Question:

I’m in Berkeley, and I need to pick up some sinking line and some hackle.  Anone know of a store in the area if fly-fishing equipment? I’d hate to go all the way into SF and pay their rip-off prices.

Response:

I’m in Berkeley, and I need to pick up some sinking line and some hackle.  Anone know of a store in the area if fly-fishing equipment?

Try Fish First – www.fishfirst.com – 1404 Solano Ave. Albany CA

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How about the Fly Shop in Redding? It’s a drive, but occasionally they have some good deals. They have a web site at www.theflyshop.com. I’ve a friend who grew up in Redding and she swears by ‘em. LR – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m in Berkeley, and I need to pick up some sinking line and some hackle.  Anone know of a store in the area if fly-fishing equipment? I’d hate to go all the way into SF and pay their rip-off prices.

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Fish First on Solano, call them for stocked supplies

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I agree with the other folks that  Fish First in albany is a fine shop. I also use their fishing reports updated every couple of weeks on the web. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m in Berkeley, and I need to pick up some sinking line and some hackle.  Anone know of a store in the area if fly-fishing equipment? I’d hate to go all the way into SF and pay their rip-off prices.

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Question:

Dave was unable to attend the ceremonies as I was stuck at work trying to make PeopleSoft run…what a bummer…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – By the grace of God its BEEN DONE!!!! In a historic moment in Maines history, the infamous Edwards Dam on the mighty Kennebec River was breached at 9:36 A.M. this morning. 17 miles of freeflowing river has been returned to the fish and the people! [snipped] From one CUrmudgeon to another: OUT-FREAKIN’-STANDING!!!!!! Wish I could’ve been there to watch the festivities, Ed. Did you and Dave take the "Green Submarine" out to officiate? /daytripper ps: Does this mean I can remove that old bumper sticker? ;^)

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Dave was unable to attend the ceremonies as I was stuck at work trying to make PeopleSoft run…what a bummer…

Ah – another illustrious CU member and Ordealist Extraordinaire heard from. Take heart old friend, you’ll be cruising those seventeen miles for years to come! /daytripper (fishing the Kennebec in his dreams…)

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I am sure the information, in detail, is beginning to circulate everywhere.   There are a couple of TU News Release Articles at Rx F Fish in our News Release section at:  http://www.rxffish.com/PR The same information is also available from TU.   Either place, it’s great reading of an historic and very meaningful event that will surely have many long-range benefits for decades to come. Regards,   Trent Roberson ***** – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ladies and Gentlemen!!! By the grace of God its BEEN DONE!!!! In a historic moment in Maines history, the infamous Edwards Dam on the mighty Kennebec River was breached at 9:36 A.M. this morning. 17 miles of freeflowing river has been returned to the fish and the people! I never thought we’d see it in my lifetime, but I saw it with MY OWN EYES!!!! God bless America, Land of the Free! Here’s some pointers to the latest: www.ctel.net/~mudfish  My home page for a report on the breaching and www.ctel.net/mudfish/condi/  my river conditions page with some thoughs as I left the river late last evening.. (this is NOT a commercial spam). Please no flames :8). www.centralmaine.com/edwards/  Carl Natale’s feature story for Blethen Newspapers featuring some hot pictures of the KENNEBEC RIVER EVENT OF THE YEAR! Tight lines Ed Blum Registered Maine Guide

Trent P Roberson                  Rx F Fish        For your good health, Fly Fish             http://www.rxffish.com             FREE Business Listings          For the Fly Fishing Industry          http://www.rxffish.com/index2.htm            rxfNET Development Group        Web Site Development and Hosting       Image Editing – - Software Training       Marketing and Internet Consultation          http://www.rxffish.com/rxfnet

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By the grace of God its BEEN DONE!!!! In a historic moment in Maines history, the infamous Edwards Dam on the mighty Kennebec River was breached at 9:36 A.M. this morning. 17 miles of freeflowing river has been returned to the fish and the people!

[snipped] From one CUrmudgeon to another: OUT-FREAKIN’-STANDING!!!!!! Wish I could’ve been there to watch the festivities, Ed. Did you and Dave take the "Green Submarine" out to officiate? /daytripper ps: Does this mean I can remove that old bumper sticker? ;^)

Response:

Ladies and Gentlemen!!! By the grace of God its BEEN DONE!!!! In a historic moment in Maines history, the infamous Edwards Dam on the mighty Kennebec River was breached at 9:36 A.M. this morning. 17 miles of freeflowing river has been returned to the fish and the people! I never thought we’d see it in my lifetime, but I saw it with MY OWN EYES!!!! God bless America, Land of the Free! Here’s some pointers to the latest: www.ctel.net/~mudfish  My home page for a report on the breaching and www.ctel.net/mudfish/condi/  my river conditions page with some thoughs as I left the river late last evening.. (this is NOT a commercial spam).  Please no flames :8). www.centralmaine.com/edwards/  Carl Natale’s feature story for Blethen Newspapers featuring some hot pictures of the KENNEBEC RIVER EVENT OF THE YEAR! Tight lines Ed Blum Registered Maine Guide

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Question:

I was organizing my fly box and found that some of the flies had hooks which were rusty. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts about what should be done with these flies  -  should they be thrown out, could they be repaired, does it matter that I use rusty hooks when fishing, etc. As well, is there a way of ensuring that hooks will not rust after use. Any thoughts are much appreciated. Jon H.

Response:

Not sure I would use rusty hooks. You can prevent hooks from rusting in the future by making sure they are dried out before sticking back into fly box. Most logical approach is to dry them all on a table after a day’s fishing and then place them back into dry fly box for storage before next trip.(hopefully a short time) Regards from Montreal John Brkich

Response:

I was organizing my fly box and found that some of the flies had hooks which were rusty. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts about what should be done with these flies  -  should they be thrown out, Jon H.

Yes! Yes! Yes! Throw out! Just your luck someday you’ll hook the best trout of your life – some magnificent rainbow, 6/8 pounds – he’ll leap out of the water and show you his beauty and grace. Your heart will start to race and then he’ll break off.  When you reel in you’ll notice he didn’t bust your leader, or pop the fly off the end. You’ll notice the bend of the hook broken off.  OUCH!! Joel Axelrad

Response:

I was organizing my fly box and found that some of the flies had hooks which were rusty. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts about what should be done with these flies  -  should they be thrown out, could they be repaired, does it matter that I use rusty hooks when fishing, etc. As well, is there a way of ensuring that hooks will not rust after use. Any thoughts are much appreciated. Jon H.

  Flies are designed to deteriate quickly in wet conditions for the fished sake. At the cost of flys dump any rusted,aint woth lost fish. next time you get back from fishing open the box so moisture isn’t traped. In the south east your air conditioner will dry them, in the south west the dry air does the trick. In the rest of the country, the wifes hair dryer works well.                                                          John Popp                                                       in Sanford Fl.

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Question:

Charlie Chock: <<Stop in at or call Unicoi Outfitters in Helen.  They are on the main hiway (Rt 75?) next to the Hooch just before you go into Helen (from the south).  They will know what’s going on and where.

They also have a ‘pay to fish’ stretch of the river now by their shop I hear. — Charlie… Yeah.  They tried to get me to rent a half day.  They have some pix of big fish being taken, but somehow I couldn’t see myself paying to fish. I did, however, have a reservation at Dukes Creek (off of 75A).  Cost $3.00 to park, they inspect your hooks to make sure they are barbless. Great water, but it is all C and R. Dave LaCourse

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I did, however, have a reservation at Dukes Creek (off of 75A).  Cost $3.00 to park, they inspect your hooks to make sure they are barbless. Great water, but it is all C and R.

Waters Creek has similar regs but you can keep 1/per day and 3/yr if they meet the size limit. Haven’t caught a keeper there yet though<g. — Charlie…

Response:

Cindy Wolfe: <<Anyone fly fish in North Georgia, specifically the Dahlonega and Helen area. We are planning a trip there soon, and we’d like to know where they are biting… Stop in at or call Unicoi Outfitters in Helen.  They are on the main hiway (Rt 75?) next to the Hooch just before you go into Helen (from the south).  They will know what’s going on and where. Dave LaCourse

Response:

Cindy Wolfe: <<Anyone fly fish in North Georgia, specifically the Dahlonega and Helen area. We are planning a trip there soon, and we’d like to know where they are biting… Stop in at or call Unicoi Outfitters in Helen.  They are on the main hiway (Rt 75?) next to the Hooch just before you go into Helen (from the south).  They will know what’s going on and where.

They also have a ‘pay to fish’ stretch of the river now by their shop I hear. — Charlie…

Response:

Anyone fly fish in North Georgia, specifically the Dahlonega and Helen area. We are planning a trip there soon, and we’d like to know where they are biting… Thanks for the replies…

Check out http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ngto/. There is a wealth of information there. Also, as was suggested. Unicoi Outfitters in Helen is a good source. — Charlie…

Response:

Anyone fly fish in North Georgia, specifically the Dahlonega and Helen area. We are planning a trip there soon, and we’d like to know where they are biting… Thanks for the replies…

Response:

Cindy, there is lots of great water in North Georgia. Chatahoochee runs through Helen. Its easily accesible. I like fishing the Toccoa. It’s about an hour from Dahlonega following 60. Doesn’t seem to get much pressure. Mind the dam generation schedule (TVA). They typically do not generate on the weekends. Also in that area is Coopers Creek and Rock Creek. You’ll seen the forest service signs on the way to the Toccoa. Good Luck! Kevin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone fly fish in North Georgia, specifically the Dahlonega and Helen area. We are planning a trip there soon, and we’d like to know where they are biting… Thanks for the replies…

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Question:

Does anyone know of any flyfishing in the Carlsbad New Mexico area? Thanks in advance for your help. Al Carlton

Response:

Does anyone know of any flyfishing in the Carlsbad New Mexico area? Thanks

in advance for your help. Al Carlton<<< Warmwater fly-fishing? Or, trout?  For warmwater, consult a local guide or fly-fishing group for topwater action at, darn, what’s the name of that new lake they just filled about 10 years ago. Ah well, you probably know what I’m talking about. For trout, head west. Look around the Ruidoso area for the Rio Penasco and Rio Ruidoso, or for flat water fly angling, check out Bonito Lake, Grindstone and others in the area. Grab a copy of Fishing Waters of New Mexico from the Game and Fish district officer in your area (check the state listings in the phone book for Game and Fish). You might also find this at a local tourism bureau or chamber of commerce. Drop me a note if you need more help, or more solid information. Darren Darren Marcy Crouch Mesa, N.M. 505-333-2222

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Question:

NEXT TIME TRY A DIFFERENT COLOR IF THAT DON`T WORK TRY A DIFFERENT BAIT , LIKE A ZOOM FLUKE OR A SPOOK .

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Try different sizes and colors. On sunny days use bright colors and on cloudy days use dark colors. When you first cast it out, let it sit for a good while before you twitch it. Then only twitch once or twice and let it sit for a while again. Try working it back like that. Notice for other hatches as well. Your best bet might be a dragon fly imitation instead.   Any advice on what I might have been doing – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -wrong or any tips on how to better induce a strike?

Response:

Make sure you reel in slack and set the hook hard when you get a strike.  Also, you need to tune your eyes on the popper and popper only, otherwise you might miss a quiet strike.  Good fishin. Mike

Response:

I was fishing this weekend at Greers Ferry, Ark.  I tried many different lures.  I finally began using a popper.  I saw several fish come up to the top to check it out and follow it for a few feet and then disappear.  I worked it slowly for a foot or two and then would let it rest, waiting for a strike, then I would "pop" it a bit to stir up the water and so on.  I have never used one before, but it seemed to get their attention.  Any advice on what I might have been doing wrong or any tips on how to better induce a strike? Thanks.

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I was fishing this weekend at Greers Ferry, Ark.  I tried many different lures.  I finally began using a popper.  I saw several fish come up to the top to check it out and follow it for a few feet and then disappear.  I worked it slowly for a foot or two and then would let it rest, waiting for a strike, then I would "pop" it a bit to stir up the water and so on.  I have never used one before, but it seemed to get their attention.  Any advice on what I might have been doing wrong or any tips on how to better induce a strike? Thanks.

Hello, I like poppers in the am and the pm for bass. Spring and fall is top water time. I don’t move them much. I just twitch them a little. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

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Question:

I am planning to be in the 1,000 islands area for the weekend of 9/28. What’s the flyfishing like there?  Where are the ‘good’ spots, and what flies are being used.  Also, I am not even sure what fish are available. Please help! Mac

Response:

I am planning to be in the 1,000 islands area for the weekend of 9/28. What’s the flyfishing like there?  Where are the ‘good’ spots, and what flies are being used.  Also, I am not even sure what fish are available.

1.  Fly fishing for bass usually ends rather suddenly in mid-September: but everything is late this year…. 2.  Muskellunge is the prized local species for fall fishing, and might be taken on fly, but no one tries.  (Everyone trolls.) 3.  Lake Ontario tributaries in NY state (south to Oswego) should then be full of chinook and coho salmon and some accompanying trout species too, which can mostly be caught on fly. You need good local information, however, for all these species.  You’d have the most fly fishing fun with #3, perhaps employing a guide. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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Question:

Quit bothering other posters! LIVE & LET LIVE CONEHEAD!

Now, you really fit the wierdo category. Will has been a good source of information, with his extensive RVing experience. What are your experiences ???? Anthony & Loretta                    "Don’t regret getting older Retired in Largo, Florida             many are denied the privilege"

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Quit bothering other posters! LIVE & LET LIVE CONEHEAD!

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: Quit bothering other posters! : LIVE & LET LIVE CONEHEAD!  I have to agree with this also. He also gave me some crap via  E-mail.  Ike Grill  Cadott,WI

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I don’t know.  Will is certainly opinionated, but at least he will take a stand.  I don’t always agree with him, he sort of flamed me once for answering someone’s question on a subject not related to rving, but everything must be taken in context.  On the flyfishing newsgroup, we had an individual by the name of Tim Walker who said such rediculous things that would Will seem tame.  One day he got tired of being flamed and just disappeared.  Again, I usually didn’t agree with him, but he sure knew how to start and maintain a discussion. Will, don’t let em get you down. Jim Browder

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Quit bothering other posters! LIVE & LET LIVE CONEHEAD! Now, you really fit the wierdo category. Will has been a good source of information, with his extensive RVing experience. What are your experiences ???? Anthony & Loretta                    "Don’t regret getting older Retired in Largo, Florida             many are denied the privilege"

I second that and Amen. If you have something to contribute, do so! Otherwise, BUTT OUT and get a life Toni!! Dan

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Question:

: Learn to roll cast. Or pay a guide $150/day to put you in a raft. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Assistant professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    |  These University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    |  opinions Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. |  are mine.

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Learn to roll cast.

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oh how I love to fly fish! My partner might even say I’m obsessed with fly fishing, and tying and anything else to do with this marvelous sport. And yes, I am a woman. Been fly fishing for about 5 years now and still consider myself somewhat of a beginner. Always wanting and looking for new stuff to learn. About flies in trees/bushes=simple always buy one for the fish and one or two for the trees. Also, try some creative casting, side arm casting, sling shot or bow and arrow casting, certainly roll casting, etc. Try these casts on an open lawn first, until you are more comfortable with it all. And if you have a fly shop in your area, check to see if there is a women’s group or club and if not, start one. It’s a great way to fish and learn in a safe environment! Most important…have fun! =)

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to lodge my Hook in the raft – and off i go after spending $150! But seriously – i’ll learn roll casting – thanks for the advice!

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Question:

                                                                    The thing that got me was that i read Lyman Hugh’s response, when he stated that he was always disappointed to see them on the end of the line.  My question is, if the fish fight well (which they really do), and if they aren’t too ugly (which, in my book, they’re not), then why the disappointmentR?

A)…..white fish can’t jump! B)…..they fight hard for few moments, and then poop out, perhaps        because their mouths are so small, so they run out of oxygen        faster. C)…..they’re good smoked, a delicacy, in fact. Because of their        oily flesh, they take the smoke better. (But they’re hard to        keep lit). —

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I’m pretty sure you are now talking about 2 different species of fish. The whitefish in Montana looks a lot like a grayling/sucker, relatively long and thin.  The Great Lakes whitefish, a delicacy, is a chunky, somewhat oily fish that is a high-priced restaurant meal, commercially netted.  I have caught them in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, rising at dusk to the white may flies that come in August.  They are usually broiled with paprika, andthe fillets are delicious. Whitefish are sought after up here in Ontario. You guys don’t know what

you’re missing. They fillet great and are also stuffed/baked. They must be good ifthey are sold commeircially here but I get mine thru the ice on Simcoe andwould rank them behind crappie and walleye in terms of tastiness They – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -will also hit minnows and jigs. — Richard Park    

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Well, I ditched work for the afternoon yesterday and ventured out upon the local waters and managed to catch my first brown trout (2 of ‘em, actually — I’m a novice ffisherman).  I also caught a mountain whitefish.  I’ve caught a couple of whitefish now.  The fishing proclamation calls them gamefish here in Utah, but to my knowledge, most fishermen treat them as trash fish.

Jay, I’ve caught mountain whitefish and a couple of species of lake w’fish. They taste just fine. Despite the scales, they’re salmonids (as are grayling). The mountain species lives in substantially the same waters as trout, eats almost the same stuff, and fights quite respectably. Unfortunately, there is a perception on some waters that fish fall into one of two categories (trout & trash). Sad — 3798 Woodland Drive     voice: (604) 368-9315 Trail, BC               data:  (604) 368-9341

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inhis posting on whitefish, Jay stated The fishing proclamation calls them gamefish here in Utah, but to my knowledge, most fishermen treat them as trash fish. Does anyone know if whitefish are edible?  (Well, of *course* they’re edible, but does anybody purposely fish for them and take them home for supper?)

     Whitefish are excellent eating, and they are truly wonderful smoked, which is easy to do. There is a good article and recipe in the latest issue of Big Sky Journal. Whitefish are best eaten when caught in the colder weather months, i.e. November through April.       In addition, whitefish provide some pretty good sport to any Ffisher with an open mind. They take dry flies, love nymphs, and fight respectably. They are NOT a trash fish. The term Trash Fish usually conjures up images of fish species that take over sections of river that become either too warm or too polluted to sustain hte more desireable game fish.  Also, trash fish are often accused, either rightly or wrongly,  of having a negative impact on trout or other gamefish populations, which is certainly not the case with Whitefish.      Whitefish, require the same pristine river conditions that trout do. Chances are that a river that can no longer sustain breeding trout populations can’t sustain whitefish either. They too are an indicator species for water quality. Finally they are a member of the overall family of which trout are also members, like second or third cousins, so they cant be all bad!  I wish trout fishermen who catch them would stop throwing them on the banks to die needlessly, and either return them to the rivers or take them home and make use out of them Dale Owens

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Well, Me and my girlfriend caught a couple on accident while fishing for crappie.  We took it home, and filleted them.  We froze them and then took them out of the freezer to thaw.  The thawed for a while (we went somewhere that weekend), and when we came back, they were ruined.  They filleted real nicely and had a lot of boneless meat to them, so They would not be a problem to try them and see if they are any good.  I hear they are good smoked.  We hear about them all the time in our hunting and fishing news, they are active about the same time the other fishes are spawning (they eat eggs).  People catch them on whitefish flies (what are whitefish flies), and also with a maggot on the fly.  This did not answer the question, but had to say my piece.

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Whitefish are sought after up here in Ontario. You guys don’t know what you’re missing. They fillet great and are also stuffed/baked. They must be good if they are sold commeircially here but I get mine thru the ice on Simcoe and would rank them behind crappie and walleye in terms of tastiness They will also hit minnows and jigs. — Richard Park    

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.. would not be a problem to try them and see if they are any good.  I hear they are good smoked. …

I really like them smoked (although a lot of bones, but I don’t mind) … Peter

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Jay  Clibern writes:

"The fishing proclamation calls them gamefish here in Utah, but to my knowledge, most fishermen treat them as trash fish. Does anyone know if whitefish are edible?  (Well, of *course* they’re edible, but does anybody purposely fish for them and take them home for supper?)" Jay – As ugly as they are, they are edible – smoked is the only way that I know of.  I can’t say I am a big fan, but lots of folks like them.  If you fish around Ennis, MT on the Madison, you can take 4 or 5 (or fewer) whitefish into the Resvedts Meat market, give them a fish and a dollar for each fish, and they will give you an already smoked whitefish. A big surprise to me is the fact that the whitefish is part of the trout family.  Hard to believe.  I don’t like whitefish (could you tell?), and to me nothing is as frustration as thinking you ahve a big trout on the line only to see that slimey rubber lipped head appear.  But that’s ony one man’s opinion. Lyman Hughes Ennis, MT Dallas, TX                                               Dallas, TX                                               Ennis, MT

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The round whitefish is another Great Lakes species. Locally they are called "Menominee." I catch them off Michigan piers in October to freeze up. In 1994 I fished as late as after Christmas. They bite on a single poached salmon egg on the bottom. They are timid biters and the real trick is to know when they are after the bait. My family considers them delicious. Incidently, nobody fishes for them on the Wisconsin side of the lake. Wisconsin comercial fishermen net them but I’ve never seen anyone fishing for them in the Michigan manner.

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you are correct about the Lake witefishes.  But the mountain whitefish of the Rockies and the Truckee drainage in California/Nevada ( The answer to a trivia question about distribution of Western Salomids before coming of the european )  are a completely different case then the  whitefish of the Great Lakes.        The Mountain Whitefish, otherwise Known as Salmo ( as they are a salmonid )  Carpi, have been extending their range.  It seams that with all the "progress"  and the wonderful benefit that strip mining brings to the landscape and the stream.  That the Mountain Whitefish is able to withstand the rapid changes in its environment, better then the trout.

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I think that all the answers to the original note follow pretty much what I have read and heard about Whitefish.  I have just one other thought.  I am a catch-and-releaser, mainly because I really don’t like trout that much.  But that’s another story.  I have caught a zillion whitefish in Montana and Wyoming and I can truly say that in most cases I didn’t know they were whitefish until I got them up close in the stream.  That says that they gave me the fight I was looking for and if you don’t keep the fish, what difference does it make if it isn’t a trout but gives you pleasure in catching it?  I’ll have to admit I’m always a little disappointed when I see it’s not a trout since I came to catch trout.  But – accept the fun of the catch and the fight and enjoy the experience. John B. in Mpls..

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Re: white fish-Not to rehash other wf remarks, but … they do fight well and taste great! Have caught them in Madison fried them for breakfast and grilled them. Meat is white and chunky. I caught 16 last year on dry files in about 30 minutes. Way to tell if guy down stream has a wf, the rod tip will jiggle up and down and trout have more steady bend. I got ‘em, turned away from crowd to release them, still in water and everyone thought I was catching trout!!! Was fun.

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