Question:

live long and prosper, old boy Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://home.cogeco.ca/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

I’d like to take this moment to say thanks to all of ya’ll here at roff who provide me (and all of us) with such good entertainment, advice, trip reports, pics, and the like…. thank you….. thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Well said.  I, too, have enjoyed the virtual company here this year. I’ve learned a lot about fish and some about fishing.  And had fun. — rbc:  vixen    Fairly harmless remove invalid or hit reply to email. Though I’m very slow to respond. http://www.visi.com/~cyli

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I’d like to take this moment to say thanks to all of ya’ll here at roff who provide me (and all of us) with such good entertainment, advice, trip reports, pics, and the like…. thank you….. thank you from the bottom of my heart. thanks to all who deem it necessary to visit and fish with my worthless ass…. i love all of ya’ll like brothers….. what a great family. thanks to each and every clavemeister….. ya’ll are special…. and always will be. thanks to my customers at ezflyfish.com and wilson creek outfitters, i sincerely appreciate the support, your business, and your friendship. thanks for another day…. another day to fish. happy new year fellahs, a very special and happy new year for you all…… –waldo, new wader waldo <g

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waldo writes: thanks to my customers at ezflyfish.com and wilson creek outfitters, i sincerely appreciate the support, your business, and your friendship.

SPAM!!!!! Happy New Year to you too, walt, and may next year be better than this one. Don’t forget our fishing date in Feb. Louie

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and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you too, Waldo!! May the wind be always at your back, may the road rise up to meet you, and may the GREAT BROWN of Wilson’s Creek thumb his nose at your offerings until that glorious sun filled day he glooms onto your Yellowhammer, rips line down to your backing, jumps high into the air, and on his third airborne effort, throws the fly which sticks neatly into the seat of your new waders and penetrates below the barb you forgot to pinch and DAMN, you forgot the beer again! — Wayne (and Jeffie is fishing up the side stream and thinks your hollering about the gnats!) To Fish is Human…To Release Divine!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’d like to take this moment to say thanks to all of ya’ll here at roff who provide me (and all of us) with such good entertainment, advice, trip reports, pics, and the like…. thank you….. thank you from the bottom of my heart. thanks to all who deem it necessary to visit and fish with my worthless ass…. i love all of ya’ll like brothers….. what a great family. thanks to each and every clavemeister….. ya’ll are special…. and always will be. thanks to my customers at ezflyfish.com and wilson creek outfitters, i sincerely appreciate the support, your business, and your friendship. thanks for another day…. another day to fish. happy new year fellahs, a very special and happy new year for you all…… –waldo, new wader waldo <g

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Question:

That’s what I usually do, too, but sometimes the tippet is too long and I just want a knot in the right place, and not to join two lines together. The Float Stop knot at http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html that Guyz-N-Flyz pointed out looks perfect.

Ah that looks like a perfect knot then.  Good illustrations of knots too. Is this for deep water nymphing? bc. — I don’t care who you are, you are not walking on the water while I’m fishing.

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http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html

An alternative would be a uni-knot made with a spare length of fishing line.  The standard slip-bobber knot used by bait fisherman actually is a nail knot and one can purchase individually prepared knots wrapped around plastic tubes.  But since most fly anglers can tie nail knots it would seem ridiculous to pay $3 for a package of three knots. I’d recommend that you use dacron (12 lb is good) becasue mono on mono could cause your leader, expecially where it’s composed of lighter test material, to curl from the heat if you decide to slide the knot to a different position. One problem with dacron however is that since it’s much thicker in diamter than mono and the desired result is that the finished knot form a barrel around the mono, it may be difficult to prevent the mono from kinking as you form the dacron knot unless you can maintain tension on the mono while simultaneously tying the knot.  Or yould tie the stopper knot at a relatively thick/stiff section of your leader, then slide it down to the desired position and then just pull on the tag ends to tighten.  But really, why bother with all that? Personally I like to use weighted putty instead of split shot. Mu

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rw, I use a triple surgeons knot to tie on my tippet and place the split shot just above that.  http://www.flyshop.com/Tactics/12-96Knots/surgeon.html

That’s what I usually do, too, but sometimes the tippet is too long and I just want a knot in the right place, and not to join two lines together. The Float Stop knot at http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html that Guyz-N-Flyz pointed out looks perfect. BTW, I usually use a double surgeon’s knot, except when I’m joining fluorcarbon to regular mono, and then I use a triple. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

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I would worry that the float stop knot would slip under the pressure from a split shot…  Wouldn’t a figure eight knot do the trick?  It won’t move, it will hold a split shot from sliding down, you can’t really expect to untie it, and the line strength is not reduced much.  I have used the figure eight as a stopper on ropes for years – never on fishing line.  On ropes there’s the advantage that it *is* pretty easily untied.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That’s what I usually do, too, but sometimes the tippet is too long and I just want a knot in the right place, and not to join two lines together. The Float Stop knot at http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html that Guyz-N-Flyz pointed out looks perfect.

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I’m looking for a knot that I’ve never seen described and that may not even exist. The situation is that you have a very long tippet or an unknotted leader, and you want to add some splitshot not too far above the fly. To keep the splitshot from slipping, you want a knot, but what knot can you tie into the mono that doesn’t weaken it substantially? It seems like there should be one, but I’ve never heard of it.

Um, maybe this is some new-fangled terminal tackle problem, but if I understand what you mean by "splitshot," why not just crimp it down? I suspect I’m not altogether sure of what you mean, however, because….  Why would you put "some" (as in several?) on a tippet? TC, R

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Um, maybe this is some new-fangled terminal tackle problem, but if I understand what you mean by "splitshot," why not just crimp it down?

I don’t like to "crimp down" splitshot onto fine tippet (meaning crimp down HARD). I suspect I’m not altogether sure of what you mean, however, because….  Why would you put "some" (as in several?) on a tippet?

It’s common to vary the weight frequently. We were sure doing that on the San Juan. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

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rw, I use a triple surgeons knot to tie on my tippet and place the split shot just above that.  http://www.flyshop.com/Tactics/12-96Knots/surgeon.html There is also a good article here on nymphing: http://web.utk.edu/~ldecuir/tu/96oct.htm Do a page search on Henry’s FAQ. Don’t know if that is what you are looking for. bc. — I don’t care who you are, you are not walking on the water while I’m fishing.

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rw, That sounds like the "Running Half Tangle" to me.

That one I know! I can tie it with my eyes shut, and often do. I don’t need one of your fancy tools to help me with that knot, Ernie. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

Check out the Float Stop knot at the site below. http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html

All right! That’s exactly what I was looking for. Thanks, Opie. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

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rw, That sounds like the "Running Half Tangle" to me.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m looking for a knot that I’ve never seen described and that may not even exist. The situation is that you have a very long tippet or an unknotted leader, and you want to add some splitshot not too far above the fly. To keep the splitshot from slipping, you want a knot, but what knot can you tie into the mono that doesn’t weaken it substantially? It seems like there should be one, but I’ve never heard of it. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

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Check out the Float Stop knot at the site below. http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page6-1.html Opie  **Panhandling for a better tomorrow!**

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m looking for a knot that I’ve never seen described and that may not even exist. The situation is that you have a very long tippet or an unknotted leader, and you want to add some splitshot not too far above the fly. To keep the splitshot from slipping, you want a knot, but what knot can you tie into the mono that doesn’t weaken it substantially? It seems like there should be one, but I’ve never heard of it. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

I’m looking for a knot that I’ve never seen described and that may not even exist. The situation is that you have a very long tippet or an unknotted leader, and you want to add some splitshot not too far above the fly. To keep the splitshot from slipping, you want a knot, but what knot can you tie into the mono that doesn’t weaken it substantially? It seems like there should be one, but I’ve never heard of it. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

The situation is that you have a very long tippet or an unknotted leader, and you want to add some splitshot not too far above the fly. To keep the splitshot from slipping, you want a knot, but what knot can you tie into the mono that doesn’t weaken it substantially? It seems like there should be one, but I’ve never heard of it.

Just tie an additional piece of tippet to the end of your leader of same diameter as leader tippet using double surgeons or barrel knot and pinch the split over the knot. Good luck. Joel Axelrad

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Question:

(GSWheaton) writes: Can anyone suggest a good guide / charter service in Panama?  I’ll be there for several days in late January, and I’d like to do some fishing, preferably on the Pacific side.

The best fishing lodges are in remote parts of Panama and only book full week trips, and they are most likely all booked for January by now. However, there is a new land based operation based on Coiba Island that will book as few as two days at around $2000 per person, complete. Another choice would probably be to go to Contadora Island. You can book a charter at the yacht club there, but the fishing isn’t what you expect when you think of Panama. Capt Gene Kelly Tropical Fishing Adventures

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Can anyone suggest a good guide / charter service in Panama?  I’ll be there for several days in late January, and I’d like to do some fishing, preferably on the Pacific side.

Response:

Can anyone suggest a good guide / charter service in Panama?  I’ll be there for several days in late January, and I’d like to do some fishing, preferably on the Pacific side.

There are at least two famous saltwater operations I’m aware of that book week long trips.  Try Tropic Star Lodge (Pinas Bay) at http://www.tropicstar.com/index.html or Coiba Explorer at http://tucson.com/fishing/  Tropic Star often fills up early though, check the available dates on the web site. Tropic Star is a deluxe fly-in lodge and more world records have been set there than any other locale (according to their brochure anyway).  It’s famous mostly for light-tackle billfish and pelagics off the Zane Grey reef.  Coiba is a live-aboard operation and has perhaps more variety with plenty of inshore exotics as well as good offshore fishing at Hannibal Banks (and other reefs). Both are expensive. We fished Tropic Star last winter when fishing was supposedly poor due to the El Nino but still caught 5 marlin and a couple sails.  Friends of ours fished Coiba a few weeks later and caught many smaller fish but only a couple of sails, no marlin.  Usually better than that at either place.  Hope so as we’re going back this winter I just saw an ad in Marlin Mag for a new land-based operation at Coiba as well run by Tom Yust, who set up the original Coiba mothership deal (I was told). He advertises ‘flexible 2-7 day itineraries’ and has a 31 ft Bertram, and might be a good fit for you if you can’t fish an entire week.   He’s at 800-800-0907. Good luck, it’s an adventure down there. Bill Hilton

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Question:

I am going to have 3 or 4 days in No. Ark/So. Mo to kill in mid June.   Can anyone recomend a guide service?  Hope to find some big browns! Thanks, KNACK Whitehouse, TX

Response:

Check with Dale Fulton at Blue Ribbon Flies in Mountain Home, Ark. Also, check out Andy McMinn’s Arkansas fly fishing page at: http://kanweb.com/fly/ It’s full of information. Good Luck! Steve Rosenblum

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I am going to have 3 or 4 days in No. Ark/So. Mo to kill in mid June.

Sandra,         Used to guide in Ark.   Here’s a list of guides and phone numbers that will give you the best available in that area. SHOPS:           Blue Ribbon Flies – Dale Fulton – (501)or(870) 425-0447         P.J.’s Resort (501) 499-7500         Wapsi Fly (a wholesaler) – ask for T.L. – (501) 425-9500 GUIDES:         John Gulley 501-499-7517         Bob Snyder      499-4287         Dwayne Hada     452-3559 (The Woodsman – Ft. Smith)         Sandra, the best way to be assured of catching large browns is to night fish, since they are primarily nocturnal feeders. Be sure to have plenty of Gink for your large dries and Xink for the huge nymphs required for those record browns.          John Gulley is a pro at night fishing and can definitely put you on some big fish if the time  is right when you go up there.  Be sure to ask about water conditions and generating schedules for that time of year when you call.  I’ve know and fished with John since the mid 70’s but have been out of contact with him for about ten years.  John, a seasoned guide, is rather drole and deliberate in his manner.         Dwayne Hada, also a personal friend of mine, guides all over that area.  I don’t know about Dwayne’s experience with brown trout per-se’. However, Dwayne, a former high school art teacher, is very personable and well mannered. Have Fun – Wendell Hise Snake River – Hell’s Canyon Gink keeps it up – Xink puts it down!

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Question:

: Mmmm, and the delectable Ellie Mae. I doubted that Ellie Mae ever needed to troll for flies.  (But I wasn’t going to say it.) — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

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[deleted] Vlad the Impaler

Particularly good name for that Nymph Series I am developing. I owe you yet again. TimW Designer of the "Vlad The Impaler" nymph series

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[deleted] Vlad the Impaler Particularly good name for that Nymph Series I am developing.    is there truth to the rumor that orvis is considering a "vlad the impaler"  designer jeep?  in blood red, with black leather seat

covers, of course.  oh well, today the roaring fork, tomorrow the amazon.         a. wayne harrison

Response:

Particularly good name for that Nymph Series I am developing. is there truth to the rumor that orvis is considering a "vlad the impaler"   designer jeep?  in blood red, with black leather seat

It’s still in the design phase. However, Tiemco has announced its new "Vlad" series hooks.   The TMC-VLAD103’s make *EXCELLENT* hopper patterns. TimW

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Particularly good name for that Nymph Series I am developing. is there truth to the rumor that orvis is considering a "vlad the impaler"   designer jeep?  in blood red, with black leather seat It’s still in the design phase. However, Tiemco has announced its new "Vlad" series hooks.   The TMC-VLAD103’s make *EXCELLENT* hopper patterns. TimW

Yes, true. I also heard the "Vlad" series has been extended into sizes up to number 100 and can be mounted on a pole for spearing carp. Jon

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Yes, true. I also heard the "Vlad" series has been extended into sizes up to number 100 and can be mounted on a pole for spearing carp. Jon

You must mean 100/0

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writes: : I hope that you aren’t offended by this post. I felt I : just had to let everyone know how they could make 50,000 : flies a year !  It is all very legal, so don’t worry.  

I have had mixed results with this shceme. I mailed out my flies,but they where all returned within a week. However, I did recieve several nice used beginners flyting manuals and the web address for R.O.F.F.Tying.      Jim  

Response:

Now I’ve got only one question here. I lose the occasional fly or two (maybe a bit more then that), but it would seem to me that anyone losing enough to have to make 50,000 a year should probably take up another sport. Possably golf played with basketballs. Lolo Mt.

Response:

(here is my flyfishing chain letter submission) Howdy! Last year I received a chain letter from St. Jude.  It promised me that good luck would arrive via the mail if I made and distributed twenty copies to people who I thought needed good luck.   The letter did not specifically threaten that anything terrible would happen if I didn’t comply.  So, although I felt a little superstitious, I didn’t do anything about it.  I couldn’t think of twenty people who needed good luck.  I didn’t want to bother any of my friends with a chain letter. I felt I would be doing them a favor not to. I think I already have pretty good luck. As a fisherman I’m always mindful of luck and usually do pretty well, even when other people are using the same fly and method and not catching Shiite. Two weeks later I received a surprise check for over three thousand dollars.  I had forgotten about it, but my grandfather had died years before and I inherited a small share of the estate.  Since he had been retired for over twenty-five years and had twenty grandchildren, I didn’t expect more than a few hundred dollars.  I spent most of it on quality tackle. Three weeks later I caught my biggest trout ever.  It was my only bite on a day at a lake where everyone was complaining about how poor the fishing was.  As the season progressed, I continued with exceptional luck and caught four even bigger fish. You do not have to do anything with this letter.  Don’t make twenty copies.  Don’t give it to your friends or pass it along.  Don’t worry about "breaking the chain".  Just take a nice deep breath, and imagine yourself out in a beautiful lake or stream, on a nice sunny day, enjoying everything that you see, feel, hear, and smell.  Life is great, and full of endless possibilities.  Remember that positive visualization is the key to good luck.  If you believe that it can happen, it can.  Fish as often as you can and keep your fly on the water. Have a great day, Mark Vinsel http://www.lanminds.com/local/vinnie/gallery.html

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: I hope that you aren’t offended by this post. I felt I : just had to let everyone know how they could make 50,000 : flies a year !  It is all very legal, so don’t worry.   : I saw this posted a while back and I thought "hah, this : is such a big joke !" Well, it is not a big joke.  In my : first week, I had a wooly bugger, 2 hares ears and a : Grizzly King ! Was I ever impressed !!!  It is very : simple ! Simply add your name to the bottom of this : list and mail a fly to everyone else on the list, when : you have your name at the top of the list, you will : have received 50,000 flies.  Please no glow bugs ! : TBone Walker : TimW : Timmy ("trouser Trout") Walker : T. S. Walker : TBone Powlesland Jed Clampit Jethro Bodean Clampit Granny Clampit Jane the bankers secretary — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/

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Jed Clampit Jethro Bodean Clampit Granny Clampit Jane the bankers secretary — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ —

Hey dammit, Granny was a Moses (Daisy, to be specific), not a Clampett. John Nesselrode Shawnee, KS

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I hope that you aren’t offended by this post. I felt I just had to let everyone know how they could make 50,000 flies a year !  It is all very legal, so don’t worry.   I saw this posted a while back and I thought "hah, this is such a big joke !" Well, it is not a big joke.  In my first week, I had a wooly bugger, 2 hares ears and a Grizzly King ! Was I ever impressed !!!  It is very simple ! Simply add your name to the bottom of this list and mail a fly to everyone else on the list, when you have your name at the top of the list, you will have received 50,000 flies.  Please no glow bugs ! TBone Walker TimW Timmy ("trouser Trout") Walker T. S. Walker TBone Powlesland

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: I hope that you aren’t offended by this post. I felt I : just had to let everyone know how they could make 50,000 : flies a year !  It is all very legal, so don’t worry.   : I saw this posted a while back and I thought "hah, this : is such a big joke !" Well, it is not a big joke.  In my : first week, I had a wooly bugger, 2 hares ears and a : Grizzly King ! Was I ever impressed !!!  It is very : simple ! Simply add your name to the bottom of this : list and mail a fly to everyone else on the list, when : you have your name at the top of the list, you will : have received 50,000 flies.  Please no glow bugs !

This really does work.  I did as told and after 6 weeks had to add an addition on the house to house all the flies.  (How do I get people to send me fly boxes? I prefer wheatleys please.) JC Johann John F. Close The Mad Mathematician

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Mmmm, and the delectable Ellie Mae. …jm

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Question:

Does anyone have any information on the conditions of the rivers in the Crested Butte area?

Joe Butler says that both Taylor and Gunnison rivers have been fishing well. He says to use "Egg Flies, Carpet Egg Flies, Mysis Shrimp, Sonefiles, tan shrimp, olive shrimp and orange shrimp. San Juan Worms will pick up a few fish also, as will the 20-incher pattern." "As the water rises from the bigger releases from the dams," says Butler, "the orange shrimp and the San Juans become more effectivbe. Why? Because shrimp that die when they come through the dams turn orange. These free floating morsels of food are easy pickens for the trout below." "The San Juan Worms get lots of attention as the river rises, mainly because the banks along the stream’s edge are getting washed into the river." — |    Liberty Communications — Michael P. Thompson      | |  Writing, editing, desktop publishing, consulting     | |      <http://www.ecentral.com/members/thompson       |

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Does anyone have any information on the conditions of the rivers in the Crested Butte area? Thanks and Regards, Steve

I am planning a colo kayak/fly fish vacation and may be too early as i am forced to go july 17 to 31.  I have been watching the following page like a hawk and the levels are not about to let up !!  only good for kayakers with a death wish! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -http://webserver.cr.usgs.gov/station_data/co_realtime/html/current_li…<<<

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I am planning a colo kayak/fly fish vacation and may be too early as i am forced to go july 17 to 31.  I have been watching the following page like a hawk and the levels are not about to let up !!  only good for kayakers with a death wish!

I’m confident that Colorado rivers will be down and quite fishable by mid July.  Early July is more dubious for fishing (but is probably a better time for floating). — -Wayne Trzyna

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Does anyone have any information on the conditions of the rivers in the Crested Butte area? Thanks and Regards, Steve

Response:

Does anyone have any information on the conditions of the rivers in the Crested Butte area?

It looks like most rivers in Colorado are going to remain blown-out until well into July. — -Wayne Trzyna

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that said, it would still be my *earnest* recommendation to blow off all of the places you’ve ever heard about, get in the car, get a map and head to those places that are green on the map with lots of x’s (indicating BIG mountain peaks) and blues (rivers, lakes and creeks).  Don’t get to hung up on a spot unless you really like it…inquire in the local stores, buy something…plan to hike to your spot…you might find something you weren’t even looking for. Your pal, TimW

   I agree 1000% . It may take a few trips to find what you like, but it’s well worth the "work" !!!   Harry   (See Tim, we don’t always disagree g<)

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Hello All!     Planning a trip with my brother and son the first of August to do some primitive camping and fly fishing.  My brother lives in Denver and we will be launching the "expedition" from his house. <G     What I would like to know is how are the rivers running so far.  My brother and I fished both the Frying Pan and the South Platte two or three times last year, and didn’t do very well at either one.     Ideally we would want someplace that isn’t heavily fished or camped, but where we have a better than even chance of catching a few fish.  We can four wheel it, or some hiking is not out of the question (son just got out of Marine Corps training and we can use him as a mule <G).  Gold Medal Water fishing is not needed, as fishing Gold Metal Water didn’t really help us last year.     Open to suggestions. K. — |Fidonet:  K. Lindholm 1:285/43 | | Standard disclaimer: The views of this user are strictly his own.

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[deleted] Corps training and we can use him as a mule <G).  Gold Medal Water fishing is not needed, as fishing Gold Metal Water didn’t really help us last year.     Open to suggestions.

the gold medal water in colorado generally has a lot of fish…sometimes they just get pucker-headed in August (or anytime…directly proportional to the amount of time, money and planning invested in the trip)….when it warms up…on the other hand, if you nail it just right it can be awesome.   that said, it would still be my *earnest* recommendation to blow off all of the places you’ve ever heard about, get in the car, get a map and head to those places that are green on the map with lots of x’s (indicating BIG mountain peaks) and blues (rivers, lakes and creeks).  Don’t get to hung up on a spot unless you really like it…inquire in the local stores, buy something…plan to hike to your spot…you might find something you weren’t even looking for. Your pal, TimW

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Question:

I plan to be in Thunder Bay, Ont. in mid-July. Does anyone have suggestions for places to fly fish for trout or smallmouths?

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I am often up in T-Bay on business and I am looking for good spots too, so if anyone has any ideas? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I plan to be in Thunder Bay, Ont. in mid-July. Does anyone have suggestions for places to fly fish for trout or smallmouths?

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Question:

I have been fly fishing for awhile now and I always hear that chirnomids are the key.  Any info on how to fish these little creatures would be most helpful!

Depends on whether you’re fishing them in rivers or lakes. In rivers generally I like to fish them dead drift (both pupa and larval imitations).   I fish them under an indicator with 6x (hopefully) or 7x (if I must) tippet set to the depth of the water and a small split shot about 6" above the fly.  In spring creeks the indicator will only move once out of every 4 strikes or so and you’re better off watching the fish for a feeding move if you can see him when the ‘cator gets close.  If the fish’s head snaps from the side to center, STrike! If the fish moves over and stops, STRike!  If you see the white flash of the fish’s mouth opening, wait until it closes and STRIke!   If you think it might be your fly but you’re not sure, STRIKe!!   You have nothing to lose and if it was you and you didn’t strike, the fish may not pick it up again and you’ve lost out.  If in doubt, STRIKE!! You can also fish a pupa imitation in the film by putting some fly floatant only on the thorax).  This will allow it to hang down from the suface just like the natural does (this only works on a fresh fly not a waterlogged one).  You’ll see the strike as a sipping rise. If they are taking the fully emerged adults, fish the midge on the surface.  If you get a refusal – the fish turns away or the water just bulges under your fly, trim the hackle off the bottom of the fly and cut the tail in half. This will drop it slightly into the film and will usually take the fish that just refused it.  If you don’t see a small bubble in the riseform, then the fish is not breaking the surface and hanging it an inch under the water sometimes works real well.  Treat your leader with fly floatant up to about 1"-2" away from the fly but not on the pupa itself.  This will hang the fly just under the surface.  Sometimes the take is visible as a rise and sometimes the take just looks like a bulge in the water – STRIKE! In lakes I also often use an indicator with my pupa imitations to more accurately imitate the manner in which  they approach the surface.  Attach the indicator about 5′ above the fly and a small split shot about 6" from the fly.  Cast the fly out and allow it to sink for 10 seconds or so. Strip the fly back to you in 6-7" strips with the rod tip in the water so that when you pull on the line you are pulling on the fly.  Strip it just fast enough to make a small wake with the indicator.  This method makes the fly swim up to the surface more vertically than without an indicator and makes a big difference in success.  Watch the ‘cator closely as the fish will often take the fly as it stops moving and sinks a little before the next strip.  Even if the fish takes it as you have it under tension, the indicator will twitch slightly before you feel it.  These are most effectively fished over weedbeds (chironomid hotels). I set up dries and emergers in lake the same way I outlined for rivers, but I try to give them a little twitch from time to time since there is no current. Helps attract the fish’s attention and adds a little more realism to the presentation.  Remember this is a twitch not a 1 or 2" pull – would have to be super midge to move that far.  If you get the slack out of the line and get your rod tip slightly under water you can do this twitch pretty effectively. Don’t overdo it.                            Hope this helps,                                    Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Schools 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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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi, I am 10 years old have been fly fishing for 2 1/2 years. I would like to hear from other kids who are interested in fly fishing. Matt- North Carolina

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I am advisor to a fly fishing club at our middle school here in Bozeman.   I had our first meeting yesterday, and we had 18 students!  I did this the last two years and average 6-8 students.  I’d be interested to know if anyone else is doing anything like I am trying.  Would be interested in sharing information.  Dave Kumlien, Bozeman, MT

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(David Kumlien) writes: I am advisor to a fly fishing club at our middle school here in Bozeman. I had our first meeting yesterday, and we had 18 students!  I did this the last two years and average 6-8 students.  I’d be interested to know if anyone else is doing anything like I am trying.  Would be interested in sharing information.  Dave Kumlien, Bozeman, MT

What a great idea, Dave.  I, for one, would really like to hear of your experiences, and I may have a thought or two to throw in now and then.  By all means, keep posting! Kurt Steinbock

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Hi, I am 10 years old have been fly fishing for 2 1/2 years. I would like to hear from other kids who are interested in fly fishing. Matt- North Carolina

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Question:

What are your favorite instructional videos on fly-tying (beginning or advanced)?  I’ve enjoyed the discussion on favorite books for fly fishing and would like to see recommendations in this area. – John John D. Corless Institute of Optics                             (716) 275-8006 phone University of Rochester                         (716) 244-4936 fax

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 What are your favorite instructional videos on fly-tying (beginning  or advanced)?

I bought Del Mazza’s Tying Classic Flies He covers six flies, three classic  and three contemporary He does a nice job it costs $29.95 an is over two hours long                     John Dwyer     A Flytyer and a Flyfisherman       May your leaders sink, your felts hold, and your flies float high !                 Victor NY    Western gateway to the Fingerlakes

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Gary Borger’s Trout Flies Paul Jorgensoen’s(sp?) 2 volum set (name forgotten) Simon Hallett

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I’ve seen a bunch and my favorite by far are the two videos with Rene Harrop tying Mayflies and Caddis flies.  He uses CDC and ties intermediate stages as well as the normal e.g. nymph, dun, spinner.  I don’t remember the name of the producer but they had one of the Saturday morning FF shows.   It was a guy and his wife – she squeaked and giggled a lot and talked to fish.  You know the people.  Fortunately they aren’t in the videos except at the intro.

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: Gary Borger’s Trout Flies : : Paul Jorgensoen’s(sp?) 2 volum set (name forgotten) : : Simon Hallett "My Favorite Flies", VOL I-II, Poul Jorgenson B.

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Gary Lafontaine did a video on tying Caddis patterns with Mike Lawson and Jack Dennis as guests. Gary demonstrates how to tie his various sparkle patterns using antron.  These are really great patterns, especially the Emergent Sparkle Pupa, which is a fly I wouldn’t leave home without during Caddis season.  Lawson demos a couple af his favorites including the Hemingway Caddis.  Dennis demos the standard Elk Hair Caddis.   There’s also some pretty nice fishing action on the video towards the end,  which takes place on the Green River below Flaming Gorge.  My only criticism of the video is that these guys, especially Lafontaine take this a little too seriously. If he had lightened up a bit the video would have been more fun to watch, but it is very informative.

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