Question:

I have a Leki "Wanderfraund" (my German spelling is bad) which I saw in a shop window in Germany and bought from Leki in the US.  It telescopes.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (apologies if this shows up twice) … I use Folstaff wading staffs for flyfishing in streams, they are collapsible and very sturdy, yet lightweight.  Folstaffs fit into a holster you slip onto pack belts. I could use a good folding staff for hiking on established trails (and some bushwhacking).   And could certainly go with the Folstaff, but I’m wondering however if there are other makes/models of collapsible models to research first ? thanks in advance, Sue Colorado Before you buy.

Response:

(apologies if this shows up twice) … I use Folstaff wading staffs for flyfishing in streams, they are collapsible and very sturdy, yet lightweight.  Folstaffs fit into a holster you slip onto pack belts. I could use a good folding staff for hiking on established trails (and some bushwhacking).   And could certainly go with the Folstaff, but I’m wondering however if there are other makes/models of collapsible models to research first ? thanks in advance, Sue Colorado Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

The only sports are mountain climbing, auto racing and bull fighting.  All the rest are games according to EH.  fwiw Dave L.

when did ernie harrison say that? walt — Ezflyfish.com:  http://www.ezflyfish.com http://auctions.yahoo.com/booth/ezflyfish_com Used, Rare, & Out-of-Print Books: http://users.boone.net/wgw/brbg.html

Response:

Salmon Fly writes: (snip) From then on it’s been 22 dancers and a couple of zebras and It’s rather funny to watch. But’ it’s not a sport. The only sports are mountain climbing, auto racing and bull fighting.  All the rest are games according to EH.  fwiw Dave L.

Auto Racing. Now there is the all american sport. It Loud, Senseless and wastes fossil fuels. It doesn’t get any more american than that.

Response:

I thought the officials on the field signaled the play to be a completed catch. Isn’t the rule that in the last 2 minutes of a 1/2 or the game, only the ‘upstairs re-play reviewers’ can call for a time out for a replay?

yup. and funny how the most "inconclusive" (it was a gd clean catch) replay of the year gets overturned…. like i said, FIX! WALT — Ezflyfish.com:  http://www.ezflyfish.com http://auctions.yahoo.com/booth/ezflyfish_com Used, Rare, & Out-of-Print Books: http://users.boone.net/wgw/brbg.html

Response:

Auto Racing. Now there is the all american sport. It Loud, Senseless and wastes fossil fuels. It doesn’t get any more american than that.

You’ve never fished Lake of the Ozarks, have you? Opt out == cop-out. What’s so hard to understand?

Response:

go vikings, they are like the steelhead runs on lake superiors north shore, slowly going downhill     tony of mn

I hear ya tony.  I’m not a vikes fan, but I really wanted them to go this year.  They deserved to go last year, but got screwed by those flash-in-the-pan falcons that ruined the superbowl. — Levi "who’s counting the days to the superbowl, even if waldo does think it’s fixed." Life is anything that dies when you stomp on it.                                                         — Dave Barry

Response:

Would impeachment work?  It wasn’t effective on Clinton, but then Jerry Jones doesn’t have perfect hair.

Jimmy Johnson had perfect hair, but it didn’t do him any good. Tom Landry had no hair so he wore a hat, but it didn’t help. He’s gone. I hate the frigging Cowboys. I saw Any Given Sunday today. Definitely worth the price of a ticket, even if the script was formulaic. Stone really knows the the technique of movie making. One funny thing was that the NFL refused to cooperate with Stone so he had to make up all the names of the football teams. They all sounded like the names of condoms. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

go vikings, they are like the steelhead runs on lake superiors north shore, slowly going downhill    tony of mn

        only on roff:  a haiku written about a losing football team. how good is that? wayno

Response:

Snipped for no real reason…. r, no quandry for me, everyone knows i drink busch, oh, ummm, guess i’ll have to switch to pabst

Someone actually READS my stuff?  Sorry, I basically just ramble on in my own little world…..I thought I’d already made most killfiles…. <G R

Response:

school quarterback being booed by his pastor. The NFL no longer generates this kind of interest in the game. Big Dale

Response:

Salmon Fly writes: Auto Racing. Now there is the all american sport. It Loud, Senseless and wastes fossil fuels. It doesn’t get any more american than that.

When EH said that, he wasn’t speaking of American racing, but of European and international. Dave L.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – am i the only one who witnessed the big fix on tv? I don’t think I’ve ever been so angry in my life. Reversing a call on the field, by the NFL refs upstairs. FIX! From this moment in my life, I will never watch nor support another NFL game or anyone that sponsors the NFL. Walt Walt – I’m with ya 100% on replays plus I’ll go further and ban timeouts and plays called in from the sidelines.  Let the players on the field decide the outcome of a game – that’s where the drama is. Do you want to see a quarterback disect a defence?  A linebacker corps panic a QB into jelly?  Or watch a coach think or a ref peer into a monitor?   Nothing worse than watching an offence ram the ball down field late in a close game and some f****er calls a time out or a replay.  Is this a spectator sport or a snooze fest?    Last year Flutie ran the offence in Buffalo and win or lose, they were fun to watch.  This year, the ego weenie coaches ran everything and ZZZZZZZZZZ.  The CFL used to have games that worked this way but the f***ing brain trust running it, decided that declining fan support meant that they had to imitate the NFL  Now we have timeouts, probably replays next season, and ego weenie coaches trying to run everything. Talk about f***ing up a great game.  Play the f***ing game on the field!!!! disgruntled football fan Peter

i’m with ya peter. i just hope subaru doesn’t sponsor nfl stuff or i’m in deep ka-ka with marie. it would be kinda hard explaining a yugo to her b/c of some silly football game. dale, no one else wants him paul, rugby? r, no quandry for me, everyone knows i drink busch, oh, ummm, guess i’ll have to switch to pabst allan, "and this was, called correctly by the officials" … on the field? levi, go back to sleep walt ps… i thought this group was rough…let me tell ya, we’re pussies compared to those boyos over at the tampa bay buc newsgroup this eve — Ezflyfish.com:  http://www.ezflyfish.com http://auctions.yahoo.com/booth/ezflyfish_com Used, Rare, & Out-of-Print Books: http://users.boone.net/wgw/brbg.html

Response:

Salmon Fly writes:

(snip) From then on it’s been 22 dancers and a couple of zebras and It’s rather funny to watch. But’ it’s not a sport.

The only sports are mountain climbing, auto racing and bull fighting.  All the rest are games according to EH.  fwiw Dave L.

Response:

No, Walt you’re not the only one. After college I started playing Rugby. A much saner and safer sport. For years I wouldn’t watch football because it was so rediculous. I started playing rugby about the same time as the instant replay wich made it seem even worse. A few years ago a friend invited me over to watch a game and I went. Sometime during the game the topic got to the state of the sport to which he replied. This isn’t a sport. It’s made for TV sensationalism to generate revenues for the network. Kind of like 60 Minutes or pro wrestling. From then on it’s been 22 dancers and a couple of zebras and It’s rather funny to watch. But’ it’s not a sport. Paul And this has nothing to do with the local team.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – am i the only one who witnessed the big fix on tv? I don’t think I’ve ever been so angry in my life. Reversing a call on the field, by the NFL refs upstairs. FIX! From this moment in my life, I will never watch nor support another NFL game or anyone that sponsors the NFL. Walt

Response:

am i the only one who witnessed the big fix on tv?  snippings < FIX!   . Walt

AMEN brother. If that was an incomplete pass then so was the goddamn St. Louis touchdown reception. Tampa was robbed, and I’m a Redskin fan. In the Tampa/Skins game Dan Turks’ blown snap was a little funny too. Didn’t think about that till I saw a tape of the game and the shot of the Turk brothers on the sideline grinning. Bob Before you buy.

Response:

[whining snipped] <g From this moment in my life, I will never watch nor support another NFL game or anyone that sponsors the NFL.

Well, gee, let’s hope Hardy, Lamson, Courtland et al don’t ever decide to be the official fly-fishing gear provider of the NFL. Talk about yer conflict of interest… –Steve

Response:

am i the only one who witnessed the big fix on tv? I don’t think I’ve ever been so angry in my life. Reversing a call on the field, by the NFL refs upstairs. FIX! From this moment in my life, I will never watch nor support another NFL game or anyone that sponsors the NFL. Walt

Response:

am i the only one who witnessed the big fix on tv?

Huh?  I assume you are talking about the St. Louis/Tampa Bay game?  I dozed off in the second half of the fourth quarter.  You do realize that part of the new instant replay policy is that the refs upstairs can challenge a call on the field in the final two minutes of the 2nd and 4th quarters?  Is that what happened? — Levi Life is anything that dies when you stomp on it.                                                         — Dave Barry

Response:

am i the only one who witnessed the big fix on tv? I don’t think I’ve ever been so angry in my life. Reversing a call on the field, by the NFL refs upstairs. FIX! From this moment in my life, I will never watch nor support another NFL game or anyone that sponsors the NFL. Walt

That solves your Budweiser quandary…. <G R

Response:

am i the only one who witnessed the big fix on tv? I don’t think I’ve ever been so angry in my life. Reversing a call on the field, by the NFL refs upstairs. FIX! From this moment in my life, I will never watch nor support another NFL game or anyone that sponsors the NFL. Walt

Walt – I’m with ya 100% on replays plus I’ll go further and ban timeouts and plays called in from the sidelines.  Let the players on the field decide the outcome of a game – that’s where the drama is. Do you want to see a quarterback disect a defence?  A linebacker corps panic a QB into jelly?  Or watch a coach think or a ref peer into a monitor?   Nothing worse than watching an offence ram the ball down field late in a close game and some f****er calls a time out or a replay.  Is this a spectator sport or a snooze fest?    Last year Flutie ran the offence in Buffalo and win or lose, they were fun to watch.  This year, the ego weenie coaches ran everything and ZZZZZZZZZZ.  The CFL used to have games that worked this way but the f***ing brain trust running it, decided that declining fan support meant that they had to imitate the NFL  Now we have timeouts, probably replays next season, and ego weenie coaches trying to run everything. Talk about f***ing up a great game.  Play the f***ing game on the field!!!! disgruntled football fan Peter

Response:

another NFL game or anyone that sponsors the NFL. Walt

That sucked almost as much as being a Cowboys fan. Since it appears you are getting totaly out of the NFL could you please advise as to how we can fire the Cowboy’s owner? Big Dale

Response:

As I understand the re-play rule, to overturn a field call, the reviewer must see clear evidence that the play was called incorrectly. If the re-play official saw clear evidence he/she must have seen something that no one else did, not even Madden & Summerall. Don’t know if any one call alters the outcome but that review was b.s. No I’m not a Tampa Bay or a St. Louis fan (actually, I root for the Giants). Just a fan who enjoys a good game, and this was, called correctly by the officials.

Response:

I thought the officials on the field signaled the play to be a completed catch. Isn’t the rule that in the last 2 minutes of a 1/2 or the game, only the ‘upstairs re-play reviewers’ can call for a time out for a replay?

Response:

Would impeachment work?  It wasn’t effective on Clinton, but then Jerry Jones doesn’t have perfect hair. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – another NFL game or anyone that sponsors the NFL. Walt That sucked almost as much as being a Cowboys fan. Since it appears you are getting totaly out of the NFL could you please advise as to how we can fire the Cowboy’s owner? Big Dale

Response:

go vikings, they are like the steelhead runs on lake superiors north shore, slowly going downhill     tony of mn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – am i the only one who witnessed the big fix on tv?  snippings < FIX!   . Walt AMEN brother. If that was an incomplete pass then so was the goddamn St. Louis touchdown reception. Tampa was robbed, and I’m a Redskin fan. In the Tampa/Skins game Dan Turks’ blown snap was a little funny too. Didn’t think about that till I saw a tape of the game and the shot of the Turk brothers on the sideline grinning. Bob Before you buy.

Response:

am i the only one who witnessed the big fix on tv? I don’t think I’ve ever been so angry in my life. Reversing a call on the field, by the NFL refs upstairs. FIX! From this moment in my life, I will never watch nor support another NFL game or anyone that sponsors the NFL. Walt

I was wondering if a certain Floridian-by-birth-if-not-by-nature was blowing his cookies this afternoon ;^) I think they blew that call, but I’m not as sure that it would have made any difference. They were struggling and I don’t think they had enough time (or momentum) to score. /daytripper (we might get a decent Superbowl for a friggin’ change!)

Response:

Question:

John, With Christmas upon us … some of us are trying to decide on the perfect gift for the ‘love of our lives’

Glad you posted this!  For those of us in ROFF, it’s probably not hard to imagine what another ROFFian would like for Christmas. But I’d sure like to hear some suggestions for what ROFFians can give their wives.  Now, I’m a lucky flyfisher in that my wife also enjoys ff — but not with the passion and addiction that applies to me. So I’m reluctant to give here something ff-related.  It can seem a bit self-serving — like the idiot husband that gives his wife a new mop! So how about gift selections for the wonderful ladies that so graciously tolerate our peculiar habits? Wes Peterson Who would call himself "liberal," let him love justice. Let him love equality. Let him love compassion and charity. But let him love first, and above all the rest, Liberty.

Response:

With Christmas upon us … some of us are trying to decide on the perfect gift for the ‘love of our lives’ … and with this group … there are probably some great ideas … want to share? I have already gotten the fly vest as a hint that fishing may be on the horizon … but really … what is the real ‘gift’ of 1999 … hope this thread helps others too … John

Ernie’s blood knot tool is the perfect stocking stuffer for a flyfisherman. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

I’ve been dropping some pretty broad hints about Wheatly flyboxes. It’s the perfect gift for the flyfisherman — too expensive for a typical tightwad fisherman to buy for himself, but the finest quality with the patina of Old World tradition. I’m getting my wife and kids a new video/audio system with a DVD player and a satellite dish and receiver. (I’ll make my money back in a year or two by avoiding VHS tape-rental late fees.) I think a couple of Wheatly flyboxes would even the score. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/ something bogus to avoid spam)

Response:

With Christmas upon us … some of us are trying to decide on the perfect gift for the ‘love of our lives’ … and with this group … there are probably some great ideas … want to share? I have already gotten the fly vest as a hint that fishing may be on the horizon … but really … what is the real ‘gift’ of 1999 … hope this thread helps others too … John —

On Christmas eve he handed his wife a small rectangular gift that rattled loudly. She asked what he did this time as he was quite a kidder. He just told her to open it. When she did she found a box of Cracker Jacks. P.O.’d she got up to leave. He calmed her and got her to open the box. She fished out the prize pouch and A black pearl ring from Neiman’s. Needless to say, the night went much better after that. Tyler Hopper "He’s a High Tech Redneck"

Response:

I’m going to wrap myself up in an aluminum tube manufactured by the Boeing company and have myself shipped to her door. If you do so you will arrive mushed, disheveled, discolored, and with a marred finish.  For your own sake and that of the dear lady use schedule 40 PVC!

… and by all means don’t use UPS! Yes!  Those brown trucks are hot.  Things will *shrivel*  or worse, *shrink*.    Sometimes they get flattened or bent. Dave L.

Response:

the real ‘gift’ of 1999 … hope this thread helps others too … John Gentlemen, Gentleman, Gentlemen, take a sage word of advice from one who appreciates the fair sex with vigor. –(much wisdom snipped) Wayne

        thus spake zarathustra!  when hart speaks on the subject of women, only the unlucky fail to heed his words…         wayno

Response:

I’m going to wrap myself up in an aluminum tube manufactured by the Boeing company and have myself shipped to her door. If you do so you will arrive mushed, disheveled, discolored, and with a marred finish.  For your own sake and that of the dear lady use schedule 40 PVC!

… and by all means don’t use UPS!

Response:

Michael, re-reading my post, I apologize for a poor taste word selection. No slur was intended and it is in fact a great gift idea. jim

No worries Jim! I revel in the friendly "poking"! — Michael Era

Question:

Group, My wife has finally, I think, gotten tired of me planning our family camping vacations around a fly fishing destination (last year it was Manzanita Lake and Hat Creek, not to mention our obligatory trips to the Owens Valley/Mammoth area). She  has planned a trip to Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon area. Other than Lees Ferry, can someone offer suggestions on where to fish. I’m inclined to seek out small creeks and quiet lakes as opposed to some nationally recognized mecca. We’ll be there the first week of August. Any suggestions would be most welcome. I haven’t been through this area since I was about 8, so I’m looking forward to showing it to my kids…but I would like to fish even just a wee bit. Campground suggestions would be great too. Roger

Response:

We just got back last week from a trip to the same area.  We didn’t stay in the park when we went to Bryce, but at a campground in the national forest about 25 minutes drive to the park entrance.  The campground was at Tropic resevoir, 7 miles up a dirt road off the highway.  I didn’t take any fishing equipment with me but there were a lot people there fishing and the sight of many trout rising in the late evening (inlet side of the lake and the inlet creek) did make me wish I had my fly rod. We camped on the North Rim of the Grand, the campground was nice but reservations are required.  I didn’t see anywhere to fish near here.  At Zion we also camped in the park, reservations recomended.  The campground is on the Virgin river.  I didn’t see any fish rising or anyone fishing so I am afraid I dont’ know.  I would mention the temperatures while we were there June 6 – June 15.  Bryce (alt. < 8000 feet at Tropic res.); highs were mid 60’s, lows mid 30s (it snowed on the 5th).  Grand Canyon (alt 7800) highs mid 70, lows upper 40s.  Zion (alt 4000) high 103, low upper 60’s.  I think a warm front moved in between the Grand the Zion, but August should be warmer. Joe

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Group, << snip She  has planned a trip to Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon area. Other than Lees Ferry, can someone offer suggestions on where to fish. I’m inclined to seek out small creeks and quiet lakes as opposed to some nationally recognized mecca. << snip Campground suggestions would be great too. Roger

Response:

Joe, I’m starting to think I may not bring the gear at all, since it looks like we won’t get down to Lee’s Ferry. This looks like it’s shaping up to be a "family" trip with few opportunities for fishing. How was the campground at Tropic Reservoir? I’m looking for an alternative to overcrowed NP campgrounds in the park, and those private monstrosities that feature swimming pools, arcades, snack shops etc. The kids are voting for the latter, but that ain’t camping to me. Problem is the wife insists on Showers. Which campground did you use in Zion? Thanks for your help Roger – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We just got back last week from a trip to the same area.  We didn’t stay in the park when we went to Bryce, but at a campground in the national forest about 25 minutes drive to the park entrance.  The campground was at Tropic resevoir, 7 miles up a dirt road off the highway.  I didn’t take any fishing equipment with me but there were a lot people there fishing and the sight of many trout rising in the late evening (inlet side of the lake and the inlet creek) did make me wish I had my fly rod. We camped on the North Rim of the Grand, the campground was nice but reservations are required.  I didn’t see anywhere to fish near here.  At Zion we also camped in the park, reservations recomended.  The campground is on the Virgin river.  I didn’t see any fish rising or anyone fishing so I am afraid I dont’ know.  I would mention the temperatures while we were there June 6 – June 15.  Bryce (alt. < 8000 feet at Tropic res.); highs were mid 60’s, lows mid 30s (it snowed on the 5th).  Grand Canyon (alt 7800) highs mid 70, lows upper 40s.  Zion (alt 4000) high 103, low upper 60’s.  I think a warm front moved in between the Grand the Zion, but August should be warmer. Joe

Response:

Question:

Sorry to correct Peter, there are 4 bodies of water, specified on page 9 of the rules and regs that are fly only. Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – P.S.  We don’t have fly fishing only water in Ontario and even many of the flyfishermen I know would not agree to such regulation.

Response:

[snipped] remember what’s sauce for the goose… if kayakers are banned from some fishing water it only follows they can plausibly argue to ban fishing from the sections kayakers are restricted too. I don’t understand why anglers and kayakers can’t get along. Ralph H .

Response:

I have to agree Peter.  I know all groups have their assholes but kayakers have the highest percentage I have run across so far.  They feel they have special dominion over any body of water because they are doing something "special".  They also like to paddle around a flyfisherman because they want to "savor" each and every little river experience.  The AK47 comment just gave me an idea.  I wonder if I can get a paintball gun and pellets loaded with waterproof, indelible ink?  Next time some little asshole runs through the hole I’m fishing I’ll let him spend some time in the shower with a wire scrub brush!  Other than that I’ll share the water. Wayne To fish is human…to release divine. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know about their rights but the next one to go through the run I’m fishing is likely to get sink tip wrapped around his neck.  :( The last time it happened (Saturday) the assholes had 100′ wide stretch of river to work with but they wanted my little bit then laughed at me when I bitched.  I don’t know what is worse, those assholes or the ones who smile at me and ask "How’s the fishing?"  as the blow through over my line. I’m wondering if the guy who designed the AK-47 was a flyfisherman and the letters stand for "Anti-Kayak." Peter

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –                 (snip) but I’m wondering how long until the lawsuit gets filed.  I’m also wondering what people think in general.  Any comment?         the lawsuit will be filed when some lawyer is paid a retainer which will likely run in the low five figures.  in other words, it will be filed when enough fools with enough money decide to do what fools usually do. wayno

_______  Any fool knows seeing a kayaker on the Yellowstone River would be like seeing a Whale ‘lump’  in a punch bowl.  A ROFF punch bowl at that.  Are you a good attorney for justified homicide? Mr. G. — Visit: http://www.gink.com

Question:

I recently relocated to So California (Pasadena).  Can you suggest any good fly fishing holes? Thanks in advance.

Response:

Give the Pasadena Casting Club a call.  I know that they fish the San Gabriel River (although it has been a bit "blown" out due to the heavy rains this winter).  They should be able to help you find some spots. If you like to float tube, try Big Bear Lake — about a 2 hour drive from Pasadena, and the fishing should be great when things start to warm up.  It is a beautiful mountain lake and is worth the trip.  Tom

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I recently relocated to So California (Pasadena).  Can you suggest any good fly fishing holes? Thanks in advance.

Response:

East and West Forks of the San Gabriel. Piru Creek below Pyramid Lake In the San Bernadino Mountains         Bear Creek         Deep Creek San Gabe and Piru have a rep for some low-life activity that’ll mess with your vehicle, but I think it’s ok during weekdays. Fish Deep Creek at the upper end (not the Mojave side).  The latter has a real bad rep for vandalism (though this could be a rumor started by some clever fly fishers). Now’s the time for all of these creeks.  I like Bear the best. Never fished the San Gabriel, but it’s pretty close to you, so you might try it.  If you go to Piru, make sure you wear insect repellent.  Until I fished there, I had never experienced black flies.  Cute little gnat sized flies that you are not aware are biting you…until the next day when all the welts start to form. —                                                       -dnc- – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I recently relocated to So California (Pasadena).  Can you suggest any good fly fishing holes? Thanks in advance.

Response:

Question:

A buddy and me want to do a little hiking, maybe a little fishing this summer. We don’t know ANYTHING so we are looking for easy well marked trails. Any ideas of where we should go? Dave ps please respond to the group and to email, it is easy to miss when only posted to the group!

Response:

A buddy and me want to do a little hiking, maybe a little fishing this summer. We don’t know ANYTHING so we are looking for easy well marked trails. Any ideas of where we should go?

try "50 Hikes in Central Washington"  published by The Mountaineers. -p — Rural Health Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195.

Response:

A buddy and me want to do a little hiking, maybe a little fishing this summer. We don’t know ANYTHING so we are looking for easy well marked trails. Any ideas of where we should go?

Hey Dave — that’s a pretty desolate area.  Don’t know about hiking there, but for fishing, try Dry Falls Lake.  It is the epicenter of the massive flooding that we had in the area in the last couple of million years.  It is a geologic mecca.  This lake is very well protected and is not stocked — no motors at all, barbless hooks, and a one fish limit.  It is prime for canoes/kayaks/float tubes.  I’ve taken some large trout there. Do not take an inflatible raft or inflatible kayak there — the winds can get you big time.  I have an entire gut wrenching/leach infested arms/ lost gear story about that.

Response:

A buddy and me want to do a little hiking, maybe a little fishing this summer. We don’t know ANYTHING so we are looking for easy well marked trails. Any ideas of where we should go? Dave ps please respond to the group and to email, it is easy to miss when only posted to the group!

Dave, I spent 5 years at CWU in E-burg and enjoyed the solitude provided on the Tanum (ridge) and especially behind the airport on the Monashtash.  For fishing (and duck hunting)  I used to go across the Vantage bridge toward George and attend to the "potholes".  The Yakima river was always a great resource and fishing was often good (back in the 60’s and 70’s).   All in all, Ellensburg is a great jumping off point.  I have only good memories of the place.  Perhaps someone can provide trail info for you but I just bushwacked in the low brush forest.  Careful though if you do that.  It’s easy to get lost in this country. Bill BTW, the road up to Monashtash used to go through toward Wenachee but even in the 60’s it was a poor wagon road.  It may be one fantastic trail by now.  You should smell the aroma on a warm spring day!

Response:

A buddy and me want to do a little hiking, maybe a little fishing this summer. We don’t know ANYTHING so we are looking for easy well marked trails. Any ideas of where we should go?

Try the Greewater River off Hwy 410.  The end of the road trailhead offers a well-marked trail paralleling a 20′ – 30′ wide river ideal for fly-fishing.   Jeffrey Olson

Response:

A buddy and me want to do a little hiking, maybe a little fishing this summer. We don’t know ANYTHING so we are looking for easy well marked trails. Any ideas of where we should go? Dave ps please respond to the group and to email, it is easy to miss when only posted to the group!

Hi Dave, Please tell us your definition of "Central Washington".  Do you mean the goegraphic center of the state east of Wenatchee, or do you include the Central Cascades?  If you include the Central Cascades, I suggest you pick up a copy of "100 Hikes in the Alpine Lakes".  It is published by the Mountaineers and contains info on many great dayhikes and backpack trips in the area (the Cascades Mountains between I-90 and Hwy. 2). Also, if your range extends a little farther north, there is another volume, "100 Hikes in the Glacier Peak Region". Kerry

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A buddy and me want to do a little hiking, maybe a little fishing this summer. We don’t know ANYTHING so we are looking for easy well marked trails. Any ideas of where we should go? Hey Dave — that’s a pretty desolate area.

Hey, Gary….there’s over 1 million people in eastern Washington.  Is that your definition of desolate??

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have the opportunity to teach up outside of Bethel.  I’m very much aware of the difference in geography and the general feel of the area. I’d be interested in any input from someone who has been there as to what sorts of outdoors activities can be done there.  Thanks. well, subsistence outdoor activities (hunting, fishing, gathering wild plant foods and medicines) are the culture in the area.  i mean those folks really do live off the land, and they usually waste absolutely nothing.  i mean that when they trap for muskrats, they not only sell the fur, they make muskrat soup and the meal is not considered over until everyone has cracked the bones and sucked out the marrow.  then the trapper returns the cleaned bones to the area where the animal was killed, to honor its spirit. this culture has very different values than you are probably used to, and a world view that is alien to most white folks.  if you are really considering moving to the YK delta to teach, you should immediately cross-cultural communication, a video of a college lecture series by father michael oleksa, a russian orthodox priest married to a yup’ik woman from aniak.   from a strictly "sports" point of view, this is a very wet river delta area, very rich in fish and wildlife.  small boats and float planes are the primary means of transportation in summer, and snowmobiles in the winter.  the kuskokwin and its tributaries are the primary transportation corridors. you’re starting a little late to move this year, because most folks order their winter groceries early in the spring so they can be delivered by boat during the summer. be prepared for *severe* culture shock.

I once had a chance to teach in Barrow.  But I turned it down and stayed in Kenai area instead.  I had heard it can be tough for a non-native to function up there, that it’s a very closed place to "foreigners" (although some of my friends love it out in the bush).  In the end, eventhough I love the outdoors, "cross-cultural" experiences, and am a fanatical wilderness camper, I just didn’t want to live somewhere where I couldn’t get in my car and leave once in the while on the weekend.  You do have to be willing to try to live there, get to know people, and don’t think just because you make a lot of money that you can afford to fly out of there anytime you want. I do recall that once in a biology class, we were dissecting cats and a Yup’ik girl said something to the effect, "Why don’t we do seals?"  She said she could cut up a seal in fairly short period of time (I don’t remember what it was).  To which I replied, "If we cut up a seal in the lab, we won’t be able to eat it since the lab is full of chemicals and stuff.  We’d have to throw it away."  She thought that was a pretty good answer. I now work with, at least, a couple of Apache students every year.  One of the most difficult things to get them to participate in the class.  They don’t talk much.  Although I admire the fact that, unlike whites, Apaches only talk when they really have something to say, don’t feel the need to impress everyone by being clever or running their gums constantly, and they spend a lot of time listening, it does kind of make white man educational methods a bit difficult to use. My most interesting native job prospect turned out to not be interesting.  I once applied for a job on the south rim of the Grand Canyon.  My thinking was that I could be in the boonies, maybe get to know some of the natives, but still be able to get away once in the while on the weekends.  I had a telephone interview which seemed to go pretty well.  But when I got out a map, I couldn’t find the town on it.  So I called back for that information, got it, and hung up.  About 30 minutes laters, a member of the search committee called me back and in a serious voice said, "The committee feels that there is something you need to know about this town.  Many of the people here are polygamous Mormons.  Your wife won’t be able to work here and you will probably want to live in St. George, UT which a more normal town."   Well, I decided I wasn’t quite that adventurous.  However, if either Barrow or northern Arizona call again, I think I’m ready for it. Quotes of the Week:   I have learned that the swiftest traveler is he that goes afoot." "To make a railroad round the world available to all mankind is equivalent to grading the whole surface of the planet." Walden, Henry David Thoreau

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I have the opportunity to teach up outside of Bethel.  I’m very much aware of the difference in geography and the general feel of the area. I’d be interested in any input from someone who has been there as to what sorts of outdoors activities can be done there.  Thanks.

well, subsistence outdoor activities (hunting, fishing, gathering wild plant foods and medicines) are the culture in the area.  i mean those folks really do live off the land, and they usually waste absolutely nothing.  i mean that when they trap for muskrats, they not only sell the fur, they make muskrat soup and the meal is not considered over until everyone has cracked the bones and sucked out the marrow.  then the trapper returns the cleaned bones to the area where the animal was killed, to honor its spirit. this culture has very different values than you are probably used to, and a world view that is alien to most white folks.  if you are really considering moving to the YK delta to teach, you should immediately cross-cultural communication, a video of a college lecture series by father michael oleksa, a russian orthodox priest married to a yup’ik woman from aniak.   from a strictly "sports" point of view, this is a very wet river delta area, very rich in fish and wildlife.  small boats and float planes are the primary means of transportation in summer, and snowmobiles in the winter.  the kuskokwin and its tributaries are the primary transportation corridors. you’re starting a little late to move this year, because most folks order their winter groceries early in the spring so they can be delivered by boat during the summer. be prepared for *severe* culture shock. Unsolicited commercial email to my corrected address is subject to prosecution under 47 USC 227(b)(1).  E-mail and Reply-to disguised to prevent Spam and to suggest that SPAMBOTs which harvest sigfiles will like replies Virtual Juneau          http://www.alaska.net/~dpharris

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snip  and Reply-to disguised to prevent Spam and to suggest that SPAMBOTs which harvest sigfiles will like replies Virtual Juneau          http://www.alaska.net/~dpharris

Dennis ‘hit the nail on the head’! By the way…which village is it? Steve

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I have the opportunity to teach up outside of Bethel.  I’m very much aware of the difference in geography and the general feel of the area. I’d be interested in any input from someone who has been there as to what sorts of outdoors activities can be done there.  Thanks.

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Question:

My son caught a Crappie last weekend that was 15 inches long and had a 5 1/2 inch girth.  Does anyone know how to approximate the weight using the length and girth?

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Hi-    Go to  http://www.flyline.com  and click on "tips and techniques". That will take you to a girth/length/weight table. It was designed for trout but will be close enough for crappie.    -Ralph My son caught a Crappie last weekend that was 15 inches long and had a 5 1/2 inch girth.  Does anyone know how to approximate the weight using the length and girth?

Ralph Cutter, California School of Flyfishing. http://www.flyline.com

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My son caught a Crappie last weekend that was 15 inches long and had a 5 1/2 inch girth.  Does anyone know how to approximate the weight using the length and girth?

Hi, I have seen a few Crappie that big when I worked in a bait-n-tackle shop. A friend of mine caught one that big and had it mounted. It is a beautiful trophy. Where did you catch it? Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

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My son caught a Crappie last weekend that was 15 inches long and had a 5 1/2 inch girth.  Does anyone know how to approximate the weight using the length and girth?

That is one skinny crappie.  Did you know that girth is the measurement around the body at the widest point. I think you took the width so you’ll have to estimate for girth. Your son caught a Lucy – no need for further definition! This formula was posted here a few years ago.  Length x (girth in inches squared) divided by 800=weight in pounds. i.e.  20 inch trout with 10 inch girth would figure out to 2000/ 800=2 1/2 pounds and so on. Mark Vinsel — http://www.lanminds.com/local/vinnie/gallery.html

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My son caught a Crappie last weekend that was 15 inches long and had a 5 1/2 inch girth.  Does anyone know how to approximate the weight using the length and girth? Hi, I have seen a few Crappie that big when I worked in a bait-n-tackle shop. A friend of mine caught one that big and had it mounted. It is a beautiful trophy. Where did you catch it? Bill Kiene

I have caught crappie this size and larger here in NC. (Jordan Lake, and Sharon Harris)   On Sunday I caught a 18" Crappie that weighed 1lb 12oz in Shelley Lake in Raleigh. Brian

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this is the formula you mutiply the girth by itself then mutiply that figure by the length then divide that figure by 800 and you have the weight. example 5.5 x 5.5=30.25 then multiply 30.25 by the length 30.25×15=453.75 then divide that by 800  =.56 lbs this formula works with most saltwater fish.and it should work with freshwater fish also.

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Question:

I am planning a short trip to the Bay Area in mid-march. Can anyone suggest good trout waters within a couple hours of San Francisco?

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Because the general trout season doesn’t open until May 1st, trout waters are hard to come by near San Francisco in mid-March.  However, there is one trout stream that remains open, about a one and a half hour drive. It’s called Putah Creek.  It’s a tailwater, flowing out of a man-made reservoir, called Lake Berryessa.  It’s a bit north of a town called Vacaville, east of San Francisco off Highway 80, on the way to Sacramento.  Easy to find on a map.  Make local inquiries as to how to get to the section below the dam. If you want to get into some big trout, (and I’m talking 6-8 lbs.) drive north on Highway 5 for about 3 1/2 hours.  Between the towns of Anderson and Red Bluff, on the Sacramento River, a guide can be had to float you through that water.  This is a blue ribbon fishery, and open at this time of year.  Make inquiries for guides, etc.  through the "Redding Fly Shop."  Their phone number is (916) 222-3555. Those guys really know the water in that area, and can put you into good fishing, and will arrange good guides for you. Tight Lines! Old Deep

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: I am planning a short trip to the Bay Area in mid-march. Can anyone : suggest good trout waters within a couple hours of San Francisco? Here are the Lakes that are now open: From nearest to the farthest: Lake Merced: Right in the Heart of San Francisco San Pablo Dam Reservoir: Take San Pablo Dam Road in Richmond Lake Del Valle: This is south of Livermore Parkway Lake: Private lake, open to anyone even without a license for a fee Lake Chabot Lake Berryessa: Napa County Lake Pardee Lake Camanche Lake Amador

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writes: If you want to get into some big trout, (and I’m talking 6-8 lbs.) drive north on Highway 5 for about 3 1/2 hours.  Between the towns of Anderson and Red Bluff, on the Sacramento River, a guide can be had to float you through that water.  This is a blue ribbon fishery, and open at this time of year.  Make inquiries for guides, etc.  through the "Redding Fly Shop." Their phone number is (916) 222-3555. Those guys really know the water in that area, and can put you into good fishing, and will arrange good guides for you.

Be sure to call ahead to check on flows.  You can wade the Lower Sac in the town of Redding and down to Anerson when the flows are 4000cfs or lower.  5000cfs gets a little tough to wade and above 8000cfs you can use a boat, but probably won’t find many fish.  Currently the Lower Sac flows are 35,000 cfs.  We had some warm weather which filled Shasta lake up too much from run-off so they are dumping it like crazy now. If the flows are good in March, there are usually great caddis hatches and both good nymphing and dry fly fishing.   About 2 hrs out of SF you can fish the Mokulemne River below Comanche Dam or the lower part of the Stanislaus River.  Both can be good in March. Also may be decent Striper fishing in the Delta then.                                             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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