Question:

Try Paint Creek in Oakland County.  The stream has both natural reproduction & plantings of brown trout.  The stream is also maintained by the Clinton Valley chapter of Trout Unlimited.  The browns can push 20".  The rainbows are actually steelhead smolts and should be quickly released as they are fully native, and the steelhead fishing in the Clinton River system depends on them.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for a location(s) to fly fish in southern L.P. Michigan. Regards, M.

Response:

No trout streams according to the L&N book. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for all the quick responses; however, are there any locations on the middle to southest corner of the state? Regards, M. I am looking for a location(s) to fly fish in southern L.P. Michigan. Regards, M.

Response:

Thanks for all the quick responses; however, are there any locations on the middle to southest corner of the state? Regards, M.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for a location(s) to fly fish in southern L.P. Michigan. Regards, M.

Response:

A good little book that I have is called "Michigan Trout Streams" by Linsenman & Nevala. Try Augusta Creek just north of Augusta, northeast of Kalamazoo (I’ve had some decent luck there) or farther southwest, Dowigiac Creek & River are listed  near Sumnerville, but I’ve never fished it myself. Good Luck.

If memory serves, Linsenman & Nevala report that there are landlocked salmon in one of the lakes in SW Michigan; I believe it may be Gull Lake.

Response:

I am looking for a location(s) to fly fish in southern L.P. Michigan. Regards, M.

Response:

I am looking for a location(s) to fly fish in southern L.P. Michigan.

There’s salmon fishing between Croton and Newaygo on the Muskegon River and a lot more info at  http://www.steelheadsite.com — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

A good little book that I have is called "Michigan Trout Streams" by Linsenman & Nevala. Try Augusta Creek just north of Augusta, northeast of Kalamazoo (I’ve had some decent luck there) or farther southwest, Dowigiac Creek & River are listed  near Sumnerville, but I’ve never fished it myself. Good Luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am looking for a location(s) to fly fish in southern L.P. Michigan. There’s salmon fishing between Croton and Newaygo on the Muskegon River and a lot more info at  http://www.steelheadsite.com — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Question:

Excellent advice

Response:

At first I thought this was a good suggestion, but after thinking about it, I’m not too sure.  You will need a bit more 3 weight line in the air to load it the same as the 5 weight, but this is OK since for delicate presentation it wouldn’t hurt to be 10 feet farther away anyway – presumably those trout are spooky?

When I want to use a light outfit, I’m usually fishing with small flies using long leaders and trying to achieve a delicate presentation and a drag free drift. Usually casts are in the short range in order to control drag. It’s generally much more effective to carefully stalk a feeding fish than to make a long cast that’s difficult to control. Likewise, you lose a bit off the top end of the casting distance range if you cast a 6 or 7 weight.  But if you can cast 60 feet with a 5 line, you should be able to get at least 50 out of the heavier ones, give or take a couple feet.

When I fish a heavy outfit, I usually looking for distance and power. I also don’t know how many rods could deal with a haul being overlined by two weights. Willi

Response:

At first I thought this was a good suggestion, but after thinking about it, I’m not too sure.

I’ve been doing this to some degree or another for many years, sometimes on purpose, other times through ignorance. As Jeff puts it, ’tis a compromise, but isn’t most of flyfishing anyway? Seldom have I had such ideal conditions in my fishing that I could pick ONE perfect outfit, even if there was an infinite assortment of equipment waiting for me at the bank from which to choose! Anyway, FWIW, this idea does work to a point. And as for rod damage from overlining, doesn’t fighting a good fish put at least as much or more strain on the rod than a temporary overlining situation? (Legitimate question–not a troll.) Cheers, Rick

Response:

When I want to use a light outfit, I’m usually fishing with small flies using long leaders and trying to achieve a delicate presentation and a drag free drift. Usually casts are in the short range in order to control drag.

I didn’t explicitly state it, but don’t you expect a range of 0 to xx feet from an outfit?  In other words, do you sometimes cast a few feet of line and the leader?  If so, the cast would remain virtually the same with 2 lines less. When I fish a heavy outfit, I usually looking for distance and power. I also don’t know how many rods could deal with a haul being overlined by two weights.

I agree this would be a bad time to use my suggestion.  But as I said, it doesn’t solve all problems, just some. Regards, Jeff

Response:

Anyway, FWIW, this idea does work to a point. And as for rod damage from overlining, doesn’t fighting a good fish put at least as much or more strain on the rod than a temporary overlining situation?

I would certainly think so, except for the backward direction  I don’t know if the "2 way" bending vs 1 way bending means anything at all.  Something to do with the spine perhaps??? Regards, Jeff

Response:

I would certainly think so, except for the backward direction  I don’t know if the "2 way" bending vs 1 way bending means anything at all.  Something to do with the spine perhaps??? Regards, Jeff

With all of the debate on where to place the guides relative to the spine, could that matter much? Cheers, Josh Haag

Response:

If you fish sinking tips and full sink lines a lot, you want the spine to lift them out of the water.  If you’re interested in distance casting, then you know the spine has to be so the power is all delivered on the forward stroke.  Almost sounds like sex. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would certainly think so, except for the backward direction  I don’t know if the "2 way" bending vs 1 way bending means anything at all.  Something to do with the spine perhaps??? Regards, Jeff With all of the debate on where to place the guides relative to the spine, could that matter much? Cheers, Josh Haag

Response:

I did the casting class yesterday at the local flyfishing shop. It was pretty cool. I tried 4 different rod weights with different lines. I seem to do best with a 6wt rod. I even managed a fair imitation of a roll cast. I bought a Reddington 5/6wt rod, a Concept 2 reel and extra spools with some cheapie #5, #6, and #7 lines to practice with. The rod acts so differently with the different lines and lengths. The rod is  a little stiff with the #5 line, until I get a lot of line out, better with the #6 on moderate lengths. #7 does load up the rod fast, but I think it’ll work best for shorter ~very~ accurate casts.

Response:

To anyone who’s past the beginner stage, it’s obvious that different rigs are best for different situations.  A 2 or 3 weight for most delicate presentation, a heavier line for longer casts with more air resistant flies, a shorter rod for brush, a longer rod for nymphing pocket water, etc.etc.  While we would all like about a dozen rods in the gear hound tradition, here is a suggestion for reducing the number of rods you feel you need to buy (at least for those of us who didn’t make $10 million in stocks and forgot to get out by now I think most of us take the rod/line matching too literally.  A line is classified by its weight, and that weight is measured for the first 30 feet of the line only.  Related to this is the fact that a rod’s weight classification is determined by how it casts with exactly that 30 feet of line.  Normally the builder is supposed to *optimize* a given rod weight for 30 feet of a given line wieght.  Stop to think about it for a second and you’ll realize that this doesn’t happen in the real world too often.  In fact a mathmetician would tell you that technically it NEVER happens. Practically speaking, we are in effect constantly changing the fly line weight we are casting, but not the rod weight.  The fact that this works fine proves that rods can handle a number of different line weights at different casting distances. For example, let’s say you have a 6 wgt rod.  When casting 30 feet of 6 wgt line, or about 26 feet of 7 weight line, or about 23 feet of 8 weight line, or about 34 feet of 5 weight line, or about 39 feet of 4 weight line – it’s all the same in terms of line weight loading the rod!  Put another way, casting a 4 line on a 4 rod with a casting range of 10-50 feet is about the same as casting a 6 line on a 4 rod with a casting range of 7-40 feet, roughly. You can use this information to tailor the rod/line combo to match the situation.  And you can do this by changing your line instead of changing your rod in many instances.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we can all do with 1 rod.  But perhaps you can get by with 1 rod instead of 2, or 2 instead of 3, or 4 instead of 6.  Buy multiple lines, spool them up on spare spools for your reel, and in effect you’ve bought a different outfit for $30 or $40 instead of $200 or $400. Another advantage of this approach is that you would never (or very rarely) take a second or third rod on a hike or upstream with you.  On the other hand, it’s very easy to toss a couple extra spools with different line in your vest. All those extra rods you bought don’t as much good if you can only use 1 per trip or "session".  Switching reel spools midstream is a piece of cake. Switching rods midstream ain’t happenin’.  (yes, technically you could drag a tube with you or stash an 8-piece rod in your vest…) So if you feel you need a 3 weight for delicate presentation, a 5 weight for all around use, and a 6 or 7 weight for throwing bigger woolly buggers or smallmouth patterns, git yerself a 5 weight rod and 3 different lines to go with it.  You will need a bit more 3 weight line in the air to load it the same as the 5 weight, but this is OK since for delicate presentation it wouldn’t hurt to be 10 feet farther away anyway – presumably those trout are spooky? Likewise, you lose a bit off the top end of the casting distance range if you cast a 6 or 7 weight.  But if you can cast 60 feet with a 5 line, you should be able to get at least 50 out of the heavier ones, give or take a couple feet. On the other hand, if you are making shorter casts  (for example in pocket water or tighter brush), the 6 or 7 will be a better match with the 5 wgt rod. Bottom line – just changing line weights can’t solve all your problems, but it can be as good or a better solution in a lot of cases, and it’s sure a hell of a lot cheaper than buying that many more rods. Regards, Jeff

Response:

Question:

And of course Marinaro, Sawyer, Skues, Falkus, to name but a few.. Herman – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – HRBlaine: <<We determine greatness in a ball player by his stats.  How do you compile stats on a fly fisher?  What criteria could we use.< Simple enuf.  Is (s)he famous? Does (s)he fly fish? Mmmmmm, not good enough, really.  I’ve fished with a well known illustrator and he can’t fish worth a shit.  Eisenhower couldn’t catch fish in a freshly stocked stream in Maine.  Ted Williams was a great ball player who entertained himself in the off-season by fly fishing.  He also did fly fishing/sportsmen shows each spring when I was a kid.  He probably qualifies.  Names such as Wulff, Swisher, Kaufman, LaFontaine, Art Flick, Graham Marsh first come to mind.  And, of course, how can we forget the Halfordian himself, Halford. Dave L.

– Cheers, Herman Herman Nijland Daytime webmaster Lifetime flyfisher

Response:

come to mind.  And, of course, how can we forget the Halfordian himself, Halford. Dave L.

One of the greatest flyfishermen of all time was George Edward Mackenzie Skues. His analytical mind, the depth and thoroughness of his investigations and conclusions, and the wide front on which he applied them were breathtaking in their scope and ramifications. Compared to him Halford was a tyro and a bigot. TL MC

Response:

Mike Connor: <<One of the greatest flyfishermen of all time was George Edward Mackenzie Skues. His analytical mind, the depth and thoroughness of his investigations and conclusions, and the wide front on which he applied them were breathtaking in their scope and ramifications. I had forgotten about him.  When reading about Halford a few years ago, someone told me about Skues, and you are correct in all aspects. Dave

Response:

One of the greatest flyfishermen of all time was George Edward Mackenzie Skues. His analytical mind, the depth and thoroughness of his investigations and conclusions, and the wide front on which he applied them were breathtaking in their scope and ramifications. Compared to him Halford was a tyro and a bigot.

I’ve always been perplexed by attempts to identify the greatest "______" of the century, millennium, all time, etc.  In the first place, I don’t see the point. Secondly, how to choose from among all the obvious candidates given the arbitrary nature of the endeavor.  Third, and most important I believe, is the fact that we really don’t know who should even be considered as candidates.  For example, I suspect there is a very good chance that the greatest baseball player of the century is someone no one ever heard of who resided in The Dominican Republic or Cuba.  The greatest fly fisherman of the century might well be a Hungarian who never rose to public attention and who died in WWI.  The smartest person in the world is a Chinese peasant woman who never attended school; at least that is my bet for statistical reasons.  After all, I have NO other criteria by which to judge.  Even when we narrow the criteria by which we judge the "greatest whatever" to the point where the vast majority are automatically eliminated we virtually never get any great degree of consensus.  Even something as simple as "the greatest single season home run hitter in American professional baseball" is open to endless debate because the conditions under which the individual candidates played are so varied.

Response:

After watching the Century’s Greatest Baseball Players, the thought occurred to me that it would be terrific to acknowledge the Century’s greatest flyfishers. Ted Williams would make both lists. Bob Elliott

Well, even though compiling a list of the Century’s greatest flyfishers strikes me as being almost as silly as a flyfishing tournament — turning something which is essentially non-competitive into some sort of game with winners and losers — I’d have to say that any such list would be incomplete without Bill Schaadt (sp?) and Roderick Haig-Brown (okay, he’s a gimme). So, I guess I just struck myself silly . – sid

Response:

One of the greatest flyfishermen of all time was George Edward Mackenzie Skues. His analytical mind, the depth and thoroughness of his investigations and conclusions, and the wide front on which he applied them were breathtaking in their scope and ramifications. TL MC

Criterion is the key.  Arguements can, at least somewhat, be narrowed with their application.  Could we not say Lee Wulff for bringing fly fishing to the masses?  Like a fine steak or hardwood, it matters how you cut in relation to the grain. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

Response:

<SNIP Agreed.  But if we confine ourselves to known people then a relative judgement of their contributions is usually possible. As you say, no data is available on unknown people, and so including them in the deliberations really would be an exercise in futility. TL MC

Response:

It occurred to me that all such deliberations are more or less arbitrary in any case. In the case of some sportsmen it is possible to base a decision on how many games they won, how many runs or hits ( or whatever ) they achieved. In many other cases this is not so. You are probably right that the whole thing is pointless, but then so is a great deal of human discussion and endeavour, so what the hell ! TL MC

Response:

I think that we can rank the people that have contributed most to our sport, but not the "greatest" fly fishermen.  Most of a person’s ability to contribute to the sport depend on a number of factors other than skill in fly fishing.  Some of these are: the ability to write and get published, fame in areas other than fly fishing, an engaging personality, and of course money. Many of the most famous fly fishermen are not especially good anglers but are good at other things that make them famous. As Sid said, ours is not a competitive sport that is judged by results and statistics. Willi – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <SNIP Agreed.  But if we confine ourselves to known people then a relative judgement of their contributions is usually possible. As you say, no data is available on unknown people, and so including them in the deliberations really would be an exercise in futility. TL MC

Response:

I nominate Don Bastian of Lycoming County, PA for his incredible tenacity on the water, his unparalled tying skills, his ability to take one look at a pool and to know it’s ways and feeding lanes intimately and for his legendary prowess as a nymph fisherman…  But mostly I nominate him because if he sees this, he will surely send me $20.00

Response:

Mmmmmm, not good enough, really.<

Guess I forgot the <g.  I was inspired by Ted Williams. <g

Response:

Wouldn’t that qualify George!  Or maybe George and TBone in a dead heat!

I think I would prefer the Estee Lauder model.< Me too. <g

Response:

After watching the Century’s Greatest Baseball Players, the thought occurred to me that it would be terrific to acknowledge the Century’s greatest flyfishers. Ted Williams would make both lists. Bob Elliott

Response:

After watching the Century’s Greatest Baseball Players, the thought occurred to me that it would be terrific to acknowledge the Century’s greatest flyfishers. Ted Williams would make both lists. Bob Elliott

Bob, We determine greatness in a ball player by his stats.  How do you compile stats on a fly fisher?  What criteria could we use. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

Response:

After watching the Century’s Greatest Baseball Players, the thought occurred to me that it would be terrific to acknowledge the Century’s greatest flyfishers. Ted Williams would make both lists. Bob Elliott

Why ?

Response:

After watching the Century’s Greatest Baseball Players, the thought occurred to me that it would be terrific to acknowledge the Century’s greatest flyfishers. Ted Williams would make both lists. Bob Elliott

It was great to see Ted out there. It was equally great to see Pete Rose acknowledged for his lasting accomplishments. I was dismayed to see that jerk-off reporter "interview" Rose afterwords. What a moron that guy was. Pete, just having received the finest ovation and recognition from the Atlanta crowd is interviewed by a complete idiot. IMO, all athletes should band together and refuse to be interviewed by that jerk, effectively ending his "career". on-topic: I nominate Mark Cathey to the Century’s Greatest Flyfishers list. –Walt — Ezflyfish.com http://www.ezflyfish.com BRBG http://www.abebooks.com/home/BLUEBOOKS P.O. Box 5112  Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828)963-5001

Response:

It was equally great to see Pete Rose acknowledged for his lasting accomplishments.

I thought it was disgusting that they allowed that scumball into a major league ballpark. It was a mistake to allow him on the ballot in the first place but once the fans elected him they should have played a Rose video like they did for the dead guys. Under no circumstances should a low-life like Rose have been allowed to sully the national pastime in person. Pete, just having received the finest ovation and recognition from the Atlanta crowd is interviewed by a complete idiot.

IMO the Atlanta crowd has shit for brains and Jim Gray should be in the Hall of Fame. OBROFF: I nominate Watauga Walt, inventor of the foam humpy. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

We determine greatness in a ball player by his stats.  How do you

compile stats on a fly fisher?  What criteria could we use.< Simple enuf.  Is (s)he famous?   Does (s)he fly fish?

Response:

I thought it was disgusting that they allowed that scumball

into a major league ballpark. It was a mistake to allow him on the ballot in the first place but once the fans elected him they should have played a Rose video like they did for the dead guys. Under no circumstances should a low-life like Rose have been allowed to sully the national pastime in person.< Wake up alone with a hard-on this morning?

Response:

Simple enuf.  Is (s)he famous? Does (s)he fly fish?

Wouldn’t that qualify George!  Or maybe George and TBone in a dead heat! I think I would prefer the Estee Lauder model. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

Response:

HRBlaine: <<We determine greatness in a ball player by his stats.  How do you compile stats on a fly fisher?  What criteria could we use.< Simple enuf.  Is (s)he famous?   Does (s)he fly fish? Mmmmmm, not good enough, really.  I’ve fished with a well known illustrator and he can’t fish worth a shit.  Eisenhower couldn’t catch fish in a freshly stocked stream in Maine.  Ted Williams was a great ball player who entertained himself in the off-season by fly fishing.  He also did fly fishing/sportsmen shows each spring when I was a kid.  He probably qualifies.  Names such as Wulff, Swisher, Kaufman, LaFontaine, Art Flick, Graham Marsh first come to mind.  And, of course, how can we forget the Halfordian himself, Halford. Dave L.

Response:

IMO the Atlanta crowd has shit for brains and Jim Gray should be in the Hall of Fame.

Ken, I’m no fan of Rose. Afterall, he did "sully" the game (and worse yet, ended Fosse’s career in a home plate collision in a All Star game) as did Mays (who was on stage) and Steinbrenner (felony conviction) and countless others who have misstepped at times. However, Rose’s onfield accomplishments speak loudly for the man. How can you ignore the greatest hitter the game has ever seen? Jim Gray should be in the Hall of Shame. OBROFF: I nominate Watauga Walt, inventor of the foam humpy.

My greatness is not in tying the fly, my "greatness" is getting you to fish it without a hook to rising/striking fish on Wilson’s Creek, unquestionably a feat of excellence and a prank I wholeheartedly deny q;^) Waldo — Ezflyfish.com http://www.ezflyfish.com BRBG http://www.abebooks.com/home/BLUEBOOKS P.O. Box 5112  Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828)963-5001

Response:

We determine greatness in a ball player by his stats.  How do you compile stats on a fly fisher?  What criteria could we use.< Simple enuf.  Is (s)he famous? Does (s)he fly fish?

Hm…..Bill Clinton is famous….Herbert Hoover was famous….Dwight Eisenhower was famous….Jimmy Carter is famous…….

Response:

… My greatness is not in tying the fly, my "greatness" is getting you to fish it without a hook to rising/striking fish on Wilson’s Creek, unquestionably a feat of excellence and a prank I wholeheartedly deny q;^)

I’m proud to have provided you good old boys with such mirth and merriment and I must admit, as fishing pranks go, that was without a doubt one of the finest. I should have known there’d be a price to pay for being a yankee in Avery county. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

It was great to see Ted out there. It was equally great to see Pete Rose acknowledged for his lasting accomplishments. I was dismayed to see that jerk-off reporter "interview" Rose afterwords. What a moron that guy was. Pete, just having received the finest ovation and recognition from the Atlanta crowd is interviewed by a complete idiot. IMO, all athletes should band together and refuse to be interviewed by that jerk, effectively ending his "career".

I never liked Pete Rose.   I don’t know exactly why, but he always just irritated me.   Fortunately for me, I was an American League fan, so I saw very little of him.   Screw that "Charlie Hustle" bs.   That glorified crap ended the career of another good ballplayer (Fosse) in a meaningless exhibition game. Having put those cards on the table, I agree with Walt.   That NBC reporter was a Grade-A jerk, and Rose handled the ambush as well as a man could. They may have been good questions, but it was the wrong place and the wrong time.   A complete lack of respect for the game. Joe F.

Response:

Question:

Will be in PNG for Nov/Dec, anyone have any info or URLs for flyfishing there ? Thanks, Mick

Response:

Mick, Nov-Dec will be rainy season – depending on where abouts you are and it might reduce for options for tangling with nugini bass and black bass. Dean guides there and pioneered many locations in PNG for black bass etc. and has many friends there. Regards John Knight Sydney Fly Rodders’

Response:

Question:

Keith,    Try the Leader Link, much better than loops and just as easy.  No splashy presentations, no moss hang up and no drag.  You should use a figure 8 knot to attach it because of you are using a 4 wt. line. Eagle Claw Country Store Phone 1-800-628-0108 4245 East 46th Avenue Denver Colorado 80216 Leader Link For tapered lines (LL1) For level lines     (LL2) There are 3 links per package and cost $2.83 per pack. Ernie Harrison See Ernie’s Fly-Fishing Stuff:   http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If I’m using a DT 4 wt floating line, will putting a braided loop on the end of the line (like the type Cortland and Orvis sell) destroy any chance of delicate presentation? They do appear to change the taper of the line somewhat.  Will it mess up the weight distribution of the fly line train? I’m using a Dai-Riki 5x leader with a hand-tied loop to attach to the fly line. It sure does make changing leaders easy but would I be better off from a technical and presentation standpoint tying the leader directly to the fly line? Thanks for the advice in advance.

Response:

If I’m using a DT 4 wt floating line, will putting a braided loop on the end of the line (like the type Cortland and Orvis sell) destroy any chance of delicate presentation? They do appear to change the taper of the line somewhat.  Will it mess up the weight distribution of the fly line train? I’m using a Dai-Riki 5x leader with a hand-tied loop to attach to the fly line. It sure does make changing leaders easy but would I be better off from a technical and presentation standpoint tying the leader directly to the fly line? Thanks for the advice in advance.

Response:

If I’m using a DT 4 wt floating line, will putting a braided loop on the end of the line (like the type Cortland and Orvis sell) destroy any chance of delicate presentation? They do appear to change the taper of the line somewhat.  Will it mess up the weight distribution of the fly line train? I’m using a Dai-Riki 5x leader with a hand-tied loop to attach to the fly line. It sure does make changing leaders easy but would I be better off from a technical and presentation standpoint tying the leader directly to the fly line? Thanks for the advice in advance.

Keith, I recently started using the braided loop made by Cortland.  I see no difference in my presentation….it’s always terrible! Tim

Response:

I tried using these for a while and found it more difficult to cast.  I used them with sink tips and it really changed how I attempted to cast.  When I switched to floating line, the loops seemed to get caught in my guides more often then a nail knot ever did.  I still use them for my sink tips but I gave up on them for a floating line. Rooster – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If I’m using a DT 4 wt floating line, will putting a braided loop on the end of the line (like the type Cortland and Orvis sell) destroy any chance of delicate presentation?

Response:

Question:

you might visit http://www.troutangler.com they wont be too far out of your way. — happy trails, Mike Foate Polo Ponies, Ranch Vacation, Web Site Design http://www.rockinghorseranch.com

Response:

Starting from Yosemite, crossing Nevada, Utah, Colorado and back to San Francisco. In early June (12 days). Where are the best places for flyfishing???? (catch & release, too) Accomodation suggestions?? Thanks in advance. Giovanni from Italy.

Response:

Starting from Yosemite, crossing Nevada, Utah, Colorado and back to San Francisco. In early June (12 days). Where are the best places for flyfishing????

That is not enough time!   20 Lakes Basin east of Yosemite. Walker River, north on Hwy. 395 Truckee River north of there. Across Nevada and Utah, hit the all of the larger streams/rivers in CO.   —  markb – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Giovanni from Italy.

Response:

Starting from Yosemite, crossing Nevada, Utah, Colorado and back to San Francisco. In early June (12 days). Where are the best places for flyfishing???? (catch & release, too) Accomodation suggestions?? Thanks in advance. Giovanni from Italy.

Giovanni: The period you will be fishing is pretty much dead in the middle of the "normal" spring runoff here in the Rockies.  With that in mind, you may find yourself sticking to tailwater streams below artificial lakes.  Another possibility is some of the lakes themselves. Here in Utah, three of the better-known tailwaters are the Green River below Flaming Gorge Reservoir, the Provo River below Jordanelle and Deer Creek Reservoirs, and Currant Creek below Currant Creek Reservoir.  All have extremely good fishing at times although the Provo and the Green tend to get a *lot* or pressure so the fish are fairly educated.  You can wade fish all of those streams, but you would probably have more luck on the Green if you hire a guide for a float trip – it’s a *big* river. I don’t know what your opinion of lake fishing with flies is, but there can be some very good fishing that time of year in some of the lakes in Utah. Strawberry Reservoir (about 1.5 hours south and east of Salt Lake City) is the premier lake in Utah, but there are many others that offer good fishing if you have a float tube or other type of boat.. Up in Wyoming, the New Fork River near Pinedale has the reputation as fishing the best early in the season, but there is very little public water.  You can, however, do float trips with a number of guide operations. I’ve never fished it, but the Ham’s Fork River outside Kemmerer is supposed to be very good.  Most of the other streams are fairly likely to be very high from runoff that time of year. A possible thought would be lake fishing on private water.  Western Rivers Flyfishing shop in Salt Lake City offers day trips on a number of lakes at a private ranch called L C Ranch.  Supposed to be VERY good fishing and they provide everything you might need. Good luck.  Accomodations are pretty easy that time of year here in Utah. Email me direct if you have any other questions. Bob

Response:

Question:

I would speak with your physician about rabies since you had the contact with the bat.

Response:

I would speak with your physician about rabies since you had the contact with the bat.

Only if the bat bit him….

Response:

It is my understanding, and I am not a doctor, that bats are different than other animals and any contact with a bat should be discussed with a physician.

Response:

  Are there any other people who have caught Bats??????

 Yup, just a few weeks ago.  I was after sea trout late one night on  a local river, when I thought I’d hooked a small brownie.  It was  only when the line started to rise into the air that I started to  wonder, er, what’s going on here?  Oddly enough, as I swung the pipistrelle  over the bank, another bat came fluttering down around and around  its trapped colleague.  Fortunately, I was able to release the bat ok.  It had taken a white muddler that I was skimming across the surface of  the river, although I ‘ve had bats ‘tweak’ the fly in mid-air before.  Only minutes later, I thought I’d snagged a bush on the back-cast –  but then the ‘bush’ pulled back, and it’s the only time I’ve had the  Cheers,   Dave — Xavier Educational Software Ltd Tel: 01248-382616  Fax: 01248-382599 WWW  http://xavier.bangor.ac.uk/ Inside every large problem, there is a small problem trying to get out.

Response:

I would speak with your physician about rabies since you had the contact with the bat. Only if the bat bit him….

Not quite that simple, as the "bugs" are present in the bats saliva, and it doesn’t require an actual bite to get some on your hands. From that point any means of ingress can lead to the disease…

Response:

I once caught a Dragon Fly. The leader wrapped around him and he flew around towing my line! Mine would be more of a foul hook than a catch though! SierraTim

Response:

Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly So I caught my first bat the night before last.   So my question is does this count as a ligitimate catch?  I argued with my fishing partner that it was because I had the bat in my hand. He argued that it wasn’t because I didn’t unhook the bat and release it. Any thoughts or similar experiances? Mike: I’m a Veterinarian who flyfishes.  This is a good opportunity to point out that bats deserve respect and caution.  They are consistently rated, at least in California, as the number one species to transmit rabies.  Number two and three have been skunks and cats. I would recommend that you cut your line or leader as soon as you know what you’ve done.  Rather a few bucks to be safe than a few more minutes fishing to be sorry.  Since rabies travels to the brain via the nervous system, a bite on the face or upper trunk could spell the difference between something that could be treated or writing your will. Sorry to be doom and gloom, but it could happen.  Be glad that rabies is not epidemic, and keep your pets vaccinated! Good fishing! Kevin R. Sharp, D.V.M.

Response:

Only if the bat bit him…. Not quite that simple, as the "bugs" are present in the bats saliva, and it doesn’t require an actual bite to get some on your hands. From that point any means of ingress can lead to the disease…

What would you have suggested? Leave the bat die a slow death from either exhaustion and/or hunger? Put it out of its misery? I did what I thought was right and yes I was careful about ingression. I washed my hands, pliers, and the forceps I used to free the flappy little critter. I did my best to limit that possibility.

Response:

So I caught my first bat the night before last.  I was fishing with a black wooly bugger after dark under a bridge.  I cast my fly and didn’t hear it splash into the stream.  I thought it must have landed in a bush or somehting.  As I retreived it, I felt something on the end of my line.  Figuring it was a branch, I slid my hand down the line to unhook it when  realized it was a bat.  I knew this because I felt it’s wet wings and felt it squirming around.  I threw it into the stream at my feet and was reaching for my clipper to cut the line when it latched onto my leg and started climbing up.  By now my fishing partner was rolling on the bank with laughter and I was getting nervous.  I plunged my leg down into the water because I couldn’t think of anything better to do.  When I lifted up my fly the bat was gone. So my question is does this count as a ligitimate catch?  I argued with my fishing partner that it was because I had the bat in my hand. He argued that it wasn’t because I didn’t unhook the bat and release it. Any thoughts or similar experiances? Long Live Hay Creek MikeH

Response:

Question:

        I’ll second the Wekiva River Trip from Katie’s Landing.  Did that in a private boat last year with their shuttling….  Their’s is a good and responsible operation.  If you haven’t seen Florida rivers much this one’s a good intro.  I saw all the FL species of herons, plus limpkins, etc. on this run.         Joe P.

Response:

If you want to drive a little further south (typically warmer as well) to North Palm Beach, you can rent Kayaks from The Adventure Times. They have regular guided tours to the Everglades and other local spots including intracoastal and ocean Call em at 407 881-7218 I’m going to be in Orlando the first week in January and am looking for paddling opportunities within say a 60 mile radius.  I won’t be taking a boat so I’m interested in outfitters or state parks that rent equipment. Thanks. Jason

Bob Denton President Gulf Stream International Boynton Beach, Florida Manufacturers of Sink the Stink The Water Sport Deodorizer That Really Works! For information on Boynton Beach, FL Scuba: http://www.flinet.com/gulfstream/scuba.html

Response:

I go to the Cape Canaveral area often.  Fishing for redfish on the flats there is nice.  There is a non-powered only area north of 528 on the Bannanna river also.  You can rent from Extreme Sports, but they are not on the way, being about twenty south from the Cape.  Patrick AFB also rents to military types.  But all they have is small sit on tops.   If you want somethind exciting, the St Johns river, which runs from near the coast where I live, North through Deland.  The Manatees winter at Blue Springs by Deland.  They rent boats there. I’ve gone just North of lake Washington near the coast.  It is very small at that point, so all you will see is the occasional airboater.  The gators there are the biggest I’ve seen.  I fly helicopters for a living, so I’ve seen plenty.  They will probably be staying under the water in early Jan.  In late Feb, they are laying out.  Seeing them on the shore is not scary.  What is is when they shoot down the twenty foot wide stream right under your boat, leaving a wake like the Creature from the black lagoon. I will only take my big two person there, as my 14′ single might lead a big bull gator to think "Yea, I can take him".  

Response:

I’m going to be in Orlando the first week in January and am looking for … Jason

PalnJones is right on with Wekiva.  This is a fantastic paddle (for Florida-no ww).  There is a Wekiva State Park & they rent canoes (not sure about kayaks) through a concessionaire (Kings Landings Canoe).   Kings Landing is the Place to put in and go to the Marina (I’ve been, I had my own kayak with me).  Fabulous river (for Florida).  There is a kayak/canoe/outdoor store in Orlando called something like Travel Country – in yellow pages under canoes – they can help with directions & maybe rentals.  It is 10-20 mile paddle depending where you go and the Kings Landing folks will run shuttle for you. kevin

Response:

I’m going to be in Orlando the first week in January and am looking for paddling opportunities within say a 60 mile radius.  I won’t be taking a boat so I’m interested in outfitters or state parks that rent equipment.

Jason: I would second the recommendation David made about Wekiva Springs; just north of Orlando but literally a wilderness area along the edges of the city.  Wekiva State Park has a well stocked canoe livery and there is also a private company called Katies Wekiva River Landing that rents canoes.  Katies has routes of 6, 9, 12 or 19 miles.  I’ve hiked all along Wekiva and have seen the operation…very professional.  However, I personally have not taken the trips.  Never heard anything bad though.. Katies Info: Toll free from Orlando 628-1482      Other calls 407 332-4470 Ranger station Wekiwa River State Park    407 884-2009 If kayaking is your game, Travel Country Outdoors in Orlando 407 831-0777 does not rent anything but they do have a half day guided trip to Cape Canaveral NWR.  Another kayaking outfitter that does half-day guided trips (maybe rentals) is Agua Azul in Clearwater (near Tampa) 813 530-7555.  They have one trip "closer" to Orlando that is on the historic Hillsborough River out of the Tampa area.  It takes us 1.25 hours to get there from where we live near Disney.  My wife and I have done both of these trips and from a purely novice point of view had a GREAT TIME! Happy Holidays! Robert   Orlando

Response:

I’m going to be in Orlando the first week in January and am looking for paddling opportunities within say a 60 mile radius.  I won’t be taking a boat so I’m interested in outfitters or state parks that rent equipment. Thanks. Jason

Response:

I’m going to be in Orlando the first week in January and am looking for paddling opportunities within say a 60 mile radius.  I won’t be taking a boat so I’m interested in outfitters or state parks that rent equipment. Thanks. Jason

There is a nice flat water (what else would it be) paddle on the Wekiva River, putting on near Apopka.  The water is crystal clear, and we saw alligators (small) the time we did it. There is at least one canoe livery, but I don’t remember the name.  Check the Yellow Pages. David

Response:

Question:

Looking for any information on fly fishing for trout in the Phoenix, Arizona area, radius 250 miles.  Streams, rivers, lakes, etc..

Response:

Sedona, is w/in your 250 miles, boasts art galleries, shops, and great fishing. There is a small stream, Oak Creek Canyon, that holds Browns and stocked Bows. Fish above slide rock for the browns.  Tan Caddis larva was working well this month.  The White Mountains, about 200 miles east of Phoenix has a wide variety of streams and lakes, almost all of which are full of browns, bows, brookies, and the native Apache golden trout. (602)902-0881.

Response:

Question:

I was wondering if anyone could help. I will be in Pittsburgh for five days during Oct.16-20. Is there anywhere near there that I could wet a line? If there are any small rivers that I could fly-fish,please let me know! I need to do something after some boring seminars! Thanks in advance! ED My Thoughts Are My Own!

Response:

Quoting mckernane from a message in rec.outdoors.fishing     I was wondering if anyone could help. I will be in Pittsburgh for    five days during Oct.16-20. Is there anywhere near there that I could    wet a line? If there are any small rivers that I could fly-fish,please    let me know! I need to do something after some boring seminars!     Thanks in advance!     ED Howdy Ed,  I’m in Eastern Pa, so can’t help you in the Pburg area, but we have a guy on Delphi who lives there.  He hangs out in our fishing forum, and is a Bass Club member as I am.         If you would like to E-Mail to him His address is and he signs "East Pittsburg Red".  I don’t know if he fly fishes, but he does go with spinners for trout. Have a safe and fun Vist to Pa.  TTYL – good luck and good fish.  `[1;35;40m This from — The `[1;5;33;40mBassAgitator  `[1;35;40m Fred in Pa. — Glad to be here — Rainbow V 1.01 for Delphi

Response: