Question:

My only experiece with spawners has involved brookies. I have , for many years, observed them spawning. Many fall fishing trips have turned into fish watching expeditions. One thing I have noriced, is that anything that drifts into the redd will be challenged, usually by the Alpha male. Many times the offending object is picked up and spit out by the fish. When the Alpha male leaves the redd, a bunch of smaller males will rush in and attempt to fertilize the eggs, only to be violently chased out when the big guy returns. Other fish on the redd will also go after foriegn objects if the Alpha male doesn’t respond. Brookies will occassionally "take a break" from the redd, and feed for a while in the adjacent area. This "break" can last from a few minutes to over an hour. Brookies do not always form redds from scratch, but will utilize a gravel area that is kept clean by streamflow. Don’t know if this adds anything to the discussion, but thought I’d throw it in. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

Response:

Fishing on the redds, eh? There’s a lady over in rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater looking for info on Christmas Island. Isn’t that what they call a non sequitur?

Not if the little old lady is Marge Shott. FiddleAway

Response:

My only experiece with spawners has involved brookies. I have , for many years, observed them spawning. Many fall fishing trips have turned into fish watching expeditions. One thing I have noriced, is that anything that drifts into the redd will be challenged, usually by the Alpha male. Many times the offending object is picked up and spit out by the fish. When the Alpha male leaves the redd, a bunch of smaller males will rush in and attempt to fertilize the eggs, only to be violently chased out when the big guy returns. Other fish on the redd will also go after foriegn objects if the Alpha male doesn’t respond.

Geez. All this time I thought I was the only unethical SOB on ROFF who fished on redds.

Response:

One thing I have noriced, is that anything that drifts into the redd will be challenged, usually by the Alpha male. Many times the offending object is picked up and spit out by the fish. Other fish on the redd will also go after foriegn objects if the Alpha male doesn’t respond.

The same is very true of salmon apparently and as a result, that is exactly the behavior the guide was targeting with the ultra-light, ultra-small natural approach.  The trick is to learn the feel of the fly being sucked in and responding with a very quick, but relatively light hook set (the guide referred to it as a "pre-set"), before the fish spits it out again.  Once you get that feel dialed it is amazingly repetitive.  We were disproportionately successful to those fishing nearby for two days by nearly 4 or 5 to one.  That seemed to hold true for others we encountered in the fly shops and around town, as well.  What others were describing as slow days on the river were some of the most successful days of fishing in my life. I am now a firm convert to this method, where applicable. TL Zippy

Response:

Geez. All this time I thought I was the only unethical SOB on ROFF who fished on redds.

Never said I fished ‘em…only observed.{:-) Actually, I used to fish redds, but gave it up after It finally dawned on me that the fish would take just about anything, and were damn near impossible to spook. They’d scatter, but be back on the redd within minutes. Haven’t been able to spy on the little buggers this fall as the prime viewing area has been placed off limits due to the threat of terrorist activity. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her   redd. Any other  ideas? I’ve been trying to find time to put together a trip report on the Salmon River for a month now, but it involved a local guide teaching me a new way (new to me, at least) of targeting salmon.  It centered around small…very small…seemingly improbably small….naturals on frightfully light tippets.  It was outstandingly successful…so much so, that under similar circumstances, I would be hard pressed not to use his method as the "go to" approach. Anyhow, his theory centered around not only a "housekeeping" attitude, but a general territorial defense response, especially for competing males. Got to find a few minutes to cobble that TR together for contribution…. TL, Zippy

Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or  outright snaggin MT

Response:

There’s a lady over in rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater looking for info on Christmas Island. Isn’t that what they call a non sequitur?

christmas island is a non sequi-tour?  how much does it cost? jeff (who’s taken too many sequi-tours)

Response:

Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or  outright snaggin MT

I’ll get on about writing the TR this weekend, Mark.  I’ll try to give a better description of the setup and approach.  Still managed to tail snag about 4 of ‘em that trip, but for the first time salmon fishing, I didn’t feel like I was relying entirely on luck, so I know the feeling well. TL, Zippy

Response:

Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or  outright snaggin MT I’ll get on about writing the TR this weekend, Mark.  I’ll try to give a better description of the setup and approach.  Still managed to tail snag about 4 of ‘em that trip, but for the first time salmon fishing, I didn’t feel like I was relying entirely on luck, so I know the feeling well. TL, Zippy

Will look forward to it. My  arm gets real tired of trying to drag a salmon hooked in the top fin sideways thru fast water <G  MT

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or outright snaggin MT I’ll get on about writing the TR this weekend, Mark.  I’ll try to give a better description of the setup and approach.  Still managed to tail snag about 4 of ‘em that trip, but for the first time salmon fishing, I didn’t feel like I was relying entirely on luck, so I know the feeling well. TL, Zippy Will look forward to it. My  arm gets real tired of trying to drag a salmon hooked in the top fin sideways thru fast water <G  MT

the best solution for large foul hooked fish is to simply point the rod at the fish and break it off.  my opinion is that a fly stuck on a fish causes less stress than the longer landing time required for foul hooked fish (especially those hooked on the back or the tail).  since in most places one must release any foul hooked fish, this is my preference with the accidental foul hooked fish. chris

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Id be very interested to hear this approach as  I fish  Pulaski often and would prefer a method that didn t involve, lots of luck or outright snaggin MT I’ll get on about writing the TR this weekend, Mark.  I’ll try to give a better description of the setup and approach.  Still managed to tail snag about 4 of ‘em that trip, but for the first time salmon fishing, I didn’t feel like I was relying entirely on luck, so I know the feeling well. TL, Zippy Will look forward to it. My  arm gets real tired of trying to drag a salmon hooked in the top fin sideways thru fast water <G  MT the best solution for large foul hooked fish is to simply point the rod at the fish and break it off.  my opinion is that a fly stuck on a fish causes less stress than the longer landing time required for foul hooked fish (especially those hooked on the back or the tail).  since in most places one must release any foul hooked fish, this is my preference with the accidental foul hooked fish. chris

Hi Chris  I  do  folow this practice, tho sometimes it s 10 mins into the fight and about 100 yards  down river…..  MT

Response:

Fishing on the redds, eh? There’s a lady over in rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater looking for info on Christmas Island.

Isn’t that what they call a non sequitur? Tell here there are no redds at Christmas Island.

Response:

Fishing on the redds, eh?

There’s a lady over in rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater looking for info on Christmas Island. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her   redd. Any other  ideas?

I’ve been trying to find time to put together a trip report on the Salmon River for a month now, but it involved a local guide teaching me a new way (new to me, at least) of targeting salmon.  It centered around small…very small…seemingly improbably small….naturals on frightfully light tippets.  It was outstandingly successful…so much so, that under similar circumstances, I would be hard pressed not to use his method as the "go to" approach. Anyhow, his theory centered around not only a "housekeeping" attitude, but a general territorial defense response, especially for competing males. Got to find a few minutes to cobble that TR together for contribution…. TL, Zippy

Response:

  I was fishing in Oswego  for trout  coming in  from the lake. Some nice  rainbows, steel head and Browns  had been taken that day. Most of the  fisherman were using  egg patterns or egg sacks. Deciding something different might work I tried  a  Size 8 stone fly nymph.  The line came to a stop, I  set the hook  and about 10 minutes later landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her   redd. Any other  ideas?  MT

Response:

  I was fishing in Oswego  for trout  coming in  from the lake. Some nice  rainbows, steel head and Browns  had been taken that day. Most of the  fisherman were using  egg patterns or egg sacks. Deciding something different might work I tried  a  Size 8 stone fly nymph.  The line came to a stop, I  set the hook  and about 10 minutes later landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her redd. Any other  ideas?

    Being a pregnant female, she probably mistook it for chocolate.

Response:

… landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her redd. Any other  ideas?

Housekeeping. I caught Muskegon steelhead the same way. They don’t eat, of course, but they will clear insects out of their redds. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

… landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her redd. Any other  ideas? Housekeeping. I caught Muskegon steelhead the same way. They don’t eat, of course, but they will clear insects out of their redds.

Fishing on the redds, eh?

Response:

 The line came to a stop, I  set the hook  and about 10 minutes later landed  a female King that was ready to spawn. Why would she have taken a nymph? The only thing I can think of was that it drifted into her redd. Any other  ideas?

I dunno, but up there I really try to avoid egg patterns unless I’m desperate.   Lots of nymph patterns work well, & I saw a guy last year catch about a 20-pounder on a GR Hare’s Ear.  FWIW Joe F.

Response:

Question:

I am planning a trip to Australia in January and would like to go Marlin fishing while there.  I will fly into Sydney and then go to Cairns for scuba diving.  Most of my stay will be at Cairns with a possibility of driving from Cairns to Sydney for my flight out. Is Marlin fishing in January any good? Any suggestions about fishing there? Can you recommend any boats/captains? Do you have any idea of the cost? Thanks in Advance, Chuck Before you buy.

Response:

I am planning a trip to Australia in January and would like to go Marlin fishing while there. I will fly into Sydney and then go to Cairns for scuba diving.  Most of my stay will be at Cairns with a possibility of driving from Cairns to Sydney for my flight out. Is Marlin fishing in January any good?

The Cairns black marlin season winds down in mid-December or so, sorry. Fishing is excellent to the south at Port Stephens (near Sydney) in February and March for smaller marlin up to 500 lbs + but not the grander blacks.  Not sure about January, it may be good in P.S. but it may be a bit early. Can you recommend any boats/captains?

I used Billy Billson on "Viking II" for two trips (several days each trip), released a black marlin around 1,200 lbs and two around 600 lbs (crew estimates).  http://www.viking11.com/   If you write him now he won’t see it until December as they are living out on the reef right now fishing heavy tackle. Would also recommend Carol North at Cairns Reef Charter Services, she can book you on numerous boats in Cairns but I don’t think she’s booking Port Stephens. http://www.ausfish.com/crcs/ Do you have any idea of the cost?

I think Bill is around $2,400 Aus for liveaboard out of Cairns and around $1,800 or so Aus out of Port Stephens.  Multiply by .6 or so to convert to US dollars.  You can get a smaller boat for less (or a larger boat for more . Thanks, Chuck

Here’s a couple of photos of black marlin from trips the past couple of years on "Viking II" … they grow ‘em big over there.  A friend killed one 1,252 lbs last year fishing near us with Peter Wright. Bill http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/oz/   (est 600, 1100 lb blacks) http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/fishing/oz/  (600 lb black) http://members.aol.com/bhilton665/oz/bigblack.htm (1200 lb black)

Response:

Question:

Beeswax, among other various uses, is one of the few materials used for lining moulds etc in the food  and confectionery trades for preventing particularly sticky sweets from sticking. They are known as release, or separation agents.  Glue is not used for this purpose. Bees use wax as a construction material, not as a glue. The whole construction of the comb is pure wax.  Glue is a foreign substance used to join similar or dissimilar materials. Paraffin wax is used for similar purposes to beeswax in other areas. Practically nothing will stick to a polished wax surface. Both of these waxes, and indeed a number of other substances may be used to prevent ferrules "binding". In this sense they are used partly as lubricants, and partly as solid separating agents. Binding ( in the case of carbon fibre, and other rod ferrules),is invariably caused by a substance rubbing against an identical substance, especially when the joint is tapered.    Wax of practically any sort will prevent this for varying periods of time, depending on how often the joint is used. Hard white wax works best, lasts longest, and is cheap and  convenient to use. Solid beeswax will stick to more or less nothing apart from itself, and only then when it is warm enough to melt, and the same applies to solid paraffin wax.  Most especially so, when polished after application. Liquid waxes, and other substances used for lubrication, like various oils etc, will indeed stick to things, trap dust, grit etc, and the lubricant coat providing the separation of surfaces will break down much more rapidly, simply because it will flow away. Hard polished wax will neither stick to things, nor will it flow away.  It is also intrinsically waterproof. This makes it ideal for treating ferrules. Some info on wax may be obtained here: http://www.wetestit.com/wax.htm Personally I don

Question:

Hi, folks.  I’ll be in the Atlantic Beach area in North Carolina in mid-April, with my fly rod and my surf rod.  I don’t get to the beach often, so I’d appreciate any advice on what’s out there and how to catch it, from shore or pier.    Much obliged.    paul

Response:

Hi, folks.  I’ll be in the Atlantic Beach area in North Carolina in mid-April, with my fly rod and my surf rod.  I don’t get to the beach often, so I’d appreciate any advice on what’s out there and how to catch it, from shore or pier.   Much obliged.   paul

        i have gone to atlantic many times, and caught nice blues and pompano in close with spinning gear.  however, that has been in the late summer and early fall.  if you want to try a pier, go to the iron city pier in the pine knolls shore area of the island. wayno

Response:

Hi, folks. I’ll be in the Atlantic Beach area in North Carolina in mid-April, with my fly rod and my surf rod. I don’t get to the beach often, so I’d appreciate any advice on what’s out there and how to catch it, from shore or pier. Much obliged. paul

Still a little early for much to be happening.  Sometimes you can catch a school of False Albacore at the end od the pier but this is "iffy". Most piers are officially closed but still allow you to fish for free, just not opening their pier houses.  Check the inlets for possible striper action. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

Response:

Paul, If you have access to some kind of small boat like a skiff, a kayak or even a canoe you can have a great time.  If you can get back into any of the creeks along either side of the ICW you may indeed find some redfish and/or specks.  Good flies include chat/white clousers and if the water is murky the Copperhead works wonders.  I will not be in the Atlantic Beach area myself during that time frame but any help I can send your way via email I will be happy to assist.  Check at Pete’s Tackle Shop on Arendell Street in Morehead City for more info. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, folks.  I’ll be in the Atlantic Beach area in North Carolina in mid-April, with my fly rod and my surf rod.  I don’t get to the beach often, so I’d appreciate any advice on what’s out there and how to catch it, from shore or pier.    Much obliged.    paul

Response:

You mean the Iron Steamer pier, and it has hurricane damage that hasn’t been repaired. Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, folks.  I’ll be in the Atlantic Beach area in North Carolina in mid-April, with my fly rod and my surf rod.  I don’t get to the beach often, so I’d appreciate any advice on what’s out there and how to catch it, from shore or pier.   Much obliged.   paul i have gone to atlantic many times, and caught nice blues and pompano in close with spinning gear.  however, that has been in the late summer and early fall.  if you want to try a pier, go to the iron city pier in the pine knolls shore area of the island. wayno

Response:

Latest reports from Bogue Inlet Pier (about 20 miles on other end of Bogue Banks — check thier website) is reporting big blow fish, spotty gray and speckled trout, and periodically good shows of sea mullet.  The flounder should start anytime now, as should blues (they are present farther south near the SC border and moving north).  Spots will probably be more abundant in 2 weeks from now, false albacore should be active just offshore (try the end of a pier), and a few other early birds like cobia may be starting up, depending on water temp.  Off-shore in the Gulf Stream you will be able to get tuna, wahoo, and dolphin (maui maui, dorado, etc.). Enjoy!  Try the NC inshore offshore web page for fishing reports. Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, folks.  I’ll be in the Atlantic Beach area in North Carolina in mid-April, with my fly rod and my surf rod.  I don’t get to the beach often, so I’d appreciate any advice on what’s out there and how to catch it, from shore or pier.   Much obliged.   paul

Response:

Paul, Go to the Aquarium to access the sound. This time of the year, I normally fish the running tide (both in and out) over sand bars for Flounder (on a fly rod). I prefer to be on the sound with the lowest tide, closest to sunrise. My Out (In) Laws live right off Salther Path in PKS, and I take a small boat down to the Sound side near the Sheraton. Also, the Oysters and Mussels will be good for the pickin’ (if you are in to it). Good Luck ! SD – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, folks.  I’ll be in the Atlantic Beach area in North Carolina in mid-April, with my fly rod and my surf rod.  I don’t get to the beach often, so I’d appreciate any advice on what’s out there and how to catch it, from shore or pier.    Much obliged.    paul

Response:

Question:

I’ve been gone for a couple of weeks.  When I left, the discussion was Indians. I come back and it’s the Chinese. This is rec.outdoors.fishing. fly not racial.opinions.foolish.farcical. Willi

Response:

Hey, look on the bright side, 10 years from now the chinks and the yanks will have a great big mushroom throwing contest and Canada and Lichtenstein will be the next world powers. Kinda reassuring, don’t you think? KB – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been gone for a couple of weeks.  When I left, the discussion was Indians. I come back and it’s the Chinese. This is rec.outdoors.fishing. fly not racial.opinions.foolish.farcical. Willi

Response:

Kevin: It is absolutely outrageous of you to use such racist terms in your posting. Such language is not welcomed or wanted by the majority of the people here. I am not amused by your sarcastic comment here at all.  Trying to be funny? Try much harder. Actually,  it would be much better if you were just to shut your loud mouth. Usage of such term shows us that you are beyond the word ignorant can ever describe you as a person. I do not know you personally but from the short comment I see posted here, you are a useless piece of work. Go to hell, you asshole. jimmy chang

+AD4-Hey, look on the bright side, 10 years from now the chinks and the yanks +AD4-will have a great big mushroom throwing contest and Canada and Lichtenstein +AD4-will be the next world powers. +AD4- +AD4-Kinda reassuring, don’t you think? +AD4- +AD4-KB +AD4- +AD4APg- I’ve been gone for a couple of weeks.  When I left, the discussion was +AD4APg- Indians. I come back and it’s the Chinese. This is rec.outdoors.fishing. +AD4APg- fly not racial.opinions.foolish.farcical. +AD4APg- +AD4APg- Willi +AD4APg- goldens+AEA-frii.com +AD4- +AD4-

Response:

It is absolutely outrageous of you to use such racist terms in your posting. Such language is not welcomed or wanted by the majority of the people here. I am not amused by your sarcastic comment here at all.

I too thought Kevin’s choice of words (the "c" word) was inappropriate and ruined what may have been an otherwise humorous intent.   I don’t disagree with you, but I would also point out that few things will draw more criticism here that nominating yourself as the voice of the majority. Go to hell, you asshole.

In your own words, such language is not welcomed or wanted by the majority of the people here. Chill dude. Joe F.

Response:

Kevin: It is absolutely outrageous of you to use such racist terms in your posting. Such language is not welcomed or wanted by the majority of the people here. I am not amused by your sarcastic comment here at all.  Trying to be funny? Try much harder. Actually,  it would be much better if you were just to shut your loud mouth.

Jimmy Chang, I’ve lurked through this post from the start, and it seems to me that the one throwing around the most insults is you. Try to remove yourself from your self appointed throne, unwrap yourself from the "poor little minority flag" for a minute, take a breath and read into what some of the other posters have been telling you. You may not realize it, but most of them  are actually on your side. Nobody needs more enemies but you seem to be doing your level best to create them out of allies. Oh and if you want to throw a few racist comments my way to make yourself feel better I am 1/2 English, 1/4 Scottish, 1/8 Scandinavian and 1/8 Blackfoot Indian (native American). So "Pommy Bastard" works as does "Chug", "Mick", "Tomahawk", or "Honky". Or if you would prefer call me four eyes, that works too. Or if you want, call me another name that rhymes with my last name Cooper. when I was a kid, everyone thought pooper was pretty funny, and stooper was right up there as well. In other words stop taking yourself so fucking seriously. Usage of such term shows us that you are beyond the word ignorant can ever describe you as a person. I do not know you personally but from the short comment I see posted here, you are a useless piece of work. Go to hell, you asshole.

Truly said from the exhaulted leader  himself

Response:

[deleted] In other words stop taking yourself so fucking seriously.

[deleted] Careful Stooper or you’ll have to answer to David Jones. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

Response:

[deleted] In other words stop taking yourself so fucking seriously. [deleted] Careful Stooper or you’ll have to answer to David Jones. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

  As long as he doesn’t make me dance like he used when he was with the monkeys I think I can handle it. Stevo the "sewer-mouth"

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – [deleted] In other words stop taking yourself so fucking seriously. [deleted] Careful Stooper or you’ll have to answer to David Jones. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"  As long as he doesn’t make me dance like he used when he was with the monkeys I think I can handle it. Stevo the "sewer-mouth"

Now THAT is freakin’ (somewhat polite way of saying f***in’) funny. I can just hear it now.  David Jones coming to get you guys singing  "Hey, hey I’m one of the monkeys and I’m not f**king around…" Aw, what the fuck.  There I said it. Warren

Response:

Steve Cooper: Jimmy Chang, I’ve lurked through this post from the start, and it seems to me that the one throwing around the most insults is you. Try to remove yourself from your self appointed throne, unwrap yourself from the "poor little minority flag" for a minute, take a breath and read into what some of the other posters have been

telling you. I have NEVER seen myself as a "poor little minority" and for you to use such term is again insulting and ignorant. I bet that you can’t see that.  You may not realize it, but most of them  are actually on your side. Nobody needs more enemies but you seem to be doing your level best to create them out of

allies. I am not looking enemies but if I object to the things I hear, see or read, I react to it, just as you have reacted to my message.  And I would appreciate it if you do not  tell me otherwise. Oh and if you want to throw a few racist comments my way to make yourself feel better I am 1/2 English, 1/4 Scottish, 1/8 Scandinavian and 1/8 Blackfoot Indian (native American). So "Pommy Bastard" works as does "Chug", "Mick", "Tomahawk", or "Honky". Or if you would prefer call me four eyes, that works too. Or if you want, call me another name that rhymes with my last name Cooper. when I was a kid, everyone thought pooper was pretty funny, and stooper was right up there as well.

Seems to me that you really like to be verbally abused and "throwing a few racist comments your way" will certainly NOT make me feel better. I have better things to to, like, tying a big wooley bugger.  Find someone else that knows you well enough to do that for you.  There is really no need for you to describe yourself in detail:  I am really NOT interested in knowing you. I am sorry that people called you names when you were a kid and I promise you that I won’t do that to you. I only objected to Kevin Bennett’s use of the "c" word in his joke.  I might find it funny if I have known him personally.  But the use the "c" word,  as you like it or not, is inappropriate and I do not appreciate it.  There is no way I will sit quietly so that others can insult me. gone fishing

Response:

Hey Jimmy sorry about the c word.  I was playing off the comment "This is rec.outdoors.fishing.fly not racial.opinions.foolish.farcical". by making an obviously racial, opinionated, foolish and farcical joke.  It was way funnier when I had six pints of Caplilano Ale in me. I’m not all that bad a guy, and I’m not racist. I hate ‘em all equally <joke Back to fly fishing…… KB

Response:

Question:

        George and I have butted heads on a couple of issues in the past, but he was gracious enough to give up some of his time to let me interview him about his ‘Bastard’ project.  Whatever anyone thinks, he sure is passionate about this and believes in his rods. The article is at http://flyfishing.about.com/ Ian Scott

Response:

Enjoyed the article.  As a recent Bastard owner, I can attest to the quality of the rod, although I was not getting 75 ft casts.  That, however, is a minor quibble.  It is a solid value. Mark Faulkner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –         George and I have butted heads on a couple of issues in the past, but he was gracious enough to give up some of his time to let me interview him about his ‘Bastard’ project.  Whatever anyone thinks, he sure is passionate about this and believes in his rods. The article is at http://flyfishing.about.com/ Ian Scott

Response:

Enjoyed the article.  As a recent Bastard owner, I can attest to the quality of the rod, although I was not getting 75 ft casts.  That, however, is a minor quibble.  It is a solid value.

Mark, what weight/type line(s) are you using on your new rod?

Response:

Enjoyed the article.  As a recent Bastard owner, I can attest to the quality of the rod, although I was not getting 75 ft casts.  That, however, is a minor quibble.  It is a solid value. Mark, what weight/type line(s) are you using on your new rod?

        tripper:  i thought i would have to "light line" my 7.5/4wt, but it seemed spot on with a double taper 4. wayno

Response:

Enjoyed the article.  As a recent Bastard owner, I can attest to the quality of the rod, although I was not getting 75 ft casts.  That, however, is a minor quibble.  It is a solid value. Mark, what weight/type line(s) are you using on your new rod?    tripper:  i thought i would have to "light line" my 7.5/4wt, but it seemed spot on with a double taper 4. wayno

Excellent –  and thanks very much for the tip, Wayno! You might have just saved me the cost of springing for a new DT3F, as I already have a fairly fresh DT4F that I can wind onto a vintage Hardy Sunbeam – ought to balance the rod reasonably well. My apologies, btw, for hijacking this thread… /daytripper

Response:

Excellent –  and thanks very much for the tip, Wayno! You might have just saved me the cost of springing for a new DT3F, as I already have a fairly fresh DT4F that I can wind onto a vintage Hardy Sunbeam – ought to balance the rod reasonably well. My apologies, btw, for hijacking this thread… /daytripper

trip…. as i mentioned to mark via e-mail, i’ve fished 3,4, & 5 wt lines on the 7.5 aught. the 3 wt is light but does fish ok. the 4 wt is real good and the 5 wt line really loads the rod well. all were wf’s. 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:

Excellent –  and thanks very much for the tip, Wayno! You might have just saved me the cost of springing for a new DT3F, as I already have a fairly fresh DT4F that I can wind onto a vintage Hardy Sunbeam – ought to balance the rod reasonably well. trip…. as i mentioned to mark via e-mail, i’ve fished 3,4, & 5 wt lines on the 7.5 aught. the 3 wt is light but does fish ok. the 4 wt is real good and the 5 wt line really loads the rod well. all were wf’s.

Thanks, Walt! I prefer double tapers, and judging from your experience it sounds like a DT4 ought to work just fine. btw: There’s a real story going on behind the scenes that I’ll share with y’all when I return from Maine. The happy ending is a lock. /daytripper (psyched!)

Response:

Question:

ideal stream for a last minute fish as you are heading home (once, rachel waited in our packed car for 20 minutes while i had a "last fish" on our way home),

So the common thread here in your recent posts is that you are an expert at testing the patience of women  Hope Walt wasn’t beaten too severely for spending time with you instead of his lady. – Mu

Response:

        on day 2, i explored some of the watauga county backroads, looking for new and remote streams, and found a couple areas i’ll try to convince walt to sample with me.  walt is an extraordinarily good fishing companion and has an ability to fish many of the tough areas…an ability i lack. one of the back roads intersected with the blue ridge parkway, which runs along a ridge above the valley in which my cabin sits.  i was close to a stream i literally fell into some years.  it runs beside the parkway at about 3000 feet elevation, but is about 30 to 50 feet below the parkway.  there are some large pull-offs and parking areas beside the road, so it’s not a hidden location by any means.  i discovered it years ago on the way from upper boone’s fork, frustrated with all the hikers and crowds in and around that stream, on the last day of a trip. determined to fish someplace new, but without much time to do so, i stopped, geared up, and proceeded to fall/trip/butt-bump/slide down a steep bank to within 10 feet of the stream.  rod unbroken, but spirit bent, i fished about 100 yards of a lovely stream, even with the sounds of traffic on the blue ridge parkway overhead.  it consisted of small holding or pocket waters with a nice gradient allowing adequate cover for a blundering buffoon like me to sneak up and float a dry fly.  i was stunned when i caught a 6 inch brook trout. since that trip, i have fished the stream on numerous occasions and always caught a brookie.  on this trip, in the 100 yards i usually fish, i caught 5 of the beauties.  i had always assumed it was necessary to find the remotest and highest locations in the blue ridge watersheds to catch wild brookies…but here they are in a stream beside the parkway, near privately owned meadows, and easily accessed by the general public in just a brief walk (or tumble) down a bank.  this is an ideal stream for a last minute fish as you are heading home (once, rachel waited in our packed car for 20 minutes while i had a "last fish" on our way home), or as an appetizer as you are heading for other waters.  it’s not on the delorme and as best i can tell is not stocked at all…i’ve never caught a stocked fish in it.           day 3, a bit hung over from last evening’s libations and with rainy weather coming in, i fished the stream in front of my cabin.  although it has some trout in it (i’ve caught a 10 inch rainbow and a 12 inch brown, and hooked and brought to hand a 20 inch brown with the most fearsome lower hook-jaw i’ve seen on ole salmo, it’s not good trout water in my area of the stream.  upstream about a mile, and for almost 6 miles, it’s a hatchery supported stream and gets a lot of pressure from spin fishers, especially the week after the hatchery trucks come through.  anyway, i took my 7′6" 4/5 weight St.Croix and fished about a mile with a black wooly bugger.  the stream holds a bunch of smallmouth bass and bluegill/redeye/bream(?)- panfish -, and i spent 4 hours disengaging the hook from copious quantities of the panfish and about 10 smallies, with the largest being 11 inches.  in some of the deeper pools, i saw some smallmouth i know were larger than 14 inches.  anyway, a nice day’s fishing within walking distance of the cabin and the comforts of she who must be obeyed. jeff

Response:

Question:

Hi I just planned a 5 day, 4 nite trip to Cancun.  I don’t have a lot of time there and I have heard about all the great things to do, but I’d like to hear from others about the top 3 or 4 excursions to take. E mail Thankx

Response:

Hi I just planned a 5 day, 4 nite trip to Cancun.  I don’t have a lot of time there and I have heard about all the great things to do, but I’d like to hear from others about the top 3 or 4 excursions to take. E mail Thankx

Hello, I have been there quite a few times and really enjoy it. There is something for everyone. I would try to spend a day on Cozumel and/or Isla Mujeres, small island just off shore. Take an all day air conditioned bus tour south to the ruins at Tulum. There are lots of water sports, boating, snorkeling, scuba, fishing and yes, lots of shopping. We specialize in fly fishing trips all over the world and this is on of our favorite places. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

Response:

Hi I just planned a 5 day, 4 nite trip to Cancun.  I don’t have a lot of time there and I have heard about all the great things to do, but I’d like to hear from others about the top 3 or 4 excursions to take. E mail Thankx

Isla Mujeres and/or Cozumel are nice excursions.  Tulum and Xel Ha are usually packaged together as a single tour and are also interesting. Xel Ha is a place where you can snorkel in a big natural aquarium (a giant pool carved out of the rock by a river) with mixed fresh and salt water and lots of beautiful fish.  It would probably be a bit lame to experienced divers, but if you haven’t seen tropical fish close up before it’s an easy way to do it..  I would hesitate to go inland to the big ruins a Chichen Iza (spelling?).  This time of year can be murderously hot.  When I was in Cancun in May, the people who went inland to that trip felt like they would barely make it out alive – they were burnt through their shirts, probably just from the heat of the sun.  Stick to the coastal areas. I haven’t done it myself, but I know two friends who recently took an excursion where you travel through underground rivers.  They both enjoyed it tremendously.  I would put this at the top of the list. Sorry I don’t have more details. Christine

Response:

Any favorite places to eat either in Cancun or Isla Mujeres? I’d appreciate any info.           Sue

Response:

Question:

Maybe these fly fishing yuppies everybody likes to harangue are good for the sport. Although the Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers and state and local irrigation agencies aren’t building dams like they used to, there’s still lots of opportunity to ruin good streams, right? Who do you suppose is better positioned to fight a project that will ruin a particular stream: some misanthropic, authority-detesting fly fishing zealot who wields no power outside of his Sage 5-wt?; or an Orvis jeep-driving lawyer who’s been fly fishing since she saw A River Runs Through It? I’ll take the lawyer, thank you. I doubt the misanthrope knows much about how to organize and file for an injunction protecting the river. Maybe we should help these yuppies get *into* the club and with the program. Building a powerful, moneyed constituency for preserving our streams and rivers makes common sense.–Just my 2 cents. –Eric Robinson

Response:

Make that .04  I think this yuppie-bashing is ludricrous.  Does the sport belong to the impoverished?  Anyone who is interested in flyfishing and all that it entails gets my nod, no matter what his/her economic bracket.  The rest is simple jealousy. — Jim Benenson                 Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA "To protect your rivers, protect your mountains"       Emperor Yu of China, circa 1600 B.C.

Response:

Who do you suppose is better positioned to fight a project that will ruin a particular stream: some misanthropic, authority-detesting fly fishing zealot who wields no power outside of his Sage 5-wt?; or an Orvis jeep-driving lawyer who’s been fly fishing since she saw A River Runs Through It? I’ll take the lawyer, thank you. I doubt the misanthrope knows much about how to organize and file for an injunction protecting the river.

You should get to know more of the people you mistakenly term "misanthropes."  The backbone of any fight to save a particular stream and watershed  is always comprised of local plumbers, electricians, telephone repairmen and the like.  These blue-collar workers usually come to appeals board and conservation commission meetings well-prepared to quote the regs from memory when appropriate, and to work around the regs when necessary. They call in scientific consultants and legal advisors when needed, but they do the real work, for one simple, overriding reason: They need local waters on which to fish, and on which to take their kids fishing.  If local waters are ruined, the yuppie can always take a long vacation to an exotic fishery; the blue-collar worker doesn’t always have that option.  When an environmental struggle deals with large regions, international boundaries or anadromous fisheries, then wealthy professionals are indeed the leaders of such struggles: the fight to save the Atlantic salmon is a good example.  We need to work side by side with both types of people, but don’t sell short the people who’ll never own an Orvis Jeep. Woods Hole, MA   USA

Response:

IF WE DON’T HANG TOGETHER, WE ALL HANG-TOGETHER! REGARDS MK

Response:

Question:

I am just begining to become addicted to fly fishing, having long ago given up the lowly bait fishing.  I have gotten some valuable information regarding casting and fly selection …. but I can’t seem to find a good resource about different retrieve techniques.  All of the reference material centers around casting and presentation (usually in a stream setting), and nary a word about what to do once you get the fly out there.  I am interested in any info about fishing wet flys and what to do on the retrieve.  Any suggestions?  

Response:

writes: (deleted) I am interested in any info about fishing wet flys and what to do on the retrieve.  Any suggestions?  

Get a copy of Ernest Schweibert’s "Trout Strategies", Published by E.P.Dutton, ISBN 0-525-48052-8.  He discusses numerous fishing and retrieval techniques for Wets, Drys, Bucktail/Streamers and Nymphs. You might also see if you can find a copy of "Wet Fly Fishing Treated Methodically", by E.M. Tod, Published in England in 1918 by Sampson Low; Marston & Company. Tod is the Proper English Aristocratic type who eschews the use of the Dry Fly. Guy Manning

Response: