Question:

I’ll be in Sydney the end of Feb and should be able to manage at least one free day for fishing. I’ll be staying by Sydney Harbour near the Convention center. Any suggestions on where to go and what equipment to bring? Thanks. — Charlie…

Response:

You might try this link, should give you all the info required. One of the members ( John Knight? ) used to subscribe here, perhaps he is still around? http://www.sydneyflyrodders.com.au/index.html TL MC — "Where fishing is concerned, most anglers are basically manic excessives" http://www.mikeconnor.de – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ll be in Sydney the end of Feb and should be able to manage at least one free day for fishing. I’ll be staying by Sydney Harbour near the Convention center. Any suggestions on where to go and what equipment to bring? Thanks. — Charlie…

Response:

You might try this link, should give you all the info required. One of the members ( John Knight? ) used to subscribe here, perhaps he is still around? http://www.sydneyflyrodders.com.au/index.html

Thanks, I did look there first. Not knowing the area, some of the places could be 30 minutes or 30 days away from where I will be<g. I do recall John but haven’t seen him post in a while. — Charlie…

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Question:

Hello Richard: Drop by TroutWorld at http://www.troutworld.com I cover fishing in every state, events, stocking, and a lot more.  I’m also a member of the Luna Network. Thanks, Jeffrey Gray TroutWorld.com, Inc. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you want to promote your website, please reply to this leaving your url and e-mail address and a brief description of the site (1 sentence). I am creating a new feature to my site which contains useful links. Thanks Chris www.geocities.com/ccflies

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off my trolley by writing: Every knot you need to know,, about tying any rig, using the same knot,, yep it’s a top notch knot, takes a cheap tool to tie though

Knots?? You can get knotted here too hhtp://www.f-deans.freeserve.co.uk/knots/knots.htm Dixie

Response:

| /  http://www.totalfishing.com.au   | /  "Catching fish is our game"    _/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – http://totalfishingadventures.com  Thanks If you want to promote your website, please reply to this leaving your url and e-mail address and a brief description of the site (1 sentence). I am creating a new feature to my site which contains useful links. Thanks Chris www.geocities.com/ccflies

Response:

If you want to promote your website, please reply to this leaving your url and e-mail address and a brief description of the site (1 sentence). I am creating a new feature to my site which contains useful links. Thanks Chris www.geocities.com/ccflies

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http://totalfishingadventures.com  Thanks

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you want to promote your website, please reply to this leaving your url and e-mail address and a brief description of the site (1 sentence). I am creating a new feature to my site which contains useful links. Thanks Chris www.geocities.com/ccflies

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http://www.snapper.karoo.net/index.htm This site is purely amateur,  but I hope it would be of some use. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you want to promote your website, please reply to this leaving your url and e-mail address and a brief description of the site (1 sentence). I am creating a new feature to my site which contains useful links. Thanks Chris www.geocities.com/ccflies

Response:

http://www.wetfly.co.uk Mainly North Country Spider and traditional materials  Thanks  Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you want to promote your website, please reply to this leaving your url and e-mail address and a brief description of the site (1 sentence). I am creating a new feature to my site which contains useful links. Thanks Chris www.geocities.com/ccflies

Response:

Nice site – not really into wets myself but if I were… I particularly like the dying instructions – more people should get into this. Since I’m into Wulffs, muddlers and elk hair caddis variants, I’ve dyed a lot of deer hair over the years. One thing though – I couldn’t link to the good genetic hackle page – is there a www missing perhaps? R.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – http://www.wetfly.co.uk

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Why do you not pool all your information and set up a fly fishing portal together? Besides centralising good tips and advice, you could offer forums and polls, organise events, sell a variety of gear either through yourselves or commission from a vendor, …… Plus, by grouping your efforts into a single site, you’d be more attractive to advertisers and could split any revenue. Ta.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – http://totalfishingadventures.com  Thanks If you want to promote your website, please reply to this leaving your url and e-mail address and a brief description of the site (1 sentence). I am creating a new feature to my site which contains useful links. Thanks Chris www.geocities.com/ccflies

Response:

My Scottish club site has a quiz, beginners guid,fun pages, Hint’s & Tip’s,UK venue information and much much more. www.gibbboyd.freeserve.co.uk   Thanks Colin

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – http://totalfishingadventures.com  Thanks If you want to promote your website, please reply to this leaving your url and e-mail address and a brief description of the site (1 sentence). I am creating a new feature to my site which contains useful links. Thanks Chris www.geocities.com/ccflies

Response:

If you want to promote your website, please reply to this leaving your url and e-mail address and a brief description of the site (1 sentence). I am creating a new feature to my site which contains useful links. Thanks Chris www.geocities.com/ccflies

http://ezknot.com/ Every knot you need to know,, about tying any rig, using the same knot,, yep it’s a top notch knot, takes a cheap tool to tie though — Rodney Long, Inventor of the  "EZ Knot," What should be in every tackle box. http://ezknot.com/

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Question:

You may want to try some attractant, it may or may not actually attract them but the confidence boost can do wonders.  Try some beef liver cut into strips, it stays on the hook better.  If you own a pair of binoculars use them.  Most of all have fun and don’t give up! I promise fish will come, I saw (on TV) a trout hit a trolled plastic Batman action figure and your using better bait then that. Chris www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/4724/

Last summer my kids used gummy worms at my father-in-law’s farm pond, and caught a couple of catfish and a largemouth.  It was a very hot day though, and before long, the rest of the worms had melted into one big glob  :-(

Response:

.ONE LAST THING …SCENT OF YOUR HANDS HEAVY SMOKING,GREASE ,OIL WILL DETER A FISH FROM BITING,ANY LURE MOST OF THE TIME .. Just to add to the last angler’s comments…….Never wash your hands with soap…..If you have to, use some Berkeley Erase and put on your hands. Good fishin’ Garry

You may want to try some attractant, it may or may not actually attract them but the confidence boost can do wonders.  Try some beef liver cut into strips, it stays on the hook better.  If you own a pair of binoculars use them.  Most of all have fun and don’t give up! I promise fish will come, I saw (on TV) a trout hit a trolled plastic Batman action figure and your using better bait then that. Chris www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/4724/

Response:

Try livebait, if you don’t catch something soon, change body of water; experiment!… Take your time and observe what’s going on around you  [and definitely, READ].

Response:

Some basic rules :  Use purple or Grape colored 6in. plastic Throw in rock piles & heavy brush near shoreline off the main channel move plastics about 6_12 in. at a time in slow or fast jerks. Always pause for a moment between jerks. thats when you watch the line for twitches . At this point set the hook as hard as you can.                  try this.

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 T I M E…YOU JUST HAVE TO PUT YOUR TIME IN…..AND AS FAR AS YOUR NEIGHBORS GO…TELL THEM YOUR A CATCH AND RELEASE TYPE OF GUY…CONSERVATION…..YOU WANT YOUR CHILDRENS CHILDREN TO CATCH FISH ON CATCHING SOME FISH ,START FISHING AROUND OTHER PEOPLE,WATCH WHAT THEY DO!!!!!!! HOW THEY CAST,BAIT ,RIG THEIR POLES….TALK TO OTHER PEOPLE LURE,SLOW,FAST,BROKEN RETREIVE) DONT BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS…GO TO A COUNTY LIBRARY…READ….ORRENT A MOVIE…THEY SHOULD HAVE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO’S ON ALL TYPES OF FISHING….ONE LAST THING …SCENT OF YOUR HANDS HEAVY SMOKING,GREASE ,OIL WILL DETER A FISH FROM BITING,ANY LURE MOST OF THE TIME …I HOPE THAT WILL BRIGHTEN YOUR

Response:

Suggest you try Lafayette Reservoir during the winter months for trout.  Use four pound test, with a small slip sinker, that ends at a snap swivel; a leader of 18" to 24" with a snap swivel on one side and a size 14 or 16 gold treble hook on the other; baited with rainbow, flourescent orange, yellow or green power bait.  Take a row boat to the East Cove in the morning before the sun hits the water.  Cast and let it settle to the bottom – wait.  This is a great way to catch stockers up to 5 lbs.   It is what I usually do when the Sierra is in a cold freeze until the rivers are open for flyfishing.  Wear WARM CLOTHES.  Tight lines. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i love to fish. the problem is, i don’t know how. i usally fish the stocked lakes here in the san francisco-east bay because it’s the only type of fishing that my work schedule will allow me to do.i fish for bass, trout,and catfish.i use a bigger seperate pole for the cats, using chicken livers, while throwing spinners and plastic worms for bass , and power bait for trout, but i never catch any fish. maybe i need rigging skills, i don’t know, but my nieghbors always see me leave with poles and come home with no fish, but it’s even more embarassing when i take some of the son’s of my wifes friends, (or even worse) my own 5 year old daughter who only likes to go when we catch fish.                                                              please help                                                                   cakeman300

  vcard.vcf

< 1K Download

Response:

i love to fish. the problem is, i don’t know how. i usally fish the stocked lakes here in the san francisco-east bay because it’s the only type of fishing that my work schedule will allow me to do.i fish for bass, trout,and catfish.i use a bigger seperate pole for the cats, using chicken livers, while throwing spinners and plastic worms for bass , and power bait for trout, but i never catch any fish. maybe i need rigging skills, i don’t know, but my nieghbors always see me leave with poles and come home with no fish, but it’s even more embarassing when i take some of the son’s of my wifes friends, (or even worse) my own 5 year old daughter who only likes to go when we catch fish.                                                              please help                                                                   cakeman300

Response:

.ONE LAST THING …SCENT OF YOUR HANDS HEAVY SMOKING,GREASE ,OIL WILL DETER A FISH FROM BITING,ANY LURE MOST OF THE TIME ..

Just to add to the last angler’s comments…….Never wash your hands with soap…..If you have to, use some Berkeley Erase and put on your hands.  Good fishin’ Garry

Response:

I’d say Chris covered the best basics, and I’d like to add this cause it happened to me when I started fishing years ago. Do not,I repeat, do not sit around all day Saturdays watching Dance, Houston, Winkleman, Orlando, Lindner,etc , because you’ll wind up tossing 2oz.spinnerbaits, porko fanbelts, carolina rigs, pop-r’s and  rattletraps  tied to 50 lb spiderwire  on some big ass 7 foot pole. Your on a "shit" streak,so rig light line no bigger than 6lbs. for a while. Remember that plastic worms are still on record as catching more bass in more situations than any other lure including live worms. When you are absolutely sure you are fishing too slow, …. SLOW DOWN some more!  "Do sumpin" lures often do something all right .. they keep you casting and retrieving so much,a fish would need a rocketpac just to catch the ‘ damn things! hope this helps ..Saint                                            *Z*  ~ The Saint                                                        

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Question:

Can any one recommend the right size fly pole for Bass and small Stripers?                                                 Thanks!

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I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO USE A 6 OR 7 WEIGHT FLY ROD .THAT IS WHAT I AM GOING TO DO THIS SUMMER 97.I CAN HARDLY WAIT. TIE YOUR OWN FLIES AND YOU WILL BE SURPRISED.

Response:

try using a 9ft boron rod…use 7wgt fwd line and use either a popping bus or a deer hair bug tied by one of the catalog co. ll bean dan baily orvis…etc

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Question:

: I came across something at the Americas for Medical Progress web site you                        <clip<clip<clip : has since been taken over by animal "rights" types. : For more info, see http://www.ampef.org/hsus.htm : "The HSUS bankrolled ballot initiatives in six states in the fall of : 1996, ostensibly aimed at hunters in Oregon, California, Washington : state, Michigan, Idaho and Massachusetts. The real goal behind each : campaign is to remove wildlife and habitat policies from the professional : stewardship of state wildlife managers. : Americans for Medical Progress, the key national research advocacy group : that monitors the animal rights agenda, predicted the HSUS ballot          <clip<clip<clip : and laboratory animal issues and other issues that are appropriate" in the : future."… There was an initiative here in Michigan this last election dealing with the taking of bear over bait or with hounds.  The initiative would have banned both practices. When I found out what was  behind this initiative, it became clear to me it was nothing more than an anti-hunting measure.  The person behind getting it on the ballot claimed it would help bear hunting because it would license more hunters to get the same harvest.  Well, it would also have banned bear hunting during anytime in which baiting for any other specie was allowed. Since we have a deer season that runs from October first to the end of of December, there wouldn’t really be any time to have a bear season. There were a couple of other issues that indicated to me that this whole thing was vacant of anything substantive and was just an anti-hunting measure. Fortunately, it was defeated *SOUNDLY* and another measure passed that gives wildlife management to the professionals. PETA and apparently HSUS supported the initiative. Kind regards, Steve Kernosky Michigan Tech University

Response:

My decision not to hunt is based solely on the fact that it doesn’t really appeal to me.  I don’t view hunting as any worse or better than fishing which I love.  I voted in favor of this initiative just as I would vote to prohibit snagging of fish if it weren’t already illegal.

In my view of the universe, the achilles heel of this legislation is in the fact that it takes "wildlife management" out of the hands of the professionals (ie. Departments of Fish and Game/Wildlife [admittedly an arguable statement, but certainly not improved upon by asking Joe/ Jane-weaned-on-Disney-Classics to take up this responsibility]).  Why do we believe that Fish and Game managers allow detrimental (some would claim "cruel’) practices to continue despite convincing evidence "that even a layman can understand"?  Could it be that the issue is more complex than we appreciate?  Let the wildlife management community do their job.  We should be able to make input into the decision making process.  But, let’s not take the decision making out of the hands of the trained professionals until they give us cause. Clearly, with 27 ballot initiatives on the Oregon ballet this year, the initiative process is being abused.  I always ask myself– "Is this a matter that requires a change to the state constitution, with all the attendant costs, to address the issue?"   The answer is usually, "No". I guess it goes back to the thread about big government vs. individual responsibility.  But, in reverse!  Now were talking about big government (ie. the voting owners of the government) trying to dictate how the little wildlife management community (probably a government agency working with state schools) carries out its responsibilities. Life is weird when you’re left-handed! Charley

Response:

First of all, I actually read the initiative.  Unfortunately I don’t have a copy here in front of me, so this is from memory.  One of the local papers had an editorial slamming the initiative because it didn’t "Outlaw" the practices, just made them illegal for common folk. The text of the initiative stated (not a quote, but the gist) that Wildlife agents or their assigns could use bait or hounds to hunt down and kill problem bears.  Read "bears that are annoying people".  Sort of gives the lie to the idea that the practices are just tooooo barbaric and unfair. It stated that bait could be used to attract bears for "research purposes," whatever that means.  (But I thought that we didn’t want the bears to get used to people feeding them…) Anyone who has ever hunted bear in Western Washington brush knows that the traditional method of controlling bear numbers (sport hunting) just went out the window.  Incidental kills simply will not keep pace with population growth.  Ain’t no way you’re going to be able to target an area and reduce the bear population without resorting to bait and/or hounds. Well, maybe poisoned poodles……no wait, that’s bait…… Of course we could mount a multimillion dollar campaign to supply the bruins with condoms. Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – OK.  I’ve no clue why, but I’ll take the bait.  The initiative made it illegal to take bears using bait and/or hounds. Would you care to tell us where in the hell "Govt. agents", "researchers", and "AR Activists" are using bait and/or hounds to kill bears?  Further, if you can actually cite a real and documented example, then tell us when and why it happened. -tgades

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For what it is worth.  THe initiative in WA (which passed handily) was primarily to outlaw the practice of bear baiting – a practice already illegal in all but a couple of the states with viable bear populations.  

In Colorado, we can no longer hunt spring bears, unless they’re gay. TimW (Stolen from a cartoon which lampooned the Amendment 2 passing the popular vote)

Response:

     < snip "The HSUS bankrolled ballot initiatives in six states in the fall of 1996, ostensibly aimed at hunters in Oregon, California, Washington state, Michigan, Idaho and Massachusetts.

Hi Jim, The Washington State initiative is the only one I know about.  It only prohibits bear baiting and hound hunting for cougars.  I don’t hunt but "some of my best friends . . .".  Many hunters supported the initiative but the anti crowd used wild and false statements (along the lines of "they wanna take away your right to hunt, they wanna take away your way of life") in their attempt to defeat the initiative.  Fortunately, the public saw through their BS and passed it. My decision not to hunt is based solely on the fact that it doesn’t really appeal to me.  I don’t view hunting as any worse or better than fishing which I love.  I voted in favor of this initiative just as I would vote to prohibit snagging of fish if it weren’t already illegal. August Kristoferson Watercolor Fish Art http://www.eskimo.com/~augustk

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   Newsgroups: alt.fishing,rec.outdoors.fishing,rec.outdoors.fishing.fly    Organization: AM Construction   In fact, the initiative did not outlaw baiting or hound hunting for   bear.  It just made it illegal for sport hunters to use these   techniques.  It’s perfectly OK for govt. employees and "researchers" and   presumably AR activists to use bait to attract bears.     Govt. agents are still allowed to use bait and hounds to kill bears.     Seems like it’s only cruel and barbaric to use hounds or bait if you do   it for sport, and it generates revenues.   Steve

OK.  I’ve no clue why, but I’ll take the bait.  The initiative made it illegal to take bears using bait and/or hounds.   Would you care to tell us where in the hell "Govt. agents", "researchers", and "AR Activists" are using bait and/or hounds to kill bears?  Further, if you can actually cite a real and documented example, then tell us when and why it happened. -tgades

Response:

For what it is worth.  THe initiative in WA (which passed handily) was primarily to outlaw the practice of bear baiting – a practice already illegal in all but a couple of the states with viable bear populations. In Colorado, we can no longer hunt spring bears, unless they’re gay. TimW (Stolen from a cartoon which lampooned the Amendment 2 passing the popular vote)

And don’t get caught with a trap. I hear that the next election, they are going after using hooks on fish. Paul

Response:

In fact, the initiative did not outlaw baiting or hound hunting for bear.  It just made it illegal for sport hunters to use these techniques.  It’s perfectly OK for govt. employees and "researchers" and presumably AR activists to use bait to attract bears.   Govt. agents are still allowed to use bait and hounds to kill bears.   Seems like it’s only cruel and barbaric to use hounds or bait if you do it for sport, and it generates revenues. Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   I came across something at the Americas for Medical Progress web site you   might find interesting. BTW, HSUS is an acronym for the Humane Society of   the United States. It used to be an animal welfare organization but it   has since been taken over by animal "rights" types.   For more info, see http://www.ampef.org/hsus.htm   "The HSUS bankrolled ballot initiatives in six states in the fall of   1996, ostensibly aimed at hunters in Oregon, California, Washington   state, Michigan, Idaho and Massachusetts. The real goal behind each   campaign is to remove wildlife and habitat policies from the professional   stewardship of state wildlife managers. For what it is worth.  THe initiative in WA (which passed handily) was primarily to outlaw the practice of bear baiting – a practice already illegal in all but a couple of the states with viable bear populations.  It was hardly a radical animal rights initiative as is implied above.  THe Oregon initiative was an attempt to reverse an earlier decision to outlaw the practice in that state.  It failed. cheers,         -tgades

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For what it is worth.  THe initiative in WA (which passed handily) was primarily to outlaw the practice of bear baiting – a practice already illegal in all but a couple of the states with viable bear populations.  It was hardly a radical animal rights initiative as is implied above.  THe Oregon initiative was an attempt to reverse an earlier decision to outlaw the practice in that state.  It failed. cheers,       -tgades tgades, Where have you been? Any animal rights initiative is RADICAL! It’s a well-known fact among sportsmen that the ARA’s modus operandi is "divide and conquer". They attack minorities (bear-baiters, Salmon snaggers) within the hunting and fishing sports, hoping that other hunters/fishers won’t care because it’s not "their" type of hunting/fishing. Attitudes like yours ensure that the ARA’s tactics work! Todd

The other method they use is to create paranoia through undercover fanatical defenders of the insane under the guise of "I’m just sticking up for the minorities no matter how ludicress it sounds". Scully and Mulder will expose your devious plot.  You don’t fool me! Mike

Response:

For what it is worth.  THe initiative in WA (which passed handily) was primarily to outlaw the practice of bear baiting – a practice already illegal in all but a couple of the states with viable bear populations.  It was hardly a radical animal rights initiative as is implied above.  THe Oregon initiative was an attempt to reverse an earlier decision to outlaw the practice in that state.  It failed. cheers,    -tgades

tgades, Where have you been? Any animal rights initiative is RADICAL! It’s a well-known fact among sportsmen that the ARA’s modus operandi is "divide and conquer". They attack minorities (bear-baiters, Salmon snaggers) within the hunting and fishing sports, hoping that other hunters/fishers won’t care because it’s not "their" type of hunting/fishing. Attitudes like yours ensure that the ARA’s tactics work! Todd

Response:

  I came across something at the Americas for Medical Progress web site you   might find interesting. BTW, HSUS is an acronym for the Humane Society of   the United States. It used to be an animal welfare organization but it   has since been taken over by animal "rights" types.   For more info, see http://www.ampef.org/hsus.htm   "The HSUS bankrolled ballot initiatives in six states in the fall of   1996, ostensibly aimed at hunters in Oregon, California, Washington   state, Michigan, Idaho and Massachusetts. The real goal behind each   campaign is to remove wildlife and habitat policies from the professional   stewardship of state wildlife managers.

For what it is worth.  THe initiative in WA (which passed handily) was primarily to outlaw the practice of bear baiting – a practice already illegal in all but a couple of the states with viable bear populations.  It was hardly a radical animal rights initiative as is implied above.  THe Oregon initiative was an attempt to reverse an earlier decision to outlaw the practice in that state.  It failed. cheers,         -tgades

Response:

For what it is worth.  THe initiative in WA (which passed handily) was primarily to outlaw the practice of bear baiting – a practice already illegal in all but a couple of the states with viable bear populations.  It was hardly a radical animal rights initiative as is implied above.  THe Oregon initiative was an attempt to reverse an earlier decision to outlaw the practice in that state.  It failed. cheers,    -tgades

You might want to re-read the the ballot question carefully. Question 1 in Massachusetts was advertised to outlaw the use of spring traps in the state. At the End of the lengthy ballot question it also read that the laws are to be changed to allow non sportsman(AKA ARA’s) to serve on the board that governs hunting and fishing in this state. Unfortunatly all the TV ads showed thirty year old footage of animals including household pets caught in the traps with no mention of the second part of the question and question 1 passed by a 3-2 margin. Hopefully this can be changed before the ARA’s take over the board and try to ban hunting and fishing in this state.(Don’t think it can’t happen!!)

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Question:

I am looking for a new or secondhand Hardy #4 fly reel to match a Loomis #4 IMX rod. Marquis #4 or #5 , Golden Prince 5/6 or JLH Ultralite #4 or #5. Any info will be of great help. Thanks

Response:

I am looking for a new or secondhand Hardy #4 fly reel to match a Loomis #4 IMX rod. Marquis #4 or #5 , Golden Prince 5/6 or JLH Ultralite #4 or #5. Any info will be of great help. Thanks

Contact Timeless Tackle in Edinburgh Scotland at 44-131-667-1407 or FAX 44-131-662-4215.  They deal in used and antique fishing gear and their list always seems to have a large selection of Hardy equipment. Ken Barry

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Question:

Looking for used Sage rod in good condition. This is for me and is not a commercial venture. I love fly fishing and I want to have a nice rod. Used fishing reel of excellent quality also wanted. . email telephone number and name so I can contact you with questions, Thanks. Russ.

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Question:

Hi, I

Question:

Well, Merry Christmas, Paul! I too, had the good fortune to catch a few Christmas Trout a couple days early.  We had the same balmy weather in Iowa. Let’s hope it returns in January so we can get another cast at our slippery friends. Happy New Year to all! Jim Elias Blue Grass, IA h.y.m.r. Jim Elias Blue Grass IA H.Y.M.R.

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Tell me about Iowa Fly Fishing.  I’m from Omaha, NE.

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  Santa brought me some very hungry cutthroat trout.  The Bighorn is a great fall/winter fishing river, if you don’y mind getting cold.

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Oh my, your story warms my heart.  I spent the few days off practicing 8wt. lines on 6wt. rods (see other article), dropping flies on hard ice. Also working on the side casts.  City boys gotta dream during down time… Good luck on the Spring thaw. Tom  

Response:

Those of us in the Northeast USA were blessed with some outrageously balmy weather (about 45 – 55 degrees where I am) around Christmas.  With two days off before I had to travel, what else was there to do but try to catch a December trout, something which for me is a rare and wondrous thing…no spring creeks or tailwaters in the immediate vicinity.   The water was in good shape thanks to the melting snow.  Ice covered much of the slower portion of the pool I had chosen to fish, but the feeding lane was still open, and I was hoping that I could pick up a fish by bouncing a stonefly nymph along the bottom.  A few minutes of uneventful casting went by, and then what to my wondering eyes should appear but a trout head breaking the water across the stream from me, tight against the spot where a log and the bank made a break in the current.  I never would have expected to see a rising fish in this creek in late December, but careful observation showed that he was definitely on the feed, rising about once every minute or so.  From the rise form I guessed he was eating midges, but I couldn’t see any on the water so I figured a midge pupa pattern fished in the film would do the trick.  I tied a #16 White Wulff to the end of my 6X tippet, then tied a length of 7X to the bend of the hook; to this I attached a #24 pupa pattern I tie with a black thread body, gold wire rib, and peacock herl head.  I rose that fish three times, but was so excited that each time he came up behind my Wulff "strike indicator" I struck way too early…I kept telling myself to wait until I saw the Wulff move but just couldn’t control my hair-trigger nerves. Finally my fish (for by this time I had decided he was mine) stopped rising.  I switched back to my nymph rig, and lo and behold on the first cast near the log my strike indicator paused and I struck back, more out of surprise than anything.  Sure enough, there was my Christmas trout, a 12 inch brookie, and after a careful fight I had him, cold and firm and healthy, lit up like a salmonid Christmas tree.  A short pause to twist the hook free and to admire the contrast between my dark fish and the winter landscape around me, and then I let him go, watching him swim slowly back to his lair beneath the log.  There were other likely looking spots beckoning downstream, but I decided to preserve this happy moment by reeling up, getting out of the water, and strolling back to the car through the quiet, snow covered woods.  Christmas was on its way. Paul DiConza NY Capital District Angler

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Does it have the same warranty as the rods? Just think of it,a 25 year warranty; drive the damn thing into a tree–get a NEW one!!!Get hit by a bus–get a NEW one!! Break your Orvis Rod, closing your Orvis Edition door–get a NEW rod and Jeep!!! I can’t understand where you see this becoming a problem.It’s not like Ralph Lauren is coming out with a POLO line of yuppie flyfishing clothes, with $225.+ mock flyfishing vests made in Shri Lanka(spelled wrong:you know the place where Orvis has their flies tied.); which someone got  80 cents to make with $4.00 worth of material, and are going to sell these at OUR finer stores for mear profit! Personally, I’d like to see ALOT of people buy them. Picture this, 25 Orvis Edition Jeeps in the parking lot.25 paranoid new Orvis Edition owners,fishing as close to the parking lot, as possible; to watch their $25,00 plus investments. Me, I’ll be 100 yards up stream–FISHING BY MYSELF!!!!!

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OK, so maybe I’m a little bit biased because my vest is an Orvis, a gift a couple years back, but if there’s one thing ALMOST as annoying as a bunch of yuppies brand name-dropping on the stream bank, it’s a bunch of anti-yuppies on the opposite bank throwing rocks at them.       People object to the conspicuous consumption, brand name set because this group of people seem to judge personal worth by what company made their clothing, gear, car, etc.  OK, no problems there with me; I hate that stuff, too.  But aren’t we doing the same thing when we start to feel that anyone who purchases anything from Orvis falls into the dreaded Y-word category?  Now WE are the ones who are judging personal worth based on a label.  We have thus become the anti-snob, which is the same thing in my book.   IMHO Orvis sells some worthwhile gear, and some of it is reasonably priced for the quality you get, like the Battenkill disk reels and their super-strong leader material (who really makes that stuff, anyway…anyone know?).  Some of the stuff is overpriced, but a savvy angler can pick and choose…it just means more catalogs to go through during the loooong winter, which to me sounds like a good way to spend my time  ;) Happy Winter Solistice (the days will be getting longer soon, only 3.5 months until opening day…)             Paul DiConza NY Capital District Angler

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