Question:

Been doing some smallmouth fishing myself.  Its not well known out here; I had a number of trout fisherman try my drift without catching any trout at all.  Imagine that!   They gave up and left and I continued to catch an occasional 2lb smallie.  I have only recently discovered this fishery myself and it makes for  a really nice change of pace.  In fact I am going to leave the stone fly hatch on the South Fork to the YUFFIES and go looking for more smallie water.  I really like those fish… John.

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 The little 10 inch smallie inhaled Dale’s bug but Dianna was able to release with a twist of the wrist without lifting the fish from the water.  It was interesting to note that this section of river has excellent big Bluegill but all the strikes she had came from smallmouth!

I am sorry that the bluegill did not cooperate. I have a hard time testing the flies on smallmouth because there are so few around here. I am sure she had a smile on her face. Thanks for the trip report…I felt like I was there. Big Dale

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 At last, this past weekend saw the Rappahannock water levels fall enough to allow for safer wading.  My wife and I set out early (5:15 am) Sunday morning to be on the river before 6.  I had to make BIG promises about the rest of the day to get her up that time of the morning (4:30).  She actually beat me out the door and we arrived at the river as the sun was coming up over the river.  A long legged wading bird stood sentry on the water, his reflection mirrored in a quiet pool.  Two pair of Mallards moved noisily away from the bank as we walked down the trail.  Dianna carried the Connor rod to gain the advantage of the extra 2 ft. of rod length on this river and the extra weight of the line for larger smallmouth bugs.  I started with a Murray’s Leadeyed Hellgrammite behind an AirFlo super-fast sinking leader and 3 ft. of 1X tippet.  Dianna rigged the Connor up with a floating leader and a BIG DALE FOAM SPIDER.  Being nearly a foot shorter, Dianna fished closer to the bank and I took the middle of the river.  We worked downstream together.  She had the first three strikes and first fish.  Smallmouth bass were eager that morning.  The little 10 inch smallie inhaled Dale’s bug but Dianna was able to release with a twist of the wrist without lifting the fish from the water.  It was interesting to note that this section of river has excellent big Bluegill but all the strikes she had came from smallmouth!  In the meantime, I worked the deeper sloughs fishing the Hellgrammite across and down stripping back in slow twitches.  WHAM!!  A 14" fish!  WHAM!! his grandfather!   WHAM!! the fist fish’s sister/girlfriend (West Virginia?).  The morning was going beautifully.  Dianna paused after a few fish to sit on a large rock and just watch the river.  She spotted a muskrat swimming across and soon a Bald Eagle made his appearance. All fishing action stopped to watch that bird wing gracefully upriver. We fished a while longer then headed out to IHOP for a big breakfast of eggs and Harvest Grain and Nut pancakes.  The hubbub of civilization was just 5 minutes away from our wilderness jaunt on the river. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

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At last, this past weekend saw the Rappahannock water levels fall enough to allow for safer wading.

        (neat report snipped) thanks for reviving some great memories of that gorgeous river! wayno

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thanks for reviving some great memories of that gorgeous river! wayno

We were fishing just about 200 yards downstream of where we were wading when Anthony caught his first smallie.  Warmer weather but that pink glow in the sky from sunrise and water temperature about 75.  Nice caddis hatch coming off. — Wayne To fish is human….To release Divine! Before you buy.

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Question:

Anybody here have experiance with the (made in Argentina) White River flyreels sold by Bass Proshops?  I’m interested in the largest model with disc drag and 300 yard backing capacity for some saltwater flyfishing on a budget.  They retail for $59.99.  Thanks for the input. Spy in Hawaii

Response:

Anybody here have experiance with the (made in Argentina) White River flyreels sold by Bass Proshops?  I’m interested in the largest model with disc drag and 300 yard backing capacity for some saltwater flyfishing on a budget.  They retail for $59.99.  Thanks for the input. Spy in Hawaii

Spy, I hope for your sake that you never hook a "big" fish on any $59.99 "Saltwater reel". I suspect it will melt on your rod like m&m’s in your mouth. However, I admit I’m not familiar with the brand, so I could be completely wrong….been there a few times. I’d shop around. You always get what you pay for. Walt —          The Blue Ridge Book Gallery      P.O. Box 5112  Banner Elk, NC 28604 http://www.abebooks.com/home/BLUEBOOKS/HOME.HTM

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Question:

I’ve got the reports coming in from the MassWildlife.  They are generally posted on Fridays, but let’s just say when I get them, you get them.  http://www.fishine.com — Mark Cahill Mark Cahill’s Fishing New England – Daily Fishing News http://www.fishingne.com The Internet Journal of Saltwater Fly Fishing – Editorial Director http://www.reel-time.com/

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Uh, that url is actually http://www.fishingne.com Sorry! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve got the reports coming in from the MassWildlife.  They are generally posted on Fridays, but let’s just say when I get them, you get them.  http://www.fishine.com — Mark Cahill Mark Cahill’s Fishing New England – Daily Fishing News http://www.fishingne.com The Internet Journal of Saltwater Fly Fishing – Editorial Director http://www.reel-time.com/

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Question:

I called Scott at 7:15 yesterday morning and got his answering machine. The

cut out the other stuff so it wouldn’t piss me off any more The sun was a fiery ball touching the mountains as I was driving home. As often as I fish, today was so incredibly perfect that will remain with me for the rest of my life. bruce

As Dr. Hook once said "Beautiful". Wish I was there big Al

Response:

I called Scott at 7:15 yesterday morning and got his answering machine. The weather forcast said 47 degrees and partly cloudy. Damn, I wanted to go fishing! I Gave Scott twenty minutes and called again. This time he picked up on the second ring. "I knew it was you, he said". " I was just watching the weather channel so I knew you’d be calling."  We agreed to meet at his place in an hour. Rushing around the house, I threw a quick lunch together, grabbed my gear,and kissed my wife as I headed out the door. I noticed that the trees were starting to bud out along the river, hinting of spring just a week away as I zoomed down the interstate to meet Scott at our appointed time. We decided to float from Holter dam to Craig, hoping that the trout would be rising to midges in some of our favorite spots. If not we would fish streamers until we found rising fish. After running our shuttle we were finally on the water! Since we took Scott’s boat, I offered to row first, which he readily accepted. Floating quietly down the river I was intoxicated by the fresh smell of the Missouri as the geese honked indignantly at our passing. Everywhere were signs of spring. The greening of the willows, The myriads of ducks and geese already pairing up for nesting and the eagles screaming from the cliffs overhead. We found a pod of nice trout rising to midge emergers on a seam next to a gravel bar behind an island. Scott was using a Griffiths gnat with a wd40 emerger as a dropper. I elected to start off with a size twenty sparkle midge pattern without a dropper. Scott was fast into a 15 inch rainbow. After his third fish, I dropped my purist ways and tied on a red brassie as a dropper and in three casts was onto a fish of my own. We were able to coax a couple more fish to the fly before deciding to move on. Things slowed down for a while so we switched to streamers.  we caught a couple more  fish on brown woolybuggers but the dry fly action had stopped for the time being. The day slipped by all to quickly as we drifted down this magnificent river. We reflected on fishing trips in the past and planned trips for the future. I reminded Scott of the Skwala hatch on the Dearborn next month and the Salmon fly hatch on a small stream we keep quiet about.  All to soon we were within sight of Craig and the end of our day. " Let’s go check out that back channel above the rocks." I suggested.  Scott manuvered the boat quietly into the backwater. Two really nice fish were sipping midges just at the limits of my casting ability. The water was perfectly calm reflecting the sky and mountains in a tapestry of springtime colors. On my fifth cast the fly landed perfectly. Without hesitation,the trout poked his head out of the water and delicately plucked my "gnat" from the surface. "That’s enough for me" I told Scott as I released the chrome colored beauty. "You fish the rest of the way out." As we floated the last half mile Scott hooked and released seven trout including a beautiful nineteen inch brown. All on a woolybugger that had a blown hackle trailing behind it. "Hey if it works why change!" He laughed. The sun was a fiery ball touching the mountains as I was driving home. As often as I fish, today was so incredibly perfect that will remain with me for the rest of my life. bruce

Response:

Question:

Anyone ever try the Gun Powder River in Maryland ?  Curious to know what it is like and how crowded it gets.  Any info would help. thanks

Response:

Ask Phil Gay from Trout and About he guides it and is a very nice guy that is always happy to help folks out.Good luck.  703/525/7127 Regards, James Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Vermont Fly Fishing, Hunting, River and Woodland Outings

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any recommendations or advice on flyfishing in/around the Yellowstone area in June? Thanx. Gregg.  Gregg  From what I hear, find some not still frozen lakes. Water will be everywhere, not that one cannot fish  during the run- off, it is just limiting. Harry June is usually a good month for dry flies on the Firehole inside the Park. Snow pack is at 200% in most of the Yellowstone area. Most rivers and tributaries will be high until Aug. Stick to the lakes. Guy

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June is usually a good month for dry flies on the Firehole inside the Park.

There is no Firehole outside the Park. <g  -AR

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Any recommendations or advice on flyfishing in/around the Yellowstone area in June? Thanx. Gregg.

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Expect Snow! Any recommendations or advice on flyfishing in/around the Yellowstone area in June?

– Brian D. Nelson, Missoula, Montana Montana Flyfishing and Hunting Outfitter http://www.montana.com/dno/dno.htm http://www.montana.com/dno/hunt.htm

Response:

Any recommendations or advice on flyfishing in/around the Yellowstone area in June? Thanx. Gregg.

 Gregg  From what I hear, find some not still frozen lakes. Water will be everywhere, not that one cannot fish  during the run- off, it is just limiting. Harry

Response:

My wife and I fished Yellowstone the last week of June 2 years ago when they had an unusually high run-off.  The only river fishable was the Firehole.

I can give you updates from time to time, but the snowpack here in the wyoming mountains is very high this year- I will not be a pretty spring. I plan on starting my fishing in August (no, I’m not joking)

Response:

My wife and I fished Yellowstone the last week of June 2 years ago when they had an unusually high run-off.  The only river fishable was the Firehole.  We had pretty good luck about 3 miles below Old Faithful Inn – can’t remember the names of the river sections.  Every other river we tried was so full of water you couldn’t reasonably fish them. I suggest you wait until after 15 July. J. Bjostad John Bjostad Columbia Heights, MN Retired avionics engineer – full time fly fishing addict

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any recommendations or advice on flyfishing in/around the Yellowstone area in June? Thanx. Gregg.  Gregg  From what I hear, find some not still frozen lakes. Water will be everywhere, not that one cannot fish  during the run- off, it is just limiting. Harry

June is usually a good month for dry flies on the Firehole inside the Park.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any recommendations or advice on flyfishing in/around the Yellowstone area in June? Thanx. Gregg.  Gregg  From what I hear, find some not still frozen lakes. Water will be everywhere, not that one cannot fish  during the run- off, it is just limiting. Harry June is usually a good month for dry flies on the Firehole inside the Park.

 Hi Steve   You are right, PMD’s are in full swing, as well as the Winnabago emergence and the evening Mini Van fall. Makes for some real fun back casting, at Fountain Flats one can hook a  tuna sandwich and a Brown on the same cast     HM

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Question:

As a promotional offering we are giving away blueblock sunglasses FREE! These glasses have the same type of lenses as the BLUEBLOCKERS(r) sold on TV for over $19.00 plus $5.00 shipping and handling. These glasses are GREAT for sports activities! You’ll find us at: http://www.flanet.com/~coolshad How can we do this? We are basically trying to attract attention to our new web site, and we are convinced you will like our more upscale glasses enough to make the "loss leader" worthwile for us. Give it a try!

Response:

As a promotional offering we are giving away blueblock sunglasses FREE! These glasses have the same type of lenses as the BLUEBLOCKERS(r) sold on TV for over $19.00 plus $5.00 shipping and handling. These glasses are GREAT for sports activities! You’ll find us at: http://www.flanet.com/~coolshad

You Orvis people will stop at nothing…

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Has anybody ordered these? Let’s hear a report.

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writes: You Orvis people will stop at nothing…

That’s a bad wrap!  Orvis has nothing to do with it.                                         Dan Dan Gracia                                                               Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools If you kill that big fish you can’t catch ‘em again.  So what if they eat other fish?  If you kill the big ones there will only be little ones left (funny how that works!).

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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I started quite a discussion with my "8 or 9 wt  rod" question and I want to thank all for your experience and wisdom. With all the input, I have decided on an 8 wt rod, which should be very versatile here in CA. I now have a question about line. I have now been told by 2 shops that a shooting head is the only way to go for CA steelhead. Its a bit intimidating in that I see all the casters at the pond untangling huge masses of  monofilament line. (Its hard enough to double haul right now without added complications!) I know that there are lines such as Teeny’s T’s, Cortland’s 24′ sink tip equivalent, and a Cortland line which is attached to braided mono. Shooting heads apparently offer the greatest flexibility in that different heads can be selected: floating and heads with various sink rates. It also offers a confusing number of options. Should I attach the shooting head to a floating running line, which is then attached to the mono backing, or do I attach the shooting head directly to the mono, as I see so many guys at the pond doing? If I do attach  the head to an intermediary section of floating running line, what diameter?, floating or sinking? Should I stick with a shooting head system and if so, what brands can I investigate? (I know Orvis provides a kit like system.) In a catalogue I have also seen 100

Question:

I promised to take my mother flyfishing for a day. Since she has a touch of arthritis, and can’t storm around a rocky streambed too well, I’m looking for a half day float trip somewhere within striking distance of Washington, D.C. Preferably trout,  smallmouth bass okay too. Heard there was a place on the Jackson River in VA. A bed and breakfast with drift boats launched from the front lawn. Anybody know of it? please send a copy of your reply to me at

Response:

I’ve driven past a Bed and Breakfast that has property right on the Upper Jackson and their pamplet said "fishing available". Its off of 39, west of Warm Springs..If you’re interested, I’ll post the name and phone number of the place the next time I’m over at our guide shop….Ron Bennett Flyfishing Virginia L.L.C.  804 467-6668 "Guide service for trout and smallmouth"

Response:

great float trips on Pine Creek in Northcentral PA,…excellent gourmet restuarant and lodge at Cedar Run–Cedar Run Inn

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Unless they have been getting some rain, might be alot of dragging over rocks in Pine Creek by now.  It is a pretty float. Cedar Run Inn is pretty busy in weekends, may be hard to get reservation.                                       regards leo

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Question:

I have been fly fishing for about 14 years now and unfortunately live in southern California.  When I can’t get to the Eastern Sierra, Idaho or Montana I’m forced to try our sometimes barrren offerings here.   My question is this …… without revealing too much, does anyone out there have any experience on waters other than the W.F San Gabriel, Deep Creek, Bear Creek, E.F San Gabriel etc….. If so please reply to: Thanks

Response:

I have been fly fishing for about 14 years now and unfortunately live in southern California.  When I can’t get to the Eastern Sierra, Idaho or Montana I’m forced to try our sometimes barrren offerings here.   My question is this …… without revealing too much, does anyone out there have any experience on waters other than the W.F San Gabriel, Deep Creek, Bear Creek, E.F San Gabriel etc….. If so please reply to: Thanks

How about Sespe Creek? For details email me at: Darryl

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writes: To: Motorcty Have fished in King Harbor for Bonita and Mackeral. Very exciting, hard fighting fish. Rent skiff from Rocky Harbor Marina/Redondo Beach. They sell flies etc. Costs about $20.00 per half day. You need a 7/8/9 rod with sinking line like Teeny 200. Guys at Marriotts Fly Shop in L.A. know all about this.Good Luck. AK100.aol.com

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