Question:

There are some theories based on comparative analysis of DNA from rainbows native to this region versus that from rainbows native further north which point at them possibly being genetically the least changed and therefore the oldest. This is alluded to by Loev in his book "Flyfishing For Sharks."

Someone once told me that rainbow trout originated on the Pacific coast of Siberia. This guy is an outfitter on the Kamchatka Peninsula, so I took it with a grain of salt (bullshit detectors at work, Wayno , but it’s an interesting idea. I’m pretty sure that rainbows are native to Siberia, so there’s no reason they might not have originated there rather than in North America. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

I’m pretty sure that rainbows are native to Siberia, so there’s no reason they might not have originated there rather than in North America.

Rainbows originated in the North Pacific basin, along with cutts and Pacific salmon. They were first classified by a Swedish scientist studying fish from Kamchatka, but there is no real evidence that they actually evolved there.

Response:

Someone once told me that rainbow trout originated on the Pacific coast of Siberia. This guy is an outfitter on the Kamchatka Peninsula, so I took it with a grain of salt (bullshit detectors at work, Wayno , but it’s an interesting idea. I’m pretty sure that rainbows are native to Siberia, so there’s no reason they might not have originated there rather than in North America.

The Russians certainly think this.  There are even some that think there’s evidence Oncorhynchus sp. as a group originated there.  The evidence is purely phenotypic, though, and they concede the evidence admits other possibilities.  Go to: http://www.psmfc.org/workshops/shconf98.html and scroll down to the last abstract, "The Diversity of Pacific Trouts in Kamchatkan Water Bodies". A "final" answer will probably have to await complete sequencing of the DNA from a number of native populations across the entire range of the species.  That’s no doubt a long way off.  There’s a lot of research being done on the genetics of rainbow trout (a complete nucleotide sequence for mitochondrial DNA was published in ‘95).  Much, probably most, of it is on hatchery and/or introduced populations rather than native ones. JR

Response:

… a complete nucleotide sequence for mitochondrial DNA was published in ‘95) …

Datapoint – within each cell of a human, there is one strand of mitochondrial DNA and 23 pairs (46 strands) of nuclear DNA. For salmon/trout, there is again just one strand of mitochondrial DNA but anywhere from ~26 to 39 pairs of nuclear DNA. The mitochondrial DNA is interesting because it is passed down maternally, so it is useful for tracking lineage. It is also the case that it is only ~16,500 base pairs (roughly letters) long and not highly variable. Nuclear DNA (also called genomic or genetic DNA) on the other hand is passed down from both parents, is constantly mixed up in each individual, and is really the stuff that controls who/what each of us is and or could be. In humans, genetic DNA represents roughly 3 billion base pairs, and in salmon/trout, roughly 2.4 billion base pairs. Many fish studies to date have tried to draw conclusions from the easier-to-work-with mitochondrial DNA, but the really interesting results will come from an in-depth study of the nuclear DNA.  As of last year, the more advanced studies going on in the Columbia Basin were drawing conclusions based on 17/1000 of 1% of the nuclear DNA. Thomas Gilg

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Steelhead trout originated in Southern California … or points south in Mexico. San Diego county drainages had steelhead and salmon runs as late as the 1940’s. Recently, steelhead were discovered in San Mateo creek, just north of Camp Pendleton in San Diego county, and efforts are underway to return this stream to a viable steelhead fishery.  (A very uphill battle!) If you live in the San Diego/Orange County area and would like to participate in a ‘Camping/Cleanup" being conducted on September 8 and 9 (no fishing, strictly a habitat improvement mission), send me email and I’ll send you the details. FiddleAway

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Steelhead trout originated in Southern California … or points south in Mexico.

?? JR

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Steelhead trout originated in Southern California … or points south in Mexico. ??

At least when the last ice age retreated 10-13,000 years ago, there were ice sheets on both sides of the Columbia River, hence the Columbia is where salmon held over during the last ice age, and once the ice retreated, those salmon spread north and south to their current range. Going back in time, it would be interesting where else salmon many have "held over" and "originated". –tg

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Steelhead trout originated in Southern California … or points south in Mexico. ?? JR

There are some theories based on comparative analysis of DNA from rainbows native to this region versus that from rainbows native further north which point at them possibly being genetically the least changed and therefore the oldest. This is alluded to by Loev in his book "Flyfishing For Sharks." Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories Phone: (650)-857-5491               Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971          

Response:

There are some theories based on comparative analysis of DNA from rainbows native to this region versus that from rainbows native further north which point at them possibly being genetically the least changed and therefore the oldest. This is alluded to by Loev in his book "Flyfishing For Sharks."

That’s interesting. I’ll steal a glance at that section of the book on my next visit to Borders, if they haven’t gone and sold it yet. (Sorry, Rich). Still, even if southern stocks of native rainbows are the oldest, it doesn’t necessarily mean that those stocks were the first to adopt anadromy. FiddleAway:  Do folks know where the steelhead "discovered" in Mateo Creek came from?  Are they strays or what?  Also, if you haven’t yet seen it, you might be interested in: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/swcbd/species/steelhead/ JR

Response:

Michael McGuire There are some theories based on comparative analysis of DNA from rainbows native to this region versus that from rainbows native further north which point at them possibly being genetically the least changed and therefore the oldest. This is alluded to by Loev in his book "Flyfishing For Sharks."

One theory is that Colorado Cutts are the grandaddies of the west coast trout strains.  The theory is that seagoiong cutts migrated into the Sea of Cortez and down the east coast of Baja, when the latter had a much wetter climate. Eventually these strains migrated down around Cabo and up the Pacific Coast, becoming the Steelhead/Rainbows we know today. The sourthern steelhead eventually developed a tolerance for warmer waters and a life cycle that could tolerate their home streams not being open to the sea every year. As I said before, salmon and steelhead were caught in San Diego county through the 1940’s (maybe later).  There is currently a trout fishery in Mexico on the Pacific side of its central mountain range.  The Melling Ranch is a commercial outfit that caters to people who wish to try this fishery … these trout are not seagoing trout, however. Today, there are still a few steelhead that return to Malibu Creek just north of LA.  At one time, NMFS had set Malibu as the southernmost point for giving special protection status to the fishery.  They’ve balked at extending the protective unit as far as San Mateo creek on the border of Orange/San Diego county, but DNA evidence has shown the trout found there to be a unique strain of southern steelhead.  Not sure what the current legal status is.  I think NMFS is still dragging its heels, but local clubs and conservation associations are continuing to push for restoration of this fishery. Hence, the clean up. FiddleAway

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John Russell  wrote FiddleAway:  Do folks know where the steelhead "discovered" in Mateo Creek came from?  Are they strays or what?  Also, if you haven’t yet seen it, you might be interested in:

The folks I talked to pretty much subscribe to the theory I posted in another response. The study of the creek ensued after trout where caught in its upper reaches. Fin clippings from some 40 odd individuals showed that all of the trout were in the same, 2 year old, generation.  This fact correlated to a heavier winter, two years prior, that had opened up the mouth of the Creek to the ocean. DNA analysis ruled out any relation to stocked strains.  These were natural fish that chose to migrate into the creek from the ocean. FiddleAway

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John Russell  wrote FiddleAway:  Do folks know where the steelhead "discovered" in Mateo Creek came from?  Are they strays or what?  Also, if you haven’t yet seen it, you might be interested in: The folks I talked to pretty much subscribe to the theory I posted in another response.

You’ll have to excuse me if I seem dense, but in your response to Michael (which is the only other one I’ve seen on my server, and I’m assuming is the one you mean), you only say that "DNA evidence has shown the trout found there to be a unique strain of southern steelhead."   The study of the creek ensued after trout where caught in its upper reaches. Fin clippings from some 40 odd individuals showed that all of the trout were in the same, 2 year old, generation.  This fact correlated to a heavier winter, two years prior, that had opened up the mouth of the Creek to the ocean. DNA analysis ruled out any relation to stocked strains.  These were natural fish that chose to migrate into the creek from the ocean.

So you’re saying that these are resident San Mateo rainbows that two years ago, for the first time in decades (or longer) migrated to sea–which is not at all impossible.  Or, in other words, that they are *not* strays from a neighboring population (either wild or stocked). Here’s the reason I asked (taken from the comments of the Southern California Steelhead Recovery Coalition to NMFS proposed extension of the S. Cal Steelhead ESU): "Although steelhead are known to have well-developed homing abilities (see P. B. Moyle, Inland fishes of California, [1976]), it is also known that southern steelhead commonly stray from their natal streams. This straying may be selectively advantageous because it would allow spawners to opportunistically utilize more favorable streams when their natal streams dried up or were blocked.  (See P. Higgins, Southern California Steelhead Recovery Assessment [1991]). An additional feature of southern steelhead is that they ‘miraculously’ reappeared in large spawning runs when flows became suitable in streams that had been dry or otherwise inaccessible during the previous one or more years. The implication is that streams within the historic range of the Southern California Steelhead ESU that are currently unoccupied may be rediscovered by steelhead at anytime. These unoccupied streams are likely to be discovered when habitat conditions in currently occupied streams are less favorable, indicating that all of the historical range of the Southern California Steelhead ESU is essential for the survival and recovery of this ESU." There’s a larger issue at stake here than the fate of the San Mateo population, as important as that is. JR

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So you’re saying that these are resident San Mateo rainbows that two years ago, for the first time in decades (or longer) migrated to sea–which is not at all impossible.  Or, in other words, that they are *not* strays from a neighboring population (either wild or stocked).

No.  I haven’t heard of any evidence for that.  The DNA evidence shows that these trout are related to other southern steelhead. However, I’d be surprised if there aren’t at least anecdotal reports of people catching steelhead in San Mateo creek earlier in the century when all of the drainages in San Diego county were less impacted by development.  This would be consistent with the passage you quoted from the SCSRC. There’s a larger issue at stake here than the fate of the San Mateo population, as important as that is.

I agree, if you are talking about Southern Steelhead in general as the ‘larger issue’. FiddleAway

Response:

One theory is that Colorado Cutts are the grandaddies of the west coast trout strains.  … An interesting theory…I have not read that one.  

I haven’t either.  I have to admit, I am passing on information I got from someone I know who I take to be well informed on the subject. FiddleAway

Response:

One theory is that Colorado Cutts are the grandaddies of the west coast trout strains.  The theory is that seagoiong cutts migrated into the Sea of Cortez and down the east coast of Baja, when the latter had a much wetter climate. Eventually these strains migrated down around Cabo and up the Pacific Coast, becoming the Steelhead/Rainbows we know today.

An interesting theory…I have not read that one.  My understanding is that the rainbow and cutthroat ancestral lines diverged perhaps as long ago as the Pliocene, and then each ancestral line diverged again to become the species/subspecies that we find today (redband and coastal rainbows and the various subspecies of cutts). Interestingly enough, the southernmost known species of salmonids occurring in watersheds that drain to the Pacific (the Mexican Golden Trout, Apache Trout, and Gila Trout) all appear to be more closely related to rainbows than to cutts.  I would expect the reverse to be true if Colorado River cutts represent the ancestral strain.

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At least when the last ice age retreated 10-13,000 years ago, there were ice sheets on both sides of the Columbia River, hence the Columbia is where salmon held over during the last ice age, and once the ice retreated, those salmon spread north and south to their current range. Going back in time, it would be interesting where else salmon many have "held over" and "originated".

Actually, there appear to have been perhaps 4 evolutionary lines of Rainbow (or Rainbow ancestors) in the Sea of Cortez during the four Pleistocene glacial maxima.  These evolutionary lines are thought to be the source of Apache trout, Gila trout, Mexican Golden trout, and several other unclassified strains (if not distinct species) in the Sierra Madre Occidental range in Mexico.

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Question:

Im looking for any ‘how to tie’ freshwater jigs sites. Any recomendations? Jay Wirth Renaissance Ink Member GPA

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The basic process is very similar to tying streamer flies. Do a search on "fly tying" and have at it. For ideas on patterns, etc. look at local fly fishing shops and copy some of their patterns, or try another search for pre-made jigs to give you some ideas. Hope this helps, John McCabe — How would you like to catch more fish? FREE tip sheet.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Im looking for any ‘how to tie’ freshwater jigs sites. Any recomendations? Jay Wirth Renaissance Ink Member GPA

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Question:

I just got back from the White river,fished nymphs,midges,and sow bugs, caught some fish.I fished an olive wooley bugger tied sparce size10 and caught MANY fish!

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april, is there any dryfly fishing at that time.   Are there any place I can go to wade (I’m assuming that the white river isn’t a good place to wade from my father-in-law’s description). How about Big browns and streamers?

I have never fished the area in April, but the White can be a good river to wade depending on how much water is being released from the dam at Bull Shoals.Dale Fulton runs Blue Ribbon Flies in Mountain Home. He would be a fantastic point of contact because he is extremely knowledgable. His E-mail is like most other rivers in that sometimes dry flies work and sometimes they don’t. I prefer to fish with soft hackles so that is what I use a lot. A local pattern known as the Red Ass has done real well for me.I always take some small olive woolly buggers as well. Some people use carcass flies as well due to the turbines. Hope this helps a bit and you have a great time Big Dale

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Chris wrote;My spring break is coming up and I was thinking about heading down to the White River in the Ozark’s of Arkansaw.. Any comments on this area from the group? Are there good places to camp down there? I always enjoy tne Mountain Home area: There is a great state park on the White River  just below thaedam at Bull Shoals. The Sow Bug Roundup is March 19 and 20th in Mountain Home. Enjoy spring break. Don’t forget that the Norfolk river has more sow bugs than any other place on earth.

Ok, where are good flyfishing waters.  I’ll be down there in april, is there any dryfly fishing at that time.   Are there any place I can go to wade (I’m assuming that the white river isn’t a good place to wade from my father-in-law’s description). How about Big browns and streamers?

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Ok, where are good flyfishing waters.  I’ll be down there in april, is there any dryfly fishing at that time.

There is rarely any dry fly fishing on the White or the North Fork. I’ve heard rumors of an occasional caddis hatch. Are there any place I can go to wade (I’m assuming that the white river isn’t a good place to wade from my father-in-law’s description).

Your father-in-law is correct. The generators at the Bull Shoals Dam are alleged to have a schedule, (check at the fly shop in Mountain Home), but in my experience anytime somebody in Oklahoma turns on their air conditioner the siren goes off and the riffle you were fishing is very quickly under 4 feet of water. DANGEROUS wading. I suggest the North Fork River for wading. Sow bugs. Sow bugs. Sow bugs. How about Big browns and streamers?

If that’s your cup of tea you’ll probably need a boat to float the White. Many outfitters and guides in the area, few that cater to flyfisherman. — Ken Fortenberry

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok, where are good flyfishing waters.  I’ll be down there in april, is there any dryfly fishing at that time. There is rarely any dry fly fishing on the White or the North Fork. I’ve heard rumors of an occasional caddis hatch. Are there any place I can go to wade (I’m assuming that the white river isn’t a good place to wade from my father-in-law’s description). Your father-in-law is correct. The generators at the Bull Shoals Dam are alleged to have a schedule, (check at the fly shop in Mountain Home), but in my experience anytime somebody in Oklahoma turns on their air conditioner the siren goes off and the riffle you were fishing is very quickly under 4 feet of water. DANGEROUS wading. I suggest the North Fork River for wading. Sow bugs. Sow bugs. Sow bugs. How about Big browns and streamers? If that’s your cup of tea you’ll probably need a boat to float the White. Many outfitters and guides in the area, few that cater to flyfisherman. — Ken Fortenberry

Don’t forget the Yuk Bugs…..the browns love em’ at night… Greg H.

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Chris wrote;My spring break is coming up and I was thinking about heading down to the White River in the Ozark’s of Arkansaw.. Any comments on this area from the group? Are there good places to camp down there?

I always enjoy tne Mountain Home area: There is a great state park on the White River  just below thaedam at Bull Shoals. The Sow Bug Roundup is March 19 and 20th in Mountain Home. Enjoy spring break. Don’t forget that the Norfolk river has more sow bugs than any other place on earth. Big Dale

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My spring break is coming up and I was thinking about heading down to the White River in the Ozark’s of Arkansaw.. Any comments on this area from the group? Are there good places to camp down there?

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Question:

As it seems like golf is kinda taking over the ‘clave, I propose we rename the fishing part "The Tim Walker Invitaional Wet Golf Classic." Now for the hard part.  We have to select the course, figure out scoring and handicapping, what consitutes "out of bounds", penalty strokes for refusals and long-line releases, plus important stuff, like who’s cabin is the 19th hole and will Tim fly out from Aspen to award the trophy.  (I hear it’s a creel and priest combo.) Peter

Response:

and will Tim fly out from Aspen to award the trophy.  (I hear it’s a creel and priest combo.)

Wrong. I heard from influential sources close to the PGA that the grand prize at the first annual ROFF Classic is a demo version of Mr.G’s rod with the inscription in gold flake: "Spare the rod and spoil the child." Regards, Anthony Ritter

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award the trophy.  (I hear it’s a creel and priest combo.) Wrong. I heard from influential sources close to the PGA that the grand prize at the first annual ROFF Classic is a demo version of Mr.G’s rod with the inscription in gold flake: "Spare the rod and spoil the child." Regards,Anthony Ritter

An excellent prize. I shall treasure it always. –Wataugan "counting da booty" Walt

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award the trophy.  (I hear it’s a creel and priest combo.) Wrong. I heard from influential sources close to the PGA that the grand prize at the first annual ROFF Classic is a demo version of Mr.G’s rod with the inscription in gold flake: "Spare the rod and spoil the child." Regards,Anthony Ritter An excellent prize. I shall treasure it always. –Wataugan "counting da booty" Walt

All I have to say is somebody had better take pictures and put up a webpage after all this for those of us who can’t make it to the clave.  We expect the final tally’s for all competitions held including all the embarrassing details.  :-) Later,      - Ken

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Why not save time and just fish the hazards ? "Let’s Dance" Rodney Dangerfield,  Caddyshack — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"

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Why not save time and just fish the hazards ?

Tim, It must be *exciting* to have an annual golf tourney named after you.  Will you be on hand at the clubhouse to make the presentation of the Orvis bullett proof vest a la the Masters? Keep on swingin’, Anthony Ritter

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – to award the trophy.  (I hear it’s a creel and priest combo.) Wrong. I heard from influential sources close to the PGA that the grand prize at the first annual ROFF Classic is a demo version of Mr.G’s rod with the inscription in gold flake: "Spare the rod and spoil the child." Regards,Anthony Ritter An excellent prize. I shall treasure it always. –Wataugan "counting da booty" Walt

____ Do not, send a boy to do a man’s job. ; ) (Thank you God)  Don’t let this characters get away. please (We should have a video tape of the skins game) —

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You are on a beautiful mountain stream, where a big, wily wild brown is at peace, resting and content at sipping the invertebrate that comes his way. His location is in a undercut bank with overhanging rhododendron within two feet of the water surface. As you get over the shakes, you plan for minutes (feels like hours) on how to get that sidearm/roll/whatchamacallit humphreyesque cast ahead of the fish and under the rhodo into that perfect drift. After you stealthily move into optimum position you gingerly cast with confidence and unleash your favorite fly. As it is magically approaching that perfect spot, a previously unnoticed dead rhodo twig rears its ugly, graying stub and snatches your fly within inches of miraculous touchdown. As you are gently tugging on your line in the impractical hope that it may softly dislodge, the trees sway (laugh) in the wind and the brown rockets upstream in a big swoosh chucklin’ all the way.

As they say in NE Tennessee ….’been thar done that’ — Good Fishing and Tight Lines             | /              |/    (         /|     —     / | C. Michael Bullard

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You are on a beautiful mountain stream, where a big, wily wild brown is at peace, resting and content at sipping the invertebrate that comes his way. His location is in a undercut bank with overhanging rhododendron within two feet of the water surface. As you get over the shakes, you plan for minutes (feels like hours) on how to get that sidearm/roll/whatchamacallit humphreyesque cast ahead of the fish and under the rhodo into that perfect drift. After you stealthily move into optimum position you gingerly cast with confidence and unleash your favorite fly. As it is magically approaching that perfect spot, a previously unnoticed dead rhodo twig rears its ugly, graying stub and snatches your fly within inches of miraculous touchdown. As you are gently tugging on your line in the impractical hope that it may softly dislodge, the trees sway (laugh) in the wind and the brown rockets upstream in a big swoosh chucklin’ all the way. As they say in NE Tennessee ….’been thar done that’ — Good Fishing and Tight Lines             | /             |/   (         /|    –     / | C. Michael Bullard

– yup, too many times…. btw, what part of TN you from? –Walt

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0]

: sounds about right. only a couple of trees? I’ve been thinking of just : throwing a few beat-up flies to the wind before my first cast to : appease …. : 4. any combo of the above  (depending upon their moods)     : : Watch out when they’re really ticked, like when you volunteer a handful : of used tatters.  They’ve been known to take rod tips.  Ouch! : : BobW : :         : Acute observations Bob. In addition I might add: : You are on a beautiful mountain stream, where a big, wily wild brown is : at peace, resting and content at sipping the invertebrate that comes his …. : dislodge, the trees sway (laugh) in the wind and the brown rockets : upstream in a big swoosh chucklin’ all the way. : The tree gods are smiling, for they are appeased. : –Walt I also found it doesn’t pay to try to get one back even in you can. One occasion I was able to bend down the branch in question and unhook it. Then I let go of the branch, and WHAM, this unnoticed treble hook offering from a bait chucker lodged itself in the palm of my hand. Needless to say it was not debarbed. OUCH! Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories  (remove x’s from email if not      Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971   a spammer) Phone: (650)-857-5491              

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I also found it doesn’t pay to try to get one back even in you can. One occasion I was able to bend down the branch in question and unhook it. Then I let go of the branch, and WHAM, this unnoticed treble hook offering from a bait chucker lodged itself in the palm of my hand. Needless to say it was not debarbed. OUCH!

Being snagged is almost as bad is bending a branch to retrieve a fly to a point where the spring loaded tension  causes one to lose their balance….this usually happens (at least to me) at a point where the water is much deeper then the tops of my waders…..bummer — Good Fishing and Tight Lines             | /              |/    (         /|     —     / | C. Michael Bullard

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Mike laments: <snip Then I let go of the branch, and WHAM, this unnoticed treble hook offering from a bait chucker lodged itself in the palm of my hand. Needless to say it was not debarbed. OUCH!

Bonus!!!! Two for the price of one. Patrick

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I also found it doesn’t pay to try to get one back even in you can. One occasion I was able to bend down the branch in question and unhook it. Then I let go of the branch, and WHAM, this unnoticed treble hook offering from a bait chucker lodged itself in the palm of my hand. Needless to say it was not debarbed. OUCH!

Lucky you weren’t in Germany Mike, the next angler to come along would have been morally obliged to ram a knife through your head ;^) — Stuart Nuttall (Replace ‘nospam’ with ‘warboyz’ to reply by e-mail)

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Stuart Nuttall hilariously writes:

<<Lucky you weren’t in Germany Mike, the next angler to come along would have been morally obliged to ram a knife through your head ;^) — LOL.  You are *baaaaaaad*, Stuart.  Bad, bad, bad.  d;0) Dave L.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I also found it doesn’t pay to try to get one back even in you can. One occasion I was able to bend down the branch in question and unhook it. Then I let go of the branch, and WHAM, this unnoticed treble hook offering from a bait chucker lodged itself in the palm of my hand. Needless to say it was not debarbed. OUCH! Lucky you weren’t in Germany Mike, the next angler to come along would have been morally obliged to ram a knife through your head ;^) — Stuart Nuttall

Nicely put, Stuart.  I’m still laughing! Bob Scott

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I also found it doesn’t pay to try to get one back even in you can. One occasion I was able to bend down the branch in question and unhook it. Then I let go of the branch, and WHAM, this unnoticed treble hook offering from a bait chucker lodged itself in the palm of my hand. Needless to say it was not debarbed. OUCH! Lucky you weren’t in Germany Mike, the next angler to come along would have been morally obliged to ram a knife through your head ;^) — Stuart Nuttall (Replace ‘nospam’ with ‘warboyz’ to reply by e-mail)

Saturday night, 10 pm on the east coast of the US, wondering why I’m reading ROFF instead of doing what normal people do on a Saturday night, and I suddently get to laugh my ass off.  Thanks Stuart. Mark Faulkner

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Once I lost I fly in extremely high water and could not get to the tree to retieve it.  The following spring the Tree God blessed me and I found the exact same tree and retrieved the fly…   can’t figure out why I wasn’t blessed with fish… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – sounds about right. only a couple of trees? I’ve been thinking of just throwing a few beat-up flies to the wind before my first cast to appease the tree gods so that I can fish w/o losing tippett. But I’m sure they will ignore my paltry offerings and go for the real thing. In my experience the tree-gods only accept offerings consisting of either: 1. the last copy of the only fly that works 2. the one you just paid 2 bucks for and has yet to see water 3. the next one you just paid 2 bucks for & still hasn’t seen water and is attached to the last 2 feet of 6X in the county. 4. any combo of the above  (depending upon their moods) Watch out when they’re really ticked, like when you volunteer a handful of used tatters.  They’ve been known to take rod tips.  Ouch! BobW Acute observations Bob. In addition I might add: You are on a beautiful mountain stream, where a big, wily wild brown is at peace, resting and content at sipping the invertebrate that comes his way. His location is in a undercut bank with overhanging rhododendron within two feet of the water surface. As you get over the shakes, you plan for minutes (feels like hours) on how to get that sidearm/roll/whatchamacallit humphreyesque cast ahead of the fish and under the rhodo into that perfect drift. After you stealthily move into optimum position you gingerly cast with confidence and unleash your favorite fly. As it is magically approaching that perfect spot, a previously unnoticed dead rhodo twig rears its ugly, graying stub and snatches your fly within inches of miraculous touchdown. As you are gently tugging on your line in the impractical hope that it may softly dislodge, the trees sway (laugh) in the wind and the brown rockets upstream in a big swoosh chucklin’ all the way. The tree gods are smiling, for they are appeased. –Walt — The Blue Ridge Book Gallery | We are located 8 miles south of Boone on Rt. 1 Box 975-23            | Hiway 105 in Foscoe in the heart of the Banner Elk, NC 28604        | beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Please (704) 963-5001              | visit us when you’re in the area.                            |  Thanks….Marie & Walter Winter http://www.mercury.net/~wgwinter/         also on Interloc…

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – sounds about right. only a couple of trees? I’ve been thinking of just throwing a few beat-up flies to the wind before my first cast to appease the tree gods so that I can fish w/o losing tippett. But I’m sure they will ignore my paltry offerings and go for the real thing. In my experience the tree-gods only accept offerings consisting of either: 1. the last copy of the only fly that works   2. the one you just paid 2 bucks for and has yet to see water 3. the next one you just paid 2 bucks for & still hasn’t seen water and is attached to the last 2 feet of 6X in the county. 4. any combo of the above  (depending upon their moods)     Watch out when they’re really ticked, like when you volunteer a handful of used tatters.  They’ve been known to take rod tips.  Ouch! BobW

Acute observations Bob. In addition I might add: You are on a beautiful mountain stream, where a big, wily wild brown is at peace, resting and content at sipping the invertebrate that comes his way. His location is in a undercut bank with overhanging rhododendron within two feet of the water surface. As you get over the shakes, you plan for minutes (feels like hours) on how to get that sidearm/roll/whatchamacallit humphreyesque cast ahead of the fish and under the rhodo into that perfect drift. After you stealthily move into optimum position you gingerly cast with confidence and unleash your favorite fly. As it is magically approaching that perfect spot, a previously unnoticed dead rhodo twig rears its ugly, graying stub and snatches your fly within inches of miraculous touchdown. As you are gently tugging on your line in the impractical hope that it may softly dislodge, the trees sway (laugh) in the wind and the brown rockets upstream in a big swoosh chucklin’ all the way. The tree gods are smiling, for they are appeased. –Walt — The Blue Ridge Book Gallery | We are located 8 miles south of Boone on Rt. 1 Box 975-23            | Hiway 105 in Foscoe in the heart of the Banner Elk, NC 28604        | beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Please (704) 963-5001              | visit us when you’re in the area.                             |  Thanks….Marie & Walter Winter http://www.mercury.net/~wgwinter/         also on Interloc…

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Question:

Here in Colorado, the fish are skitish enough, without a 110 pound dog swimming overhead.  Over the past weekend, I brought him fishing again.  However, this time I fastened his leash to my waders.  This wasn’t a problem because the water is very low.   This method seemed to work really well.  Any training insight, comments, or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I would think catching him on a bad backcast would be risky.   As to suggestions, my own german shepherd has gotten a bit old.  I find that  after a good hour or so of splashing and playing she settles down and prefers  to watch me from the bank.  So I spend an hour playing with the dog and hiking  upstream before I start fishing.

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I have two dogs who love to swim after me on a quiet lake if I let them.   When the fishing is bad and can’t get any worse, sometimes I call them out and let them troll beside my canoe.  However, I don’t encourage this if there are other fisherman in the lake.  When I fish on a river, I just leave them in my van.  They are quite happy hanging out for a couple of hours at a time.  Less stress worring about pissing off other guys.   Besides nothing spooks fish more than a couple of splashing muts swiming around, or having them get caught in the current. C. Carefoot – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would like to start bringing my black labrador fly fishing.  I was curious if anyone has any training suggestions, which may help.  Over the summer, I attempted to bring him fishing.  Being a water dog, I couldn’t keep him out of the deepest holes.  Here in Colorado, the fish are skitish enough, without a 110 pound dog swimming overhead.  Over the past weekend,I brought him fishing again.  However, this time I fastened his leash to my waders.  This wasn’t a problem because the water is very low.   This method seemed to work really well.  Any training insight, comments, or suggestions are greatly appreciated. -Josh josh ( a t ) bankersfyi ( d o t ) com

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Me thinks too many folks are buying into this dog/flyfishing c**p you see on the cover of catalogs, books, calendars, etc..  I like the one photo on my TU calendar where this gorgeous lady flyfisher, all decked in Orvis gear, in her twenties, shows a 26" trout to her black lab.  It’s titled "introducing one love to another". Now here’s reality: if there is a woman, she looks like a Jenny-Craig dropout.  The trout she holds is a SNIT (stocked nine-inch trout).  She wears an "Uncle Buck’s Salmon Eggs" t-shirt covered with fish slime, probably from the stringer of fish wrapped around her neck.  The dog is drowning because he can’t swim, and drooling more water than there is in the stream.  The title would be "Rover finally discovers what fresh fish smells like". Voice of experience – tried training Boomer my black lab to go flyfishing. He ran everybody off the stream.  I had to leave before the sheriff arrived. Fishing is for my enjoyment, not Boomer’s.  Let him get his own rod & Jeep.

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This is gonna be another Swayback Story. One of the members of that fine club has a Newfoundland Duck Tolling Retriever bitch.  Nice dog.  Takes her fishing with him often.   Well, one Saturday evening this guy is fishing the water by my house with the Noof.  He get’s into a fish – maybe 17-18".  He gets the fish into netting range, and damned if the dog doesn’t pounce on the poor thing, grab it in it’s mouth, and take it to shore.  Then the noof sets the fish on the gravel and sits there proud as punch.  Believe it or not, the fish was released, relatively unharmed. As I understand these dogs they’re used as duck dogs in Canada.  They have very strong retrieval instincts it would appear.  But I never thought they were that strong. Personally, I find fishing with a dog, especially a water dog to be very annoying. They can go all over the place, and mess up everything.  Maybe Josh’s dog is a better dog than that – I sure hope so anyway. I would like to start bringing my black labrador fly fishing.  I was curious if anyone has any training suggestions, which may help.  Over the summer, I attempted to bring him fishing.  Being a water dog, I couldn’t keep him out of the deepest holes.  Here in Colorado, the fish are skitish enough, without a 110 pound dog swimming overhead.  Over the past weekend, I brought him fishing again.  However, this time I fastened his leash to my waders.  This wasn’t a problem because the water is very low.   This method seemed to work really well.  Any training insight, comments, or suggestions are greatly appreciated. -Josh josh ( a t ) bankersfyi ( d o t ) com

– </chaz Chaz Clover The Paved Earth Society http://www.rmi.net/~clover/pave_the_earth   "Why Not Just Get On With It?"

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Fishing is for my enjoyment, not Boomer’s.  Let him get his own rod & Jeep.

Sorry, but an enjoyable day on the river *always* includes the dog ! My mutt patiently sits on the bank until a trout is hooked, and then dives in to attempt a retrieve. Lots of excitement – and all he asks for is one quick lick of the fish. So what if he ruins that pool, there’s plenty more within a short walk, and more trout than I could catch in a lifetime. It’s seldom I see another fisherman on my stretch of river, and my buddies get a bigger kick out of watching the dog than playing the numbers game in fish caught in a day. Hunting season’s too short, and time too precious to spend outdoors without my pooch! Andrew Banff Alberta

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I would like to start bringing my black labrador fly fishing.  I was curious if anyone has any training suggestions, which may help.  Over the summer, I attempted to bring him fishing.  Being a water dog, I couldn’t keep him out of the deepest holes.  Here in Colorado, the fish are skitish enough, without a 110 pound dog swimming overhead.  Over the past weekend, I brought him fishing again.  However, this time I fastened his leash to my waders.  This wasn’t a problem because the water is very low.   This method seemed to work really well.  Any training insight, comments, or suggestions are greatly appreciated. -Josh josh ( a t ) bankersfyi ( d o t ) com

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I would like to start bringing my black labrador fly fishing.  I was curious if anyone has any training suggestions, which may help.  Over the summer, I attempted to bring him fishing.  Being a water dog, I couldn’t keep him out of the deepest holes.  Here in Colorado, the fish are skitish enough, without a 110 pound dog swimming overhead.  Over the past weekend, I brought him fishing again.  However, this time I fastened his leash to my waders.  This wasn’t a problem because the water is very low.   This method seemed to work really well.  Any training insight, comments, or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

My yellow lab started obedience training at 16 weeks and was fish_able when she turned 5. She knew all the commands and would obey 99% of the time, but you know labs & water :- At 5 I began taking her to the beach fishing on off tides so she wouldn’t bother anyone (she’s very friendly), or when I’d fish more isolated spots in the marshes and rocks. She did fine, I let her roam within reason, she seems to know her limits and is pretty unobtrusive. At 6 I began taking her to a local river that ran behind a barrier beach. I met a friend there and we decided to wade out to a nice looking flat. Gave Cass the ‘Stay’ command and she sat in a spot in the marsh for the next hour, watching us, not moving until I released her, then she went and chased seagulls for a while, but never came near the water we were fishing. My friend, who used to have a yellow lab too, was amazed. I can let her roam like this because she’s very good with hand signals. After I finish fishing I always do the tennis ball thing with her, so she knows that her patience will be rewarded, that seems to help a lot. So now I have a great fishing buddy, but it did take a lot of time and training to get her there. The point where she really started obeying was when I released a striper into a very strong rip and she dove in to retrieve it, she got one hell of a ride out to sea until she got loose. She never did that again, though I don’t necessarily recommend doing this on purpose :-

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would like to start bringing my black labrador fly fishing.  I was curious if anyone has any training suggestions, which may help.  Over the summer, I attempted to bring him fishing.  Being a water dog, I couldn’t keep him out of the deepest holes.  Here in Colorado, the fish are skitish enough, without a 110 pound dog swimming overhead.  Over the past weekend, I brought him fishing again.  However, this time I fastened his leash to my waders.  This wasn’t a problem because the water is very low.   This method seemed to work really well.  Any training insight, comments, or suggestions are greatly appreciated. -Josh josh ( a t ) bankersfyi ( d o t ) com

my dog is a horrible fishing dog, so she spends my fishing time drooling on my couch.  if you really want to fish with your pooch, i would recommend just spending lots of time with it on and near rivers.  go to areas where the fishing is marginal, so you don’t piss other anglers off while training your dog.  practice your casting while working (it might be tough to concentrate on the fish and your dog) on keeping your dog out of the water (if you own a breed that loves the water, it might be tough to keep it out of the water). remember that non-dog owners can be wary of large breed dogs and that a dog along the river isn’t always welcome by other anglers especially if dog owners don’t pick up after their animals.   good luck and good training, chris

Response:

I would like to start bringing my black labrador fly fishing.  I was curious if anyone has any training suggestions, which may help.  Over the summer, I attempted to bring him fishing.  Being a water dog, I couldn’t keep him out of the deepest holes.  Here in Colorado, the fish are skitish enough, without a 110 pound dog swimming overhead.  Over the past weekend, I brought him fishing again.  However, this time I fastened his leash to my waders.  This wasn’t a problem because the water is very low.   This method seemed to work really well.  Any training insight, comments, or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I don’t have any insight other than once you find out, I’d like to know. I took my lab fishing this past summer and of course every time I casted, he’d jump in after the fly. I tried tying his leash to a willow bush – he bent the willow over so far that he made it into the water again. When I finally got him tied up good, he’d bark every time I casted – not a good thing when you start fishing 5am and there are other people around trying to sleep. Rich

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I’m a dog trainer by profession & there is no easy, magic way to make a "fishing" dog.  An unruly dog has no place on the stream. The first place to start is with basic obedience so the dog learns the commands of heel, sit, down, stay & come as true commands not just requests that the dog follows when it wants to.  This means alot of work at home before ever taking the dog to a stream with you. However, much of it has to do with basic temperament & personality.  I’ve bred, trained, and owned alot of dogs over the years & I’ve only had two that were what I would call true "fishing" dogs.  One was a Golden & the other a Irish Setter.  They would wadeswim at my side while I was fishing or I could put them in a stay on the bank where they would remain no matter what else was going on. The unique characteristic these two had was that they were into fishing. They could stay with me all day without getting distracted the other exciting things that happen such as rabbits, birds, other anglers etc.  They would intensely watch & get very excited when I hooked a fish.  I would land it, show it to them & let them see it swim away. Great companions.  The Irish, though, would get impatient & would bark at me if I hadn’t caught a fish soon enough for her! I don’t take untrained dogs with me fishing. Training has to be done at stream side.  fishing.  This takes time, patience & discipline. It means working with your dog without fishing. Dogs not under strict control should not be off leash and have no business stream side. I don’t have a "fishing" dog, but I do have a young one that shows some real promise. Willi

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Question:

We’re looking to go fishing in Spain next spring. Having given up on the guide books I am keen to find out if anyone has been or knows of  any places to go to etc. Thanks James

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We’re looking to go fishing in Spain next spring. Having given up on the guide books I am keen to find out if anyone has been or knows of  any places to go to etc. Thanks James

James… I met a Spanish trout fishermen on the internet who may be able to give you some leads. His name is Paco…and he can be reached at If you go, let me know. Bob

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Question:

Hello all- I want to relate the experience I had my first time……flyfishing. (You were expecting something else?)   Last winter I ran across a Martin 6/7wt rod & reel at Target. It’s not my first choice for a place to buy fishing gear, but at $20 on clearance I figured I couldn’t go wrong. I upgraded the reel to a Martin 63SS (also on clearance for $10), and then, after much consideration, fitted it w/ an Air-cell WF line.  I already had a float tube and have been enjoying that using my spinning rod. So finally, The Long Winter was over, the staircase I promised my wife for Christmas 3 yrs ago was built, and I hit the water last Sunday (5/18). There’s a small, maybe 80 acre, spring fed lake near my home in East Central MN. that I like to go to….full of Bass, crappie, sunnies, and a few northerns. Just before I was about to take off a wind kicked up out of the N/NE about 15-20 mph, which I figured wouldn’t bode well for a novice, so I went with the idea of probably just practicing casting, maybe staying for an hour or so. ……Four or five hours later, I figured I better quit because my hand was starting to cramp up. I haven’t had that much fun in a LONG time! I think I might be an addict…..I didn’t catch but three fish, none of them wighing much more than the fly, or wooly bugger, or whatever it was I had tied on, but the freedom of the tube along with the lightness of the tackle is, I believe, my kind of sport. I’m already thinking of upgrading again.  Do I have a disease? Thanks for listening.  Just thought I’d share my good times. Later, Pete

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Peter, Sorry to say, but yes you are hooked. It’s a slow, painful, yet incredibly enjoyable death and the support groups are a blast!!! Welcome to the ring and Fish On Fly Boy!!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hello all- I want to relate the experience I had my first time……flyfishing. (You were expecting something else?)   Last winter I ran across a Martin 6/7wt rod & reel at Target. It’s not my first choice for a place to buy fishing gear, but at $20 on clearance I figured I couldn’t go wrong. I upgraded the reel to a Martin 63SS (also on clearance for $10), and then, after much consideration, fitted it w/ an Air-cell WF line.  I already had a float tube and have been enjoying that using my spinning rod. So finally, The Long Winter was over, the staircase I promised my wife for Christmas 3 yrs ago was built, and I hit the water last Sunday (5/18). There’s a small, maybe 80 acre, spring fed lake near my home in East Central MN. that I like to go to….full of Bass, crappie, sunnies, and a few northerns. Just before I was about to take off a wind kicked up out of the N/NE about 15-20 mph, which I figured wouldn’t bode well for a novice, so I went with the idea of probably just practicing casting, maybe staying for an hour or so. ……Four or five hours later, I figured I better quit because my hand was starting to cramp up. I haven’t had that much fun in a LONG time! I think I might be an addict…..I didn’t catch but three fish, none of them wighing much more than the fly, or wooly bugger, or whatever it was I had tied on, but the freedom of the tube along with the lightness of the tackle is, I believe, my kind of sport. I’m already thinking of upgrading again.  Do I have a disease? Thanks for listening.  Just thought I’d share my good times. Later, Pete

David726 E-mail for further assistance to:

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: Do I have a disease? Oh poor poor Pete!  My pitty goes out to you, and I understand because the same thing has happened to me in the last year. I have it so bad that the other day my wife said I should just go to Alaska for 6 months fishing and get it all out of my system.  Her thought was that then I could come back and be cured of my angling, and recently fly fishing disease. I explained to her that would be equivelant to sending a cocaine addict to Columbia expecting him to come back clean. Does anybody know what the fish in Alaska will be hitting on over the next 6 months.  ;-) — Kevin W. Tharp http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/4351

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Hello all- I want to relate the experience I had my first time……flyfishing. (You were expecting something else?)  

Well sort of.  We get a lot of these, and I was hoping beyond hope that maybe it was in fact something else.  Oh well. Last winter I ran across a Martin 6/7wt rod & reel at Target. It’s not my first choice for a place to buy fishing gear, but at $20 on clearance I figured I couldn’t go wrong. I upgraded the reel to a Martin 63SS (also on clearance for $10), and then, after much consideration, fitted it w/ an Air-cell WF line.  I already had a float tube and have been enjoying that using my spinning rod.

Well you could go wrong, but what the hell! So finally, The Long Winter was over, the staircase I promised my wife for Christmas 3 yrs ago was built, and I hit the water last Sunday (5/18). There’s a small, maybe 80 acre, spring fed lake near my home in East Central MN.

Whoa! Kewl!  Where in Mn pray tell? that I like to go to….full of Bass, crappie, sunnies, and a few northerns. Just before I was about to take off a wind kicked up out of the N/NE about 15-20 mph, which I figured wouldn’t bode well for a novice, so I went with the idea of probably just practicing casting, maybe staying for an hour or so.

Sounds just like MN. ……Four or five hours later, I figured I better quit because my hand was starting to cramp up. I haven’t had that much fun in a LONG time! I think I might be an addict…..I didn’t catch but three fish, none of them wighing much more than the fly, or wooly bugger, or whatever it was I had tied on, but the freedom of the tube along with the lightness of the tackle is, I believe, my kind of sport. I’m already thinking of upgrading again.  Do I have a disease?

Yes.  Most likely.  Some doofus around here might make some lame reference to Traver’s Trout Madness, but not me.  It probably has something to do with minnesota.  Long, round vowels.  Ending sentences with prepositions.  Inclination towards bland foodstuffs. Polka Music (God I hope you don’t live near Sturgeon Lake:-)).  Mosquitos. Calling creeks cricks.  Grain Belt.  The Vikings. Letting an NHL hockey team go like that.  It’s a disease all right, and you have it.   And don’t think that FFing is going to save from it – nope you’re f__king doomed pal. One thing will help, and that doesnt include NEVER GOING TO THE WHITE RIVER NEAR IRON RIVER WISC.  That won’t help you one iota.  So don’t bother going there.  Stay away.  Tell your friends so they go and leave all the good water to you. Thanks for listening.  Just thought I’d share my good times.

Always up for that. </chaz

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Like a Sturgeon.. oh oh… Hooked for the very first time… Like a stur-ur-ur-urgeon… I feel its heartbeat… through my line… I’ll stop now… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

There is.. a fish ..upon a dish.. They call the rising trout… it’s often seen by those who are keen.. but not by those who shout… — Colin J. McPherson B.Eng. Design and Structures Group, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath,Bath,U.K.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Like a Sturgeon.. oh oh… Hooked for the very first time… Like a stur-ur-ur-urgeon… I feel its heartbeat… through my line… I’ll stop now… — TimW Halfordian Golfer There is.. a fish ..upon a dish.. They call the rising trout… it’s often seen by those who are keen.. but not by those who shout…

"…hey !" Now you got the toes tapping…we could be in some serious trouble by friday… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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Sorry if this has been repeated, It was April the 41st, being a quadruple leapyear, I was driving in downtown Atlantis.  My Barracuda was in the shop, so, I was in a rented Stingray, and it was overheating.  So I pulled into a Shell station, they said I’d blown a seal.  I said:  "Fix the damn thing and leave my private life out of it, okay pal?"  While they were doing that I walked over to a place called the Oyster Bar.  A real dive. But I knew the owner, he used to play for the dolphins.  I said "Hi Gill!", you have to yell, he’s hard of herring.   Gill was also down on his luck, fact is he was barely keeping his head below water.  I bellied up to the sandbar, he poured the usual:  Rusty snail, hold the grunion, shaken, not stirred, with a peanut butter and jelly-fish sandwich on the side, heavy on the mako.  I slipped him a finn, on porpoise.  I was feelin’ good.  I even dropped a sand-dollar in the box for Jerry’s Squids, for the halibut.  Well, the place was crowded.  We were packed in like sardines, they were all there to listen to the big band sounds of Tommy Dorsal.  What sole!  Tommy was rockin the place with a very popular tuna:  "Salmon Chanted Evening", and the stage was surrounded by screaming groupers.  Probably there to see the bass player.  One of them, she was this cute little yellowtail.  And she’s givin’ me the eye.  So I figure this is my chance for a little fun, you know, a piece of pisces.  But she said things I just couldn’t fathom.  She was too deep.  Seemed to be under a lot of pressure.  Boy, could she drink.  She drank like a… er, she drank a lot!  I said: "What’s your sign?"  She said: "Aquarian"  I said "great, let’s get tanked".   I invited her up to my place for a little midnight bait.  I said come on baby you wanna, it’ll only take a few minnows.  She threw me that same old line:  "Not tonight, I got a haddock"  And she wasn’t kiddin either cause, in came the biggest, meanest looking haddock I’d ever seen come down the pike.  He was covered with Mussels.  He came over to me and he said:  "Listen Shrimp, Don’t you come trolling around here."  What a crab.  This guy was steamed.  I could see the anchor in his eyes.  I turned to him and said "ah, baloney, you’re just being shellfish."  Well, I know there was going to be trouble, and so did Gil, cause he was already on the phone to the cods.  The haddock hits me with a sucker punch.  I catch him with a left hook.  He eels over.  It was a fluke.  But there he was, lying on the deck, flat as a mackerel.  Kelpless.  I said:  "Forget the cods Gil, this guy’s gonna  need a sturgeon."  Well, the yellowtail was impressed with the way I landed her boyfriend.  She came over to me and she said "Hey bigboy","you’re really a game fish, what’s your name?"  I said "Marlin."   Well, from then on, we had a whale of a time.  I took her to dinner, I took her to dance.  I bought her a bouquet of flounders.  And then I went home with her.  And what did I get for my trouble:  A case of the clams.  

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Like a Sturgeon.. oh oh… Hooked for the very first time… Like a stur-ur-ur-urgeon… I feel its heartbeat… through my line… I’ll stop now… — TimW Halfordian Golfer

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Question:

Dear Casters  May 28 95 Hi my name is Thomas Maclean and I own Miramichi Four Season Outfitters Inc , in New Brunswick Canada . I would like to let you know that the bright Atlantic salmon runs are starting again for another year and all is look towards a very good season . This year I purchased a new piece of property on the North West Miramichi River so I now have more to offer you . The bright season opens on June 8 th and I am now booking one week fishing trips for $ 1050.00 Canadian plus taxes provincial 11 % and Fed Gst 7 %  .  This includes all meals , room full bath , transportation , and I can supply equipment and instruction to the new comer , I look forward to hearing from you , bye for now . Respectfully Thomas Miramichi Four Season Outfitters Inc RR # 2 Miramichi City  Box 705 E1V-3L9 New Brunswick Canada Celluar 1-506-622-0089  24 hour a day

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Hi my name is Thomas Maclean and I own Miramichi Four Season Outfitters Inc , . . . season opens on June 8 th and I am now booking one week fishing trips for $ 1050.00 Canadian plus taxes provincial 11 % and Fed Gst 7 %  .  This includes all meals , room full bath , transportation , and I can supply

Does this price include guide services (compulsory in New Brunswick for non-residents)? —  |          Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Rd., Carlsbad         |  |        Springs, Ont., Canada K0A 1K0; tel: (613) 822-0734       |  |  "What I’ve always liked about science is its independence from |  |  authority"–Ontario Science Centre (name on file) 10 July 1981 |

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Hello all, I just wanted to let you know about a fine source of literature that covers the trout of the Sierra mountain range.  The book is:   _Sierra Trout Guide_   by Ralph Cutter   1991   Frank Amato Publications   Box 82112   Portland, Oregon   97282   (503) 653-8108   ISBN:  1-878175-02-5  (Softbound–$19.95)   ISBN:  1-878175-03-3  (Hardbound–???) For those that may have an earlier edition of this book, Mr. Cutter claims that this (revised) edition contains over 1200 changes in the trout distribution charts, more scientific genealogy, and more detailed insect information. This book comprises ten years of research over which Ralph Cutter has accumulated probably the most extensive collection of Sierra trout-related information to be found anywhere!  (When I read this book, I was seriously impressed.)  For each species of trout found in the Sierra mountain range, Mr. Cutter describes the history (including introduction and evolution), physique, location, and decline or possible extinction of its populations. Accompanying all descriptions are exceptional illustrations by Joe Tomelleri. Mr. Cutter also includes short chapters covering tackle and hiking in the Sierra environment. The most useful information for fishing persons is the incredible collection of trout location and feeding information.  Mr. Cutter has charts that list the trout that inhabit 550 rivers and 1700 lakes.  However, I was most impressed by the section on trout food which describes the reproduction cycle, physique, and habits of many insects and other life.  Some descriptions even include the time of day which some insects usually appear in the open!  There is also a time table for insect hatchings on the Truckee river. Mr. Cutter’s writing reflects a high sensitivity and appreciation for our (and the trouts’) environment.  This book would make a great gift, but more importantly, I think it’s a must for every Sierra trout angler! Good fishing, Randal

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Nice report – Thanks, –Alan

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Hello all, I just wanted to let you know about a fine source of literature that covers the trout of the Sierra mountain range.  The book is:  _Sierra Trout Guide_  by Ralph Cutter

I’d like to second the recommendation.   For those that may have an earlier edition of this book, Mr. Cutter claims that this (revised) edition contains over 1200 changes in the trout distribution charts, more scientific genealogy, and more detailed insect information.

I have both editions.  They bear little resemblance to each other.  The first edition had an interesting chapter on the history of trout Native to the Sierra.  It turned into a fairly diatribe that was more an expressing of opinions about C&R, river management, etc. than factual information.  Fortunately, his new edition focuses on facts rather than opinions.   One claim that Ralph Cutter makes is that Sierra trout do not feed on adult mosquitoes.  I don’t know if they do or not but they’ll hit an imitation. For each species of trout found in the Sierra mountain range, Mr. Cutter describes the history (including introduction and evolution), physique, location, and decline or possible extinction of its populations. Accompanying all descriptions are exceptional illustrations by Joe Tomelleri. the time of day which some insects usually appear in the open!  There is also a time table for insect hatchings on the Truckee river.

Ralph and Lisa Cutter live in Truckee.  I know a couple of people that have taken their flyfishing and flytying classes.  The general flyfishing/casting class got lots of kudos.  The flytying class didn’t. — John Fereira Viacom Cable Pleasanton, CA

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