Question:

   Back to the pond today

(snipped) These are lots of fun to read.  Thank you. — rbc:  vixen    Fairly harmless remove invalid or hit reply to email. Though I’m very slow to respond. http://www.visi.com/~cyli

Response:

Stan, Do you have a link to a gurgler pattern? Do I have links!

excellent!! Thanks, Rob

Response:

crystal chenille or Estaz body instead of a palmered hackle.

I seldom use anything but crystal chenille or estaz for body material. This includes the gurglers I tie for the huge hoppers we get around here about every other year. Those tied iin size 2/0 have caught 8 pound channel cats off the surface for me. They hove not been out this year, so I guess I have till next year till I die of a heart attack as I battle a huge catfish on a gurgler. I also have enjoyed this thread a hell of a lot. It has been tough for me this year as my favorite bluegill lake was drained a few months ago.  They also drained the lake where I have caught more bluegill that actualy weigh over a pound. Seems like my favorite waters are being ruined by folks that don’t know what the hell they are doing. Big Dale  

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Back to the pond today to worry the panfish population.

<… Todd, I’ve been enjoying your bluegill posts.  I’m a long time bluegill junkie myself – living in a place where the pond is 15 minutes from my door, and the nearest trout water is over twice that (also the only fishable trout water for 3/4 the population of Massachusetts in the summertime…). I went out three days this week, and had three completely different experiences.  There’s a saying about the weather in Massachusetts… Sunday was cold and rainy and the fish just weren’t interested in surface bugs, but I persisted.  I do like to fish subsurface, but I had my 4 wt. and didn’t want to mess with weighted nymphs.  I plugged away with my green gurglers and caught about a dozen fish – missed dozens more.  It was mostly small fish making a big show – coming out of the water to grab the fly, and being to small to take it under water.  I could just leave it sitting next to the rapidly fading lily pads, and several dinks would play with it, until finally a decent fish would make it’s move.  Funny, and lots of fun. I went out again Tuesday.  It had rained steadily all day Monday so I stayed dry and tied up a few more gurglers.  Tuesday was a real change in the weather.  In the mid 80s and mostly sunny.  When I got to the pond at 4:30 there was a huge midge hatch going on and bluegills were rising all over the pond.  So, I got to fish to risers all evening.  These fish aren’t fussy, and I would just plop the gurgler into a patch where there were working fish, and one would immediately jump on the fly.  The bluegills and orange and blue damsel flies were gorging on tiny red midge emergers and adults. The pond surface was almost carpeted by the bugs.  The fish were fat and happy, as was I. Wednesday was different again.  No midges coming off, no surface risers, but the big gills were back in shallow water.  The orange damsel flies were out in number and I switched to an orange gurgler.  Another 30+ fish evening. It’s supposed to be back into the low nineties over the weekend, so I’m looking forward to several more warm evenings out on the pond this week, –Stan

Response:

The orange damsel flies were out in number and I switched to an orange gurgler.  Another 30+ fish evening.

Stan, Do you have a link to a gurgler pattern?  I just hit a local lake this week.  Could only stop by quickly on the way home 2 eves., last night picking up 4 bluegills in 20 minutes.  Two of them were nice sized…about the biggest I can recall catching…although they weren’t large fish.  One was probably about 6" or so and nice and fat.  Thinking about it some more, I’m not sure what type of [sun, pan] fish it was.  Nevertheless, the 2 big ones took hard causing my 4 wt click&pawl to sing for a second or so. — Rob

Response:

Stan, Do you have a link to a gurgler pattern?

Do I have links! Here’s the one I tied for the Dog Days Swaps (hey Paul…). http://gula.org/roffswaps/recipe.php?page=DD2002&id=8 Dale W tied a purple version, and Larry Schmitt tied a bumblebee variant. The ultimate source is Jack Gartside’s page: http://www.jackgartside.com/step_gurgler.htm There are lots of variants.  Most I see for smaller fish use a crystal chenille or Estaz body instead of a palmered hackle.

Response:

        Back to the pond today to worry the panfish population. Had the place to myself early.  Caught 8 on the Chironomid, but seemed the fish were deep.  It’d been cloudy most of the day, and calm.  Sun came out before I got off work, but was still relatively calm when I headed to the pond, and I thought I might get some dry fly action.  Of course, by the time I got there (< 10 minutes), the wind had picked up and no surface action to be seen.  Tied on my last bead-head scud, and picked up 10 more bluegill. Then the action took a break.         About that time, a somewhat scruffy looking young couple arrived on scene.  The guy asked me if the trout were biting (of course, to the uninitiated, fly fishing is for trout… .  Told him I was working the bluegill, and had brought in 18 to that point. He asked how deep, etc.  Clued him in as to what I thought the proper depth was, and he and his wife/girlfriend rigged up their bobber rigs and set about attempting to catch some for themselves.  They didn’t look like they had the proveribal pot to pee in, or a window to throw it out.  Asked me what an "eating size" bluegill would be.  Figured they were there to get some subsistance eats.         Got the bead-head scud hung up in cattails, and lost it. Back to Chironomids.  Went to the opposite side of the pond so as not to worry them with my casting.  Figured out the proper retrieve to connect with fish again, and proceeded to get a good run going.  The couple weren’t having much luck that I could tell, watching out of the corner of my eye.         In the span of about 40 minutes, I brought another 22 bluegill to hand.  Fast and furious action.  Even managed to catch a couple big ones.  Walked over to the couple and handed the two big ones to them, and said "these ought to be good eating size".  They thanked me profusely, and I packed up my rod at that point and went home. Felt a good bit guilty that I was hauling fish out of the water right and left when they weren’t getting much action, and probably in need of some victuals (not to mention releasing all of mine).         I hope they enjoyed the fish dinner.  Know all too well how it was to be young and hungry.  Game & Fish is going to kill out the pond later this fall anyhow and restock it in the spring, so better to give a few fish to someone in need than have them all go to waste, as it were.  Went home feeling good in more than a few ways. Todd

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Question:

am thinking about purchasing either Pamlico Excel (adding the fishing opption)

I purchased a Pungo for fishing last spring, and spent quite a few summer evenings on small lakes in my area.  I am more than pleased with it.  It’s quite stable and easy to paddle.  It’s hull has hard chines, so you won’t be turning on a dime, but it tracks well. You have to be a bit careful where you position the rod holder.  That’s the one piece of equipment that could get in the way of your paddling.  E-mail me if you’d like more info. Chuck

Response:

Thanks for the reply, did you buy the your boat with the fishing package installed? I have never used a kayak and need to be able to also paddle upstream on slow flowing river, so you think this boat is still a good choice? thanks pjb – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – am thinking about purchasing either Pamlico Excel (adding the fishing opption) I purchased a Pungo for fishing last spring, and spent quite a few summer evenings on small lakes in my area.  I am more than pleased with it. It’s quite stable and easy to paddle.  It’s hull has hard chines, so you won’t be turning on a dime, but it tracks well. You have to be a bit careful where you position the rod holder. That’s the one piece of equipment that could get in the way of your paddling.  E- mail me if you’d like more info. Chuck

Response:

Thanks for the reply, did you buy the your boat with the fishing package installed? I have never used a kayak and need to be able to also paddle upstream on slow flowing river, so you think this boat is still a good choice? thanks pjb

Paul: I installed the the package myself.  Nothing to it.  As far as paddling upstream on a slow flowing river, that should be no problem.   What kind of fishing do you have in mind?  Also, do you live anywhere near Wisconsin by any chance.  There’ll be some good deals on Pungos at a kayak show there in the near future (no I’m not selling). Chuck

Response:

I HAVE THE PUNGO  WITH OUT THE FISHING OPTION I LOVE IT ITS STABLE AND IT HAS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR MY FLY FISHIG GEAR ITS A GOOD BOAT  EASY TO HANDLE AND CONTROLL AND YA GOTA LOVE THE LARGE OPENING IN IT I PERSONALY WOULD PICK THE COLOR YOU WANT AND ADD THE EXTRAS AS YOU SEE YOU NEED THEM BOU IF YOU WANT TO STAND UP TO CAST YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT WWW.TRIBALANCE.COM BUT I CAST A 8 FT FLY ROD SITTING DOW OUT OF MY PUNGO GOOD UCK SIK

Response:

I am thinking about purchasing either Pamlico Excel (adding the fishing opption) or the Pungo Angler.  First does anyone have a used one they would like to sell? Second, what do you think of either of these boats? Third, how stable are they and are they good to fish out of? Fourth, does the added fishing hardware get in they way of paddling? Last, How difficult is the Pamlico Excel to paddle solo? Any Help? Thanks

Response:

I am thinking about purchasing either Pamlico Excel (adding the fishing opption) or the Pungo Angler.  First does anyone have a used one they would like to sell?

I have used them both before.  I used to sell these for a living. Second, what do you think of either of these boats?

I think you have made excellent choices in both boats.  The Pungo seems to have been the most popular with fisherman in my past seeling days. Third, how stable are they and are they good to fish out of?

Very stable and very good to fish out of.  They both have excellent initial and secondary stability. Fourth, does the added fishing hardware get in they way of paddling?

No.  Just don’t add it where you think it may get in the way.  You can add as much hardwear as you want to make the boat’s use exactly for what you want to use it for. Last, How difficult is the Pamlico Excel to paddle solo?

It’s not hard at all but turning it is a bit harder on your own just because of it’s length.  On top of that you can take another person or even a dog with you at anytime you want.  That’s the negative of the Pungo.  The positive is that it will turn easier than the Pamlico. Courtney

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Question:

tripper…yup…it’s the only (and last) fly you’ll ever need to buy…an all purpose southern trout fly for those full days astream, and an apres-fish, around the campfire appetizer for the flyfishing gourmand.

(snipped totally deranged commentary about nucular trout flies – I think) Alright, I think I fell into a trap on this one. But in my defense (such as it is) Sandy Pittendrigh *did* publish a pattern for a Marshmallow Nymph – which is what I thought El Walto was referring to. Little did I realize… /daytripper ("Oh! The humility!")

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – tripper…yup…it’s the only (and last) fly you’ll ever need to buy…an all purpose southern trout fly for those full days astream, and an apres-fish, around the campfire appetizer for the flyfishing gourmand. (snipped totally deranged commentary about nucular trout flies – I think) Alright, I think I fell into a trap on this one. But in my defense (such as it is) Sandy Pittendrigh *did* publish a pattern for a Marshmallow Nymph – which is what I thought El Walto was referring to. Little did I realize… /daytripper ("Oh! The humility!")

On second thought – it wasn’t a seagull shit fly, was it? Peter

Response:

Jeff Miller writes:

(snip for brev) but, oy, the workmanship!

I didn’t know you were Yiddish, my good friend.   (snip for sanity) Would you mind tying (tieing) me a couple of these new miricle flies (flys), Jeffy?  I have the money — will pay you on receipt of the flies. Dave LaCourse

Response:

Would you mind tying (tieing) me a couple of these new miricle flies (flys), Jeffy?  I have the money — will pay you on receipt of the flies.

Wow, I had no idea that Jeff was a Russian monk! — Levi "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK, lesson time: WTF is a "marshmellow" fly – anyone got a reference site that I can drag that pattern from? /daytripper (Dem suthern fish got strange taste in food, I think…) i have no idea what the hell it was trip. all i know is a big white thing was floating down the river and it was being manipulated by jeffrey. here i was fishing a 16 ehc and he’s catching fish on a marshmellow fly. waldo Jeffie’s fishing pellet flies downstream of the stocking truck again? Peter

ack…the inhumanity of it all!  Mr. Charles, have you no sense of decency?!!  if this is how i’m to be treated on this newsgroup…why…why…, i’ll just have to go some place where i’m appreciated! … um…well…ok, you’re right…there really is no such place, so might as well stay here.  but sir, when we declare war on canada, your truck is the first thing on the list of "must bomb"… jeff

Response:

The last three days have been spent exploring waters with Jeff (&Mark on Sat) solely for the benefit of clavesters. Although I feel we have plenty of waters chosen for all that who attend, it is always good to have a well thought out backup plan. Yesterday afternoon in the rain, Jeff & I brazing the fierce elements, descended into the Watauga gorge to assess the situation. The river was running at about normal, even with the rains. We both tied on boogahs and started some downstream streamer fishing. I caught a couple and then switched to a BHPT just for the sake of variety. I also landed a couple on it. I snipped off the bead head and added a length of 5x and tied on a stimulator. That worked fine also as the fish literally jumped out of the water chasing it as I skittered and danced it across the currents. Being observant, I became aware that Jeff wasn’t anywhere to be seen so I headed upstream. I found him firmly planted in the middle of a double stretch run, gleefully casting to rising fish all around him. I came in at the tail and tossed out the stimulator. They smashed it, but no solid takes. I stepped back and noticed that the trout were rising and sipping gently. I switched to a small Adams parachute and wallah, the hatch was matched, somewhat. Fish after fish took and was brought to hand. I finally observed that they were keying on small bwo’s after I changed to a small yellow comparadun…  no takers on it. Now this may seem a bit too easy for some of you, but it is rare, even in the delayed harvest waters, for the fish to be this active all at once. I attribute the activity to all or most of the conditions being ideal for this. The sky was overcast, heck, it was raining. Bwo’s were hatching all around with an occasional gray stone, sulphur, and hendrickson lifting for variety. The fishermen were in the right place at the right time… no skill or planning… just dumb luck. All in all, a good two hour trip…. I pulled out around six to go home and eat…. Jeff and the band played on…. Walt

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK, lesson time: WTF is a "marshmellow" fly – anyone got a reference site that I can drag that pattern from? /daytripper (Dem suthern fish got strange taste in food, I think…) i have no idea what the hell it was trip. all i know is a big white thing was floating down the river and it was being manipulated by jeffrey. here i was fishing a 16 ehc and he’s catching fish on a marshmellow fly. waldo

Jeffie’s fishing pellet flies downstream of the stocking truck again? Peter

Response:

trip… think tan, light bodied ehc…. 14-18. i’ve got some of the yellow doo dads tied fer ya already. Thanks, ol’ pal, for thinking of me. The ehc’s are already tied – wayno sent me a weepie email-o-gram for a bunch ;^) also, size 6 marshmellow. stg, jeffie caught a real nice brown today on one. OK, lesson time: WTF is a "marshmellow" fly – anyone got a reference site that I can drag that pattern from? /daytripper (Dem suthern fish got strange taste in food, I think…)

tripper…yup…it’s the only (and last) fly you’ll ever need to buy…an all purpose southern trout fly for those full days astream, and an apres-fish, around the campfire appetizer for the flyfishing gourmand. waldo’s just jealous cause he can’t get one and doesn’t have the facilities for producing it…only a few are produced in a small Russian village near Chernobyl, hence its name – Chernobyl Caddis Rasputin Adams Parachute (C-CRAP)… think of a mutant cross between a parachute adams, an elk hair caddis, and a wooly bugger with flash, irradiated in a secret process that swells (marshmellows)the material into a buoyant mass, and tied only on moonless nights by Russian monks.   the cost of the fly is a mere $1,500…but, oy, the workmanship!  each fly comes with a lifetime guarantee, handling instructions, and a complimentary pair of lead-coated waders. It’s the only fly in your box that’s sure to last longer than you.   the small neon dropper attachment that flashes "bite me" is a few quid extra, but enhances the night-time presentation. mouse patterns have been rendered obsolete for the die-hard midnight trout stalker…plus, this fly will light the way to your favorite tree species (for those of you seeking the pleasures of the forest). …send me a few thousand bucks and i’ll order you a couple…the exchange rate for kopeks and rubles is quite good now… jeff (a friend to the deprived and depraved)

Response:

Walt enjoyed your fish report, looking forward to seeing your act live.  On my mountain adventure  last week I stopped at South Mountain Park on Thursday P.M and hit the stocked portion above horse camping.  Thought I was in heaven and all my reading was paying off. A 8 to 11 inch stocker on every third cast. In about thirty minutes it stopped, think the fish have developed a feeding schedule  at the hatchery, as I was only able to dig out three in another two hours of beating the water.  My presentation  needs refinement but it wasn"t because of fly choice, I went through the box., need some  casting help also.   But I did work on my sea legs and for the first time out this season  , happy to say I only wene down once.  Friday early I climbed over the falls to be first one through wild trout water { a la Pamlico Jim } but top feeding was slow  so I moved on to Robinsville.  ?Glads to report the 4 lane highway to Toosie’s is still under construction, looks like it extended two blocks in last six months.  Saturday and Sunday fished Snowbird, Santerhilla, and Nangahala  thru cloudy showers and had some fish on drys and nymphs. Have still not caught o streamers or a wooly booger, but will read some more.    Do not recommend that Indians camp alone. I had enough pre mixed manhattens for five nights but used them all up, plus some Jack D. sitting around lonely   camp fire first night.   compssing some interllegical poetry .{ What is doggerel ]     could NOT FIT MY roff FISHING CAP ONTO HEAD NEXT MORNING.          iF YOU HAVE ACCESS TO FOAM BODY YELLOW HUMPISE # 14 please bring me a dozen to clave, they seem to flat higher and longer in fast stream          Indian Joe*

Response:

The last three days have been spent exploring waters with Jeff (&Mark on Sat) solely for the benefit of clavesters.

Many thanks for that supreme sacrifice, Walt. It’s rotten job and we appreciate you doing it ;^) Now, what size flies should we be tying? Stimulators are a PITA to tie so I’d like to concentrate of the *good* sizes. /daytripper

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Walt enjoyed your fish report, looking forward to seeing your act live.  On my mountain adventure  last week I stopped at South Mountain Park on Thursday P.M and hit the stocked portion above horse camping.  Thought I was in heaven and all my reading was paying off. A 8 to 11 inch stocker on every third cast. In about thirty minutes it stopped, think the fish have developed a feeding schedule  at the hatchery, as I was only able to dig out three in another two hours of beating the water.  My presentation  needs refinement but it wasn"t because of fly choice, I went through the box., need some  casting help also.   But I did work on my sea legs and for the first time out this season  , happy to say I only wene down once.  Friday early I climbed over the falls to be first one through wild trout water { a la Pamlico Jim } but top feeding was slow  so I moved on to Robinsville.  ?Glads to report the 4 lane highway to Toosie’s is still under construction, looks like it extended two blocks in last six months.  Saturday and Sunday fished Snowbird, Santerhilla, and Nangahala  thru cloudy showers and had some fish on drys and nymphs. Have still not caught o streamers or a wooly booger, but will read some more.    Do not recommend that Indians camp alone. I had enough pre mixed manhattens for five nights but used them all up, plus some Jack D. sitting around lonely   camp fire first night.   compssing some interllegical poetry .{ What is doggerel ]     could NOT FIT MY roff FISHING CAP ONTO HEAD NEXT MORNING.          iF YOU HAVE ACCESS TO FOAM BODY YELLOW HUMPISE # 14 please bring me a dozen to clave, they seem to flat higher and longer in fast stream          Indian Joe*

i’ll personally tie ya up some joe…. just don’t let me give ya ken’s by mistake waldo — Walter G. Winter Ezflyfish.com:  http://www.ezflyfish.com Blue Ridge Book Gallery: http://www.crosswinds.net/~brbg/books/brbg-2.html

Response:

The last three days have been spent exploring waters with Jeff (&Mark on Sat) solely for the benefit of clavesters. Many thanks for that supreme sacrifice, Walt. It’s rotten job and we appreciate you doing it ;^) Now, what size flies should we be tying? Stimulators are a PITA to tie so I’d like to concentrate of the *good* sizes. /daytripper

trip… think tan, light bodied ehc…. 14-18. i’ve got some of the yellow doo dads tied fer ya already. also, size 6 marshmellow. stg, jeffie caught a real nice brown today on one. waldo — Walter G. Winter Ezflyfish.com:  http://www.ezflyfish.com Blue Ridge Book Gallery: http://www.crosswinds.net/~brbg/books/brbg-2.html

Response:

trip… think tan, light bodied ehc…. 14-18. i’ve got some of the yellow doo dads tied fer ya already.

Thanks, ol’ pal, for thinking of me. The ehc’s are already tied – wayno sent me a weepie email-o-gram for a bunch ;^) also, size 6 marshmellow. stg, jeffie caught a real nice brown today on one.

OK, lesson time: WTF is a "marshmellow" fly – anyone got a reference site that I can drag that pattern from? /daytripper (Dem suthern fish got strange taste in food, I think…)

Response:

I think…) How do you piss off a trout fishermen? Tell him trout will eat anything catfish eat. Big Dale

Response:

OK, lesson time: WTF is a "marshmellow" fly – anyone got a reference site that I can drag that pattern from? /daytripper (Dem suthern fish got strange taste in food, I think…)

i have no idea what the hell it was trip. all i know is a big white thing was floating down the river and it was being manipulated by jeffrey. here i was fishing a 16 ehc and he’s catching fish on a marshmellow fly. waldo

Response:

Now this may seem a bit too easy for some of you, but it is rare, even in the delayed harvest waters, for the fish to be this active all at once. I attribute the activity to all or most of the conditions being ideal for this. The sky was overcast, heck, it was raining. Bwo’s were hatching all around with an occasional gray stone, sulphur, and hendrickson lifting for variety. The fishermen were in the right place at the right time… no skill or planning… just dumb luck. All in all, a good two hour trip…. I pulled out around six to go home and eat…. Jeff and the band played on….

Sounds like a fun trip. In my experience, the frequency that fish become active all at once depends on the fertility of the stream. On very fertile streams this is often a daily experience and during certain times of the year this happen several times a day. These fish are often selective. When they are intent on their feeding, they often lose some of their caution and are less spooky than normal. On relatively infertile waters, hatches dense enough to turn on the fish are pretty rare. The plus part of this for us fishermen is that the fish in these streams are not usually very fussy about what pattern is used. Since they don’t get distracted by the hatches, they tend to be spooky pretty much all the time. Different kinds of fishing, both alot of fun. Willi

Response:

Question:

Tony, Thanks for the tip. Do you know if Bonda PU Power Adhesive can be purchased in the USA? Thanks. Bob E.

Bob, it is available here from a few companies. The brand I’ve used is called Gorrila Glue. Woodworking supply stores will have one brand or another. Use this stuff carefully, it is messy and does not clean up easily. Bob Smith Before you buy.

Response:

If it air cures, does that mean it will take a very long time to cure since the adhesive will be buried between cork and graphite?

Hi Mu, I think ‘cures’ rather than ‘dries’ is the operative word. The adhesive reacts to the moisture in the air or in the material being glued. It probably wouldn’t hurt to dunk the cork handle in water for a few minutes, then pat dry the excess water, before using this PU adhesive (see article in link below). I think Bob Smith has a better handle (’scuse the pun) on this than I have. Thanks, Bob, for your input. But try this for more info: www.woodworking.com/magazine/jul96/poly/ I’ll certainly be giving this stuff a trial for my next rod building project. Tight Lines, Tony Deacon

Response:

I was very interested to learn that his company now recommends a polyurethane adhesive. This stuff requires no mixing. It air cures, reacting to moisture in the air or in the timber, etc. that is being joined. Most importantly, this adhesive ‘foams’ slightly and fills up any space between the cork and the blank, where the reaming has not been exact.

If it air cures, does that mean it will take a very long time to cure since the adhesive will be buried between cork and graphite? Mu

Response:

In article <Pine.SOL.4.10.10003122128550.5607- – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was very interested to learn that his company now recommends a polyurethane adhesive. This stuff requires no mixing. It air cures, reacting to moisture in the air or in the timber, etc. that is being joined. Most importantly, this adhesive ‘foams’ slightly and fills up any space between the cork and the blank, where the reaming has not been exact. If it air cures, does that mean it will take a very long time to cure since the adhesive will be buried between cork and graphite? Mu

Mu, the glue will dry as fast as the stated time on the label. A little faster if the surfaces to be glued are slightly damp. Moisture helps it cure. You only put the glue on one surface of the two to be glued. I use this stuff in my woodworking the rare times I have to glue up two dissimilar surfaces. Wood to metal or Corian etc. So it’ll work well for handles to fly rods.  Two things tho. It is not reversable and if you get any on bare ( bear ? ) skin you’ll have a nice dark brown stain to wear for a week or so. Nothing cleans this stuff up. Tape off the rod blank also at front and rear of the handle. The foam also sticks to anything it touches.  Bob Smith Before you buy.

Response:

Tony, Thanks for the tip. Do you know if Bonda PU Power Adhesive can be purchased in the USA? Thanks. Bob E. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We had a club meeting the other night and I bumped into an old acquaintance who is managing director of one of the leading wholesale suppliers of top quality cork rod handles in the UK. I first met him at a fly fishing show about 10 years ago and that meeting prompted me to write an article on cork that was published in one of our game fishing magazines. During our conversation the other night, the subject of gluing cork handles to blanks cropped up. I was very interested to learn that his company now recommends a polyurethane adhesive. This stuff requires no mixing. It air cures, reacting to moisture in the air or in the timber, etc. that is being joined. Most importantly, this adhesive ‘foams’ slightly and fills up any space between the cork and the blank, where the reaming has not been exact. Apparently, this PU adhesive is slightly resilient and works easily. My friend assured me that this stuff was much better suited to the application than epoxies, that are often recommended. The brand he sells is called ‘Bonda PU Power Adhesive’ and it sells (here) for about

Question:

Hey *hugs* How is everything going? Adri

Response:

Hey

hey yourself!, I was beginning to wonder where you went to. *hugs*

{{{adri}}} How is everything going?

up, down, down, down, up a little, eh….etc, etc, etc. the baby is gonna kick through my ribcage he’s so active in there. the gestational diabetes seems to be under control. and i’m hanging in there. take care of yourself, dear adri mair+1boy

Response:

you are beautiful thank you, mb. mair, semi-here

Response:

Oh where oh where has our little Mair gone oh where oh where could she be? I miss her, I love her I want her back home in ASD with us so happily…… Mary Beth, ok, I know it’s corny but I’m trying….

Response:

: Oh where oh where has our little Mair gone : oh where oh where could she be? : I miss her, I love her I want her back home : in ASD with us so happily…… : : Mary Beth, : ok, I know it’s corny but I’m trying…. Could be worse: Mair, get yer ass back here.                 Wordsworthless

Response:

h, oh, and you *you* had no part at all in this conversation, eh? :right right right.  you just sat there silently.  I think *not* I was being polite and didn’t want to hurt your feelings by not laughing at your jokes ‘poor love’. :you with dreams of feta laying on a tea towel and all. (why am i :hungry?)  you who murder squeeky toys with lawn mowers.   Hahahaha I forgot about that – oops! : I wonder if Tiger is still awake? Bog Off!!!! – my rib still hurts because of you. : Obi-Juan, help me! Cee’ P30 and Artoue D2 are on their way – Juanita’

:gracias, senior obi-juan. I’m not Juan but my friend is (((seriously derranged loon)))

:be nice or i’ll start rambling on about what a x3%^&$#% you are! I am nice, I gods gift to nice, I’m nice concentrated, I’m nice incarnate. Anyway what the hell is a x3%^&$#% when it’s at home? : oh, and he’s spanish, you know. that explains the accent.  :-D Anyone ever tell you you’re a filbert? : {{quentincrispwannabe}} Ooo look at the dust in here! :mair+1boy, completely and utterly sane Yeah – right – pish!!!!! hahahahahahahahah Michael or as his friends get to call him – Michael.

Response:

You are seriously deranged and I love you to bits :Me? Deranged???? nevah! Er….excuse me but who was it that phoned me at 1.30 in the morning just to call me Kipper? Who was it who went on about the ‘Feta Magazine’ with August’s center spread being a slice of Belgium feta recumbent on a plate drizzled with olive oil? Who was it doing a wonderful impression of their future-born being born with a Dick Van Dyke come bad cockney accent? Was it me? Noooooooo.

oh, oh, and you *you* had no part at all in this conversation, eh? right right right.  you just sat there silently.  I think *not* you with dreams of feta laying on a tea towel and all. (why am i hungry?)  you who murder squeeky toys with lawn mowers.   : btw, you’re even cuddly in this post  <smirk You say the sweetest things <blush!

I wonder if Tiger is still awake? : Obi-Juan, help me! Cee’ P30 and Artoue D2 are on their way – Juanita’

gracias, senior obi-juan. : {{{kipper}}} (((seriously derranged loon)))

be nice or i’ll start rambling on about what a x3%^&$#% you are! oh, and he’s spanish, you know. that explains the accent.  :-D {{quentincrispwannabe}} mair+1boy, completely and utterly sane

Response:

You are seriously deranged and I love you to bits Hahahahahaha Michael

Response:

You are seriously deranged and I love you to bits

Me? Deranged???? nevah! btw, you’re even cuddly in this post  <smirk Obi-Juan, help me!   {{{kipper}}} mair+1boy

Response:

You are seriously deranged and I love you to bits

:Me? Deranged???? nevah! Er….excuse me but who was it that phoned me at 1.30 in the morning just to call me Kipper? Who was it who went on about the ‘Feta Magazine’ with August’s center spread being a slice of Belgium feta recumbent on a plate drizzled with olive oil? Who was it doing a wonderful impression of their future-born being born with a Dick Van Dyke come bad cockney accent? Was it me? Noooooooo. : btw, you’re even cuddly in this post  <smirk You say the sweetest things <blush! : Obi-Juan, help me! Cee’ P30 and Artoue D2 are on their way – Juanita’ : {{{kipper}}} (((seriously derranged loon))) : mair+1boy Michael+hernia

Response:

h, oh, and you *you* had no part at all in this conversation, eh? :right right right.  you just sat there silently.  I think *not* I was being polite and didn’t want to hurt your feelings by not laughing at your jokes ‘poor love’.

ppppbbbbbbttttttt! excuse me, I’ve got to put my wellingtons on it’s getting so deep in here. :you with dreams of feta laying on a tea towel and all. (why am i :hungry?)  you who murder squeeky toys with lawn mowers.   Hahahaha I forgot about that – oops!

no wonder barney eats turkey!  at least you keep him supplied with hedgies (or are you chewing those up too?) : I wonder if Tiger is still awake? Bog Off!!!! – my rib still hurts because of you.

Kipper, would you like to go fishing with me today? : Obi-Juan, help me! Cee’ P30 and Artoue D2 are on their way – Juanita’ :gracias, senior obi-juan. I’m not Juan but my friend is

and you say *i’m* deranged?  pot..kettle…black! (((seriously derranged loon))) :be nice or i’ll start rambling on about what a x3%^&$#% you are! I am nice, I gods gift to nice, I’m nice concentrated, I’m nice incarnate. Anyway what the hell is a x3%^&$#% when it’s at home?

nice concentrate!  Just add 2 quarts of water for a delicious, refreshing breakfast beverage that all the astronauts on mir will be drinking instead of tang! : oh, and he’s spanish, you know. that explains the accent.  :-D Anyone ever tell you you’re a filbert?

nuh uhn.  i’m a pistachio. : {{quentincrispwannabe}} Ooo look at the dust in here!

roflmao. :mair+1boy, completely and utterly sane Yeah – right – pish!!!!! hahahahahahahahah

sniff, sniff. picking on a poor defenseless pregnant woman.  for shame.  why oi oughtta tweek yoir nose. Michael or as his friends get to call him – Michael.

smooches, kipper.  :) mair+1boy, out of feta

Response:

:excuse me, I’ve got to put my wellingtons on it’s getting so deep in :here. For one moment I thought you were gonna go public on the George Michael joke I told you. Moo!! :Kipper, would you like to go fishing with me today? Kipper’s gonna fly across to the US to poke a certain young woman in the eye with a plastic daffodil in a minute : sniff, sniff. picking on a poor defenseless pregnant woman.  for : shame.  why oi oughtta tweek yoir nose. Hahahahahahaha you idiot Michael or as his friends get to call him – Michael.

: smooches, kipper.  :) You shouldn’t smooch kippers, you’ll get a fishy breath. :mair+1boy, out of feta Michael + Stomach, out of stretch.

Response:

Question:

Thanks to everyone for their thoughtful replies to my original post. Just thought I’d let you know that my wife and I went to Rifle again this past weekend and I was allowed 1 hour to fish (she needs her climbing partner, after all). This time I found that my casting had already improved a lot and I kept my fly on the water (and out of the bushes) much more of the time. I got two small browns this time, and a LOT of missed strikes. Conclusion: my casting and presentation have improved somewhat, and I need to figure out how to convert those strikes into caught fish! By the way, I guess I didn’t make it clear that I grew up in Texas, but no longer live there. Now I live in Colorado — if anyone has recommendations for small streams to fish near Boulder, please let me know. I’ve fished the Boulder and St. Vrain creeks (S & N), but not with my fly rod. bock – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Congratulations!  But watch out, this has all the stuff that addictions are made of.  I vividly remember my first trout on the fly, and as the metaphor states__hook, line and sinker..I was a gonner.  Living in Texas you must have many bass waters.  Don’t be afraid to challenge them with your fly rod.  A whole lot of fun.  As far as the things like tangled line, too much slack line, or being snagged in the trees goes, don’t worry. These things are all common, and their rate of occurrence will decrease as you level of skill increases.  Have fun! Jeff Boks Fly Fishing~~~~~Just Do It

Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Congratulations!  But watch out, this has all the stuff that addictions are made of.  I vividly remember my first trout on the fly, and as the metaphor states__hook, line and sinker..I was a gonner.  Living in Texas you must have many bass waters.  Don’t be afraid to challenge them with your fly rod.  A whole lot of fun.  As far as the things like tangled line, too much slack line, or being snagged in the trees goes, don’t worry. These things are all common, and their rate of occurrence will decrease as you level of skill increases.  Have fun! Jeff Boks Fly Fishing~~~~~Just Do It

Response:

Heed the warnings and stay at rock climbing or whatever – the addiction cannot be overcome. Mark Faulkner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Mark B,   I understand the joy of flyfishing.  I recently started (this past Jan) and I finaly caught my first fish on a fly.  After spending time on the South Platte river trying to understand how and where I need to present my fly I had to deploy overseas for an extended period of time.  When I got back all I could think about was going fishing.  My friend, and flyfishing mentor, and I took off early one morning to a local lake to get some flies wet.  After watching the surface for a little while I tied on a #20 misqutoe and within seconds of hitting the water WHAM!  I caught a 16 rainbow.  I will never go back to a spinning rig ever. Rik This past Sunday I finally reached a milestone in my fishing career…my first trout on a fly.

(snip)

Response:

Mark B,   I understand the joy of flyfishing.  I recently started (this past Jan) and I finaly caught my first fish on a fly.  After spending time on the South Platte river trying to understand how and where I need to present my fly I had to deploy overseas for an extended period of time.  When I got back all I could think about was going fishing.  My friend, and flyfishing mentor, and I took off early one morning to a local lake to get some flies wet.  After watching the surface for a little while I tied on a #20 misqutoe and within seconds of hitting the water WHAM!  I caught a 16 rainbow.  I will never go back to a spinning rig ever. Rik – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This past Sunday I finally reached a milestone in my fishing career…my first trout on a fly. I’ve been fishing for the past 21 years. For one reason or another I never really got into fly fishing, perhaps because I lived in Texas where there were no trout streams for many hundreds of miles (or so it seemed), perhaps because nobody I knew liked to fly fish. I did buy a $30 fly rod combo when I was about 12, but I don’t think I ever caught so much as a bluegill on the thing. My fly fishing was relegated to dreams of clear sparkling streams filled with trout, and to the hours spent reading armloads of books from the local library, books like "In Search of Trout" and "Teach Your Dad How to Fish." Whatever the case, the fact is that my $30 fly rod still sits in my closet unused, despite a recently increasing longing to learn the art. So, last week I bought a 3-weight rod from Cabela’s for $175, determined to this time become a *real* student of fly fishing. My wife and I are avid rock climbers, climbing an average 4 days a week. One of our favorite places to climb is Rifle Mountain Park in western Colorado, a 2-mile long narrow canyon with steep overhanging limestone walls. In this semi-arid landscape, the canyon offers a lush riparian habitat, with a splendid little creek sustaining an almost rainforest-like growth of green things. Normally when we go to Rifle I keep my ultra-light spinning rod in the truck and stalk the many browns in the creek after a hard day’s climbing. This has been my favorite type of fishing — using stealth techniques to creep up to a promising section, flipping a little spinner to just the right spot through the trees and brush, then–when I’ve done everything right–being rewarded with a sparkling trout. On Saturday, with my new fly rod in hand, I felt strangely like an adult in the body of a child just learning to walk. I knew where the trout lay, I knew where to cast, I even knew the fundamentals of fly casting from the many afternoons spent in my yard in Texas as a kid. These damn plants of all kinds just kept getting in the way! It seemed like every time I went to cast, I’d either get hung up on the backcast or the forecast. I would set the rod down and free my fly, only to have the same thing happen as soon as I picked up my rod again. I have much to learn! Finally I stepped into the creek with my Teva’s, braving the bone- chilling cold to cast to a great-looking lie about twenty feet upstream. The sun’s reflection prevented me from seeing my fly, but I knew where it should have been. Suddenly, a swirl in that exact spot. My heart leaped — a trout had just inhaled my fly! I raised the rod tip instinctively, just as I realized that the pile of line at my feet was in no way connected to either of my hands. I was caught completely unprepared. This was my only strike that day. By midafternoon the next day I managed to complete my climbing "project" for the weekend, a short little climb that overhangs by about twenty feet and finishes only 30 feet above the ground (Yes, the ways of both climbing and fly fishing may seem strange to those who don’t practice these sports). This left me free to take up the rod again in pursuit of Salmo trutta. I hurriedly rigged my rod and tied on a tan elk hair caddis. Wanting to give myself every possible advantage, I headed for the best pool in the entire canyon. Almost thirty feet across, this pool always holds a good many fish. Usually they can be seen actively feeding on the surface, and this is exactly what they were doing as I arrived. Crouched behind a convenient boulder, I peered over the water and saw a trout right below me. With just a few inches of fly line extending past the end of my rod, I flipped my 9-foot leader in the direction of the trout. One second later…GULP! He casually sucked the caddis off the surface. This time I was ready and soon I had my flopping trout to the water’s edge. I paused a few seconds to admire the trout’s exquisite spots, then watched it shoot back to its home with a few quick flips of its tail. My journey had begun. -bock Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

This past Sunday I finally reached a milestone in my fishing career…my first trout on a fly. I’ve been fishing for the past 21 years. For one reason or another I never really got into fly fishing, perhaps because I lived in Texas where there were no trout streams for many hundreds of miles (or so it seemed), perhaps because nobody I knew liked to fly fish. I did buy a $30 fly rod combo when I was about 12, but I don’t think I ever caught so much as a bluegill on the thing. My fly fishing was relegated to dreams of clear sparkling streams filled with trout, and to the hours spent reading armloads of books from the local library, books like "In Search of Trout" and "Teach Your Dad How to Fish." Whatever the case, the fact is that my $30 fly rod still sits in my closet unused, despite a recently increasing longing to learn the art. So, last week I bought a 3-weight rod from Cabela’s for $175, determined to this time become a *real* student of fly fishing. My wife and I are avid rock climbers, climbing an average 4 days a week. One of our favorite places to climb is Rifle Mountain Park in western Colorado, a 2-mile long narrow canyon with steep overhanging limestone walls. In this semi-arid landscape, the canyon offers a lush riparian habitat, with a splendid little creek sustaining an almost rainforest-like growth of green things. Normally when we go to Rifle I keep my ultra-light spinning rod in the truck and stalk the many browns in the creek after a hard day’s climbing. This has been my favorite type of fishing — using stealth techniques to creep up to a promising section, flipping a little spinner to just the right spot through the trees and brush, then–when I’ve done everything right–being rewarded with a sparkling trout. On Saturday, with my new fly rod in hand, I felt strangely like an adult in the body of a child just learning to walk. I knew where the trout lay, I knew where to cast, I even knew the fundamentals of fly casting from the many afternoons spent in my yard in Texas as a kid. These damn plants of all kinds just kept getting in the way! It seemed like every time I went to cast, I’d either get hung up on the backcast or the forecast. I would set the rod down and free my fly, only to have the same thing happen as soon as I picked up my rod again. I have much to learn! Finally I stepped into the creek with my Teva’s, braving the bone- chilling cold to cast to a great-looking lie about twenty feet upstream. The sun’s reflection prevented me from seeing my fly, but I knew where it should have been. Suddenly, a swirl in that exact spot. My heart leaped — a trout had just inhaled my fly! I raised the rod tip instinctively, just as I realized that the pile of line at my feet was in no way connected to either of my hands. I was caught completely unprepared. This was my only strike that day. By midafternoon the next day I managed to complete my climbing "project" for the weekend, a short little climb that overhangs by about twenty feet and finishes only 30 feet above the ground (Yes, the ways of both climbing and fly fishing may seem strange to those who don’t practice these sports). This left me free to take up the rod again in pursuit of Salmo trutta. I hurriedly rigged my rod and tied on a tan elk hair caddis. Wanting to give myself every possible advantage, I headed for the best pool in the entire canyon. Almost thirty feet across, this pool always holds a good many fish. Usually they can be seen actively feeding on the surface, and this is exactly what they were doing as I arrived. Crouched behind a convenient boulder, I peered over the water and saw a trout right below me. With just a few inches of fly line extending past the end of my rod, I flipped my 9-foot leader in the direction of the trout. One second later…GULP! He casually sucked the caddis off the surface. This time I was ready and soon I had my flopping trout to the water’s edge. I paused a few seconds to admire the trout’s exquisite spots, then watched it shoot back to its home with a few quick flips of its tail. My journey had begun. -bock Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – On Saturday, with my new fly rod in hand, I felt strangely like an adult in the body of a child just learning to walk. I knew where the trout lay, I knew where to cast, I even knew the fundamentals of fly casting from the many afternoons spent in my yard in Texas as a kid. These damn plants of all kinds just kept getting in the way! It seemed like every time I went to cast, I’d either get hung up on the backcast or the forecast. I would set the rod down and free my fly, only to have the same thing happen as soon as I picked up my rod again. I have much to learn! Finally I stepped into the creek with my Teva’s, braving the bone- chilling cold to cast to a great-looking lie about twenty feet upstream. The sun’s reflection prevented me from seeing my fly, but I knew where it should have been. Suddenly, a swirl in that exact spot. My heart leaped — a trout had just inhaled my fly! I raised the rod tip instinctively, just as I realized that the pile of line at my feet was in no way connected to either of my hands. I was caught completely unprepared. This was my only strike that day.

I snipped all but this of this wonderful post because it rang true with me. I think half of flyfishing success is learning to negotiate the intricacies of dangling line, leader, and fly in the midst of thousands of prickly little sticks and stems. The general rule I live by is that if it’s possible to get snagged you will get snagged. After a great deal of pain and aggravation you learn to anticipate any remotely possible snagging hazard. Then you find yourself with your fly on the water for the majority of the time, instead of unraveling impossible snags for the majority of the time. As you’ve discovered, markb, there are about a million ways you can screw up when flyfishing. That just makes getting it right so much sweeter.

Response:

congrats–bass are real kick on a fly.  there is lots of stream fishing for them in the hill country and lots of good lakes.  if you are on the coast you have chances at really good fish.   wait til you get your first red. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This past Sunday I finally reached a milestone in my fishing career…my first trout on a fly. I’ve been fishing for the past 21 years. For one reason or another I never really got into fly fishing, perhaps because I lived in Texas where there were no trout streams for many hundreds of miles (or so it seemed), perhaps because nobody I knew liked to fly fish. I did buy a $30 fly rod combo when I was about 12, but I don’t think I ever caught so much as a bluegill on the thing. My fly fishing was relegated to dreams of clear sparkling streams filled with trout, and to the hours spent reading armloads of books from the local library, books like "In Search of Trout" and "Teach Your Dad How to Fish." Whatever the case, the fact is that my $30 fly rod still sits in my closet unused, despite a recently increasing longing to learn the art. So, last week I bought a 3-weight rod from Cabela’s for $175, determined to this time become a *real* student of fly fishing. My wife and I are avid rock climbers, climbing an average 4 days a week. One of our favorite places to climb is Rifle Mountain Park in western Colorado, a 2-mile long narrow canyon with steep overhanging limestone walls. In this semi-arid landscape, the canyon offers a lush riparian habitat, with a splendid little creek sustaining an almost rainforest-like growth of green things. Normally when we go to Rifle I keep my ultra-light spinning rod in the truck and stalk the many browns in the creek after a hard day’s climbing. This has been my favorite type of fishing — using stealth techniques to creep up to a promising section, flipping a little spinner to just the right spot through the trees and brush, then–when I’ve done everything right–being rewarded with a sparkling trout. On Saturday, with my new fly rod in hand, I felt strangely like an adult in the body of a child just learning to walk. I knew where the trout lay, I knew where to cast, I even knew the fundamentals of fly casting from the many afternoons spent in my yard in Texas as a kid. These damn plants of all kinds just kept getting in the way! It seemed like every time I went to cast, I’d either get hung up on the backcast or the forecast. I would set the rod down and free my fly, only to have the same thing happen as soon as I picked up my rod again. I have much to learn! Finally I stepped into the creek with my Teva’s, braving the bone- chilling cold to cast to a great-looking lie about twenty feet upstream. The sun’s reflection prevented me from seeing my fly, but I knew where it should have been. Suddenly, a swirl in that exact spot. My heart leaped — a trout had just inhaled my fly! I raised the rod tip instinctively, just as I realized that the pile of line at my feet was in no way connected to either of my hands. I was caught completely unprepared. This was my only strike that day. By midafternoon the next day I managed to complete my climbing "project" for the weekend, a short little climb that overhangs by about twenty feet and finishes only 30 feet above the ground (Yes, the ways of both climbing and fly fishing may seem strange to those who don’t practice these sports). This left me free to take up the rod again in pursuit of Salmo trutta. I hurriedly rigged my rod and tied on a tan elk hair caddis. Wanting to give myself every possible advantage, I headed for the best pool in the entire canyon. Almost thirty feet across, this pool always holds a good many fish. Usually they can be seen actively feeding on the surface, and this is exactly what they were doing as I arrived. Crouched behind a convenient boulder, I peered over the water and saw a trout right below me. With just a few inches of fly line extending past the end of my rod, I flipped my 9-foot leader in the direction of the trout. One second later…GULP! He casually sucked the caddis off the surface. This time I was ready and soon I had my flopping trout to the water’s edge. I paused a few seconds to admire the trout’s exquisite spots, then watched it shoot back to its home with a few quick flips of its tail. My journey had begun. -bock Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Couldn’t agree more with this, or the sentiment expressed in that long, previou s post. Having successfully stalked and caught myriad skittish wild rainbows in a tiny gin clear creek did a world of wonders for me psychologically…talk about stress reduction (understatement). And of course, the bug spread like ebola on the loose. I now desperately hope any work related conferences are within a decent time’s drive of some good trout water. Next summer, weather permitting, hope to take more advantage of the gems of the catskills and adirondacks, as well as VT. I’ll keep up with my practising during the year ahead but will misssssssssss those little wild trout. Alex – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – On Saturday, with my new fly rod in hand, I felt strangely like an adult in the body of a child just learning to walk. I knew where the trout lay, I knew where to cast, I even knew the fundamentals of fly casting from the many afternoons spent in my yard in Texas as a kid. These damn plants of all kinds just kept getting in the way! It seemed like every time I went to cast, I’d either get hung up on the backcast or the forecast. I would set the rod down and free my fly, only to have the same thing happen as soon as I picked up my rod again. I have much to learn! Finally I stepped into the creek with my Teva’s, braving the bone- chilling cold to cast to a great-looking lie about twenty feet upstream. The sun’s reflection prevented me from seeing my fly, but I knew where it should have been. Suddenly, a swirl in that exact spot. My heart leaped — a trout had just inhaled my fly! I raised the rod tip instinctively, just as I realized that the pile of line at my feet was in no way connected to either of my hands. I was caught completely unprepared. This was my only strike that day. I snipped all but this of this wonderful post because it rang true with me. I think half of flyfishing success is learning to negotiate the intricacies of dangling line, leader, and fly in the midst of thousands of prickly little sticks and stems. The general rule I live by is that if it’s possible to get snagged you will get snagged. After a great deal of pain and aggravation you learn to anticipate any remotely possible snagging hazard. Then you find yourself with your fly on the water for the majority of the time, instead of unraveling impossible snags for the majority of the time. As you’ve discovered, markb, there are about a million ways you can screw up when flyfishing. That just makes getting it right so much sweeter.

Response:

Question:

Well, I spent about 4 years there and I found a plain small bright neon green plastic worm drove the small mouths wild. — Eric From the Grand Canyon State. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am going to Star Lake in the Adirondacks later this June.  Also will visit nearby Cranberry Lake.  Both are in the northeast corner of the Adirondacks.  I am told the most common catches are smallmouth bass and trout, with occasional rock bass as consolation. Any advice for these lakes?  How about nearly streams?  We will be both fly fishing and spinning.  What kinds of flies, lures, or live baits? Techniques? Many thanks! Michael

Response:

I am going to Star Lake in the Adirondacks later this June.  Also will visit nearby Cranberry Lake.  Both are in the northeast corner of the Adirondacks.  I am told the most common catches are smallmouth bass and trout, with occasional rock bass as consolation. Any advice for these lakes?  How about nearly streams?  We will be both fly fishing and spinning.  What kinds of flies, lures, or live baits? Techniques? Many thanks! Michael

Response:

Most of my fishing is done in the Adirondacks. I have a web site with lots of advice regarding lure selection. Check it out. Email me if you have any questions (remove the nospam in the address) Matthew Carter "Fishing with Matt" http://www.albany.net/~buzzbait/fishing/index.htm

Response:

Question:

Anyone been to the MacKenzie Trail Lodge in B.C…… we saw the owner at the sportsman show in denver and are thinking about going next summer….would like some feedback on the place if anyone has been there.

Response:

Anyone been to the MacKenzie Trail Lodge in B.C…… we saw the owner at the sportsman show in denver and are thinking about going next summer….would like some feedback on the place if anyone has been there.

I have visited Tsasha Lake and stayed with Bill the last 4 years. The dry fly fishing on the Blackwater is excellent. I fished in June, July, and August and found the fishing good any month but I prefer June. The weather is cooler and it has a better chance of rain but the fishing makes up for it. Lots of fish-a 50 fish day on the Blackwater is probably below average if you spend any time and effort. I only counted fish one day (my first) and easily topped 100 fish. The real trick on the Blackwater is getting into larger fish 16". There are fly outs available and some of the lakes offer larger fish. Bill will steer you to the spot that will meet your needs. There are a few walk in lakes that offer good fishing. One has very nice fish but it is possible to get skunked. I always give it a shot and catch fish about 1/2 the time. I tie flies for Bill and give seminars after the feasts they call dinner. So factor in my biasis. Perhaps others will have more to say. — Vic Brockett Vic’s Fly-By-Night http://www.navicom.com/~vic

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : : We canoed the Quetico the 9th thru the 13th of this month and I remember : : before going reading some posts by other folks that were to be going that : : week too.  I’d like to compare notes on what your trip was like (fishing, : : Northern Lights, Wolves, Bears, weather, etc).  Anyone care to swap lies? I canoed the Boundary Waters from Sept. 13th – 20th, pretty close to Quetico. Fishing was pretty good (we caught some decent bass), and the weather was outstanding, except for a little rain on Sunday the 15th.  We didn’t see any bears, although we were careful to hang our packs just in case (we saw bear tracks and scat at several of our portages).  We did see moose, bald eagles, beavers, and a lot of other wildlife. The skies were very clear for most of our trip, and I did see the Northern Lights (which was a thrill for me, because I’m from NJ), as well as more stars than I’ve ever seen before. How was Quetico?  This was our first time at BWCA, and we’re trying to think of an equally spectacular place to go next year…. – Scot R.

We had lots of windy, rainy and cool weather so that limited how much messing around in our canoe we did.  We fished from it some one afternoon below a rapid.  Aside from that, we just used the canoe to get in and out.  We took a float plane to and from the ranger sta. at Lac LaCroix and canoed over to McAree Lake.  We camped at 2 places on the north end of the lake.  We heard no wolves, saw no Northern Lights, Moose, Beaver, otters or Deer.  We did see lots of Bald Eagles (15 or so at least), one Grouse and some Loons.  We caught a total of 8 fish (3 Northerns, I Walleye and 4 Smallmouths) and lost about as many.  We lost a ton of tackle bank fishing as close to the bottom as possible (that’s where the book said they are…..on the bottom).  The wind died down one night out of 4 and we had one pretty spectacular sunset.  We averaged seeing about one party a day and saw motorboats everyday on McAree.  That was a little more crowded than I was expecting.  We didn’t paddle down to Rebecca Falls because we heard thru the portage grapevine that the campsites were taken.  We did get to fly over them on the plane trip out and they (2 of them side by side!) looked pretty spectacular and the campsitse were still taken.  I’m glad we went during the "off" season.  I have a feeling that we’d have seen lots more folks 2 or 3 weeks earlier.  You can never predict the weather but I think we’d've caught more fish and seen more wildlife if the weather would’ve been decent.  We would’ve seen the N. Lights on Tues. night too (we compared notes with some other paddlers on the plane to St. Paul afterwords and they saw them on Tues. night, it was clear for them further into Quetico.  They also heard wolves.  Sounds like you guys hit the weather pretty good.  It was still a kick in spite of the shit-o weather. Dave

Response:

: : We canoed the Quetico the 9th thru the 13th of this month and I remember : : before going reading some posts by other folks that were to be going that : : week too.  I’d like to compare notes on what your trip was like (fishing, : : Northern Lights, Wolves, Bears, weather, etc).  Anyone care to swap lies? I canoed the Boundary Waters from Sept. 13th – 20th, pretty close to Quetico. Fishing was pretty good (we caught some decent bass), and the weather was outstanding, except for a little rain on Sunday the 15th.  We didn’t see any bears, although we were careful to hang our packs just in case (we saw bear tracks and scat at several of our portages).  We did see moose, bald eagles, beavers, and a lot of other wildlife. The skies were very clear for most of our trip, and I did see the Northern Lights (which was a thrill for me, because I’m from NJ), as well as more stars than I’ve ever seen before. How was Quetico?  This was our first time at BWCA, and we’re trying to think of an equally spectacular place to go next year…. – Scot R.

Response:

We canoed the Quetico the 9th thru the 13th of this month and I remember before going reading some posts by other folks that were to be going that week too.  I’d like to compare notes on what your trip was like (fishing, Northern Lights, Wolves, Bears, weather, etc).  Anyone care to swap lies? Dave

Response:

: We canoed the Quetico the 9th thru the 13th of this month and I remember : before going reading some posts by other folks that were to be going that : week too.  I’d like to compare notes on what your trip was like (fishing, : Northern Lights, Wolves, Bears, weather, etc).  Anyone care to swap lies? I don’t see any reason why you cannot post your lies right here.  :-) —       .                      *        .    +          .  o        B. Michael Wick      .             ‘     .    +        Carnivorous Vulgarus      .   .     o                http://www.visi.com/~wick/   *   .    ’         +  *            .          *                        *        

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Question:

I fly fish in Ontario for steelhead and but am going to be in British Columbia on some of the Fraser tributaries in a couple weeks.  I was wondering if someone could give me some insight into some common wet patterns and sizes.  Thanks in advance, Dan

Response:

I fly fish in Ontario for steelhead and but am going to be in British Columbia on some of the Fraser tributaries in a couple weeks.  I was wondering if someone could give me some insight into some common wet patterns and sizes.  Thanks in advance, Dan

      The skunk is a hot one to try.

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