Question:

 I’ll let you turn on the furnace, Peter. Dave

Damn right ’cause I’m not letting you cuddle up to me.   I would very much like to do the Kennebec, the more I hear about it, the more intrigued I am.  Sounds like you had a wonderful time. BTW, I’ve run into John Valk twice since the float trip and he keeps saying nice things about you.  You made an impression.  :) Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

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Peter writes: BTW, I’ve run into John Valk twice since the float trip and he keeps saying nice things about you.  You made an impression.  :)

He loves me because I can cast over my left shoulder in the rear and the front of the boat, thereby avoiding his ears.  d;o) Can’t wait for May……  I think I will stay with my 8 weight and buy a new Lamson large arbor.  From him, of course. And, you will love the Kennebec.  It is meant for streamer fishing. Dave

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That fish wasn’t nothin but icing on the cake of a fine trip…… john

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<snipped good TR This morning I opted not to fish because it was cold.

I had the same problem this morning. I woke up early to go and decided my bed was *really* nice and warm. Damn this New England/Winter thing! — TL, Tim

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This morning I opted not to fish because it was cold. I had the same problem this morning. I woke up early to go and decided my bed was *really* nice and warm. Damn this New England/Winter thing! — TL, Tim

Wuss.  Went ‘fishing for science’ today on a little gem of an urban pond (in Dave LaCourse’s old neighborhood).  We were helping a water quality monitoring program by harvesting some fish for analysis (the fish are being FedExed to UMaine for heavy metal and PCB testing).  I caught a lot of bluegills on slowly retrieved Zug Bugs and picked up two really nice chain pickerel (over 16" apiece, fat and feisty) and a couple of ‘keeper’ sized bass on unweighted wooly buggers on my 4 wt.  Jim picked up several calicos (black crappie) on a trolled damsel nymph.  It was really nice once the sun came out.

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Great report Dave where on the Kennebec do you go what town that is. They had a TU program a few months ago on the Kennebec River they were catch browns and bows.                    Handyman Mike           Standing in a river waving a stick

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This morning I opted not to fish because it was cold. I had the same problem this morning. I woke up early to go and decided my bed was *really* nice and warm. Damn this New England/Winter thing! — TL, Tim Wuss.

Yeah, I know. I did finally get out at around 10:00 when it warmed up a bit. Caught a *big* brown with two extra flies and some tippet attached. Hopefully, he’s swimming more comfortably now. My hands got very cold once I started fishing. Are there any special or modified gloves you folk would recommend? — TL, Tim

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Jo and I arrived at The East Outlet, Kennebec River, about 2:30 on Friday afternoon.  It was  a beautiful late fall day, with promises of colder temperatures.

    ahh, louie my friend, pretty work.  what a life! yfitons wayno

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Jo and I arrived at The East Outlet, Kennebec River, about 2:30 on Friday afternoon.  It was  a beautiful late fall day, with promises of colder temperatures.   I parked the rv within yards of the river, leveled it, and while Jo unpacked and made camp, I went fishing.   I fished the nice run at the old put-in spot ("stairs"), and fished up-stream for about an hour.  With two hits, two fish on, and none landed, but my hands freezing, I called it quits and returned to the warmth of the rv.  The river was running at 1700 cfs, just a little more than I like it, but the water was cold and the salmon had come up-river from Indian Pond.   After a dinner of grilled hamburgers and home-made baked beans (lots of brown sugar, maple syrup, and a little onion), we settled in and watched a movie. The wind had come up and the falling leaves on the roof made for a wonderful feeling.  We were warm, well fed, entertained, and the sounds of the river and wind added to the ambiance.  We could have used the furnace all night.  We should have used the furnace all night.  Instead, Jo cracked one of the bedroom windows about a half inch, and we settled in for sleep without heat.   Well, it was a two dog night and we only had one, Henry.  Jo got up about midnight and added a down comforter to our 3 blanket pile.  That’s when Henry joined us and promptly settled in under the comforter.  The wind got stronger and the rain started about 1 a.m., beating a cacophony of rhythm on the flat roof.  It was great sleeping. When I awoke, the rain had ended and it was cold.  After a hot breakfast I headed down-stream to my favorite run.   I tied on one of Bruiser’s little nymphs (size 22), and on the second cast I was into a fairly nice salmon.  After a short battle, he broke off.  It would be awhile before I had on another fish.  These flies that Bruiser tied have been very successful on Maine’s rivers.  At first I found it remarkable that such large fish could be brought to hand with such small hooks.   I doubt my parents tied/fished anything smaller than a size 16 back in the forties/fifties.  They would be surprised and happy to seem me catch such beautiful fish on such itty-bitty flies. After lunch and a nap I set up my Sage 6 weight to lob some streamers, and returned to the same run.  It was raining and cold, but I was snuggled under several layers of fleece and a good raincoat.  I had several hits, but no hook-ups.  (Peter:  I was using a variation of the fly I used on the Saugeen.)  When I noticed that I was the only one on the stream, no drift boats, and it was *very* cold and did I mention *snowing*, I headed back to the rv.  I love to fish, but there are limits.  It took a long time to thaw out my hands.  I wish they made a fishing glove that would keep your hands/fingers warm and still allow the dexterity needed to tie knots and control your line.  I use fingerless fleece gloves, and while they do give some protection from the cold even when wet, the tips of my old fingers just can not handle the exposure. I slept very well that night.  The snow turned back to hard rain, and lulled me to sleep.  This morning I opted not to fish because it was cold.  Earlier I said it would be awhile before I had on another fish

Question:

Went fishing last weekend up north on a river near the Estonian border, and spent the night at a little B&B where the proprietor was genuinely suprised that I didn’t catch anything, as he assured me the stream was full of browns. I explained my newbie status with a fly rod, and he looked in my nymph case, told me my pheasant tails and hare’s ears should have worked if I dead drifted them down deep in the holes, as the wind was blowing the the dries would have been useless since the fish don’t rise on windy days. So all this week, I planned for my return. I headed out of work at the bell on Friday, stopped at my local FF shop and got some lightweight intermediate sink leader, a few more nymph-looking things, and drove the 1.5 hours up to the river again, turned off onto the woods road, locked in the 4WD hubs, and headed out to the same stretch of stream. As I was getting rigged up next to the truck about 1/4 mile from the stream, I was getting eaten alive by mosquitoes; worst I’ve seen since the Maine woods, so I beat feet to the stream side,, quickly waded out to midstream to lose the bugs, and started drifting my new beadhead nymph. After a few dry casts, I was sure I had spooked the fish while quickly wading out deep, but then something flashed past my head, and landed on the water just about 3 feet in front of me. Something greenish-brown, about the size of a silver dollar. Something I had never seen before, but instantly recognized. At this moment I had a 3-fold revelation. First, seeing my first mayfly was like that surge of recognition you get when you first see the Grand Canyon or the Statue of Liberty. Its been in a million picture books, and you may think you know what it is, but when you see your first one, you realize you were wrong. I actually said out loud, to no one but the river. "Ohh!!! So THATS a mayfly!!" Then a huge swirly rose right under it, and it disappeared in a surge of fin and back, and I realized the second and third revelations: trout aren’t so spooked by someone walking right into their livingroom as I thought, and today was a day to be fishing dries that look like mayflies (duh!). Actually, I had a fourth revelation: I didn’t have any flies that looked like mayflies!! However, I did have a few upright wings, including ‘the magic fly’ (see a previous post); a deer hair caddis that was the right color, almost. If I had a tying kit, I know I would have run back to the car just then, and tied up a bunch of perfect colored mayflys on the spot (revelation five: THATS why people tie their own flies!) So I tied on the caddis, and cast it about where the trout rose. Strike (and a miss). Cast right there again.,,another rise (and another miss). Cast a third time, no reaction. Revelation five: two strikes and you’re out. The fish learn fast. I worked that spot for awhile, then eventually waded my way downstream. Although I only brought a few 8" browns to hand, I knew that a slightly more skilled fisherman would have landed some monster trout, as they were rising for the mayflies all over the place. In fact, I could use the drying mayflies as indicators: if I saw one sitting on the water being left alone, I didn’t even bother casting there. But often when one flew down close to the water, I could cast right there and get a rise every time! I even was getting very clever with my casts: at a certain distance, the fly line would land on the water while the fly was at the top of the turn-over, and the fly would just stall out at the top of the circle, then drop straight down like a falling mayfly. It brought up a rise every time. In fact, for about 2 hours, I got strikes on almost every cast! It was great! Later, I learned that most of my strikes were smaller browns, or those damn local coarse fish. Thats when I got revelation #6: the big fish are very picky, and can tell an deer-hair caddis from a mayfly. And revelation #7: if you don’t keep your standards high, you will get lured into fishing for the little ones (since they are striking) rather than focusing on what it takes to get the bigger ones. So anyway, I got to see my first bonafide mayfly hatch; now I know what all the hype is about. I’m gonna start carrying some realistic looking mayflies with me just for the next time this happens! OBNewbie question: HOW can you entice the big fish to strike without getting all pecked apart by those damn tiny fish? This particiular stream has probably 200 tiny fish per cubic meter of water, and they mess with everything you toss out. riverman

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<SNIP OBNewbie question: HOW can you entice the big fish to strike without getting all pecked apart by those damn tiny fish? This particiular stream has probably 200 tiny fish per cubic meter of water, and they mess with everything you toss out. riverman

Congratulations! Sounds like you had an excellent time. You must concentrate on the big fish Often you can get an impression of the size of a fish, by watching the rises. Large fish displace more water, and the "swirl" is a good indication. If you are catching smaller fish, then you are doing things right, but larger fish are inevitably far more careful. That is how they got large in the first place. Lastly, during mayfly hatches ( Ephemera danica, and similar, which I assume you mean); http://www.bioimages.org.uk/HTML/P46868.HTM it often pays off to try a largish nymph instead of a mayfly.  The technique is to allow the nymph to swing slowly across. where you saw the rise, and then either pull slowly on the line, or raise the rod. This imitates a nymph rising to hatch, and is often irresistible to trout. Also, larger fish always command the best feeding positions. You must consider what you think the best position is, and cast to it. Best of all is of course seeing the fish. When dry fly-fishing, you must always wait for the fish to turn down, before setting the hook. Striking too soon will simply pull the fly out of his mouth.  This is very difficult for "newbies". When the fish takes, count "One hundred, two hundred", and then set the hook.  This will seem like an eternity, and if it is a big fish your hands will shaking, a strange sort of dementia will have gripped you, and every muscle in your body will be screaming "STRIKE!!". Resist them! TL MC

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Some of these might be of help to you; http://www.mayfly.com/tips.htm http://www.flyfishingconnection.com/feedingpatterns.html http://www.flyfishamerica.com/ArticlesReports/GeneralArticles/Kustich… rout/KustichLargeTrout.html and for flies for E.danica etc http://www.algonet.se/~sjostran/English/10134.htm http://figen.com/flyfish/trysil98.html http://www.billmcilroy.freeserve.co.uk/WET%20%20MAYFLY%20PATTERNS.htm http://www.uky.edu/~agrdanny/flyfish/dryfly.htm http://freespace.virgin.net/fly.fishing/mayfly-yellowdrake.html http://www.hookhack.com/dries.html For a massive pattern index, and lots of other interesting stuff; http://home.netc.net.au/~gnaylor/flies.htm Large olive/yellow coloured hackled flies with a bit of orange in them, have always done well for me, and are easier to cast than winged imitations. TL MC

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[Book of Revelations snipped] Sounds like a fun time. As Mike says water displacement often gives away a bigger fish … fishing afternoon/evening rises, which it sounds like you were, should carry over after dark.  Often thats when the bigger fish will come out to feed … especially in hard fished water.  Best part is the fish are twice as big after dark … or at least they feel that weigh. Steve

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Excellent! — Jarmo Hurri address or apply rot13 to header email address.

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At this moment I had a 3-fold revelation. First, seeing my first mayfly was like that surge of recognition you get when you first see the Grand Canyon or the Statue of Liberty. Its been in a million picture books, and you may think you know what it is, but when you see your first one, you realize you were wrong. I actually said out loud, to no one but the river. "Ohh!!! So THATS a mayfly!!" Then a huge swirly rose right under it, and it disappeared in a surge of fin and back,

— Tight lines! / Roger Daytime engineer Lifetime flyfisherman For info on flyfishing in Northern Sweden visit http://home.bip.net/angler/

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<snipped lovely report OBNewbie question: HOW can you entice the big fish to strike without getting all pecked apart by those damn tiny fish? This particiular stream has probably 200 tiny fish per cubic meter of water, and they mess with everything you toss out. riverman

Did you try squinting? They might look bigger.. ) Herman

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Question:

shouldn’t be too rough less the st.johns rises. Walt if you are reading this, wish you were here. Our thoughts will be with you John… Big Dale

        john:  we are more than 200 miles inland, and hugo (1989) damn near destroyed our old home place.         please consider getting the hell out of there. wayno

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      john:  we are more than 200 miles inland, and hugo (1989) damn near destroyed our old home place.       please consider getting the hell out of there. wayno

Wayno and John, My pal Phil just pointed me in the direction of this thread, and I sincerely hope that Floyd does you no harm. The pictures we received showed Floyd as large as Florida – frightening! Hope you all keep well. — Bill http://www.graigroad.demon.co.uk

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The pictures we received showed Floyd as large as Florida – frightening!

I’d heard it was the size of Texas which, as you probably know, is bigger than planet earth<g. — Charlie…

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The pictures we received showed Floyd as large as Florida – frightening! I’d heard it was the size of Texas which, as you probably know, is bigger than planet earth<g.

Joking aside, John and wayno are worryingly quiet… — Phil Jones

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Joking aside, John and wayno are worryingly quiet…

Floyd pretty much missed John, nothing could hurt Wayno short of a disaster at the Balvenie distillery (Greensboro is well inland), we’ve heard from Jeff under curfew, I’m wondering about Indian Joe in Wilmington. Anybody heard ? — Ken Fortenberry Illini 2 – Tar Heels 1

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Joking aside, John and wayno are worryingly quiet…

True, and I hope for the best. I just heard from a friend in Savannah who said she drove all the way to Tennessee to find a room but there was no damage when she got back. Pretty scary. — Charlie…

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Excuse me…  I thought Balvenie was a single malt, a proper scotch… Are you saying that it’s fabricated in Greensboro..?

LOL ! No sir, I would never insult a proper single malt. I am merely saying that a healthy percentage of the world’s Balvenie production is CONSUMED in Greensboro, North Carolina. — Ken Fortenberry Illini 2 – Tar Heels 1

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nothing could hurt Wayno short of a disaster at the Balvenie distillery (Greensboro is well inland)

Excuse me…  I thought Balvenie was a single malt, a proper scotch… Are you saying that it’s fabricated in Greensboro..? — Phil Jones

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Floyd, now a tropical storm, blew through Maine last night on it’s way to the Maratimes. Heavy rains, some winds, nothing serious really, though the power did go out. I woke up about 2 am when the eye passed over, the silence was deafening. I hope eveyone in it’s path came through safely and you fishing is good for the rest of the year. I’m off to the West Branch of the Penobscot this weekend for a week of salmon fishing. Flyfish

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Floyd, now a tropical storm, blew through Maine last night on it’s way to the Maratimes. Heavy rains, some winds, nothing serious really, though the power did go out. I woke up about 2 am when the eye passed over, the silence was deafening. I hope eveyone in it’s path came through safely and you fishing is good for the rest of the year.

We had an entertaining afternoon here as well, Dave. Plenty of wind though no damage in my area (central MA) and a boatload of rain. Not much more than an inconvenience, really, though I suspect the coastal denizens had a tougher go of it. I’m off to the West Branch of the Penobscot this weekend for a week of salmon fishing.

Good luck to ya! Hope the high water gets the fish moving your way. /daytripper

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floyd’s downpour on eastern nc has really whipped our ass.  we had 15 inches of rain in about 24 hours. many of the towns east of raleigh along rivers and creeks are suffering substantial flooding and water damage.  Greenville has been cut off in all directions by washed out and flooded roads in and around the area.  The Tar River is rising and expected to crest at about 26 feet above normal over the next 2 days. Some folks are being evacuated from the roofs of their homes, others are stranded. The sole remaining power substation serving the city and county (app. 55,000 folks) is in jeopardy of being shut down by the flooding, and if it goes officials fear it will be several days before the current is reestablished.   jeff   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Floyd, now a tropical storm, blew through Maine last night on it’s way to the Maratimes. Heavy rains, some winds, nothing serious really, though the power did go out. I woke up about 2 am when the eye passed over, the silence was deafening. I hope eveyone in it’s path came through safely and you fishing is good for the rest of the year. I’m off to the West Branch of the Penobscot this weekend for a week of salmon fishing. Flyfish

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Last report I saw rated Floyd’s force at 155mph, one mph under classification as a Force 5 hurricane.  I understand it is expected to come aground somewhere late tomorrow. My sincere best wishes to those of you, you families and your businesses in the wake of this pending monster.  I was in Charleston in 1992 4 days after Andrew hit and saw the devastation this type of a storm can do and I hope you are all prepared and safe. Larry Medina Thanks, the daughter and two grandkids will probably go to a shelter. I’v got two dogs and two cats which we’ve considered loading in the camper and heading to higher ground but I think I’ll just sit tight with them and weather it out. My wife will make up her mind when the time comes but shes a fiesty ol broad and will probably stay too. I checked the generator and it fired right off so we’ll have power for the pump and icebox. We are inland a bit, bout 50 miles from the cape so shouldn’t be too rough less the st.johns rises. Walt if you are reading this, wish you were here.                                                           John Popp                                                          in Sanford Fl. John, Thanks for the invite, but unfortunately I won’t be able to make it down for this monster. Hang in there bud and do me a favor, if that thing turns inland get the hell out of there. I’ve been through a few to many of those bastards…. From the looks of things, it looks like it’s gonna ride up along the coast and head our way….but don’t trust that river…it can get real big and nasty. Tight windows my friend, 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

If anybody has watched the news Fl. was treated kindly by floyd. We’re just fine. been cleaning up some limbs and such, nothing big. We did get some high winds(bout 40mph) but nothing spectacular and only 3" of rain. I’ve been watching the news and it seems Fl.’s good fortune was bad fortune for those in the northern climes. Luckily by the time it got there it had weakened significatly. With the advantage of 20/20 hindsighte, it seems some news casters had derogatory statements about those who chose to leave. This was a terribly big and vicious storm as it churned up and just off shore and I hope those statements will not influence those of lesser expierience should the choice again need be made.                                                        John Popp                                                    in Sanford Fl.

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With the advantage of 20/20 hindsighte, it seems some news casters had derogatory statements about those who chose to leave. This was a terribly big and vicious storm as it churned up and just off shore and I hope those statements will not influence those of lesser expierience should the choice again need be made.

Good advice as usual John. Glad you made it through OK, I have a friend that lives near Savannah who evacuated and, though there was no damage when she got back, I hope she’d leave again under the same conditions. I’ve been in (literally) a couple of tornadoes, but hurricanes scare me bad. — Charlie…

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hurricanes scare me bad. — Charlie…

        i talked to pamlico jim this morning, and they are in a hell of a mess in greenville, nc.  no power, no stores open, conditions may not improve for days; the tar river hasn’t even crested yet.  there is only one road open to the outside world. wayno

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…  there is only one road open to the outside world. wayno

…and i took it to watauga county this morning!!! jeff

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nah…a mere 15 inches or so in greenville, nc, but not a drop at elk creek…very bizarre to drive out of greenville where the river is about 27 feet above flood stage to elk creek – it’s even lower than when you guys were here, and crystal clear.  the smallies are beckoning!! jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – …and i took it to watauga county this morning!!! Did you get any rain up there? We didn’t get a drop down here. — Charlie…

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Last report I saw rated Floyd’s force at 155mph, one mph under classification as a Force 5 hurricane.  I understand it is expected to come aground somewhere late tomorrow. My sincere best wishes to those of you, you families and your businesses in the wake of this pending monster.  I was in Charleston in 1992 4 days after Andrew hit and saw the devastation this type of a storm can do and I hope you are all prepared and safe. Larry Medina

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Last report I saw rated Floyd’s force at 155mph, one mph under classification as a Force 5 hurricane.  I understand it is expected to come aground somewhere late tomorrow. My sincere best wishes to those of you, you families and your businesses in the wake of this pending monster.  I was in Charleston in 1992 4 days after Andrew hit and saw the devastation this type of a storm can do and I hope you are all prepared and safe. Larry Medina

Thanks, the daughter and two grandkids will probably go to a shelter. I’v got two dogs and two cats which we’ve considered loading in the camper and heading to higher ground but I think I’ll just sit tight with them and weather it out. My wife will make up her mind when the time comes but shes a fiesty ol broad and will probably stay too. I checked the generator and it fired right off so we’ll have power for the pump and icebox. We are inland a bit, bout 50 miles from the cape so shouldn’t be too rough less the st.johns rises. Walt if you are reading this, wish you were here.                                                           John Popp                                                          in Sanford Fl.

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shouldn’t be too rough less the st.johns rises. Walt if you are reading this, wish you were here.

Our thoughts will be with you John… Big Dale

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Last report I saw rated Floyd’s force at 155mph, one mph under classification as a Force 5 hurricane.  I understand it is expected to come aground somewhere late tomorrow. My sincere best wishes to those of you, you families and your businesses in the wake of this pending monster.  I was in Charleston in 1992 4 days after Andrew hit and saw the devastation this type of a storm can do and I hope you are all prepared and safe. Larry Medina Thanks, the daughter and two grandkids will probably go to a shelter. I’v got two dogs and two cats which we’ve considered loading in the camper and heading to higher ground but I think I’ll just sit tight with them and weather it out. My wife will make up her mind when the time comes but shes a fiesty ol broad and will probably stay too. I checked the generator and it fired right off so we’ll have power for the pump and icebox. We are inland a bit, bout 50 miles from the cape so shouldn’t be too rough less the st.johns rises. Walt if you are reading this, wish you were here.                                                           John Popp                                                          in Sanford Fl.

John, Thanks for the invite, but unfortunately I won’t be able to make it down for this monster. Hang in there bud and do me a favor, if that thing turns inland get the hell out of there. I’ve been through a few to many of those bastards…. From the looks of things, it looks like it’s gonna ride up along the coast and head our way….but don’t trust that river…it can get real big and nasty. Tight windows my friend, 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

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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have only been flyfishing for a few months, most of my trips have been in the Townsend area of the Smokies.  I have fished the Tremont (Middle Prong of Little River)  area several times with limited success.  I have the opportunity this weekend to fish Deep Creek (Bryson City, NC) and I have decided to swallow my pride and ask for advice here so I hopefully won’t get "blanked" and ruin my vacation!  For Tremont, I have used 6X tippets and patterns of caddis, adams, black gnats, beadhead phesant tail nymph. My specific questions:  What time of day should be the most successful in either of these areas (Tremont or Deep Creek)?  What patterns are most effective for Deep Creek?  Any advice on presentation to these skittish mountain trout?  Any particular areas of Deep Creek that anyone has had experience fishing before? Thanks very much, Dan Please reply to group

Dan, This time of the year you want to fish very early or very late in the day….most trout I know take long siestas when the water warms up during the day. The patterns you are using are fine…I might add a black ant and a yellow sally to your arsenal. Good luck…. –Walt

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have very good luck with elk hair caddis. I fish Tremont usually in the afternoon but not always. And don’t forget those wooly buggers! Bryce I have only been flyfishing for a few months, most of my trips have been in the Townsend area of the Smokies.  I have fished the Tremont (Middle Prong of Little River)  area several times with limited success.  I have the opportunity this weekend to fish Deep Creek (Bryson City, NC) and I have decided to swallow my pride and ask for advice here so I hopefully won’t get "blanked" and ruin my vacation!  For Tremont, I have used 6X tippets and patterns of caddis, adams, black gnats, beadhead phesant tail nymph. My specific questions:  What time of day should be the most successful in either of these areas (Tremont or Deep Creek)?  What patterns are most effective for Deep Creek?  Any advice on presentation to these skittish mountain trout?  Any particular areas of Deep Creek that anyone has had experience fishing before?

Hi! Tremont should be good early in the morning or late at night. I stay away from the lower portion of Deep Creek this time of the year, due to all  the tourists and tubers. Go above Indian creek. Also try West prong of Little River while you are over in that area. Go backcountry away from Laurel creek rd. Try a Thunderhead dry, it’s a NC pattern that’s very similar to an Adams Wulff. Hans

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have very good luck with elk hair caddis. I fish Tremont usually in the afternoon but not always. And don’t forget those wooly buggers! Bryce I have only been flyfishing for a few months, most of my trips have been in the Townsend area of the Smokies.  I have fished the Tremont (Middle Prong of Little River)  area several times with limited success.  I have the opportunity this weekend to fish Deep Creek (Bryson City, NC) and I have decided to swallow my pride and ask for advice here so I hopefully won’t get "blanked" and ruin my vacation!  For Tremont, I have used 6X tippets and patterns of caddis, adams, black gnats, beadhead phesant tail nymph. My specific questions:  What time of day should be the most successful in either of these areas (Tremont or Deep Creek)?  What patterns are most effective for Deep Creek?  Any advice on presentation to these skittish mountain trout?  Any particular areas of Deep Creek that anyone has had experience fishing before? Hi! Tremont should be good early in the morning or late at night. I stay away from the lower portion of Deep Creek this time of the year, due to all  the tourists and tubers. Go above Indian creek. Also try West prong of Little River while you are over in that area. Go backcountry away from Laurel creek rd. Try a Thunderhead dry, it’s a NC pattern that’s very similar to an Adams Wulff. Hans

I fished Deep Creek a coupla years ago and ran across a native of the area who was having great luck on a parachute Adams morning and late afternoon.  I might add that he was quite stealthy and could read water very well.

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I have very good luck with elk hair caddis. I fish Tremont usually in the afternoon but not always. And don’t forget those wooly buggers! Bryce – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have only been flyfishing for a few months, most of my trips have been in the Townsend area of the Smokies.  I have fished the Tremont (Middle Prong of Little River)  area several times with limited success.  I have the opportunity this weekend to fish Deep Creek (Bryson City, NC) and I have decided to swallow my pride and ask for advice here so I hopefully won’t get "blanked" and ruin my vacation!  For Tremont, I have used 6X tippets and patterns of caddis, adams, black gnats, beadhead phesant tail nymph. My specific questions:  What time of day should be the most successful in either of these areas (Tremont or Deep Creek)?  What patterns are most effective for Deep Creek?  Any advice on presentation to these skittish mountain trout?  Any particular areas of Deep Creek that anyone has had experience fishing before?

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Thanks to all who replied to my original post.  Your advice will be very helpful.  I plan to spend the next couple of days on Deep Creek, so I will try to give you a report (to the group) next week.   Thanks again, Dan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have very good luck with elk hair caddis. I fish Tremont usually in the afternoon but not always. And don’t forget those wooly buggers! Bryce I have only been flyfishing for a few months, most of my trips have been in the Townsend area of the Smokies.  I have fished the Tremont (Middle Prong of Little River)  area several times with limited success.  I have the opportunity this weekend to fish Deep Creek (Bryson City, NC) and I have decided to swallow my pride and ask for advice here so I hopefully won’t get "blanked" and ruin my vacation!  For Tremont, I have used 6X tippets and patterns of caddis, adams, black gnats, beadhead phesant tail nymph. My specific questions:  What time of day should be the most successful in either of these areas (Tremont or Deep Creek)?  What patterns are most effective for Deep Creek?  Any advice on presentation to these skittish mountain trout?  Any particular areas of Deep Creek that anyone has had experience fishing before? Hi! Tremont should be good early in the morning or late at night. I stay away from the lower portion of Deep Creek this time of the year, due to all  the tourists and tubers. Go above Indian creek. Also try West prong of Little River while you are over in that area. Go backcountry away from Laurel creek rd. Try a Thunderhead dry, it’s a NC pattern that’s very similar to an Adams Wulff. Hans I fished Deep Creek a coupla years ago and ran across a native of the area who was having great luck on a parachute Adams morning and late afternoon.  I might add that he was quite stealthy and could read water very well.

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I have only been flyfishing for a few months, most of my trips have been in the Townsend area of the Smokies.  I have fished the Tremont (Middle Prong of Little River)  area several times with limited success.  I have the opportunity this weekend to fish Deep Creek (Bryson City, NC) and I have decided to swallow my pride and ask for advice here so I hopefully won’t get "blanked" and ruin my vacation!  For Tremont, I have used 6X tippets and patterns of caddis, adams, black gnats, beadhead phesant tail nymph. My specific questions:  What time of day should be the most successful in either of these areas (Tremont or Deep Creek)?  What patterns are most effective for Deep Creek?  Any advice on presentation to these skittish mountain trout?  Any particular areas of Deep Creek that anyone has had experience fishing before? Thanks very much, Dan Please reply to group

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Question:

I am considering purchasing a Winston Fly Rod. I am look for someone who has fished with a Winston and there opinions, compared to other available Rod on the market. Thanks Roger

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Winston rods are the most beautiful rods to look at and to cast.  They are not "parking lot" rods like Sage, Loomis, etc. (rods intended to impress with distance).  They fish wonderfully at the distances intended and protect light tippets.  I own three, a 7′ #2, a 8.5′ #3, and a 9′ #5, all IM6.  The 8.5 #3 (3 piece) is my first choice for dry flies on lakes (no wind) or small streams and spring creeks.  I own several Sage rods, and prefer the LL series, the RPL series have been good lake and nymphing rods for me.

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I have a Hexagraph 8 1/2′ 7 wt, Sage RPL+ 9′ 6 wt, a Cortland Graphite 9′ 6 wt and a Winston 7 1/2′ 4wt.  I will never give up that Winston.  I really like the Sage, my son has the Cortland, the Hexagraph looks good on the wall, but that Winston blows everything else away.  Bar none, it is the best rod I ever used in 35 years of flyfishing.  It feels like an extension of my arm. Kevin

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Buying a Winston is like buying a Mercedes Benz.  Will other rods throw a line to where the fish are? You bet!  Will they feel as nice a Winston? Maybe not.  Will another rod look as good as a Winston? Probably not. I have a couple of Winston rods (along with Sage’s Powell’s and a couple of other).  The Winston fishes out to about 40′ as good or better than any of the rod’s in my quiver.  So I guess it comes down to, Do you want the Mercedes or a Chevy. Just my two cents…. Wes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am considering purchasing a Winston Fly Rod. I am look for someone who has fished with a Winston and there opinions, compared to other available Rod on the market. Thanks Roger

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I am considering purchasing a Winston Fly Rod. I am look for someone who has fished with a Winston and there opinions, compared to other available Rod on the market.

Nobody makes as sweet a set of trouting rods as Winston. I have three of them – ranging from a 7′6"/2wt to a 9′/5wt, and they are my favorites. I currently have no fewer than 20 fishable fly rods, mostly graphite but a few cane rods as well, with Sage, GLoomis, Thomas & Thomas, Orvis, Powell, and Lamiglas in the mix, and the Winstons are the ones I use the most. If your casting style suits them, there *aren’t* any other available rods on the market ;^) /dave

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Question:

Hi, any of you guys out there have a design and instructions for a home made trout smoker.

A large home smoker is built most easily out of the carcase of a big appliance (e.g. refrigerator) which the smoke reaches underground through a tube (e.g. metal downspout) from a fire location 10 to 20 ft. distant.  This cools the smoke to the 100 deg. Fahr. desirable for traditional smoking.  You then have the trouble of keeping the fire going for long periods, 24 hours or more. For smaller capacities, electric smokers are sold in N.America (about $80.)  These hold fish sides up to about 16 inches max. For smallest capacities and immediate consumption, Europeans commonly use alcohol-burning smokers, as sold by Trowell, ABU etc.  These are portable thus good for streamside use, but seldom more than 12 inches long. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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I like to use a bong or your standard, hippie-grade water pipe. The only drawback is that you first have to grind up the fish in order to fit it in the bowl. If you have a problem getting it lit, use a little nitro. You should be able to get some from a drag racer.

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If you have a problem getting it lit, use a little nitro. You should be able to get some from a drag racer.

Or go to a hobby shop. They use it for model airplane fuels. Bryce

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Dude… NO LIE, Man….toughest part about smokin trout is keepin it lit!

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I hope someone does as I’m running out of freezer space.

Running out of freezer space, eh?  That’s nice ya lo-life.  What did you pay for your fishing license and what has the stocking program cost us taxpayers and other fisherman in comparison, and what has it done to "your own" fishery?  I guess there might be a *slight* chance that keeping so many trout makes sense (like if the bait-fishermen were going to get them all anyways, or if the summer heat will kill these put-and-take fish that don’t belong there anyways . Let me guess, your from "PA"??? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Thanks            A.P.

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I read an article once about using a cardboard box to make a makeshift smoker.  You took the bottom out and stuck sticks through the side to make a rack for the fish.  You had to be careful the whole thing didn’t go up in smoke.– Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-Mail GO TO http://www.ccnet.com/~emh FOR FLY FISHING BOOK AUCTION – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I like to use a bong or your standard, hippie-grade water pipe. The only drawback is that you first have to grind up the fish in order to fit it in the bowl. If you have a problem getting it lit, use a little nitro. You should be able to get some from a drag racer.

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yeah, we built the pit-style smoker in the Boy Scout’s handbook one summer on a 4 week long camping trip…..got all the alder twigs for the fish, made a "hinged" door on our box, lined the pit with alder leaves, cut, split and fire dried alder and apple for making our own chips, the whole bit. I’m sure with a few modifications, it would have done a better job of smoking vs. cooking the fish…..but it did work pretty well.  one old feller suggested we dig an "outlet hole" at an angle down towards our pit so some of th esmoke could vent off- he said just slide a cover over it as th efire cooled down….awwh, what did he know any way….=8^) the earlier comment by the gentleman using the large appliance and his statement about the fire being farther away and the smoke being "piped over" to attain a lower heat is right on the button…don’t know if it was mentioned, but it IS IMPERATIVE THAT ALL THE FREON IS REMOVED FROM THE FRIDGE FIRST…..it can have fatal side effects.

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–snip– to attain a lower heat is right on the button…don’t know if it was mentioned, but it IS IMPERATIVE THAT ALL THE FREON IS REMOVED FROM THE FRIDGE FIRST…..it can have fatal side effects.

Actually, another important thing to remember, and it may not be important at smoking temperatures, is that the corrosion resistant coating they use on the metal shelves in fridges breaks down at elevated temperatures.  I believe it can lace the food with dangerous chemicals. FYI dunc — Please delete the "_remove" | "Virtue is more to be feared than from the username to reply. |  vice, because its excesses are not                             |  subject to the regulation of Thank you                   |  conscience." — Adam Smith

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–snip– to attain a lower heat is right on the button…don’t know if it was mentioned, but it IS IMPERATIVE THAT ALL THE FREON IS REMOVED FROM THE FRIDGE FIRST…..it can have fatal side effects. Actually, another important thing to remember, and it may not be important at smoking temperatures, is that the corrosion resistant coating they use on the metal shelves in fridges breaks down at elevated temperatures.  I believe it can lace the food with dangerous chemicals. FYI

My grandmother had THREE old ‘fridges next to her machine shed that she used as smokers for 25-30 years.  I don’t think she did anything but toss an electric element and some chips into a pan on the bottom rack; she certainly didn’t drain out the freon, or even remove the motors.  Of course she died of cancer at 90, so it might have caught up with her eventually.  The fish was pretty good though… -drl — Derek R. Larson           Indiana University       Department of History   "Eastward I go by force, but Westward I go free!"  -H. D. Thoreau

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I hope someone does as I’m running out of freezer space. Running out of freezer space, eh?  That’s nice ya lo-life.  What did you pay for your fishing license and what has the stocking program cost us taxpayers and other fisherman in comparison, and what has it done to "your own" fishery?  I guess there might be a *slight* chance that keeping so many trout makes sense (like if the bait-fishermen were going to get them all anyways, or if the summer heat will kill these put-and-take fish that don’t belong there anyways . Let me guess, your from "PA"???

Oh, yeah. There is no chance that he could have put beef or chicken in his freezer. None whatsoever! Bryce

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Hi, any of you guys out there have a design and instructions for a home made trout smoker. I hope someone does as I’m running out of freezer space. Thanks             A.P.

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Question:

Rick, Interesting note.  I can’t help much – this is my first trip up north.  We are going to Fireside Lodge near Sioux Lookout.   It is a drive in but is the only lodge on a group of 8 lakes.  I had initially planned on a fly-in but decided to opt for a lodge this first trip.  I can recommend Uichi Lake Lodge – my Uncle and his friends have been there a number of times and speak very highly of it.  He says the food is great, the fishing is great, and the hosts are great people.  It is a little pricier than Fireside Lodge but only slightly.  It is not an outpost, where you are the only one on the lake, but you do have the luxury of having all meals prepared. Good Luck George

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Last year I went on a trip with Nestor Falls Outfitters.  We had a great trip.  If you are looking for someone, I suggest you give them a try.  The person I went with has been using them for several years and returns year after year.  Good Luck.

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Rick, I went on a fly in trip with Lee Cole back in 1992.  Your experience bouught back some memories.  The fishing was fine, but the life was too rough for us. From now on we go on the American Plan at a lodge.  This year we are going to a new place on Wabatongushi Lake.  If you know anything about this lake let me know. good luck,

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Rick, i found your note interesting, mainly because myself and a group of guys are going on a fly-in next summer.  We were at this place ten years ago.  It is very remote and we never used live bait.  But without bait we still caught tons of fish.  For an example while catching larger northern (pike) I would put the butt of my fishing rod in my stomach to gain leverage.  Upon returning from that trip I had a large bruise on my stomach from catching so many sizable fish.  That’s what you call contact fishing! My best advice is to go earlier, mid to late June.  And to go as remote as you can. Keep me on your list of contacts  I’ll be interested in what you find out.

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Ive been in on ten various fly ins dating back to 1979.  I had to laugh at the Lee Cole story because Ive had other guys steer me away from his operation with the same complaints you had.  My best fishing by FAR has been up around the Red Lake/Sioux Lookout area.  Ive fished a few lakes out of Wawa/ Hawk Junction etc. and frankly believe that the gene pool has been so depleted up there that the quality will not improve for a long time, if ever.  Youve got to drive the extra miles before flying in to separate the men from the boys.  If it doesnt hurt a little to get there you havent gone far enough.  The reward is worth the extra effort.

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I would reccommend earlier than that, we go up for opening day of Walley, 3rd sat in may, and this beats all bugs, but, there is a 1 in 5 chance you will hit ice then – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Rick, i found your note interesting, mainly because myself and a group of guys are going on a fly-in next summer.  We were at this place ten years ago.  It is very remote and we never used live bait.  But without bait we still caught tons of fish.  For an example while catching larger northern (pike) I would put the butt of my fishing rod in my stomach to gain leverage.  Upon returning from that trip I had a large bruise on my stomach from catching so many sizable fish.  That’s what you call contact fishing! My best advice is to go earlier, mid to late June.  And to go as remote as you can. Keep me on your list of contacts  I’ll be interested in what you find out.

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Question:

Would any of you out there in ff-land help me with an address, email, URL for an artist who has published ff art on the chat group and elsewhere.  He has done a number of pieces which are very interesting.  His last name begins with "Whitar….".  If you know of this artist, please send me his email address, WWW URL address, etc.

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Would any of you out there in ff-land help me with an address, email, URL for an artist who has published ff art on the chat group and elsewhere.  He has done a number of pieces which are very interesting.  His last name begins with "Whitar….".  If you know of this artist, please send me his email address, WWW URL address, etc.

The only person that I can think of that has a web site with flyfishing art is Mark Vinsel (sp?). John Fereira

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Question:

I am going on a 7 day canoe trip in Quetico Prov. Park in Ontario in July. Does anyone have any information on what gear and flys to use for the smallmouth bass and pike. Thanks

Response:

I am going on a 7 day canoe trip in Quetico Prov. Park in Ontario in July. Does anyone have any information on what gear and flys to use for the smallmouth bass and pike. Thanks

I was up there 2 years ago for a 14 day trip and what an experience!!  Although we weren’t fly fishing, several people were.  The patterns which they said were effective were assorted minnow patterns (Muddler, Sculpin) as well as a crawfish pattern.  Glo balls would probably work well from what I saw.  I was primarily spincasting and killed the smallmouth on a little floating rapala about 2 inches long.  We seemed to hit most of the bass below waterfalls.  My dad caught one that was almost 4 1/2 pounds!  Watch out for the Pike.  They chomped anything that they could catch.  You might also have fun with the walleye.  Besides, IMHO walleye taste much better than smallmouth. Let me know how it went (I’m jealous). Tom Cavitt

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Question:

oh come on !!! We all now how handy a 9 foot 8 weight comes in at a Klan Rally !   Tim Walker

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Some people bring so much baggage to every sport they miss the very point! If you believe that flyfishing is a white-man elitist sport you are confusing social issues with angler-fish issues,for example. But why do we flyfish ? There are times when spinners, jigs, bait, etc. are far more successful in bringing a fish to the net. In reality flyfishing gear is the most versatile , capable of handling the obvious as well  as spinners, small jigs,  and bait ( sometimes the casting is not so pretty), offers nearly absolute lure control, and provides both visual and tactile strike detection. Finally , hooking, fighting, and landing a fish on a long, light rod with the fish and the angler connected through the line is magical and the guts of the sport. Flyfishing  masters ( even after 30 years / over 3000 fishing trips I am not one)  have used every tool at their disposal and have blurred the edges between flyfihing and spinning in the quest for this magic.

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