Question:

"Bugger" As I suspected. Why don’t you guys just tell newcomers in the beginning that they are not welcome? This group is clearly a waste of time. Bug

Not sure that’s fair. In my time here (relatively short) I have been called a spammer, an asshole, a pompous git, a wanker, and a myriad of other things, but no one ever said I wasn’t welcome. Of course, I wouldn’t give a shit either way. It seems your response is a bit premature as you certainly don’t seem to have achieved a consensus about your being welcome or not at a clave. In fact I think you should turn up, I might actually spring for an airfare for that one myself. Clark

Response:

    Not sure that’s fair. In my time here (relatively short) I have been called   a spammer, an asshole, a pompous git, a wanker, and a myriad of other   things, but no one ever said I wasn’t welcome.     Of course, I wouldn’t give a shit either way. It seems your response is a   bit premature as you certainly don’t seem to have achieved a consensus about   your being welcome or not at a clave. In fact I think you should turn up, I   might actually spring for an airfare for that one myself. I’d make a point of being there too. I’d like to fish with you. Willi

Response:

Congrats, Mark. Keep the log book up to date, keep it between the lines, Just Say No To Overdrive, and best of luck. /daytripper (Hey! Now I can say "some of my best friends are truckers"!

Thank you kindly good sir! I will heed your advice, and look for you on my trips up North. yfitons, Op  –plagarist, just this once–

Response:

As I suspected. Why don’t you guys just tell newcomers in the beginning that they are not welcome? This group is clearly a waste of time. Bug

You seem to have discounted my reply? I suggest that you just show up at a ‘clave and be your *real* self.  Just ask Jeff C. about it. Op

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This group is clearly a waste of time.

That’s why we stick around. Mu

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This group is clearly a waste of time. That’s why we stick around. Mu

"What?  Did he expect Ichor?" GG :  ) www.gink.com

Response:

"What?  Did he expect Ichor?"

You mean Marty Feldman’s character in Young Frankenstein? Mu

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If I am following this thread reasonably accurately, it appears that if I have the balls to show up, I will be granted some modicum of tolerance to demonstrate that the *real* me is very different from the *virtual* me. Feel free to correct me. (Rhetorical.) Bug et al. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – They sound like they could be a lot of fun. Are they by invitation only? Bug

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If I am following this thread reasonably accurately, it appears that if I have the balls to show up, I will be granted some modicum of tolerance to demonstrate that the *real* me is very different from the *virtual* me.

I think eees got it! I think eeezzzzz got it! Now wherez the rhain in Spain? "In the p____!" (Fill in) "In the p____!" (Fill in) (Just don’t volunteer to run the raffle) Dave

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(Just don’t volunteer to run the raffle)

And everyone count your fingers after shaking hands with him.

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They sound like they could be a lot of fun. Are they by invitation only? Bug

Response:

They sound like they could be a lot of fun. Are they by invitation only? Bug

Not since I’ve been a part of ROFF! Just show-up and fish with lots-o-good folk. Op

Response:

They sound like they could be a lot of fun.

They are. Are they by invitation only? Bug

Yes.   Die. Wolfgang

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They sound like they could be a lot of fun. They are. Are they by invitation only? Bug Yes. Die. Wolfgang

Now, now Wolfie.  I find it hard to believe that your last statement is heart-felt? Op  –say it ain’t so, Please.–

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They sound like they could be a lot of fun. Are they by invitation only? Bug

Just do me one small favor, please, Collier. Stick to the claves out East.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – They sound like they could be a lot of fun. They are. Are they by invitation only? Bug Yes. Die. Wolfgang Now, now Wolfie.  I find it hard to believe that your last statement is heart-felt? Op  –say it ain’t so, Please.–

Sorry, Op, it’s my name.  I take it very seriously. Wolfgang and i mean it.

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Sorry, Op, it’s my name.  I take it very seriously. Wolfgang and i mean it.

My mistake!  I was talkin’ about the other last statement, as you know I would never make light of you name.  Well not since the first and last time I did when first I found ROFF.  You remember, I’m sure. Op  –nonetheless, sure wish I could have made it to the anti-clave this year– P.S.  I begin truckin’ on the 19th of Nov., if all goes well with drug test, health exam (not mental, thankfully), and road test.  So I may be in your neck of the woods in the near future, as Cargo Transporters go everywhere in the US and Canada…..OK, they don’t do Hawaii or Alaska.

Response:

Sorry, Op, it’s my name.  I take it very seriously. Wolfgang and i mean it. My mistake!  I was talkin’ about the other last statement,

Oh, that.  Now, why in the world would anyone care what someone says to a tetherball? as you know I would never make light of you name.  

Well, as I said, I take it seriously.  That said though, I can’t imagine why anyone else should. Well not since the first and last time I did when first I found ROFF.  You remember, I’m sure.

Ah, those were some days, ainna?    :) Op  –nonetheless, sure wish I could have made it to the anti-clave this year–

P.S.  I begin truckin’ on the 19th of Nov., if all goes well with drug test, health exam (not mental, thankfully), and road test.  So I may be in your neck of the woods in the near future, as Cargo Transporters go everywhere in the US and Canada…..OK, they don’t do Hawaii or Alaska.

The next month or so will still allow swinging a fly line in much of Wisconsin (although opportunities to chase trout are severely limited) but after that it’s pretty much hard water fishing till some time in late March or April.  You get up this way, give us a holler.  We’ll see if we can roust Joel, George, and maybe even Kim out of hibernation for a bit…….they’re apt to be a bit surly when awakened at this late season but they can usually be calmed down with a handful of berries or a marmot or something. Wolfgang

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They sound like they could be a lot of fun. They are. Are they by invitation only? Bug Yes.   Die.

<splork!

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They sound like they could be a lot of fun. Are they by invitation only? Bug

Let’s just say you can be "not invited".

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They sound like they could be a lot of fun. Are they by invitation only? Bug Just do me one small favor, please, Collier. Stick to the claves out East.

I dunno. He could be big on spontaneity. <g — TL, Tim

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P.S.  I begin truckin’ on the 19th of Nov., if all goes well with drug test, health exam (not mental, thankfully), and road test.  So I may be in your neck of the woods in the near future, as Cargo Transporters go everywhere in the US and Canada…..OK, they don’t do Hawaii or Alaska.

Congrats, Mark. Keep the log book up to date, keep it between the lines, Just Say No To Overdrive, and best of luck. /daytripper (Hey! Now I can say "some of my best friends are truckers"!

Response:

As I suspected. Why don’t you guys just tell newcomers in the beginning that they are not welcome? This group is clearly a waste of time. Bug – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – They sound like they could be a lot of fun. Are they by invitation only? Bug Let’s just say you can be "not invited".

Response:

As I suspected. Why don’t you guys just tell newcomers in the beginning that they are not welcome?

    in your case, that condition should have been immediately clear.  This group is clearly a waste of time.

    no doubt. Bug

awh

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We tell virtually all newcomers right from the start that they *are* welcome.  hint hint But what the hell – just show up and prove us all wrong.

As I suspected. Why don’t you guys just tell newcomers in the beginning that they are not welcome? This group is clearly a waste of time. Bug

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – They sound like they could be a lot of fun. Are they by invitation only? Bug Let’s just say you can be "not invited".

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Question:

But Tiger had to shoot 2 under (or so it seemed) for 4 holes on Friday to get paid for the week.  Guess who got it done.  The same guy who can’t find a fairway, can’t hit a wedge the right distance, can’t sink an 8 footer, and still gets it around the course under par for the week.  He’s not a winner this week but Tiger is the most determined SOB the sport has seen since Ben Hogan. Your logic is astounding.  Are you a democrat, by any chance? Greg

What has THAT got to do with anything? I’m about as Republican as you can get, and I’ll echo Joseph: Tiger is the most determined SOB the sport has seen since Ben Hogan. Most Republicans are smart enough to realize that Joseph’s point was this: that, despite the fact that Tiger had nowhere near his "A game" this week, he really gritted it out. When it was crunch time late in Friday’s round and he was in danger of missing the cut, he found a way to get the job done. Say, you’re not a Perotista, are you, Greg?  :-) Ray Pezzi

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Put Tiger on the last green in Phil’s place. Does he come up short or does he make it? I’d like to have seen Tiger on the last green – unfortuantely for him, Phil was 13 strokes better The point was that when Tiger has a chance to win, he usually converts. Winners find a way to win. Losers find a way to lose.

Yse, but first you have to have a chance to win.  My point is that Phil outplayed Tiger and yet somehow Phil is a loser.  Yes, Tiger has had big wins in the past, but this weekend he wasn’t even close to Phil.  Is Tiger a loser for the way he played this weekend or does he get special dispensation due to past victories?  People will say that Lowery played great golf and that Katayama played great golf but that a guy who was better than either of them played crappy golf, is a loser, etc.  Why is it superior to finish at -10 than at -14? They were not good enough to get that close to Toms so therefore they aren’t chokers – they are fine golfers. Let me get this straight – Phil Mickelson is a much better golfer than anybody else and whenever he loses it is because he chokes.  He could have kicked Tiger’s butt in the Masters but he choked.  Tiger is not capable of  outplaying Mickelson, its just that Mickelson cannot summon up his superior talent because he doesn’t have the killer instinct.  Is this what we are supposed to believe? Tiger missed a short put on the back nine in the Masters.  Question:  was that a choke?  Toms missed two short put on Sunday – were they chokes?  Nobody is willing to say it at the time it is made.  Once the tournament is over it is obvious – no, they weren’t chokes because the guy who missed the put won the tournament.  Had he lost, they might then have said that it was a choke.  Lovely standard – let’s wait for the final score and then we will look back at each mishap and refer to it as a choke if it happened to the loser and an obstacle from which the winner battled back heroically.  Phil has 19 victories but everybody harps about the lack of a major.  How does he keep from choking in those tournaments?  I know, they aren’t majors and so they don’t count.  Even if he beats many of the same golfers (including Tiger) he still sucks.  Let’s face it – if Phil had shot a 59 and Toms shot a 60 people would still call Phil a choker because he didn’t win. Maybe he and Monty will get in a playoff in a major then someone will have to win and no matter what happens the loser will be called a choker. (don’t laugh – the Oakland Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings went to a Super Bowl with both of them having the reputation of not being able to win the big one).

Response:

In that case, given Woods’ current level of play, I believe that Woods would have missed the putt. If Woods was playing up to his best level, he may have made the putt. However, we’ll never know, will we? You are probably asking whether it is Tiger or Phil who has more of a killer instinct. If that’s the case, then why don’t you simply find the right words? There is no need to be sarcastic towards me. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – No, my question was what would’ve happened had Tiger been there in Phil’s place.  The fact that Tiger wasn’t there is obvious and irrelevant. If I ask you if you think you could make a 2-foot putt to win The Masters, it makes no sense to answer, "But I’d never have a 2-foot putt to win The Masters." Look up "hypothetical."

Response:

Tiger would have hit the ball closer to the hole from the fairway. That’s the difference between the guy who’s won every major and the guy who hasn’t won one yet but still doesn’t want to be hitting 4 from the other side of the water.  The fact that Phil didn’t hit his approach 6 feet from the hole is the best evidence yet that his mindset has started to change.  Unfortunately he needed the old Phil for that one last full swing today.   -joseph – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Put Tiger on the last green in Phil’s place. Does he come up short or does he make it? Neither – goes long, but makes the 4 footer coming back.

Response:

But Tiger had to shoot 2 under (or so it seemed) for 4 holes on Friday to get paid for the week.  Guess who got it done.  The same guy who can’t find a fairway, can’t hit a wedge the right distance, can’t sink an 8 footer, and still gets it around the course under par for the week.  He’s not a winner this week but Tiger is the most determined SOB the sport has seen since Ben Hogan.

Your logic is astounding.  Are you a democrat, by any chance? Greg

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Tiger would have put his second shot to within 3 feet. He then would have missed the bird as is his current norm. Before being dumped by women twice in succession he woulda had a better shot.

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I tell ya, it’s in the eyes.  It’s in the mind.  When Tiger is in position to win, and he needs that 30 footer to win, you can see it in his eyes.  You wouldn’t bet against him.  He *knows* its going in.  Call it focus.  Call it determination.  Call it "brining it up a level".  It’s when its all on the line – he *has* no doubts.  *If* he fails, he’s pissed – at himself, at the golf gods.  It would never enter his mind that he might end up in 2nd place. Not that hang-dog defeated "not again" look. Tiger hasn’t had that look in his eyes this year.  The fact that he’s one of the best golfers to ever live has allowed him to win a few, even a major – without that in-the-zone focus for 4 days.  Maybe it’s burn out from last year, or the media hype, or distraction from his million dollar other interests, or fly fishing with Mark.  Or maybe its his plan to just play bad enough to undo the hype for a while… who knows.  But *that* Tiger, the one who stares it down, hasn’t been on the course much. Phil on the other hand, always has that "please God" look when he’s up against it.  I know that look.  I live that look on the course (of course without the raw talent that Phil *does* have). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Put Tiger on the last green in Phil’s place. Does he come up short or does he make it? I’d like to have seen Tiger on the last green – unfortuantely for him, Phil was 13 strokes better The point was that when Tiger has a chance to win, he usually converts. Winners find a way to win. Losers find a way to lose.

Response:

Put Tiger on the last green in Phil’s place. Does he come up short or does he make it? Tiger would’ve made the put on 16 so he would never have gotten in the situation, but saying he didn’t… nothing but the bottom of the cup.

He sure the hell wouldn’t have left that 7-iron 45 feet short on 16 !! And if he had, he wouldn’t have listened to some drunken idiots telling him it was slow coming up the slope….. Annika, was that you ???

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The point was that when Tiger has a chance to win, he usually converts.

Three 3-putts on the first day of a PGA tourney and you find it hard to have any chance to be around on the weekend.  From what I saw of him on Thursday, you could have putted better than Tiger. Also remember that Tiger is quite tough on one-to-one battles when he gets in position.  Remember those USGA titles and last year’s PGA. Winners find a way to win. Losers find a way to lose.

Looks like Phil beat a long list of guys and lost to one.  To me the bottom line is that Duval (and I expect Phil) thought that 16 under would win.  Phil left two strokes out on the course he got the other days – perhaps the course harden up a little. Cheers, Mike

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I agree that visually, Tiger seems to have  more "killer instinct" compared to Phil (and I’d bet money that this is true). However, it’s hard to believe that Phil really thinks in the manner you describe below (but I understand what you are saying based on his facial expressions). I doubt that Phil would not have gotten as far as he has w/o a very strong desire to win. That said, what do I or anyone of us here know. Only Mickelson knows. No matter what we think about this subject, the best arbiter will be the test of time. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I tell ya, it’s in the eyes.  It’s in the mind.  When Tiger is in position to win, and he needs that 30 footer to win, you can see it in his eyes. You wouldn’t bet against him.  He *knows* its going in.  Call it focus.  Call it determination.  Call it "brining it up a level".  It’s when its all on the line – he *has* no doubts.  *If* he fails, he’s pissed – at himself, at the golf gods.  It would never enter his mind that he might end up in 2nd place. Not that hang-dog defeated "not again" look. Tiger hasn’t had that look in his eyes this year.  The fact that he’s one of the best golfers to ever live has allowed him to win a few, even a major – without that in-the-zone focus for 4 days.  Maybe it’s burn out from last year, or the media hype, or distraction from his million dollar other interests, or fly fishing with Mark.  Or maybe its his plan to just play bad enough to undo the hype for a while… who knows.  But *that* Tiger, the one who stares it down, hasn’t been on the course much. Phil on the other hand, always has that "please God" look when he’s up against it.  I know that look.  I live that look on the course (of course without the raw talent that Phil *does* have).

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By your definition, Tiger is a loser? I disagree. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Winners find a way to win. Losers find a way to lose.

Response:

But Tiger had to shoot 2 under (or so it seemed) for 4 holes on Friday to get paid for the week.  Guess who got it done.  The same guy who can’t find a fairway, can’t hit a wedge the right distance, can’t sink an 8 footer, and still gets it around the course under par for the week.  He’s not a winner this week but Tiger is the most determined SOB the sport has seen since Ben Hogan.   -joseph – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Put Tiger on the last green in Phil’s place. Does he come up short or does he make it? But Tiger WASN’T in his place.

Response:

Put Tiger on the last green in Phil’s place. Does he come up short or does he make it?

Response:

Put Tiger on the last green in Phil’s place. Does he come up short or does he make it?

But Tiger WASN’T in his place.

Response:

Put Tiger on the last green in Phil’s place. Does he come up short or does he make it?

Tiger would’ve made the put on 16 so he would never have gotten in the situation, but saying he didn’t… nothing but the bottom of the cup.

Response:

Put Tiger on the last green in Phil’s place. Does he come up short or does he make it?

I’d like to have seen Tiger on the last green – unfortuantely for him, Phil was 13 strokes better

Response:

Put Tiger on the last green in Phil’s place. Does he come up short or does he make it?

Or put a putting machine in either of their places and let it make the putt once.  Don’t change anything and see if it goes in again. Joseph

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Put Tiger on the last green in Phil’s place. Does he come up short or does he make it? But Tiger WASN’T in his place.

No shit.

Response:

Put Tiger on the last green in Phil’s place. Does he come up short or does he make it? I’d like to have seen Tiger on the last green – unfortuantely for him, Phil was 13 strokes better

The point was that when Tiger has a chance to win, he usually converts. Winners find a way to win. Losers find a way to lose.

Response:

Put Tiger on the last green in Phil’s place. Does he come up short or does he make it?

Neither – goes long, but makes the 4 footer coming back.

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: Put Tiger on the last green in Phil’s place. : Does he come up short or does he make it? He comes up short, probably, from there. The difference is that Tiger would have snuggled that approach closer. cb

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The way Tiger has played lately…….he misses too, but gets an angry look on his face like it was his caddies fault that he missed it. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Put Tiger on the last green in Phil’s place. : Does he come up short or does he make it? He comes up short, probably, from there. The difference is that Tiger would have snuggled that approach closer. cb

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Put Tiger on the last green in Phil’s place. Does he come up short or does he make it? I’d like to have seen Tiger on the last green – unfortuantely for him, Phil was 13 strokes better The point was that when Tiger has a chance to win, he usually converts. Winners find a way to win. Losers find a way to lose.

Winners find a way to be playing at the last hole when they CAN win.  Losers watch on TV.

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But Tiger WASN’T in his place. No sh**. "Annika", you’ve answered your own question.

No, my question was what would’ve happened had Tiger been there in Phil’s place.  The fact that Tiger wasn’t there is obvious and irrelevant. If I ask you if you think you could make a 2-foot putt to win The Masters, it makes no sense to answer, "But I’d never have a 2-foot putt to win The Masters." Look up "hypothetical."

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"Annika", you’ve answered your own question. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But Tiger WASN’T in his place. No sh**.

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Question:

 When Bob Skinner learned he lives along the route I drove, and at the halfway point, he opened up his home to me and the lovely massuese.         did i get that right; did you say you and "…the lovely massues"?  the hell with all that other bullshit–let’s hear about *that*! wayno, goin for the jugular

  Great, Charlie.  You let the cat out of the bag.  Now, the eastern clavers will want you to spill the beans. I fear that the bottom will then drop out of the goat market, hurting a lot of the local farmers:( Bob Skinner — —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Ok, so you attended the Western Conclave. You’re tired, you’re hungry, and you don’t have the time to post a week-long trip report… So how’s about you answer this little survey in the meantime? Most of the questions can be answered in a few words. It’ll only take a minute 1. What days were you there?

Got there friday night, airlifted out on Monday afternoon. 2. Who did you fish with?

Dan’l, Darin, Warren, the Hightowers, Bob Card and Willi. Planned to fish w/ KenF but arteries got in the way. 3. Where did you fish?

Fished once right next to camp, 2 smalls, one decent, all Browns. Second day fished up river a bit at burnt tree hole (?). Caught a few small browns. Third day fished braided channals south of town. Caught a lot of smaller browns. 4. What water was most productive for you? Loved the braided channels. Want to fish it again. 5. What was your favorite fly? I was using stimulators mostly, but I should

have used more . . . nymphs 6. What was your most memorable fish? 7. Did HWMNBN make a public appearance? Huh? 8. Did Ken and Vern get along? ? 9. What did you win at the raffle? A 3 weight line, 10. Where were you when Snedeker had the heart attack? Actually I was right

there. See that sucker was w/ Dan at the jiffy shop and Dan’l, whose offer of an aspirin had been earlier accepted, suggested Sned visit the clinic just for the hell of it. The countergirl said it was down the street, he went and, voila, started a whole chain of events that  . . . hold it. Sned IS ME! Yeah. I lived. At least so far. Ended up at Deaconess/Billings, great cardiac center, next am they found blockages and inserted 2 stints. Ill say more about these very interesting bits of stainless mesh some other time. Bob Skinner, is a great guy. He drove all the way to Billings and back to get my wife Bonnie to my van in Ennis. I will be forever greatful for that quiet kindness. 11. If you had it to do over again, what would you do differently? Quit

smoking 20 years ago and learned to hate eggs. 12. Which ROFFian was the MOST like you thought they’d be? All of em. No surprises really. 13. Which ROFFian was the LEAST like you thought they’d be? see above. Bonus questions (only one person need answer): (a) who won the bamboo rod and the Connor rod? (b) Is Snedeker going to be OK? Well so far. I was

lucky it happened when and where it did. I got the best care you can , I figured I was already dead so nothing hurt too much, and I got a pocket full of nitro in case I need it. Turns out I was having a rolling heart attack for about a month and kept telling myself it was musle strain, although I hear that Warren thinks it was his rap music that triggered the attack. No way Warren, although on second thought if it will  . . . .  And I survived so far.  Ive had a great life, and Im one dam lucky person. Getting tired and will post more some other time. Thanx for all the great wishes Snedeker – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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  You got that right Wayno. I took my girlfriend, who is a professional masseuse (strictly legit, sore muscles etc). Just what the doctor ordered after a hard day on the water; she also cooks and keeps a pretty tidy camp. The only drawback to having her along was that I seldom arose before 9:00 AM.

ahhhh, this post Charlie, in it’s simple innocence, is at this time causing wayno to tear what few reamining hairs he has out of his head. waldo

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Walt Its even worse. The lady is classy, great lookin, has a sense of humor and fishes. Kinda like many of the other classy ladies of the West. To whom I dedicate this couplet: Yeah, and, and, and . . . she’s really cool. Grows her own, No pixy and looks grrrreat in the sun. Has a homeplace between John Day and Maupin, but mostly she’s keepen the old Beaver flying and in gas. Prefers older guys, dresses mostly out of REI, and little Sundance. Ties down to a 22. Somewhere West of Cheyenne Send er round Dave Snedeker – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   You got that right Wayno. I took my girlfriend, who is a professional masseuse (strictly legit, sore muscles etc). Just what the doctor ordered after a hard day on the water; she also cooks and keeps a pretty tidy camp. The only drawback to having her along was that I seldom arose before 9:00 AM. ahhhh, this post Charlie, in it’s simple innocence, is at this time causing wayno to tear what few reamining hairs he has out of his head. waldo

Response:

Ok, so you attended the Western Conclave. You’re tired, you’re hungry, and you don’t have the time to post a week-long trip report… So how’s about you answer this little survey in the meantime? Most of the questions can be answered in a few words. It’ll only take a minute 1. What days were you there?

I arrived on Fri. night the 21st and left on Sat morn the 29th. 2. Who did you fish with? Everyone who showed up except Ken, which I wish I could have. 3. Where did you fish? The Madison and Ruby rivers, Jack and Indian cricks, and two high altitude lakes with Steve (RW) which will remain nameless. 4. What water was most productive for you?

Probably the second lake Steve and I rode up to. We caught at least 2 doz. apiece in just a couple of hours. 5. What was your favorite fly?

Elk hair caddis, although this is not what I caught most of my fish on. 6. What was your most memorable fish?

The 20" cutthroat that I caught out of the first lake Steve and I rode to. 7. Did HWMNBN make a public appearance?

Nope, but I know where he was on Thursday, and I ain’t tellin. 8. Did Ken and Vern get along?

They appeared to. 9. What did you win at the raffle?

I won Michael Erana’s furled leaders and Forty’s book "Trout Stream Insects" 10. Where were you when Snedeker had the heart attack?

Fishing. 11. If you had it to do over again, what would you do differently?

I can’t think of a single thing. 12. Which ROFFian was the MOST like you thought they’d be?

To be honest, Ken Fortenberry. I can’t really explain why either. 13. Which ROFFian was the LEAST like you thought they’d be?

Steve. Sorry Steve, but it’s true, I thought you’d be more a serious type of guy. I was definitely wrong. Bonus questions (only one person need answer): (a) who won the bamboo rod and the Connor rod? (b) Is Snedeker going to be OK?

A) Vern won the cane rod and I’m cryin fix cause it was the first item up and his was the first name drawn. FIX! FIX! Just kidding Vern, you did a good, fair job with the raffle. Danl won the Conner rod, that lucky son of a bitch. I can say that cause it’s going to be a couple more weeks before he gets to a computer. B) Dave S. is going to be fine. Darin

Response:

Hello Peter Thanx for the good wishes. Im alive and kicking. Need a few weeks to figure this deal out. See whats included and whats not. Im just resting and glad to be alive. Take care Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – [snip] Well so far. I was lucky it happened when and where it did. I got the best care you can , I figured I was already dead so nothing hurt too much, and I got a pocket full of nitro in case I need it. Turns out I was having a rolling heart attack for about a month and kept telling myself it was musle strain, although I hear that Warren thinks it was his rap music that triggered the attack. No way Warren, although on second thought if it will  . . . .  And I survived so far.  Ive had a great life, and Im one dam lucky person. Getting tired and will post more some other time. Thanx for all the great wishes Snedeker This is starting to be an unpleasant trend. Take care and enjoy the opportunity to relax.  and follow the doctors orders, eh! Peter

Response:

did i get that right; did you say you and "…the lovely massues"?  the hell with all that other bullshit–let’s hear about *that*! wayno, goin for the jugular

  You got that right Wayno. I took my girlfriend, who is a professional masseuse (strictly legit, sore muscles etc). Just what the doctor ordered after a hard day on the water; she also cooks and keeps a pretty tidy camp. The only drawback to having her along was that I seldom arose before 9:00 AM.

Response:

Nice to hear from you personally David. Glad to hear you survived the ordeal.  Take your time and do some gentle fishing. Best wishes, regards, and tight lines! Mike Connor — "In order to know what is possible one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

Response:

[snip] – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well so far. I was lucky it happened when and where it did. I got the best care you can , I figured I was already dead so nothing hurt too much, and I got a pocket full of nitro in case I need it. Turns out I was having a rolling heart attack for about a month and kept telling myself it was musle strain, although I hear that Warren thinks it was his rap music that triggered the attack. No way Warren, although on second thought if it will  . . . .  And I survived so far.  Ive had a great life, and Im one dam lucky person. Getting tired and will post more some other time. Thanx for all the great wishes Snedeker

This is starting to be an unpleasant trend. Take care and enjoy the opportunity to relax.  and follow the doctors orders, eh! Peter

Response:

David Snedeker writes:

(nice stuff snipped) And I survived so far.  Ive had a great life, and Im one dam lucky person. Getting tired and will post more some other time. Thanx for all the great wishes Snedeker

Good for you, David.  Wish I could have been there with you.  Get well.. Dave LaCourse

Response:

"David Snedeker" wrote 11. If you had it to do over again, what would you do differently? Quit smoking 20 years ago and learn to hate eggs.

Dave,    Glad you made it.  There is no time like the present to quit smoking and eating those high cholesterol and fatty foods.  It seems like all the things you like to eat are bad for you.  You can set an example for all the 200+ pounders on ROFF. Ernie

Response:

Ok, so you attended the Western Conclave. You’re tired,…

Very you’re hungry,…

Very and you don’t have the time to post a week-long trip report

Very (???) 1. What days were you there?

Sat-Sat 2. Who did you fish with?

Bruce Bruiser Hopper, Warren, Willi Tight Line Loehman, and a bit with Ken, Bob Skinner and Ol’ Dan the Man Finn.  Have pics, will post. 3. Where did you fish?

Mostly the Madison (so much water!), but also Ruby, Beaver Head (huh huh), West Fork Madison, and a tiny private spring creek I got access to by being nice. 4. What water was most productive for you?

I netted big fish on the Beaver Head (:-) more later), but seriously, the Madison, most consistently below Ennis Lake. 5. What was your favorite fly?

Black Stonefly nymph, partly because all the fly shops said they wouldn’t work (I went in one shop and the bins with the size and style I wanted were empty, so I asked if they had more of em.  The guy said that he had in stock anything that I would want to use.)  I finally found what I was looking for at the True Value hardware store and went out and killed ‘em that day! 6. What was your most memorable fish?

First 2 are equal.  The very first fish I caught was a 17" brown from a spot that I worked *hard* to wade to, then it took off dowstream in heavy current. Then I had to work hard to wade *out*, this time fighting a fish, so I could get to a place I could net it. The second was a rising fish I saw in a quiet little braid in "the Channels". I cast and switched flies, and cast and switched angles, and switched flies and cast some more until I finally caught it.  Turned out to be an 8" brown, but still a great catch since I was so determned to get it. 7. Did HWMNBN make a public appearance?

Nope. 8. Did Ken and Vern get along?

Never talked AFAIK. 9. What did you win at the raffle?

Nothing!  They held it earlier than they said and I wasn’t back yet!  I gave my prize away.  Dang, I wanted a shot at that 8 ft 2 wt. 10. Where were you when Snedeker had the heart attack?

Telling him the size of the fish I just caught.  Sorry that was in bad taste – I’m joking only because I know he’s fine.  Enjoyed meeting Dave, had a nice chat with him about the fishing on the first day. 11. If you had it to do over again, what would you do differently?

Fish longer hours right from the start!  So much water! 12. Which ROFFian was the MOST like you thought they’d be? 13. Which ROFFian was the LEAST like you thought they’d be?

I honestly didn’t have any preconceived notions.  Sorry, boring answer.  Fun people though. Regards, Jeff

Response:

<snip Snedeker

Congratulations on making it back to the computer.  Glad to year you’re all right.  Best of luck and a speedy recovery. — Levi "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

Response:

   Glad you made it.  There is no time like the present to quit smoking and eating those high cholesterol and fatty foods.  It seems like all the things you like to eat are bad for you.  You can set an example for all the 200+ pounders on ROFF.

Ok, that does it!! Welcome to the new me. –Steve    2025

Response:

…Thanx for the good wishes. Im alive and kicking. Need a few weeks to figure this deal out. See whats included and whats not. Im just resting and glad to be alive.

Sad news about your trouble Dave.  Good news about your survival.  I join the rest in best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.  A word of advice: don’t do that heart attack shit again; it ain’t good for you (let’s just see if we can get an argument about THAT!) Wolfgang

Response:

   Glad you made it.  There is no time like the present to quit smoking and eating those high cholesterol and fatty foods.  It seems like all the things you like to eat are bad for you.  You can set an example for all the 200+ pounders on ROFF. Ok, that does it!! Welcome to the new me. –Steve    2025

"2025"? Yikes – that’s even more than three Marlon Brandos!

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –    Glad you made it.  There is no time like the present to quit smoking and eating those high cholesterol and fatty foods.  It seems like all the things you like to eat are bad for you.  You can set an example for all the 200+ pounders on ROFF. Ok, that does it!! Welcome to the new me. –Steve    2025 "2025"? Yikes – that’s even more than three Marlon Brandos!

WOW!  2 Kilobrandos! or is that 20 Hectomarlons? R

Response:

WOW!  2 Kilobrandos!

Apocalypse Now? — Charlie…

Response:

1. What days were you there?

Arrived Sunday afternoon, left Thursday morning. 2. Who did you fish with?

Willi, Dan’l, Steve, Warren, Bob, JeffC. 3. Where did you fish?

Ruby, Madison, a lake I can’t name for fear of death & dismemberment by Warren and likewise a section of river I can’t name if I ever want to have Robin Cunningham guide me again. 4. What water was most productive for you?

The guided trip on Tuesday. 5. What was your favorite fly?

Elk hair caddis was most productive but I caught my biggest fish on a hopper. 6. What was your most memorable fish?

A whitefish on the Ruby, my first ever. 7. Did HWMNBN make a public appearance?

Nah, he hid behind Mary Dorsey’s skirts. 8. Did Ken and Vern get along?

Famously. Vern graciously offered the use of his pontoon so I could fish the alpine lake with Warren, Steve & Willi on Wednesday. Thanks again, Vern. 9. What did you win at the raffle?

Had already made reservations for Thursday & Friday in the Park way back in March, before the raffle day was set, so missed it. 10. Where were you when Snedeker had the heart attack?

Dave, Dan’l and I went into town to grab a bite of lunch, mail a postcard, have some film developed, get some maps and buy brimmed hats ’cause the tops of our ears were gettin’ fried in the brutal sun wearing just ball caps. "AH HAH !", says Kristine at this point in the narrative, "you were shopping. Three guys shopping, it’s a wonder any of you survived the experience." Humph, says I, were not either, we were BUYING, not shopping. Dave got into his van and drove to the clinic immediately upon our return to camp so I assume he was having a heart attack in the back seat of my Subaru, bummer, but all’s well that ends well. Dave, you’ll have to finish that ‘Clave painting from memory and post a photo. 11. If you had it to do over again, what would you do differently?

Stay all week. 12. Which ROFFian was the MOST like you thought they’d be? 13. Which ROFFian was the LEAST like you thought they’d be?

No surprises, really. Trip report to follow soon. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

 When Bob Skinner learned he lives along the route I drove, and at the halfway point, he opened up his home to me and the lovely massuese.

        did i get that right; did you say you and "…the lovely massues"?  the hell with all that other bullshit–let’s hear about *that*! wayno, goin for the jugular

Response:

7. Did HWMNBN make a public appearance?     I assume you mean George.  Haven’t figured out the acronym, yet. Nope.

Bob, It’s from the "Harry Potter" book series and It stands for "He Who Must Not Be Named". The Character is Voldemort, an evil Wizard that uses his powers for evil instead of good and is always causing trouble for Harry Potter and his friends. Paul

Response:

Steve Zimmerman wrote 1. What days were you there?

       Saturday through Friday 2. Who did you fish with?

       Just about everybody except Snedecker and Vern. 3. Where did you fish?

       The Madison, Jack Creek, Indian Creek, and the west fork of the Madison (my personal favorite). 4. What water was most productive for you?

       Jack Creek, where I didn’t even try to keep count. 5. What was your favorite fly?

       Took 90% of my fish on an elk hair caddis. 6. What was your most memorable fish?

       An 18" rainbow that I pulled out of Jack Creek, remarkable because the creek was so small. 7. Did HWMNBN make a public appearance?

       Not personally, but he sent an emissary bearing gifts. 8. Did Ken and Vern get along?

       Everybody got along splendidly, as long as Vern’s dog doesn’t count as a claver. 9. What did you win at the raffle?

       The 7 1/2′ Happy Hooker donated by George. Much more about this later. 10. Where were you when Snedeker had the heart attack?

         Fishing on Jack Creek. 11. If you had it to do over again, what would you do differently?

         I would of had the air conditioning on my truck fixed BEFORE driving 1700 miles. 12. Which ROFFian was the MOST like you thought they’d be?

         Dan’l. What a hoot. 13. Which ROFFian was the LEAST like you thought they’d be?

         Ken Fortenberry turned out to be the nicest, most considerate guy you’d ever want to meet. I suppose everybody turned out to be nicer than expected, especially compared to their on-line personalities.  Any one of these guys would’ve given you the shirt off his back. When Bob Skinner learned he lives along the route I drove, and at the halfway point, he opened up his home to me and the lovely massuese. We spent a fine evening together, then went and fished one of Bob’s secret spots this morning. Thanks Bob, and any roffer who finds himself in northern Colorado is just as welcome in my home. Even George.

Response:

Ok, so you attended the Western Conclave. You’re tired, you’re hungry, and you don’t have the time to post a week-long trip report… So how’s about you answer this little survey in the meantime? Most of the questions can be answered in a few words. It’ll only take a minute 1. What days were you there?

     I arrived Mon. afternoon and left Friday a.m. 2. Who did you fish with?

     I spent most of my time with ‘ol Daniel, Willi and Charlie Wilson it seems.   3. Where did you fish?

     Madison, Ruby and Indian Creek 4. What water was most productive for you?

     They were all about the same for me, fair, by comparison to where I normally fish.   99% of my fishing is lake fishing and my knowledge of stream fishing is limited.  But, that knowledge was increased quite a bit by watching Willi fish.  Heck, that guy could pull a fish out of the back of my Jeep, I believe.  I really enjoyed watching him fish & learned a lot. 5. What was your favorite fly?

    I seemed to have the most luck with an elk hair caddis and beadhead pheasant tail 6. What was your most memorable fish?

    The best fish was the one I broke off in the Madison.   I’m just not used to playing a fish in moving water (or keeping my footing.  Didn’t get wet but it was close a few times.) 7. Did HWMNBN make a public appearance?

    I assume you mean George.  Haven’t figured out the acronym, yet. Nope. 8. Did Ken and Vern get along?

    I didn’t monitor the "companionship monitor":) 9. What did you win at the raffle?

     I won a box of "Holdzit" products: Tool Saver, floatant holders in double and single and a new product that holds a 35mm plastic film canister.  There were duplicates so I put the extras as an add-on on the raffle items so more folks would be exposed to the products. 10. Where were you when Snedeker had the heart attack?

   He was in the hospital when I arrived.  I did get to meet him, however.  As he took his keys with him and his wife flew into Billings, I drove to Billings & picked up his wife and drove her back to Ennis so she could pick up their van.  Dave looked good and was in good spirits. Had a nice visit on the way back to Ennis with his wife, Bonnie. 11. If you had it to do over again, what would you do differently?

   I would have drift boated the Madison.  You can only reach so much water when casting from close to shore.  And, as I’m not used to wading big streams (and the Madison looked really big to me) I would have been more comfortable in a boat (or pontoon). 12. Which ROFFian was the MOST like you thought they’d be?

   ’ol Daniel, I guess. 13. Which ROFFian was the LEAST like you thought they’d be?

   That’s easy.  Ken Fortenberry.  A pleasant surprise.  I really liked the left winger much to my surprise. (Dear Ken, I hope I didn’t destroy your image.  Steve asked and I had to respond:) Bonus questions (only one person need answer): (a) who won the bamboo rod and the Connor rod? (b) Is Snedeker going to be OK?

  Vern won the wonderful rod that you donated, Steve.  What a beautiful piece of work!  It was very generous of you to donate such a nice rod.   beautiful piece of work.  Charlie stopped by here on his way back to CO and I got to cast the rod.  It was a delight.  A 4 wt. (don’t remember how long) and a pretty rod.  I laid out 60-70 feet of line with out too much trouble.  Charlie will post more of a review when he gets back, I’ll bet.  Sorry, I can’t remember who won Mike’s rod but it too was a finally crafted rod.  I am really tickled that Steve, G and Mike would donate such fine rods, especially complicated to build bamboo rods. That’s way beyond the call of duty and is very generous.  It was fun to see the look on the winner’s faces.  Every winner was tickled silly. Bob Skinner  Buffalo, WY — —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Ok, so you attended the Western Conclave. You’re tired, you’re hungry, and you don’t have the time to post a week-long trip report… So how’s about you answer this little survey in the meantime? Most of the questions can be answered in a few words. It’ll only take a minute 10. Where were you when Snedeker had the heart attack? Bonus questions (only one person need answer): (a) who won the bamboo rod and the Connor rod? (b) Is Snedeker going to be OK?

Holy…..!  He actually had a heart attack?  I saw something about it, but thought it was some joke I didn’t have time to catch up on… If so, add my name to the list sending good wishes. TC, R

Response:

Ok, so you attended the Western Conclave. You’re tired, you’re hungry, and you don’t have the time to post a week-long trip report… So how’s about you answer this little survey in the meantime? Most of the questions can be answered in a few words. It’ll only take a minute 1. What days were you there? 2. Who did you fish with? 3. Where did you fish? 4. What water was most productive for you? 5. What was your favorite fly? 6. What was your most memorable fish? 7. Did HWMNBN make a public appearance? 8. Did Ken and Vern get along? 9. What did you win at the raffle? 10. Where were you when Snedeker had the heart attack? 11. If you had it to do over again, what would you do differently? 12. Which ROFFian was the MOST like you thought they’d be? 13. Which ROFFian was the LEAST like you thought they’d be? Bonus questions (only one person need answer): (a) who won the bamboo rod and the Connor rod? (b) Is Snedeker going to be OK? –Steve

Response:

Question:

The way a fish takes a nymph has to do with a number of different things including what nymphs the fish are feeding on, the depth they’re feeding

Here’s an example from about two weeks ago.  I was fishing an unweighted wooly bugger.  Bass would not hit a swimming bugger.  All our hits came as we were distracted and had let our flies sink to the bottom.  Then as we lifted our rods to begin the backcast, that’s when the largemouth bass would strike.  I had noticed plenty of drake shucks floating around and when I got home read in Dick Pobst’s Trout Stream Insects (Orvis Streamside Guide form Lyons Press) to imitate the green drake nymph by lifting it from the bottom of slackwater.   Mu

Response:

Mu Young Lee wrote… Here’s an example from about two weeks ago.  I was fishing an unweighted wooly bugger.  Bass would not hit a swimming bugger.  All our hits came as we were distracted and had let our flies sink to the bottom.

Hey, that’s great news because I get easily distracted. Or at least that’s what my wife tells me. She was telling me that just last week while we were outside in the yard… Wait, what was I talking about? –Steve

Response:

One technique I can suggest to you that is just a small variation on the tight line system you’re trying out. No bobber required!! It is an up, down and across presentation. The same or similar terminal rig as you’re using with your tight line system. The difference is that you need to keep an almost tight line, instead of a tight one. It does require quite a bit of mending, line retrieval etc. to keep the flies along the bottom and still have some contact with them.  The takes are usually pretty apparent either visually or by feel. You do need to vary the amount of weight with each new area you fish. I like this technique for big heavy water, especially in water with good stonefly populations.

Sounds similar to what I intend to do on the weekend.  We’ll see what happens. I do too, but over a season, don’t you take more fish on a dry fished drag free? I think the same holds true for nymphs.

Yes, I just like to try different methods. Since you’re a good streamer fisherman and know that technique well, I’m sure you’ll get some fish on nymphs fished in the same manner. Personally, I’d like to watch you fish streamers. I’ve never had the chance to fish with someone or watch someone effectively fish streamers to stream trout. Don’t see many people flinging streamers in the Rockies. Willi

My wife and I are hoping to get to the Grand Canyon in 2 or 3 years, so unless in the meantime the Avs meet the Leafs in the playoffs, we may get our chance then. Peter

Response:

Despite the lack of hookups, one of the outcomes of the test, was the proof that we miss many strikes in typical bobber nymphing.  No way would I have detected some 20+ strikes in that water with a bobber. All true, however my tests are an attempt to challenge the conventional wisdom of nymphing, mainly ’cause it bores me to tears and I’m not very good at it (not necessarily in that order.)

Dead drifting nymphs in all its many variations, is the most effective and consistent way to catch trout in moving water, but it is not much fun if you’re doing it right unless you’re a madly possessed trout hunter. That’s why I do less and less of it, my mad possession is a thing of the distant past. Dead drifting nymphs requires alot of physical work, terminal tackle changing, concentration, etc. etc. etc. and because I do less and less of it, I’m not as good at it as I used to be. One technique I can suggest to you that is just a small variation on the tight line system you’re trying out. No bobber required!! It is an up, down and across presentation. The same or similar terminal rig as you’re using with your tight line system. The difference is that you need to keep an almost tight line, instead of a tight one. It does require quite a bit of mending, line retrieval etc. to keep the flies along the bottom and still have some contact with them.  The takes are usually pretty apparent either visually or by feel. You do need to vary the amount of weight with each new area you fish. I like this technique for big heavy water, especially in water with good stonefly populations. My test of swimming Hendricksons in slow water proved to me that fish also react quickly and aggressively to moving food even under conditions that enable them to get a good look at the imitation.  The taut line was no problem due to the aggressive take.  BTW, I frequently drag or skitter dries and pick up the odd fish, especially when it’s windy.

I do too, but over a season, don’t you take more fish on a dry fished drag free? I think the same holds true for nymphs. My test was conducted in some fairly heavy current and stained water so by rights, the fish should have been taking aggressively but I think the combo of a broadside presentation of a scud hook and taut line screwed me.  (The Hendricksons were mostly taken from behind.) Anyway, I still consider the test partially successful as it taught me a few things. Hoepfully on the weekend I’ll get a chance to try out the wobble nymphs on a typical streamer swing through the same water.  We’ll see what happens.

Since you’re a good streamer fisherman and know that technique well, I’m sure you’ll get some fish on nymphs fished in the same manner. Personally, I’d like to watch you fish streamers. I’ve never had the chance to fish with someone or watch someone effectively fish streamers to stream trout. Don’t see many people flinging streamers in the Rockies. Willi

Response:

As the nymph enters  she clamps down for probably two reasons, one she must be sure it’s  a nymph not debris, plus she has to kill it.  Nymphs can have  pretty good jaws, especially the big ones, and they can give a good nip.

Interesting, never occurred to me…. it does make you wonder what they think of the hook though, when they mouth it… So if I purposely design a mayfly nymph with the same characteristics of weight and eye placement, I should get the same wobble giving a reasonable facsimile of a swimming nymph.

I’ve seen video footage of nymphs tied in this manner moving in the water, and the wobbling action does look impressive.  Another thing you can do is check into the nymph hooks that have split wire near the eye that create a wide flat body.  Example: www.flytying.com/FlyTying/hookbook/xPARTRIDGE_MASTER/partridgeH3S T.html I haven’t tried this yet, but you got me interested again! * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

good post deleted. My experience is that with any tight line technique ( I assume you are talking about tight line technique and not a true dead drift one ), lots of fish are missed. Most of the fish you do hook, generally hook themselves. I also don’t find scud hooks as having the best hooking characteristics. That would explain quite a few misses but not 0 for 20 or 30. I think the main reason for the missed strikes is the presence of the tight line itself. Nymphs do not pull back and if they do, they are rejected quickly. This is ONE of the advantages to fishing a true dead drifted nymph.   The way a fish takes a nymph has to do with a number of different things including what nymphs the fish are feeding on, the depth they’re feeding at etc., but I believe the biggest factor is the speed and type of water. In pockets water and the heavy flows at the heads of pools, the strikes are quick and sharp.  This makes it much easier to fool and hook the fish. Fly selection is usually not very important. These are the same waters that work well with attractor dries. In areas of more sedate current, the nymphs are usually taken in a patient, manner allowing the fish to scrutinize the fly. This can result in more bumps, refusals, rejections, etc. and more missed strikes, very similar to "fussy" fish on a dry. I think the comparison to fishing dries holds true in other ways. Usually dead drifted dries are more effective than flies with drag or motion. The same applies to nymphs. Most nymphs are taken when they are drifting with the current, not when they are swimming. Caddis and stoneflies are the most frequent exceptions because the nymphs can be active swimmers and the adults active on the surface. Although a dead drifted nymph or dry may lack the movement trigger to elicit a strike, it will never be seen as unnatural. Drag or motion on a dry or a nymph will often be seen by the trout as unnatural. Willi

Response:

Although a dead drifted nymph or dry may lack the movement trigger to elicit a strike, it will never be seen as unnatural. Drag or motion on a dry or a nymph will often be seen by the trout as unnatural.

Willi, I agree drag is unnatural, but I don’t think Peter’s example of "wobbling" is unnatural, do you?  He was talking about "swimming" nymphs, but when you think about a flat bodied nymph, I think these do it too.  Is something like a Hare’s Ear really the best imitation?  It’s basically tied "round" – i.e. no matter which angle the trout sees it from, it appears broad, as if it were always seeing the broad, flat side of a natural.  That might be why it works.  But tying it to be shaped like a natural might give it a little wobbling motion.  Seems good to me. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – good post deleted. My experience is that with any tight line technique ( I assume you are talking about tight line technique and not a true dead drift one ), lots of fish are missed. Most of the fish you do hook, generally hook themselves. I also don’t find scud hooks as having the best hooking characteristics. That would explain quite a few misses but not 0 for 20 or 30. I think the main reason for the missed strikes is the presence of the tight line itself. Nymphs do not pull back and if they do, they are rejected quickly. This is ONE of the advantages to fishing a true dead drifted nymph.  

My original post was supposed to have a few sentences that explained that I had built the leader, added weight and the bead head precisely to get as taut a line as possible.  I knew that the taut line contributed to the problem.  I wrote this Friday night at my bro-in-law’s after numerous beers so I plead guilty to TWI.   Despite the lack of hookups, one of the outcomes of the test, was the proof that we miss many strikes in typical bobber nymphing.  No way would I have detected some 20+ strikes in that water with a bobber. The way a fish takes a nymph has to do with a number of different things including what nymphs the fish are feeding on, the depth they’re feeding at etc., but I believe the biggest factor is the speed and type of water. In pockets water and the heavy flows at the heads of pools, the strikes are quick and sharp.  This makes it much easier to fool and hook the fish. Fly selection is usually not very important. These are the same waters that work well with attractor dries. In areas of more sedate current, the nymphs are usually taken in a patient, manner allowing the fish to scrutinize the fly. This can result in more bumps, refusals, rejections, etc. and more missed strikes, very similar to "fussy" fish on a dry.

All true, however my tests are an attempt to challenge the conventional wisdom of nymphing, mainly ’cause it bores me to tears and I’m not very good at it (not necessarily in that order.)  My test of swimming Hendricksons in slow water proved to me that fish also react quickly and aggressively to moving food even under conditions that enable them to get a good look at the imitation.  The taut line was no problem due to the aggressive take.  BTW, I frequently drag or skitter dries and pick up the odd fish, especially when it’s windy. My test was conducted in some fairly heavy current and stained water so by rights, the fish should have been taking aggressively but I think the combo of a broadside presentation of a scud hook and taut line screwed me.  (The Hendricksons were mostly taken from behind.) Anyway, I still consider the test partially successful as it taught me a few things. I think the comparison to fishing dries holds true in other ways. Usually dead drifted dries are more effective than flies with drag or motion. The same applies to nymphs. Most nymphs are taken when they are drifting with the current, not when they are swimming. Caddis and stoneflies are the most frequent exceptions because the nymphs can be active swimmers and the adults active on the surface. Although a dead drifted nymph or dry may lack the movement trigger to elicit a strike, it will never be seen as unnatural. Drag or motion on a dry or a nymph will often be seen by the trout as unnatural. Willi

Hoepfully on the weekend I’ll get a chance to try out the wobble nymphs on a typical streamer swing through the same water.  We’ll see what happens. Peter

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Some time back I wrote a piece about straight-line nymphing and about how I had a phenomenal hit rate and an abysmal hookup rate.  I swear that in one run I must have had something like 20 for 0 or 30 for 0 strikes to hookups.  I had a method that would enable me to detect strikes but I couldn’t hookup worth a damn.  Talk about frustration so I’ve put the method aside.  Two things have occurred since that have set me to thinking about straight-line nymphing again; I read that post Sandy put out about soft-bodied nymphs and my failure with a crayfish design that wobbled like a Red Devil on the retrieve.  These two events have given me a clue into a new type of fishing that could prove very successful. (I hope.)  I’m in the middle of my northern NT trip and with nothing to do on the long trip to Timmins, so I’m doing my best to use the time productively <g to try and figure out why my straight-line nymphing was a failure.  I’m not a biologist and I’ve never talked to one about this so read the following with that proviso.  I’ve been trying to visualize how a trout takes a nymph. A trout resting in her lie doesn’t really have to work hard for dinner.  The whole process must be a relaxed affair compared to a bass chasing and inhaling a minnow.  As a nymph drifts toward the lie, she slides out and slightly opens her mouth.  As the nymph enters she clamps down for probably two reasons, one she must be sure it’s a nymph not debris, plus she has to kill it.  Nymphs can have pretty good jaws, especially the big ones, and they can give a good nip.  So she slides back into her lie with the nymph, chomps it once or twice more, runs it over her tongue as a final check, and only then swallows it.  This is the key to Sandy’s foam nymphs, as a hard nymph will be rejected as phony after a couple of chomps.  It also explains why I couldn’t get hookups.  I was fishing with a tungsten bead head caddis tied on a scud hook.  This hook has a thick wire, large gape and short shank plus the bead and the firmly wound body were rock hard. Straight-line nymphing will present the fly broadside to the trout. So when a trout took it, the hook point probably hit its lower jaw and the fly canted sideways, so when the trout clamped down, the hook point was outside of its mouth.  I’ve seen smallmouth take a slow moving woolly bugger the same way.  Plus, if I delayed the hookset, the trout would reject the hard nymph.  So if I’m to get a nymph to work on a straight-line swing, the point has to get inside the trout’s mouth.  That means a small gape, long shank, thin wire hook.  It would also help if the trout would take it like a streamer – with gusto. Mayfly nymphs come in three varieties, burrowing, clinging, and swimming.  Burrowing nymphs, like Hexes, favour soft, silty, slow moving sections of rivers and only become active in low light, dusk, or at night, consequently they don’t give us much opportunity to exploit except during emergence.  Clinging mayfly nymphs and most stoneflies crawl about rocks and only infrequently move in open water except when migrating to emerge.  When a clinging nymph wants to move and find a new feeding spot, they release their hold on a rock and allow themselves to be swept along in the current, swimming only a little.  These are the most common nymphs that we imitate when we dead drift.  Some species time their moves so that an entire section of a river has all of one species of nymph drifting at about the same time. An effective strategy for reducing casualties to marauding trout. These trout have very flat bodies and strong, thick legs suitable clinging to rocks.  The third type of nymphs however, are excellent swimmers with elegant, long, thin bodies and thin swimming legs. These mayflies swim with an arched back and an undulating side-to-side motion that wriggle nymphs unsuccessfully try to imitate.  Unlike clingers, these nymphs should be moved to be lifelike.  A down-and-across streamer swing with a few small strips should do the job. Recently, I tried swimming Hendrickson nymphs and I was pleasantly surprised with the aggression that trout displayed when taking them. No subtle takes this time and the hookup rate was very high.  So if I combine a good swimming nymph pattern with a swinging presentation, the results should be good.  Back to the crayfish pattern.  I had used a jig hook and had weighted the shank near the gape.  On the retrieve, the combination of the upraised eye and low set weight resulted in the fly flipping over and wobbling like an old Red Devil.  So if I purposely design a mayfly nymph with the same characteristics of weight and eye placement, I should get the same wobble giving a reasonable facsimile of a swimming nymph.  Well, wish me luck with it, as once I’ve got over the worst of the NT install, I’m going to tie up some and swing them through some Grand River runs.

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Question:

I live on the Olympic Peninsula in Port Angeles.  I fly fish most of the many streams both bank and float.  If you can’t afford a guide then try the Hoko, a small stream on the far west in near the town of Sekiu.  The upper reaches are the only fly fishing catch and release steelhead waters on the entire peninsula.  The best fly fishing on peninsula rivers is March when all the natives tend to be in the rivers.  The Hoh, Solduck, and Bochachial rivers are all good but best fished by boat.  If you stay in the town of Forks you can easily fish all these rivers from town. Drop me a line if you plan a trip and I may be able to give you more specific advice regarding patterns and places.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  I am looking for information on steelhead fishing on the  Olympic  Peninsula in March.  I checked into a couple of guide services that go  out on the Sol Duc and Hoh rivers but they are simply too expensive.  I  would like some basic info on access, tackle, technique etc.  I hope that  the rivers will not be too high and will be accessible.   The best info I have is: Hoh River – Fall and Spring Chinook. Best in August. Good in May and November.  Winter Steelhead.  Best December into April.  Hwy 101 follows the river for about 8 miles. Sol Duc River – Fall and Spring Chinook.  Best in October.  Good in September, November, May and June.  Also carries both Summer and Winter Steelhead and a variety of Trout.  Mostly accessible from trails in Olympic National Park. Hope that’s some help.                    - Jewelee

Most interesting that the access is best from trails in the park where the river is small when there are 5 bridges over the lower river on Highway 101.  Where do you get your information? Mike

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 Sol Duc River – Fall and Spring Chinook.  Best in October.  Good in  September, November, May and June.  Also carries both Summer and  Winter Steelhead and a variety of Trout.  Mostly accessible from trails  in Olympic National Park.  Hope that’s some help.                        - Jewelee  Most interesting that the access is best from trails in the park where  the river is small when there are 5 bridges over the lower river on  Highway 101.  Where do you get your information?  Mike

So you’ve got 5 access points – some of them limited, I might add – on the highway.  The lower river is best fished from a boat.  Lots of the upper river in Olympic National Park is accessible.  By the way, there is nothing wrong with small water and what you consider small is to me an ideal trout stream.

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dont waste your time on areas you dont know.  Hire a guide.

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I am looking for information on steelhead fishing on the  Olympic Peninsula in March.  I checked into a couple of guide services that go out on the Sol Duc and Hoh rivers but they are simply too expensive.  I would like some basic info on access, tackle, technique etc.  I hope that the rivers will not be too high and will be accessible.   Mike, Carson City, NV –

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I am looking for information on steelhead fishing on the  Olympic Peninsula in March.  I checked into a couple of guide services that go out on the Sol Duc and Hoh rivers but they are simply too expensive.  I would like some basic info on access, tackle, technique etc.  I hope that the rivers will not be too high and will be accessible.   Mike, Carson City, NV –

I have a Western Washington Steelhead River Report on the Web. It is updated at least weekly and includes links to real time river flow information and graphs as well as a lot of recent fish stories. The URL is http://www.halcyon.com/dweitl/wwrive~1.htm Check it out and contribute to it. It is produced in conjunction with The Anadromous Page and made up by volunteers contributing their fishing knowledge. Check it out at http://www.peak.org/~robertr/fishing.html

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 I am looking for information on steelhead fishing on the  Olympic  Peninsula in March.  I checked into a couple of guide services that go  out on the Sol Duc and Hoh rivers but they are simply too expensive.  I  would like some basic info on access, tackle, technique etc.  I hope that  the rivers will not be too high and will be accessible.  

The best info I have is: Hoh River – Fall and Spring Chinook. Best in August. Good in May and November.  Winter Steelhead.  Best December into April.  Hwy 101 follows the river for about 8 miles. Sol Duc River – Fall and Spring Chinook.  Best in October.  Good in September, November, May and June.  Also carries both Summer and Winter Steelhead and a variety of Trout.  Mostly accessible from trails in Olympic National Park. Hope that’s some help.                         – Jewelee

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Question:

Anyone subscribe to the 8wt. Journal?  If so, have you received the January issue? Thanks, Larry Lincoln, NE   USA "Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes."    Thoreau

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Anyone subscribe to the 8wt. Journal?  If so, have you received the January issue?

Bummer, got my answer in the mail today.  8wt. Journal has ceased publication.  John Likakis, 8wt. Journal’s editor, is the new editor of American Angler.  Subscribers have the option of fulfilling their 8wt. Journal subscription with American Angler, Flyer Tyer or Saltwater Fly Fishing. Larry

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Question:

I’m hoping someone out there can help me convert a Medalist 1494 over to work for a left-handed person. I was lead to believe it possible. The reel didn’t come with any instructions. Do I just flip over the plastic ring that the drag rubs against? The two sides have a different # of click grooves on each side but this does seem to be the only way to reverse the drag. Do I also move the line guides? If anyone was a telephone # for Pflueger/Shakespeare please post. Thanks Don B.

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I’m hoping someone out there can help me convert a Medalist 1494 over to work for a left-handed person. I was lead to believe it possible. The reel didn’t come with any instructions. Do I just flip over the plastic ring that the drag rubs against? The two sides have a different # of click grooves on each side but this does seem to be the only way to reverse the drag. Do I also move the line guides? If anyone was a telephone # for Pflueger/Shakespeare please post. Thanks Don B.

Yup, just flip that litle plastic ring over and you’re in business. You can also reverse the line guide, but to me it’s a pain in the butt so I usually don’t bother (there’s always ONE little screw that won’t budge )

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Yes, just take out the two small screws (don’t lose them!), and turn over the disc.  There is a spring loaded gizzy that will pop out when you remove the disc.  So, lift it slowly.  Turn the disc over, postion over the screw holes, and tighten.  Changing the line guard is difficult, but I believe it is necessary.  The guard is there for a purpose, to protect the main body of the reel, and it really doesn’t take too long.  Good luck.  Dave Kumlien, Montana Troutfitters Orvis Shop, Bozeman, MT

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I had tried and failed to convert my reel so I did the only reasonable thing, I went to the local fly shop and and asked for help.  I’ve been fly fishing for only one year, but I have found that the fellows who run fly shops are extremely helpful.  Of course, you will want to return the favor, especially if it was free, and buy a few flies — even if you don’t need any! Bob Jones

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(Spin4trout) says: I’m hoping someone out there can help me convert a Medalist 1494 over to work for a left-handed person. I was lead to believe it possible. The reel didn’t come with any instructions.

Has there been a change in the way Mealists are fabricated?  I thought that the always came for left-handed people.  I have always changed to right hand operation.  That is, I hold the rod in my right hand for casting, line in my left hand, and when it comes to actually winding it in, doing so with my left hand.  I do not switch hands between casting and winding. Way back when, Neal Taylor mentioned that, by happenstance, the first two reel makers were left handed and that is why actual left-handed reels are called right-handed. Further edification will be appreciated.

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(BillyFish) writes: Has there been a change in the way Mealists are fabricated?  I thought that the always came for left-handed people.  I have always changed to right hand operation.  That is, I hold the rod in my right hand for casting, line in my left hand, and when it comes to actually winding it in, doing so with my left hand.  I do not switch hands between casting and winding.

Right hand wind means you turn the handle with your right hand.  Left hand retrieve means you retrieve with your left hand.  The traditional way for a right hander to fish was to cast with the right hand, then switch the rod to the left hand and retrieve with the right hand also.  Now most right handers retrieve with their left hand probably because they either spincast first.  It doesn’t really matter, just different strokes for different folks.                                                              Dan Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

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writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (BillyFish) writes: Has there been a change in the way Mealists are fabricated?  I thought that the always came for left-handed people.  I have always changed to right hand operation.  That is, I hold the rod in my right hand for casting, line in my left hand, and when it comes to actually winding it in, doing so with my left hand.  I do not switch hands between casting and winding. Right hand wind means you turn the handle with your right hand.  Left hand retrieve means you retrieve with your left hand.  The traditional way for a right hander to fish was to cast with the right hand, then switch the rod to the left hand and retrieve with the right hand also.  Now most right handers retrieve with their left hand probably because they either spincast first.  It doesn’t really matter, just different strokes for different folks.                                                             Dan Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

Thanks for the help from everyone. I should have said I had a USED reel that needed to be un-converted. Like Dan said above I got started with spinning and I don’t switch hands. Just lucky to be left-handed and glad you righties flip-flop hands. I now have the reel back to "normal". I still wonder why they made the two sides with different hole patterns?   Oh, well. Life’s full of questions. Is there left-handed whirling disease? Or do all the fish swin circles in the same direction? <G PLEASE no responses to that one. Don B.

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(Spin4trout) writes: I now have the reel back to "normal". I still wonder why they made the two sides with different hole patterns?  

Hey Don, The hole patterns are different because Pflueger never originally expected the reel to be converted to left hand retrieve.  Left hand retrieve works ok on the converted reel, but the click sounds funny. The Japanese are manufacturing the Pflueger now and it’s one of the few things they don’t do well.  Still works, but the old US models work better, albeit without an exposed rim.                                                    Dan

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Question:

Hi, a brand new german internet fly-fisherman is around ! I am sorry if a cause some troubles here, but it is my first time in the internet and i wanted to take a look at the worlds computer-fly-fishermen. So if i produce any mistakes in here, I AM SORRY !       Would be nice if somebody talks to me, just to see that i am right in here.    CU, bye…….

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Hi, a brand new german internet fly-fisherman is around ! I am sorry if a cause some troubles here, but it is my first time in the internet and i wanted to take a look at the worlds computer-fly-fishermen. So if i produce any mistakes in here, I AM SORRY !       Would be nice if somebody talks to me, just to see that i am right in here.    CU, bye…….

Hello and welcome. It’s always great to have flyfishers from different countries. I lived in Germany for 3 years and had some great fishing experiences there. Tchuss! Cal Harris — Fishin Buddy  o <<     o  |           These opinions are offered by weight  <     <  o       <J           provocative content may have occurred      <<       <<                    during shipping and handling.

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Howdy,     you are hear and heard…always nice to have someone from across the water join in.  Maybe you can tell me about Huchen if you have ever had the oportlunity to fish for them.                     Petri Heil                          Mike Leitheiser, Portland, Oregon

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Hi from around the world. Enjoy the ‘net and aloha, |Robert (aka: Bob) B. Graham – NINC-HON               Office: (808) 523-4500| |(Nerd-In-Chief Honolulu)                               Home: (808) 395-9360| |City & County of Honolulu           Prodigy: WTKW87A                       |  I have a vice, that vice is fishing – time stops, I’m in a different world.

: Hi, : a brand new german internet fly-fisherman is around ! : I am sorry if a cause some troubles here, but it is my first : time in the internet and i wanted to take a look at the worlds : computer-fly-fishermen. So if i produce any mistakes in here, : I AM SORRY !       Would be nice if somebody talks to me, : just to see that i am right in here.    CU, bye…….

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This thread is great! Does any one know if there is an IRC session on FFishing? That is where real time conversation can take place and our German friends can participate. I’m a Fly fisherman and amateur astronomer. On sundays an #ASTRONOMY session held. Folks from uk, as, fr and others participate. A FFishing session would be great too.

: Hi, : a brand new german internet fly-fisherman is around ! : I am sorry if a cause some troubles here, but it is my first : time in the internet and i wanted to take a look at the worlds : computer-fly-fishermen. So if i produce any mistakes in here, : I AM SORRY !       Would be nice if somebody talks to me, : just to see that i am right in here.    CU, bye……. —  Remember amateur astronomers: "keep looking for the next Universe"

Response:

bob- glad to hear u made it on to the net and welcome.  no doesn’t seem like u caused any prblems but how the fishing in germany?  currently i am in Manchester, New Hampshire, USA and while its alittle cold here and the seasons is on hold the fishing was tremendous this summer and fall in our northern rivers and streams.  also was terrific out west in Wyoming and Montana where i spend three weeks every year.  so i guess we have u to blame for all these german browns that thrive in our rivers, well i can tell u they get pretty big over hear.  well lots of luck.                                                  tight lines

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Question:

Where’s Fisherman’s Paradise? Sorry, Fisherman’s Paradise is a famous stretch of Spring Creek north of State College, PA.  The state, which owns this part of the stream, manages it as a special-regulations area — catch and release/no wading. The wild fish population is very dense, no doubt due to the special regulations.  Interestingly, the special regulations are the result of some sort of chemical contamination in this part of the stream, which makes the fish unsafe to eat, but apparently does little in the way of impacting on their reproduction.

The chemical contamination was mirex and a second which I can’t remember now. The DER does testing periodically and found that the last test proved the fish would now be safe for consumption.  When this was announced the two camps (C&R , C&K) both had their say.  Obviously only one camp was going to be happy. DER decision was to keep the special regs in place since they had helped to enhance the number and quality of the fish. We still experience new contami nation rather frequently.  Factories in the area (watershed) would rather pay the fine (usually 10K) for their mess than to spend the money to avoid future spills and contamination. Bug hatches had made a comeback on the stream but many of the more fragile spec ies are gone forever.  If you get the chance, walk through the Frost Entomologi cal Museum on the Penn State campus to see what once lived on the stream. Rather sad to see what we do to the environment.  The phrase: we all live downstream rings true!!!                                  Scott Maitland

Response:

Where’s Fisherman’s Paradise?

Sorry, Fisherman’s Paradise is a famous stretch of Spring Creek north of State College, PA.  The state, which owns this part of the stream, manages it as a special-regulations area — catch and release/no wading.  The wild fish population is very dense, no doubt due to the special regulations.  Interestingly, the special regulations are the result of some sort of chemical contamination in this part of the stream, which makes the fish unsafe to eat, but apparently does little in the way of impacting on their reproduction. andy

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I finally made it up to Fisherman’s Paradise this past weekend.  Driving down the road that leads to the park, I tried not to get my hopes up to high.  I was expecting tons of people, park officials, cars, noise, etc.  In other words, everything that a trout person loathes.  Much to my utter amazement,  Fisherman’s Paradise turned out to be everything the books say it is — clean, serene, and uncrowded.  And to top it all off, there’s even fish there — big, beautiful, wild browns.  However, these fish have no doubt seen it all.  I fished for hours (terrestrials, nymphs, etc.) trying to convince just one of these monsters to nip at my fly — nothing doing.  They just sorta looked at my little black ant, bored stiff.  Frustrating yes, but what great fun!!  Andy sez check it out!!

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I finally made it up to Fisherman’s Paradise this past weekend.

Where’s Fisherman’s Paradise?

Response:

Parham) says: I finally made it up to Fisherman’s Paradise this past weekend. Where’s Fisherman’s Paradise?

Fisherman’s Paradise is in Central PA near State College (home of Penn State Un iversity).  It was the first flyfishing only, special regs stream in the USA. Don’t remember the exact year this was developed but it’s been around a long time.  Fly only, C&R, barbless hooks, leader length limits, no wading…. It’s not stocked but is well known for number of fish per mile.  ALso well know n for having difficult fish that have seen it all (or close to it)!!!  There are some HUGE browns swimming here but they are stubborn. More info can be found by looking it up in flyfishing books about the NE or PA if not under the Paradise name look up Spring Creek in the Central area of PA (sometimes listed as Northcentral or Southcentral depending upon the book).                                Scott Maitland (it’s my "home stream")

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Question:

Good flies?   Try something like a black girdle bug with yellow rubber legs.

I’ve also had good luck with a long shank hook (8-4), white marabou tail ( long) body of gold tinsle chenille, palmer wrapped with dark hackle and very small lead eyes or lead wraps forward… looks like the little minnows that smallies love…. Good Luck / /—– /     Bob Bowes |/         |     Defense Systems Divison |   ^   ^   |     Lockheed Sanders Inc |     &     |     Merrimack NH 03045     _/   /      (603)-885-6779     ___ /

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| I’ll be in West Virginia  from 6/7 through 6/13 and | I’ll have three days an a couple of evenings free to | chase smallmouths.   I’m staying at Pipestem State | Park on the New River. | | I’ve never tried smallmouths on moving water | before, so any advice will be appreciated.  I’ll be | using a fly rod but want advice from all anglers.   | I find I can adapt other techniques to fly fishing | quite nicely.  I’ve had great luck with Bay stripers, | landlocked stripers, black bass, ocean pearch, rock | fish, etc. Chip, I have fished the upper Potomac quite a bit for smallmouth and we’re basically talking about the same conditions here. The most efficient technique I have found for spring and fall is a two-inch floating Rapala on ultralight spinning tackle. Spinners work well, too, but they get hung up alot in shallow water, which is where the active fish are. The Rapala dives when retrieved and lets you effectively fish topwater and down to a couple of feet. While I’m not a big fan of spin fishing, I usually fish from a canoe where fly casting is a little awkward. To fly fish I usually beach the canoe and wade. I also use an ultralight casting outfit, though the Rapala is a little too light for it. Works fine with a junior size sluggo (no weight added) and a Zara Spook. For fly fishing in the evening, try deer hair bass bugs. I use patterns tied on #4 hooks and a 6-weight line/rod combination. You could go heavier, but since river smallmouth in this area tend to be on the small side, the light tackle adds to the fun. If there’s alot of glare on the water and/or the fish aren’t coming to the surface, I use a muddler minnow with a little lead tied into it. If you want to take the quality over quantity approach and stalk the larger fish, bring an 8-weight rod and proportionately larger flies. If you’ve never caught smallmouth in moving water, you’re in for a treat, especially with light tackle. You’ll find alot of fish going airborne once they’re hooked. Good luck. —

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Park on the New River. I’ve never tried smallmouths on moving water before, so any advice will be appreciated.  I’ll be using a fly rod but want advice from all anglers.

Depressions, ledges, side pools – all are good holding and cruising zones.   With flies, I often made long casts and retrieved in any old way, as long as they followed.   Then when they all came running in close, I’d work the fly more carefully, often seeing them dare each other to take the fly, and eventually setting the hook when the big one bit down. Good flies?   Try something like a black girdle bug with yellow rubber legs. Thomas Gilg

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I’ll be in West Virginia  from 6/7 through 6/13 and I’ll have three days an a couple of evenings free to chase smallmouths.   I’m staying at Pipestem State Park on the New River. I’ve never tried smallmouths on moving water before, so any advice will be appreciated.  I’ll be using a fly rod but want advice from all anglers.   I find I can adapt other techniques to fly fishing quite nicely.  I’ve had great luck with Bay stripers, landlocked stripers, black bass, ocean pearch, rock fish, etc.

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