Question:
Hello: Regarding the proper use of a Wading Staff: Based on users experiences, is the proper/best placement of the staff on the upstream or downstream side of the user when fording? Bob
Response:
Hello: Regarding the proper use of a Wading Staff: Based on users experiences, is the proper/best placement of the staff on the upstream or downstream side of the user when fording? Bob
Downstream, IMHO. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)
Response:
Based on users experiences, is the proper/best placement of the staff on the upstream or downstream side of the user when fording? Bob
Bob, I don’t know that there’s a difinitive answer to your question, but I prefer to keep the staff on my upstream side. It simply feels more stable to me. George Adams
Response:
Well Bob Rose, you got two different answers/opinions: <<Downstream, IMHO. <<Bob, I don’t know that there’s a difinitive answer to your question, but I prefer to keep the staff on my upstream side. It simply feels more stable to me. I favor the downstream, because as George says, "it simply feels more stable". I can lean into it if need be and if I slip, it is down- stream from me so that I can get a better purchase if I lose it. Having said this, I *have* used it up-stream, but in "kinder, gentler" water. <g Dave L.
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Wading in difficult water takes planning. the important thing is to hold it in your right hand – if right handed, for the best grip – then keep the staff to the right side of your body. If the water flows from right to left and you are right handed . Putting the staff downstream will put it across your body – you can trip on it then. Wading very heavy water you’ll want to lean into the wading staff for extra support as you move one foot – get a firm footing – move the other foot – get a firm footing and then move the staff. – you’ll be leaning into it downstream to minimize the force of the current. In such situations orient yourself downstream and crab walk side ways heading across and somehwat downstream.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello: Regarding the proper use of a Wading Staff: Based on users experiences, is the proper/best placement of the staff on the upstream or downstream side of the user when fording? Bob
Response:
Let’s make that three different answers/opinions Dave, I am right handed and prefer to keep the wading staff in my right hand at all times. Ernie Harrison Have you tried a Blood Knot Machine? http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Well Bob Rose, you got two different answers/opinions: <<Downstream, IMHO. <<Bob, I don’t know that there’s a difinitive answer to your question, but I prefer to keep the staff on my upstream side. It simply feels more stable to me. I favor the downstream, because as George says, "it simply feels more stable". I can lean into it if need be and if I slip, it is down- stream from me so that I can get a better purchase if I lose it. Having said this, I *have* used it up-stream, but in "kinder, gentler" water. <g Dave L.
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I favor the downstream, because as George says, "it simply feels more stable". I can lean into it if need be and if I slip, it is down- stream from me so that I can get a better purchase if I lose it. Having said this, I *have* used it up-stream, but in "kinder, gentler" water. <g Dave L.
In heavy current, always downstream for balance no matter what the hand. On rocky, uneven bottoms in slower water, the right hand for strength. On sharply sloping bottoms (a.k.a. the wing dam,) down slope side. I also use it to climb in and out of the water on steep banks (right hand.) Peter
Response:
Hello: Regarding the proper use of a Wading Staff: Based on users experiences, is the proper/best placement of the staff on the upstream or downstream side of the user when fording? Bob
Well, if you’re wading, the directions that mainly seem to matter are upstream and downstream. And, well, if through some herculean (‘fortenberrian?’) effort, you manage to fall upstream, you’re soon enough going to be headed downstream with that whole current thing going on. So, for me, it stands to reason, in lieu of exceptional circumstances, you’d pretty much want that baby sticking out on your downstream side. Can’t we all just get along? – sid
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Peter Charlles: <<I also use it to climb in and out of the water on steep banks (right hand.) And a machete in your left hand to cut through the mountain laurel. <g Dave L.
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Hello Bob: Always put your staff up stream and be wary of wading down stream. Sometimes you can wade down current but find you cannot wade back up current. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello: Regarding the proper use of a Wading Staff: Based on users experiences, is the proper/best placement of the staff on the upstream or downstream side of the user when fording? Bob
Response:
My problem with a staff has always been what to do with the damn thing when I’m not using it — hang it over my back (it slips off), let it float (it bangs on rocks and tries to trip me). Always glad to have it when I need it though…
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello Bob: Always put your staff up stream and be wary of wading down stream. Sometimes you can wade down current but find you cannot wade back up current. Hello: Regarding the proper use of a Wading Staff: Based on users experiences, is the proper/best placement of the staff on the upstream or downstream side of the user when fording? Bob
Response:
_______ Wading Staff can be replaced with a Wading Cane. These have a crook in the handle which can be draped over one arm, a shoulder or hooked into the top of a set of chest waders. There is no such thing as the ‘carefree’ wading staff or cane. But a wading cane does offer different ways to hang or carry them out of the way. Mr. G.
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Palmer writes:
<<My problem with a staff has always been what to do with the damn thing when I’m not using it — hang it over my back (it slips off), let it float (it bangs on rocks and tries to trip me). Always glad to have it when I need it though… I know a ffer who has wrapped and taped foam over the handle, and the staff floats harmlessly out of his way. The collapsable type are easy to fold up when not in use, but a pain to take the time to do so. It’s a big trade-off — if you need it, you will have to put up with a little inconvenience. In the water I fish, I can’t live without it. <g Dave L.
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In heavy current, always downstream for balance no matter what the hand.
Crap! As soon as you lift the staff from the bottom, you’re toppled off balance by the current and away off downstream! Thrilling stuff, but not what you’re after. In really heavy current: lean INTO the stream; both hands on the pole if necessary. If you have to ’shoot the rapids’, best to do it feet forwards. Tight Lines, Tony Deacon
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Tony, That was spoken like a man who has learned the art of wading fast water the hard way. 
Ernie Harrison Have you tried a Blood Knot Machine? http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In heavy current, always downstream for balance no matter what the hand. Crap! As soon as you lift the staff from the bottom, you’re toppled off balance by the current and away off downstream! Thrilling stuff, but not what you’re after. In really heavy current: lean INTO the stream; both hands on the pole if necessary. If you have to ’shoot the rapids’, best to do it feet forwards. Tight Lines, Tony Deacon
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I usually keep mine high up in the air flailing as I’m falling – usually in 1 foot or less of water. Funny, I bought the thing so I wouldn’t fall in, but I have only fallen in when I’m using a staff. Maybe I’m less careful when using a staff? When I’m not falling I like to use it on both sides – the side opposite the foot I’m moving- and I push on the staff to balance back to that foot. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello: Regarding the proper use of a Wading Staff: Based on users experiences, is the proper/best placement of the staff on the upstream or downstream side of the user when fording? Bob
Response:
Crap! As soon as you lift the staff from the bottom, you’re toppled off balance by the current and away off downstream! Thrilling stuff, but not what you’re after. In really heavy current: lean INTO the stream; both hands on the pole if necessary. If you have to ’shoot the rapids’, best to do it feet forwards. Tight Lines, Tony Deacon
Some of us make sure our feet are planted before we lift our staffs. Peter
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Tony Deacon: Crap! As soon as you lift the staff from the bottom, you’re toppled off balance by the current and away off downstream! Thrilling stuff, but not what you’re after. In really heavy current: lean INTO the stream; both hands on the pole if necessary. If you have to ’shoot the rapids’, best to do it feet forwards. Tight Lines,
Crap back at ya, Tony. <g With it down stream you *are* leaning into the current, both hands on the pole if necessary. You are pushing yourself into the current with it down-stream. If the pole should slip up-stream, you’re gonna have a tuff time replanting it. Not so on a down stream plant. Besides, as Peter has said, make sure you feet are planted before you lift the staff (regardless it is up or down-stream). Dave L.
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Tony Deacon: Crap! As soon as you lift the staff from the bottom, you’re toppled off balance by the current and away off downstream! Thrilling stuff, but not what you’re after. In really heavy current: lean INTO the stream; both hands on the pole if necessary. If you have to ’shoot the rapids’, best to do it feet forwards. Tight Lines, Crap back at ya, Tony. <g With it down stream you *are* leaning into the current, both hands on the pole if necessary.
I read something not long ago about wading staff use and it made what seemed at the time to be a pretty good argument for upstream use. I’ll try to remember where I read it. — Charlie…
Response:
Hello: Regarding the proper use of a Wading Staff: Based on users experiences, is the proper/best placement of the staff on the upstream or downstream side of the user when fording?
I can’t imagine it makes much difference so long as it keeps you right side up, but I use mine on the downstream side, usually. Joe F.
Response:
Tony, That was spoken like a man who has learned the art of wading fast water the hard way.
You bet Ernie! I have ‘dan grade’ in falling in, which I’ve practised since an early age. It doesn’t bother me much (I swim like a fish) and sometimes I quite like the adventure. But as I get older, priorities change and I’m not quite so keen on a ducking in Scotland in February. Besides, fishing time is precious (and expensive) and I’ve better things to be doing than admiring the view as I float off towards Aberdeen or the Moray Firth. Back to topic: I use lead shot loaded ski poles as wading staffs, with an over shoulder lanyard attached to the TOP of the pole handle (where the wrist strap of a ski pole normally attaches). This way, the staff can ‘trail’ unobtrusively out-of-the-way when not needed. Wading staffs usually have the lanyard attached below the handle, which creates an irritating angle between lanyard and handle that catches the fly line/fences/bushes/gate bars, etc. I can catch up my staff easily without looking because the lanyard is exactly the right length: I just hook my thumb under the lanyard; push out my arm to full stretch and close my hand. The grip of the pole is always right there. I’ll say this again: in REALLY strong current, you need the full advantage of the triangular base formed by your feet and the wading staff, with the staff and your centre of gravity UPSTREAM of your feet. You should be leaning on the pole and INTO the current. Every placement of foot or staff has to be careful, but you can’t afford to dither. Once you lose it, it’s very hard to recover … and then you’re off sightseeing. Tight Lines, Tony Deacon
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Tony, Sounds like an effective outfit, thanks for the tips. I might add that I find Cross Country Ski Poles are better to use for wading staffs because they are longer. Ernie Harrison Have you tried a Blood Knot Machine? http://home.pacbell.net/ernie2
<snip I use lead shot loaded ski poles as wading staffs, with an
over shoulder lanyard attached to the TOP of the pole handle (where the wrist strap of a ski pole normally attaches). This way, the staff can ‘trail’ unobtrusively out-of-the-way when not needed. Wading staffs usually have the lanyard attached below the handle, which creates an irritating angle between lanyard and handle that catches the fly line/fences/bushes/gate bars, etc. I can catch up my staff easily without looking because the lanyard is exactly the right length: I just hook my thumb under the lanyard; push out my arm to full stretch and close my hand. The grip of the pole is always right there. I’ll say this again: in REALLY strong current, you need the full advantage of the triangular base formed by your feet and the wading staff, with the staff and your centre of gravity UPSTREAM of your feet. You should be leaning on the pole and INTO the current. Every placement of foot or staff has to be careful, but you can’t afford to dither. Once you lose it, it’s very hard to recover … and then you’re off sightseeing. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Tony Deacon
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Tony, Sounds like an effective outfit, thanks for the tips. I might add that I find Cross Country Ski Poles are better to use for wading staffs because they are longer.
Yes, those are the ones I use too. TL, Tony Deacon
Response:
Hello: Regarding the proper use of a Wading Staff: Based on users experiences, is the proper/best placement of the staff on the upstream or downstream side of the user when fording? Bob
Down stream side with a landyard long enought to just reach the handle of the staff. I would buy old ski poles and pull the bottom gizmo off, then drill a hole in the handle for the landyard……it works great, and cheap. Sharp Hooks, Pat Holdzit Fishing Products Inc. http://www.holdzit.com Before you buy.
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Question:
This subject has probably been done here before, but I’ll post this anyway. I do about 90% of my fishing in the surf or on jetties for Bluefish, Striped Bass and Weakfish. The balance is for warmwater species, and when I’m feeling particularly masochistic, I might try for some trout which usually only laugh at me. Anyway, the question is: When is a fly a fly? Does it have to represent or suggest some stage of an insect’s life? I’d guess most of you would call the things I throw "Streamers" or for the English, "Lures", but they are called "Flies" by everyone I know who uses them, even though some of them can be (and have been) cast by ultralight or even light action spinning rods. Here’s some more things to chew on: What about materials? Do they have to be natural or will synthetic be acceptable? How about epoxy, a material I love to use because it stands up to big teeth. So far as I am concerned, as long as the offering is too light to be cast by conventional or spinning rods that can reasonably be expected to subdue the fish you’re looking for but must be cast by line weight instead of lure weight, then it’s a fly, even if it is 14" long… — Tight Lines and Fair Winds! Ed
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This subject has probably been done here before, but I’ll post this anyway. I do about 90% of my fishing in the surf or on jetties for Bluefish, Striped Bass and Weakfish. The balance is for warmwater species, and when I’m feeling particularly masochistic, I might try for some trout which usually only laugh at me. Anyway, the question is: When is a fly a fly? Does it have to represent or suggest some stage of an insect’s life? I’d guess most of you would call the things I throw "Streamers" or for the English, "Lures", but they are called "Flies" by everyone I know who uses them, even though some of them can be (and have been) cast by ultralight or even light action spinning rods. Here’s some more things to chew on: What about materials? Do they have to be natural or will synthetic be acceptable? How about epoxy, a material I love to use because it stands up to big teeth. So far as I am concerned, as long as the offering is too light to be cast by conventional or spinning rods that can reasonably be expected to subdue the fish you’re looking for but must be cast by line weight instead of lure weight, then it’s a fly, even if it is 14" long… — Tight Lines and Fair Winds! Ed
Ed, My understanding of the definition of a fly is a "lure" made from fur and feather, of couse synthetic materials are also allowed in conjunction with fur and feather. Darin
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Question:
Where on St. John? I was there this August and didn’t see any flats, but then I didn’t get around the whole island. Depending on the size of the fish you’ll need a 7-9 wt rod and a good reel with a disc drag. Shrimp imitation flies like Crazy Charlies work well. Make sure you can cast in the wind. Hi, can anyone point me in the right direction. I am an avid brown trout fisherman. I was in St John yesterday and I came across a most amazing piece of bonefishing water. The kind of place we all dream of. Bone fishing galore and I stuck down here without my rod. Can anyone fill me in on what is the deal with bonefishing? Where do I start to look for more info? I’m SOOOOO CURIOUS!!! I want to catch me a bone!
– Charlie…
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Hi, can anyone point me in the right direction. I am an avid brown trout fisherman. I was in St John yesterday and I came across a most amazing piece of bonefishing water. The kind of place we all dream of. Bone fishing galore and I stuck down here without my rod. Can anyone fill me in on what is the deal with bonefishing? Where do I start to look for more info? I’m SOOOOO CURIOUS!!! I want to catch me a bone!
Hi All, I heard there were bonefish flats off of Mosquito Island, Peter’s Island and Anegada Island. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com
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My "go to" outfit for the flats: an 8wt sage fitted with 9wt shooting head – intermediate. Loads quick, casts well in a wind, can get 90 ft in calm. Reel: Abel 3, but probabably would do better with an Abel 2. So long as you can put 150 yds of backing on it. You’ll need it. Leader: 9 ft, with a 4′ tippet of fluorocarbon 10lb test. Now, the fly: Never have had great luck with Charlies. Ultra Shrimp in size 4 to 1/0 puts a nice piece of meat in their sight. What’s the deal about a bonefish? Once yo hook one, you’ll wonder why you ever asked such a question. Good luck! FlyFisherRay
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I, too, am an avid brown and rainbow trout fisherman, and for help with bone fishing, e-mail me. I know a guide. I’ll find his e-mail address.
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Hi, can anyone point me in the right direction. I am an avid brown trout fisherman. I was in St John yesterday and I came across a most amazing piece of bonefishing water. The kind of place we all dream of. Bone fishing galore and I stuck down here without my rod. Can anyone fill me in on what is the deal with bonefishing? Where do I start to look for more info? I’m SOOOOO CURIOUS!!! I want to catch me a bone!
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Question:
Does anyone on this newsgroup have current information on saltwater flyfishing at Christmas (Kiribati) Island? In 1979 I spent some time on the island doing anthropological research and found the bonefishing fantastic. They were interested at that time in promoting the sportfishing, especially the saltwater flyfishing from the reef. There have been a couple of articles on the sportfishing in the mid ’80s but I haven’t seen anything recently. — Los Angeles Maritime Museum NETCOM, the West Coast’s Leading Internet Service Provider. (408) 554-8649
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I have been twice in 1988 and dec. 1994. It is the best bone fishing i have found for numbers of fish. I was there in Sept. of 88 and Dec. of 94. Largest of the two trips was 30 inches. Most weigh about 2-3 pounds. Good food and native guides are fine. I would suggest u hire an extra guide for yourself or for you and a friend if anyone goes with you. A young guide, NAREAU is the best I have used. MOANNA the most famous is now into the bottle pretty heavy and on our last trip he was quite undependable. If you need any other suggestions let me know. I would only book through FRONTIERS in Medford, Penna. good luck. Jack.
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Does anyone on this newsgroup have current information on saltwater flyfishing at Christmas (Kiribati) Island? In 1979 I spent some time on the island doing anthropological research and found the bonefishing fantastic. They were interested at that time in promoting the sportfishing, especially the saltwater flyfishing from the reef. There have been a couple of articles on the sportfishing in the mid ’80s but I haven’t seen anything recently. —
Los Angeles Maritime Museum NETCOM, the West Coast’s Leading Internet Service Provider. (408)
554-8649 Regarding bone fishing on Christmas Island: my husband and several of the other members of the Santa Cruz Fly Fishermen fished there last January. They booked their trip through a group called Fishabout, located in Los Gatos. They have a P.O. Box: 1679, Los Gatos, CA 95031. Contact either Howard McKinney or Kay Mitsyoshi, at 1-800-409-2000. The group flew to Honolulu, then transferred to Air Nahru to Kiribati. Their accomodations were in a small hotel, and their guides took them by boat out to the flats, where they fished, accompanied by the guide. Everyone reported fine fishing and were satisfied with the package, so Kiribati is having some success promoting their bonefishing. Yours, Pat Steele
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Give any of the destination fly shops a call. Christmas Island is a very popular bone destination these days. I would reccomend The Fly Shop in Redding, CA. Ask for Mike, the owner… Good Luck, Mad Dog
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Kaufmann’s Streamborn has a lot of good information and experience with Christmas Island. They have a great color catalog that you can full color photos of lots of travel destinations including Christmas Island. They’ve got a new web page at http://www.teleport.com/~kman You can also call them at 800/442-4359, and ask for Jerry. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Does anyone on this newsgroup have current information on saltwater flyfishing at Christmas (Kiribati) Island? In 1979 I spent some time on the island doing anthropological research and found the bonefishing fantastic. They were interested at that time in promoting the sportfishing, especially the saltwater flyfishing from the reef. There have been a couple of articles on the sportfishing in the mid ’80s but I haven’t seen anything recently. — Los Angeles Maritime Museum NETCOM, the West Coast’s Leading Internet Service Provider. (408) 554-8649
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Question:
Careful of the lower Owens right now running 700 CFS (alot of water) They are trying to move as much water through as they can before the snowpack runoff begins. Lower owens can be tough wading evenat lower water levels. Pete
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Be sure to take you knee pads for the Owens. Sneaking up on those fish takes a lot of patience or a curved rod for shooting from behind a bush. Many FinShakes Ray Chapa San Antonio, Tx — Ray Chapa
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try big tejunga creek just outside la crescenta, between the resevoir and upstrem to the bridge – access is a long walk down a fire break off big tejunga canyon rd, park a half mile downstream of the bridge – wild bows in spectacular canyon.
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Path: news.teleport.com!psgrain!news.sprintlink.net!howland.reston.ans.net!ix.net com.com!netnews Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly Organization: Netcom Lines: 10 Distribution: world NNTP-Posting-Host: ix-lb1-04.ix.netcom.com Can anbody sugest where I should flyfish in So. Calif. for a weekend? There are several ares, West Fork of the San Gabreal, Bear Creek and the best is Lower Owens outside of Bishop this time of the year. You also have the Pacific at your door step. If you need more info on the Bishop area let me know. Joe
I caught the flyfishing bug on the Lower Owens right outside of Bishop. For me the key was that I used the most incredible guide I’ve ever had the privilage to fish with (to this day I’ve never even heard stories about anyone that fishes as well as he does). My 1st day ever fishing with a fly rod (& probably the 10th time of any kind of fishing in my life) I landed 25 wild brown trout – if I could have been quicker to strike (as on his first "strike" call, instead of the 2nd or 3rd…) it would have been more. I was gut hooked in the worst (best) way… Harry Blackburn Eastside Guide Service Mammoth Lakes, CA 619/934-6457 Tell him Ant sent you… He also knows about all the best places to fish in the Mammoth/Bishop area, the variety is incredible.
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Can anbody sugest where I should flyfish in So. Calif. for a weekend?
Response:
Can anbody sugest where I should flyfish in So. Calif. for a weekend?
There are several ares, West Fork of the San Gabreal, Bear Creek and the best is Lower Owens outside of Bishop this time of the year. You also have the Pacific at your door step. If you need more info on the Bishop area let me know. Joe
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So if I were going to the Owens in May for hanggliding, should I plan on some fishing also? Old Montana Flyfisherman.
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So if I were going to the Owens in May for hanggliding, should I plan on some fishing also? Old Montana Flyfisherman.
Yes, but fishing from hanggliders is restricted to the 2 miles immediately below Pleasant Valley Dam, and any fish caught from a hangglider must be released to the water where they were taken. There is talk that this section of the river will be made hanggliders only in the near future. 
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