Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Stan, I’m tracing my package via the internet, an option I didn’t have with the batch that got lost, since I sent that one with ordinary mail. Anyway, the package has already left Sweden and is flewn over the Atlantic Ocean this very minute. With a bit of luck it should arrive on Friday. Them flies are getting to be really expensive, I mean, they were tied twice and sent twice. If only I could say that I was a good tier it might have made sense, but since I said I would send flies I felt I had to give it another try.

I, for one, appreciate the "stand-by-your-commitment" attitude you display. — TL, Tim . . .and you aren’t going to make your money back based on the ones *I* tied.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Stan, I’m tracing my package via the internet, an option I didn’t have with the batch that got lost, since I sent that one with ordinary mail. Anyway, the package has already left Sweden and is flewn over the Atlantic Ocean this very minute. With a bit of luck it should arrive on Friday. Them flies are getting to be really expensive, I mean, they were tied twice and sent twice. If only I could say that I was a good tier it might have made sense, but since I said I would send flies I felt I had to give it another try. I, for one, appreciate the "stand-by-your-commitment" attitude you display. — TL, Tim . . .and you aren’t going to make your money back based on the ones *I* tied.

/Roger If I were into fly fishing and related stuff to make money, with my approach I’d be named a bankrupt idiot.   =)

Response:

Nothing to report really, nothing has arrived since Monday.  As far as I can tell, here’s the latest tally: Already received: *Scott Seidman: tungsten-beaded sulfur nymph *Stan Gula: Zug Bug variant *Tim Johnson: PT nymph *Svend Tang-Petersen: poxy back general mayfly *Randy Kane: flash back PT *John Whiteley: Sawyer PT *Stephen Welsh: Peacock and Possum *Wolfgang: Plain vanilla GRHE *Joe Fleischman: GRW *Jim Rahn: ‘The Generic’ *Shawn Armstrong: Gold Bead Head Cress Bug *Hans van der Stroom: Ritz D Waiting for: Rocktrout(aka Bouncer): Mountain Midge Roger Ohlund: caddis pupae, with beadhead Clark Reid: unknown Herman Nijland: suspender polder nymph Paul Goodwin: a surprise Bouncer, what’s your status?  Does anybody have his email address? Roger feels his package is lost (he mailed it 3 weeks ago) and will be sending another set by package courier instead of post. Next Thursday is Thanksgiving and I’m going to be tied up with transportation, shopping and chef duties most of the week so it looks like we will wait until Saturday at least.  I’ll check in then and we can decide what to do about missing flies.  On Saturday we can decide the ultimate cutoff date, but I propose that we need to (at come point) distribute the ones I’ve received, and all participants, whether their delivery is here or not, should get a set.  Any late arriving flies will be donated to 2003 claves or other worthy cause at my discretion.  One set will be saved for Tim Apple, and at least one set will be donated to Dave LaCourse’s friend in Maine. –Stan

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nothing to report really, nothing has arrived since Monday.  As far as I can tell, here’s the latest tally: Already received: *Scott Seidman: tungsten-beaded sulfur nymph *Stan Gula: Zug Bug variant *Tim Johnson: PT nymph *Svend Tang-Petersen: poxy back general mayfly *Randy Kane: flash back PT *John Whiteley: Sawyer PT *Stephen Welsh: Peacock and Possum *Wolfgang: Plain vanilla GRHE *Joe Fleischman: GRW *Jim Rahn: ‘The Generic’ *Shawn Armstrong: Gold Bead Head Cress Bug *Hans van der Stroom: Ritz D Waiting for: Rocktrout(aka Bouncer): Mountain Midge Roger Ohlund: caddis pupae, with beadhead Clark Reid: unknown Herman Nijland: suspender polder nymph Paul Goodwin: a surprise Bouncer, what’s your status?  Does anybody have his email address? Roger feels his package is lost (he mailed it 3 weeks ago) and will be sending another set by package courier instead of post. Next Thursday is Thanksgiving and I’m going to be tied up with transportation, shopping and chef duties most of the week so it looks like we will wait until Saturday at least.  I’ll check in then and we can decide what to do about missing flies.  On Saturday we can decide the ultimate cutoff date, but I propose that we need to (at come point) distribute the ones I’ve received, and all participants, whether their delivery is here or not, should get a set.  Any late arriving flies will be donated to 2003 claves or other worthy cause at my discretion.  One set will be saved for Tim Apple, and at least one set will be donated to Dave LaCourse’s friend in Maine. –Stan

Sounds good to me, Stan, tho I’m in no rush personally.  These nymphs in no way resemble anything I’ll be fishin with in Dec!  Let’s put off the real decision till the Tues or Wed after Thanksgiving, if you don’t mind, to give travellers a chance to get home, and holiday mail lags a chance to catch up. I have no trouble with the everyone whos in gets a set thing, whether flies show or not.  Makes the latecoming flies collectors items, and a challenge to complete your set!  Kind of like baseball cards when I was a kid. — Scott Reverse first field of address to reply

Response:

<snip –Stan (nymphs everywhere)

I thought it was wayno and/or Wolfgang that had this, er, problem. — TL, Tim

Response:

Stan, I’m tracing my package via the internet, an option I didn’t have with the batch that got lost, since I sent that one with ordinary mail. Anyway, the package has already left Sweden and is flewn over the Atlantic Ocean this very minute. With a bit of luck it should arrive on Friday. Them flies are getting to be really expensive, I mean, they were tied twice and sent twice. If only I could say that I was a good tier it might have made sense, but since I said I would send flies I felt I had to give it another try. /Roger Still have my fingers crossed though, one never knows where the mail might fail.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have heard from Herman and Roger that their flies are on the way.

Response:

One more time… Here we are two weeks past the deadline, and still waiting.  Clark’s flies arrived today (and I spilled them all over my kitchen floor) but there are still two non-US entries missing in the mail, and two US entries just plain missing in action.  I have heard from Herman and Roger that their flies are on the way.  Since I’ll be very busy this week and I can’t do the packaging and mailing until Sunday anyway, I’m going to wait until then.  I really want to give Roger and Herman a chance because I think these non-US flies are worth the wait.  Salmonfly and Bouncer, this is your last notice – if you’re in contact me. On Sunday I start packaging. –Stan (nymphs everywhere)

Response:

Nothing to report really, nothing has arrived since Monday.  As far as I can tell, here’s the latest tally:

Well heck; if’n I’d known I had this much time I’d have tied better flies. Joe F.

Response:

Gotta love a fly called "Trout Crack." Pretty soon, you’re on the stuff solid, rarely sleeping, breaking close family ties, sleeping outdoors, and waking up with week-old stubble and a wicked hangover. My stubble is more like 25 years old, but that sure sounds familiar.

Yeah, that was Penns Clave #1 — Scott Reverse first field of address to reply

Response:

Here’s a (bad) picture of the full set so you can get a dim idea what’s coming. http://gula.org/images/flies.jpg Gotta love a fly called "Trout Crack."

It’s not funny. At first you just have a little on a recreational basis. Pretty soon, you’re on the stuff solid, rarely sleeping, breaking close family ties, sleeping outdoors, and waking up with week-old stubble and a wicked hangover. — TL, Tim Of course, you could just be at a ‘clave.

Response:

Gotta love a fly called "Trout Crack." Pretty soon, you’re on the stuff solid, rarely sleeping, breaking close family ties, sleeping outdoors, and waking up with week-old stubble and a wicked hangover.

My stubble is more like 25 years old, but that sure sounds familiar.

Response:

They start going out today.  All the preaddressed containers are going out in an hour.  The others, where I have to write addresses, are going tomorrow. Here’s a (bad) picture of the full set so you can get a dim idea what’s coming. http://gula.org/images/flies.jpg Hope you all are enjoying the holidays!

Good job, swapmeister pro tem — Scott Reverse first field of address to reply

Response:

Here’s a (bad) picture of the full set so you can get a dim idea what’s coming. http://gula.org/images/flies.jpg

Gotta love a fly called "Trout Crack." Frank Reid

Response:

They start going out today.  All the preaddressed containers are going out in an hour.  The others, where I have to write addresses, are going tomorrow. Here’s a (bad) picture of the full set so you can get a dim idea what’s coming. http://gula.org/images/flies.jpg Hope you all are enjoying the holidays!

Response:

Question:

I eventually landed several beautiful, dark colored rainbows and lost several more as I slipped and slid my way along the ice.  I did lose a rather nice rainbow due to ice in the guides, but such is fishing during this time of year.  I was a little rusty from not having fished in almost two months, but it all came back rather quickly.  Funny how sometimes the harder you try, the worse you get and then you just let things happen and it is like you never even had that extended break. Probably the best thing about actually taking that break is that I rediscovered what fly fishing is to me and just how much it means to me.  I even caught some fish which made it all that much sweeter.  The best fish I landed, a 17" rainbow, had me mesmerized after I slipped the hook out of his mouth.  He lay there in the net peacefully, as if to give me ample time to admire his beauty before I released him.

Thanks for the report. Glad to hear you got out.  Winter Rainbows do seem to be somehow more colorful. Willi

Response:

Warren, Have you tried a Leader Link? Ernie

Is that leader link the braided loop thing that you slide over your flyline tip and then secure with a little bit of tubing and some glue?

Response:

Warren, Have you tried a Leader Link? Ernie Is that leader link the braided loop thing that you slide over your flyline tip and then secure with a little bit of tubing and some glue?

No. They’re little plastic, tube-like things, with holes through each end and two slots on the middle. You run the flyline through a hole, run it up through a slot, tie a knot in the end, and pull it tight. Do the same thing with the leader through the other hole. They work great. They’re made by Eagle Claw. I add a butt section with a leader link and then tie on the leader with a blood knot. To replace leaders I just cut and retie at the butt section. It might last for months. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

"Michael" wrote Is that leader link the braided loop thing that you slide over your flyline tip and then secure with a little bit of tubing and some glue?

Michael,   It is a little nylon piece, shaped like a grain of rice, but a little larger with a hole through the center the long way and a hole through the sides. Ernie

Response:

I haven’t had time to post this sooner, but I went fishing this last Saturday on the Yellowstone.  It was a cold day, the wind was howling, and there were several snow flurries causing temporary white outs. Perfect day to be alone on the river. Before heading out, I stopped in at Dan Bailey’s to check the board and see if they had any recent info.  After being told that there wasn’t much happening on the river and that the spring creeks were fishing well, I still decided to head out.  I did receive several looks that all but said "Are you nuts?!?!"  Well, that is still being debated but I went out anyway. I found a nice stretch of water that wasn’t being blasted by the wind and as I rigged up the snow stopped.  The wind also started letting up from a constant gale force wind, to an occasional strong gust.  Things started off slow and I proceeded to work my way upstream where I got into a pod of whitefish.  After catching two and remembering some fond memories of JeffC the Whitefish King, I moved further upstream in search of trout. I eventually landed several beautiful, dark colored rainbows and lost several more as I slipped and slid my way along the ice.  I did lose a rather nice rainbow due to ice in the guides, but such is fishing during this time of year.  I was a little rusty from not having fished in almost two months, but it all came back rather quickly.  Funny how sometimes the harder you try, the worse you get and then you just let things happen and it is like you never even had that extended break. Probably the best thing about actually taking that break is that I rediscovered what fly fishing is to me and just how much it means to me.  I even caught some fish which made it all that much sweeter.  The best fish I landed, a 17" rainbow, had me mesmerized after I slipped the hook out of his mouth.  He lay there in the net peacefully, as if to give me ample time to admire his beauty before I released him. A few weeks ago I asked if anyone had ever tried using that Zap-a-Gap connection for joining the leader to the fly line.  After getting no response I decided to try it.  Not only did it hold very well, but it was a nice change of pace in not having to fight the line hanging up on the guides.  Even when ice began clogging the guides, the fly line and leader connection would pass through without hang ups. I am now planning on carrying the needle, needle vise, and Zap-a-Gap in my vest in case I need to change a leader.  It is a very quick and easy way to connect a leader to a fly line and I found it much easier than tying a nail knot.  I am still amazed at how easily the connection passes through the guides. — Warren Findley

Response:

Warren, Have you tried a Leader Link? Ernie "Warren" wrote <snip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am now planning on carrying the needle, needle vise, and Zap-a-Gap in my vest in case I need to change a leader.  It is a very quick and easy way to connect a leader to a fly line and I found it much easier than tying a nail knot.  I am still amazed at how easily the connection passes through the guides. Warren Findley

Response:

Warren, Have you tried a Leader Link? Ernie

I actually installed a Leader Link on Warren’s line during the Western Clave, Ernie. — visit my web site: http://home.earthlink.net/~royalwulff/

Response:

(another excellent report snipped) Hey Warren, I caught a fish on your little green seredipitiy sunday. The fish were visible because the stream is so low, and there were midges hatching all over.  My favorite winter bug (extra fuzzy small hare’s ear) wasn’t working, so just for the hell of it i tied on your 18 green serendipity.  I’ve tried since the montana trip to catch a NM trout with a one of those flies and it finally worked.  I was in a small stream near albq. BTW, these were real midges that you could actually see with the naked eye, not those tiny SJ midges.  If your ears were ringing Dec 9-12 it’s because we must have said "warren would like this river" 20 times. bruce h — bare your soul let your spirit burn out along the road to no return – r.e. keen

Response:

Question:

Now, I’ve sat and listened to Indian Joe wind up and let fly with some tales that had everyone in the room exchanging "knowing glances" in between belly-laughs – but this one seems over the top, even for IJ ;^)

Yep, he always gets Chill Wills and Slim Pickens mixed up… — Charlie…

Response:

______  Commercial Budweiser is for sissy’’s.  Western boys brew their own! Right T-bone? ; )  Make some of that RATTLESNAKE RED!  Yummmmmmmmmmmy!!!!

Yup…but when the brewery is shut down for construction…ya gotta just make do. — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…" B.M.P.I.A.

Response:

You’ve hit on the reason why hazing will never die:  The only way to assuage the pang of indignity is to pass it on.  And so it goes…

Oh, I don’t know. I think there’s a lot more to it than passing down indignities. Team building, male bonding etc. etc. Not that I’m in favor of hazing but I’ve endured some, I’ve inflicted some and I’m no worse for the we&*6YHOU&UK arghhh, kill, kill, sue, sue, CANCEL THE WHOLE DAMN HOCKEY SEASON. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

______  Commercial Budweiser is for sissy’’s.  Western boys brew their own! Right T-bone? ; )  Make some of that RATTLESNAKE RED!  Yummmmmmmmmmmy!!!! Mr. G.

Response:

Now listen here bud,   awwwww, forget it. TL MC — "In order to achieve what is possible, one must constantly attempt the impossible" http://www.mikeconnor.de

Response:

Ken Fortenberry wrote We had a six-holer at scout camp with a cellar door on the back for "honey-truck" access. Part of the initiation ritual for first year staff included a very large rock dropped into the muck from the cellar door while the rookies occupied the outhouse. Kinda funny actually, from your second year on.

You’ve hit on the reason why hazing will never die:  The only way to assuage the pang of indignity is to pass it on.  And so it goes… —                                                       -dnc-

Response:

two-story outhouse. How would that work? —

The story I got was that the outhouse had been built for a hotel that was built during the 1880’s and the hotel was above the timberline. The snow got so deep that the hotel and all other buildings had have doors  that worked when the snow was so high that doors on the first floor could not be opened…you just couldnot wait till the snow melts, so… Big Dale

Response:

daytripper wrote Now, I’ve sat and listened to Indian Joe wind up and let fly with some tales that had everyone in the room exchanging "knowing glances" in between belly-laughs – but this one seems over the top, even for IJ ;^)

The man is no fool.  Over the top is exactly where you want to be while using the establishment in question!  (Especially if ET2 is standing outside throwing rocks into the muck)

Response:

TBone wrote [deleted] To hell with the beer. To hell with beer ? 30 DAYS IN THE HOLE ! NEXT !

Sorry.  Misspoke.  Meant to say, "To hell with the Bud" Can I be excused now? —                                                       -dnc-

Response:

To hell with the beer.  I’m still trying to visualize a two-story outhouse. How would that work? Pretty shitty for the 1st floor tenant, I’d imagine… — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…" B.M.P.I.A.

______  Great!  If David LaCourse was on the first floor. Dang!  Did I say that?  Sorry David, even you don’t deserve that. — Mr.G http://www.gink.com/  Updates http://www.gink.com/chat Flyfishing Conversations 6:00 PM PST till after midnight.

Response:

Awww shit, now you’ve done it, you mentioned beer in a Western ‘Clave thread. I can hear the thread cop sirens in the distance …

Remove your hands from the keyboard, and leave them where I can see ‘em… Let me be sure that I’m understanding correctly: We have a nasty C&R thread that’s forked, we have a couple of g*nk threads, and people are complaining about beer postings in a Clave thread? I’m sure that there’s logic behind such matters. I’m also sure that I’m not following it. "They conferred, as against the Government, the right to be let alone — the most comprehensive of rights…" -Justice Louis Brandeis

Response:

I had to do a search and see if I could find a photo of this two-story outhouse on the Internet.  I remember watching a program about a two- story outhouse on t.v.   Additionally, thought I could remember seeing a photo on the Internet of a two-story outhouse.  So, I had to refined the photo.  Here are the photos of two-story outhouses that I’ve found. http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/5047/outhouse.html http://w3.trib.com/~leebo/gem.htm http://www.mich.com/~jloose/ohorania.htm — Vern My ROFF page: http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/v_deloy/ROFFintro.html Before you buy.

Response:

Here are some more photos. http://www2.macomb.k12.mi.us/mich/m2-site/fayette/fayette004/gif/035.GIF http://www2.macomb.k12.mi.us/mich/m2-site/fayette/fayette005/gif/038.GIF http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/wanderers/Brokenislands/outhouse.htm — Vern My ROFF page: http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/v_deloy/ROFFintro.html Before you buy.

Response:

To hell with the [budweiser].  I’m still trying to visualize a two- story outhouse.  How would that work?

When you see a two story outhouse, you’re in an area that gets lots of snow. the bottom level is snowed in for much of the winter. Encampment, Wyoming has one of these, too. — Rusty Hook Laramie, Wyo Before you buy.

Response:

When you see a two story outhouse, you’re in an area that gets lots of snow. the bottom level is snowed in for much of the winter.

This is not always the case.  The web sites that I found talk about the two story outhouse being next to a hotel.  The top part was for those people that had a hotel room on the second floor.  A small bridge was built to the outhouse so they would not need to walk down at night. — Vern My ROFF page: http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/ResortRd/v_deloy/ROFFintro.html Before you buy.

Response:

To hell with the beer.  I’m still trying to visualize a two-story outhouse. How would that work? It wouldn’t, and that’s the joke.

We had a six-holer at scout camp with a cellar door on the back for "honey-truck" access. Part of the initiation ritual for first year staff included a very large rock dropped into the muck from the cellar door while the rookies occupied the outhouse. Kinda funny actually, from your second year on. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Been in that very house. We had eaten a bunch of green chjili in Chayanne at the radeo the night before and were dam glad to drive up upon it. Luckly it is a four holer and the seats do not6 line up.   chill Wills my traveling mate and I went upstairs and we sent the greek belly dancer downstairs. Boys it was bad. Indian Joe    Wilmington N.C.

Now, I’ve sat and listened to Indian Joe wind up and let fly with some tales that had everyone in the room exchanging "knowing glances" in between belly-laughs – but this one seems over the top, even for IJ ;^)

Response:

1/10/00 Ruling 611/b In the Matter:   First use of Word "beer" in Western Clave Thread Ruling: Dismissal of Query. Reason: Mere use of the word "beer" does not constitute an offense, unless the word(s) "Budwiser," or "Bud," or any similar, are used in the same post as the word "beer." Issued by Order of , , , Thread Police Summary Justice Authority "To Serve and Protect" Have a nice day – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Awww shit, now you’ve done it, you mentioned beer in a Western ‘Clave thread. I can hear the thread cop sirens in the distance … — Ken Fortenberry- you have the right to remain on topic,                 anything you say can be used against you …

Response:

Ken Fortenberry wrote Back in the early 80’s on one of my trips from the summer hell of Texas in August, one of my friends and I pulled our motorcycles up in a little town that I think is a little west of Ennis and decided to drink a beer … Awww shit, now you’ve done it, you mentioned beer in a Western ‘Clave thread.

To hell with the beer.  I’m still trying to visualize a two-story outhouse.  How would that work? —                                                       -dnc-

Response:

To hell with the beer.  I’m still trying to visualize a two-story outhouse. How would that work?

Pretty shitty for the 1st floor tenant, I’d imagine… — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…" B.M.P.I.A.

Response:

Been in that very house. We had eaten a bunch of green chjili in Chayanne at the radeo the night before and were dam glad to drive up upon it. Luckly it is a four holer and the seats do not6 line up.   chill Wills my traveling mate and I went upstairs and we sent the greek belly dancer downstairs. Boys it was bad.  Indian Joe    Wilmington N.C.

Response:

To hell with the beer.  I’m still trying to visualize a two-story outhouse. How would that work?

It wouldn’t, and that’s the joke.

Response:

[deleted] To hell with the beer.

To hell with beer ? 30 DAYS IN THE HOLE ! NEXT ! — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…" B.M.P.I.A.

Response:

Back in the early 80’s on one of my trips from the summer hell of Texas in August, one of my friends and I pulled our motorcycles up in a little town that I think is a little west of Ennis and decided to drink a beer and check out the sights. I took a picture which accidentaly turned out very good. This is unusual for me, but when I show off this picture of a two story outhouse, most turn it over to see where the postcard is from. It seems like they had torn down some old buildings from all over the state and reassembled them in this little town I guess as sort of a tourist thing. At any rate I can’t remember the name of the town. It could have been Virginia City or it could be some other little town in the area. Does anyone know which town I am talking about? Most folks remember it if they have ever seen a two story outhouse. It is not a bad place to burn up some film. At any rate I would encourage all to bring a camera and to remember to take pictures of things other than fish. Big Dale

Response:

Back in the early 80’s on one of my trips from the summer hell of Texas in August, one of my friends and I pulled our motorcycles up in a little town that I think is a little west of Ennis and decided to drink a beer …

Awww shit, now you’ve done it, you mentioned beer in a Western ‘Clave thread. I can hear the thread cop sirens in the distance … — Ken Fortenberry- you have the right to remain on topic,                  anything you say can be used against you …

Response:

Question:

Right on. Al

Response:

Right on. Al

Fly" while slicing  your sandwich in two with your fillet knife. —

Question:

Has any one had any experience with the RIO VersiTip?  Any info would be appreciated. Thanks – Chris Chris Thompson

Response:

Has any one had any experience with the RIO VersiTip?  Any info would be appreciated. Thanks – Chris Chris Thompson

Not experienced with the RIO line but their leaders and leader material are great products. — Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (97 catalog)

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Newsgroups: rec.outdoors.fishing.fly Organization: BT’s Fly Fishing Products Has any one had any experience with the RIO VersiTip?  Any info would be appreciated. Thanks – Chris Chris Thompson Not experienced with the RIO line but their leaders and leader material are great products. Al Beatty

Hello, I’ve only got a very limited bit of experience with the leaders and leader material, but I have used their level shooting heads, and I hope the sink tips they include with the line are better made than the shooting heads that they sell (although I know that they are the same).   I bought a RIO type 6, 9 wt level shooting head that I chopped in 1/2 and looped the end to use on my home-grown sink tip lines.  The coating of this 1/2 section of line is now almost gone after very little use and I’ve been forced to toss it and use the second 1/2 already!  My SA type 4, type 2 and DWE heads have lasted many years under far more and harder use.  In fairness, the SA heads do cost about 2x as much as the RIO heads.  Anyway, I’m a big advocate of doing it yourself when it comes to a sink tip system – but be advised that it certainly doesn’t save any money over this system you mention, you just get a rig suited to your particular needs.  For a home-grown, you are looking at a $50 steelhead taper WF line, and at least 2 shooting heads (each of which will make 2 sink tips though) at $25 each for a total of ~$100.  I think this is about the same price as the versa-tip system isn’t it? I should also mention that this cheapie RIO type 6 head doesn’t sink quite as fast as the type 4 SA head – which is backward.  I’ve heard this complaint from several fellow steelheaders.   No flames.  I’ve nothing against Jim Vincent, RIO, or anything, and I know that SA makes their lines. cheers,         -tgades — Tony Gades Seattle, WA USA   website:   http://weber.u.washington.edu/~tgades

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Question:

I should have posted this a week ago, but was lazy. I fished Slate and Cedar Runs from 5/20-5/23.  Pine Creek had no action whatsoever — fish or fly-wise.  We had several decent (but still slow) days on Slate and Cedar.  Slate and Cedar had hatches of little yellow stoneflies everyday all day, a few Hendricksons early in the week, and then some grey caddises, March Browns, and especially Sulphurs (rotundas) later in the week.  Some big clusters of spinners in the evening, but no major spinner fall.  We had our best success, in descending order, with dry March Browns, dry little yellow stoneflies, Hendrickson, March Brown and sulphur emergers, and dry caddis patterns. The fishing was tough.  Even the old-timers were complaining — and bitterly so about Pine Creek, claiming it was the worst they’d seen in 30 years. The weather was fine.  The week before there was a half inch of snow; four days later it was 95 degrees.  But that week it was warm and mostly dry. I heard one story of a gutted Pine Creek fish with an empty stomach. The explanation was that the the streambed had been scoured by the floods and the hatches were shot.  Then I heard another story — a gutted Pine Creek fish with a stomach gorged with nymphs.  Both fish were caught by bait fisherman.  Having turned over a few rocks on the banks I can say that there are certainly nymphs in the water, although apparently the hatches have not been very impressive by local standards.  The few times I stopped at the river I saw few flies, littel bird activity and no surface feeding at all.  Water was still high as well.  Over the phone one of the guys at the tackle shop tried to sound encouraging to a propsective fisherman by metioning that a few chubs had been taken on dries. In sum, Slate and Cedar Runs were slow but worthwhile, though Pine Creek was dead. Genesee beer was excellent, as was Pabst and Schmitts — also Red Man. Oh, and if you want to go to a spooky bar, go to the Wagon Wheel in town of Camaal (sp?), just south of Slate Run.

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Pine Creek is excellent now:  24 fish evening on dries…sulphurs, grey foxes…only  a few more days to green and brown drake hatches!!!

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Pine Creek is excellent now:  24 fish evening on dries…sulphurs, grey foxes…only  a few more days to green and brown drake hatches!!!

Is this the same Pine Creek of the famous "Grand Canyon of the East?" If so, where do you fish in relation to the aforementioned "Grand Canyon?"

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Is this the same Pine Creek of the famous "Grand Canyon of the East?" If so, where do you fish in relation to the aforementioned "Grand Canyon?"

Yes, It is.  You can fish the Canyon itself; if you don’t mind hiking; canoeing it; or have a Mt. Bike and a tuff ass!  AVOID THE WEEKENDS!

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Question:

I have reservations at the West Branch Anglers on the Delaware for the first       week in June. Any thoughts on fishing this stretch or should I         check out other sections of the west branch or possibly the east branch. I do have maps with other areas. But since this is my first trip I want to make the most of it, i do realize that you can’t get to know a river on your first trip but any help would certainly be appreciated. Thanks!            

I was there yesterday 5/28. The water was normal and 60.3 F. It was around 50F, ambient, with a bitter wind that made it feel like high 30s. I have never seen anything like the hatches that were there. The following were on the water all   around the same time: Cream Caddis #14, Light Hendrikson #14, Brown Drake #10 (?), Pale Evening Dun (#14), BWO (#18 or #20), March Brown (#16), Gray Fox (#16). I fished the main branch below Hancock. There was no spinner fall that I could see in the daylight hours. The hatches themselves were not very plenitful but it was enough to get fish moving. I got six fish including a 14" brownie an 18" Rainbow (the largest wild fish I have ever caught).  Truly memorable for me. I observed another fisherman land a 20" brownie. I think you are in for a good time, but do get some advice on the hatches as my understanding is that everything is a couple of weeks behind. You’ll have a lot of fun.

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Phil, I agree with your advice about going to the Delaware River Club.  It sounds like you fish the Delaware fairly regularly, so I have a question for you.  Have you ever caught a trout in the big pool at the junction of the East and West branches?  I once spent an entire day fishing there without catching anything even though fish were rising all over.  Last weekend, my dad and I each caught one riser from that pool and they both turned out to be suckers.  When the sun came out and I stood up on the banks, I could see a lot of suckers, some rising, but not one trout.  I wouldn’t be surprised if I couldn’t see trout on the bottom in the deep water, but I’m sure I could identify them if they were rising.  I’ve never encountered rising suckers before, so up until now I assumed the pool held plenty of rising trout.  Now I have to wonder.  BTW, we did catch plenty of trout a little downstream of the junction pool.

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And don’t forget to catch Al Caucci’s web site online at www.mayfly.com for advice and the interactive match-the-hatch chart. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have reservations at the West Branch Anglers on the Delaware for the first    week in June. Any thoughts on fishing this stretch or should I check out other sections of the west branch or possibly the east branch.    I do have maps with other areas. But since this is my first trip I want to make the most of it, i do realize that you can’t get to know a river on your first trip but any help would certainly be appreciated. Thanks! I prefer Al Caucci’s Delaware River Club, on the W. Branch closer to Hancock.   W.B. Anglers have better accomodations, but Caucci’s knowlege of the river and its inhabitants is unequalled.  You might want to stop in at Caucci’s fly shop f or some advice and flies. I fished up there 5/22, in the area of the PA state woodlands between Caucci’s and W.B. Anglers.  The river had only become fishable in the preceding day or so, as extremely high water brought on by seemingly incessant rains subsided.  The river was still high, but definitely wadeable and fishable.  There was a lot of hendrickson hatching and spinner-falling, but not a lot of fish activity on the surface.  Emergers seemed to work best. Normally the hendricksons are gone by early May, but everything is late this year.  You’ll probably have excellent fishing, with luck a sulfur spin ner fall which has provided me the best fishing on that river.   Also fish the Main Stem of the  Delaware below the junction of the E and W Branches in Hancock.  There are big trout there if you can cast far enough. Good luck Phil Holt

– — Steven Schwartz Bella Vena, Inc. www.panix.com/~tarpon/bellahome.html

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I have reservations at the West Branch Anglers on the Delaware for the first    week in June. Any thoughts on fishing this stretch or should I check out other sections of the west branch or possibly the east branch.        I do have maps with other areas. But since this is my first trip I want to make the most of it, i do realize that you can’t get to know a river on your first trip but any help would certainly be appreciated. Thanks! I prefer Al Caucci’s Delaware River Club, on the W. Branch closer to Hancock.   W.B. Anglers have better accomodations, but Caucci’s knowlege of the river and its inhabitants is unequalled.  You might want to stop in at Caucci’s fly shop for some advice and flies.

Ditto.   The West Branch seems to be trying too hard to be this exclusive flyfishing destination complete with the exclusive price.   Granted, the cabins at W.B.A. might be real nice but it’s the same river and the section at D.R.C. just *looks* a lot more fishable. I’ve also found that Bob and his wife (they run the flyshop) to be extremely congenial and very willing to share information.  When I was there with my girlfriend (who doesn’t fish) last year they asked her if she’d like to borrow some waders (not rent!) so that she would wade in the river with me.  While we were staying in the lodge there was a flyfishing school taking place and as I wandered by the dining area where the class had just had breakfast I asked if they had any coffee.  He said come on in an have whatever you want and the just left.  We had our choice of cereals, fruits and some breakfast rolls, or all three.   It’s these kinds of little things that makes staying in a place much more enjoyable. I also got a chance to see Al Caucci showing someone how to do a double haul.  He was amazing. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

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I have reservations at the West Branch Anglers on the Delaware for the first    week in June. Any thoughts on fishing this stretch or should I check out other sections of the west branch or possibly the east branch.        I do have maps with other areas. But since this is my first trip I want to make the most of it, i do realize that you can’t get to know a river on your first trip but any help would certainly be appreciated. Thanks!

I prefer Al Caucci’s Delaware River Club, on the W. Branch closer to Hancock.   W.B. Anglers have better accomodations, but Caucci’s knowlege of the river and its inhabitants is unequalled.  You might want to stop in at Caucci’s fly shop for some advice and flies. I fished up there 5/22, in the area of the PA state woodlands between Caucci’s and W.B. Anglers.  The river had only become fishable in the preceding day or so, as extremely high water brought on by seemingly incessant rains subsided.  The river was still high, but definitely wadeable and fishable.  There was a lot of hendrickson hatching and spinner-falling, but not a lot of fish activity on the surface.  Emergers seemed to work best. Normally the hendricksons are gone by early May, but everything is late this year.  You’ll probably have excellent fishing, with luck a sulfur spinner fall which has provided me the best fishing on that river.   Also fish the Main Stem of the  Delaware below the junction of the E and W Branches in Hancock.  There are big trout there if you can cast far enough. Good luck Phil Holt

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I fished the West Branch and the main stem just below the junction of the east and west branches this weekend.  There was a sparse Hendrickson hatch above Balls Eddy (I didn’t fish upstream of the PA line, but I imagine the hatch was better upstream).  There were a few caddis in the afternoons, but not enough to bring up many fish.  Sunday afternoon there was a good caddis/hendrickson/march brown (?) hatch in the afternoon and evening on the main stem.  The water level went down at lest eight inches between Thursday and Sunday.  Since I saw mostly Hendricksons, I guess all of the hatches are probably running a few weeks later than usual.  I wish I could go back in two weeks.

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I have reservations at the West Branch Anglers on the Delaware for the first    week in June. Any thoughts on fishing this stretch or should I check out other sections of the west branch or possibly the east branch.        I

The people at West Branch will be able to direct you to various areas.   You can move around freely – find your own spots.  Right now fishing is less than ideal and fishing pressure less than usual.   See http://www.castle.net/~sglad/fishnet6.htm for additional info.

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I have reservations at the West Branch Anglers on the Delaware for the first    week in June. Any thoughts on fishing this stretch or should I         check out other sections of the west branch or possibly the east branch.        I do have maps with other areas. But since this is my first trip I want to         make the most of it, i do realize that you can’t get to know a river on your first trip but any help would certainly be appreciated. Thanks!                

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Question:

I am closing in on spending about $1,000 on a kick boat – a very sobering prospect since i can’t try it before i buy it.  Am pretty close to picking the OUTCAST 800 – any comments on this or other kick boats would be appreciated – particularly interested in hearing from owners – goods points, bad points, gotcha’s – you know, the stuff you wish you had known before you spent YOUR money.

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I am closing in on spending about $1,000 on a kick boat – a very sobering prospect since i can’t try it before i buy it.  Am pretty close to picking the OUTCAST 800 – any comments on this or other kick boats would be appreciated – particularly interested in hearing from owners – goods points, bad points, gotcha’s – you know, the stuff you wish you had known before you spent YOUR money.

I bought one recently and absolutely love it (as do my friends, who have various other contraptions).  My experience so far has been limited to fishing in Puget Sound (not what it was intended for, but works great for fishing for coho along the beaches).   Some specific observations:   – Very fast.  I can *easily* out-row someone walking on the beach. For short periods can probably overtake even a typical jogger.  Fast enough for running down cruising coho in any case.  As an indication of it’s low drag, it will glide (coast) for a long time (maybe a minute), if you have your feet on the rests.  I have found it necessary to brake with the oars on occasion to avoid overshooting.   The 6 1/2" Carlisle oars are perfect, but be sure to get the open oarlocks.   – Kicking.  In spite of the high seating position, it kicks comfortably and efficiently.  Once again, very fast.  I can kick faster than some other 1-person craft can row (eg. Float and Tote’s or Water Master’s).  Way faster and more comfortable than float tubes.   – Very manueverable.  In spite of its 8′ length, it turns on a dime.   – Adequately portable.  I taped a piece of pipe insulation to the rear (foot rest end) cross member.  I can comfortably carry it on my shoulders, grasping the foot rests with my hands to balance and stabilize it, even up and down fairly steep banks.  Is at the high end of the comfortable weight range though (probably about 50-55# with anchor and gear).  Of course it breaks down beautifully (four pins breaks it down into 3 pieces – very quick) and inflates and deflates very fast.   – Casting.  Excellent position;  high enough to get extra reach. Casting apron holds the line very well, with upturned edges.  Seat is very comfortable, as is the foot rest system (seat position is adjustable).   – Anchor system.  Great.  Very easy to operate and requires very little weight to anchor (I use a 5# ball).   In general, very well thought out and constructed, and seems to be well backed.   A couple of caveats:   – Is directionally somewhat unstable and has a tendency to turn when gliding.  This isn’t a major problem, as long as the boat is properly trimmed (keep frame well back on tubes;  ie, toward the foot end) and good oarsmanship is practiced (pull evenly on both sides).  I suspect this is due to the  pronounced rocker in the tubes – which also contributes to its maneuverability and ease of rowing;  not a bad trade-off, IMHO.   –  Oars must be shipped behind when kicking or sitting, since they tend to get in the way of casting if allowed to float.  Also, have a tendency to bind against the locks in waves, popping the oars free. (I’m thinking about devising some holders at the ends of the tubes). Fortunately shipping the oars behind is easy and quick to do.    - Frame finish (powder finish) isn’t nearly durable enough.  With less than 10 outings, I’ve already got numerous chips.  Oh well, it’s an alumimum frame and at least it won’t rust <g.   – D-Rings are nickel plated, not stainless steel, and have tendency to rust, particularly in salt water.   I feel (based on the occassional waves we get on Puget Sound) that it will handle very well in most rivers (probably will need the 10" model though for serious white water stuff).  Lakes (after Puget Sound) will be a breeze.   In short, I thinks it’s a super boat and have no regrets about spending the premium $$.   Still, for $1K, I’d strongly suggest you try one out yourself before forking over the $$.  Where do you live?  If you can get to Seattle, Swiftwater (206-547-3377) handles them and may let you borrow their demo unit for a trial on one of the local lakes.   -Wes Wes Neuenschwander Seattle, WA

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I’ve had a Buck’s Bag Bronco for a little over a year and couldn’t be happier.   Well maybe, my oarlock system kinda sucks.  This problem I believe has been taken care or in the new models.  The problem was that in shallow water the oars would sometimes come out but for the most part this really isn’t a problem, you just have to pay attention from time to time. The anchor system unless improved sucks.  I love all the storage you get on the Bronco.  I have a pocket for everything from lunch to my camcorder and have extra room to spare for shoes, jacket (in case of rain) and of course all my fly gear, a camera, etc..  To get this kinda of storage on the Outcast is gonna cost a lot extra.  The new Bronco’s are made of stainless steel so the won’t rust.  I lend my pontoon out from time to time and some of my friends are pretty tall 6′5".  The extend the foot rest out all the way for comfort.  The Outcast is a one size fits all.  If you are real tall you may find it uncomfotable.  Make sure you check it out before you buy.  The Outcast has a better bladder system than the Bronco but I don’t know if matters.  I take my Bronco through the worst looking parts of the river and bang’em into trees when grabbed by fast eddies and haven’t had a problem.  No matter which raft you plan to buy, I say buying one of these crafts is the best money I’ve spent on fly-fishing (except my rod).

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I am closing in on spending about $1,000 on a kick boat – a very sobering prospect since i can’t try it before i buy it.  Am pretty close to picking the OUTCAST 800 – any comments on this or other kick boats would be appreciated – particularly interested in hearing from owners – goods points, bad points, gotcha’s – you know, the stuff you wish you had known before you spent YOUR money.

LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!  It’s really a cool rig!  I’ve had it for about a month now & really enjoyed it.  People are always asking questions about it.  I’ve seen a few others out on the water that are smaller; they seem to have to work harder when rowing, & have less space than the PAC-800. There’re some guys I’ve run into who are in a float-tube bass club in the San Jose, CA area (‘Bass-n-Tubes’); they say the kickboaters are begin- ning to outnumber the float-tubers.  I’ve seen several of their rigs; some have these 6- or 7-rod holders, depthfinders, etc.  Of course, Bass-n-Tubes won’t let them compete in their tournaments with motors attached, but I saw some motorized units at the recent Sportsman’s Expo in San Mateo, CA (where I first saw the Outcast models). I’ve been having some *minor* problems dealing with the park rangers & reservoir operators who don’t know how to classify the durned thing (e.g., am I a float tube or a rowboat?  Do they restrict me to certain portions of the lake?  Do they charge me to launch?).  All in all, though, I’m extremely satisfied with my purchase.  It’s so versatile & mobile, with *greatly* improved range over a float tube, especially with the added cargo space. I tie down mine on my Honda Accord roof rack; it’s a bit of a wind-drag, but it holds on just fine (poor gas mileage notwithstanding; wish I had leased a pickup truck rather than an Accord!).  I’ll be using mine primarily on the local reservoirs fishing for bass, but I’m sure it would be a kick flyfishing for trout on the rivers. I say, GO FOR IT!  It’s a BLAST! (Oh — and don’t let ‘em persuade you into buying the air pump.  For one thing, the Bass Pro Shops catalog has the same one for almost $10 less. But I won’t even consider filling it with one of those anyway; the local filling station air compressors are much more effective — and less tiring!). Jo-Bob says: Check it out! Good luck, & tight lines! J Smith Sunnyvale, CA

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Hi searuncut, I couldn’t agree more. My wife and I love our water otters. We’ve used them on every type of water you can usually find here in Montana. I’ve take mine through every type of water I take my drift boat through. If I were to make another purchase on a pontoon boat I would probably buy the Buck’s Bronco because of it’s adjustability. The River Otter is almost the same but a little more expensive. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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Question:

Does anybody have any information on fly fishing in the Linville Falls community area. I have been camping near there in the past and looked like a nice place to go. I have never been Fly fishing before, but would like to try since someone gave me some gear. Thanks for any info. Chris

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I forgot to put that is Linville Falls community in N.C.

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Question:

Hello to fly-fishers here in the southeast — here’s a few things I felt worth posting: 1.  Davidson River pseudo – report.  Fished this fine river Saturday and Sunday (9/23 – 24).  Caught one small brown…most other people I talked to had the same kind of luck – a few had great luck ( I suspect their techniques were just much better – pattern didn’t seem to have much to do with it).  Anyways, fish were rising to small ( #20 – #22 ) blond midges, and subsurface takes were mainly on woolies / streamer type flies.  I didn’t talk to anyone personally who scored big, but heard of one gentleman go to town with some sort of a heavily weighted (split shot on the leader), small serendipity variation.  Still had a great time (aside from sleeping in the rain.) 2. Question #1:  Does anyone know the potential adverse affects of tying with lead?  I’ve been tying a lot of lead weighted flies and am not completely comfortable with the lead residue I end up with on my fingertips.  Can lead be absorbed through the skin?  If so, has anyone had success with particular brands of lead substitute? 3.  Question #2:  Fly line dressing.  I’ve never messed with it before, I guess because I’ve always fished with #5 line or heavier.  Got a new #4, and noticed that the line didn’t want to pick up off the water as easily.  I think some sort of dressing might be the cure for my ailments – I was planning on just using scotchguard, but don’t want to screw up the line.  Any suggestions from out there? One of the most encouraging things I see on the web is posts from those of us who fish the NC / Tenn / SC / North. GA. waters.  I think it would be great to set up a small forum of localized discussion for everyone’s Tight Lines, Terry

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Eminhizer) writes: Hello to fly-fishers here in the southeast — One of the most encouraging things I see on the web is posts from those of us who fish the NC / Tenn / SC / North. GA. waters.  I think it would be great to set up a small forum of localized discussion for everyone’s Tight Lines, Terry

Terry,  I fish weekends on the Chatooga (near Cashiers), Horsepasture, Whitewater and Tuckaseegee (sp?).  I think a continuing string on NC flyfishing conditions would be great. Everyone from the the area could just post short reports after each excursion. It would be a great resource.  I fished the Horsepasture near Toxaway Sunday (9/24).  Didn’t catch anything of any size. The three and four inch rainbows tore up the flies on almost every drift. I was using a #16 coachman, and then later when a small hatch started, #18 Light Cahill.   Have you fished the "Tuck" in the spring before the "harvest"? I caught the tail end this year and it was tremendous. Mike Ray

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IIt hit the fly which has landed me more fish than any other this season, the venerable #8 Muddler Minnow. Regarding the Tuckaseegee in the spring, I have had very good luck in the spring with big nymphs (Girdle Bugs, Hellgramites, etc.) and, of course, Muddler Minnows.  I’ve never had much dry fly luck there, though.  I’d be interested to know what part you fish.  I usually concentrate on the area around WCU. Haig Rudd

Haig, I usually fish just where the pavement stops (coming from the ice cream store) to the island. If thats crowded, there’s usually noone downstream of the island to the first bridge (the boundary for spring C & R). I’ve had pretty good luck with wooley buggers and stonefly nymphs.  I’ll try muddlers next time. Mike Ray

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I too would like to see a southeast flyfishing forum started.  I just returned from fishing the Davidson, just above and below the hatchery and caught numerous 12-13" rainbows.  This area always seems to hold plenty of trout.  The only difficult area is the quiet waters with sipping trout that are very difficult to catch.  Ive had the most luck with 7x leaders and size 24-26 ants or Griffith gnats.

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