Question:

I have the Renzetti Travler (pedestal) and really like it.

Ditto. Joe F.

Response:

I have the Renzetti Travler (pedestal) and really like it. Ditto.

Ditto ditto. I also have the C clamp base. I use that at home and the pedestal when I travel. — Charlie…

Response:

I have the Renzetti Travler (pedestal) and really like it. Ditto. Ditto ditto. I also have the C clamp base. I use that at home and the pedestal when I travel.

For an economical, non-rotary vise, I started with the Griffin 2A.   A nice vise for not much money.   It’s worth mentioning in light of Charlie’s post that the clamp base for the Griffin and the pedestal base for the Renzetti are interchangeable between the two vises. Joe F.

Response:

I have the Renzetti Travler (pedestal) and really like it.

I have the heavy-duty version of the Renzetti Traveler. I think it’s called the "Saltwater" model, but I’m not sure. Anyway, it gives me the flexibility to tie big steelhead flies, but it still works OK for small flies. I recommend the pedestal version. You can always fix it to your table with a small C-clamp.

Response:

[posted and mailed] [snip] So what vise guys. Sorry I copied and pasted the llink. Bill I have the Renzetti Travler (pedestal) and really like it.

FWIW (for the Western New England contingent), I just got back from BG Sporting Goods in Westfield, MA and all of their vises are 20% off, which makes their price on the Traveler with cam and pedestal base about $125.00. They also had some nice STH reels at 50% off. — TL, Tim

Response:

Joe F. writes: I have the Renzetti Travler (pedestal) and really like it. Ditto. Joe F.

Ditto Dave

Response:

I would recommend the Orvis rotary.

Second that George Adams "All good fishermen stay young until they die, for fishing is the only dream of youth that doth not grow stale with age."                                                           —- J.W Muller

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – [posted and mailed] [snip] So what vise guys. Sorry I copied and pasted the llink. Bill I have the Renzetti Travler (pedestal) and really like it. Paul

Another vote here for the Traveler Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So what vise guys. Sorry I copied and pasted the llink. Alright, let’s not get snippy A Renzetti Presentation would be excellent and won’t cost you your left nut… /daytripper Don’t you mean Renzetti Traveler? At $325 the Presentation is approaching the left nut range.

WTF – did they go and rename the product line? Or did all those years of Reagan-era inflation triple the price? The Presentation I have sitting on my desk went for all of $130 when I bought it… /daytripper (nonplussed!

Response:

So what vise guys.

Oh, vise guys, is it? Listen kiddo ve vas fly fishin ven your mama vas feedin you on prechewed gefilte fish!  HAH! Wolfgang i’ll give ya vise guys!    :(

Response:

Don’t you mean Renzetti Traveler? At $325 the Presentation is approaching the left nut range. WTF – did they go and rename the product line? Or did all those years of Reagan-era inflation triple the price? The Presentation I have sitting on my desk went for all of $130 when I bought it… /daytripper (nonplussed!

and in what era was that?  The Pleistocene? Peter (who paid more for his in deflated Northern Pesos)

Response:

My folks gave me a Regal for Christmas about 15 years ago. Have never had a problem, still using it today. Mine is a little different than this newer model, (no swivel head) but the jaws are pretty much the same. Great vise! http://www.worleybuggerflyco.com/flytyingtools/Regal_Vises.htm Good luck, JRT – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So what vise guys. Sorry I copied and pasted the llink. Bill

Response:

[posted and mailed] [snip] So what vise guys. Sorry I copied and pasted the llink. Bill

I have the Renzetti Travler (pedestal) and really like it. Paul

Response:

(I can be pretty abusive).  

Though, from what I’ve read here, you are mostly self-abusive. Kevin Wait, that doesn’t sound right…

Response:

So what vise guys. Sorry I copied and pasted the llink. Alright, let’s not get snippy A Renzetti Presentation would be excellent and won’t cost you your left nut… /daytripper

Don’t you mean Renzetti Traveler? At $325 the Presentation is approaching the left nut range. Paul

Response:

I would choose flyfishing over drinking, doing drugs, cheating on your spouse, or collecting beanie babies . . . but that’s just my opinion. Memphis Jim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think I have it narrowed down to these. I will have to have pedestal base. So when pricing I have just added it in. I like these over at: www.hookhackle.com STANDARD VISES AA vise left and Super II vise right A) AA Vise. Cam closing. Adjustable height. Ideal starter vise for beginners.Item No. 6AAVISE B) Super II Rotating Vise. C-clamp. Black finish. Lever action. Knob on side of vise allows full 360 degree rotation. Jaws will handle hooks in range of 4/0 to 22. Adjustable height and angle. This is a top quality vise and our favorite! Item No. 9408103

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 2 .00 PEDESTAL BASE Designed for the vises above, but can be used with any 3/8" stemmed vise. Over at: www.cabelas.com I like their vises, kind of leaning toward the Atlantic http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal- pod.jhtml;jsessio

nid=DYSOZMKXN0VA0CWQNVECFFAK0BWUMIV0?id=0011423&navAction=push&navCount=9&i n

dexId=cat20534&parentId=cat20534&parentType=index&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2F e n%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fpod- link.jhtml.2_A&_DAV=http%3A%2F%2Fa1460.g.akamai.n

et%2Fv%2F1460%2F1339%2F6h%2Fwww.cabelas.com%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcontent%2FPod% – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 2 F01%2F14%2F23%2Fp011423ii01.jpg Please help me decide. I also like the Super 2 at hook and hackle Bill Mc — Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Response:

So what vise guys. Sorry I copied and pasted the llink. Alright, let’s not get snippy A Renzetti Presentation would be excellent and won’t cost you your left nut… /daytripper

But still three times more than his highest-priced choice. Just slightly above your price range is the Thompson A Vise, at around $35- $40 at many fly shops. The advantage over all the vises Cabelas has on that page is a stellar reputation for being a very functional utilitarian vise that will last for years and years.  If anything on it breaks, its easily and cheaply replaceable, without buying a whole new vise. — Scott Reverse first field of address to reply

Response:

http://www.mossycreek.com/orvis_rotary.htm I would recommend the Orvis rotary.  I got the original of this, made by Danica while over in the UK.  Its not as pretty as a Renzetti, but its a vise that will be passed down and used by your great grand kids even after the most abusive use you can think of (I can be pretty abusive).  All this for only $80.  I’ve even gotten a couple of professional tiers to switch (Mike Martinek for one). — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think I have it narrowed down to these. I will have to have pedestal base. So when pricing I have just added it in. I like these over at: www.hookhackle.com STANDARD VISES AA vise left and Super II vise right A) AA Vise. Cam closing. Adjustable height. Ideal starter vise for beginners.Item No. 6AAVISE B) Super II Rotating Vise. C-clamp. Black finish. Lever action. Knob on side of vise allows full 360 degree rotation. Jaws will handle hooks in range of 4/0 to 22. Adjustable height and angle. This is a top quality vise and our favorite! Item No. 9408103 …2 2 .00 PEDESTAL BASE Designed for the vises above, but can be used with any 3/8" stemmed vise. Over at: www.cabelas.com I like their vises, kind of leaning toward the Atlantic http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal- pod.jhtml;jsessio nid=DYSOZMKXN0VA0CWQNVECFFAK0BWUMIV0?id=0011423&navAction=push&navCount =9&i n dexId=cat20534&parentId=cat20534&parentType=index&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabela s%2F e n%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fpod- link.jhtml.2_A&_DAV=http%3A%2F%2Fa1460.g.akamai.n et%2Fv%2F1460%2F1339%2F6h%2Fwww.cabelas.com%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcontent%2F Pod% 2 F01%2F14%2F23%2Fp011423ii01.jpg Please help me decide. I also like the Super 2 at hook and hackle Bill Mc That has to be the most effed-up url ever posted here…

Believe it or not, I just selected the whole deal in Xnews, right clicked and selected "Edit URL", hit OK, and it took me right to the page. Xnews rocks! — Scott Reverse first field of address to reply

Response:

So what vise guys. Sorry I copied and pasted the llink.

Alright, let’s not get snippy A Renzetti Presentation would be excellent and won’t cost you your left nut… /daytripper

Response:

 http://www.nor-vise.com/norviseinfo.html Best ever. Mr.G.

Response:

[posted and mailed] – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Over at: www.cabelas.com I like their vises, kind of leaning toward the Atlantic http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal- pod.jhtml;jsessio nid=DYSOZMKXN0VA0CWQNVECFFAK0BWUMIV0?id=0011423&navAction=push&navCount =9&i n dexId=cat20534&parentId=cat20534&parentType=index&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabela s%2F e n%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fpod- link.jhtml.2_A&_DAV=http%3A%2F%2Fa1460.g.akamai.n et%2Fv%2F1460%2F1339%2F6h%2Fwww.cabelas.com%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcontent%2F Pod% 2 F01%2F14%2F23%2Fp011423ii01.jpg Gee, that link was easy to put back together!  Next time, try www.makeashorterlink.com http://makeashorterlink.com/?C30C24E62

So what vise guys. Sorry I copied and pasted the llink. Bill

Response:

Over at: www.cabelas.com I like their vises, kind of leaning toward the Atlantic http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal- pod.jhtml;jsessio

nid=DYSOZMKXN0VA0CWQNVECFFAK0BWUMIV0?id=0011423&navAction=push&navCount=9&i n

dexId=cat20534&parentId=cat20534&parentType=index&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2F e n%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fpod- link.jhtml.2_A&_DAV=http%3A%2F%2Fa1460.g.akamai.n

et%2Fv%2F1460%2F1339%2F6h%2Fwww.cabelas.com%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcontent%2FPod% 2 F01%2F14%2F23%2Fp011423ii01.jpg

Gee, that link was easy to put back together!  Next time, try www.makeashorterlink.com http://makeashorterlink.com/?C30C24E62

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think I have it narrowed down to these. I will have to have pedestal base. So when pricing I have just added it in. I like these over at: www.hookhackle.com STANDARD VISES AA vise left and Super II vise right A) AA Vise. Cam closing. Adjustable height. Ideal starter vise for beginners.Item No. 6AAVISE B) Super II Rotating Vise. C-clamp. Black finish. Lever action. Knob on side of vise allows full 360 degree rotation. Jaws will handle hooks in range of 4/0 to 22. Adjustable height and angle. This is a top quality vise and our favorite! Item No. 9408103 2 .00 PEDESTAL BASE Designed for the vises above, but can be used with any 3/8" stemmed vise. Over at: www.cabelas.com I like their vises, kind of leaning toward the Atlantic http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal- pod.jhtml;jsessio nid=DYSOZMKXN0VA0CWQNVECFFAK0BWUMIV0?id=0011423&navAction=push&navCount=9& i n dexId=cat20534&parentId=cat20534&parentType=index&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2 F e n%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fpod- link.jhtml.2_A&_DAV=http%3A%2F%2Fa1460.g.akamai.n et%2Fv%2F1460%2F1339%2F6h%2Fwww.cabelas.com%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcontent%2FPod% 2 F01%2F14%2F23%2Fp011423ii01.jpg Please help me decide. I also like the Super 2 at hook and hackle Bill Mc

That has to be the most effed-up url ever posted here…

Response:

I think I have it narrowed down to these. I will have to have pedestal base. So when pricing I have just added it in. I like these over at: www.hookhackle.com STANDARD VISES AA vise left and Super II vise right A) AA Vise. Cam closing. Adjustable height. Ideal starter vise for beginners.Item No. 6AAVISE B) Super II Rotating Vise. C-clamp. Black finish. Lever action. Knob on side of vise allows full 360 degree rotation. Jaws will handle hooks in range of 4/0 to 22. Adjustable height and angle. This is a top quality vise and our favorite! Item No. 9408103 2 .00 PEDESTAL BASE Designed for the vises above, but can be used with any 3/8" stemmed vise. Over at: www.cabelas.com I like their vises, kind of leaning toward the Atlantic http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal- pod.jhtml;jsessio nid=DYSOZMKXN0VA0CWQNVECFFAK0BWUMIV0?id=0011423&navAction=push&navCount=9&i n dexId=cat20534&parentId=cat20534&parentType=index&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2F e n%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fpod- link.jhtml.2_A&_DAV=http%3A%2F%2Fa1460.g.akamai.n et%2Fv%2F1460%2F1339%2F6h%2Fwww.cabelas.com%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcontent%2FPod% 2 F01%2F14%2F23%2Fp011423ii01.jpg Please help me decide. I also like the Super 2 at hook and hackle Bill Mc — Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Response:

Question:

….There is nothing more fun than tying flies from a Pheasant skin.

"Wolfgang wrote Geez Ernie, I don’t know quite how to put this Wolfgang "She said, that ain’t the way to have fun, son"

Wolfie, Just wait until you are 70 before commenting. Ernie

Wolfie, you don’t have to be 70 to agree with Ernie!  You can loose it by 48 too! — Padishar Creel "What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult to each other."  – George Eliot

Response:

irridescent body feathers,go to make up a Jack Gartside pattern, the Sparrow. A very versatile subsurface fly, can be nymph or minnow.                             Tom Littleton

Use the reddish colored ones for a rusty sparrow. Heavily weighted it is a great crawfish pattern. Fish it with the old Heave it and leave it technique. Everything on this fly moves with very little current. Big Dale – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Do you people know any pattern that requires pheasant feathers, other than the tail? Cheers, Peter.

I tie a nymph for lakes with the marabou type fluff from the rump feather and a dubbed body color to match the fluff with a gold rib. Looks like a really dark hares ear with a fluffy tail. Simple pattern to tie and is quite effective. Darin

Response:

This is simply not true.  Mobile fibres such as marabou, polar bear hear, cat fur, and several others will simply not behave like this.  If a fly tied with such fibres is placed in water and left immobile, the fibres tend to fill out to their full volume,and wave around with every nuance of the current.  When pulled through the water, the fibres compress as a result of the ensuing water resistance, and many such flies assume a streamlined, torpedo like appearance in such circumstances.

Hmm in my experience Polar bear is very stiff and brittle. THe attractive thing about polar bear is that it is translucent. Tying streamers with polar bear creates a baitfish imitation that is translucent, much like many baitfish. I find it nothing like maribou, and I had to promise to leave the damn cats alone Ernie,  There is a pattern up here in Maine, called the muddler hopper that uses those nicely patterned feathers from the back of the pheasant as a wing. essentially the pattern is a muddler headed hopper pattern, very effective and we fish them like dalhberg divers once they begin to sink. Brookies love ‘em Flyfish – countdown to the clave!

Response:

Hmm in my experience Polar bear is very stiff and brittle. THe attractive thing about polar bear is that it is translucent.

One word: Icelandic Sheep.  OK, 2. Regards, Jeff

Response:

The blue rump fleathers can be used as eyes on baitfish imitations or wound as hackles on soft hackle flies. Tom ‘for the children of the world’  is a non-profit organization in the state of Washington that aids the child victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.  Visit our website at: http://www.forworldschildren.org – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <snip Various short but passionate affairs with some materials, very often originally based on nothing more concrete than a desire to avoid wasting them, the plumulaceous base feathers from the common pheasant being a case in point, with rather disappointing results, have somewhat dampened my enthusiasm for experimentation in this regard. A hunting friend just gave me a complete pheasant skin to tie flies from. Apart from the tail feathers I use for various nymphs, I have not used pheasant  for any flies. Do you people know any pattern that requires pheasant feathers, other than the tail? Cheers, Peter.

–

Response:

This is simply not true.  Mobile fibres such as marabou, polar bear hear, cat fur, and several others will simply not behave like this.  If a fly tied with such fibres is placed in water and left immobile, the fibres tend to fill out to their full volume,and wave around with every nuance of the current.  When pulled through the water, the fibres compress as a result of the ensuing water resistance, and many such flies assume a streamlined, torpedo like appearance in such circumstances. When fished "sink and draw", that is to say, pulled, and then stopped, and then pulled again, such fibre bunches  tend to "pulse", as they are alternately compressed, and then released from compression. Presumably it is the apparent indication of life imparted by such "pulsing" and other movement, which causes many fish to attack them.  When fishing downstream ,on a tight line in heavy current for instance, such "pulsing" may be only slight, or even non existent, as the current is never weak enough to allow the fibres to fluff out to their full volume, and the flies retain a streamlined shape irrespective of manipulation by the rod and line. In heavy currents etc , other more robust, or springy, fibres must be used to achieve such effects.  The flies must be tied to suit the circumstances. Failure to appreciate this quite simple fact, will result in less fish being caught Some flies may have a particular shape or appearance in air, but it is not sensible to assume that they will retain such an appearance in water, which is quite obviously a completely different medium.  Their BEHAVIOUR, or FUNCTION, if you prefer,  may also be completely different.This is not entirely dependent on the materials used in their construction, but also the way in which they are used, and under what circumstances.  Wetting a fly and then looking at it in air is not a viable test, it must be completely immersed in water, and its various properties tested, if one wishes to know how it will behave under similar circumstances. Some things may be inferred from experience, or previous knowledge of certain fibres, without these tests, but only such tests are proof positive. You may check this quite easily, it is not necessary to take my word for it, just fill a sink with water and pull a fly tied like this through it. Then pull some others through as well, you will notice massive differences in their respective behaviour immediately. Exactly the same applies for soft hackled wet flies, which is why the patterns mentioned, when tied in this specific way, are not suitable for upstream fishing, or at least not as suitable as others.  Streamlined nymphal shapes, with a translucent, waving or "wriggling" body effect, as you put it, will only be apparent when the flies are pulled through the water, or at least held in the current, which is basically the same thing. Compressive fibre streamlining occurs as a direct result of water resistance. Without this they will not compress. Water resistance forces the fibres backwards, veiling the body, and this will then be an excellent imitation of an active swimming nymph. Or a fish for instance, in the case of some lures etc. This will only occur if the fly is pulled through the water, ( retrieved), or fished downstream on a tight line. In  ALL OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES the fly will not assume such an appearance. There are many variables here, and one may pursue such studies into realms of detail far beyond the scope or interest of most anglers. Various fibres behave in various ways, and there are a considerable number of excellent and valid reasons why most of these flies are tied with specific feathers. While it may be true that flies tied with somewhat less attention to detail, and with substitute feathers, still catch fish, it is my experience, and that of many others, that they are nowhere near as effective as the original patterns tied correctly.   If as you say you have noticed no difference, then that forces me to a number of conclusions. The first one is, if it does not matter as you say, then why are you arguing so vehemently against it? The second one is, as I know this to be an easily demonstrable fact, I am bound to assume that you have not tried it, as otherwise you could not possibly have a differing opinion. This subject is simply not a matter of opinion, it is a matter of known fact. The third one is, as I already stated, the originals, tied ( and fished! ),correctly, catch more fish. In order to know this you must have either tried it, or at least have it on hearsay that this is so. As you have obviously not tried the originals, or even apparently heard any reliable evidence to support this idea, you are in no position to argue as to its veracity. Fourthly, ease of tying is not my main criterion when tying flies, in fact it is not usually even a criterion at all. As an argument in favour of using less suitable materials, it is pure nonsense. If you can not tie flies using these materials, either due to a lack of manipulatory skill, or simply because you are unable to obtain them, then that is most unfortunate for you, but it is not a valid reason for arguing against others doing so. My flies are tied purely to catch fish, and they do so, with remarkable regularity and consistency. I do not really give a tinker

Question:

Hi, After 25 years of fly-in trips in Canada this year I am responsible for the kitchen.  Our previous chef has "retired" and I offered.  I would like your ideas on the menu.  Please send your best camp recipes. Often we are limited to a propane burner but this year we have a propane BBQ, stove-top, and a good possibility of an oven….WOW.  Typically our fare consisted of burgers, steaks, potatoes, lunch meats, snack food and fish of course.  To be honest, my predecessor was cheap and easy.  So, and good ideas and a little more variety would be welcome. Thanks, Tom Gardner

Response:

This is an awesome and easy recipe! Get some aluminum foil.  Put some fillets and whatever veggies you like, and seasonings on the foil, and wrap it up. Put it in the coals of a campfire and cook! Dan Dow

Response:

Tom,  Buy yourself a Dutch Oven.  There is almost nothing you can’t cook with the Dutch oven.  On fishing and/or rafting trips I regularily make corn bread, enchilada casseroles, cakes, cobblers, lasagna.  You are only limitted by imagination.  It is also much easier than most people think.  It is fun to watch the group’s jaws drop when you open up with fresh bisquits or corn bread and then finish up with chocolate cake or apple crisp.  I have found that nearly any casserole you can make at home can easily been done in the Dutch oven.  Using charcoal is the easiest to control temp but on canoe and raft trips I just use coals and twigs.  Ted

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, After 25 years of fly-in trips in Canada this year I am responsible for the kitchen.  Our previous chef has "retired" and I offered.  I would like your ideas on the menu.  Please send your best camp recipes. Often we are limited to a propane burner but this year we have a propane BBQ, stove-top, and a good possibility of an oven….WOW.  Typically our fare consisted of burgers, steaks, potatoes, lunch meats, snack food and fish of course.  To be honest, my predecessor was cheap and easy.  So, and good ideas and a little more variety would be welcome. Thanks, Tom Gardner

Response:

My old favorite for trout,bass,etc., would be cornmeal coating with spices,stuffed with onions and Stovetop stuffing,and wrapped with strips of bacon.For coarse fish like carp and catfish,a hot and spicy stew with hot sauce and sesame oil,kimchee,peppers,and scallions. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Question:

Carl, These boats differ in their performance.  The Delta, Acadia, Bayou, Keowee and Swifty are all "recreational boats".  The Delta and the Bayou are very similar in performance but one is longer than the other and tracks better. They both have flat hulls and are very good with initial stability but not very good secondary stability.  These boats will track better and be a bit faster than the Swifty and Keowee. The Swifty and Keowee are just knock around boats.  They don’t track well but do maneuver easily.  The Acadia is at the extreme low end of "touring kayaks"  It’s has a little more rocker on it but is made to get out into the easy ocean if desired.  It has good initial and secondary stability.  All of these boats will do flat water, easy class I/II rapids and paddle in bays well.  The Acadia, you can take a step further out in the easy ocean.

I’ve seen Swiftys and Keowees on class II, and I don’t think I’d say that they do it well.  Certainly people have fun in them, but…well, it depends on the class II, I guess.  I think that the more technical the river is, the less fun these boats will be.  Also, I’ve never seen anyone wear a skirt with these — it could be a pretty damp experience.   — ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::         "I would not exchange the sorrows of my heart                 for the joys of the multitude"

Response:

Yes it does depend on the river.  The Chattahoochee in Atlanta would be fine but something that is more technical would not.  That’s why I said easy class I/II rapids.  People have the option of purchasing a skirt with these boats.  The companies make skirts that fit each one.  If a person tells me they want to run some easy class I/II as well as flat water, I tell them they may want to purchase a skirt with it to keep the water out.  On the other hand if they just want to do flat water, there’s no need for a skirt unless they want to get a mini-skirt for splash or paddle drip. Courtney Rapid Adventures – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve seen Swiftys and Keowees on class II, and I don’t think I’d say that they do it well.  Certainly people have fun in them, but…well, it depends on the class II, I guess.  I think that the more technical the river is, the less fun these boats will be.  Also, I’ve never seen anyone wear a skirt with these — it could be a pretty damp experience.

Response:

You can get into a Swifty and yes it will float but it will sit lower in the water and be sluggish.  The Delta would be a better boat for doing what you are wanting to do and be more in your weight range.  If you really liked it, go for it.  It’s a great boat and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. Courtney Rapid Adventures – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Courtney WOW- what a great reply…..thanks SO VERY MUCH!!!! As a follow-up- being 6-01/245- will the Swiftie float ??  If so, I think it would be an ideal 1st boat for me…..going to the kids later (if I like it enough to spend more $$$$$)  All I want to do at this point is paddle out a little, or paddle upstream a little (slow river) and flyfish for Bass/Panfish on the way back. I do have to admit though- out of the Delta and Bayou- I liked the Delta MUCH better.  The Bayou just seemed a little squirley compared to the Delta.  I even sat back and pulled my legs out and dangled them in the water in the Delta. A nice way to float down stream .  Couldn’t do that in the Bayou. I guess the thing that keeps me fluctuating towards Perception is their cool web site- maybe their boats are as cool??  Haven’t seen one though- other than on the web . Thanks again!! Carl

Response:

Dear Courtney WOW- what a great reply…..thanks SO VERY MUCH!!!! As a follow-up- being 6-01/245- will the Swiftie float ??  If so, I think it would be an ideal 1st boat for me…..going to the kids later (if I like it enough to spend more $$$$$)  All I want to do at this point is paddle out a little, or paddle upstream a little (slow river) and flyfish for Bass/Panfish on the way back. I do have to admit though- out of the Delta and Bayou- I liked the Delta MUCH better.  The Bayou just seemed a little squirley compared to the Delta.  I even sat back and pulled my legs out and dangled them in the water in the Delta.  A nice way to float down stream .  Couldn’t do that in the Bayou. I guess the thing that keeps me fluctuating towards Perception is their cool web site- maybe their boats are as cool??  Haven’t seen one though- other than on the web . Thanks again!! Carl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Carl, These boats differ in their performance.  The Delta, Acadia, Bayou, Keowee and Swifty are all "recreational boats".  The Delta and the Bayou are very similar in performance but one is longer than the other and tracks better. They both have flat hulls and are very good with initial stability but not very good secondary stability.  These boats will track better and be a bit faster than the Swifty and Keowee. The Swifty and Keowee are just knock around boats.  They don’t track well but do maneuver easily.  The Acadia is at the extreme low end of "touring kayaks"  It’s has a little more rocker on it but is made to get out into the easy ocean if desired.  It has good initial and secondary stability.  All of these boats will do flat water, easy class I/II rapids and paddle in bays well.  The Acadia, you can take a step further out in the easy ocean. As for the Carolina and Chinook, they are both Touring (sea) kayaks.  They track very well but are harder to turn.  Normally they will come with a rudder to help you with this.  They are both much faster than the above mentioned kayaks.  They have very good initial and secondary stability and both perform beautiful on flat water, easy class I/II rivers, bays and out in the ocean.  Their intended purpose is for actual sea kayaking, flat water and easy rivers. Both companies hold a good warranty (I think 3 years).  Dagger plastic is made of Excel polyethylene whereas Perception is made of Linear. Technically Excel is stronger but both plastics are very good.  Wilderness Systems material is made up of Crosslink.  This is the strongest of materials but a little heavier. Since you tried the Delta and liked it but didn’t like the Bayou, you may also check out the Wilderness Systems Manteo.  You may find you like it a whole lot better than the Pungo.  The hull on these boats are called a tri-hull.  They have excellent initial and secondary stability and track very well.  I have known several people to take them on all the above mentioned waters but they did get a bit nervous when out in the ocean and the waves got big or choppy. If you’re looking at a used boat, take a look to see that the top of the boat is the same color as the bottom of the boat.  People store their kayaks outside allot and the UV rays break down the plastic over time.  If stored indoors the plastic condition should be fine.  Also look for oil canning (where the boat has a bow in it somewhere on the hull, usually under the seat).  I little bow is o.k. but if it looks really wavy, the plastic is getting warn and doesn’t have too much time left before it cracks.   Look for deep gouges as well.  There will always be scratches on a boat and that’s fine but DEEP gouges can be a sign of trouble on the horizon depending on where these gouges are.  For instance, under the seat would be a bad place. Out of all of these boats, I would focus on the Delta, Acadia and Manteo if not planning on really getting out into the ocean.  The Manteo does great in waves and flat water, the Acadia the same but less initial stability and the Delta does better in flat water due to the good initial stability but not that much secondary and is not as wave friendly. If planning on going into the ocean, either the Carolina or Chinook would be good.  I personally like the Carolina the best because of it’s stability and performance. Hope this helped and sorry it’s so long.  I work in a boat store and sell these boats every day and it’s hard to narrow it down to two sentences. Courtney Rapid Adventures Hi: I’m a long time paddler (canoe) that’s brand new to kayaks…..but I’m hooked Tested the Delta today and loved it….haven’t seen the Acadia or Carolina, however from the web the Acadia seems almost exactly like the Delta.  What are your thoughts….which is a better company (product, fit and finish, warranty, support etc) and which is a better boat?  To complicate matters another shop has a used Perception Chinook for the same price as these new boats……. Also, I’m 6′01" and 245lbs…..any large kayakers try the Keowee or even the Swiftie?  I did paddle the WS Pongo and the Dagger Bayou and did not like either (for different reasons). I know this is a long message, but I do hop there are some out there that will have the time to respond…..I’m hopelessly confused Carl

Response:

Carl – Did you try also posting your message to the following newsgroup? rec.boats.paddle.touring You might reach more users who could help you out there. Good luck! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I wanted to thank the two newsgroup members above- they were the only replies to my post.  For the rest of you, PLEASE help me with opinions.  I have no kayak background and thought that this would be the perfect forum to get experienced responses.  My original post is below:- (My sole (current) ambition is to paddle a mile or so upstream and fly-fish downstream)) Hi: I’m a long time paddler (canoe) that’s brand new to kayaks…..but I’m hooked Tested the Delta today and loved it….haven’t seen the Acadia or Carolina, however from the web the Acadia seems almost exactly like the Delta.  What are your thoughts….which is a better company (product, fit and finish, warranty, support etc) and which is a better boat?  To complicate matters another shop has a used Perception Chinook for the same price as these new boats……. Also, I’m 6′01" and 245lbs…..any large kayakers try the Keowee or even the Swiftie?  I did paddle the WS Pongo and the Dagger Bayou and did not like either (for different reasons). I know this is a long message, but I do hop there are some out there that will have the time to respond…..I’m hopelessly confused Carl

Sue

Response:

Carl, These boats differ in their performance.  The Delta, Acadia, Bayou, Keowee and Swifty are all "recreational boats".  The Delta and the Bayou are very similar in performance but one is longer than the other and tracks better. They both have flat hulls and are very good with initial stability but not very good secondary stability.  These boats will track better and be a bit faster than the Swifty and Keowee. The Swifty and Keowee are just knock around boats.  They don’t track well but do maneuver easily.  The Acadia is at the extreme low end of "touring kayaks"  It’s has a little more rocker on it but is made to get out into the easy ocean if desired.  It has good initial and secondary stability.  All of these boats will do flat water, easy class I/II rapids and paddle in bays well.  The Acadia, you can take a step further out in the easy ocean. As for the Carolina and Chinook, they are both Touring (sea) kayaks.  They track very well but are harder to turn.  Normally they will come with a rudder to help you with this.  They are both much faster than the above mentioned kayaks.  They have very good initial and secondary stability and both perform beautiful on flat water, easy class I/II rivers, bays and out in the ocean.  Their intended purpose is for actual sea kayaking, flat water and easy rivers. Both companies hold a good warranty (I think 3 years).  Dagger plastic is made of Excel polyethylene whereas Perception is made of Linear. Technically Excel is stronger but both plastics are very good.  Wilderness Systems material is made up of Crosslink.  This is the strongest of materials but a little heavier. Since you tried the Delta and liked it but didn’t like the Bayou, you may also check out the Wilderness Systems Manteo.  You may find you like it a whole lot better than the Pungo.  The hull on these boats are called a tri-hull.  They have excellent initial and secondary stability and track very well.  I have known several people to take them on all the above mentioned waters but they did get a bit nervous when out in the ocean and the waves got big or choppy. If you’re looking at a used boat, take a look to see that the top of the boat is the same color as the bottom of the boat.  People store their kayaks outside allot and the UV rays break down the plastic over time.  If stored indoors the plastic condition should be fine.  Also look for oil canning (where the boat has a bow in it somewhere on the hull, usually under the seat).  I little bow is o.k. but if it looks really wavy, the plastic is getting warn and doesn’t have too much time left before it cracks.   Look for deep gouges as well.  There will always be scratches on a boat and that’s fine but DEEP gouges can be a sign of trouble on the horizon depending on where these gouges are.  For instance, under the seat would be a bad place. Out of all of these boats, I would focus on the Delta, Acadia and Manteo if not planning on really getting out into the ocean.  The Manteo does great in waves and flat water, the Acadia the same but less initial stability and the Delta does better in flat water due to the good initial stability but not that much secondary and is not as wave friendly. If planning on going into the ocean, either the Carolina or Chinook would be good.  I personally like the Carolina the best because of it’s stability and performance. Hope this helped and sorry it’s so long.  I work in a boat store and sell these boats every day and it’s hard to narrow it down to two sentences. Courtney Rapid Adventures – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi: I’m a long time paddler (canoe) that’s brand new to kayaks…..but I’m hooked Tested the Delta today and loved it….haven’t seen the Acadia or Carolina, however from the web the Acadia seems almost exactly like the Delta.  What are your thoughts….which is a better company (product, fit and finish, warranty, support etc) and which is a better boat?  To complicate matters another shop has a used Perception Chinook for the same price as these new boats……. Also, I’m 6′01" and 245lbs…..any large kayakers try the Keowee or even the Swiftie?  I did paddle the WS Pongo and the Dagger Bayou and did not like either (for different reasons). I know this is a long message, but I do hop there are some out there that will have the time to respond…..I’m hopelessly confused Carl

Response:

I wanted to thank the two newsgroup members above- they were the only replies to my post.  For the rest of you, PLEASE help me with opinions.  I have no kayak background and thought that this would be the perfect forum to get experienced responses.  My original post is below:- (My sole (current) ambition is to paddle a mile or so upstream and fly-fish downstream)) Hi: I’m a long time paddler (canoe) that’s brand new to kayaks…..but I’m hooked Tested the Delta today and loved it….haven’t seen the Acadia or Carolina, however from the web the Acadia seems almost exactly like the Delta.  What are your thoughts….which is a better company (product, fit and finish, warranty, support etc) and which is a better boat?  To complicate matters another shop has a used Perception Chinook for the same price as these new boats……. Also, I’m 6′01" and 245lbs…..any large kayakers try the Keowee or even the Swiftie?  I did paddle the WS Pongo and the Dagger Bayou and did not like either (for different reasons). I know this is a long message, but I do hop there are some out there that will have the time to respond…..I’m hopelessly confused Carl

Response:

Hi: I’m a long time paddler (canoe) that’s brand new to kayaks…..but I’m hooked Tested the Delta today and loved it….haven’t seen the Acadia or Carolina, however from the web the Acadia seems almost exactly like the Delta.  What are your thoughts….which is a better company (product, fit and finish, warranty, support etc) and which is a better boat?  To complicate matters another shop has a used Perception Chinook for the same price as these new boats……. Also, I’m 6′01" and 245lbs…..any large kayakers try the Keowee or even the Swiftie?  I did paddle the WS Pongo and the Dagger Bayou and did not like either (for different reasons). I know this is a long message, but I do hop there are some out there that will have the time to respond…..I’m hopelessly confused Carl

Response:

paddled the Carolina in a Basic Sea Kayaking course and was pleased with it. It was my first time kayaking and I had no problems.  It is 25 1/4 inches wide so it will be more tippy than the Delta I believe.  I would be reluctant to paddle a kayak with out some instruction.  Oh, I almost forgot, I am 6′ 2" and found the Carolina a little too scrunched up for my legs.  I rented a Current Designs Storm (17′ l  24"w) today and the leg room was better and it was fast, but it was extremely heavy.  Hope this helps some.

Response:

I have had two Dagger white water boats and have had no complaints about their fit or finish. Are you pretty much decided on a day-tripping boat? There are a number of choices out there, in a number of lengths, and it is easy to get "analysis paralysis". Check out the paddling shops in your area and find out about rentals and demo days. Get hooked up with a paddling club or two and you can get exposure to a number of different boats and opinions. Many folks have more than one and might be willing to help you compare. Don’t worry about making the choice. You’re really just buying your *first* kayak, anyway . (ps- one of the boats I have is a Wilderness Systems Seacret, which is plenty wide (I’m 6′1" and weigh 205) and has lots of foot room, and was surprisingly maneuverable and quick… I bought it to serve as a fishing photo platform, but really like it generally. Check and see when the outfitters in your area are selling used equipment…worked for me, and I got it half price! Good luck! — paddlrat living proof that rats can swim! Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Question:

I fish almost daily in the lake in front of my house on a golf course using a fly rod with poppers.  I get hit often but my success rate in landing them is a joke.  It seems most often that the popper gets rolled on and disappears under water.  When I try to set the hook, I pull it out of the fish’s mouth or I hook it for a while only to lose the fish before landing it.  I have good success fishing with plastics or spinner baits using my baitcasting set up, but terrible results with the poppers.  I’ve tried waiting longer before setting the hook, setting it up, sideways, slower, harder … nothing seems to help.  I am using a barbless hook which I hand sharpen.  Any suggestions. Thanks ahead of time.

Response:

The trouble might be the poppers you are using. Check and see how much

clearance you’ve got between the point of the hook and the underside ofthe popper.   Many poppers I’ve found sacrifice a bigger gap here, better a better "look", meaning more flashabou, rubber legs, hackle to form a skirt, etc.  When I tie my own or buy one, either hardbodied or deerhair, I’ll use a razor to trim as much hair or plastic or cork off the bottom at the back of the poppers body as I can and still have a good solid body, or I’ll use some needlenose pliers to bend the hook back a little to widen the gap. I’ve found this increases my hook-ups a lot. This wasn’t my idea, I got it from reading about flyfishing from lots of different folks. Bill C. "Those that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin

Response:

I fish almost daily in the lake in front of my house on a golf course using a fly rod with poppers.  I get hit often but my success rate in landing them is a joke.  It seems most often that the popper gets rolled on and disappears under water.  When I try to set the hook, I pull it out of the fish’s mouth or I hook it for a while only to lose the fish before landing it.  I have good success fishing with plastics or spinner baits using my baitcasting set up, but terrible results with the poppers.  I’ve tried waiting longer before setting the hook, setting it up, sideways, slower, harder … nothing seems to help.  I am using a barbless hook which I hand sharpen.  Any suggestions. Good luck Thanks ahead of time.

With a fly rod on bass the gape of the hook is important, as pointed out in another post. Main thing to remember is to set the hook as hard as you can. You must use a 7 or 8 weight if you are really going to set without problems. I use lighter tackle because its fun–a 5 wweight and have caught lots of 3 lb bass with it. also occasionaly larger ones. For the 5 i dont use the rod to hook-I use my left hand with the line . Its a better way as you get used to it and gives more power as you strike without endangering the rod.                  Angleral

Response:

   It uses the GUARDHOOK – -an amazing new fishhook that acts like a pincher crab to prevent fish from throwing it.  It is a long shank Mustad with a built in weed guard.  Now you won’t believe all of its features.  It is totally all-terrain.  It never gets snagged in weeds or brush.  I have even tested them on land tossing them into brushpiles.  They have the North American Fisherman Clubs seal of approval.  100 out of 100 field testers said they would never fish without them.  The GUARDPOP is just one of many of my new all-terrain lures. You can buy a GUARDPOP (popper) from me or just buy GUARDHOOKS for your poppers.  The Guardhooks come in many sizes – a new size 6 is just now available.  They are doublehooks so they are quickchange hooks.  And they Lock out for Safe storage just like a safety pin cause the spring weed guard can be sprung over the hook tip.  I fish them barbless too by pinching down the barb so they are safer for you and safer for the fish. Ted Rydell-  see at www.foxynet.com/guardhook – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I fish almost daily in the lake in front of my house on a golf course using a fly rod with poppers.  I get hit often but my success rate in landing them is a joke.  It seems most often that the popper gets rolled on and disappears under water.  When I try to set the hook, I pull it out of the fish’s mouth or I hook it for a while only to lose the fish before landing it.  I have good success fishing with plastics or spinner baits using my baitcasting set up, but terrible results with the poppers.  I’ve tried waiting longer before setting the hook, setting it up, sideways, slower, harder … nothing seems to help.  I am using a barbless hook which I hand sharpen.  Any suggestions. Good luck Thanks ahead of time. With a fly rod on bass the gape of the hook is important, as pointed out in another post. Main thing to remember is to set the hook as hard as you can. You must use a 7 or 8 weight if you are really going to set without problems. I use lighter tackle because its fun–a 5 wweight and have caught lots of 3 lb bass with it. also occasionaly larger ones. For the 5 i dont use the rod to hook-I use my left hand with the line . Its a better way as you get used to it and gives more power as you strike without endangering the rod.                  Angleral

Response:

Question:

I am planning couple of days ffishing in Texas (anywhere between Matagorda and Brownsville) in middle February.  Any suggestions on guides specializing in flyfishing and wading as well as locations greatly appreciated. Thanks, Marek

Response:

I am planning couple of days ffishing in Texas (anywhere between Matagorda and Brownsville) in middle February.  Any suggestions on guides specializing in flyfishing and wading as well as locations greatly appreciated. Thanks, Marek

 Hello Marek, I spent a considerable amount of time in Laguna Madre.  I sea-kayaked from Corpu Christi down to Mexico.  I found the area around Port Mansfield to be fairly productive.  It is the off-season there so the guides will be looking for people to take out.  There is nothing in the town except one restaurant.  It is also a hotel.  On the way into town though, you will pass a hotel that is large.  I am not sure of the name.  The gentleman that runs this hotel is also a guide.  Very nice accomadations and very nice people.  I am sorry that I am so vague but if you happen upon this place, you will realize how small it is.  About 200 winter residents and about 6000 in the summer. I fished wherever I saw tailing reds. This was often.  Throughout the whole trip. Enjoy, Paul Johnson,

Response:

Eric Glass, Gibb Little and Skipper Ray all will take you fishing in the South Padre, Port Isabel area.  I’ve fished with Eric.  Keep in mind that the the weather is still a a little touchy in Feb.  We probably will still be getting the occasional norther. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am planning couple of days ffishing in Texas (anywhere between Matagorda and Brownsville) in middle February.  Any suggestions on guides specializing in flyfishing and wading as well as locations greatly appreciated. Thanks, Marek

Response:

Walt Kittleburger guides out of Port Mansfield.  Nobody is hard to find in Mansfield. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am planning couple of days ffishing in Texas (anywhere between Matagorda and Brownsville) in middle February.  Any suggestions on guides specializing in flyfishing and wading as well as locations greatly appreciated. Thanks, Marek  Hello Marek, I spent a considerable amount of time in Laguna Madre.  I sea-kayaked from Corpu Christi down to Mexico.  I found the area around Port Mansfield to be fairly productive.  It is the off-season there so the guides will be looking for people to take out.  There is nothing in the town except one restaurant.  It is also a hotel.  On the way into town though, you will pass a hotel that is large.  I am not sure of the name.  The gentleman that runs this hotel is also a guide.  Very nice accomadations and very nice people.  I am sorry that I am so vague but if you happen upon this place, you will realize how small it is.  About 200 winter residents and about 6000 in the summer. I fished wherever I saw tailing reds. This was often.  Throughout the whole trip. Enjoy, Paul Johnson,

Response:

Question:

…cruising down a cool canyon-bottom, lots of trees and bushes…really hot out…glad I’m in the shade…  I keep riding.  I pass a large white rock on my left…AAAGGGHHH!!  That’s no rock!  It’s a 1/4-ton COW!!!  I surprised the cow and woke it up, and it scared the s#!+ outa me by transforming from a white boulder into a 1/4-ton walking hamburger!!! Bye Cow!  Gotta go!!! Tom Kenney http://www.bearcomp.com/bearcom/tom.html

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Surprise #1: The 700m descent through the woods is bulldozed! Seriously. (This is *not* the same bulldozed trail I wrote about in another post. ACK!) Surprise #2: Back on the singletrack… that old hairpin "turn & drop"… and right around the corner, into the drop, a 10" diametre tree at chest level. I reached out and grabbed the tree with both hands and sort of went under in limbo fashion. My bike flipped up and stayed attached to my feet (powerstraps). It was Really Hard to get untwisted. Surprise #3: Untwisted and back in the saddle… hey… what are those hikers doing walking through the underbrush? Around the corner, and NO BRIDGE! Where’d the damn bridge go? Sure it was old and falling apart, with big holes in it, but it still worked. (The hikers are looking for a way to cross.) (Not Such A) Surprise #4: The water is Real Cold. (No way I was turning back.)

SURPRISE #4:  Going down my favorite singletrack downhill at night.  Hey, what’s that big black thing doing in the middle of the trail.  Hey, thats a bear.  Let’s get outta here.  Shit, its coming after us. SURPRISE #5:  This is especially common for those who live in the Northeast during the fall.  Ever hear of the diamond tailed Micranthena.  It a spider with a real funny looking tail on it almost diamond shaped.  Well, i’m cruising down my favorite trail (again at night) and WHOA! A BOA! Not quite, but close.  You fly through a real big spider web and the spider is crawling up your face. SURPRISE #6:  Moths at night.  You are again flying down your favorite trail and OOOPPS!!! COOUUUGGGHHHH.  CHOKE.    Yep.  You just ate a meal high in protein and carbohydrates. SURPRISE #7:  Whats that reflector up ahead?  DAMN’ THATS NO REFLECTOR, THEM ARE WOLVES!  Move on out! SURPRISE #8:  Skunks.  Need i say more. SURPRISE #9:  Damn kids.  Why the hell did they have to put a fishing line snare across the trail. SURPRISE #10: Hunters.  "No, really.  I am not a deer." SURPRISE #11: Red Neck Hunters.  "No, really.  I am not a grouse." SURPRISE #12: Red Neck Rapists  "No, i may have long hair, but i’m no girl." SURPRISE #13: dAMN, i thought my battery lasted longer than this. sucks! dan

Response:

Were you ever riding a favourite trail, one you know *really* well, and get a nice surprise? Like the other day, I crossed over a highway to hit a nice descent down to a river… Surprise #1: The 700m descent through the woods is bulldozed! Seriously. (This is *not* the same bulldozed trail I wrote about in another post. ACK!)

        I had this happen to me to, on a piece of trail on University property. It used to be a "lint" (that’s right, linet), covered trail, but now it is just rubbish, they bulldozed it, and then chopped th e trees.  I guess too many people were having fun there.

Response:

Were you ever riding a favourite trail, one you know *really* well, and get a nice surprise? Like the other day, I crossed over a highway to hit a nice descent down to a river… Surprise #1: The 700m descent through the woods is bulldozed! Seriously. (This is *not* the same bulldozed trail I wrote about in another post. ACK!) Surprise #2: Back on the singletrack… that old hairpin "turn & drop"… and right around the corner, into the drop, a 10" diametre tree at chest level. I reached out and grabbed the tree with both hands and sort of went under in limbo fashion. My bike flipped up and stayed attached to my feet (powerstraps). It was Really Hard to get untwisted. Surprise #3: Untwisted and back in the saddle… hey… what are those hikers doing walking through the underbrush? Around the corner, and NO BRIDGE! Where’d the damn bridge go? Sure it was old and falling apart, with big holes in it, but it still worked. (The hikers are looking for a way to cross.) (Not Such A) Surprise #4: The water is Real Cold. (No way I was turning back.) DANIEL CLEMENTS (Barrie, Ontario CANADA)

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – While exploring a new stretch of a local smallmouth river (Flat R., MI, near Greenville), I came upon a real shallow stretch of water. Depths ranged from inches to about two feet.  The bass were very small and spooky. The last straw came when a group of wild canoeists (canoers?) paddled through the area I was fishing.  They were loud and obviously drunk (it seems to be a local ordinance that a canoe must have at least one six pack of Busch to be considered legal).  Discouraged, I strung up and started to walk back to shore and the truck. And damn near stepped on a sucker about 14" long!  I froze while he continued to slowly move along the bottom.  Then I realized that there were about thirty or forty of them moving together.  They didn’t spook because of me but they knew enough to avoid me. Well, I hadn’t caught much in the way of fish so I figured, hell, it’s swimming and has fins so I’ll try for it.  I tossed out almost everything I had for about an hour.  Dries, streamers, nymphs, attractors, salmon eggs left over from last fall, everything.  The only action I got was when I lined one of them and he moved a little faster than usual. Now the question: Exactly what do these fish eat and what flies imitate it?  I prefer bass and trout, enjoy panfish and the occassional pike but I’ve never cast for suckers or carp.  I’m not an expert flyfisherman but I can generally put it where I want it.  What’s needed to catch those fish!? Thanks, Brian "Frustrated but Still up to the Challenge" Austin Brian Austin The desperate never believe the obvious

Brian, I have caught many suckers fishing for trout, almost always on nymphs.                                 Mark Faulkner

Response:

Check the July/August issue of American Angler magazine for some tips on fly fishing for suckers. John Likakis

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – While exploring a new stretch of a local smallmouth river (Flat R., MI, near Greenville), I came upon a real shallow stretch of water. Depths ranged from inches to about two feet.  The bass were very small and spooky. The last straw came when a group of wild canoeists (canoers?) paddled through the area I was fishing.  They were loud and obviously drunk (it seems to be a local ordinance that a canoe must have at least one six pack of Busch to be considered legal).  Discouraged, I strung up and started to walk back to shore and the truck. And damn near stepped on a sucker about 14" long!  I froze while he continued to slowly move along the bottom.  Then I realized that there were about thirty or forty of them moving together.  They didn’t spook because of me but they knew enough to avoid me. Well, I hadn’t caught much in the way of fish so I figured, hell, it’s swimming and has fins so I’ll try for it.  I tossed out almost everything I had for about an hour.  Dries, streamers, nymphs, attractors, salmon eggs left over from last fall, everything.  The only action I got was when I lined one of them and he moved a little faster than usual. Now the question: Exactly what do these fish eat and what flies imitate it?  I prefer bass and trout, enjoy panfish and the occassional pike but I’ve never cast for suckers or carp.  I’m not an expert flyfisherman but I can generally put it where I want it.  What’s needed to catch those fish!? Thanks, Brian "Frustrated but Still up to the Challenge" Austin Brian Austin The desperate never believe the obvious

much real help.  I have caught suckers a number of times (fair hooked) and on one occasion in the Kakisa River in the NWT, thought I had hooked up with a world record grayling. The fly was a Golden Stone but the kicker is that the water was quite turbid. Because suckers feed off the bottom it is unlikely in clear water with any velocity that you will have much chance. Small nymphs right on the bottom in rather slow moving water will fare better. Carp are another story altogether, they will take a moving fly.

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While exploring a new stretch of a local smallmouth river (Flat R., MI, near Greenville), I came upon a real shallow stretch of water. Depths ranged from inches to about two feet.  The bass were very small and spooky. The last straw came when a group of wild canoeists (canoers?) paddled through the area I was fishing.  They were loud and obviously drunk (it seems to be a local ordinance that a canoe must have at least one six pack of Busch to be considered legal).  Discouraged, I strung up and started to walk back to shore and the truck. And damn near stepped on a sucker about 14" long!  I froze while he continued to slowly move along the bottom.  Then I realized that there were about thirty or forty of them moving together.  They didn’t spook because of me but they knew enough to avoid me. Well, I hadn’t caught much in the way of fish so I figured, hell, it’s swimming and has fins so I’ll try for it.  I tossed out almost everything I had for about an hour.  Dries, streamers, nymphs, attractors, salmon eggs left over from last fall, everything.  The only action I got was when I lined one of them and he moved a little faster than usual. Now the question: Exactly what do these fish eat and what flies imitate it?  I prefer bass and trout, enjoy panfish and the occassional pike but I’ve never cast for suckers or carp.  I’m not an expert flyfisherman but I can generally put it where I want it.  What’s needed to catch those fish!? Thanks, Brian "Frustrated but Still up to the Challenge" Austin Brian Austin The desperate never believe the obvious

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. . . And damn near stepped on a sucker about 14" long!  I froze while he continued to slowly move along the bottom.  Then I realized that there were about thirty or forty of them moving together.  They didn’t spook because of me but they knew enough to avoid me. Well, I hadn’t caught much in the way of fish so I figured, hell, it’s swimming and has fins so I’ll try for it.  I tossed out almost everything I had for about an hour.  Dries, streamers, nymphs, attractors, salmon eggs left over from last fall, everything.  The only action I got was when I lined one of them and he moved a little . . . Exactly what do these fish eat and what flies imitate it?  I prefer

Unlike carp, suckers appear to be exclusively bottom feeders.  Their underslung mouths do not encourage them to take anything not actually resting on the bottom: and their digestions probably absorb anything from algae to big insects e.g. stoneflies.  They seem especially fond of worms, which hints they may scent food. A northern species of sucker called the Northern Redhorse is a beautiful fish (red fins) that runs to 30 inches and could break most fly tippets. Because so unafraid of predators, they can be caught on big nymphs if you can manage a dead drift within one inch of the bottom.  Dead drift (no skidding sideways) is ultra difficult on tippets strong enough to land a big one. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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… snip stuff preliminary to trying to catch suckers … Now the question: Exactly what do these fish eat and what flies imitate it?  I prefer bass and trout, enjoy panfish and the occassional pike but I’ve never cast for suckers or carp.  I’m not an expert flyfisherman but I can generally put it where I want it.  What’s needed to catch those fish!? Thanks, Brian "Frustrated but Still up to the Challenge" Austin

I am no expert, so have several grains of salt handy, but I believe that suckers determine what is food primarily by the smell of it, whereas bass and trout are sight hunters, determining what is food primarily by what it looks like (I think pike fall into this group as well).  Anyway, because a fly smells like a lump of feathers, fur, and steel, I would guess that you would have limited success with them.   Maybe if you smear that wet fly real well with extract of rotted fish… FWIW, etc. tq

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – While exploring a new stretch of a local smallmouth river (Flat R., MI, near Greenville), I came upon a real shallow stretch of water. Depths ranged from inches to about two feet.  The bass were very small and spooky. The last straw came when a group of wild canoeists (canoers?) paddled through the area I was fishing.  They were loud and obviously drunk (it seems to be a local ordinance that a canoe must have at least one six pack of Busch to be considered legal).  Discouraged, I strung up and started to walk back to shore and the truck. And damn near stepped on a sucker about 14" long!  I froze while he continued to slowly move along the bottom.  Then I realized that there were about thirty or forty of them moving together.  They didn’t spook because of me but they knew enough to avoid me. Well, I hadn’t caught much in the way of fish so I figured, hell, it’s swimming and has fins so I’ll try for it.  I tossed out almost everything I had for about an hour.  Dries, streamers, nymphs, attractors, salmon eggs left over from last fall, everything.  The only action I got was when I lined one of them and he moved a little faster than usual. Now the question: Exactly what do these fish eat and what flies imitate it?  I prefer bass and trout, enjoy panfish and the occassional pike but I’ve never cast for suckers or carp.  I’m not an expert flyfisherman but I can generally put it where I want it.  What’s needed to catch those fish!? Thanks, Brian "Frustrated but Still up to the Challenge" Austin Brian Austin The desperate never believe the obvious

Dear "Frustrated but Still up to the Challenge": When I began fly fishing at the late old age of 24, I apprenticed under the tutelage of a fine old fly fishing gentleman who gave me the real inside skinny on fly fishing and fly selection. The only cast you will ever need is the roll cast and the only fly that will work in such a situation is a #4 Hair Wing Royal Coachman Streamer tied on a Mustad 9575. His reasoning: that the Limerick bend and exaggerated barb of that particular Mustad hook does a superior job of holding the bait. Bait: His enticement of choice was the lowly earth worm, but in your case I would heartlily recommend thin strips of calf’s liver which have aged several weeks or months until dark green (the back of the fridge is perfect for the aging process) and amazingly pungent. Tackle: I recommend a 8-9′, 6 wt., fiberglass, Garcia "Conolon" rod with a "sturdy" action. Line: 6-7 wt. level line. Terminal Tackle: 2-3′ of 0X leader material tied to the line with a double overhand knot. You will need weight to get it to the feeding depth (bottom), so about 1/4 oz. of split shot should do it (remember to use "non-lead" split shot-for the environment you know). Method: Using 6" forceps attach the liver to the aforementioned fly, impaling it twice over the point and barb, douse with a very generous squirt of "Easy Cheez" (my favorite is the "Swiss Flavor"). Simply "Chuck & Duck", quartering upstream, directly into the feeding lane. As the fly approaches the fish, should he not notice the fly (some suckers suffer from "Squirreling Disease" which affects their sight and smell), simply yank the rod 2-3′ upward in the "Field and Stream" position and drive the fly into it’s snout (this is referred to as the "induced take"). Landing the Fish: After a spectacular fight and amazing display of water acrobatics (hauling it in), I implore you to practice "catch and release" fishing, whereby you "release" the fish as far as you can into the woods (ALWAYS be sure to bring "flushable" baby wipes for removing the sucker’s protective slime from your hands and waders after a "catch and release"). This is the option of choice for the true sportsman. Unless of course there happen to be spectators nearby who have emmigrated from country whose vast culinary heritage has bestowed up them a deeper appreciation for such a delicacy. In these cases, I salute their superior senses of taste and smell and it is my practice to reward them with a gift of the fish. Cooking Methods (Once in a while ALL true sportsman will kill a fish to eat): Refer to Schweibert’s "Trout" as many good recipes. adaptable to the tasty sucker, therein can be found. This section of the book alone is makes the purchase of this fine work a justifiable expense. Other great fish cookbooks have been written by LaFontaine and Borger and can be found in better fly shops everywhere. Tight Lines!! Todd L. McCagg "Dry Fly… Schmy Fly!"

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Question:

I will be traveling through Montana in June and would like some advice of the high spots I might fish.  I will probably enter Montana at Twin Falls and exit to Sheridan in Wyo.  Can anyone give me an itenerary or a list of the high spots I might try in two or three days?  my email I’m impressed at the response that "Montana in August" received.   Thanks in advance.

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You have the Bitterroot, by Dillon, Grasshopper creel, by Dillon, The Big Hole, then you could swing up and hit Rock Creek, Blackfoot and the Little Blackfoot(might be getting too north here….) Then cut back toward Wy. and drive along the Madison…… Let me know if you need more help

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I will be traveling through Montana in June and would like some advice of the high spots I might fish.  I will probably enter Montana at Twin Falls and exit to Sheridan in Wyo.  Can anyone give me an itenerary or a list of the high spots I might try in two or three days?  my email I’m impressed at the response that "Montana in August" received.   Thanks in advance.

Hi There are several private lakes and spring creeks in the Livingston area. For reservation on said waters call the River’s Edge in Bozeman at 406-586-5373 or RJ Cain at 406-587-9111. Sorry to tell you that the rivers in Montana in June are usually very high and dirty. We have a snow pack that is well above 100% so spring run off will probably be fairly long. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Product Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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I will be traveling through Montana in June and would like some advice of the high spots I might fish.  I will probably enter Montana at Twin Falls and exit to Sheridan in Wyo.  Can anyone give me an itenerary or a list of the high spots I might try in two or three days?  my email I’m impressed at the response that "Montana in August" received.   Thanks in advance.

If you are going to travel through Yellowstone Park during your trip, you might want to check out the Firehole and the upper Madison. You might run into some PMD’s, baetis, and caddis hatches.  Soft hackles and a variety of suggestive nymphs are often productive when the insects are not active.  Have fun. Take Care,

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Question:

  I want to know if there are any good flyfishing at good prices in Montana, Idaho, Orgen, and my state Washington.

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HI. i was just going to leave a message to the whole newsgroug about Montana Fly  Fishing at my Dude Ranch Hawley Mountain  near McLeod, Mt on the Boulder River. You can call 406-932-5791 or E-Mail me your address and I ll send you a Brochure. See my Message under GONE FISHING TO MONTANA. BBlewett

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