Question:

Mike, Thanks for the links on knots (and other links in your posts). Guy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Okay, what’s a uni-knot?  Do these work for tying the fly on?  And yes. I was using extra wraps to tie the knots. Thanks, Eric http://www.stren.com/stren/knot7.htm http://www.stren.com/stren/knot8.htm http://www.marinews.com/fishing/Knots%20&%20Rigging/fk_uniknt.htm It has the special advantage that you can join lines of unequal diameter using it.# TL MC

Response:

Mike, Thanks for the links on knots (and other links in your posts). Guy

My pleasure. TL MC

Response:

Our .002 extruder finally arrived.  Initial tests show our new tippet material which is only .002 in diameter has a breaking point of 10.9 pounds! I only wonder if we should pay for an extruder die of only .001 in diameter? Mathamatical calculations indicate if and when we start making 1.2 # test tippets, they will be only .0005 in diameter, but no one will be able to see or handle the stuff in order to tie a knot!

Close. I get .0003318 in diameter. riverman

Response:

In fact, I’ll be testing them in six hours on Penn’s Creek!   d;0) Dave

tight lines! –waldo

Response:

I use Uni-knots and almost never had problems. Shame on you: didn’t you use a wire trace on your pike-leader? Hans van der Stroom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I finally broke down about spent $10 to buy a spool of fluorocarbon tippet. My problem is that I can’t get the knots to hold.  I used my standard blood knot and improved clinch knot.  Any rate, the knots I use for regular mono don’t seem to work with FC. As a side note,  I got a hit on a northern pike but lost him because the blood knot failed.  I tied on a mono tippet and put on new fly.  I caught and landed another pike, or at least so I thought.  Out of the pike’s mouth was some fishing line and at the end was the fly I lost when the blood knot slipped.  I don’t I have ever knowing caught the same fish twice when I wasn’t sight fishing. I’d appreciate any advice on working with FC tippet. Thanks, Eric

Response:

Okay, what’s a uni-knot?  Do these work for tying the fly on?  And yes. I was using extra wraps to tie the knots. Thanks, Eric

Response:

Okay, what’s a uni-knot?  Do these work for tying the fly on?  And yes. I was using extra wraps to tie the knots. Thanks, Eric

http://www.stren.com/stren/knot7.htm http://www.stren.com/stren/knot8.htm http://www.marinews.com/fishing/Knots%20&%20Rigging/fk_uniknt.htm It has the special advantage that you can join lines of unequal diameter using it.# TL MC

Response:

Slay dem fish Dave Handyman   Mike

Response:

I use uni-knots for leaders rather than bloodknots. I use a fair bit of FC and don’t have slippage problems.

You’ll get a hearty second recommendation from me regarding uniknots. Mu

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Our .002 extruder finally arrived.  Initial tests show our new tippet material which is only .002 in diameter has a breaking point of 10.9 pounds! I only wonder if we should pay for an extruder die of only .001 in diameter? Mathamatical calculations indicate if and when we start making 1.2 # test tippets, they will be only .0005 in diameter, but no one will be able to see or handle the stuff in order to tie a knot! hum?  That sort of sucks. George Gehrke "science beyond reason" Sic ‘em, George! When folks get into the dizzier realms of extra-fine tippets, 30 yard casts, and tying flies that would fool a biologist they’re no longer fishing; they’ve become technoslaves. Yours in the nrth Maine woods, Pete Hilton aka The Ent — Second-ratedness, unfailing law of: Never be the first to try anything.    anon.

I’m on your side also. GG

Response:

Eric Larsen writes: I finally broke down about spent $10 to buy a spool of fluorocarbon tippet. My problem is that I can’t get the knots to hold.  I used my standard blood knot and improved clinch knot.  Any rate, the knots I use for regular mono don’t seem to work with FC.

I use FC exclusively when nymphing and have no problems with knot failures.  I use a surgeon’s knot and a clinch knot, and I tie them with a tool.  No problems! In fact, I’ll be testing them in six hours on Penn’s Creek!   d;0) Dave

Response:

Our .002 extruder finally arrived.  Initial tests show our new tippet material which is only .002 in diameter has a breaking point of 10.9 pounds! I only wonder if we should pay for an extruder die of only .001 in diameter? Mathamatical calculations indicate if and when we start making 1.2 # test tippets, they will be only .0005 in diameter, but no one will be able to see or handle the stuff in order to tie a knot! hum?  That sort of sucks. George Gehrke "science beyond reason"

Response:

I use a triple surgeon’s knot, and it works fine.  For attaching to wire or shock tippet, I use an albright knot with a dozen turns.  No troubles with broken or slipped knots. Chas ..snip.. I’d appreciate any advice on working with FC tippet. Thanks, Eric

Fix underscore in address to reply

Response:

Our .002 extruder finally arrived.  Initial tests show our new tippet material which is only .002 in diameter has a breaking point of 10.9 pounds! I only wonder if we should pay for an extruder die of only .001 in diameter? Mathamatical calculations indicate if and when we start making 1.2 # test tippets, they will be only .0005 in diameter, but no one will be able to see or handle the stuff in order to tie a knot! hum?  That sort of sucks. George Gehrke "science beyond reason"

Sic ‘em, George! When folks get into the dizzier realms of extra-fine tippets, 30 yard casts, and tying flies that would fool a biologist they’re no longer fishing; they’ve become technoslaves. Yours in the nrth Maine woods, Pete Hilton aka The Ent — Second-ratedness, unfailing law of: Never be the first to try anything.    anon.

Response:

I use uni-knots for leaders rather than bloodknots. I use a fair bit of FC and don’t have slippage problems. Well done on the double BTW Steve

Response:

Hi All, I think that lots of the original FC is hard to knot so that is why I have not really recommended it to everyone. $13.95 and the Rio "Fluoroflex Plus",  knots seem to be much more dependable. We sell more FC every year now. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I finally broke down about spent $10 to buy a spool of fluorocarbon tippet. My problem is that I can’t get the knots to hold.  I used my standard blood knot and improved clinch knot.  Any rate, the knots I use for regular mono don’t seem to work with FC. As a side note,  I got a hit on a northern pike but lost him because the blood knot failed.  I tied on a mono tippet and put on new fly.  I caught and landed another pike, or at least so I thought.  Out of the pike’s mouth was some fishing line and at the end was the fly I lost when the blood knot slipped.  I don’t I have ever knowing caught the same fish twice when I wasn’t sight fishing. I’d appreciate any advice on working with FC tippet. Thanks, Eric

Response:

I finally broke down about spent $10 to buy a spool of fluorocarbon tippet. My problem is that I can’t get the knots to hold.  I used my standard blood knot and improved clinch knot.  Any rate, the knots I use for regular mono don’t seem to work with FC. As a side note,  I got a hit on a northern pike but lost him because the blood knot failed.  I tied on a mono tippet and put on new fly.  I caught and landed another pike, or at least so I thought.  Out of the pike’s mouth was some fishing line and at the end was the fly I lost when the blood knot slipped.  I don’t I have ever knowing caught the same fish twice when I wasn’t sight fishing. I’d appreciate any advice on working with FC tippet. Thanks, Eric

Response:

Question:

Do not learn to cast. Very bad. Too much like work. Learn to draw pretty pictures. ….take a deep breath, assume the lotus position and let your mind begin to wander and then to wonder…if necessary, use the ancient relics and the secret blend of herbs to attain a sated state of complete relaxation… While sitting…grasp the rod. Hold it. Feel it. Become one with it. …. Learn how to gently coax line from the tip. Learn to move the line to different places. Use as little motion as possible in order to not molest or in any way raise your pulse rate. Your breathing should become deeper and slower as you bond with your rod. Start off with small strokes. Gently teasing and calling….calling…. Learn, seek the way to keep the line in the air…..slowly….how to keep it in the air with the least energy expenditure…..can you make it straight.? Can you, with a flick of the wrist, a flex of your forearm, make the line go straight out in front of you?  Can you make it then go straight out in back of you? Can you keep the ess curves out of your line? Can you keep the line flat and straight, curving only to change from forwards to backwards?  Can you feel the line so softly and tenderly tugging and pulling – yearning to be free of the rod and thus of it’s master? repeat……this is my rod. There are many like it, but this one is mine…… john

Response:

asadi wrote… repeat……this is my rod. There are many like it, but this one is mine……

My rod is my best friend, it is my life.  I must master it as I must master my life.  Without me my rod is useless, without my rod I am useless.  I must cast my rod true.  I must cast better than my friend who is trying to outfish me.  I must catch fish before he outfishes me.  I will.   Before God I swear this creed.  My rod and myself are defenders of our rivers.  We are the masters of the trout.  We are the saviors of fish.   So be it.  Until there are no fishless days but catching.   Amen. — Warren (amazed at how memories from 10+ years ago can flood your mind as fresh as if the events just happened….) PS – This is my rod and this is my gun.  This is for fishing, this is for fun….. Henry’s Fork Clave info and Bozeman, MT fishing info www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt

Response:

Do not learn to cast. Very bad. Too much like work. Learn to draw pretty pictures. …

        (etherial wisdom snipped) john

        i knew it would only be a matter of time before you got these techhies on the right path, john.         it must be tough being the only bodhisattva on roff. your friend in the old north state wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

… the secret blend of herbs to attain a sated state of complete relaxation…

Yeah, that’s the part I like about fishing with you, John. I just gotta remember to tie on the fly BEFORE I toke the secret herb. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Hello asadi – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Do not learn to cast. Very bad. Too much like work. Learn to draw pretty pictures. ….take a deep breath, assume the lotus position and let your mind begin to wander and then to wonder…if necessary, use the ancient relics and the secret blend of herbs to attain a sated state of complete relaxation… While sitting…grasp the rod. Hold it. Feel it. Become one with it. …. Learn how to gently coax line from the tip. Learn to move the line to different places. Use as little motion as possible in order to not molest or in any way raise your pulse rate. Your breathing should become deeper and slower as you bond with your rod. Start off with small strokes. Gently teasing and calling….calling…. Learn, seek the way to keep the line in the air…..slowly….how to keep it in the air with the least energy expenditure…..can you make it straight.? Can you, with a flick of the wrist, a flex of your forearm, make the line go straight out in front of you?  Can you make it then go straight out in back of you? Can you keep the ess curves out of your line? Can you keep the line flat and straight, curving only to change from forwards to backwards?  Can you feel the line so softly and tenderly tugging and pulling – yearning to be free of the rod and thus of it’s master? repeat……this is my rod. There are many like it, but this one is mine…… john

Never had a dirty phone call and this is my first erotic newsgroup post……or did I just read it wrong <G May your Yin and Yang be in harmony always, and your Ch’i flow freely. — Don’t Worry, Be Happy! IRC Sandyb in #Rabble uk3.arcnet.vapor.com port:6667 Sandy (http://www.ftscotland.co.uk)   (Replace noway with sandy to email)

Response:

asadi [held it in a *real* long time then] posted…. Learn, seek the way to keep the line in the air

yes…young grasshooker …..slowly….how to keep it in the air with the least energy

expenditure….. yes…i can see it now…master bong lit can you make it straight.?

yes…ho wang…but for the fleeting flap of a single gnats nad… Can you, with a flick of the wrist, a flex of your forearm, make the line go straight out in front of you?

yes…huk lo…but then it will stay there forever (sometimes even with a mighty samurai pull) Can you make it then go straight out in back of you?

yes…far flung…I think I am ready…can I try to snatch the splitshot from your palm ? Can you keep the ess curves out of your line?

yes…but I can’t keep the fuk ng knots from my 5x… — The Halfordian Golfer

Response:

 Very bad. Too much like work. Some days it does feel that way.  Feel it. Become one with it. …. When I bring to mind my favorite places, most of them are places that for some reason or another, are more likely to give me one of those special days. On these days, "you" can get lost in the experience and all is right with the world. I’ve only had these sort of days when I was fishing alone. When I bring other people to these places, the trips are often disappointing because their "specialness" isn’t because of exceptional fish catching. Willi PS Before I once again get accused of not having a sense of humor, I DID see the humor in John’s post.

Response:

Question:

I live in Tucson – what can I say – it’s beautiful today, just like every other day.

Annis-MM – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Everyone all good thoughts,and hope your Sunday is as great as mine has been,so far…

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t know about where others are,but the weather here is just fantastic!  Been beautiful up in Wisconsin. Temperatures are still holding in the upper 40’s/50’s. We’ve even seen 70’s the past few weeks. Pretty nice for November up here.  My only "gripe" is I put the boat away back in October…. "My point being that when you argue with animal rights activist about "poor starving children" you might just as well bring up aliens from Mars. As they probably know more about that than being poor, starving or children." Verne Dale Anderson

We never put the boats away… Sea duckin and all ya know ; ) Paulette~ —  A dogs life is too short…    Their only fault really… Before you buy.

Response:

We never put the boats away… Sea duckin and all ya know ; )

 I am turning green w/envy….  Since I don’t have a heated garage, and since it can get below zero fast this time of year, smart money is to winterize it in late October…. "My point being that when you argue with animal rights activist about "poor starving children" you might just as well bring up aliens from Mars. As they probably know more about that than being poor, starving or children." Verne Dale Anderson  

Response:

We never put the boats away… Sea duckin and all ya know ; )  I am turning green w/envy….

heehee I know ; )  Since I don’t have a heated garage, and since it can get below zero fast this time of year, smart money is to winterize it in late October….

Well the harbour hasn’t froze up since 77,and we are a tough old bunch down here. It’s a lot warmer here, although the cold damp ocean air can be bone chilling sometimes. Paulette~ "My point being that when you argue with animal rights activist about "poor starving children" you might just as well bring up aliens from Mars. As they probably know more about that than being poor, starving or children." Verne Dale Anderson

–  A dogs life is too short…    Their only fault really… Before you buy.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Guys~ I haven’t been posting much,as just have been out living the sporting life. : ) I don’t know about where others are,but the weather here is just fantastic! This morning got into the sailing dory,did a bit of fishing (no luck) and a lot of scalloping (mucho luck) and then two of the brown dogs,hubby ad myself,sailed into ‘Fishmonger’s" for breakfast. Everyone was taking pics of Ati and Keeper just being "perfectly beautiful" waiting at the drawbridge for us to return. It really was a classic photo.Two Chessies in a 19th Century Lowell Dory.  In fact I think I am going to do the Christmas pics this year of them all in the ‘Polly N" with them all decorated up. : ) Anyway, after a super breakfast of breakfast burritos,and great coffee, (yes, this place is a favourite) we went back to the boat,and went fly fishing for stripers. Guess what??? Got a HUGE keeper,and Keeper who is quite the "FISHERDOG",went out to retrieve it! So it’s striper for dinner,with swiss chard from the garden and stuffed broiled tomatoes,and rice pilaf… Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Everyone all good thoughts,and hope your Sunday is as great as mine has been,so far… Woof! Paulette~ A dogs life is too short…    Their only fault,really…

OK, after reading your post, I have decided I hate you… *just kidding* But, your did inspire me and my wife to take some time out and go for a wonderful walk around the woods by my house. All of the leaves are pretty much gone, but it was still great, just to get out and enjoy the outdoors, even if just for a few hours. — "Life is too short, for everyone to see things my way" Before you buy.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Guys~ I haven’t been posting much,as just have been out living the sporting life. : ) I don’t know about where others are,but the weather here is just fantastic! This morning got into the sailing dory,did a bit of fishing (no luck) and a lot of scalloping (mucho luck) and then two of the brown dogs,hubby ad myself,sailed into ‘Fishmonger’s" for breakfast. Everyone was taking pics of Ati and Keeper just being "perfectly beautiful" waiting at the drawbridge for us to return. It really was a classic photo.Two Chessies in a 19th Century Lowell Dory.  In fact I think I am going to do the Christmas pics this year of them all in the ‘Polly N" with them all decorated up. : ) Anyway, after a super breakfast of breakfast burritos,and great coffee, (yes, this place is a favourite) we went back to the boat,and went fly fishing for stripers. Guess what??? Got a HUGE keeper,and Keeper who is quite the "FISHERDOG",went out to retrieve it! So it’s striper for dinner,with swiss chard from the garden and stuffed broiled tomatoes,and rice pilaf… Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Everyone all good thoughts,and hope your Sunday is as great as mine has been,so far… Woof! Paulette~ A dogs life is too short…    Their only fault,really… OK, after reading your post, I have decided I hate you…

THat’s okay you can’t get evryone to like you huh,but you can get them to respect you. Although most MEN like me ; ) woman too… *just kidding* But, your did inspire me and my wife to take some time out and go for a wonderful walk around the woods by my house.

Good I like to "inspire" All of the leaves are pretty much gone,

Oh boy haven’t raked much yet,as the leaves are still on the trees,but the place is LEAF LANE,heehee I love shuffling through the leaves,and making a pile and falling down in them. Having a small bonfire and making "s’mores". Anyone like them like I do?  but it was still great, just to get out and enjoy the outdoors, even if just for a few hours.

Yes, I am an outdoor girl, especially a water one. I’m a pisces : ) Hubby is even more the outdoorsman. His nickname is "Rugged Bear" ; ) — "Life is too short, for everyone to see things my way"

I always have to have things my way. I’m like Papa Hemingway when asked " Why does it always have to be your way?" He replied "Because I like it that way" : ) Me too… Paulette~ Before you buy.

–  A dogs life is too short…    Their only fault really… Before you buy.

Response:

I don’t know about where others are,but the weather here is just fantastic! Been beautiful up in Wisconsin. Temperatures are still holding in the upper 40’s/50’s. We’ve even seen 70’s the past few weeks. Pretty nice for November up here.

Lovely here as well, temps in the +20s, no wind, and it hasn’t quit snowing since yesterday (maybe 6 inches or so since yesterday a.m.) and expected to snow for another day or two. Lots of fluff, very pretty, and I’m taking the dogs out for a snowbath later. (best way to get a dog clean during winter, toss favorite toy into a powdery snowdrift 2-3 times… we don’t have wet snow, so it gets the coat clean) My only "gripe" is I put the boat away back in October….

Ours went into the garage back in late Sept. Will be there until about Apr/May I imagine. Cat in Alaska

Response:

I don’t know about where others are,but the weather here is just fantastic!

 Been beautiful up in Wisconsin. Temperatures are still holding in the upper 40’s/50’s. We’ve even seen 70’s the past few weeks. Pretty nice for November up here.  My only "gripe" is I put the boat away back in October…. "My point being that when you argue with animal rights activist about "poor starving children" you might just as well bring up aliens from Mars. As they probably know more about that than being poor, starving or children." Verne Dale Anderson  

Response:

I don’t know about where others are,but the weather here is just fantastic!

    Well, Maryland (at least the Baltimore area), is having *warm* weather… a little rain last night, a misty moisty morning,  with the fog burned off to blue skies and sunshine this afternoon. We’re heading out to the lake, so the dogs can run and maybe swim, in a little bit… it’s actually warm enough for me to ditch my shoes today, hooray! (Point of note: that’s anywhere above about 40 degrees, for me. <g) So it’s striper for dinner,with swiss chard from the garden and stuffed broiled tomatoes,and rice pilaf… Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

   Sounds good….  you’re giving me ideas for dinner! Though I can’t compete with fresh-caught fish… <G – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Everyone all good thoughts,and hope your Sunday is as great as mine has been,so far…

Response:

Hi Guys~ I haven’t been posting much,as just have been out living the sporting life. : ) I don’t know about where others are,but the weather here is just fantastic! This morning got into the sailing dory,did a bit of fishing (no luck) and a lot of scalloping (mucho luck) and then two of the brown dogs,hubby ad myself,sailed into ‘Fishmonger’s" for breakfast. Everyone was taking pics of Ati and Keeper just being "perfectly beautiful" waiting at the drawbridge for us to return. It really was a classic photo.Two Chessies in a 19th Century Lowell Dory.  In fact I think I am going to do the Christmas pics this year of them all in the ‘Polly N" with them all decorated up. : ) Anyway, after a super breakfast of breakfast burritos,and great coffee, (yes, this place is a favourite) we went back to the boat,and went fly fishing for stripers. Guess what??? Got a HUGE keeper,and Keeper who is quite the "FISHERDOG",went out to retrieve it! So it’s striper for dinner,with swiss chard from the garden and stuffed broiled tomatoes,and rice pilaf… Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Everyone all good thoughts,and hope your Sunday is as great as mine has been,so far… Woof! Paulette~ A dogs life is too short…    Their only fault,really…

Response:

Question:

<good story snipped I liked it a lot, Adam. Put me in mind of my favorite Sierra small stream and had me reflexively looking for my hiking boots. thanks, -sid

Response:

<snipped Keep writing stuff like that and you won’t have anyone out to get you.  Well done. Reminded me of a little spot I often go to get away from the hustle and bustle of the tourists. Warren Remember, men will come and men will go, but the streams and mountains go on forever. -Bob Carmichael

Response:

In the early morning light, long sun rays make diamond glints in the dew covered grass.

    (snip)     very well written prose, adam. wayno

Response:

Dear Adam, This is what fly fishing is about. It is not what you catch but where you catch (if you catch). And the more, this is what fly fishing in Continental Europe is about, small streams in Belgium, Northern France and Germany. No huge trout out for your fly (you are more than lucky to catch one of upto 40 cm), but to be away from it all. Marcel From The Netherlands

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In the early morning light, long sun rays make diamond glints in the dew covered grass. A spruce forest edges the little meadow in deep blue-green while a sparkling tiny stream draws a shallow meandering line through the alpine valley. Undercut grassy banks border the small riffles below a plunge pool. The solitude is perfect, the setting is awesome and there is room for only one observer at a time. A small stream is enough to re-kindle the fishing flame of one’s youth every time. Creeping or low crawling through the grass, the coolness of the dew soaks into your clothes, but the focus is on a gin clear pool thirty feet ahead. The light fly rod gets caught in the grass, but you casually unhook the tip, careful to clear the rod from the tangle without making sudden movements. Unhooking the fly, stripping out enough line to make a cast to the near side of the pool, you sit up on your feet, crouching to maintain a low profile. Switching two false casts, you shoot a tight loop laying the fly line on the grass with the leader hooking into the pool. The leader is long enough to cross the pool, but you know this and have made a perfect presentation into the tail of the pool in order to not upset the wary brook trout upstream. The cast is unproductive, but that does not slow your racing pulse. A quick pick up and cast again in one smooth movement farther upstream, the caddis mimic alights like a natural. A small piece of the stream bed moves and suddenly the caddis is gone in a swirl. In the same moment, you lift the little fly rod, tightening the line. Telegraphed up the fly line, surges of the brook trout are felt through the light fly rod. Quickly playing the fish to hand, the gemstone colors of the small trout glow brightly. Releasing the trout from the barbless hook completes the act and the scurry for cover is evidence that this one is unharmed. Small stream fly fishing is gaining in popularity. The reasons are easy enough to understand. Solitude in the outdoor is at the top of the list. There are rivers to fish with many anglers if you want to share the experience. Rivers are popular fly fishing destinations and they are reflected on by all forms of the media. Small streams are out of the way, not reported on regularly and introspection, not popularity echoes here. A feeder stream, off the fishing path can provide a afternoon of quiet thoughts while experiencing the outdoors by yourself. There are no television or magazine anglers here, just you and your thoughts among the trees. Outfitting for fly fishing a small stream is a personal choice. A fly rod with a couple of flys in a film canister along with swim trunks makes things simple. On the other hand, a modern fourth generation graphite fly rod with a large arbor reel and specialized mini shooting head fly line can make decisions difficult. Hundreds of stone, caddis, and mayflys in expensive aluminum compartment fly boxes tucked in a ergonomically tailored vest, bulging with the latest gadgetry for the technically minded is another possible choice. Some use a bamboo fly rod made in the early part of the century, possibly handed down in the family. Somewhere in there lies a typical small stream fisher. We are a diverse lot, but we are looking for the same thing, peace in nature’s solitude. Light fly line weights are standard for small streams. Line weights of zero through five are generally considered an advantage when casting for wary trout. The small diameter of a light fly line combined with the light weight reduces the unwanted sight and impact when making a presentation. For small streams, fly sizes are small and wind is usually not a hinderance. A good fly rod choice will be a seven foot three weight. You can give or take a foot in length and a fly line size and still have a good choice for a rod. A small reel without a drag is all that is necessary. Equipment can be as technical or as simple as you want to make it. Fly fishing equipment is a personal choice that should match the fisher and the water being fished. Moving along on a small stream seems to come natural. Most fishing is done in an upstream manner to approach the trout from behind. Trout hold in the current to feed most of the time and their blind spot is to the rear. You need all the help that you can get when the stream is shallow, and the fish are wary of predators. This is because of the lack of deep water and structure to hide in. In order to be successful, a good creeping technique must be developed. Select earth tones for your clothes, a low profile when approaching a productive section, and as few false casts as possible. The better you become, the more your back will hurt! Headhunting, a term that is used for a fly fisher consumed by catching the largest fish does not apply here. Not that a small stream fly angler will turn their back on a large brown trout, that is exactly what some do. This is a technique used to reduce the anglers "presence" to the wary trout when rigging for the situation. The fishing attitude is one of opportunity. If a large trout is caught, it is a gift. The essence is the outdoor experience. To catch a small glistening gem and to give it back to nature, this is what small stream fishing is about. Not a quest for monster trout. On your adventure please remember this. The small stream environment is usually pristine, one single piece of trash is out of place. No impact hiking is a must, and if some trash is found, packing it out is good form. Hiking along, if another angler is present, give him or her a wide berth to minimize the intrusion. Fly fishing small streams is a return to solitude that we all need. A perfect way to enjoy the outdoors. I hope you like my story, adam

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In the early morning light, long sun rays make diamond glints in the dew covered grass. A spruce forest edges the little meadow in deep blue-green while a sparkling tiny stream draws a shallow meandering line through the alpine valley. Undercut grassy banks border the small riffles below a plunge pool. The solitude is perfect, the setting is awesome and there is room for only one observer at a time. A small stream is enough to re-kindle the fishing flame of one’s youth every time. Creeping or low crawling through the grass, the coolness of the dew soaks into your clothes, but the focus is on a gin clear pool thirty feet ahead. The light fly rod gets caught in the grass, but you casually unhook the tip, careful to clear the rod from the tangle without making sudden movements. Unhooking the fly, stripping out enough line to make a cast to the near side of the pool, you sit up on your feet, crouching to maintain a low profile. Switching two false casts, you shoot a tight loop laying the fly line on the grass with the leader hooking into the pool. The leader is long enough to cross the pool, but you know this and have made a perfect presentation into the tail of the pool in order to not upset the wary brook trout upstream. The cast is unproductive, but that does not slow your racing pulse. A quick pick up and cast again in one smooth movement farther upstream, the caddis mimic alights like a natural. A small piece of the stream bed moves and suddenly the caddis is gone in a swirl. In the same moment, you lift the little fly rod, tightening the line. Telegraphed up the fly line, surges of the brook trout are felt through the light fly rod. Quickly playing the fish to hand, the gemstone colors of the small trout glow brightly. Releasing the trout from the barbless hook completes the act and the scurry for cover is evidence that this one is unharmed. Small stream fly fishing is gaining in popularity. The reasons are easy enough to understand. Solitude in the outdoor is at the top of the list. There are rivers to fish with many anglers if you want to share the experience. Rivers are popular fly fishing destinations and they are reflected on by all forms of the media. Small streams are out of the way, not reported on regularly and introspection, not popularity echoes here. A feeder stream, off the fishing path can provide a afternoon of quiet thoughts while experiencing the outdoors by yourself. There are no television or magazine anglers here, just you and your thoughts among the trees. Outfitting for fly fishing a small stream is a personal choice. A fly rod with a couple of flys in a film canister along with swim trunks makes things simple. On the other hand, a modern fourth generation graphite fly rod with a large arbor reel and specialized mini shooting head fly line can make decisions difficult. Hundreds of stone, caddis, and mayflys in expensive aluminum compartment fly boxes tucked in a ergonomically tailored vest, bulging with the latest gadgetry for the technically minded is another possible choice. Some use a bamboo fly rod made in the early part of the century, possibly handed down in the family. Somewhere in there lies a typical small stream fisher. We are a diverse lot, but we are looking for the same thing, peace in nature’s solitude. Light fly line weights are standard for small streams. Line weights of zero through five are generally considered an advantage when casting for wary trout. The small diameter of a light fly line combined with the light weight reduces the unwanted sight and impact when making a presentation. For small streams, fly sizes are small and wind is usually not a hinderance. A good fly rod choice will be a seven foot three weight. You can give or take a foot in length and a fly line size and still have a good choice for a rod. A small reel without a drag is all that is necessary. Equipment can be as technical or as simple as you want to make it. Fly fishing equipment is a personal choice that should match the fisher and the water being fished. Moving along on a small stream seems to come natural. Most fishing is done in an upstream manner to approach the trout from behind. Trout hold in the current to feed most of the time and their blind spot is to the rear. You need all the help that you can get when the stream is shallow, and the fish are wary of predators. This is because of the lack of deep water and structure to hide in. In order to be successful, a good creeping technique must be developed. Select earth tones for your clothes, a low profile when approaching a productive section, and as few false casts as possible. The better you become, the more your back will hurt! Headhunting, a term that is used for a fly fisher consumed by catching the largest fish does not apply here. Not that a small stream fly angler will turn their back on a large brown trout, that is exactly what some do. This is a technique used to reduce the anglers "presence" to the wary trout when rigging for the situation. The fishing attitude is one of opportunity. If a large trout is caught, it is a gift. The essence is the outdoor experience. To catch a small glistening gem and to give it back to nature, this is what small stream fishing is about. Not a quest for monster trout. On your adventure please remember this. The small stream environment is usually pristine, one single piece of trash is out of place. No impact hiking is a must, and if some trash is found, packing it out is good form. Hiking along, if another angler is present, give him or her a wide berth to minimize the intrusion. Fly fishing small streams is a return to solitude that we all need. A perfect way to enjoy the outdoors. I hope you like my story, adam

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Question:

To the best of my knowledge, the weights I provided in my earlier post are generally applicably to various types of fly lines including floating, sinking, DT, etc. To check this out, I tried the "weigh the first 30 feet" method on a sinking "Rocket Taper" line that I knew to be a #7, and it weighed-out correctly at just slightly over the nominal given for a #7 line. Also, even though the weight of the first 30 feet of this line is essentially the same as its #7 floating counterpart, the sinking line is much thinner than the floating, thereby increasing its density. The more I think about this, the more sense it makes. Since the weight of the line is matched to the rod (so that the latter loads properly) you’d want to have the same rod loading behavior regardless of the type of line, it’s taper, and whether floating or sinking. So, since the rod doesn’t care about the thickness of the line, the first 30 feet of all #7 lines (for example) should have about the same weight. Bill Howe Boulder, CO

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Going through some old fishing stuff last weekend, I came upon a reel I used a few years ago, before I "got serious" about fly fishing. I have completely forgotten what weight line I have on this reel, although I am confident it’s a floating DT. I’ve been advised that the only way to infer the weight of this line is to cast it on various rods until I find a rod weight on which it "feels right." I’m willing to give this a try, but first wanted to ask the newsgroup if there are any other techniques (measuring, weighing, etc.) that can give me a close approximation? Also, to avoid a repeat of this problem, how do folks who have multiple lines lying around "mark" them so this crutial information isn’t lost? Thanks. Bill Howe Boulder, CO

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Going through some old fishing stuff last weekend, I came upon a reel I used a few years ago, before I "got serious" about fly fishing. I have completely forgotten what weight line I have on this reel, although I am confident it’s a floating DT. I’ve been advised that the only way to infer the weight of this line is to cast it on various rods until I find a rod weight on which it "feels right." I’m willing to give this a try, but first wanted to ask the newsgroup if there are any other techniques (measuring, weighing, etc.) that can give me a close approximation? Also, to avoid a repeat of this problem, how do folks who have multiple lines lying around "mark" them so this crutial information isn’t lost? Thanks. Bill Howe Boulder, CO

Hi bill, We use a micrometer to measure the belly of the line. We can tell what weight they are from the diameter using factory charts. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Going through some old fishing stuff last weekend, I came upon a reel I used a few years ago, before I "got serious" about fly fishing. I have completely forgotten what weight line I have on this reel, although I am confident it’s a floating DT. I’ve been advised that the only way to infer the weight of this line is to cast it on various rods until I find a rod weight on which it "feels right." I’m willing to give this a try, but first wanted to ask the newsgroup if there are any other techniques (measuring, weighing, etc.) that can give me a close approximation? Also, to avoid a repeat of this problem, how do folks who have multiple lines lying around "mark" them so this crutial information isn’t lost? Thanks. Bill Howe Boulder, CO

Fly lines are rated by the weight of their first thirty feet.  You can weigh this amount of line if you have a powder scale or other suitable scale and compare the known weight of the line against a standard.    If you don’t have a chart and can’t find one at the local fly shop, send me a note. I have a chart around somewhere. — Tim Ackerman "everyone lives downstream"

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Also, to avoid a repeat of this problem, how do folks who have multiple lines lying around "mark" them so this crutial information isn’t lost? Thanks.

Mark your reels with a piece of white tape such as used for price tags. You can either type or mark with indelible pen the type and weight of line on the reel. Do this for all reels. Who knows which reel is going to lay around next long enough to be forgotten. Regards, Steve

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Thanks to all who responded. I dug out an old powder scale and have successfully identified the weight of my mystery line by weighing the first 30 feet. The process of doing this is a little awkward, but it worked well. I tested this approach on a line that I knew to be a #8, and the first 30 feet weighed out at 211 grains … almost right on the nominal 210 grains in published data. For others in the newsgroup that may want to try this technique, here’s a table of weights per first 30 feet for different lines (BTW, there are 7,000 grains per pound). I got the weight values below from the excellent and graphically-intensive book "The Curtis Creek Manifesto" acquired from Timberline Sporting Goods in Casper, Wyoming. AFTMA Weight #   Grains/1st 30 feet 4           120 5           140 6           160 7           185 8           210 9           240 10          280 The technique I used to weigh my lines was to strip and measure 30 feet of fly line off my reel, bundle it (as one would a rope), and then set the bundle on the scale with the rest of the flyline resting gently on the benchtop. In one case, I left the leader attached as well, also allowing this to rest on the benchtop. The leader and remaining line will affect the weight measurement, but I found this affect to be only a few grains … not enough to make the line weight catagorization ambiguous. Bill Howe Boulder, CO

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks to all who responded. I dug out an old powder scale and have successfully identified the weight of my mystery line by weighing the first 30 feet. The process of doing this is a little awkward, but it worked well. I tested this approach on a line that I knew to be a #8, and the first 30 feet weighed out at 211 grains … almost right on the nominal 210 grains in published data. For others in the newsgroup that may want to try this technique, here’s a table of weights per first 30 feet for different lines (BTW, there are 7,000 grains per pound). I got the weight values below from the excellent and graphically-intensive book "The Curtis Creek Manifesto" acquired from Timberline Sporting Goods in Casper, Wyoming. AFTMA Weight #   Grains/1st 30 feet 4           120 5           140 6           160 7           185 8           210 9           240 10          280 The technique I used to weigh my lines was to strip and measure 30 feet of fly line off my reel, bundle it (as one would a rope), and then set the bundle on the scale with the rest of the flyline resting gently on the benchtop. In one case, I left the leader attached as well, also allowing this to rest on the benchtop. The leader and remaining line will affect the weight measurement, but I found this affect to be only a few grains … not enough to make the line weight catagorization ambiguous. Bill Howe Boulder, CO

I assume this to be for a floating line. Did you come across ratings for weighted lines? (ie. sink tip, full weighted, etc.) B.

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AFTMA Weight #   Grains/1st 30 feet 4           120 5           140 6           160 7           185 8           210 9           240 10          280 Boulder, CO I assume this to be for a floating line. Did you come across ratings for

weighted lines? (ie. sink tip, full weighted, etc.) B.

No, it’s for ALL lines, floating, sink-tip, or sinking. To make a line sink, the weight is unchanged ( since changing it would change the casting characteristics…), but the _DENSITY_ is increased. In other words, a sinking section of line will be smaller in diameter than a floating line of a given weight, but will weigh the same. By further decreasing the cross-section of the line, you can make it sink even faster. (Now do we all understand why we pay so much for these things? <<grin ) — Delete "NOSPAM" in address above before replying!(fraggin’ morons…) Joe Ellis     o/~ The Synthetic Filker o/~ |  TesserAct Studios ()XDarwin(;        Now on the Web at      | Cincinnati, OH 45240 / /~LL~~LL~  http://shell.idt.net/~ellis69 |New Dimensions In Filk! Unsolicited commercial E-mail will be proofread at $25 hr/2 hr min.

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Question:

Grow up and get a life!  If you have a "head in the sand" approach to flyfishing that’s fine, but don’t try to foist it on the rest of us.  Most fly fishers enjoy a variety of approaches to catch, and often release, a variety of fish species.   To each his or her own.

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A nicely weighted nymph, quietly cast upstream, on a dead drift, is truly the only sporting way to pursue the honorable Mr. Trout.                                                        __ john quill taylor                                     / / writer at large                                      / /   Hewlett-Packard, Storage Systems Division    __     /_/ / Boise, Idaho U.S.A.                         /_/  __ _ Telephone: (208) 396-2328 (MST = GMT – 7)     /  \  / Snail Mail: Hewlett-Packard                    / \             11413 Chinden Blvd                 \             Boise, Idaho 83714                   _/             Mailstop 852                            _/                                                   _/       "When in doubt, do as doubters do." – jqt –                   haiti, rwanda, cuba, bosnia, … we have a list,              where is our schindler?

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Question:

Heading to B.C. but I don’t know where to go.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  I’m a stream fisherman so point me in the right direction.

BC is mostly lake fishing, esp Kamloops area.  However, there is excellent stream fishing at Skagit River (C&R only) near Hope also steelhead/salmon at Chilliwack River. — The views expressed are my own and does not represent those of my employer.

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Heading to B.C. but I don’t know where to go.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  I’m a stream fisherman so point me in the right direction.

From you monniker you might like to try and get hold of Kelly Davison 11891 Charrington Maple Ridge BC 604 467 6406 He guided me a couple of years back in September/October and I lost count of the bright sea run cuts we landed – mostly 2lb or so – but up to about 4lb. All taken on an olive marabou/mylar minnow pattern on a l/s size 8. My first experience with cuts – and one of the best days fishing ever! I also heard that you can beach cast for them with a fly rod from below College Park – but didn’t have the time to get down there. Tight lines — Martin Kurrein 199 Strand London WC2R 1DR http://www.mkurrein.co.uk/

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Heading to B.C. but I don’t know where to go.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  I’m a stream fisherman so point me in the right direction.

Try the Web page for Hansen’s in Vancouver (I could find the address somewhere if you can’t).  They gave me a greta trip for early July – lake fishing with damsel flies.  But they could give you a completely different suggestion for the time you are going.

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Heading to B.C. but I don’t know where to go.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  I’m a stream fisherman so point me in the right direction.

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Question:

Has anyone been able to get into Trout Unlimited’s web site??? It was supposed to be available as of January 15th but I get no response each attempt to get in. I’m using the advertised address…..http://www.tu.org/trout….Is this correct? Thanks in advance…. JAPPLe

Try this address, http://www.cais.net/trout/. Vince

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Has anyone been able to get into Trout Unlimited’s web site??? It was supposed to be available as of January 15th but I get no response each attempt to get in. I’m using the advertised address…..http://www.tu.org/trout….Is this correct?

Seems to work fine for me. It does however, take several minutes to load…. Wherever you go….. There you will be

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Go to the YAHOO search engine.  There is a reference point to a Trout Unlimited Site.  It is up and running, I’ve been there. Ross Laurie

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Hi Try the following web address for the Trout Unlimited web site: http://www.cais.net/trout/ Good Luck Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, Mt (catalog avail)

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Question:

I may be up in this area in a week or two. Any help on where to fish, local patterns etc, would be appreciated. Many thanks. — Scott Branyan Rogers, AR

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    I am a Colorado native and I have fished the South Platte and other rivers north of Denver extensively.  If you are in search of large fish then the Platte is a good destination as is the Blue river 1 hr west of Denver on I-70 in the town of Silverthorne.  If numbers of fish are what you want I suggest the Big Thompson or the Cache La Poudre rivers north of Denver and west of Loveland and Fort Collins respectively.      Back to the Platte.  This time of year is a nice time to fish this area.  In the heat of the day the fish are relatively inactive on the surface.  However, sometimes the weather changes or something else will cause a proliferation of some species of small mayfly or another.  These can usually be imitated with a generic blue wing olive size 16 or smaller.  There is usually sporadic action on the surface even in the absence of a hatch.  These being a small midge.  I tie my own and will discuss the pattern later. In the evenings you can almost always count on some caddis fly action.  The elk hair caddis size 16 or smaller being a good match. Through out the day small nymphs will also work.  I suggest size 18 or smaller pheasant tails, gold ribbed hairs ears, other mayfly larvae imitations, brassies, and buckskins.  You will notice that I have emphasized small patterns.  The majority of the aquatic life in the river is small.  The non aquatic life near the river is coming into full bloom at this time of the year.  Do not forget to take an assortment of grasshopper, beetle, ant, and other terrestrial imitations.  Some times these patterns will arose a fish when nothing else will.      The fishing pressure on the South Platte is extremely heavy due to its proximity to Denver.  Therefore the fish are extremely well educated.  When approaching the fish keep in mind the water is very clear.  If you can see them, they can see you.  Do not slosh and stomp around in this river.  If at all possible sneak up on your target fish.  This may include crawling on your hands and knees in the middle of the river so as to keep yourself low and slow moving.  I always enjoy watching people watch me as I crawl through 12 inches of water and then taking a nice 16 to 20 inch trout only ten feet away.  I emphasize the distance because a poor cast which splashes the water or otherwise alarms the fish will ruin your chances to catch the large fish.  Additionally the closer you are to the target fish the easier it is to hook and land them when they do take.      I personally like to fish around Deckers because the access is easy.  The river is accessible for several miles downstream of Deckers and the road runs right along the river.  Upstream of Deckers into the canyon is excellent fishing and is where the gold medal water is.  A short hike will take you into the canyon.  If possible I suggest fishing where people are not elbow to elbow. The whole river is excellent you do not have to fish in a crowd. Also, if possible fish on the week days.      I suggest a five weight rod.  This is my own preference.  Take a rod that you feel comfortable making accurate cast at short to moderate distances.  People claiming to cast the whole line and landing 5 lbs. plus trout are full of it.  The river is very cold even at this time of the year.  Take neoprene waders if you got em. Polarized sunglasses are a must.  The elevation in Colorado also makes sunscreen a must.      The midge pattern is a simple one.  Use a size 20 or 22 dry fly hook.  The body is green floss.  About 1/2 way to the eye put a small amount of dark green rabbit fur dubbing.  for a wing use a grey, light blue, or white polypropelyne.  Whip finish the head. This is a sparse pattern.  I use it as a dropper to a size 14 or 16 humpy or some other highly visible unsinkable dry fly.  This allows me to know where the midge is as it is about impossible to see past 10 feet.  If the midge sinks that is ok the fish don’t care.      Post your results I wish you good luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I may be up in this area in a week or two. Any help on where to fish, local patterns etc, would be appreciated. Many thanks. — Scott Branyan Rogers, AR

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Question:

I am just getting into fly-fishing. snip I seem to remember he used some sort of pin, but I can’t actually remember how he set it up (I was only 10 at the time). Anybody have some tips or suggestions? Paul

Paul, I would recommend you contact the Fly Box in Ottawa, they should be able to steer in the right direction. Also the Ottawa FlyFishers are an active organization you could contact also for info. Also ask around Bell Northern, I know some people flyfish there. David Delcloo

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You might want to start by reading a book or two on the basics of fly fishing.  Check your local library.  I like to suggest that folks try to get into a beginners fly fishing class.  I think its is well worth the money.  As to the kind of equipment to use, it depends on the kind of fishing you expect to be doing.  Generally, a 5wt or 6wt outfit works well for most rivers and streams, but I don’t know your situation.  As you are just starting out, you might want to look at an inexpensive outfit (I started out with a 5/6wt Cortland outfit.)  I bet that "pin" your grandfather used to attach the leader to the fly line was used in tying a nail knot. Good luck and enjoy, Claude

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Paul, I also use the nail knot with a 9′ tapered leader and would like to thank Tim for saving me trying to describe nail knot tying. With a 9′ leader I do get through about three or four per season due to my poor casting or snagging the bottom. Alan UK Flyfisher

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I am just getting into fly-fishing. The last time I ever tried it was with my grandfather ages ago. I’ve not forgotten his recommendations on the size and type of rod, nor how to play the fish. What I have forgotten is fairly basic – the best method to secure the leader line with fly (using monofilament) to the fly line. I seem to remember he used some sort of pin, but I can’t actually remember how he set it up (I was only 10 at the time). Anybody have some tips or suggestions? Regards, Paul Usual disclaimers apply…….    

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I seem to remember he used some sort of pin, but I can’t actually remember how he set it up (I was only 10 at the time). Anybody have some tips or suggestions? Regards, Paul Usual disclaimers apply…….    

The method you briefly described of attaching leader to fly line sounds like a needle knot.  This is my favorite method but is a little time consuming.   However, If you are building leaders by tying tapering dia. tippett material, you only have to tie one needle knot for the whole season.  (provided you do it right the first time) The prodedure goes like this. First you will need two sewing needles, one small enough to fit into the end of the fly line eye first, the other should be considerably larger. Step 1. Push the small needle, eye first into the end of the fly line up to a         quarter inch or so and then push it through the wall of the fly line. Step 2. Thread the smallend of the leader through the exposed eye and withdraw         the needle, with tippett, from inside the fly line.  Pull the leader         through the end of the fly line, leaving 5" or 6" extending through         the wall. Step 3. Take the larger needle and place it along side the fly line with         the eye toward the tippett and the point toward the reel.   Step 4. Wrap the butt end of the leader around the fly line and needle         starting above the point where the leader exits the wall.  Wrap down         five or so times past the exit point and pass the tag end through the         eye of the needle.   Step 5. Grab the poionted end of the needle firmly, and carefully draw the tag         end of the leader under the wraps you have just made.   Step 6. Wet the knot and cinch it up slowly ensuring that the wraps tighten         up smoothly and cover the area where the but end exited the line wall.         Trim the tag end and you are ready to go. Sounds complicated but it is knot so bad.  Pictures are a big help and there are many other ways that are a lot simpler, ie. loop connections, but as I said the is the method I prefer. Good luck, Tim

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