Question:

I went in midaugust.  Pretty slow.  Lost one fish and two missed strikes in 2.5 days of fishing.  A friend caught 4 fish in 3 days, and a guy who was a bigtime flyfishing bum and former snake river guide had three. check with doaks for latest. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Looking for info on the Atlantic Salmon run on the Miramichi River in New Brunswick this September. How are the fish running ? I was suppose to go this week but a bad back problem prevented me from going. — Regards, Robert E. "Bob" Buckley Norwich Lincoln Mercury

Response:

I fished it once for a week in early October. Caught one small fish. My guide told me that his favorite time was the first two weeks of July. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com   Robert,   Have a look at the angling reports on Doak’s website,   http://www.wwdoak.com/open.htm   A bit of salemanship in some of the wording, but the reports and pictures very probably accurate.   Regards,   Yuji Sakuma     Looking for info on the Atlantic Salmon run on the Miramichi River in New     Brunswick this September. How are the fish running ? I was suppose to go     this week but a bad back problem prevented me from going.     —     Regards,     Robert E. "Bob" Buckley     Norwich Lincoln Mercury

Response:

Looking for info on the Atlantic Salmon run on the Miramichi River in New Brunswick this September. How are the fish running ? I was suppose to go this week but a bad back problem prevented me from going. — Regards, Robert E. "Bob" Buckley Norwich Lincoln Mercury

Friend sof mine are on th eMiramichi this week. You can find up to date information at http://www.salmonanglersonline.com/index.html Enjoy Tom. — Thomas Hackmann "Live simply, so that others may simply live." To reply delete XPLEASENOSPAMX from email address.

Response:

Looking for info on the Atlantic Salmon run on the Miramichi River in New Brunswick this September. How are the fish running ? I was suppose to go this week but a bad back problem prevented me from going.: This may be a late reply, but I fish the Little Southwest and Northwest Miramichi rivers every weekend.  They have been OK.  The LSW has generally been better.  The Main Southwest by all accounts is full of fish right now.   The water is low, and with a bit of rain the fishing should be great for the last two weeks. JB

Response:

Looking for info on the Atlantic Salmon run on the Miramichi River in New Brunswick this September. How are the fish running ? I was suppose to go this week but a bad back problem prevented me from going. — Regards, Robert E. "Bob" Buckley Norwich Lincoln Mercury

Response:

Robert, Have a look at the angling reports on Doak’s website, http://www.wwdoak.com/open.htm A bit of salemanship in some of the wording, but the reports and pictures very probably accurate. Regards, Yuji Sakuma – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Looking for info on the Atlantic Salmon run on the Miramichi River in New Brunswick this September. How are the fish running ? I was suppose to go this week but a bad back problem prevented me from going. — Regards, Robert E. "Bob" Buckley Norwich Lincoln Mercury

Response:

Question:

    (snip)     If you fish many lager streams or lakes you will want a 9 foot rod. Where can I find these lakes and streams of lager? Charlie, drooling

Response:

   (snip)    If you fish many lager streams or lakes you will want a 9 foot rod. Where can I find these lakes and streams of lager?

If you find a lake of lager you’ll *think* you have a 9′ rod no matter what size it is<g. — Charlie…

Response:

   If you fish many lager streams or lakes you will want a 9 foot rod. Where can I find these lakes and streams of lager?

I’d offer to show you a few, except that someone in your office might call that an "improper influence" Besides, they’re actually all streams of India pale ales. Except for one that’s gotta be Beamish Stout Ale. Opt out == cop-out. What’s so hard to understand?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Bill Kiene writes: Hi Tony, Out here in northern California, we sell more 9 foot rods than anything else. If you do much stream fishing, you might like an 8′ 6" rod. If you fish many lager streams or lakes you will want a 9 foot rod. Rods sales are falling off for the long rods of the 80s and 90s. We use to sell way more 9′6" and 10′ rods, but I think they were not as much fun to fish as the shorter rods. Does the difference in length make that much difference? (In fly-fishing, of course!)  I’m looking at Orvis’ Silver Label 5 wt. Checked them both out at an Orvis store.  The 8′ 6" seemed more managable, but 6" shouldn’t make that much of a difference. Tony

George Gehrke take note:  Notice how Bill Kiene answered the question, gave his opinion and advice, and did so without mentioning his fly fishing business or any other commercial stuff.  And he doesn’t expect to get paid for it. Dave L.

Response:

Does the difference in length make that much difference? (In fly-fishing, of course!)  I’m looking at Orvis’ Silver Label 5 wt. Checked them both out at an Orvis store.  The 8′ 6" seemed more managable, but 6" shouldn’t make that much of a difference. Tony

Response:

In actual fact that 6" may make a very great deal of difference in various circumstances.  If you are casting from high undergrowth, from a float tube, or you need the extra length to manipulate line, high sticking nymphs in riffles and pools, etc etc.   Even under more or less normal circumstances the longer rod will enable you to cast more easily.  If you are fishing small overgrown streams for instance, where you can not wade to avoid trees and bushes, then a shorter rod is usually more convenient. But in that case I would tend to use something in the 7

Question:

Hi, I am interested in trying my hand a fly fishing this Spring, and I have been given a Horrocks Ibbotson Model 1104 bakelite fly reel and a Langley fly rod that is about 8′ long and came in an aluminum tube.  Everything is in real nice shape, and the reel has the original box.  This set looks to be from the 30’s or 40’s(?) and I am wondering as to whether it would be better to try and learn on this vintage equipment, or sell it/trade it and try and get a more modern outfit.  Any suggestions appreciated, especially if any one can tell me what weight line I should equip it with or have any other hints.  Please email Thank you, Jim K Media, PA  

Response:

Jim, Horrocks-Ibbotson rods were very cheap, production rods.  Even ones in good shape aren’t worth much today.  Go ahead and fish it ot your heart’s delight. Pete C

Response:

Question:

Hi, I am planning a 1 week fishing vacation in Montana for the 3rd week of September. I am thinking of fishing with a guide for a couple of days and without guides for four days. I don’t know anything, though, about the best rivers to fish in this particular period, about the type of insects I might expect etc. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. – Vittorio Castelli

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am planning a 1 week fishing vacation in Montana for the 3rd week of September. I am thinking of fishing with a guide for a couple of days and without guides for four days. I don’t know anything, though, about the best rivers to fish in this particular period, about the type of insects I might expect etc. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. – Vittorio Castelli

Where in Montana will you be??

Response:

September hatches include the blue-winged olive and the beginning of the October caddis hatch.  Hopper activity is still high then too.  Browns will be thinking about there up and coming spawning runs.  Missouri and lower Clark Fork are my favorites then. — Brian D. Nelson Missoula, Montana Montana Flyfishing and Hunting Outfitter http://www.montana.com/dno/dno.htm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am planning a 1 week fishing vacation in Montana for the 3rd week of September. I am thinking of fishing with a guide for a couple of days and without guides for four days. I don’t know anything, though, about the best rivers to fish in this particular period, about the type of insects I might expect etc. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. – Vittorio Castelli Where in Montana will you be??

Well, as I was saying, I am planning a trip in the generic area of Montana, but I don’t know where. I have no preferred place, having fished there only once and in less-than-optimal conditions. -Vittorio

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am planning a 1 week fishing vacation in Montana for the 3rd week of September. I am thinking of fishing with a guide for a couple of days and without guides for four days. I don’t know anything, though, about the best rivers to fish in this particular period, about the type of insects I might expect etc. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. – Vittorio Castelli Where in Montana will you be?? Well, as I was saying, I am planning a trip in the generic area of Montana, but I don’t know where. I have no preferred place, having fished there only once and in less-than-optimal conditions. -Vittorio

Big state ya know…around Missoula is good…lower Clark Fork is good…of course the Yellowstone area is good…the Big Horn area is good…lots of good!

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am planning a 1 week fishing vacation in Montana for the 3rd week of September. I am thinking of fishing with a guide for a couple of days and without guides for four days. I don’t know anything, though, about the best rivers to fish in this particular period, about the type of insects I might expect etc. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. – Vittorio Castelli

Hi Vittorio Missoula will put you close to the Clark’s Fork, Missouri, and the Bitteroot rivers. Bozeman puts you close to Yellowstone Park, Yellowstone, Madison, Gallatin, Missouri, & Bighorn rivers. Billings puts you close to the lower Yellowstone and the Bighorn rivers The 3rd week in September is black caddis time on the Bighorn. Good luck. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 materials catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am planning a 1 week fishing vacation in Montana for the 3rd week of September. I am thinking of fishing with a guide for a couple of days and without guides for four days. I don’t know anything, though, about the best rivers to fish in this particular period, about the type of insects I might expect etc. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. – Vittorio Castelli

I had excellent fishing the 3rd week of September, 1996, in the Missoula area, especially on guided floats on the Clark Fork and Bitterroot Rivers, but also wading the Clark Fork and the St. Joe in Idaho (2+ hour drive).  I also floated on a Kingfisher pontoon boat the Missouri both above and below Craig 9/24 and 9/25.  The Missouri didn’t fish as well then as it had in mid-August, ‘96, or mid July, ‘94 and ‘95, but it was a lot less crowded.  Of course, those 2 days in September may just have been off days– cold, windy, dreary. In Missoula I can strongly recommend Missoulian Angler as outfitter– see http://www.ism.net/~mslanglr/index.html  I used them in ‘95 and ‘96 for guides, gear and advice and have been very satisfied in all respects.  The guides are very hard working and will keep you catching fish from morning well into the dark if you’re up for it. Also, the rivers in the Missoula area, except for Rock Creek, are considerably less crowded than the Missouri, Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone Park rivers, which adds to my pleasure. Phil Holt

Response:

In response to the message from me to this newsgroup earlier today about September fishing in the Missoula area, I received the following boldly stated Also, the rivers in the Missoula area, except for Rock Creek, are considerably less crowded than the Missouri, Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone Park rivers, which adds to my pleasure. Phil Holt SO MUCH FOR THEM NOT BEING CROWDED ANYMORE!!!!!  THANKS ALOT!!!!

I admire a person who has the courage of their convictions.

Response:

: Missoula will put you close to the Clark’s Fork, Missouri, and the : Bitteroot rivers. Al, you left out that Missoula also puts one close to Idaho. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

Oh yeah…if he wants a potato! :=)

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In response to the message from me to this newsgroup earlier today about September fishing in the Missoula area, I received the following boldly stated Also, the rivers in the Missoula area, except for Rock Creek, are considerably less crowded than the Missouri, Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone Park rivers, which adds to my pleasure. Phil Holt SO MUCH FOR THEM NOT BEING CROWDED ANYMORE!!!!!  THANKS ALOT!!!! I admire a person who has the courage of their convictions.

If I identified myself I might have to worry that you would follow me to my favorite and still reasonably  secluded fishing holes!  I can imagine… elbow to elbow!!

Response:

: Missoula will put you close to the Clark’s Fork, Missouri, and the : Bitteroot rivers. Al, you left out that Missoula also puts one close to Idaho. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

Response:

Gee, Bill, as a fellow who makes his living peddling ranch land to developers, I’d think you’d support any effort to encourage people to immigrate to Montana, as you did, or just come to build second homes and enjoy the fishing. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In response to the message from me to this newsgroup earlier today about September fishing in the Missoula area, I received the following boldly stated Also, the rivers in the Missoula area, except for Rock Creek, are considerably less crowded than the Missouri, Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone Park rivers, which adds to my pleasure. Phil Holt SO MUCH FOR THEM NOT BEING CROWDED ANYMORE!!!!!  THANKS ALOT!!!! I admire a person who has the courage of their convictions. If I identified myself I might have to worry that you would follow me to my favorite and still reasonably  secluded fishing holes!  I can imagine… elbow to elbow!!

Response:

OK, thanks to my stupidity its all out in the open now!  I hope you realize I did this all tongue in cheek…  it is just a small town and I would hate for someone to think I was serious (by the way… I didn’t mean to send it to you direct the first time… I am new to the newsgroups… I meant to post it as a follow up);  HOWEVER, I do take issue with your characterization of my business.  We do not "peddle" to developers!  In fact, we work closely with the nature conservancy and many other conservation minded organizations and individuals hoping to protect lands from overdevelopment.  By the way, do I know you?!?  How did you find out about my business, Sherlock? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Gee, Bill, as a fellow who makes his living peddling ranch land to developers, I’d think you’d support any effort to encourage people to immigrate to Montana, as you did, or just come to build second homes and enjoy the fishing. In response to the message from me to this newsgroup earlier today about September fishing in the Missoula area, I received the following boldly stated Also, the rivers in the Missoula area, except for Rock Creek, are considerably less crowded than the Missouri, Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone Park rivers, which adds to my pleasure. Phil Holt SO MUCH FOR THEM NOT BEING CROWDED ANYMORE!!!!!  THANKS ALOT!!!! I admire a person who has the courage of their convictions. If I identified myself I might have to worry that you would follow me to my favorite and still reasonably  secluded fishing holes!  I can imagine… elbow to elbow!!

Response:

Dear Victorio,  We suggest you visit our guest ranch, Hawley Mountain Guest Ranch.  You can get more details on the ranch at http://www.duderanch.org than go to Montana state to find us.  We have four lodge rooms and three cabins on 155 acres surrounded by a million acres of wilderness 25 miles north of Yellowstone Park.  Within walking distance of our lodge we have a stocked trout pond and 1 mile of the Boulder  River.  Guiding is included in our rates and a 4 day minimum stay is possible in September.  In addition, in September we will be fishing in streams and lakes in the Wilderness that can be reached by horseback.  The best flyfishing in Montana at our altitude (6400ft.) is from mid-July through September. BBlewett

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK, thanks to my stupidity its all out in the open now!  I hope you realize I did this all tongue in cheek…  it is just a small town and I would hate for someone to think I was serious (by the way… I didn’t mean to send it to you direct the first time… I am new to the newsgroups… I meant to post it as a follow up);  HOWEVER, I do take issue with your characterization of my business.  We do not "peddle" to developers!  In fact, we work closely with the nature conservancy and many other conservation minded organizations and individuals hoping to protect lands from overdevelopment.  By the way, do I know you?!?  How did you find out about my business, Sherlock? Gee, Bill, as a fellow who makes his living peddling ranch land to developers, I’d think you’d support any effort to encourage people to immigrate to Montana, as you did, or just come to build second homes and enjoy the fishing. In response to the message from me to this newsgroup earlier today about September fishing in the Missoula area, I received the following boldly stated Also, the rivers in the Missoula area, except for Rock Creek, are considerably less crowded than the Missouri, Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone Park rivers, which adds to my pleasure. Phil Holt SO MUCH FOR THEM NOT BEING CROWDED ANYMORE!!!!!  THANKS ALOT!!!! I admire a person who has the courage of their convictions. If I identified myself I might have to worry that you would follow me to my favorite and still reasonably  secluded fishing holes!  I can imagine… elbow to elbow!!

Ahem, I apologize, I just wanted some information, I really did not mean to start such a discussion !! Anyway, thanks to all of you that sent me notes or replied to my inquiry on the usergroup, I am sort of getting some ideas of what to do and where to go, too bad  the 3rd week of september is not 100 days long …. Going back to the fuss, I am just wondering what would have happened if I had mentioned Orvis in my posting … Just kidding ! -Vittorio

Response:

Will be in Montana 3rd week of Sept. and hitting several rivers. We have to make a decision to fish either the Madison or Yellowstone but not both. Tough choice. Anybody having fished both at this time of year I would like to hear from you. I was hoping some fish might still be on hoppers on the Yellowstone and maybe the Madison around Ennis.  Anybody knowing of any private water fee fishing in either area as a distraction let me know.  I have also been told that fishing in the Slide Inn area has been coming back lately. Any verification on this? Thanks.

Response:

Will be in Montana 3rd week of Sept. and hitting several rivers. We have to make a decision to fish either the Madison or Yellowstone but not both. Tough choice. Anybody having fished both at this time of year I would like to hear from you. I was hoping some fish might still be on hoppers on the Yellowstone and maybe the Madison around Ennis.  Anybody knowing of any private water fee fishing in either area as a distraction let me know.  I have also been told that fishing in the Slide Inn area has been coming back lately. Any verification on this? Thanks.

Hi Glen September fishing on either river will be great. Fish are just starting to take hopper now and this will continue until a hard freeze or two kills them off. Also streamer fishing on the Yellowstone river in the fall is also good. Fee waters in the area include the spring creeks in the Paradise valley. I suggest getting in contact with the River’s Edge in Bozeman (406-586-5373) when you get here to get information, licenses, guides, whatever. If you want a day on the spring creeks I suggest booking soon. Take care & … — Tight Lines ….. Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Catalog,Tips & Tricks, Fishing Reports, & NeverSink at: http://www.btsflyfishing.com

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Will be in Montana 3rd week of Sept. and hitting several rivers. We have to make a decision to fish either the Madison or Yellowstone but not both. Tough choice. Anybody having fished both at this time of year I would like to hear from you. I was hoping some fish might still be on hoppers on the Yellowstone and maybe the Madison around Ennis.  Anybody knowing of any private water fee fishing in either area as a distraction let me know.  I have also been told that fishing in the Slide Inn area has been coming back lately. Any verification on this? Thanks.

I fished the Madison and the Yellowstone the 3rd week of September 1996.  However, the rivers were not as high as they are this year. There were some, but not a lot of, hoppers.  The nights were too cold. Hoppers did not get active until late afternoon.  A royal trude, size 14 or 16, with a prince nymph or hare’s ear nymph dropper tied directly off the hook of the trude with about 20 to 24 inches of tippet worked well on both rivers.  Humpy, caddis, stimulator, bee, and trude patterns worked well on the Madison,  These were also fished with a prince nymph or hare’s ear nymph dropper.   I would forget the fee fishing and consider trying a float tube on South Meadow Lake out of McAllister if it is accessible.

Response:

Question:

Try rec.outdoors.fishing.fly Sorry can’t help you with the hatch.

Response:

: Folks, : Is there a flyfishing newsgroup? If so, would most appreciate the : address. I can’t seem to get my server to list all the available groups. : Thanks and would really appreciate e-mail. : BTW, anyone know what kind of hatch might be going on at a subalpine : lake (9,000) in western Montana? This for a novel I’m writing. rec.outdoors.fishing.fly rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying

Response:

Folks, Is there a flyfishing newsgroup? If so, would most appreciate the address. I can’t seem to get my server to list all the available groups. Thanks and would really appreciate e-mail. BTW, anyone know what kind of hatch might be going on at a subalpine lake (9,000) in western Montana? This for a novel I’m writing.

Response:

Question:

Hi Don Have you ever fished the Sawyer version of the PT?  Personally I like it better than the present day version with a peacock thorax.  I use an electric drill to spool the motor winding wire so I can use a bobbin to tie the fly.  It works well for the tying and fishes very well. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog) http://www.flyshop.com/Expo/Specialty/BTsPdcts/index.html

Response:

Just out of curiousity,  what is the original recipe for the pt nymph, This sinks well if pitched or plunked, and is suitable for the "Leisenring Lift" or (British) "induced take." — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

        also very symbiotic with the "crest of the blue ridge toss and hope", and the "great smoky mountain short line sneak".         a. wayne harrison

Response:

Just out of curiousity,  what is the original recipe for the pt nymph, utilizing only fine copper wire and pt?  I would be interested in your : England’s Frank Sawyer spotted this approx. 1950 when developing the : pheasant tail nymph (using copper wire in place of thread.)  He and Oliver : Kite therefore sought to develop a special casting style, so the PT would : break through the surface and sink to the feeding trout’s level with minimum : delay.  They called this "pitching" rather than casting.

PT specifications are governed by: — fast sink rate (from surface to feeding fish’s depth), — silhouette of a generic (Baetis?) mayfly type, — correct size, commonly #14 or smaller. Materials are simply pheasant tail fibres and fine copper wire (such as electric motor windings).  Tips of 2 or 3 fibres, secured by copper, make a tail;  same fibres, wound around by same copper, make a body; and (if you have any fibre left) are rewound from head back towards middle to make a fatter thorax.  This sinks well if pitched or plunked, and is suitable for the "Leisenring Lift" or (British) "induced take." — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

Just out of curiousity,  what is the original recipe for the pt nymph, utilizing only fine copper wire and pt?  I would be interested in your version. gp  Donald Phillipson

: Last weekend, I was fishing a beadhead nymph with just the leader out, : dabbing the fly to a fish along the bank.  The surface tension would : actually support that nymph if I put it down gently. I thought that was : pretty amazing. :   : England’s Frank Sawyer spotted this approx. 1950 when developing the : pheasant tail nymph (using copper wire in place of thread.)  He and Oliver : Kite therefore sought to develop a special casting style, so the PT would : break through the surface and sink to the feeding trout’s level with minimum : delay.  They called this "pitching" rather than casting. : — : |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | : |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         | — gp

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just out of curiousity,  what is the original recipe for the pt nymph, This sinks well if pitched or plunked, and is suitable for the "Leisenring Lift" or (British) "induced take." — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |         also very symbiotic with the "crest of the blue ridge toss and hope", and the "great smoky mountain short line sneak".

Or the good old Cascade "chuck and duck"! Burton

Response:

Last weekend, I was fishing a beadhead nymph with just the leader out,

dabbing the fly to a fish along the bank.  The surface tension would actually support that nymph if I put it down gently. I thought that was pretty amazing. England’s Frank Sawyer spotted this approx. 1950 when developing the pheasant tail nymph (using copper wire in place of thread.)  He and Oliver Kite therefore sought to develop a special casting style, so the PT would break through the surface and sink to the feeding trout’s level with minimum delay.  They called this "pitching" rather than casting. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The argument has been over the specific gravity of floatant compared to water.  Such an argument is specious.  There was one post that mentioned keeping flies dry.  That is getting closer to the mark. You can "float" needles or even razor blades on water.  The key is that there is a surface tension in the surface of water that acts like a rubber sheet.  The proviso is that the object you are "floating" does not get wet.  If it does, the surface film is broken, and no longer acts like a sheet. The purpose of the floatant is to keep hackle from getting wet.  The natural oil in feathers and help keep them dry.  False casting helps too. Floatants are oily substances that cling to the fly and repel water. Thus, the floatant prevents breaking of the surface film. Most of the materials forming dry flies have spikes and barbules that give lots of surface for their weight.  They push dimples into the surface layer.  In turn the tension in this layer pushes back and supports the fly.  Try floating a fly in soapy water.  In fact, one of the fun things to do is to squirt some sinking solution into water where water striders are trying to make a living.  Most of them seem to make it to rocks where the climb out in a bedraggled state.  The soap or detergent causes flies to be wetted in spite of their oils. If you want to "float" a needle or razor blade, put the object on a piece of ordinary paper.  Carefully lower the paper onto the surface of water so that the paper floats with the object upon it.  Sooner or later, the paper will soak up water and sink, leaving behind the object supported by surface tension. William Buchman

Last weekend, I was fishing a beadhead nymph with just the leader out, dabbing the fly to a fish along the bank.  The surface tension would actually support that nymph if I put it down gently. I thought that was pretty amazing. By the way, I owe you an apology for my response to your post earlier this summer about the energy  stored in a bent fly rod not contributing much to a cast.  I really believed that a significant portion of the energy involved in propelling the fly line would be temporarily stored in the rod. After a summer of testing and observation, though, I will admit that I was wrong.  Probably less than 10% of the useful energy in a cast is transferred to the line from the potential of the bent rod. Andy Lamborne

Response:

<snip : layer.  In turn the tension in this layer pushes back and supports the : fly.  Try floating a fly in soapy water.  In fact, one of the fun things : to do is to squirt some sinking solution into water where water striders : are trying to make a living.  Most of them seem to make it to rocks where : the climb out in a bedraggled state.  The soap or detergent causes flies : to be wetted in spite of their oils. <snip

Sinking water striders with soap for fun ?   Enjoy your next life as a water strider, pal. TimW

Response:

<snip : layer.  In turn the tension in this layer pushes back and supports the : fly.  Try floating a fly in soapy water.  In fact, one of the fun things : to do is to squirt some sinking solution into water where water striders : are trying to make a living.  Most of them seem to make it to rocks where : the climb out in a bedraggled state.  The soap or detergent causes flies : to be wetted in spite of their oils. <snip : : William Buchman Do you suppose that this would work on canoes, jet skiis, and jet-proped john boats?  George could be my hero! Bob

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The argument has been over the specific gravity of floatant compared to water.  Such an argument is specious.  There was one post that mentioned keeping flies dry.  That is getting closer to the mark. You can "float" needles or even razor blades on water.  The key is that there is a surface tension in the surface of water that acts like a rubber sheet.  The proviso is that the object you are "floating" does not get wet.  If it does, the surface film is broken, and no longer acts like a sheet. The purpose of the floatant is to keep hackle from getting wet.  The natural oil in feathers and help keep them dry.  False casting helps too. Floatants are oily substances that cling to the fly and repel water. Thus, the floatant prevents breaking of the surface film. Most of the materials forming dry flies have spikes and barbules that give lots of surface for their weight.  They push dimples into the surface layer.  In turn the tension in this layer pushes back and supports the fly.  Try floating a fly in soapy water.  In fact, one of the fun things to do is to squirt some sinking solution into water where water striders are trying to make a living.  Most of them seem to make it to rocks where the climb out in a bedraggled state.  The soap or detergent causes flies to be wetted in spite of their oils. If you want to "float" a needle or razor blade, put the object on a piece of ordinary paper.  Carefully lower the paper onto the surface of water so that the paper floats with the object upon it.  Sooner or later, the paper will soak up water and sink, leaving behind the object supported by surface tension. William Buchman

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Question:

Howdy to all brooky fishermen;  I’m heading to Algonquin park in the spring for some of those big river speckles.  I need some advice on the best time in the spring to go in regards to the best fishing, and the least black- flies.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Worst black fly and best brooky fly season are perfectly correlated.  (God knew you were coming.) — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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Howdy to all brooky fishermen;  I’m heading to Algonquin park in the spring for some of those big river speckles.  I need some advice on the best time in the spring to go in regards to the best fishing, and the least black- flies.  Any help would be greatly appreciated. Chris Chris Lanthier    

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Question:

I am fishing a small lake for brookies in Hawkes Bay in the next week. The only information that I have is that they are there, and in patches. No one seems to fish there much. Does anyone have any ideas that work in small lakes elsewhere in the world? Simon

Brookies attempt spawn in the fall.  Fish the shallows or if the lake has inlet stream at mouth.  Bright flies work well as well as black leaches. Don’t be afraid to try blood worm or chironomid larva imitations as the blood worm migrates from shallows to deeper water in the fall.  At Henry’s lake bright crystal buggers and sparce crystal bodied flies do great.  

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My experience with brookies in lakes generally varies with lake location and time of year.   When fishing the Cypress Hills lakes in southeastern Alberta, I have the most luck fishing deep (right off the bottom) and slow using a black or very dark green nymph pattern.  I generally use a dragonfly pattern in a size 8 to 10 hook. I have often seen these insects in shallow water along the shore. From a belly boat, I can slowly troll my line from shallow to the deepest water. My luck increases if I regularly twitch the line with my fingers.  When I connect, the fish strike hard and put up an amazingly good fight.  Trout sizes generally range from 10 to sixteen inches in length. I generally have very poor luck trying to take the brookies off the surface of the lake with a dry fly. Hope this helps. — David J. Wormsbecker, Regina, Saskatchewan Ph/Fax: (306) 789-4024

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Question:

Will be in Utah this month or next (June). Seeking advice on best places near Orem. Also pointers to good guide books. Thanks!

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Will be in Utah this month or next (June). Seeking advice on best places near Orem. Also pointers to good guide books. Thanks!

A couple of hours (maybe 3) south on I-15 is the town of Beaver.  Abt 10 miles (paved) west of town is Minersville Resovoir. It’s catch & release, last weekend we caught fis in the 18-21 inch range.  BTW, a busy day on the lake is maybe 15 people. Regards, KBC

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You will be 5 miles from the Provo River and if you are a serious Fly Fisherman you will be there.  Ask any fishing store, or sports store in orem for more info of the Provo. The other guy mentioned driving 3 hours to some lake down south??? If your willing to drive 3 Hours you can get to the Green River, and ask anybody online, the Green is simply the Best! Good Luck!

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I would opt for the Provo. Although be prepared for crowded conditions on the weekends. I would second the previous post, if your going to drive south 3 hours, play golf, if you want fish hit the Green River, I can almost guarentee you won’t be sorry.

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Question:

Quoting lauraoli from a message in rec.outdoors.fishing.fly    If  anyone has sources for    materials at good prices I would be interested in that as well.  Thank    you in advance! Try     Anglers Workshop         P.O. Box 1044         1350 Atlantic         Woodland, Wa. 1044         1-206-225-9445         1-206-225-6359 Jim in Southern California `[1;30;47mRainbow V 1.06 for Delphi – Registered

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I have built two rods.  I bought the cork handle, reel seat, and guides from Angler’s Workshop in Woodland, WA., for the last rod and beleive I got a very good deal from them.  I bought my epoxy glue for the handle, thread and wrapping finish from them.  They have been very helpful.  For books, I have Skip Morris’s and L.A. Garcia’s.  I like both, but if I only had one I would use Skip’s.  They may be in your library.  For tools,  I bought a reamer for the cork handle.  The wrapping finish kit had syringes for measuring and brushes for applying.  I make my own rod support and used a book to develop the trhead tension like Morris explained in his book.  I bought a pen tip and ink as he suggested for the inscription at a stationary store.  Masking tape, tip top adhesive,   and some fine sandpaper and that is about it.  I would get Morris’s book and work with Angler’s Workshop.  I do not think they will try to sell you what you do not need.  Call them at 206-225-9445 and they will send you a catalog.  Both rods have come out nice.  One is a Sage 9′ 6 wt, and the other is a St. Croix 8′6" 5/6 wt pack rod.

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Summary: Keywords: Hello, I am attemping to build my first rod.  I have sent off for a book on building rods, but I am interested in information from some people that  have actually tied your own rod.  What materials and equipment will I just HAVE to have?  I have my blank already.  But I would like a few tips on things to watch for and supplies I need and those I might can do   with out. Also, If  anyone has sources for materials at good prices I would be interested in that as well.  Thank you in advance! Fish whenever you can and dream about it when you can’t! Thanks again, Kelli B. c/o RLaura Oliveri

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