Question:

A merry (year end festible of choice) to all of you. May the beer god smile apon you and your stockings be filled with bamboo rods, cool vests, waders, zingers and other tools of joy! Even you daytripper, get a bamboo ok? Flyfish — dave’s homepage madness http://www.ctel.net/~brooktrout flyfishing in Maine and more

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A merry (year end festible of choice) to all of you. May the beer god smile apon you and your stockings be filled with bamboo rods, cool vests, waders, zingers and other tools of joy! Even you daytripper, get a bamboo ok? Flyfish

Bah! Humbug! If God had meant us to fish with cane, He’d have them grow with the guides and a UPS shipping label already attached… /daytripper (who actually owns four cane rods but prefers plastic)

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Question:

Great job, Mike.  I took the liberty of posting it at www.Maineflyfishing.com, a site hosted by our local Orvis dealer.

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The old ‘discount bin’ section in the cellar is also gone.  Used to pick up oddball sized hooks, and the occasional real prize down there

Stan, the last time I was there, (last fall), they had moved the discount section to the lower level rear of the building with a separate entrance from the main store. They also opened up another discount shop in a strip mall in Manchester Center.(off rte 30 IIRC)  I always stop when I’m in the area. Got an entire year’s supply of dry fly hooks a few years ago at half price. (discontinued models) They usually have a good selection of Trident rods at 40% off. Hoe was the attendance at the casting classes? George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"

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George: The downstairs section was all sweaters, jackets and dog beds and a very limited corner devoted to weird fly tying stuff – nothing at all useful. All the old rods and miscellany were missing.  I saw the new off-site location in the building on Rt 30 but it looked closed – and nestled in among the ‘factory outlet’ stuff, we assumed it would be all clothes anyways. Northeast Utilities got about 16 people to sign up for the flyfishing classes last Saturday.  Nice bunch of people, four or five women, a couple of older guys, some had experience surf casting, many were spin fishers. Thomas & Thomas was kind enough to lend them a bunch of demo rods (HS 905 I think – cast very nice).  Mostly I went around the group ‘unlearning’ spin casting behaviors.  I had a group of about 6 guys who were all doing the same thing – throwing their back loop onto the ground, starting the forward stroke when the loop was only half unrolled, etc.  After an hour or so we had most of them throwing about 30 feet of line.  When I help out a class like that I think I learn as much as I teach.  Nothing like having all the bad examples to look at to show you what you do wrong yourself. –Stan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Stan, the last time I was there, (last fall), they had moved the discount section to the lower level rear of the building with a separate entrance from the main store. They also opened up another discount shop in a strip mall in Manchester Center.(off rte 30 IIRC)  I always stop when I’m in the area. Got an entire year’s supply of dry fly hooks a few years ago at half price. (discontinued models) They usually have a good selection of Trident rods at 40% off. How was the attendance at the casting classes?

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Ah, Mike me boyo,     Wunderbar, ausgezeichnet, horosho, uitstekend, formidable, kimagaslo’, dat war plum prutty!     Told my wife to read it because that poem can even make being a gear whore sound like a good thing.                             Frank Reid

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Our resident Orvis junkie went to his favourite shop, and once started buying equipment, he could no longer stop, he asked the salesman nicely, "How does one catch hogs?", and the salesman rubbed his hands and said "one burns Orvis logs", "The fish are very clever nowadays, or at least so it is said, but even your dog can catch some, if it has an Orvis bed. Some wives improve their chances from middling to fair, if they go into an Orvis store, and buy an Orvis chair". "From beginners up to experts, from schoolboys up to gramps, any genuine fishermen, knows the worth of Orvis lamps", in fact our stuff is so damn good you can catch fish from a tar-pit, as long as you are the proud owner, of a genuine Orvis carpet". "But if you really truly wish to ensure the fishes imminent doom, come along with me for a while, I

Question:

BTY I just read an article about the state of Wisconsin purchasing a 32,000 acre tract of land. Nice purchase by the people of Wisconsin.

I missed that one Willi.  What tract, where?

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don’t have much info. This is from Nature Conservancy magazine:  "The State with support from Nature’s Conservancy purchased 32,00 acres, including significant natural areas properties adjacent to Nature Conservancy preserves, using funds from the Stewardship Fund. The the program for the next 10 years." Willi – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – BTY I just read an article about the state of Wisconsin purchasing a 32,000 acre tract of land. Nice purchase by the people of Wisconsin. I missed that one Willi.  What tract, where?

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Constantly freezing guides and line are not very fun. When the water is extremely cold the fish don’t feed often, won’t move to take a fly and generally fight like an old boot. I have to have cabin fever pretty bad to fish during that kind of weather. In the West (Southwest too) we have spells of nice weather, most years, all through the winter. A couple days of nice weather will generally get a few fish moving during the warmest part of the day. Willi – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Willi, I live out in the Southwest and I have fished in the snow.  I mostly froze my butt off and didn’t catch anything.  You were a lucky dude to get in a few casts and have some fun. I remember fishing one creek in the mountains where I think the water was below freezing or right near freezing.  My fly line and leader was a long icicle. Eric It’s fairly warm but the skies are overcast and snow is falling.  I had about an hour or so free late this afternoon and I went to an area where I’ve been seeing some surface midging trout. Although I’m not too fond of the snow, the fish did seem to like the overcast skies. In areas where I had been finding single feeding fish, there were small pods of fish. Sometimes during overcast days even in the Winter, a very tiny BWO comes off. But none were to be found and the fish were feeding on the midges that they normally do this time of year. I approached the first pod of fish. Even with the low clear water, the overcast skies allowed me to get much closer to the fish than our more normal sunny skies do. At this distance, a good cast was easy as was following the tiny fly with my aging eyesight. The first cast resulted in a Rainbow whose fight put down the rest of that pod of fish. I waded downstream and approached the next pod of fish. Same result, one cast one Rainbow and the rest put down. I again went downstream and found another pod. First cast, no take. Second cast a Brown. I quit with that one. Good day, four casts and three fish! Cloud cover sure helps. Willi

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Willi, I live out in the Southwest and I have fished in the snow.  I mostly froze my butt off and didn’t catch anything.  You were a lucky dude to get in a few casts and have some fun. I remember fishing one creek in the mountains where I think the water was below freezing or right near freezing.  My fly line and leader was a long icicle. Eric – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s fairly warm but the skies are overcast and snow is falling.  I had about an hour or so free late this afternoon and I went to an area where I’ve been seeing some surface midging trout. Although I’m not too fond of the snow, the fish did seem to like the overcast skies. In areas where I had been finding single feeding fish, there were small pods of fish. Sometimes during overcast days even in the Winter, a very tiny BWO comes off. But none were to be found and the fish were feeding on the midges that they normally do this time of year. I approached the first pod of fish. Even with the low clear water, the overcast skies allowed me to get much closer to the fish than our more normal sunny skies do. At this distance, a good cast was easy as was following the tiny fly with my aging eyesight. The first cast resulted in a Rainbow whose fight put down the rest of that pod of fish. I waded downstream and approached the next pod of fish. Same result, one cast one Rainbow and the rest put down. I again went downstream and found another pod. First cast, no take. Second cast a Brown. I quit with that one. Good day, four casts and three fish! Cloud cover sure helps. Willi

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It’s fairly warm but the skies are overcast and snow is falling.  I had about an hour or so free late this afternoon and I went to an area where I’ve been seeing some surface midging trout. Although I’m not too fond of the snow, the fish did seem to like the overcast skies. In areas where I had been finding single feeding fish, there were small pods of fish. Sometimes during overcast days even in the Winter, a very tiny BWO comes off. But none were to be found and the fish were feeding on the midges that they normally do this time of year. I approached the first pod of fish. Even with the low clear water, the overcast skies allowed me to get much closer to the fish than our more normal sunny skies do. At this distance, a good cast was easy as was following the tiny fly with my aging eyesight. The first cast resulted in a Rainbow whose fight put down the rest of that pod of fish. I waded downstream and approached the next pod of fish. Same result, one cast one Rainbow and the rest put down. I again went downstream and found another pod. First cast, no take. Second cast a Brown. I quit with that one. Good day, four casts and three fish! Cloud cover sure helps. Willi

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It’s fairly warm but the skies are overcast and snow is falling. (another nifty description of just one more day in paradise)

        you do appreciate it, don’t you, willi?  living where and how you live?  i thought so. wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Willi

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I do appreciate what I have. Fishing is and has been a big part of my life and has always been a consideration when deciding where to live and how to support myself. I’m self employed with a small business and the benefits of self employment are a mixed bag. I can get away from the business for frequent one to four hour outings but a "real" vacation is very difficult. It’s been several years since I’ve taken off more than four days. This lack of extended time off, I work at least a few hours seven days a week, has made me look closely at nearby waters. An hours drive one way is two hours less fishing. These local waters are generally ignored by other anglers. It seems that for most people, farther is better and famous or well known even more so.  In everywhere I’ve lived except Chicago (where I grew up) I was able to find such places. For the last 12 years I’ve lived on the edge of a metropolitan area of about 250,000 people with lots of fishermen. I fish a major river that runs through town and is passed by thousands of anglers on their way to work each day. Yet this eight mile stretch from the foothills until the river becomes too warm to support trout has MUCH less fishing pressure than any other area with public access on the 50 miles further upstream. Until the last four or five years, another angler more than a 100 yards from any point where a road crosses the river was an extremely rare occurrence. There are still a few stretches that get literally no pressure and even the most "crowded" ones may have one angler per 1/2 mile of river during prime time. IMHO, this area also has higher quality fish. It hasn’t been stocked in a VERY long time, the fish average about 4" larger than in the upstream sections, and there are a few VERY large fish around. However, the fishing is difficult. The density of the trout population is relatively low. The river is much more fertile (for a number of reasons both good and bad) so the fish can be choosy in when and how they feed. This is one of the things that keeps anglers away. My guess is that many people fish the area once or twice and write the area off as fishless. There are places similar to this area all over the country. They are worth checking out and getting to know them. In areas where lake fishing is popular, it may be a stream or river. Where streams are popular, it might be a pond or lake. Many of them are only productive certain times of the year and their secrets can be difficult to learn. Another bonus in these areas is the wide variety of wildlife these areas attract. Since they generally run through developed areas and the wildlife gets concentrated into these riparian areas. Check out your local waters well. Well known places aren’t always better. BTY I just read an article about the state of Wisconsin purchasing a 32,000 acre tract of land. Nice purchase by the people of Wisconsin. Willi – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s fairly warm but the skies are overcast and snow is falling. (another nifty description of just one more day in paradise)         you do appreciate it, don’t you, willi?  living where and how you live?  i thought so. wayno Willi

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Question:

Does anyone know who puts on equipment/demonstration shows for flyfishing in alrge cities? I would like to go to one next year but can’t seem to find out how/where they are scheduled.

Huh, loaded kind of question….What  large area are you near? The fly fishing magazines often put out a list of the winter shows….also check websites www.flyshop.com,www.flyfish.com,www.flyfishing.com,www.flyrodreel.com, etc…; you local sporting goods stores or fly shops or the local clubs, ie TU, FFF chapters. All will have the low down. Wayne Knight (remove nospam to respond via mail) Expert in the creation of  wind knots and tailing loops.

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Does anyone know who puts on equipment/demonstration shows for flyfishing in alrge cities? I would like to go to one next year but can’t seem to find out how/where they are scheduled. Thanks

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Does anyone know who puts on equipment/demonstration shows for flyfishing in alrge cities? I would like to go to one next year but can’t seem to find out how/where they are scheduled. Thanks

Check the following URL’s.     www.sportshow.com     www.flyfishingshow.com

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Question:

great flyfishing in duck mountain prov park .rainbow,brooks, splake, brown, pike, arctic char.five hours from winnipeg manitoba canada by for more information .belly boat works best up here.

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Kennedy) writes: great flyfishing in duck mountain prov park .rainbow,brooks, splake, brown, pike, arctic char.five hours from winnipeg manitoba canada by for more information .belly boat works best up here.

Why would I want to fish in some dumb park like that when I’ve got access to the Au Sable, Manistee, Pidgeon, Jordan, Betsy, Escanaba, Pierre Marquette…unless of course it was another of the bullshit Spams trying to lie to us again. Wayne Knight Geneva IL                            

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Question:

I just noticed in his new book, "A Pirate Looks At Fifty," that Jimmy Buffett seems to be an avid flyfisherman. Anyone know any good stories about Jimmy and flyfishing? Is he strictly a saltwater fisherman? Or does he ever go after trout? (The mountains don’t seem to be his style!) Better yet…has anyone ever tried to go fishing with him? (We flyfishermen might be able to get a little closer to him than the ordinary Parrothead! <grin) Scott Wilkinson Quasi-Parrothead

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Jimmy Buffett used to live in Aspen and may still have a place there.  I think he moved there after his time in Key West.  He wanted to be around guys who liked girls. DP – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just noticed in his new book, "A Pirate Looks At Fifty," that Jimmy Buffett seems to be an avid flyfisherman. Anyone know any good stories about Jimmy and flyfishing? Is he strictly a saltwater fisherman? Or does he ever go after trout? (The mountains don’t seem to be his style!) Better yet…has anyone ever tried to go fishing with him? (We flyfishermen might be able to get a little closer to him than the ordinary Parrothead! <grin) Scott Wilkinson Quasi-Parrothead

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: Jimmy Buffett used to live in Aspen and may still have a place there.  I : think he moved there after his time in Key West.  He wanted to be around : guys who liked girls. Thanks for keeping us posted. — Rick T. Rick Fletcher   –   http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Associate professor of chemistry  |  That’s Idaho, not Iowa.    | ad hominem University of Idaho               |  Upper Left Hand Corner.    | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343             |  No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem

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Scott, Only stories I know of Jimmy are shrimping, jubilees, mullet in Mobile bay, and drinks at Judge Roy Bean’s. -Adam

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I just noticed in his new book, "A Pirate Looks At Fifty," that Jimmy Buffett seems to be an avid flyfisherman. Anyone know any good stories about Jimmy and flyfishing? Is he strictly a saltwater fisherman? Or does he ever go after trout? (The mountains don’t seem to be his style!) Better yet…has anyone ever tried to go fishing with him? (We flyfishermen might be able to get a little closer to him than the ordinary Parrothead! <grin) Scott Wilkinson Quasi-Parrothead

Hi Scott, I was fishing in the Keys about 10 years ago fishing with a friend, Steve Chapell, who lives on Marathon Key. One evening he showed me a poor video copy of a movie that was made by a group of Key West fly fishers? He said a prince from Spain?, Guy Valdeen(sp) was partly responsible for the short film. Jimmy did the sound tack for the movie. It showed fly fishers casting to tarpon with beautiful music and then would it would switch to wild music with a party boat. The deck was covered with blood from killing fish. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

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Jimmy used to hang around with Harrison, McGuane, Fonda and that bunch in the keys and in Livingston, Mt.  I’m sure he has been exposed to both fresh and saltwater flyfishing.  He also reportedly has the quail bug. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just noticed in his new book, "A Pirate Looks At Fifty," that Jimmy Buffett seems to be an avid flyfisherman. Anyone know any good stories about Jimmy and flyfishing? Is he strictly a saltwater fisherman? Or does he ever go after trout? (The mountains don’t seem to be his style!) Better yet…has anyone ever tried to go fishing with him? (We flyfishermen might be able to get a little closer to him than the ordinary Parrothead! <grin) Scott Wilkinson Quasi-Parrothead

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I just noticed in his new book, "A Pirate Looks At Fifty," that Jimmy Buffett seems to be an avid flyfisherman. Anyone know any good stories about Jimmy and flyfishing? Is he strictly a saltwater fisherman? Or does he ever go after trout? (The mountains don’t seem to be his style!) Better yet…has anyone ever tried to go fishing with him? (We flyfishermen might be able to get a little closer to him than the ordinary Parrothead! <grin)

Not sure about Jimmy Buffet and Flyfishing but I’ve also heard that Marilyn Manson is an avid angler.  Anyone know whether Marilyn is into flyfishing? Anyone care to post any amusing anecdotes concerning Marilyn and fish? Thanks.

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Never heard of Marilyn Mason – where does she live?

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Not sure about Jimmy Buffet and Flyfishing but I’ve also heard that Marilyn Manson is an avid angler.  Anyone know whether Marilyn is into flyfishing? Anyone care to post any amusing anecdotes concerning Marilyn and fish?

What, he bites the heads off the trout? -Marcus

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Never heard of Marilyn Mason – where does she live?

*HE* is a shock rocker.  Very wierd looking, angry music, etc etc.  The teenagers adore him. check out http://www.marilyn-manson.net/  for scary pictures and stuff.

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Never heard of Marilyn Mason – where does she live?

He dwells in your worst nightmares….

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My worst nightmare is about many raising fish and the wrong fly!!

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If I need to see something scary, I check out my mirror (especially in the early AM.)

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*HE* is a shock rocker.  Very wierd looking, angry music, etc etc.  The teenagers adore him. check out http://www.marilyn-manson.net/  for scary pictures and stuff.

I’ve heard this freak was a nerdy kid on some TV show that was modestly popular 6 or 7 years ago.  As for checking out a site about this geek…think I’d rather step on a nail. Patrick

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I heard that Jimmy has a place out in the hamptons in LI, NY and owns a 20′ Hewes flats boat!! He flyfishes for stripers and everything! Capt. Paul

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I’ve seen a picture of Buffett standing on a partially sunken (and rusted out ship) with what appears to be a fly rod with yellow fly line in his hand. I think this picture is on the box set…….

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In his book, "In Search of Joe Merchant" he talks about flyfishing for bonefish.  Believe that he did also inthe book "Margaritaville". Herb

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I heard that Jimmy has a place out in the hamptons in LI, NY and owns a 20′ Hewes flats boat!! He flyfishes for stripers and everything! Capt. Paul

In his book that just came out, "A Pirate Looks at Fifty", he talks about flyfishing a lot.  The guy’s a fanatic!!  He even went flyfishing in Costa Rica (for blue marlin!).

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Question:

M.W. Thank you for your insight.  You have some great ideas!  I know almost everybody is in to the $$$ side of fishing, but I prefer to get started without getting soaked.  Wow a $15 rod.  Although it’s glass, what a price.  I’m headed to WalMart and Kmart today to check out their stock. FYI, almost everybody has recommended a 8 1/2 5/6wt rod, then some good line and going cheap on the reel.  BTW, a couple of people have recommend the St Croiz ProGraphite rod ($70).  They say it’s a super rod that I won’t have to throw away. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For Jimmy D. Geek, From what I have experienced, you don’t have to spend alot of money to get into fly fishing.  I started with a Shakespear 9′ glass rod, with a Martin 61 real loaded with #7 floating line. The reel was only about $9-10, but did everything it needed to do, hold line when its not in the water.  I "upgraded" last year, with a 8′ Diawa graphite composite rod ($15) and another Martin 61’s. I loaded # 5 floating line on this reel. I fish the small streams and rivers of Missouri. If you don’t have alot to spend, or don’t want to get in very deep at first you might try this approach. Check out what is included in the combos, refer to some basic books, and maybe talk to an expert about a good balance between rod length an line weight. Then maybe you can find less expensive alternatives to the pricer models.  A good mid range combo that you will likely see mentioned for a range of conditions, is a 5 or 6 weight line on a 81/2-9′ rod.  I have caught some nice fish and spent some nice time in the water while(with the help of a few books) teaching myself to cast. This was done often to the disgust of a few very decked out fellow fly fishers down the way who were coming up dry.  You might try a book by Joseph F. Petralia, called Flyfishing, First Cast to First Fish!  Its a good step by step how to guide. Good luck and good fishing. M. W. Hensley

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For Jimmy D. Geek, From what I have experienced, you don’t have to spend alot of money to get into fly fishing.  I started with a Shakespear 9′ glass rod, with a Martin 61 real loaded with #7 floating line. The reel was only about $9-10, but did everything it needed to do, hold line when its not in the water.  I "upgraded" last year, with a 8′ Diawa graphite composite rod ($15) and another Martin 61’s. I loaded # 5 floating line on this reel. I fish the small streams and rivers of Missouri. If you don’t have alot to spend, or don’t want to get in very deep at first you might try this approach. Check out what is included in the combos, refer to some basic books, and maybe talk to an expert about a good balance between rod length an line weight. Then maybe you can find less expensive alternatives to the pricer models.  A good mid range combo that you will likely see mentioned for a range of conditions, is a 5 or 6 weight line on a 81/2-9′ rod.  I have caught some nice fish and spent some nice time in the water while(with the help of a few books) teaching myself to cast. This was done often to the disgust of a few very decked out fellow fly fishers down the way who were coming up dry.  You might try a book by Joseph F. Petralia, called Flyfishing, First Cast to First Fish!  Its a good step by step how to guide. Good luck and good fishing. M. W. Hensley

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Question:

Hello, it is much easier to take the non-ac-bus from Hat Yai to Satun (96 km to the Southwest) in the morning at 7.10 am or 9.40 am for about 30 Baht.

by me at lunch.  er, sorry, you might make it for dinner.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – From Satun take the taxi for about 20 Baht to the harbour plus the Express Ferry at 1 pm or 4 pm for 150 Baht in 75 Minutes. Immigration formalities are at the pier. Have fun. Ciao Maybe not the most direct route, but jump the train down to Butterworth, and catch a ferry from Penang up to Langkwai. Steve Hello: Anybody with info on this please post/email.  Will also appreciate info on inexpensive accomodation at these two places.  I plan on being there mid-December.  I will fly from the US to BKK and then domestic to Hat Yai. Langkwai is across the border. Thanks in advance. Satya

Response:

There was once a ferry, during the dry season, from Satun town to Langkawi. No need to go to Penang first. Only way to know if the ferry will operate this December is to simply go to Satun town and ask about it. There are many local travelers, so my guess is yes, it will operate. For a ride from Hat Yai to Satun town, ask any "tuk tuk" driver in Had Yai. He will know not only about the public buses, but also about the small and private mini-vans which ferry local Thai office workers between Had Yai and Satun town during the rush hours each day. Foreigners are welcome on this mini-vans. Note that this is an "international" ferry crossing. Passports will be checked at a small island about halfway between Satun and Langkawi, and the small ship will be inspected. The islands in the area are fantastic. Small boats to the islands on the Thai side of the border leave mostly from a small fishing village called Pak Bara. — George Moore http://www.slip.net/~georgem – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Maybe not the most direct route, but jump the train down to Butterworth, and catch a ferry from Penang up to Langkwai. Steve Hello: Anybody with info on this please post/email.  Will also appreciate info on inexpensive accomodation at these two places.  I plan on being there mid-December.  I will fly from the US to BKK and then domestic to Hat Yai. Langkwai is across the border. Thanks in advance. Satya

Response:

Hello: Anybody with info on this please post/email.  Will also appreciate info on inexpensive accomodation at these two places.  I plan on being there mid-December.  I will fly from the US to BKK and then domestic to Hat Yai. Langkwai is across the border. Thanks in advance. Satya

Response:

Maybe not the most direct route, but jump the train down to Butterworth, and catch a ferry from Penang up to Langkwai. Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello: Anybody with info on this please post/email.  Will also appreciate info on inexpensive accomodation at these two places.  I plan on being there mid-December.  I will fly from the US to BKK and then domestic to Hat Yai. Langkwai is across the border. Thanks in advance. Satya

Response:

Hello, it is much easier to take the non-ac-bus from Hat Yai to Satun (96 km to the Southwest) in the morning at 7.10 am or 9.40 am for about 30 Baht. From Satun take the taxi for about 20 Baht to the harbour plus the Express Ferry at 1 pm or 4 pm for 150 Baht in 75 Minutes. Immigration formalities are at the pier. Have fun. Ciao – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Maybe not the most direct route, but jump the train down to Butterworth, and catch a ferry from Penang up to Langkwai. Steve Hello: Anybody with info on this please post/email.  Will also appreciate info on inexpensive accomodation at these two places.  I plan on being there mid-December.  I will fly from the US to BKK and then domestic to Hat Yai. Langkwai is across the border. Thanks in advance. Satya

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Question:

   I drove down to the Rapidan River today for the first time since the early summer flood to see firsthand what kind of shape it is in.    I followed my standard route to the upper sections of the river:      - Rt. 29 south from I-66      - Rt. 231 north at Madison      - Rt. 670 (left) at Banco (road follows Robinson River)      - Rt. 649 (left) just past Criglersville (follows Quaker Run)      - follow Rt. 649 past where pavement ends, up and over        Chapman Mountain, down to the Rapidan about 1.5 mi.        above where Staunton Run joins the Rapidan    First, the Robinson River, being wide and channelized already, didn’t seem to sustain any flood damage worth mentioning.    Rt. 649, along Quaker Run, obviously sustained a lot of damage; entire sections of previously paved road were recently replaced with gravel…homes along Quaker Run suffered damage to property but most had already recovered (re-grading, re-seeding, etc.)  No problem getting up Rt. 649, however.    The unpaved section of Rt. 649 that runs up and over the mountain is now in _better_ shape than before the flood, thanks to a recent re-grading.  From the point (at the top of Chapman Mountain) where 649 enters Shenandoah National Park, the road is not only re-graded but evenly covered with gravel.  Driving over it was a breeze (no more washboard corrugations).    At the intersection of the road that parallels the Rapidan (Rt. 662) and Rt. 649 (where the big pool and parking area is), Rt. 662 (that follows the river) has been closed to vehicular traffic my a massive pile of dirt that a HUM-V couldn’t even get over.    Happily, the Rapidan River upstream of the confluence with Staunton Run (I didn’t look below that point) shows virtually NO signs of flood-related damage.  The river bed (consisting of bedrock and car-sized boulders) is totally intact, and pretty much looks the same as it always has.    The only signs of a flood are occasional cobble/gravel bars at the tail end of pools where previously they were smaller or non-existent; also I spotted a few places where a huge torrent had obviously raged down the mountainside into the Rapidan, evident by the gravel washes and clutter of dead trees piled up next to the river.    The Rapidan inside Shenandoah National Park is now open for fishing. "Closed to Fishing" signs have been removed.  I saw two people flyfishing, both of whom confirmed that yes, there are still plenty of brookies left in the Rapidan.  Each had caught a few in the 6-8" range and reported seeing others, some larger.    Small pools were full of minnows (I couldn’t identify them) and insects were abundant.  So it looks like the Brook Trout just hunkered down during the flood, just as they have done for millenia.  Their numbers may be less than before the flood, but they’re still there, and I plan to get back there for some fishing soon!    — Scott Wilkinson        Washington, DC

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GREAT news about the Rapidan! #                         |  "But someday, man, someday…when you are     # #                         |   outta here, and you’ve forgotten about this  # #                         |   place, and they’ve forgotten about you, and  # #     Paul Graham         |   you’re wrapped up in your own pathetic life  # #                         |   I’m going to kick the livin’ shit outta you  # #                         |   man…I’m going to knock your dick in the    # #                         |   dirt!" – From "The Breakfast Club"           #

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A friend of mine heard on NPR that an undergraduate physics student at Reed College has won a national physics prize for best undergraduate paper, and that his subject concerned the physics of flycasting.   Does anyone know who the student is, an email address, or how to get a copy of the paper?  I would be quite interested in seeing it and hearing from the student.         — Jim Comly Dr. James B. Comly (Jim); Physicist, Artificial Intelligence GE Corporate R&D, 1 River Road, Schenectady, NY 12301

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A friend of mine heard on NPR that an undergraduate physics student at Reed College has won a national physics prize for best undergraduate paper, and that his subject concerned the physics of flycasting.   Does anyone know who the student is, an email address, or how to get a copy of the paper?  I would be quite interested in seeing it and hearing from the student.    – Jim Comly Dr. James B. Comly (Jim); Physicist, Artificial Intelligence GE Corporate R&D, 1 River Road, Schenectady, NY 12301

A week or so ago I posted to the flyfishing group details of an article in the American J. Physics on the subject of the physics of flycasting.  I think the author was R.J. Adams but I did not keep the details of the reference.  If anyone reads both groups they may be able to give the details I posted. Gordon MacPherson Dunn School of Pathology Oxford University

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For those of you who are interested, there are two articles on the subject of flycasting in the American Journal of Physics. The references are:   The mechanics of flycasting: The flyline   Graig A. Spolek   Am. J. Phys. vol. 54, September 1986, pp 832-836   The physics of fly casting   John M. Robson   Am. J. Phys. vol. 58, March 1990, pp 234-240 Hope you enjoy them ! Eric Allen

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