is pretty poor]         – Bryan

Response:

AND THEY BROUGHT THEIR OWN SATELLITE TV DISH!

Sounds like a good idea to me, assuming you have the time to watch TV. The local NM stations are the absolute worst.

Response:

Question:

Walter got hold of some bad shine.  Brain has to be fried. Just to clear this up for those of you who don’t know or refuse to see it. Read the first two posts of the thread: Re. WARNING: CLEANING A 555 FLY LINE

http://makeashorterlink.com/?T2F0528D – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you do not understand why Walt is upset, then you will never understand what propriety is, what good manners are, or the basic tenets of civility. Dave

Response:

Didn’t catch the whole flame, or even how it got started, but WOW! I go away for a week and find that someone’s beloved grandmother(s) got flamed?! I didn’t put the bullet in the vise, and you stop talking about my grandma! (For anyone who remembers Bill Cosby’s classic first comedy album.)

Nope.  Don’t remember that one.  Before my time. Walter got hold of some bad shine.  Brain has to be fried. gg

Response:

Well, my grandma (my mom’s mom) was quite a fisherman (oops, I guess that would be fisherwoman…) – she took me fishing all the time when I was a wee lad. Not only could she catch fish, she always had the amazing ability to stifle even the most obnoxious bullshitter. She was sacred indeed …

Grandma Lottie (on my mother’s side) was also one of those people whose memory evokes many stories.   She grew up on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and eloped with Clarence when she was sixteen, beginning what had to have been a hard life of farming, raising a passel of kids (all girls but one), and raising chickens. From my earliest childhood memories, they raised chickens in two long houses behind the house.   Trips to the farm almost always included dinners of fried chicken (and still the best dumplings in memory).   We never had any illusions of where the food came from; grandpop chopped off the heads right there in the dirt lane, and that night’s dinner would flop around the yard for a few strange minutes before being carried into the kitchen.   What’s for dinner?  Chicken. It was a rare ocasion that Grandmom left the farm to come to Baltimore; but when she came, we tried to show her "the big city".   We took her to one of the better restaurants in town, where there were nearly a hundred menu items; pork, veal, beef in the meat entrees; shrimp, scallops, fresh fish, under the seafood heading; a dozen different sausages (it was a German family restaurant).   After her sheltered existance on the farm, we had hoped to offer up a variety of tastes.   Instead, she tucked her napkin under her chin & ordered – fried chicken.  :-) Joe F.

Response:

my father’s mother, oma winter, was a fine german lady full of warmth, kindness, and love. she dressed and healed my opa’s wounds following the kaisers war. she collected twigs in the forest during the day so that opa, my father, and my uncles, horst and walter, would have warmth at night. she was the force that directed the family to america in 1922, leaving the depressed fatherland for a better dream….. and a better life for her three sons. she guided the winter family through ellis island with her meager english….. and further guided the family to their new home in cleveland, ohio. she toiled for a pittance in cleveland factories whilst opa searched for decent work. opa eventually found work in an oldsmobile plant, and the family began to have the graces of a better life. oma nearly died of heartbreak, when in the early 30’s, my uncle walter was fatally injured when he slipped and fell….. broke his neck training on the rings…. gymnastics. i, the first born, am named by my father in honor and memory of him. oma loved baseball. in 1954, being a long time indians fan, she had a ball signed by the world series indians. she sent it to father to be given to me as a gift…. the year i was born. i still have that baseball…. it means so much to me. when opa retired from oldsmobile, he and oma retired to clearwater, florida. i have wonderful memories of visiting with them as a child……. playing on the beach… picking and eating fresh oranges and grapefruits in the backyard. eating fresh baked buttercougan. opa died of old age in the early 60’s and my father moved oma to miami to be with us. oma passed away shortly thereafter….. i’ll never forget the tears passing from my father’s swollen eyes….. never. so mr. gherke, consider this fair warning. for the vitrolic slight of yours in an earlier thread today concerning my beloved and sorely missed grandmothers (shall i bring up ma-ma bryant?)…. plane tickets are cheap… and i am now your worst fucking nightmare. hope to see you on the henry’s fork…. sweet dreams, Walter Garett Winter ps…. this is EOT

Response:

Sir, in the finest of Southern tradition, may I offer to be your Second? — Wayne To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my father’s mother, oma winter, was a fine german lady full of warmth, kindness, and love. she dressed and healed my opa’s wounds following the kaisers war. she collected twigs in the forest during the day so that opa, my father, and my uncles, horst and walter, would have warmth at night. she was the force that directed the family to america in 1922, leaving the depressed fatherland for a better dream….. and a better life for her three sons. she guided the winter family through ellis island with her meager english….. and further guided the family to their new home in cleveland, ohio. she toiled for a pittance in cleveland factories whilst opa searched for decent work. opa eventually found work in an oldsmobile plant, and the family began to have the graces of a better life. oma nearly died of heartbreak, when in the early 30’s, my uncle walter was fatally injured when he slipped and fell….. broke his neck training on the rings…. gymnastics. i, the first born, am named by my father in honor and memory of him. oma loved baseball. in 1954, being a long time indians fan, she had a ball signed by the world series indians. she sent it to father to be given to me as a gift…. the year i was born. i still have that baseball…. it means so much to me. when opa retired from oldsmobile, he and oma retired to clearwater, florida. i have wonderful memories of visiting with them as a child……. playing on the beach… picking and eating fresh oranges and grapefruits in the backyard. eating fresh baked buttercougan. opa died of old age in the early 60’s and my father moved oma to miami to be with us. oma passed away shortly thereafter….. i’ll never forget the tears passing from my father’s swollen eyes….. never. so mr. gherke, consider this fair warning. for the vitrolic slight of yours in an earlier thread today concerning my beloved and sorely missed grandmothers (shall i bring up ma-ma bryant?)…. plane tickets are cheap… and i am now your worst fucking nightmare. hope to see you on the henry’s fork…. sweet dreams, Walter Garett Winter ps…. this is EOT

Response:

Walter got hold of some bad shine.  Brain has to be fried.

Just to clear this up for those of you who don’t know or refuse to see it. Read the first two posts of the thread: Re. WARNING: CLEANING A 555 FLY LINE If you do not understand why Walt is upset, then you will never understand what propriety is, what good manners are, or the basic tenets of civility.   Dave

Response:

She sounds like a great woman! Funny, my Grandma married a Clarence also… he was a wonderful man who also loved fishing, and did alot of hunting. We had many a dinner of venison, wild pheasant, quail, rabbit and squirrel… just to name a few. Grandma was somewhat diversified in her cooking, as long as she had her large, black, cast iron skillet with the renderings of last night’s meal in it. Fresh vegetables were a mainstay, which included her kick-ass dandelion greens. Her and I would go "out in the country" for a ride to collect the greens, then stop at the local farmer’s stand to get whatever veggie we needed – I usually talked her into corn. The day before we planned on going fishing, she would take me to the county dump to stock up on red worms. That place always had the healthiest looking red worms around, and the price was right… if you could stand the smell. I really miss those days… — SaltyWaders PS… Grandma’s sister-inlaw was named Lottie – another great woman who loved fishing!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Grandma Lottie (on my mother’s side) was also one of those people whose memory evokes many stories.   She grew up on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and eloped with Clarence when she was sixteen, beginning what had to have been a hard life of farming, raising a passel of kids (all girls but one), and raising chickens. From my earliest childhood memories, they raised chickens in two long houses behind the house.   Trips to the farm almost always included dinners of fried chicken (and still the best dumplings in memory).   We never had any illusions of where the food came from; grandpop chopped off the heads right there in the dirt lane, and that night’s dinner would flop around the yard for a few strange minutes before being carried into the kitchen.   What’s for dinner?  Chicken. It was a rare ocasion that Grandmom left the farm to come to Baltimore; but when she came, we tried to show her "the big city".   We took her to one of the better restaurants in town, where there were nearly a hundred menu items; pork, veal, beef in the meat entrees; shrimp, scallops, fresh fish, under the seafood heading; a dozen different sausages (it was a German family restaurant).   After her sheltered existance on the farm, we had hoped to offer up a variety of tastes.   Instead, she tucked her napkin under her chin & ordered – fried chicken.  :-)

Response:

Didn’t catch the whole flame, or even how it got started, but WOW!

Heck, don’t feel like the Lone Ranger Salty.  I didn’t catch the whole flame either! George

Response:

Didn’t catch the whole flame, or even how it got started, but WOW! I go away for a week and find that someone’s beloved grandmother(s) got flamed?!

I didn’t put the bullet in the vise, and you stop talking about my grandma! (For anyone who remembers Bill Cosby’s classic first comedy album.) — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Walt Winter writes: I will be there, Walt, waiting for the village idiot to "bitch slap" me like he promised.  You hold my jacket and I’ll hold your’s.  Shouldn’t take too long….. if he shows, that is.  

Just a note, I won’t be a wearing a jacket in case some dumb fucker tries to start shit around my campfire.  You guys can go about 22.455861 feet from my campfire and do whatever the hell you want though. — Warren change addy to yahoo for email Henry’s Fork Clave info and Bozeman, MT fishing info http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt3/HFclave.html

Response:

Didn’t catch the whole flame, or even how it got started, but WOW! I go away for a week and find that someone’s beloved grandmother(s) got flamed?! What the hell happened here?! I guess I am probably better off not knowing and should keep my nose out of this… but is the topic here still fly fishing? I hope so… I really like this place. BTW, family folk are sacred in my book… — SaltyWaders "Old eyes can see salt flies…" [snip some great family memories...] – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – so mr. gherke, consider this fair warning. for the vitrolic slight of yours in an earlier thread today concerning my beloved and sorely missed grandmothers (shall i bring up ma-ma bryant?)…. plane tickets are cheap… and i am now your worst fucking nightmare. hope to see you on the henry’s fork…. sweet dreams, Walter Garett Winter ps…. this is EOT

Response:

Salty Waders writes: BTW, family folk are sacred in my book…

And, they are sacred to all but one. Dave

Response:

Too bad for those who choose to belittle someone’s folks. Well, my grandma (my mom’s mom) was quite a fisherman (oops, I guess that would be fisherwoman…) – she took me fishing all the time when I was a wee lad. Not only could she catch fish, she always had the amazing ability to stifle even the most obnoxious bullshitter. She was sacred indeed … — SaltyWaders "Old eyes can see salt flies…"

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Salty Waders writes: BTW, family folk are sacred in my book… And, they are sacred to all but one. Dave

Response:

my father’s mother, oma winter, was a fine german lady full of warmth, kindness, and love.

<snipped really good read The way I see it, anyone can insult me all they want; it’s like water off a duck’s back. When they start insulting family, it’s a different matter – and the story here is the best example why. No one has the right to trample on these kinds of memories. I’m with ya, Walt. FWIW, Tim

Response:

Walt Winter writes:

<warm memories snipped for brevity hope to see you on the henry’s fork…. sweet dreams,

I will be there, Walt, waiting for the village idiot to "bitch slap" me like he promised.  You hold my jacket and I’ll hold your’s.  Shouldn’t take too long….. if he shows, that is.   Dave

Response:

What Winter:  (Since you can’t spell my name correctly . . .) I really don’t care about your family history right now but when you think you can go around and insult me or others with impunity, you’re sure fire crazy! You’re memory is about as far as your next step.  Next time you insult someone, why don’t you keep the thread with the insult you find offending with your story?  That way, everything stays in sync.  Frankly, I don’t have the slightest idea what the hell you’re talking about.  Whatever I said, you probably deserved it.  Leave your family out of it. George Gehrke

Response:

Tell you what Walter.  Just come to the Western Conclave.  I know  you won’t come because unless someone else will pay your way.  You can’t afford much more than crossing the county line once every five years and this is only if you can hitch hike. Walt?  You’re all mouth.  There isn’t a man in all of Roff that I fear. Respect is another word all together.  Just remember this Walt.  Don’t start this nonsense.  I won’t start any fight with you or anyone else but I’ll sure enough finish it.  You can put me in the hospital and when I get out I’ll come after you again and again until the day I die.  Understand?  You don’t know what a nightmare is all about.  Don’t fuck with me and don’t threaten me or anyone else here in the West. Now then, that said . . . being a gentleman is an entirely different matter for you.  You don’t see me going out of my way insulting you, or Tom Brown, or Wayne Harrison, or Zimmerman, or Jeff Miller, or anyone in North Carolina,  but you did that to me.   I don’t do that.  It is YOU who has the loose mouth.  Go back and see what you said before you start this crap? Walt?  Go fuck yourself. Gentleman George "not guilty" I just don’t think your grandma deserves you.

Response:

Question:

Any one fly fish for sea trout. I’ll be spending Nov. and Dec. near Tarpon Springs. Last yr I fished with a friend with live shrimp and we caught alot. This yr Id like to catch them on flies. any info would be helpful on flies , ect Thanks , Dick Roberts Navajo Dam , NM

Response:

Hi Dick and you other ROFFers out there, I don’t have the answers right now myself, but I know that they catch Seatrout or Speckled Trout in the Gulf Of Mexico on flies. You need to do just what you are doing. There will be a prime time or prime times for getting them on flies. This will probably have to do with the weather, migration of bait fish or shrimp or the spawning run of Seatrout? I would probably contact some manufacturer like Sage Rod Company and get a name of a good fly shop or guide in the area. Then I would call them with a paper and pen in front of me and start asking questions. This is what I do for a living with my fly shop. Knowing when to go somewhere for the best fishing is probably the number one variable. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any one fly fish for sea trout. I’ll be spending Nov. and Dec. near Tarpon Springs. Last yr I fished with a friend with live shrimp and we caught alot. This yr Id like to catch them on flies. any info would be helpful on flies , ect Thanks , Dick Roberts Navajo Dam , NM

Response:

Question:

Hi. Just wondering if anyone out there has fished the tailwaters of the Smith Lake Dam in Cullman, Alabama in the last few days. I’m new to flyfishing and was wondering what the trout are feeding on these hot days of summer. If anyone has fished this water lately, please email me and give me an idea of what and how to fish there. I’ve asked the locals, but they are very closed mouth about it. If anyone has any suggestions on what to try, I’d appreciate that also. Thanks, Richard Hollingsworth

Response:

… If anyone has any suggestions on what to try, I’d appreciate that also.

Have never fished below Smith Lake Dam but every tailwater fishery I’ve ever heard of has a population of sow bugs. You might want to try sculpins too. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Question:

Can anyone give me some tips about fishing the runoff. The rivers up here (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) are pretty murky and fast from the recent rains and snow melt.  I headed out to the Elbow River at the weekend but got nothing. Tried black/olive wooly buggers (to me they looked just like the rest of the debris floating by), GRHE’s and Blace Dace streamers. Not even a nibble. I tied some white and red crystal streamers tonight and may give them a go. I’m thinking that maybe something white will be more visible through the murk. Any and all advice gratefully recieved KB

Response:

In high murky river waters IMHO the best thing you cano do is keep moving and fish the margins.  The fish do not want to expend more energy than they can get from a meal.  The fast water causes them to expend too much energy so they snuggle up to obtructions – boulders, river bends, undercut banks, sand bars, downed logs.  They usually won’t move far so you have to practically hit them in the nose with the fly.  The good news is stealth is usually not an issue since their ability to perceive in murky water is limited.  I have found had some good success with large terrestrial insect patterns in high murky, summer water. Grasshoppers, beetles, bees, or imitations of large aquatics such as Royal Coachman, Humpies, Goddard Caddis and Elk Hair Caddis, fished dry, have produced some great days when the water seemed just too high, too fast, and too colored. As far as nymphs are concerned, high water dislodges tons of the suckers.  I believe the best patterns to use in these water conditions are suggestive of life, rather than exact imitations.  A furry Hare’s Ear, Beadhead Prince, and Weighted Stonefly are three of my favorites. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone give me some tips about fishing the runoff. The rivers up here (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) are pretty murky and fast from the recent rains and snow melt.  I headed out to the Elbow River at the weekend but got nothing. Tried black/olive wooly buggers (to me they looked just like the rest of the debris floating by), GRHE’s and Blace Dace streamers. Not even a nibble. I tied some white and red crystal streamers tonight and may give them a go. I’m thinking that maybe something white will be more visible through the murk. Any and all advice gratefully recieved KB

Response:

Question:

Netscape has a spell check, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Huh? Pardon my ignorance, Far, but just who is this guy and what has he supposedly done? I’m a NH resident, and I’ve never heard of this guy or his organization.< Hi Dave, Well, I will join Farandfine’s bandwagon here.  I too am a New Hampshire resident. Bob Mitchel belongs to the New Hampshire Fly Fishers Association.  The are now a Federation of FLy Fishers group, but it wasn’t always that way.  The are based in Laconia, NH. Since you don’t know about them, let me give you  a one sided point of view. About three years ago, Dick Sturtavent, Bob Mitchell and a few of their cronies decided that the fishing in New Hampshire wasn’t good enoough for them.  They wanted to be assured that when they went out they would be able to fish over LARGE trout. Not in streams mind you, but in ponds.   So they formed the New Hampshire Fly Fishers Accociation, Inc.   But the biggest reason  for forming the group was that the local and state chapters of TU  would not go along with them in trying to get the ponds in the north country stoked to their liking. Once they had the NH Fly Fishers formed, they then formed the Cold Water Coalition, Inc. in an effort to bypass all the criticism and to put up a front of bringing all the TU chapters and the NH Fly Fishers together so they could persue their own agenda.  I don’t know about you, but there seenm to be a lot of Inc.’s popping up here in the fishing comunity, and any group that is for the fly fishers in the state that feels that they have to protect themselves legally from the very people they pretend to be working for is bogus in my book Some of the things that they have accomplised, is to have instituted the Slot Limints for 5 ponds.  Namely, Upper Hallls, Sky, Profile Lake, Cole and Shawtown.  All fish between 12 and 16 inches must now be released and only one fish over 16 inches may be kept, with a two fish limit.  There was little debate over this and little public input.  Secret meetings were held with the Cold Water Coalition and members of the Fish and Game last year, in Portsmouth.  A nice out of the way place that assured them that even if these meetings were made public, not many people would make the drive.   After the Cold Water Coalition met, one public hearing was held at the Fish and Game in Concord, where they said they were going to take the matter under advisment.  Lo and behold, this year, guess what?  The regs are changed. Now, I am an advocate of catch and release, (go ahead Tim, I had to say it) but I think that the states (our) money could be better spent trying to manage a few fisheries for wild trout instead of continually stocking every mud puddle from here to Colebrook.  If you check your fish and game digest, you will see that NH does not have one managed Wild Trout fishery, and only one pure catch and release area.  Vermont on the other hand has 7 wild trout fisheries, and Mass has several C&R areas.  That’s beef number one for many of us. Number two, why wasn’t Whittamore, or some other pond or lake in the southern part of the state choosen?  Why not Stonehouse Pond in Barrington?  There is a simple answer to that one.  The NH Fly Fishers are based in Laconia.  Why travel 2 hours south when you have ponds 30 minutes from you that your buddies in the Fish and Game will stock just the way you want then too. Number three, and this one really makes my blood boil.  In NH if you are going to have a fishing derby or a tounament, you have to get a permit from the town, as well as the fish and game, and it is very regulated.  The NH Fly Fishers on the other hand have found a way around this.  They have "outings"  where 30 or 40 of them show up on a piece of Public water and just take the place over. Sewells Falls in Concord is a great example.  Their annual Atlantic Slamon Outing ruins any chance the rest of us have of fishing there that weekend. Rotational fishing?  Not with these guys.  You are either with them or you don’t fish.  Then there is the pilgrmage to Profile Lake.  Another weekend outing where they just take over an area.  And the Fish and Game just looks the other way.  No, that’s not true, last year, they stocked Profile Lake the Friday prior to the NH Fly FIhsers outing there.  It’s funny that these guys never have an outing on a river for trout.  Hence the drag free float line by Far I assume. It has gotten so out of hand, that the fish surveys, which used to be done by TU are now being done by the NH Fly Fishers at the above listed ponds.  Our local TU Chapters weren’t even contacted about then this year.  This is a lot like the fox guarding the hen house.  The people doing the surveys have a personal interest it their outcome, and the findings will  have to be questioned. There are other areas worth dicussing, but that is the NH Fly Fishers in a bit more than a nut shell, from my point of view.   As you saw in the post by Farandfnie, I am not alone in my criticism of this group. At any rate, tight lines and good fishing… Al Manchester, NH

Response:

Looking for some worthwhile Fly Fishing spots in the Keene NH area.   Rivers , Streams , Fly Fishing only Ponds.  Any Suggestions Appreciated.

Response:

Looking for some worthwhile Fly Fishing spots in the Keene NH area.   Rivers,

Streams , Fly Fishing only Ponds.  Any Suggestions Appreciated. My GOD – Is this the same Bob Mitchell  - Sgt At Arm of the New Hampshire Fly Fishers? I thought you people knew EVERYTHING about fly fishing in New Hampshire?  After all, you knew what was good for all of us when it came to Upper Halls, Sky, Profile and a couple of other ponds here in NH.   Since you have the Fish and Game in your back pocket anyway, why not just go ask them?  What’s the matter, out of cash? No way I would ever tell you about any quality water in New Hampshire.  You morons would just have an "outing" where 30 or 40 of you come on a weekend and screw it up for the rest of us. Then next thing you know it’s on your own personal agenda.  You would write it up in Hawkeye (they dont pay for articles so he isnt that good group) and then every Orvis clad yuppie within 100 miles would be on the stream I told you about. Sorry Bob – go get your float tube and load up on those #10 Pheasant Tails a full sinking line and go troll Profile Lake. Leave the fly fishing to those of us who know how to get a drag free float over good fish. Far

Response:

Looking for some worthwhile Fly Fishing spots in the Keene NH area.   Rivers, Streams , Fly Fishing only Ponds.  Any Suggestions Appreciated. My GOD – Is this the same Bob Mitchell  - Sgt At Arm of the New Hampshire Fly Fishers? I thought you people knew EVERYTHING about fly fishing in New Hampshire?  After all, you knew what was good for all of us when it came to Upper Halls, Sky, Profile and a couple of other ponds here in NH.   Since you have the Fish and Game in your back pocket anyway, why not just go ask them?  What’s the matter, out of cash?

Huh? Pardon my ignorance, Far, but just who is this guy and what has he supposedly done? I’m a NH resident, and I’ve never heard of this guy or his organization. No way I would ever tell you about any quality water in New Hampshire.  You morons would just have an "outing" where 30 or 40 of you come on a weekend and screw it up for the rest of us.

I can’t understand why he’s asking in the first place, since it’s hard to swing a dead trout in the Keene area without hitting some decent water. NO! WAIT! I’m mistaken. *Ahem* There are no trout in NH. Yes, that’s it. None. Mass. has ALL the trout. Woe is us. We are poor, pitiful Cow Hampshirites, without any trout. Not a one. Yep, that’s the ticket. Then next thing you know it’s on your own personal agenda.  You would write it up in Hawkeye (they dont pay for articles so he isnt that good group) and then every Orvis clad yuppie within 100 miles would be on the stream I told you about.

Well, could be, but in my experience any organization large enough to require a sgt. at arms is usually too cumbersome to stalk its own bunghole, much less our non-existent NH trout. Granted, though, a Cherokee hatch is an unsightly nuisance, but probably only temporary. Still, I can’t blame you for not giving away your spots in this increasingly crowded state. I’m sure not giving mine away (not that there are any fish there, mind you). Sorry Bob – go get your float tube and load up on those #10 Pheasant Tails a full sinking line and go troll Profile Lake. Leave the fly fishing to those of us who know how to get a drag free float over good fish.

Ooooo. Ouch. That might be even more painful if there were any "good fish" to catch here in NH, but there aren’t. None. Nope. Zilch. Salvelinus Nonexistus. Salmo Nada. This is all true! Really! Dave

Response:

Huh? Pardon my ignorance, Far, but just who is this guy and what has he

supposedly done? I’m a NH resident, and I’ve never heard of this guy or his organization.< Hi Dave, Well, I will join Farandfine’s bandwagon here.  I too am a New Hampshire resident. Bob Mitchel belongs to the New Hampshire Fly Fishers Association.  The are now a Federation of FLy Fishers group, but it wasn’t always that way.  The are based in Laconia, NH. Since you don’t know about them, let me give you  a one sided point of view. About three years ago, Dick Sturtavent, Bob Mitchell and a few of their cronies decided that the fishing in New Hampshire wasn’t good enoough for them.  They wanted to be assured that when they went out they would be able to fish over LARGE trout. Not in streams mind you, but in ponds.   So they formed the New Hampshire Fly Fishers Accociation, Inc.   But the biggest reason  for forming the group was that the local and state chapters of TU  would not go along with them in trying to get the ponds in the north country stoked to their liking. Once they had the NH Fly Fishers formed, they then formed the Cold Water Coalition, Inc. in an effort to bypass all the criticism and to put up a front of bringing all the TU chapters and the NH Fly Fishers together so they could persue their own agenda.  I don’t know about you, but there seenm to be a lot of Inc.’s popping up here in the fishing comunity, and any group that is for the fly fishers in the state that feels that they have to protect themselves legally from the very people they pretend to be working for is bogus in my book Some of the things that they have accomplised, is to have instituted the Slot Limints for 5 ponds.  Namely, Upper Hallls, Sky, Profile Lake, Cole and Shawtown.  All fish between 12 and 16 inches must now be released and only one fish over 16 inches may be kept, with a two fish limit.  There was little debate over this and little public input.  Secret meetings were held with the Cold Water Coalition and members of the Fish and Game last year, in Portsmouth.  A nice out of the way place that assured them that even if these meetings were made public, not many people would make the drive.   After the Cold Water Coalition met, one public hearing was held at the Fish and Game in Concord, where they said they were going to take the matter under advisment.  Lo and behold, this year, guess what?  The regs are changed. Now, I am an advocate of catch and release, (go ahead Tim, I had to say it) but I think that the states (our) money could be better spent trying to manage a few fisheries for wild trout instead of continually stocking every mud puddle from here to Colebrook.  If you check your fish and game digest, you will see that NH does not have one managed Wild Trout fishery, and only one pure catch and release area.  Vermont on the other hand has 7 wild trout fisheries, and Mass has several C&R areas.  That’s beef number one for many of us. Number two, why wasn’t Whittamore, or some other pond or lake in the southern part of the state choosen?  Why not Stonehouse Pond in Barrington?  There is a simple answer to that one.  The NH Fly Fishers are based in Laconia.  Why travel 2 hours south when you have ponds 30 minutes from you that your buddies in the Fish and Game will stock just the way you want then too. Number three, and this one really makes my blood boil.  In NH if you are going to have a fishing derby or a tounament, you have to get a permit from the town, as well as the fish and game, and it is very regulated.  The NH Fly Fishers on the other hand have found a way around this.  They have "outings"  where 30 or 40 of them show up on a piece of Public water and just take the place over. Sewells Falls in Concord is a great example.  Their annual Atlantic Slamon Outing ruins any chance the rest of us have of fishing there that weekend. Rotational fishing?  Not with these guys.  You are either with them or you don’t fish.  Then there is the pilgrmage to Profile Lake.  Another weekend outing where they just take over an area.  And the Fish and Game just looks the other way.  No, that’s not true, last year, they stocked Profile Lake the Friday prior to the NH Fly FIhsers outing there.  It’s funny that these guys never have an outing on a river for trout.  Hence the drag free float line by Far I assume. It has gotten so out of hand, that the fish surveys, which used to be done by TU are now being done by the NH Fly Fishers at the above listed ponds.  Our local TU Chapters weren’t even contacted about then this year.  This is a lot like the fox guarding the hen house.  The people doing the surveys have a personal interest it their outcome, and the findings will  have to be questioned. There are other areas worth dicussing, but that is the NH Fly Fishers in a bit more than a nut shell, from my point of view.   As you saw in the post by Farandfnie, I am not alone in my criticism of this group. At any rate, tight lines and good fishing… Al Manchester, NH

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Question:

Get Dick Brown’s book "Bonefish Fly Patterns". It will be a great help to you. Good Luck!

Response:

Hello all, can anyone suggest the flies I should use while fishing for Bonefish in the Carribbean in late June??  (Esp. the easiest ones to tie) Thanks in advance. Eric Meier

Response:

Hello all, can anyone suggest the flies I should use while fishing for Bonefish in the Carribbean in late June??  (Esp. the easiest ones to tie) Thanks in advance. Eric Meier

Crazy Charlies are the most popular and simple patterns. I would tie pearl, gold, root beer, olive and pink. Use size mostly #4/6 in Mustad 3407 or 34007 hooks. Use #6/8 in Tiemco 800S or 811S hooks as they run a little bigger than Mustad. No eyes for Turtle grass bottoms. Bead chain eyes on some and chrome lead eyes on others for deeper sand bottoms or tide currents. Try to get a guide. You can call me at 800/4000FLY. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

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Question:

What would the readers recommend for fly patterns.  I am planning to use a floating line with a surface fly for a strike indicator and a midge or scud or brassie for the dropper.  The dropper will be tied to the bend of the surface fly and extend for 1.5 times the depth of the water that I find myself fishing in. What would you recommend for the surface fly/dropper combinations and please include size and color recommendations. Thanks in advance. Dan —  Intel, Corp.  5000 W. Chandler Blvd.  Chandler, AZ  85226

Response:

: What would the readers recommend for fly patterns.  I am planning to use a : floating line with a surface fly for a strike indicator and a midge or scud or : brassie for the dropper.  The dropper will be tied to the bend of the surface : fly and extend for 1.5 times the depth of the water that I find myself fishing : in. : : What would you recommend for the surface fly/dropper combinations and please : include size and color recommendations. If you use a search engine and type "Fly Fishing in Arizona" it should lead you to the home page which is updated (either weekly or monthly) with the latest info on all parts of Arizona. It gives water levels, current conditions, fly patterns, tips for the week, and lots more…great resource.   Good luck and post a trip report. **   Mark Olson           # "In any audience, twenty percent  ** **   Las Vegas Academy    #  minds drift and sixty percent    ** **   Brooks Alumni        #  are actively engaged in sexual   ** **   Class of ‘88         #  fantasies."                      ** **   Member PIEA          #            —Gov. Pete Wilson    **

Response:

Question:

The Madison River is open from Hebgen to Quake Lakem, year around.   It’s closed from Quake to Macatee till the 3rd Saturday in May.  It’s open from Macatee to Ennis Bridge, year around, and it is closed from Ennis Bridge to Ennis Lake from December 1 through the 3rd Saturday in May. Dave Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters,Bozeman html

Hi Dave, Thanks for the information, it’s right on. I enjoy your posts, keep them up. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

Does anyone know if the special closure on the Madison between Lyons and Pallisades is in effect for 1996?

From what I have heard it is open. Take Care,

Response:

   Here’s the deal on the upper Madison.  Quake to Lyons will open on the 3rd Saturday in May and will close at the end of November.  Lyons to Squaw creek is open the same way.  Squaw to Windy Point is permanently closed as a study/control section.  Windy Point to Macatee is closed right now, but it will reopen on the 3rd Saturday in May.  Macatee to Ennis Bridge is open right now, and will remain open year around.  Ennis Bridge to the Ennis Lake is closed(critical goose nesting habitat by the lake), and it will reopen the 3rd Saturday in May.  If you can keep track of all of that, you pass the bar exam! http://www.gomontana.com/Business/Trout/trout.html

Response:

Does anyone know if the special closure on the Madison between Lyons and Pallisades is in effect for 1996?

as far as I know the river is currently closed from quake lake to ennis until the 3rd saturday in may….

Response:

I think its open in the upper stretch because my nephew was fishing around the Raynolds Pass bridge during spring break.

Response:

I think its open in the upper stretch because my nephew was fishing around the Raynolds Pass bridge during spring break.

Probably illegally…as I understand it the rive ris closed from Quake Lake to below Ennis until sometime in May..

Response:

The Madison River is open from Hebgen to Quake Lakem, year around.   It’s closed from Quake to Macatee till the 3rd Saturday in May.  It’s open from Macatee to Ennis Bridge, year around, and it is closed from Ennis Bridge to Ennis Lake from December 1 through the 3rd Saturday in May. Dave Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters,Bozeman html

Response:

Does anyone know if the special closure on the Madison between Lyons and Pallisades is in effect for 1996?

Response:

Does anyone know if the special closure on the Madison between Lyons and Pallisades is in effect for 1996?

Looks like it will be open.  See http://www.cyberport.net/flyfish/cent_reg.html for regs.  A phone call may be in order. — "If the facts do not conform to the theory, they must be disposed of."      Maier’s Law

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Question:

Every lake and water system down there has fish in it.  It dont take a genius to catch them.  Catch a grasshopper in the grass and throw it out into the water and watch the fish take it under.  If nothing hits it, move on.

Response:

I am going to be in Lafayette, LA  april 13-16 and would like to try flyfishing for bluegil (brim).  I am a rank amateur. Anybody have any suggestions on where I should try? thanks Mike in MI

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