Question:

Hi, Anyone out there ever done a walking/hiking trip on the south island. I’m looking to go for 10-14 days of hiking and fishing. Any advice, resources, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks, Rodrigo

Response:

Rodrigo, Don’t know a thing about fishing New Zealand.  However, it’s something I will do someday.  How about letting us know how it was when you get back? Thanks, Eric

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Anyone out there ever done a walking/hiking trip on the south island. I’m looking to go for 10-14 days of hiking and fishing. Any advice, resources, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks, Rodrigo

Response:

Anyone out there ever done a walking/hiking trip on the south island. I’m looking to go for 10-14 days of hiking and fishing. Any advice, resources, etc. would be appreciated.

Rodrigo: you want to do one of the State Forest / National Parks, though at any time of the year anyone of them will have weather that is predictable only to the extent that it will be highly changeable. To give you the best chance of settled weather (ie fishable water) I’d suggest the North West (Nelson Province) – a trek along the Karamea and Wangapeka systems would fit your timescale well and, water permitting, provide wonderful fishing opportunities for browns that average over 4lb. Maps etc can be had from the Department of Conservation’s (but no doubt they’ve recently changed their name to something unpronounceable to me) Motueka Field Centre, 406 High Street, PO Box 97, Motueka. Let me know if you’d like more info about this, accommodation possibilities etc. Roger www.wildtrout.org (in dire need of an update)

Response:

Question:

What do you like to fish? For lots of fun, generally smaller cutthroats, I suggest the Dewatto River. You can park at the bridge 2-3 miles from the mouth and fish downstream. Lots of pockets, log jams and no path to speak of. Hope you are in shape. Its a very small river, with its own pristine salt estuary.  Smash down your barbs because those occasional decent size bows you catch that fight like hell are most likely young steelhead. Wade wet or with wellies. The further you get in the better chances for something bigger. Amazing what these small pools can hold. The bottom is coated with caddis. Suggest small Stimulators to avoid hooking the tiny fellows. Also, stop in the FF  shop in Poulsbo for advice and flies. Also check out the current thread on the Dosewallips and the Duckabush in ROFF for info on two midsize streams. If you can breakaway for longer drive up the Skokomish and hike up the "Staircase" for a mile for the best trout river on Hood Canal. Its steep but not that bad and well worth it. Bears last year so no little wandering kids. All the above are delicate, waters so tread lightly. We may also be into Silvers by this time in the salt along the beaches. Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I will be in the Bremerton WA area, staying at the SUB Base, next week. Any info on nearby fresh water fishing would be appreciated, I will probably have a few of hours free each evening. Thanks Jim

Response:

I will be in the Bremerton WA area, staying at the SUB Base, next week. Any info on nearby fresh water fishing would be appreciated, I will probably have a few of hours free each evening. Thanks Jim

Hi Jim, The Dewatto was the first river to come to my mind as well, because it’s on that side of the Hood Canal, though I ‘ve never fished it myself. The fly shop’s name that David mentioned is Northwest Angler their phone number is 360.697.7100 the address is 18804 Front St., Poulsbo. They’re located right thread above regarding fishing the Olympic Peninsula. Tight lines, Darin

Response:

I will be in the Bremerton WA area, staying at the SUB Base, next week. Any info on nearby fresh water fishing would be appreciated, I will probably have a few of hours free each evening. Thanks Jim

Response:

Question:

Recently I – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – bought an Airflo Polyleader (floating, light trout variety) from ezflyfish.com and really like its ability to turnover. Unlike Maxima, this tapered leader is very flexible – feels like a gel.  It limply rolls off my reel with nearly imperceptible coiling, every time – no need to stretch it out. Also when casting, it seems like it has better momentum transfer from fly line to leader than my hand tied leaders.  The Maxima leaders work well, but the Polyleader really rolls off the end of the cast.  However it does seem also to create a bit more disturbance when lifting off the water.   Depending on the size of the fly and making an adjustment in my casting stroke I can completely straighten out my leader using either type but the Polyleader appears to have better unfurling properties.  Rather than a leader butt, it’s more like a clear finely tapered fly line floating tip.  Might be similar to some of these new clear or clear tipped fly lines available.  Your observations? experiences?

I was introduced to the Airflo leaders in NZ this February by my guide, and have been using them ever since.  I agree with your assessment of their capabilities — they’re fantastic. Michael — www.geocities.com/yosemite/falls/3363 Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Mu We haven’t exchanged posts in a while, how’s it going?   I make my own leaders and I’ve been downsizing the butt rather than making them from thick, stiff mono.  I’ve found that the lighter lines (<5 wt.) sometimes have problems turning them over.  The line rolls out in a nice tight loop but the leader opens up then the tippet and fly lands in a heap.  A sign that the tip of the fly line wasn’t able to move the butt.  I haven’t used the poly leader but I have used their older ones and they definitely turn over better than stiff butt factory leaders.  No  question. Peter – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’ve always heard that you need a stiff butt for your leaders for better turnover. Maxima Chameleon is stiff and I like the color and strength so I have been using it most of the time for tying my own leaders.  Recently I bought an Airflo Polyleader (floating, light trout variety) from ezflyfish.com and really like its ability to turnover. Unlike Maxima, this tapered leader is very flexible – feels like a gel.  It limply rolls off my reel with nearly imperceptible coiling, every time – no need to stretch it out. Also when casting, it seems like it has better momentum transfer from fly line to leader than my hand tied leaders.  The Maxima leaders work well, but the Polyleader really rolls off the end of the cast.  However it does seem also to create a bit more disturbance when lifting off the water.   Depending on the size of the fly and making an adjustment in my casting stroke I can completely straighten out my leader using either type but the Polyleader appears to have better unfurling properties.  Rather than a leader butt, it’s more like a clear finely tapered fly line floating tip.  Might be similar to some of these new clear or clear tipped fly lines available.  Your observations? experiences? Mu Young Lee                         Ann Arbor, MI   USA

Response:

I’ve always heard that you need a stiff butt for your leaders for better turnover. Maxima Chameleon is stiff and I like the color and strength so I have been using it most of the time for tying my own leaders<snip

Hi Mu, Thirty plus years ago, we nail knotted on an ~24" butt of clear hard Mason mono. Then we blood knotted on a Berkley tapered knotless leader. We then used Gladding ‘Gladell’ tippet from France(?). Boy, 6x ‘Gladell’ was pretty hot stuff in those days. I thought that I read something by Lefty Kreh recently that the diameter or mass of the leader butt is what caused the leader to ‘turn over’, not the stiffness. I think he is promoting soft leader butts now? The old rule of thumb was to use two-thirds the diameter of the tip or point of the fly line for a proper butt diameter. I try to get the rigidity of the mono butt section to match the rigidity of the end of the fly line. The best thing to do is get a friend to help you do some testing. One guy cast, while the other one watches the leader turn over?

Response:

I tried some polyleaders at a fly fair in Denmark, and was so impressed with the difference that I bought a whole set of them in various types, Floating, intermediate, slow sinking and ultra fast sinking.  I have not had much chance to use them yet, but I find them far superior to the standard nylon tapered leaders, and they also turn over better than my own carefully hand tied ones. I will be using them as often as possible as soon as I get to do some fishing again. ( too much work at the moment ! ).  I find the floaters do not "pick off" quite as cleanly as nylon, but that is a minor disadvantage if at all. Still have not figured out why this is, but suspect they actually do float a little lower, and this makes them more difficult to pick off. Will have to try a few experiments. Mine are not from Airflo, but from a firm called Scierra. May not be entirely the same. Tight lines ! Mike Connor

Response:

I tried some polyleaders at a fly fair in Denmark, and was so impressed with the difference that I bought a whole set of them in various types, Floating, intermediate, slow sinking and ultra fast sinking.  

Yeah, Walt sells them in a set too but I couldn’t afford to buy it so I just tried the floating one. I have not had much chance to use them yet, but I find them far superior to the standard nylon tapered leaders, and they also turn over better than my own carefully hand

I was quite surprised by that too.                 I find the floaters do not "pick off" quite as cleanly as nylon, but that is a minor disadvantage if at all. Still have not figured out why this is, but suspect they actually do float a little lower, and this makes them more difficult to pick off. Will have to try a few experiments.

The coating feels like some sort of gel.  It’s definitely not as smooth as nylon.  My guess is that under a microscope it probably will display many small inrregularites which can momentarily hold water as it’s being lifted off the surface. Mine are not from Airflo, but from a firm called Scierra. May not be entirely the same.

I believe Rio also makes similar products.  A friend had told me about Polyleaders last December but I couldn’t really find them anywhere.  A few months ago I ordered a fast sinker from a mail order outfit (Feathercraft) but they didn’t have any that were suitable for a 4 wt (they offered two varieties, a Trout series and a Salmon/Bass series). It wasn’t until I stumbled upon ezflyfish.com that I realized that Airflo also had a Light Trout series.  At ~$7 each they can get pricey.  So far I’ve been quite pleased.  The test will be to see how long they last. Mu

Response:

There’s nothing like forgetting to bring t.p. to make you keep a stiff butt. — something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

To all dos ROFFers and ROFFets who geff so yenerously to ar last butt apple Verst I vant to say dat back in May I tink it vas you guys ver dealing wit dis picture dat Torben sent from Norvey off de butt-challanged Nordska on is veb site. IAnd dis vomen had a butt dat youst made dis old man cry, becouse da vomen Ive sen parading into de  local Sons of Norway Hall in Poulsbo, Washington (USA) are more posterially endowed den dat undernourished pixie in Torbens veb site.  Vich is anuder sample of da superiority of de Nortmerican diet but dats a hole nudder kettle of lutafisc. Vell now de topic is stiff butts und I vant to extend de offer originally made on behaf off de poor Scandahovian waifs, to da sufferers off dis stiff butt ting. I don relly no dat much about it, but wat da hell it  zounds like a fit. Come on you guys, do ve need anuder Marshall Plan or vhut? Lets veed dese schildren!!! Send da tax  deductable contribution to da Ad Hoc Nordska Butt Fund, General = Delivery, Poulsbo, WA "A mind is a terrible ting to vaste, but a sckinny butt? I tell you, dats a whole lot versor. Ya you betcha!" (Now serffing da sterf butted as vell. Becas ve care a lot.) Daveff PS: un update on da Evil Torkleson Rototiller Luttefisk  barrel  record yump attemp.  Volks, he’s going fur fife barrels dis year at da Poulsbo Vikingfest, ant ittle be a ting ta see. Da new bearings are in from Harley, ant vhen Ole’s back from da halibut fishing ve vill get dem in.

Response:

I’ve always heard that you need a stiff butt for your leaders for better turnover. Maxima Chameleon is stiff and I like the color and strength so I have been using it most of the time for tying my own leaders.  Recently I bought an Airflo Polyleader (floating, light trout variety) from ezflyfish.com and really like its ability to turnover. Unlike Maxima, this tapered leader is very flexible – feels like a gel.  It limply rolls off my reel with nearly imperceptible coiling, every time – no need to stretch it out. Also when casting, it seems like it has better momentum transfer from fly line to leader than my hand tied leaders.  The Maxima leaders work well, but the Polyleader really rolls off the end of the cast.  However it does seem also to create a bit more disturbance when lifting off the water.   Depending on the size of the fly and making an adjustment in my casting stroke I can completely straighten out my leader using either type but the Polyleader appears to have better unfurling properties.  Rather than a leader butt, it’s more like a clear finely tapered fly line floating tip.  Might be similar to some of these new clear or clear tipped fly lines available.  Your observations? experiences? Mu Young Lee                         Ann Arbor, MI   USA

Response:

To all dos ROFFers and ROFFets who geff so yenerously to ar last butt apple Verst I vant to say dat back in May I tink it vas you guys ver dealing wit dis picture dat Torben sent from Norvey off de butt-challanged Nordska on is veb site.

<gasp What would St. Olaf say about all this? Mu

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve always heard that you need a stiff butt for your leaders for better turnover. Maxima Chameleon is stiff and I like the color and strength so I have been using it most of the time for tying my own leaders<snip Hi Mu, Thirty plus years ago, we nail knotted on an ~24" butt of clear hard Mason mono. Then we blood knotted on a Berkley tapered knotless leader. We then used Gladding ‘Gladell’ tippet from France(?). Boy, 6x ‘Gladell’ was pretty hot stuff in those days. I thought that I read something by Lefty Kreh recently that the diameter or mass of the leader butt is what caused the leader to ‘turn over’, not the stiffness. I think he is promoting soft leader butts now?

Absolutely right! The physics of the thing goes with limp leaders NOT stiff ones. Ideally, the whole cast (line/leader/tippet) should involve a steadily decreasing local mass being turned over by the waning energy of the cast. Here in Britain, when we’re reservoir fishing in boats ‘on the drift’, we often use leaders of straight through thin mono, sometimes 20 feet or more long, with droppers. Leader turnover isn’t a problem, because by definition we’re fishing down wind and the breeze helps straighten things out. But this kind of set up is much more difficult (sometimes impossible) to use into the wind and one knows the difference straight away, when the breeze dies to a calm. You have to shorten the leader, or (better) change to a proper tapered one to fish effectively in calms or into the wind. Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

Response:

Question:

Has anyone fished the Resica Falls section lately?  How are the conditions?

Response:

soupy…  An occasional fish at first and last light, or so I’m told.  This isn’t really a trout stream imho.  But it sure is purty…:)

Response:

I will be visiting Bushkills PA next week and was looking for any suggestions about where to go flyfishing while there (a good way to find some quality time to "escape" from the family reunion!) I am happy with either trout or bass waters, might bring my canoe if it seems worth it. Ideally, a stream or river with trout would be nice. Thanks Steve

Response:

Question:

I’ve caught an occasional golden at Kennedy Meadows, but you’d be better off heading farther north to Lone Pine and going up to the trailhead at Horseshoe Meadows or Cottonwood Creek. Either trailhead takes you to lots of streams with goldens (usually quite small). I noticed on the handouts from the Forest Service that Cottonwood Lakes are open to catch and release now. Another alternative is to go to Bishop and head up the trail from South Lake to Treasure Lakes (though three weeks ago there was still a lot of snow on the trail and ice on the higher lakes). There are goldens in the creek along the way, but the fish in Treasure Lakes are bigger. Try a Sierra bright dot on the ones in the creek. Any way you go, they’re worth the effort. Mark Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thinking about heading to Kennedy Meadows for the first time.  Anyone have any advice on where the best fishing would be up in that area? I’ve been told that if you get above 10,000 ft., you have a shot at Goldens. Thanks ahead of time. Tom

Response:

If you have a 4WD (absolutely required) I suggest Monachee meadows which is a few miles away from Kennedy Meadows.  There’s a trailhead at the upper end of the meadows.  Two years ago, we parked there and hiked in 5 miles for a couple of days of camping and fishing.  Caught lots of goldens. They’re not big, but they’re pretty. There’s been a lot of management by the Forest Service and DFG in that area over the past couple of years, so I’d consult with them before making plans.  Don’t just look at a topo map and make assumptions. —                                                       -dnc- – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thinking about heading to Kennedy Meadows for the first time.  Anyone have any advice on where the best fishing would be up in that area? I’ve been told that if you get above 10,000 ft., you have a shot at Goldens. Thanks ahead of time. Tom

Response:

The stream at Kennedy Meadows is a small one with 8" browns, rainbows and brookies.  You must go higher for goldens.  If you follow the stream down far enough it becomes a river and the trout are nice sized. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-Mail Selling my Fly Fishing Books Go to: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thinking about heading to Kennedy Meadows for the first time.  Anyone have any advice on where the best fishing would be up in that area? I’ve been told that if you get above 10,000 ft., you have a shot at Goldens. Thanks ahead of time. Tom

Response:

Thinking about heading to Kennedy Meadows for the first time.  Anyone have any advice on where the best fishing would be up in that area? I’ve been told that if you get above 10,000 ft., you have a shot at Goldens. Thanks ahead of time. Tom

Response:

Thinking about heading to Kennedy Meadows for the first time.  Anyone have any advice on where the best fishing would be up in that area? I’ve been told that if you get above 10,000 ft., you have a shot at Goldens. Thanks ahead of time. Tom

I was just up there this weekend, that is the Kennedy Meadows up by Sonora Pass. The river is barely fishable in the morning and raging and a bit cloudy by the afternoons. The horse packers and trail crews still weren’t going up past Brown Bear Pass, about fifteen miles in, because of snow.  I was hoping to get to Emigrant lake and further but I cut short my plans and hiked to Lewis lakes, about ten miles in at around 9,000 feet and the two larger of the three were still frozen. These lakes have a ridge just to the west that might shade them a little bit, so it might be that others at the same elevation might be open, but I expect you’d find ice for sure if you hiked any higher. I was thinking it might be better to hike in from Cherry or Pinecrest areas for the lower elevation lakes nearer to those areas. These will have rainbows and brookies. The resort there at Kennedy Meadows has a $1.50 brochure which lists all the lakes, size, depth, elevation and what kind of trout, and a few of the highest ones have Goldens. I plan to try again at the end of August. Mark Vinsel www.vinsel.com

Response:

Question:

John: having lots of trouble sending mail to you hope this worked. John: Hey great!!!  That’s what I need. Unfortunately I’m not familiar with the magazine and finding it at the library might not be successful.  Not much saltwater flyfishing here in Wisconsin.  If it’s not to much trouble, I would appreciate the electronic version mailed to me.  I should be able to read the scanned items with out any trouble. Al Hi Al: As I am a teacher I understand exactly what you are saying.  The is exactly the information you want in the June/July issue of Salt Water Flyfishing which can be acquired at places like Academy Sporting Goods.  The article is entitled the $400 Fishing Machine Conversion. The article can be found on Page 10. The boat transformed is a OMC Lowe Roughneck model 1648VT – a 16 foot boat.  The $400 figure refers to the cost of materials used, not the boat.  I am thinking of doing this myself.  If you can’t find the magazine, I will be happy to scan it for you and e-mail it if you are set up to read picture files such as jpegs or gifs.  You can open these with your web browser.  I will also be happy to mail you a photocopy of the article if you will supply your mailing address. Sincerely, John J. McGeough – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As a family man of moderate earnings and a desire for boating and fishing.  Purchasing a factory fishing rig is financially out of the question at this time.  Until the day comes where I’m able to purchase such a boat I need to look at other alternatives.  I would like to know if anyone knows of some recent articles or books on how to transform an older 14* or 16* aluminum boat in to a real fishing rig by adding floors, storage compartments, painting, installing carpet, proper materials to use etc. etc.  I see many of these so called *fixed up* boats in the used boat lots but often times the fix up job was done rather poorly and with the wrong materials.  If such an articles or other sources exists, I would be interested in knowing about it. Please E-mail me directly Thanks! Al Checkalski

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – that link is dead, Harry.  misspelling? frank As a family man of moderate earnings and a desire for boating and fishing.  Purchasing a factory fishing rig is financially out of the <snip Florida Sportsman magazine had a feature recently on such a conversion. Dunno if the story made its web page: www.flsportman.com If not, call them at 305 661 4222 This is the BEST fishing magazine in the United States, bar none. — Harry Krause EMAIL from newsgroup? Remove -nospam from return address – - – - – - – - – - "What I object to is you automatically treat me like an inferior!" –MP

– i screwed it up. Should be  www.flsportsman.com But even the right one was not working an hour ago. Harry Krause EMAIL from newsgroup? Remove -nospam from return address – - – - – - – - – - "HLLOWORL.CPP": 17 Errors, 31 Warnings….

Response:

Hi Al: As I am a teacher I understand exactly what you are saying.  The is exactly the information you want in the June/July issue of Salt Water Flyfishing which can be acquired at places like Academy Sporting Goods.  The article is entitled the $400 Fishing Machine Conversion. The article can be found on Page 10. The boat transformed is a OMC Lowe Roughneck model 1648VT – a 16 foot boat.  The $400 figure refers to the cost of materials used, not the boat.  I am thinking of doing this myself.  If you can’t find the magazine, I will be happy to scan it for you and e-mail it if you are set up to read picture files such as jpegs or gifs.  You can open these with your web browser.  I will also be happy to mail you a photocopy of the article if you will supply your mailing address.   Sincerely, John J. McGeough – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As a family man of moderate earnings and a desire for boating and fishing.  Purchasing a factory fishing rig is financially out of the question at this time.  Until the day comes where I’m able to purchase such a boat I need to look at other alternatives.  I would like to know if anyone knows of some recent articles or books on how to transform an older 14

Question:

Several fly fishing books for sale from my collection.  All by famous authors; new and pre-owned books.  E-Mail me for list of books and prices. JWTrout

Response:

Several fly fishing books for sale from my collection.  All by famous authors; new and pre-owned books.  E-Mail me for list of books and prices. JWTrout

Hi John Please email me the list. Thanks. — Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty Whiting Farms (Hoffman Hackle)

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just melt the last inch or so of the coating of your line with nail polish remover; open the core of the line with a needle; poke the butt end of your leader into the core; and apply some Crazy Glue.  It will never let go.  The only leader knot you need to know is a blood knot. JB: thanks for the new (to me ) idea… I had just posted my favorite way (fast  nail knot of a piece of mono, then blood knots) when I read this.  It looks  more like an ‘at home’ method, vs. on stream, I think, but has clear  advantages for ease of going through the guides.  I’m gonna do it on my next  connection. thanks, Alan Alan E. Hoover Anglers’ Rest Powhatan, Va        *the trout teach many, lessons*

Has anyone tried this method: A guy I know claims to do the same (melt w/acetone) and then pushes the outer part back. He then loops the inner part; ties it off with a nail knot, etc. Here is the part I’ve had no luck with: he then claims to push the outer part back over the knot and therefore this should make a pretty neat sleeve. He then coats it with Aquaseal. I can’t seem to push it over the knot!!!

Response:

I’m new to fly fishing. I’ve read the instructions on connecting the leader to the fly line using a nail knot or a Duncan loop(same as uni-knot right?). I had a knotless tapered leader with a 3X tippet. Connecting the stiff butt to the line was harder than I thought. I was able to do it but ended up with a kink in the connection. Is this okay? I’m still learning to cast so I’m not sure if it affects proper casting. I finally just connected 30lb mono, which was easier to work with, to the fly line and spliced the mono to the leader butt with 2 surgeon’s loops. Is this better than a kinked connection. TIA for any info.

Just melt the last inch or so of the coating of your line with nail polish remover; open the core of the line with a needle; poke the butt end of your leader into the core; and apply some Crazy Glue.  It will never let go.  The only leader knot you need to know is a blood knot. JB

Response:

Just melt the last inch or so of the coating of your line with nail polish remover; open the core of the line with a needle; poke the butt end of your leader into the core; and apply some Crazy Glue.  It will never let go.  The only leader knot you need to know is a blood knot.

JB: thanks for the new (to me ) idea… I had just posted my favorite way (fast  nail knot of a piece of mono, then blood knots) when I read this.  It looks  more like an ‘at home’ method, vs. on stream, I think, but has clear  advantages for ease of going through the guides.  I’m gonna do it on my next  connection. thanks, Alan Alan E. Hoover Anglers’ Rest Powhatan, Va        *the trout teach many, lessons*

Response:

I’ve been reading this thread since it started, trying to work up the courage to make an embarassing confession. After tying nail knots and loops for many years I’ve reverted to my origional method of tying a simple overhand knot in the end of my line,cinching it down tight, passing the end of the flyline through the loop in my leader and tying another overhand knot.

Jim; The nail-knot was one of the more enigmatic facets of flyfishing for several years: trout are midging?: no problem, hiting emergers and not duns?, not problem, nail-knot?: problem! Lefty showed me a simpler way to tie it without any kind of fancy tubes,and all the nail did was to help add support and to allow the line something *stiff* to wrap around. Borger, though, has, by far, the easiest method to tie nail-knots.  Try this with a rope kit first, though.  All he does is make an over-hand knot with loose wraps, and then twists the line as he tightens it.  The line spirals around itself and makes those great, perfect coils of a nail knot.  Also, he keeps the loops somewhat separated to allow fly line to pinch or squeeze-up through the loops and make a more integral connection. I know probably none of this has helped solve your problems, but maybe it gets you on the right track. Jason Beary.

Response:

Jason, I was hoping someone would come upon Lefty’s method of tying a nail knot….  aka "a fast nail knot’  see also his two books on knots..  I use a large paper  clip, kept in my leader wallet for this purpose.   and have more than once  helped a friend or other on stream in the middle of the water tie a nail knot  onto a fly line.   I prefer to use a piece of heavy mono, the blood knot the  leader to this…. but either will work.   And with heavy fish the nail knot  slides in and out of the tip top and guides without hang ups… at home to  enhance this feature add a bit of nail polish or head cement to round the  edges…. The use of "orvis" loops on the end is ok,  just not as completely satisfactory  as the nail knot system IMHO. There clearly are more than one solution to this… but if folks ever learned  the fast nail knot system, they might not want to do anything else. cheers, Alan Alan E. Hoover Anglers’ Rest Powhatan, Va        *the trout teach many, lessons*

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m new to fly fishing. I’ve read the instructions on connecting the leader to the fly line using a nail knot or a Duncan loop(same as uni-knot right?). I had a knotless tapered leader with a 3X tippet. Connecting the stiff butt to the line was harder than I thought. I was able to do it but ended up with a kink in the connection. Is this okay? I’m still learning to cast so I’m not sure if it affects proper casting. I finally just connected 30lb mono, which was easier to work with, to the fly line and spliced the mono to the leader butt with 2 surgeon’s loops. Is this better than a kinked connection. TIA for any info. Just melt the last inch or so of the coating of your line with nail polish remover; open the core of the line with a needle; poke the butt end of your leader into the core; and apply some Crazy Glue.  It will never let go.  The only leader knot you need to know is a blood knot. JB

You got that right JB, my Krazy Glue connection has held up now for 3 years on my 6 wt, tussled with some feisty smallmouth and looks as good as ever. I will add to the blood knot, the double surgeon’s loop knot  ’cause I can’t tie a blood knot in the smaller diameter tippets. Frank Church Hi Frank.  I didn’t know how that message would go over with the LL Bean crowd that seems to populate the group.  But, I’ve fished with the Krazy Glue method since my buddy in Florida told me about it three years ago.  He fishes sea trout and tarpon.  I’ve caught several 15 – 25 lb Atlantic salmon with it.   I always "put the wood" to fish, and the glue has never let go. JB

Response:

Quoting what I said …  As you do it over the years, other ideas will make more sense and you will switch, but in general it makes fair sense to trust your own judgment as to whether something is reasonable or not…. Jim Robinson wrote as follows: I’ve been reading this thread since it started, trying to work up the courage to make an embarassing confession. After tying nail knots and loops for many years I’ve reverted to my origional method of tying a simple overhand knot in the end of my line,cinching it down tight, passing the end of the flyline through the loop in my leader and tying another overhand knot. I guess I don’t have to tell you it’s not elegant but it’s held a couple of huge carp, a few nice bass and skads of decent pan fish without a failure….

Jim:         Nice to see that one’s words seem to have a certain validity. I am a devotee of the "using a slip-on loop out of braided stuff" on the end of my flyline, but what you do rings a bell because I got to securing the loop with a bit of flexible goopish cement. Well, one time it was really thick on there and I noticed my casts seemed to go out lots nicer. Figured it was the extra weight right there at the end

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello,    I don’t know if anyone out there suffers from the same complex as I,  but i have become a lure collector rather than a versitile fisherman. I have filled multiple tackle boxes that are so big that  it is a major procedure to go for a simple pond fishing outing. I bring my 30 pound ( I have a lure for every situation) tackle box where ever I go. Well, this Christmas I received a fanny pack fishing box. For hours I have sorted and contemplated which lures and tackle should be included in my limeted space carrrying pack. Any suggestions? BTW, this fanny pack is great! Pockets galour. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Note: I open water fly fish, bass fish and fish for crappy when the bass aren’t hitting. Thanks, Paul              

I use the fanny pack method myself when bank fishing local lakes, ponds, and rivers.  It beats hell out of luggin around a heavy tackle box.  My fanny pack is not specifically designed for fishing, it’s just a square shaped pack that’s big enough to hold a couple of Plano Mini-Magmum boxes or a few zip-lock bags of Power Worms/Lizards/Grubs.  It has a smaller pocket for a hook remover or stringer (if I happen to catch one I want to keep  I have my Gerber Multi-Plers on the pack’s belt with a safety lanyard in case I drop them. What I do is load my fanny pack for each trip depending on what I’m fishing for and what tackle I’m using.  If I’m wormin’, I put in a few bags of worms and/or lizards and a Mini-Magnum with worm hooks, sinkers, beads, swivels, etc.  I also usually throw in a buzz bait, in case the mood strikes. I suggest you try this method.  Use your big tackle boxes to store the stuff, and, when you are getting ready to go fishing, pick out what you want to use for the day and put that in the fanny pack.  You can take a tackle box along and leave it in the car in case you loose something or if you find out they’re hitting something else that day. If you’re boat fishing, you can take a big box and leave the fanny pack at home if you want. I’m working on a way to carry a second rod & reel without tying up my other hand so I can switch easily between bait casting and spinning.  I’ll let you know on this newsgroup when I come up with a good method. Richard

Response:

: : Hello, :  I don’t know if anyone out there suffers from the same complex as I, :  but i have become a lure collector rather than a versitile fisherman. I have : filled multiple tackle boxes that are so big that  it is a major procedure to : go : for a simple pond fishing outing. I bring my 30 pound ( I have a lure for : every : situation) tackle box where ever I go. Well, this Christmas I received a : fanny : pack fishing box. For hours I have sorted and contemplated which lures and : tackle should be included in my limeted space carrrying pack. Any : suggestions? : BTW, this fanny pack is great! Pockets galour. : Any advice would be greatly appreciated. : Note: I open water fly fish, bass fish and fish for crappy when the bass : aren’t : hitting. : Thanks, : Paul             : I use the fanny pack method myself when bank fishing local lakes, ponds, and : rivers.  It beats hell out of luggin around a heavy tackle box.  My fanny pack : is not specifically designed for fishing, it’s just a square shaped pack that’s : big enough to hold a couple of Plano Mini-Magmum boxes or a few zip-lock bags : of Power Worms/Lizards/Grubs.  It has a smaller pocket for a hook remover or : stringer (if I happen to catch one I want to keep  I have my Gerber : Multi-Plers on the pack’s belt with a safety lanyard in case I drop them. : What I do is load my fanny pack for each trip depending on what I’m fishing for : and what tackle I’m using.  If I’m wormin’, I put in a few bags of worms and/or : lizards and a Mini-Magnum with worm hooks, sinkers, beads, swivels, etc.  I : also usually throw in a buzz bait, in case the mood strikes. : I suggest you try this method.  Use your big tackle boxes to store the stuff, : and, when you are getting ready to go fishing, pick out what you want to use : for the day and put that in the fanny pack.  You can take a tackle box along : and leave it in the car in case you loose something or if you find out : they’re hitting something else that day. : If you’re boat fishing, you can take a big box and leave the fanny pack at home : if you want. : I’m working on a way to carry a second rod & reel without tying up my other : hand so I can switch easily between bait casting and spinning.  I’ll let you : know on this newsgroup when I come up with a good method. : Richard Rubber worms, a couple of spoons, a pack of perch hooks, several weighted head hooks (texas rig), couple a’ packs of hooks of various sizes, plastic minnows, a crank bait, and a spinner or two.  If you can’t find something they’ll bite on in that bunch, they ain’t bitin’.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello,    I don’t know if anyone out there suffers from the same complex as I, but i have become a lure collector rather than a versitile fisherman. I have filled multiple tackle boxes that are so big that  it is a major procedure to go for a simple pond fishing outing. I bring my 30 pound ( I have a lure for every situation) tackle box where ever I go. Well, this Christmas I received a fanny pack fishing box. For hours I have sorted and contemplated which lures and tackle should be included in my limeted space carrrying pack. Any suggestions? BTW, this fanny pack is great! Pockets galour. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Note: I open water fly fish, bass fish and fish for crappy when the bass aren’t hitting. Thanks, Paul                I wholeheartedly would take a Rapala minnow(s) (rainbow trout or

black/silver or black/gold) with me. They work great on top and as a shallow crankbait. Big bream love the smaller size, too. Also take a jointed minnow. And you can’t go wrong with a spinnerbait or two (one yellow and one blue/black)  good luck, –   JASON

Response:

Question:

I’ve been thinking about fishing (fly) in the Burney CA area. Can anyone give information on guides, tackle, good spots (I guess on the Fall or other smaller creeks), and places to stay/visit. Well, anything would be nice. Thanks in advance. greg miller

Response:

Call Andre Puyans at Creative Sports in Pleasant Hill, CA. No one in the Bay Area knows the Fall River, Hat Creek, etc. like Andy does.  He spent a couple of years camped out by the side of road tying flies and exploring.  510-938-2255.

Response:

Forgot to add that the Fall River is boat access only. Limited access, deep, and soft unwadeable bottem. The standard technique is to use a skiff with electronic motor go upstream (easier to get home when the motor fails) get upstream of a pod of fish and cast down and across to them from the anchored skiff.  Very smooth surface with educated fish.  I love it! Hat Creek has everthing from tumbling freestone to ripples and long smooth runs.  Haven’t had a chance to the other rivers or lakes which I here are great. I’m really looking forward to a week by myself with out the family exploring the area. Guides:  George Durand 916-222-5630               Somes Bar Lodge & Guide Service Upper Sacremento                916-469-3399               Lava Creek Lodge Fall River Andy will give you the name & number of the fly shop in Burney.

Response:

I’ve been thinking about fishing (fly) in the Burney CA area. Can anyone give information on guides, tackle, good spots (I guess on the Fall or other smaller creeks), and places to stay/visit. Well, anything would be nice. Thanks in advance. greg miller

Greg, I’m fairly familiar with the area. Email your phone # or call me: (510)486-5317 l

Response:

Some places to fish when you’re in the Burney area: Fall River, Hat Creek, Pit River, MaCloud River, Upper & Lower Sacramento River, Trinity River, Baum Lake, Lewiston Lake and McCumber Lake.  Too many choices! I’ll be up in the area in October for a week.  I’ll focus on the Fall River, Hat Creek and MaCloud Rivers and if I have any spare time I may try fishing Baum Lake.

Response: