Greetings All, I live in the Tampa Bay area & would like some input from kayak fishers in this area as to what ‘yak you use
Not from the area, but I have a couple of ‘Rides’ I use for fly fishing and they are great boats. I live in Atlanta but have used them off Tybee Island and also around the Port St. Joe/Apalachiciola area and have had no problems with them at all. — Charlie…
Greetings All, I live in the Tampa Bay area & would like some input from kayak fishers in this area as to what ‘yak you use Not from the area, but I have a couple of ‘Rides’ I use for fly fishing and they are great boats. I live in Atlanta but have used them off Tybee Island and also around the Port St. Joe/Apalachiciola area and have had no problems with them at all. — Charlie…
I’ll have to go test one out and see if it’s really possible to stand up in it like the chap depicted in the ad on their web page. Scott
I’ll have to go test one out and see if it’s really possible to stand up in it like the chap depicted in the ad on their web page.
It is, but I’m not sure I could land a fish that way. <g — Charlie…
Cockroach Bay is a "good area." Still relatively undisturbed. Too shallow for many powerboats. Rich in fish and birdlife. Also try the sandbar just north of the Cockroach Bay boat ramp and separating the outer mangrove shore from Tampa Bay. I used to wedge a paddle into the sand and tie my canoe to it; then, walk/wade the bar, casting off the side that seemed likely to be most productive. Got snook, trout, bonnethead shark, etc., there. Very pleasant even when fish weren’t biting. Jeff Jeff Harper jeff#doplay.com
| Greetings All, | | I live in the Tampa Bay area & would like some input from kayak fishers | in this area as to what ‘yak you use and what are some good areas. I’m | considering a Scupper Pro TW or a Wilderness Systems Ride. I’m | thinking the Weedon Island area is a good place, and the flats area | between the Gandy and Skyway. | | Scott |
Greetings All, I live in the Tampa Bay area & would like some input from kayak fishers in this area as to what ‘yak you use and what are some good areas. I’m considering a Scupper Pro TW or a Wilderness Systems Ride. I’m thinking the Weedon Island area is a good place, and the flats area between the Gandy and Skyway. Scott
Sounds terrific but I do have a question. If i can’t see very well anyway do these still need to be tied in the dark. I’ll wait for your answer. Thanks Larry
Absolutely! That is why the flys appear way out of proportion to a seasoned fly tier. The wings are too long to aid in locating the hook eye via touch. The tail is too long to let you know which end has the eye. The clump of feathers is tied around the hook to allow the fly to float no matter which way it lands on the water. It often floats side- ways anyway. — Wayne To Fish is Human….To Release Divine!
Sounds terrific but I do have a question. If i can’t see very well anyway do these still need to be tied in the dark. I’ll wait for your answer. Meanwhile I am working to develop a fly that will penetrate up to 1 inch of ice to make the wait for spring a bit better. I am making progress but tend to snap the top 7 or 8 inches from my rods. Perhaps a smaller rod is the answer, I will keep you posted. Thanks Larry
A fourteen foot beachcaster, using a slightly modified pendulum cast, ( more or less straight up !! ), a steel crash helmet and heavy kevlar shoulder padding, coupled with titanium reinforced body armour, ( in case "straight up" is taken too literally ),coupled with an eight ounce reversed squid pirk, with the tangs removed. Should do the trick. While practising at the week-end ( only with a six ounce reverse torpedo lead ), a guy from the local club, who reckoned he was a fair caster, asked to try my gear, as he had the pedulum cast which I was demonstrating to a few blokes from the local club, off to a fine art. Always willing to learn, I handed him my gear, warned him that the reel had neither magnetic nor air brakes, and that the bearings were oiled and adjusted for maximum free running, I handed him my gear, and moved to one side. One or two of the spectators, obviously acquainted with the talents of our worthy, made a few comments to the effect of "Give it some welly Dave", "Go on Dave, show him how its done", and similar encouraging remarks. Spurred on by this, and after a few moments of silent concentration, Dave reached out with the rod, rose to his full height, and began to whirl at considerable speed. Pirouetting with the consummate grace of a world class ballet dancer, rising up on his toes, and simultaneously heaving with the sheer brute force of a professional hammer thrower, issuing a long and ululating grunt which would have shamed a raging gorrila into immediate submission, he blasted off a cast which would surely have been close to a world record, if only it had gone forwards, carrying the line with it. However, due to a slight miscalculation on his part ( The technical term for this particular miscalculation, is apparently, "F&%
I’ll be going to Thompson Falls Montana within the nex t two weeks to pilot a logging helicopter. We usually work from 5:30 am until about 3:00 PM, depending upon the winds. This leaves me a lot of time to fly fish. Does anyone know a good place to fish for flies in and around Thompson Falls Montana? Mike
Does anyone know a good place to fish for flies in and around Thompson Falls Montana? Mike
just build up a good body sweat and stand in the woods just about anywhere, and you’ll catch plenty of flies. don’t believe that old honey/vinegar story. <G jeff (lord of the flies)
I’m heading out to SW Montana and Idaho in hopes of finding things in much better shape than the news has let on. We’re planning on spending a few days in Yellowstone and then out to Henrys Fork. I haven’t seen any fishing reports – anyone know how the fishing has been in that area? Any information is appreciated. Thanks Scott
fished the missouri today. big browns! it is open we think all is well. there were lots of fires this summer that got in the way. check out the little blackfoot. primo west throat cut throat territory. littleblackfootriverretreat.com
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Water temperatures are fine on our side of the divide (high 50’s) and the rivers are NOT closed (except maybe the Missouri, haven’t heard whether they reopened that one or not). We have had cool weather and decent rain. The governor did lift the restrictions but we are still at level IV, which means NO campfires, stoves, etc. except in developed designated campgrounds. With more rain that will get better. Fishing should be fantastic although everybody and his uncle will be out there now that we can fish again (after a month of NO FISH). Have fun. — Tight Lines! Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters, Missoula, Montana http://www.montana.com/dno/dno.htm 406-626-4022 I’m heading out to SW Montana and Idaho in hopes of finding things in much better shape than the news has let on. We’re planning on spending a few days in Yellowstone and then out to Henrys Fork. I haven’t seen any fishing reports – anyone know how the fishing has been in that area? Any information is appreciated. Thanks Scott Montana opened a lot of closed land today. Some areas..Beaverhead County I believe are still closed. As for the rivers…everyone I have seen, except the Madison, are painfully low and as far as I know closed to fishing. Even if they are open I would not fish them. We need more water, but more importantly we need cooler water temps. and that is happening…slowly. The Madison was fishing just great last week. Water temps. around 58-59 degrees…flow is near normal. I heard the Beaverhead was looking good but very crowded…also heard the Henry’s Fork is fishing well.
Brian good to hear the water temps have dropped and the rivers ARE open. A buddy of mne was doing some business out toward Superior so he checked out the river along the frontage road…he said it was boiling! The cool weather and overcast skies sure help alot. Maybe this weekend I forget about selling trees and shrubs and head for the river!
Water temperatures are fine on our side of the divide (high 50’s) and the rivers are NOT closed (except maybe the Missouri, haven’t heard whether they reopened that one or not). We have had cool weather and decent rain. The governor did lift the restrictions but we are still at level IV, which means NO campfires, stoves, etc. except in developed designated campgrounds. With more rain that will get better. Fishing should be fantastic although everybody and his uncle will be out there now that we can fish again (after a month of NO FISH). Have fun. — Tight Lines! Brian D. Nelson Diamond N Outfitters, Missoula, Montana http://www.montana.com/dno/dno.htm 406-626-4022
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m heading out to SW Montana and Idaho in hopes of finding things in much better shape than the news has let on. We’re planning on spending a few days in Yellowstone and then out to Henrys Fork. I haven’t seen any fishing reports – anyone know how the fishing has been in that area? Any information is appreciated. Thanks Scott Montana opened a lot of closed land today. Some areas..Beaverhead County I believe are still closed. As for the rivers…everyone I have seen, except the Madison, are painfully low and as far as I know closed to fishing. Even if they are open I would not fish them. We need more water, but more importantly we need cooler water temps. and that is happening…slowly. The Madison was fishing just great last week. Water temps. around 58-59 degrees…flow is near normal. I heard the Beaverhead was looking good but very crowded…also heard the Henry’s Fork is fishing well.
I’m heading out to SW Montana and Idaho in hopes of finding things in much better shape than the news has let on. We’re planning on spending a few days in Yellowstone and then out to Henrys Fork. I haven’t seen any fishing reports – anyone know how the fishing has been in that area? Any information is appreciated. Thanks Scott
Montana opened a lot of closed land today. Some areas..Beaverhead County I believe are still closed. As for the rivers…everyone I have seen, except the Madison, are painfully low and as far as I know closed to fishing. Even if they are open I would not fish them. We need more water, but more importantly we need cooler water temps. and that is happening…slowly. The Madison was fishing just great last week. Water temps. around 58-59 degrees…flow is near normal. I heard the Beaverhead was looking good but very crowded…also heard the Henry’s Fork is fishing well.
Bob: <<I’ve been flyfishing a small gravel pond lake for bass and walleyes for a couple of years now. Everyday is different. Somedays, the largemouths are eager eaters, other days they won’t take anything. One technique I’ve been using with alot of success is to get into a rowboat and let the wind drift me across the lake…fly on a sinking line trolling at the wind’s speed. Surprisingly, alot of bass take the fly. Yesterday at sun’s zenith, I stopped my drift and anchored in a spot where I thought some fat perch or walleyes might be hanging out. I cast the fast sink line with a red and brown glass-bead streamer about seventy feet out and let it sink to the bottom. A few quick jigs, and the old lady of the lake, the one I had heard about, ate. She took line and bent the 6 wgt. GLoomis so the tip was touching the water. She was old and she was beautiful. Bob E. George? Dave LaCourse
Dave, No George anywhere near here. Just Bob, bobbing around Gravel Ponds Lake near Rochester, NY. Bob E.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Bob: <<I’ve been flyfishing a small gravel pond lake for bass and walleyes for a couple of years now. Everyday is different. Somedays, the largemouths are eager eaters, other days they won’t take anything. One technique I’ve been using with alot of success is to get into a rowboat and let the wind drift me across the lake…fly on a sinking line trolling at the wind’s speed. Surprisingly, alot of bass take the fly. Yesterday at sun’s zenith, I stopped my drift and anchored in a spot where I thought some fat perch or walleyes might be hanging out. I cast the fast sink line with a red and brown glass-bead streamer about seventy feet out and let it sink to the bottom. A few quick jigs, and the old lady of the lake, the one I had heard about, ate. She took line and bent the 6 wgt. GLoomis so the tip was touching the water. She was old and she was beautiful. Bob E. George? Dave LaCourse
Bob: <<No George anywhere near here. Just Bob, bobbing around Gravel Ponds Lake near Rochester, NY. Ahhhh, Rochester, NY. Home of J.W. Dundee’s Honey Brown and other fine elixirs. Not too far away from where Sleeman’s is brewed. Dave L.
Dave, So many brews around here it makes the mind boggle. Bob E.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Bob: <<No George anywhere near here. Just Bob, bobbing around Gravel Ponds Lake near Rochester, NY. Ahhhh, Rochester, NY. Home of J.W. Dundee’s Honey Brown and other fine elixirs. Not too far away from where Sleeman’s is brewed. Dave L.
Speaking of Dundee’s Honey Brown: Though it’s a mere lager, it’s a damned tasty one, and I confess that I’ve developed quite a jag for that stuff. And frankly speaking (Peter: avert thine eyes) prefer it to both of the Sleeman’s brews that – while very pleasant indeed and very much appreciated – lack the punch of the Dundee’s… There. I said it. I’ve been holding that back for weeks, but now it’s out there. /daytripper (sipping a Honey Brown even as I type this ;^)
confession, tripper, is good for the soul. wayno
Ahhhh, Rochester, NY. Home of J.W. Dundee’s Honey Brown and other fine elixirs. Not too far away from where Sleeman’s is brewed.
Speaking of Dundee’s Honey Brown: Though it’s a mere lager, it’s a damned tasty one, and I confess that I’ve developed quite a jag for that stuff. And frankly speaking (Peter: avert thine eyes) prefer it to both of the Sleeman’s brews that – while very pleasant indeed and very much appreciated – lack the punch of the Dundee’s… There. I said it. I’ve been holding that back for weeks, but now it’s out there. /daytripper (sipping a Honey Brown even as I type this ;^)
You are fortunate indeed, Tripper, that Peter is on holiday. But there are other Sleeman’s afficianados around here to whom you will have to answer on judgment day, which will come sooner than you might think. Mark Faulkner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – And frankly speaking (Peter: avert thine eyes) prefer it to both of the Sleeman’s brews that – while very pleasant indeed and very much appreciated – lack the punch of the Dundee’s… There. I said it. I’ve been holding that back for weeks, but now it’s out there. /daytripper (sipping a Honey Brown even as I type this ;^)
You are fortunate indeed, Tripper, that Peter is on holiday. But there are other Sleeman’s afficianados around here to whom you will have to answer on judgment day, which will come sooner than you might think.
Yup, I reckon that I’ll have drawn the wrath of many sudsy souls hereabouts. Wouldn’t be the first time (and prolly won’t be the last ;^) As American politics points out repeatedly, the majority is often more wrong than right… Still…Dundee’s is an excellent substitute for the even hardier brews that I favor but that require a trip to the local pub to obtain. So I tip my second Honey Brown to you reprobates that drink beer from clear glass bottles. You know not what you do… /daytripper (hic!)
confession, tripper, is good for the soul. wayno
And beer is good for the kidneys ! But not if you hold it back for weeks ! I can not eat but little meat, my stomach is not good, but sure I think that I can drink, as much as any would, Let the back and the sides go bare me boys, let the hands and the feet grow cold, but give to the belly good ale enough, whether it be new or old ! TL MC
Mark Faulkner writes:
<<You are fortunate indeed, Tripper, that Peter is on holiday. But there are other Sleeman’s afficianados around here to whom you will have to answer on judgment day, which will come sooner than you might think. Mark Faulkner Peter is on holiday and will spend the evening of the 6th with Jo and me. I *know* he wouldn’t show up without any Sleeman’s, but whether or not I can make it to the fall ball with it is quite another thing. Oh, yeah, I forgot. I found *three* of the little devils in the fridge today. Musta forgot about ‘em. There be only one left. Come on August 6th……. You want I should bring some Dundee’s HBs to NC in October? Dave LaCourse
Well, you guys are making me homesick. I was born in Rochester and grew up in Webster, Warsaw, Corning, Hornell and finally in Penn Yan, NY on Keuka Lake. For the past nineteen years I’ve been in the Navy, and recently my flies have been seeking fish in the warm tidal rivers, creeks and lakes of Hampton Roads, Virginia where we catch some real nice large mouth bass, Perch, Bluegills and such. All great fun, but still not the same as our more Northern aquatic friends. Anyhow, it’s good to hear the stories from back home, I’ll be back there in another year or so. Take care all, and good fishing! Butch
Not so bad in my book, snagger. Those bass can be outstanding on a fly rod, and the bluegills and perch are tasty indeed. Mark Faulkner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, you guys are making me homesick. I was born in Rochester and grew up in Webster, Warsaw, Corning, Hornell and finally in Penn Yan, NY on Keuka Lake. For the past nineteen years I’ve been in the Navy, and recently my flies have been seeking fish in the warm tidal rivers, creeks and lakes of Hampton Roads, Virginia where we catch some real nice large mouth bass, Perch, Bluegills and such. All great fun, but still not the same as our more Northern aquatic friends. Anyhow, it’s good to hear the stories from back home, I’ll be back there in another year or so. Take care all, and good fishing! Butch
Butch writes:
<<Well, you guys are making me homesick. I was born in Rochester and grew up in Webster, Warsaw, Corning, Hornell and finally in Penn Yan, NY on Keuka Lake. For the past nineteen years I’ve been in the Navy, and recently my flies have been seeking fish in the warm tidal rivers, creeks and lakes of Hampton Roads, Virginia where we catch some real nice large mouth bass, Perch, Bluegills and such. All great fun, but still not the same as our more Northern aquatic friends. Anyhow, it’s good to hear the stories from back home, I’ll be back there in another year or so. Take care all, and good fishing! Welcome aboard, DeepSnag. I retired from Mother Nav in 1975. There are other retirees in ROFF, and Tom Brown, a regular ROFF poster, has a son on USS Nicholas FFG47. You’re with family. ’Course, we got lots of no-account lawyers and folks with "edu" in their address, but as a whole, they’re pretty neat. They’re worth going fishing with, anyway. Let’s hear more from you. Dave LaCourse, USN (Ret)
Well, you guys are making me homesick. I was born in Rochester and grew up in Webster, Warsaw, Corning, Hornell and finally in Penn Yan, NY on Keuka Lake. For the past nineteen years I’ve been in the Navy, and recently my flies have been seeking fish in the warm tidal rivers, creeks and lakes of Hampton Roads, Virginia where we catch some real nice large mouth bass, Perch, Bluegills and such. All great fun, but still not the same as our more Northern aquatic friends. Anyhow, it’s good to hear the stories from back home, I’ll be back there in another year or so. Take care all, and good fishing! Butch
Congratulations DeepSnag for sticking it out with the USN. I still remember the anticipation of counting down the years, months and days till retirement. Nothing like it. Best decision I ever made. Don’t know about you but my 20 yrs went by really fast. Frank Church Elkhart, IN USAF RETIRED
Welcome aboard, DeepSnag. I retired from Mother Nav in 1975. There are other retirees in ROFF, and Tom Brown, a regular ROFF poster, has a son on USS Nicholas FFG47. You’re with family. ’Course, we got lots of no-account lawyers and folks with "edu" in their address, but as a whole, they’re pretty neat. They’re worth going fishing with, anyway. Let’s hear more from you. Dave LaCourse, USN (Ret)
I’ll have to put in a plug for my son here…Navy Chaplain serving aboard the USS Rainier out of Bremerton, WA. I’m proud of this guy and wish he was geographically closer. He has plans to stay…another 7 yrs to retirement. Frank Church Elkhart, IN USAF RETIRED
I’ve been flyfishing a small gravel pond lake for bass and walleyes for a couple of years now. Everyday is different. Somedays, the largemouths are eager eaters, other days they won’t take anything. One technique I’ve been using with alot of success is to get into a rowboat and let the wind drift me across the lake…fly on a sinking line trolling at the wind’s speed. Surprisingly, alot of bass take the fly. Yesterday at sun’s zenith, I stopped my drift and anchored in a spot where I thought some fat perch or walleyes might be hanging out. I cast the fast sink line with a red and brown glass-bead streamer about seventy feet out and let it sink to the bottom. A few quick jigs, and the old lady of the lake, the one I had heard about, ate. She took line and bent the 6 wgt. GLoomis so the tip was touching the water. She was old and she was beautiful. Bob E.
Frank Church writes:
<<I’ll have to put in a plug for my son here…Navy Chaplain serving aboard the USS Rainier out of Bremerton, WA. I’m proud of this guy and wish he was geographically closer. He has plans to stay…another 7 yrs to retirement. Hey, congratulations, Frank. I can imagine how very proud you are of him. The Rainier is an oiler (AOE), so I bet he is at sea a lot. Does he also FF? Dave LaCourse
Frank Church writes: <<I’ll have to put in a plug for my son here…Navy Chaplain serving aboard the USS Rainier out of Bremerton, WA. I’m proud of this guy and wish he was geographically closer. He has plans to stay…another 7 yrs to retirement. Hey, congratulations, Frank. I can imagine how very proud you are of him. The Rainier is an oiler (AOE), so I bet he is at sea a lot. Does he also FF? Dave LaCourse
his third or 4th one. The assignment he liked best was being attached to the USMC as unit chaplain at Camp Lejuene..he got out there and humped on the marches and hikes with the grunts. On his way (with family) to Naples (?) for 3 yrs in Jan. His job will be to travel all over Europe, sort of a military circuit rider. Man, am I jealous! Afraid he doesn’t FF…his avocation and vocation take up all his time and right now he has no interest in fishing of any kind. Frank Church Elkhart, IN USAF RETIRED
[deleted] So I tip my second Honey Brown to you reprobates that drink beer from clear glass bottles. You know not what you do…
[deleted] Honey in beer ! Egads man…have you no taste ?!?!?! Honey belongs on peanut butter sandwiches, not in beer. Your pal, — TimW, Halfordian Golfer "A Cash Flow Runs Through It…" "Guilt replaced the creel…"
[deleted] So I tip my second Honey Brown to you reprobates that drink beer from clear glass bottles. You know not what you do… Honey in beer ! Egads man…have you no taste ?!?!?! Honey belongs on peanut butter sandwiches, not in beer.
Ah, if you only had a clue, Tim… /daytripper (tonite, it’s Concord Pale Ale, fresh from the brewery. Yummy!)
Just updating the info I have found out. Martin is now owned by Zebco (ARGH!) and they *DO NOT* allow the purchase of the top half of a rod to replace a broken one…. I guess I’ll just be buying another top guide instead… : (
Damn alter ego… : ) Paul
The 1999 address I get is: Martin PO Box 270 Tulsa, OK 74101 918/ 836-3542 Sales manager: Ray More
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I went fishing the other day and I broke the tip off my new fly rod. Anyone here who has done it knows how close it can make you come to weeping… While I could just pop another tip ferrule (?) on there I wanted to have the rod perform exactly like it has in the past. It is a Martin Classic graphite rod and it broke in two places; just above and just beneath the second eye. I want to find out if the company might be able to send a replacement top section of the rod. Previously on this group someone mentioned that St. Croix (I think) sells rods with lifetime warrenties and would provides replacements for for $5 per accident. I bought mine at a going out of business sale so It did not have the warrenty card attached when I bought it. Therefore I don’t know whether they have some kind of arrangement for this. I would really appreciate the snail mail address, their web page URL, email address, and phone number. Could someone give me this information as I have had no luck finding it in seach engines on the Web. I have thought that they might be a subdivsion of a larger company and that might have foiled my attempts to find them as well. If this is the case could you also tell me who they are associated with? Thanks in advance! Paul Porter
Just updating the info I have found out. Martin is now owned by Zebco (ARGH!) and they *DO NOT* allow the purchase of the top half of a rod to replace a broken one…. I guess I’ll just be buying another top guide instead… : ( Paul
Martin is not Martin anymore. It’s owned by someone else. I’m not sure who.
Does anyone know?? Help a fellow angler out people! 
Paul
Martin is not Martin anymore. It’s owned by someone else. I’m not sure who. Good Luck! Joel Axelrad
Does anyone know?? Help a fellow angler out people!
try Martin Reel Company, 30 E Main ST PO Box Drawer 8 ,Mohawk, NY 13407, USA, 918-831-6857 not sure if it’s still good.
I went fishing the other day and I broke the tip off my new fly rod. Anyone here who has done it knows how close it can make you come to weeping… While I could just pop another tip ferrule (?) on there I wanted to have the rod perform exactly like it has in the past. It is a Martin Classic graphite rod and it broke in two places; just above and just beneath the second eye. I want to find out if the company might be able to send a replacement top section of the rod. Previously on this group someone mentioned that St. Croix (I think) sells rods with lifetime warrenties and would provides replacements for for $5 per accident. I bought mine at a going out of business sale so It did not have the warrenty card attached when I bought it. Therefore I don’t know whether they have some kind of arrangement for this. I would really appreciate the snail mail address, their web page URL, email address, and phone number. Could someone give me this information as I have had no luck finding it in seach engines on the Web. I have thought that they might be a subdivsion of a larger company and that might have foiled my attempts to find them as well. If this is the case could you also tell me who they are associated with? Thanks in advance! Paul Porter
Hi, I’m a relative new comer to both fly fishing and Florida. Having said that, I’ve fished the no motor zone at Cape Canaveral twice in the last few days and only caught a few small spotted sea trout. Anyone having any better luck? Is it me, the screwy weather or a combination? Mind you, I’m not really complaining. You know what they say about a bad day fishing…. David
See Action Spotter in January Florida Sportsman. Somebody’s been catching fish on flyrod there recently. Good Luck.
Hi, I’m a relative new comer to both fly fishing and Florida. Having said that, I’ve fished the no motor zone at Cape Canaveral twice in the last few days and only caught a few small spotted sea trout. Anyone having any better luck? Is it me, the screwy weather or a combination? Mind you, I’m not really complaining. You know what they say about a bad day fishing…. David
Been off the water a bit but the same goes for fresh water. I got out this last week a couple of hrs. Weather was cool so the gators has took to the mud, all I caught were about a dozen bity bream and 1 decent war mouth. Seems it’s kinda off on the east central but I understand the gulf is hot. John Popp in Sanford Fl.
Well, I can only tell you of my experiences over on the west coast, but the fish (Snook, Redfish & Trout) are not in their usual Fall/Winter haunts. Since it is not spring and the Gulf waters here are warmer than they should be, the fish are still on the flats, hungry as ever, but they seem scattered as opposed to the same weather/water conditions in the late spring/summer. I’ve had to cover a lot of water to find them. Good Luck — Tight Lines.
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – here’s the story. about a month ago a friend of mine and i got our california fishing licenses. we have gone out several times with not much luck. we live in reno nevada and have easy access to the truckee river, lake tahoe area, bridgeport area, and the lake davis area. most of our efforts have been concentrated on the truckee river and various other streams close by. i have not caught anything yet and my friend has only caught one trout. i have an experienced friend who says that flyfishing is "something you have to pay your dues with". is that the general consensus? what do you suggest if nothing seems to be working (like in my case)? fish new areas? delve into entomology? read books? pay for a guide? i feel like i can do this i just need to build some momentum up (and going in the right direction would help). my current setup is a 7′-6" bamboo 5/6 weight rod; 100 yards of 10 lb. backing; "courtland" shooting head line (floating); "scientific angler" leader. i have been using and had strikes on wooly worms, wooly buggers, helgramites. i have been using and not having luck with nymphs, cahills, grasshoppers, and various dry flies. there is nothing more frustrating than to be wading in the middle of a hole with fish rising all around me and not being able to catch one. this has actually happened twice. if anyone would be kind enough to help, my friend and i would greatly appreciate it. thank you in advance.
Try to pick a fly that most closely matches the size of the insects that you see on the surface. The next most important thing is to keep one hand on your line line at all times. The fact that you are getting strikes means that your fly selection is not that bad. A problem I used to have is I would mend and leave to much line out. When I got a strike, I could not pull the line taught quickly enough to set the hook. If you are not able to pull your line taught by raising your rod tip to 45 deg above horizontal, plus a single pull with your line hand, then you have to much line out. Brian Brian
here’s the story. about a month ago a friend of mine and i got our california fishing licenses. we have gone out several times with not much luck. we live in reno nevada and have easy access to the truckee river, lake tahoe area, bridgeport area, and the lake davis area. most of our efforts have been concentrated on the truckee river and various other streams close by. i have not caught anything yet and my friend has only caught one trout. i have an experienced friend who says that flyfishing is "something you have to pay your dues with". is that the general consensus? what do you suggest if nothing seems to be working (like in my case)? fish new areas? delve into entomology? read books? pay for a guide? i feel like i can do this i just need to build some momentum up (and going in the right direction would help). my current setup is a 7′-6" bamboo 5/6 weight rod; 100 yards of 10 lb. backing; "courtland" shooting head line (floating); "scientific angler" leader. i have been using and had strikes on wooly worms, wooly buggers, helgramites. i have been using and not having luck with nymphs, cahills, grasshoppers, and various dry flies. there is nothing more frustrating than to be wading in the middle of a hole with fish rising all around me and not being able to catch one. this has actually happened twice. if anyone would be kind enough to help, my friend and i would greatly appreciate it. thank you in advance.
I’m investigating a position in Baker, Oregon and have been told by the recruiter that the flyfishing is "the best in the country". I don’t know if anyone in Last Chance, ID or Steamboat, OR or Flaming Gorge, UT would disagree but I’d love to hear from someone who has fished in the creeks, rivers and lakes around Baker. You can e-mail me at Ken
Ken, All fishing in Oregon is highly over rated. The population has grown so fast that most streams and lakes are depleted except for the odd truckload of planters dumped in every now and then to satisfy the bloodlust of recently arrived new Oregonians. Recruiters are frequently reduced to lying in order to seduce those in search of a lifestiyle and environment that disappeared long ago. The real action is in Colorado where guys like Moe Skeeter and Walleye Miller have taken steps to insure that fish are plentiful and anglers are few. I’m investigating a position in Baker, Oregon and have been told by the recruiter that the flyfishing is "the best in the country". I don’t know if anyone in Last Chance, ID or Steamboat, OR or Flaming Gorge, UT would disagree but I’d love to hear from someone who has fished in the creeks, rivers and lakes around Baker. You can e-mail me at Ken
– Mike in PDX "When the trout are lost, smash the state." Tomn McGuane
Every year, hunter friends give me deer hides and tails. Is there anyone out there who has successfully dyed deer hair? I would like to end up with vibrant yellow, red, and green. Any help would be greatly appreciated
In regards to your question, I have been somwhat succesful with dyeing hair. I fyou have some of the under belly, (all white) thats the best to work with. You are able to dye over the natural, but it is not as bright and vivid. I use Rit-Dye and just follow the directions. I dont use any of the acid-dyes, simply because I think it is to complicated. I hope this was of some help. Mike
Every year, hunter friends give me deer hides and tails. Is there anyone out there who has successfully dyed deer hair? I would like to end up with vibrant yellow, red, and green. Any help would be greatly appreciated
There are no shortcuts. Step 1. Degrease and clean the hair with Veniard’s degreaser. Step 2. Bleach the hair with *commercial* hair bleach such as Basic White (the best I’ve used . . . must be purchased through a beauty salon). The over the counter bleaches will simply turn your hair a yellowish brown. Step 3. Dye with your favorite die. I like Veniard’s for the most intense colors possible. For more eathy colors like greens, browns, straw, etc., Rit is fine. Tight lines, Ralph Ralph Cutter, California School of Flyfishing. http://www.flyline.com
Thanks Ralph. Good advice. As usual, there never is an acceptable shortcut to a proper end-product. Unfortunately, I am not at all familiar with the Veniard product line. Any clues as to where I might start looking? Your input much appreciated.
Every year, hunter friends give me deer hides and tails. Is there anyone out there who has successfully dyed deer hair? I would like to end up with vibrant yellow, red, and green. Any help would be greatly appreciated
Method 1: Home Brew I’ve dyed deer hair yellow, red, green and black using RIT brand LIQUID dyes bought at the grocery with results as good as you can buy, but I can’t call them vibrant. The belly hair takes better than the darker parts. Make sure the hide scrap is clean. I use dishwashing liquid. Mix the dye as strong as you like. Soak scraps in hot solution for about 20 minutes. Make sure to "set" the dye by adding white vinegar to the brew when the color is dark enough. Method 2: Totally Scientific Look to the 3 part series in ‘94 issues of American Angler for a dye-meister’s techniques. The may/june, july/august & september/october issues have William T. Roubal’s techniques for truly vibrant colors with modern dyes, natural dyes, etc. He is supposed to have a book out on the same subject. If you can’t locate back issues drop me e-mail and I’ll Xerox the series and mail it to you. Make big fun. mayfly
In regards to your question, I have been somwhat succesful with dyeing hair. I fyou have some of the under belly, (all white) thats the best to work with. You are able to dye over the natural, but it is not as bright and vivid. I use Rit-Dye and just follow the directions. I dont use any of the acid-dyes, simply because I think it is to complicated. I hope this was of some help. Mike
Mike, Take a look at A.K. Best’s "Dyeing and Bleaching Natural Fly Tying Materials" It’s a great book and goes in depth into degreasing etc… Good Luck! Jack
Does A.K.’s book deal with rit dye or is is all acid dyes? I have read the articles in American Angler(except for the first and last one, cant find those issues) and it seems to complicated for me. I just want some good colors and I think I am abel to get them with the rit-dye method. -Mike
Hi Mike, In addition to Rit dye I also use Veniards. If you can find them their colors are much brighter and vibrant. Good Luck! Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)
: Recently I have begun to do some offshore racing outside the San Francisco Bay and I now need to buy my own offshore harness. I’ve been advised that a : a self-inflating harness is the best way to go. : However, I work the foredeck. : Some people say that you really have to submerge these harnesses for them : to inflate, others say that they’ve had them inflate when they are piled : in with other wet gear for a period of time. I’ve used the belt inflated life jacket for about 3 years now. Normal maintanence requires that you inflate them once a year at least. If you do that the unit will not inflate until it is under water for a time. If you don’t inflate it regularly it may more may not inflate when you need it. The CO2 cartrage will discharge over time so you want to replace it yearly to be on the safe side. If you inflat it put it under water to check for leaks. A unit that isn’t repack once in a while will be more likely to be holed. I’d say get you’re own equipment. Also look at the line that connects the harness to the boat. You may want different lengths for different boats. I’m currently running my jack line from the cochpit around the babystay and back. This way I can walk around the mast and back if I don’t like the seas on the low side etc. As this line floats up I can run a very short line. If I have crew up there on the foredeck helping I need more line. I find line length effects productivity up there. A short line that is long enough to do the job doesn’t get tangled, stepped on or removed because it’s in the way. You can make a long line short by splicing your own end and feeding a bunge cord through it. For fore deck work I would recomend getting very creative with this jack line. If you don’t you will find yourself up there removing it to untangle yourself etc. As for the clip for a jack line they put some pretty user unfreindly line connectors on some of the harness. I’m devided as they must have a reason but I end up using carbeners because they are easy to work with going in and out of the cabin. Basicly if I don’t have to think about it I find I connect myself. If I have to fiddle with it I catch myself unconnected. Another thing to look at on a harness is storage. I know this sounds strange but the ‘right’ place to put a wistle and a water prouf flash light is on the harness. It’s been measured that you can blow a wistle in cold water when you can’t yell to flag another boat down. I have the personel strobes but the helogen flash lights (small ones using the AA batteries) can be pointed right at the boat you’re trying to flag down. These little guys are bright and last a good long time. I also have more faith in a light I’m using often to one that is stored and never used but to test. Tests don’t give you a feel for the battery life etc. As a fordeck person I hope you know never to go up there without a good sharp knife. This could save your life someday if you ever get wrapped. I started doing this years ago never needed it but if it’s blowing hard you may not be able to communicate you’re arm being broken to the guy behind you. — AST Research Inc. (714) 727-8669
In practice it’s actually very rare for foredeck crew to be "hooked in" while working the foredeck of a competitive race boat. They hook in while sitting on the rail or trimming, but being tethered during a jibe or sail change would be problematic. *Some* crew hook in during these maneuvers at night, but this is rare, in my experience. Even singlehanded, it took practice to learn how to jibe the spinnaker while hooked in. For a full crew to jibe an ocean racer with all their tethers attached would be chaos. Your first defense against being lost overboard (after holding on tight, that is) is a good life jacket and a personal strobe and whistle. Maybe a backup waterproof flashlight, too. I’m very strict about wearing this equipment offshore. The harness, in the vast majority of weather conditions you’ll encounter off the coast, is going to be far too encumbering to allow you to race the boat effectively. I have an old North vest which I love because it has nice deep pockets for the strobe and other stuff (and it served well when I survived a sinking, the Bird boat FALCON in 1989 Master Mariners, in the middle of SF Bay). If I were shopping for a new lifejacket I’d probably favor one of the Stearns fishing models, because of the multiple pockets, and the high degree of freedom of motion they offer. Having said that, you still need a harness for the times that the weather is *really* bad, and especially for the long time intervals between maneuvers when there’s no efficiency lost by being hooked on. So my preference is for a single-purpose shoulder harness, of a fairly simple design that can be sorted out and put on in the dark while you hold on with the other hand. It’s important that the tether have good, oversized (expensive) shackles at *both* ends, so if you find yourself tangled in something you can re-lead from your end. Also consider using some nylon rope instead of the webbing for the tether. A cleat hitch around the nearest cleat is generally more reliable than a carbiner through a pad eye, and you can adjust the length of the teather to be no longer than what you really need. BTW I don’t think much of caribiners for this application, because they have to be closed to develop full strength. (my tether has a very large torsion-spring gate-type snap hook on the far end, and an equally oversize "fly-away" type spinnaker sheet shackle (about what you’d find on a 40′ boat) at my end. -"Call me Fishmeal"-
Some people say that you really have to submerge these harnesses for them to inflate, others say that they’ve had them inflate when they are piled in with other wet gear for a period of time.
My experience is that on a long wet trip e.g. sailing from Hawaii back to California, the self-inflating life jackets always trigger. My suboptimal solution has been to remove the self inflating cap, spring, and tablet, but leave the CO2 cartridge and the manual trigger pull tab. Stan Honey San Francisco
| | Some people say that you really have to submerge these harnesses for them | to inflate, others say that they’ve had them inflate when they are piled | in with other wet gear for a period of time. | | My experience is that on a long wet trip e.g. sailing from Hawaii | back to California, the self-inflating life jackets always trigger. | My suboptimal solution has been to remove the self inflating cap, | spring, and tablet, but leave the CO2 cartridge and the manual trigger | pull tab. On the other hand, my experience with a Crewsaver, Crewfit lifejacket is that it has never inflated when I haven’t wanted it to, and has inflated when needed. I have been out in conditions when I would have expected it to trigger and it hasn’t. I suspect that the tendency to trigger "accidently" depends on the particular lifejacket. The self inflating capsule on the Crewsaver is well protected by the folded lifejacket and this may not be the case in other designs. Marion Edwards
Recently I have begun to do some offshore racing outside the San Francisco Bay and I now need to buy my own offshore harness. I’ve been advised that a a self-inflating harness is the best way to go. However, I work the foredeck. Some people say that you really have to submerge these harnesses for them to inflate, others say that they’ve had them inflate when they are piled in with other wet gear for a period of time. I would appreciate anyone else’s feedback and experience on this before I spend some money. Thanks for the help, Allison Serventi