Question:

.. how hard is it to get a hook up in the national forest  ( my cousines father is 80 and in poor health) i dont want to run a generator and make a lot of noise

  None of the NF campgrounds have power, period. — Personal e-mail is the n7bsn but at amsat.org This posting address is a spam-trap and seldom read RV and Camping FAQ can be found at http://kendaco.telebyte.com/rlindber/RV

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Im going to go fly fishing in gallatin nat forest can anyone help with any first hand knowledge will be takeing a 30 foot class A   is a dingy necessary ? how hard is it to get a hook up ( my cousines father is 80 and in poor health) i dont want to run a generator and make a lot of noise thank you glenn   please send email to

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Im going to go fly fishing in gallatin nat forest (july3 to 16 aprox) can anyone help with any first hand knowledge will be takeing a 30 foot class A   is a dingy necessary ? how hard is it to get a hook up in the national forest  ( my cousines father is 80 and in poor health) i dont want to run a generator and make a lot of noise thank you glenn   please send email to

Response:

Im going to go fly fishing in gallatin nat forest can anyone help with any first hand knowledge will be takeing a 30 foot class A   is a dingy necessary ? how hard is it to get a hook up ( my cousines father is 80 and in poor health) i dont want to run a generator and make a lot of noise

there who is familiar with the area. Just click on the URL above, it’ll take you there directly without having to "subscribe" to the newsgroup.

Response:

Im going to go fly fishing in gallatin nat forest

  When? (I’d ask why, since I wouldn’t bother any more) can anyone help with any first hand knowledge

  Yes will be takeing a 30 foot class A   is a dingy necessary ?

  Where are you planning to stay? how hard is it to get a hook up ( my cousines father is 80 and in poor health) i dont want to run a generator and make a lot of noise

  The only place I am recalling with power is the KOA at Bozeman Hotsprings (which also gives you access to the springs pools) —

Response:

Question:

Outstanding fishing around Glover’s Reef (Manta Resort only one there) – during the day schools of small bones hang around in the lagoons and assorted toothed guys on the open water- the coolest thing we did there was night fishing in the lagoon- nice tarpon come in about midnight and you spot fish them with a flashlight – their eyes glow big time – they’ll hit casting plugs(mirror lures and rattle traps) and flat tear up big  popper flies – hell of a thing about 2am to have a drink in one hand be hooked up with a 4-6 ft tarpon on a 10-12wt in the other Gary

For a real challenge, try that with an 8 weight… /daytripper (Not sure if waving goodbye is all that fun, though

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Outstanding fishing around Glover’s Reef (Manta Resort only one there) – during the day schools of small bones hang around in the lagoons and assorted toothed guys on the open water- the coolest thing we did there was night fishing in the lagoon- nice tarpon come in about midnight and you spot fish them with a flashlight – their eyes glow big time – they’ll hit casting plugs(mirror lures and rattle traps) and flat tear up big  popper flies – hell of a thing about 2am to have a drink in one hand be hooked up with a 4-6 ft tarpon on a 10-12wt in the other Gary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Except for fishermen, and in particular, light tackle anglers and fly fishermen as well as divers, Belize, once known as British Honduras is the forgotten part of Central America. It is located just south of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, to the east of Guatemala and is the only English speaking country in the region.. It’s chief claim to fame is that it has the longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, and second in the world only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. This, along with the fact that over ninety percent of its islands are uninhabitable makes it a light tackle anglers idea of heaven. From the super clear waters along the reef, through its myriad clusters of mangrove islands into its jungle rivers, it has something for everybody. Want variety? You can expect to catch two dozen different species of fish in a weeks time, from bonefish, permit and tarpon to wahoo, sailfish, grouper and snapper. Want to specialize? Get out your ten weight fly rod and try for the elusive permit, or stalk massive schools of bonefish. How about tarpon? Where do you prefer to pursue them? In slow moving jungle rivers with the howler monkeys screaming at you or on wide open flats with your guide slowly bringing you within casting range? Belize has it all. Winter is just around the corner, and if you feel the need to spend some time catching fish without thinking about how many layers of clothing you need, Belize is just the place for you. Check it out at www.tropicalfishing.com/Belize.htm or give Capt Gene Kelly at Tropical Fishing Adventures a call at 800 280 5565.

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While I don’t doubt your point, I can only say that about the ones I’ve seen… /daytripper (And Belize was the worst by far…)

I wish I could say Belize was the worst I have seen. But then I didn’t spend much time on the mainland there, where conditions are much worse than where I was. — Charlie…

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But don’t venture far from the "civilization" of the resort lest you stumble on the predominant gut-wrenching poverty… You can say that about a *lot* of resorts around the world.

While I don’t doubt your point, I can only say that about the ones I’ve seen… /daytripper (And Belize was the worst by far…)

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The last day when I left,  I gave them all the cash I could and still get home. It was one of the most emotional thing that has happened to me in my lifetime.

…now why am I not surprised that you would do that Bill? I always knew you wuz one of the good guys. Good on ya. Frank Church

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But don’t venture far from the "civilization" of the resort lest you stumble on the predominant gut-wrenching poverty… You can say that about a *lot* of resorts around the world. — Charlie…

Hmm . . . this was certainly true in Thailand.  Went there 6 times from 94-98. ( northern part of the country) (always stayed at the rear of the hotel where I stayed most. . . wanted it quieter)  Behind the hotel was a small field and a series of "small" wood buildings.  Some of the employees "lived" in these.   Would see them starting fires in the morning to cook breakfast and at night for dinner.  There was one shower for all the families, outside, with a cloth curtain. . . no hot water . . . and one outhouse.   These are the folks that did all aspects of the hotel functions. The owners live in suites at the top of the hotel. . . think they took a whole floor . . . or even two.  (quite a few fancy houses around the hotel from the other side of the economy,  with people catering to all resident needs) But with many of the hotel employees, and "most" other people I worked with in Thailand, they were selfless.  (I wasn’t at one of the higher end hotels) I got invited to a number of family events and functions of the less fortunate in terms of money.  I was overwhelmed by the generosity of them to share whatever they had to share.  Interesting reflection, at least to me, saving "face" is important over in that area of the world.  Even if I wanted to say something to an employee, I have to be careful about the presentation, and who was present.  (maybe we, in other parts of the world, can learn a bit from that concept) Neat thing to get into if you get a chance to work, and share experiences, with the people in the country you visit. (Naturally, not something that can generally happen with a whirlwind trip. . . nor something to consider . . . in some countries. . . but you can certainly develop friendships.) Most profound thing I’ve seen in my small part in world travel is absolute affluency and poverty right next to each other.  (Hmm. . . seem to have that part between me and my rich neighbors also . . . wonder if I can borrow a Sage rod or a cup of sugar or something?  . . . something to check out . . . and I think those are cute doggies . . . big teeth . . probably just smiling alot ) Thanks for helping me reflect on the international part. . . and my ramblings. BestWishes, DaveMohnsen Denver ( have a soft part in my heart for most of the Thailand folks. . .but there are always a few in the other category . . . but YMMV)

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Hi DT, You are very correct. I have fished from the tip of the MX Yucatan all the way to the end of Belize in about 20 trips and that is a very sad fact. Actually, the fishing guides are some of the most affluent people in the Caribbean. The smart ones buy property and build rentals that their wife runs while they guide tourists. Most of them actually just drink and smoke a lot more. I was on a small cay for a week out of Dangriga, Belize fishing at the Blue Horizon Lodge it’s first season. On the back side of the cay in the mangroves was a little shack and a little skinny family of  four and their skinny dog. They had an old boat that they were using to haul sacks of sand, coral and shells to backfill the new fishing camp for ~25 cents a sack. While we fished, they loaded sacks, stacked them on their old boat to almost sinking and brought them back to the camp where they poured them around the new cottages on stilts to bring up the new cleared land above sea level a bit. You can imagine the heat, humidity and bugs they endured, let along the idea of that hard of work. They were all very skinny and made me feel very sad. The last day when I left,  I gave them all the cash I could and still get home. It was one of the most emotional thing that has happened to me in my lifetime. This kind of life is common in many 3rd world countries. Be glad you and yours are here in America. — Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento, CA, USA www.kiene.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But don’t venture far from the "civilization" of the resort lest you stumble on the predominant gut-wrenching poverty…

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But don’t venture far from the "civilization" of the resort lest you stumble on the predominant gut-wrenching poverty…

You can say that about a *lot* of resorts around the world. — Charlie…

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Except for fishermen, and in particular, light tackle anglers and fly fishermen as well as divers, Belize, once known as British Honduras is the forgotten part of Central America. It is located just south of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, to the east of Guatemala and is the only English speaking country in the region.. It’s chief claim to fame is that it has the longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, and second in the world only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. This, along with the fact that over ninety percent of its islands are uninhabitable makes it a light tackle anglers idea of heaven. From the super clear waters along the reef, through its myriad clusters of mangrove islands into its jungle rivers, it has something for everybody. Want variety? You can expect to catch two dozen different species of fish in a weeks time, from bonefish, permit and tarpon to wahoo, sailfish, grouper and snapper. Want to specialize? Get out your ten weight fly rod and try for the elusive permit, or stalk massive schools of bonefish. How about tarpon? Where do you prefer to pursue them? In slow moving jungle rivers with the howler monkeys screaming at you or on wide open flats with your guide slowly bringing you within casting range? Belize has it all. Winter is just around the corner, and if you feel the need to spend some time catching fish without thinking about how many layers of clothing you need, Belize is just the place for you. Check it out at www.tropicalfishing.com/Belize.htm or give Capt Gene Kelly at Tropical Fishing Adventures a call at 800 280 5565.

But don’t venture far from the "civilization" of the resort lest you stumble on the predominant gut-wrenching poverty…

Response:

Except for fishermen, and in particular, light tackle anglers and fly fishermen as well as divers, Belize, once known as British Honduras is the forgotten part of Central America. It is located just south of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, to the east of Guatemala and is the only English speaking country in the region.. It’s chief claim to fame is that it has the longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, and second in the world only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. This, along with the fact that over ninety percent of its islands are uninhabitable makes it a light tackle anglers idea of heaven. From the super clear waters along the reef, through its myriad clusters of mangrove islands into its jungle rivers, it has something for everybody. Want variety? You can expect to catch two dozen different species of fish in a weeks time, from bonefish, permit and tarpon to wahoo, sailfish, grouper and snapper. Want to specialize? Get out your ten weight fly rod and try for the elusive permit, or stalk massive schools of bonefish. How about tarpon? Where do you prefer to pursue them? In slow moving jungle rivers with the howler monkeys screaming at you or on wide open flats with your guide slowly bringing you within casting range? Belize has it all. Winter is just around the corner, and if you feel the need to spend some time catching fish without thinking about how many layers of clothing you need, Belize is just the place for you. Check it out at www.tropicalfishing.com/Belize.htm or give Capt Gene Kelly at Tropical Fishing Adventures a call at 800 280 5565.

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Question:

I feel so….used…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey, I think Don might have had an ulterior motive for the question about emu feathers – he’s got them for sale on that www.canflyfish.com.au website! They’re not as nice as ostritch.     and not remotely as rare as mu feathers, which are located only in semi-baja california, and are extracted at great risk to the collector. yfitons wayno Any fly tyers out there tried Emu Feathers? Yep. Wolfgang anybody else?

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They’re not as nice as ostritch.

Sure, a simple question simply answered, and right away somebody has to go technical!      :) Wolfgang who knows that’s it’s really a matter of how much ya got to cover.

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Hey, I think Don might have had an ulterior motive for the question about emu feathers – he’s got them for sale on that www.canflyfish.com.au website!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – They’re not as nice as ostritch.     and not remotely as rare as mu feathers, which are located only in semi-baja california, and are extracted at great risk to the collector. yfitons wayno Any fly tyers out there tried Emu Feathers? Yep. Wolfgang anybody else?

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Any fly tyers out there tried Emu Feathers? — Don Cantrell Cantrell Fly Fishing http://www.canflyfish.com.au Hand crafted flies, and selected fly tying materials

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Any fly tyers out there tried Emu Feathers?

Yep. Wolfgang anybody else?

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They’re not as nice as ostritch.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any fly tyers out there tried Emu Feathers? Yep. Wolfgang anybody else?

Response:

They’re not as nice as ostritch.

    and not remotely as rare as mu feathers, which are located only in semi-baja california, and are extracted at great risk to the collector. yfitons wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any fly tyers out there tried Emu Feathers? Yep. Wolfgang anybody else?

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Question:

Thanks for the help, guys…. SpEEdo… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – He’s asking 17,500 on the side of it.  It’s a helluva deal with that big tuna tower and all the fishing rigging.  However, I’ve talked to 8 long-time sport fishermen about it and they told me Pacemaker had some I had one of these (1973) for sale two years ago.  It is great for near coastal cruising.. It has a relatively low center of gravity making it very stable.  It isn’t a full V hull as it is very flat in the stern.  This allows it acess to shallower water, but makes it pound more in the steep chop.  The flying bridge is fairly small. but adequate.  The fellow who bought it uses it in the L.I. sound regularly, and loves it.  There was no problem with blisters or delaminations. I think the $17,000 is a little high even rigged for offshore.  I sold the one at my place for $12,000 with two near new engines.  No fishing equiptment though. Boatbasin http://www.boatbasin.com

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<snip However, I’ve talked to 8 long-time sport fishermen about it and they told me Pacemaker had some AWFUL problems with blisters, delaminations and other ugly things that put the company out of business…..yecch.

What years were the eight?  An old-time marine surveyor told me that boats made before the Arab oil embargo of the mid-seventies had few if any problems with blisters.  Only after the embargo hit and oil prices went sky-high did manufacturers start tampering with resin formulations and unknowingly create blister city.  The boat in question is a ‘72 model and may be perfectly blister-free. Bill, W7TI

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He’s asking 17,500 on the side of it.  It’s a helluva deal with that big tuna tower and all the fishing rigging.  However, I’ve talked to 8 long-time sport fishermen about it and they told me Pacemaker had some

I had one of these (1973) for sale two years ago.  It is great for near coastal cruising.. It has a relatively low center of gravity making it very stable.  It isn’t a full V hull as it is very flat in the stern.  This allows it acess to shallower water, but makes it pound more in the steep chop.  The flying bridge is fairly small. but adequate.  The fellow who bought it uses it in the L.I. sound regularly, and loves it.  There was no problem with blisters or delaminations. I think the $17,000 is a little high even rigged for offshore.  I sold the one at my place for $12,000 with two near new engines.  No fishing equiptment though. Boatbasin http://www.boatbasin.com

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There’s one for sale in Charleston I have to walk by every time I go to my bud’s sailboat.  It had a little smoke damage from a fire in a home air conditioner he used but has been completely restored inside. It has radar/sonar/GPS/tv/microwave/Loran/2 alarms/lights/water/well, you get the idea. He’s asking 17,500 on the side of it.  It’s a helluva deal with that big tuna tower and all the fishing rigging.  However, I’ve talked to 8 long-time sport fishermen about it and they told me Pacemaker had some AWFUL problems with blisters, delaminations and other ugly things that put the company out of business…..yecch. Sure is tempting….it’s still floating, the new AC/heat pump is pumping and I see lights inside the stained-glass windows….(c; SpEEdo – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am considering a 30′ Pacemaker – 1972. The owner says the model is Sportfish, but it sure has a small cockpit. It has a fly bridge and lower helm station which behind the step down salon/galley. This open helm area extends quite a way into the cockpit and includes the engine hatches (it has a fighting chair) and the cockpit seems quite short. I wonder if this is more a Cruiser model than a SF and if I’d get a better fishing boat if I looked for a later model. Does anyone have any knowledge of these models? I have looked in the "Sportfishing Boats 28-82′" guide and the oldest Pacemaker they show is a 1973 that has a different layout. The boat is in very good condition with outriggers, 489 hrs on 220/hp chryslers, older electronics (no GPS or radar) – he is asking $19K. Does this sound reasonable?? Thanks!

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I am considering a 30′ Pacemaker – 1972. The owner says the model is Sportfish, but it sure has a small cockpit. It has a fly bridge and lower helm station which behind the step down salon/galley. This open helm area extends quite a way into the cockpit and includes the engine hatches (it has a fighting chair) and the cockpit seems quite short. I wonder if this is more a Cruiser model than a SF and if I’d get a better fishing boat if I looked for a later model. Does anyone have any knowledge of these models? I have looked in the "Sportfishing Boats 28-82′" guide and the oldest Pacemaker they show is a 1973 that has a different layout. The boat is in very good condition with outriggers, 489 hrs on 220/hp chryslers, older electronics (no GPS or radar) – he is asking $19K. Does this sound reasonable?? Thanks!

Response:

I wouldn’t trust the reliability of the hourmeter.  You need both a survey and a mechanic to check out your boat to decide if 19K is a good price. — — Jim Proud, but feeble minded Regal Owner Three can keep a secret, if two of them are dead.

| I am considering a 30′ Pacemaker – 1972. The owner says the model is | Sportfish, but it sure has a small cockpit. It has a fly bridge and lower | helm station which behind the step down salon/galley. This open helm area | extends quite a way into the cockpit and includes the engine hatches (it has | a fighting chair) and the cockpit seems quite short. | | I wonder if this is more a Cruiser model than a SF and if I’d get a better | fishing boat if I looked for a later model. Does anyone have any knowledge of | these models? I have looked in the "Sportfishing Boats 28-82′" guide and the | oldest Pacemaker they show is a 1973 that has a different layout. | | The boat is in very good condition with outriggers, 489 hrs on 220/hp | chryslers, older electronics (no GPS or radar) – he is asking $19K. Does this | sound reasonable?? | | Thanks! |

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Question:

I think the St. Croix recommendation is a good too.  I also like the Sage DS II series which will come in about $250.  The reel isn’t as good as the ones mentioned but for a price of about $250 its a great way to start. My favorite lines are the Wulff Diamond Taper and the Cortland Lazer 444 for dry lines.  For sinking lines, I really like the Scientific Angler Uniform Sink lines.  All are about $45 to $50.

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  If it were me I’d look at the cabela’s, orvis, ll bean catalogs (they’ll send them free) for a 7wt. beginners outfit. They come complete and balanced. Orvis will set you up AND install the line & backing. The others will send you the components. A 7wt may give you an edge just in case a large mouth comes along.                                                        John Popp                                                     in Sanford Fl.

Follow the above advice, forget spending $400 on a setup when your only learning. (I assume your just starting because of the question about line size.)Why would you shell out $400 dollars for the possibility that you might hate the rod once you find out what your doing. Maybe you’ll like a slow action rod or a fast taper stick for distance fishing. Right now your not sure what you need or want. best thing is to throw a $100 bucks on a setup as mentioned above, and once you get used to the rod and can appreciate different types of actions, you can make an informed decision. Then you can spend the rest of the money on a better rod/reel setup. you may also find that you may want a different line weight etc, after you get some experience under your belt. you may also find that you may not even want a better rod, and that the cheapo does everything you want. Then you can blow the money on something more useful.  Hell, you may even hate flyfishing once you start doing it.

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I’m looking for the best combination of rod, reel, and line for fishing panfish, trout, and smallmouth in a lake setting.  What brands would you recommend? I’m looking to spend around $400.  Should I be looking at a 5 or 6 line(or other)?  Friends have recommended the St. Croix Legend Ultra series of rods, and reel recommendation have gone from Scientific Anglers to Lamson to Orvis.  I need the complete setup-rod, reel, line-Any help appreciated.

Hi Jeff, I’d suggest you take a look at the Orvis Silver Label TL 906 outfit for $360. However, I’d recommend upgrading the Battenkill reel to the disc version (adds $10 to the outfit price).  IMO the Battenkill 5/6 Disc is a much better reel for only a few bucks more.  The TL 906 is a 9ft. 6wt. rod made on a compound taper out of the highest modulus graphite Orvis uses.  It is a light, fast action rod (9.5 on the Orvis flex index).   It works best with a 6wt. line which is great for trout, smallbouth, and panfish in lakes,but if you want to put a 7wt. line on it and go fish for largemouth bass with deer hair poppers, it’ll do that fine too. One respondent suggested you don’t spend the $ for an outfit if your starting out for fear you may not like the rod once you gain some skill.  The best choice if you don’t already fly fish, is to get a casting lesson and then try some of the various recommended rods out to see which one suits you best.  With just one casting lesson you should be able to cast well enough to feel the difference between rods.   Your tastes may change over the years, but you won’t get stuck with a stinker.  If the TL 906 is too stiff for your tastes try out the Silver Label 906 which is a mid flex rod (Orvis index 6.0).                                         Good Luck,                                               Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools Mt. Shasta Fly Fishing Schools http://www.thegrid.net/flyfish

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I’m looking for the best combination of rod, reel, and line for fishing panfish, trout, and smallmouth in a lake setting.  What brands would you recommend? I’m looking to spend around $400.  Should I be looking at a 5 or 6 line(or other)?  Friends have recommended the St. Croix Legend Ultra series of rods, and reel recommendation have gone from Scientific Anglers to Lamson to Orvis.  I need the complete setup-rod, reel, line-Any help appreciated.

I got the St. Croix Legend Ultra #4 travel rod, and I absolutely love it! It’s a pretty fast rod, so if you’re brand new to flyfishing, you want to consider slower action rod for easier casting.. But don’t take my word for it. Go to a decent shop and cast different rods yourself. It’s the only way to go! As for the reel, it’s basically just a place to store your line. Get a cheap one!

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I’m looking for the best combination of rod, reel, and line for fishing panfish, trout, and smallmouth in a lake setting.  What brands would you recommend? I’m looking to spend around $400.  Should I be looking at a 5 or 6 line(or other)?  Friends have recommended the St. Croix Legend Ultra series of rods, and reel recommendation have gone from Scientific Anglers to Lamson to Orvis.  I need the complete setup-rod, reel, line-Any help appreciated.

Jeff,     Don’t think of costs just for the rod, reel, line combo.  Reddington has some really nice selections for a lot less than $400.  In fact for under $200 you can get a complete set up, and then spend the other 200 on getting the flies, waders and such  In fact I purchased a Reddington Red Start last year for around $110 and a Cortland reel for $30, Scientific angler line for $45.  The rod has an unconditional lifetime guarantee, which I had to use already once.  If nothing else the Reddington’s should not be overlooked. –Randy

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Hi, I agree with the St. Croix reccommendation- I’d go for the Ultra Legend, and then buy a good SA – a system 2 if you can afford it, or an sa1 if you have to scrimp. I don’t agree about a Lamson, etc. reel on an Imperial – you’ll enjoy the rod more than the better reel (althought the St. Croix travel rods ARE nice). I just can’t see the big deal in some of these so – called big name reels. The SA system2 I’ve got has lasted years and is used almost daily in season and in the salt in the off-season in Florida. Just MHO. Bill — Bill Curry Tight Lines Guide Service Lockeport, Nova Scotia, Canada Phone or Fax :  902-656-3329 http://www.tightlines.ns.ca

Response:

I’m looking for the best combination of rod, reel, and line for fishing panfish, trout, and smallmouth in a lake setting.  What brands would you recommend? I’m looking to spend around $400.  Should I be looking at a 5 or 6 line(or other)?  Friends have recommended the St. Croix Legend Ultra series of rods, and reel recommendation have gone from Scientific Anglers to Lamson to Orvis.  I need the complete setup-rod, reel, line-Any help appreciated. Thanks Jeff

Response:

Friends have recommended the St. Croix Legend Ultra series of rods, and reel recommendation have gone from Scientific Anglers to Lamson to Orvis.  I need the complete setup-rod, reel, line-Any help appreciated.

I threw the Legend Ultra last week for the first time.  I was very surprised by its beefy feel, fast action and light weight.  I’m probably going to buy one (or two) for house rods here….. For price and performance,I gave it an A+. I have a Lamson2….. straightforward, reliable, light and effective.  The only negative thing I’d have to say about the reel is the expense of extra/replacement spools <steep. And for line, I’ve fallen in love with the Cortland 444 RLX. I does have memory, so cold stream fishing might give you some twists and turns… but if you keep it wet, it seldom (if ever) snarls/knots too badly. Oh… take these recommendations from a saltwater FFisher who recently tried fresh water for the first time. Cheers. -thor-

Response:

I’m looking for the best combination of rod, reel, and line for fishing panfish, trout, and smallmouth in a lake setting.  What brands would you recommend? I’m looking to spend around $400.  Should I be looking at a 5 or 6 line(or other)?  Friends have recommended the St. Croix Legend Ultra series of rods, and reel recommendation have gone from Scientific Anglers to Lamson to Orvis.  I need the complete setup-rod, reel, line-Any help appreciated. Thanks Jeff

Jeff, if you get the SC Legend Ultra and put an Orvis Battenkill Disc reel on it, you’ll have $350 invested in a fine outfit. Now add another $40-50 for a good line you are at your target price. On the other hand, you could get the St Croix Imperial 5/6 for $135 (I own the 4 piece travel model) and go up to the Lamson LP-2 reel. Add in the cost of the line and you’re still close to your target price. BTW, this is a *great* rod for the money. Now, my advice is to get the Legend Ultra and the Orvis Battenkill Disc Drag reel. You should have a really good rod, the reel is not quite so important so long as you stay away from the K-Mart specials. More important than the reel is get a *good* quality line. I have used Scientific Anglers for years and have no complaints. There are those who will disagree with my opinions, but advice is free, and you get what you pay for. ) Frank Church Elkhart, IN

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Question:

I am new to flyfishing and heard through a local fly shop that a women’s organization is starting up in the Phoenix,AZ area.  I left my info w/ someone’s husband at the shop but haven’t heard anything. maybe someone out there knows who I can contact. My husband doesn’t really fly fish, but I expect I’ll have him converted soon.

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scribed: I am new to flyfishing and heard through a local fly shop that a women’s organization is starting up in the Phoenix,AZ area.  I left my info w/ someone’s husband at the shop but haven’t heard anything. maybe someone out there knows who I can contact. My husband doesn’t really fly fish, but I expect I’ll have him converted soon. Yes…you sound as if you will. Whether he wants it or not. – "It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once."                                                     -Hume

That is exactly my point: if he chooses not to convert from baitcasting, that’s fine, which is exactly why I’d like to follow up on this info.  If he chooses not to join me in my new found hobby, I would like to find a place where friendly FF information is available. I’d like to think that once he sees how much fun it is, he’d like to come along.  If not, that shouldn’t impede my quest for knowledge or a nice walk in a creek.

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James, The world’s largest (sales volume) flyfishing store is in my hometown and the people there are incredibly helpful.  Give them a call between the hours of 9 and 6. Good luck.  The name of the store is Bob Marriott’s and the number is 714-525-1827.

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Family member recently received as a gift from his father, a bamboo fly rod manufactured by Horrocks-Ibbotson, Utica, NY. We are looking for any information about the age and/or value of this rod. It’s 9′ long with all guides in tact. Thanks for any information any of you can provide about this. Jim McMillan Jim McMillan, Internet Training Specialist Cooperative Extension Service, University of Illinois 548 Bevier Hall, 905 S.Goodwin, Urbana, IL 61801 **** (217) 244-0346 (O) **** (217) 837-2610 (H)

Jim: I have a friend who is a bamboo rodmaker and he knows a lot of the historical info on a variety of rods.  If he can’t tell you anything he probably can point you to someone who can.  Call Steve Roche at (916) 258-2849. Good Luck!! Paul

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Family member recently received as a gift from his father, a bamboo fly rod manufactured by Horrocks-Ibbotson, Utica, NY. We are looking for any information about the age and/or value of this rod. It’s 9′ long with all guides in tact. Thanks for any information any of you can provide about this. Jim McMillan Jim McMillan, Internet Training Specialist Cooperative Extension Service, University of Illinois 548 Bevier Hall, 905 S.Goodwin, Urbana, IL 61801 **** (217) 244-0346 (O) **** (217) 837-2610 (H)

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H&I made hundreds of thousands of rods. I think they were #2 behind Montague in number sold.   They also had a seemingly infinite number of grade and models. From exceedingly cheap to some pretty decent rods. I would need some info on what the incription on the rod said to start giving you a value. Due to current fashion the 9′ rods are worth a bit less than the shorter lengths. A.J.Thramer Bamboo rodbuilder

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Family member recently received as a gift from his father, a bamboo fly rod manufactured by Horrocks-Ibbotson, Utica, NY. We are looking for any information about the age and/or value of this rod. It’s 9′ long with all

Current prices for this well-known line of US rods on http://www.gorp.com/bamboo.html — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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James: All I can add to the other replies on this is that the rod certainly won’t have great monetary value, even if it turns out to be one of H-I’s better models.  I don’t recall ever seeing an H-I rod sell for more than about $250, and maybe not more than $150 for the nine-footers, which, as somebody else noted, were made in the largest numbers and are not much in demand these days.  On the other hand, I have a couple of better H-Is that cast decently, so you should try it out and perhaps find you have one of the high-end models.  Good luck. George Black

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Question:

we usually catch at least twenty big Browns (2-4 lbs) in an hour or so.

Curtis, I must have missed your first message where you gave the name of thr river you were fishing.  Just post it to me on private E-mail, we don’t want to bother all of the fishermen on this group with small talk. Ernie Harrison

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Fishing spawning beds ??? I dont know nuffink about the case in question guv, but fishing a spawning bed just does not seem to be a done thing old chap

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I think that’s a good assessment of the situation.  Thanks.

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I remember reading an article in either Trout or Fly Fisherman of a study that looked at the effect of wading across spawning beds on egg mortality. I don’t recall exact numbers, but more than 75% of the eggs were squashed in the study setting. Sounds like besides stressing this year’s fish, you are also impacting several years of fish classes.

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I remember reading an article in either Trout or Fly Fisherman of a study that looked at the effect of wading across spawning beds on egg mortality. I don’t recall exact numbers, but more than 75% of the eggs were squashed in the study setting. Sounds like besides stressing this year’s fish, you are also impacting several years of fish classes.

 Ditto!,   Flyfishing affords us the chance to think before we act..IF we choose to. sd

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Now that the Browns are spawning, I have been fishing the spawning beds quite heavily lately on our local river and have been wondering what effect it has on the spawing fish.  I’ve heard that if you’re careful where you step, the actual catching of the fish doesn’t have too much of an effect on them.  To give you an idea of what its like, we usually catch at least twenty big Browns (2-4 lbs) in an hour or so.  I would appreciate any comments or experience anyone might have.

  Curtis, think REAL hard now….does anyone go through your bed with corks on? Not  the best place to hook fish.   Harry

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writes: I would imagine that since fishing is allowed on this stream during the spawning period that the local biologists are not terribly worried about population level effects, either because the stream is heavilly stocked or there are adequate numbers of trout and spawning areas to compensate for the fish which are not able to complete spawning because of being caught.

I think that the Fish and Game departments are less concerned about numbers of fish and more interested in revenues. For a lot of people, the spawning periods and fishing on the beds are the only time that they can catch large numbers of fish on a lot of the heavily pressured rivers. The Wildlife Resource guys smile upon this because the happier their anglers are, the more liscenses they sell; the more liscenses they sell, the more money they make for their management needs. The problem with this is that resource management seems to be entirely about budgets rather than sensibility. Why protect a wild strain when you can make a bunch of money to stock the depleted river with hatchery fish the next year? One case which sticks out like a sore thumb is our local Provo River which has been so well advertised this year. Western Rivers Flyfisher {full service fly shop and outfitter} 867 East 900 South – SLC, UT 84105 (800)545-4312~~(801)521-6424~~fax(801)521-6329 Green River reports, Utah fishing conditions, and statewide guide info.

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As a non-scientist (but an avid angler) who follows this issue closely here in PA, I think Mark is dead on the money in his assessment…… Each individual stream is very much a situation unto itself in terms of population dynamics, recriutment, natural mortality, etc….  If wild trout in a freestone stream have a 40-70 percent annual natural mortality regardless of angling pressure, as I have read, then the effect of issues like catching and releasing spawning fish may be masked and indiscernable to the average angler from season to season……. However, in heavily pressured fisheries, I suppose every little bit hurts.   Additionally, it occurs to me that our measurement of fish abundance as anglers  tends to tell us very little in many cases…Here in PA, the prevailing management  strategy removes BT streams from the stocking list when they exceed a biomass of about 40 lb/surface acre of water.  Some of our better freestones hold in the 75-95 lb/acre range fairly consistently.  Now, if because of drought, flood, predation or fishing over spawners, stream A goes from 85 lb/acre last year to 60 lb/acre this year, do you think as anglers we would be able to tell the difference when we fished the stream?  60 lb/acre is still a lot of trout.  So the difference is kinda like waking up in the morning and finding 23 inches of snow on your car as opposed to 19 inches.  Either one is more than enough snow…  It’s all very subjective in my view….      

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Now that the Browns are spawning, I have been fishing the spawning beds quite heavily lately on our local river and have been wondering what effect it has on the spawing fish.  I’ve heard that if you’re careful where you step, the actual catching of the fish doesn’t have too much of an effect on them.  To give you an idea of what its like, we usually catch at least twenty big Browns (2-4 lbs) in an hour or so.  I would appreciate any comments or experience anyone might have.<<<<

The reproductive cycle, from the production of gonads thru the actual act of spawning, takes up a tremendous amount of energy for a trout.  In fact many trout will die within weeks of spawning.  The added stress of being caught and fought to the point of exhaustion probably increases that fishes chance of dieing within a few weeks.  Also that fish may not have enough left in it after the fight to finish spawning, therefore no prodigy will be spawned from that individual this year.  If ther is enough trout and enough prime spawning areas  in the stream to compensate for the fish which are not spawning because of being caught, then compensatory reproduction and survival of young should help to prevent  any noticible population level effects.  If, however, either there is so much fishing pressure, or so little adequate spawning areas for these fish then you could be having profound impacts on the population (or actually the future population) in this stream.  I would imagine that since fishing is allowed on this stream during the spawning period that the local biologists are not terribly worried about population level effects, either because the stream is heavilly stocked or there are adequate numbers of trout and spawning areas to compensate for the fish which are not able to complete spawning because of being caught.  it is worry some to me anyway that someone can catch "at least twenty fish in an hour".  This sounds to me like this spawning population is big time vunerable to anglers. But on the other hand if so many fish are available and this type of fishing has been common in th past then one could conclude that the population seems able to compensate for the increased mortality of spawning fish due to being caught.It is imporatnt to note that no two streams are alike and what may be fine on one stream could be devestating to the next.  Just my two cents anyway. Mark Arrigo SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse, NY

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Maybe these fly fishing yuppies everybody likes to harangue are good for the sport. Although the Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers and state and local irrigation agencies aren’t building dams like they used to, there’s still lots of opportunity to ruin good streams, right? Who do you suppose is better positioned to fight a project that will ruin a particular stream: some misanthropic, authority-detesting fly fishing zealot who wields no power outside of his Sage 5-wt?; or an Orvis jeep-driving lawyer who’s been fly fishing since she saw A River Runs Through It? I’ll take the lawyer, thank you. I doubt the misanthrope knows much about how to organize and file for an injunction protecting the river. Maybe we should help these yuppies get *into* the club and with the program. Building a powerful, moneyed constituency for preserving our streams and rivers makes common sense.–Just my 2 cents. –Eric Robinson

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Make that .04  I think this yuppie-bashing is ludricrous.  Does the sport belong to the impoverished?  Anyone who is interested in flyfishing and all that it entails gets my nod, no matter what his/her economic bracket.  The rest is simple jealousy. — Jim Benenson                 Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA "To protect your rivers, protect your mountains"       Emperor Yu of China, circa 1600 B.C.

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Who do you suppose is better positioned to fight a project that will ruin a particular stream: some misanthropic, authority-detesting fly fishing zealot who wields no power outside of his Sage 5-wt?; or an Orvis jeep-driving lawyer who’s been fly fishing since she saw A River Runs Through It? I’ll take the lawyer, thank you. I doubt the misanthrope knows much about how to organize and file for an injunction protecting the river.

You should get to know more of the people you mistakenly term "misanthropes."  The backbone of any fight to save a particular stream and watershed  is always comprised of local plumbers, electricians, telephone repairmen and the like.  These blue-collar workers usually come to appeals board and conservation commission meetings well-prepared to quote the regs from memory when appropriate, and to work around the regs when necessary. They call in scientific consultants and legal advisors when needed, but they do the real work, for one simple, overriding reason: They need local waters on which to fish, and on which to take their kids fishing.  If local waters are ruined, the yuppie can always take a long vacation to an exotic fishery; the blue-collar worker doesn’t always have that option.  When an environmental struggle deals with large regions, international boundaries or anadromous fisheries, then wealthy professionals are indeed the leaders of such struggles: the fight to save the Atlantic salmon is a good example.  We need to work side by side with both types of people, but don’t sell short the people who’ll never own an Orvis Jeep. Woods Hole, MA   USA

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IF WE DON’T HANG TOGETHER, WE ALL HANG-TOGETHER! REGARDS MK

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Question:

Anyone use a FF comp. game/simulator that goes by the name of Fly Fishing The McCloud River? Yeah? Well, don’t leave us in suspense…

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The McCloud River Game is available from Orvis San Francisco 3 animated screens ..run..riffle..pool.  Nice casting loops..success based on selecting fly best for season/time of day..casting to holding water for large trout..reel zzzz fish break off.. not designed for hard core game manics..fly fisherman new to computer games love it for the feel of fly fishing for big rainbows and browns on the best freestone river anywhere. dh

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